French based animation outfits Digital Salade and Dark Prince have joined forces with India’s Animation Bridge in inking a co-pro deal to kick-start production on the 3D animated series Bob Screen, Defective Detective (well, I guess there goes Terry Gilliam’s plans again!), a surprise runaway hit at 2003’s Cartoon Forum. For more details, including a full-sized look at Bob himself, read all about it here:

DARK PRINCE, DIGITAL SALADE AND ANIMATION BRIDGE JOIN FORCES:

The initial mini-series, due to be delivered in Spring 2005, is a collection of 6 animated specials featuring the first of many of would-be detective Bob Screen‘s hapless attempts to solve crimes of the most ludicrous ilk… The intention is to expand the format to a full 52 episodes, and the partners will be actively seeking co-pro partners during MIPCOM, as well as first sales to the DVD market. A movie project is also in the works.

The past year has seen substantial new development work on the concept initiated by longstanding Salade alums Vinciguerra, Bourde and Lonni, notably re-tweaking it to target the 8-12 year old demo, though the unique graphic slice-of-toast design remains as crisp as ever.

The French duo’s alliance with Animation Bridge, headed by India’s animation mogul and international talent scout Biren Ghose, is set to be the basis for a longstanding production relationship, each party exploiting its in-house talents, studio network and resources.

Animation Bridge, an Exec Production Company with co-pro and co-development relationships with the USA, UK, France and Canada, has an understanding with studio Paprikaas for the production of the show.

The Bob Screen co-venture comes hot on the heels of the first-look partnership sealed in August between Dark Prince and Digital Salade, the latter specialising in 3D/2D design, production and sound services whereas Dark Prince brings its full roster of executive production services as well as its production platform using its brand new proprietary software system GenerActorTM for 2D animation.