10/14/02 New Wallace & Gromit Series Hits AtomFilms

Wallace & Gromit’s Cracking Contraptions, Aardman Animations’ new series of 10 short films will debut online at AtomFilms tomorrow, Oct. 15. Fans of the fumbling English inventor and his precocious dog can download the first episode, Soccamatic, free of charge at noon PST at http://wallace.atomfilms.com. One week later, AtomFilms will present the world premiere of the entire Cracking Contraptions series exclusively to online subscribers. Episodes will range from one to three minutes in length.

The clay animated Wallace and Gromit made their debut in Nick Park’s Oscar-nominated 1989 short A Grand Day Out (1989) and went on to star in the Oscar-winning outings A Close Shave (1995) and The Wrong Trousers (1993). Cracking Contraptions marks their first new appearances in seven years. A feature film deal between Aardman and DreamWorks was recently announced.

Park is producing Cracking Contraptions with past collaborators Chris Sadler and Loyd Price directing. "Wallace and Gromit are like family to me," says Park. "I couldn’t be prouder of Cracking Contraptions, which provides new insights into the unique relationship of my characters. And considering their love of advanced technology, the Internet is the perfect place for these guys."

After paying a one time fee of $9.95, subscribers will gain instant access to all 10 episodes and a special "making of" feature. The series will be delivered exclusively in the Windows Media video format, with digital-rights-management services provided by SyncCast.

For more information on Wallace & Gromit’s Cracking Contraptions, visit http://wallace.atomfilms.com.