Animation Firm Hip-hops to Success

InNOVAcorp's newest tenant is hip-hopping its way to success.

Wetsand Animation Inc. of Dartmouth recently signed a contract with Headstart Entertainment of Studio City, California, to animate two episodes of an urban-lifestyle cartoon based on hip- hop culture.

"I'm very pleased for this young company," said Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage. "Their growth has been tremendous since they moved into InNOVAcorp's technology innovation centre."

"We're really excited about working on this great project," said Brian Finlay, Wetsand founder. "This is one in a series of DVD contracts that we'll be doing between now and 2006."

The hip-hop cartoon, called Da Jammies!, follows the daily adventures of two groups of young children who want to succeed in the hip-hop business. Mr. Finlay said the cartoon's message is socially positive.

The cartoon is a direct-to-DVD project and may lead to a television contract.

Wetsand Animation was founded in the fall of 2003 to produce high-quality animation combining classical techniques with state- of-the-art technology. The company's portfolio includes work on the Warner Brothers TV series Mucha Lucha, and CD-ROM games for SpongeBob Square Pants and Shrek.

Wetsand moved into the technology innovation centre in June because it provided the company with the flexibility to expand quickly and take on larger projects.

InNOVAcorp helps companies succeed in their early stages of growth and development by promoting innovation and commercialization of new products and technologies. It's making a significant contribution to the rapidly growing technology and life sciences industries of Nova Scotia through venture capital investment, mentoring, and incubation facilities and services.