Category: 1Xtra
Date: 14.02.2005
Printable version
1Xtra announced today that it has teamed up with BBC Interactive Drama
and Entertainment to launch Taggerz, an interactive
animated drama based on the lives of a crew of graffiti artists.
The series of broadcast quality animations will consist of six ten-minute
episodes on bbc.co.uk/1xtra, with one episode a day appearing from Monday
21 to Saturday 26 March.
A group of graffiti artists - the Ruffneck Crew - from mixed and troubled backgrounds
will be central to the plot.
The group were formerly close-knit but are now a bunch of individuals
moving in separate directions and facing different problems.
The story will touch on topics such as pregnancy, drugs, death, graffiti,
music and ambition.
The five characters are: G-Spin (24, mixed race, originally set up
the crew and now its oldest member, his DJ career seems about to take
off); Radikal (21, Afro-Caribbean, crew leader, a brilliant and original
graffiti writer); Khan (18-year-old Asian, has a reckless and impatient
approach to life); Elizabeth (18, white, hardworking art college student);
and Solar (17, white, she is the most artistically talented member).
1Xtra's DJs Jason & Iyare (weekdays, 6.00-9.00am)
will support the series, devoting airtime to Taggerz throughout the
week of the launch.
During the week, the station will run news and speech content by inviting
characters from the series to join in the discussions. There will also
be a documentary called Kids These Days which will cover the topics
examined in Taggerz.
Taggerz also features cameo appearances in animation form by 1Xtra's
DJs Rodney P and Skitz.
Alan Yentob, the BBC's Director of Drama, Entertainment
& CBBC and its Creative Director, will also appear as an animated
character.
The soundtrack for the series has been produced by 1Xtra's Skitz and
features UK rapper MCD.
Other tracks featured are from 1Xtra's Panjabi Hit Squad,
Terra Danjah, Breakage and Jo
Buddha.
Willber Willberforce, 1Xtra's Programmes Editor, said: "I am delighted
that 1Xtra will be hosting this distinctive creative project.
"The theme of graffiti is one that interests our listeners and
they will have the opportunity to engage with characters that face very
real problems.
"The interactivity and on-air content will be a first for our
audience."
Jamie Cason, Interactive Executive for BBC Interactive Drama and Entertainment,
added: "Taggerz is a very exciting project for us. The principal
objective is to develop a creative and interactive dialogue with 1Xtra's
audience via this compelling animated drama."
Notes to Editors
Taggerz on bbc.co.uk/1Xtra will go live on Monday 21 March. It will
host an array of entertaining features including:
An option to download all the assets from the animations such as characters
and backdrops.
A creative tool allowing the user to create their own animations using
assets from the game (suitable for both inexperienced and advanced animators).
Message boards.
Taggerz has been created by independent digital ideas agency Randommedia
who were appointed by BBC iD&E to produce the series and related interactive
content.
For further information, keep listening to 1Xtra and check bbc.co.uk/1xtra.
Listen live to 1Xtra via Digital DAB Radio or by logging on to bbc.co.uk/1xtra
and via Digital Cable on Channels Sky Digital 887, Telewest & Broadband
907, NTL Digital 859 and Freeview 71.
