08 May 2014
S4C will be treading on new territory at the end of May with the launch of the first Welsh-language interactive comic app, called Madron.
The interactive adventure for young people will first hit our screens as an animation on S4C on Thursday 22 May. But this is just the first step on the exciting journey of this innovative project as the story will be put in the viewer’s hands from then on.
After the broadcast, the story continues in a series of interactive comic apps, created by Cube Interactive in Cardiff. The four apps, which will be in a comic format, will be full of videos and games to download on your tablet or smart phone, one each week – and will offer an exciting digital adventure, all in Welsh.
Madron tells the story of two brave teenagers, Seren and Ishmael, who try to save the world from a horrible virus which is threatening to destroy civilisation by turning everyone into mindless zombies.
Seren and Ishamel go on a dangerous adventure across Wales, which takes them from Cardiff to the top of Snowdonia.
S4C’s Content Commissioner, Sioned Wyn Roberts is excited by the multi-platform production project, Madron.
“It’s innovative because this is the first interactive comic app in Welsh, and young people will love the animation, and the interactive app. Madron’s storyline is also strong, it’s also a good drama, and is something a little bit different, and is pioneering for S4C.
As a small broadcaster, it is important that S4C tries out new things and works with companies that have different ideas. We need to compete with broadcasters including CBBC, and one way of doing this is by coming up with innovative ideas,” she added. “We are also thinking about how our content can work across a range of platforms, whether that is mobile devices, games consoles or YouTube.”
Madron will be broadcast on S4C on Thursday, 22 May at 7:50pm, and then will be repeated on TAG, 23 May at 5pm. After the broadcast, one app will be released each week, on 22 May, 29 May, 5 June and 12 June – offering a whole new digital adventure, and all through the medium of Welsh.Madron was created by independent production company Glasshead and this is their first production for S4C. Glasshead’s producer Tim Froggatt has enjoyed the new partnership with S4C, and is also looking forward to working on the interactive project.
‘The combination of storyline, art work, music and the way that they’ve come together is really exciting. It’s a fantastic project with such a compelling story.’
Notes:
Following the launch Madron will go on tour , visiting Llanelli, Cardiff and Caernarfon. The streets of those towns will be covered with street art, and flash mob dancers will also make an appearance. The Madron journey will finish at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Bala, where the new TAG presenters, Mari Lovgreen and Owain Williams, will welcome Madron there on Thursday 29 May.
For more information on how to download the apps go to http://www.s4c.co.uk/madron/ . There will also be a chance to follow Madron on Twitter, (#madron @Madron_S4C) and like it on Facebook.
Madron was created by independent production company Glasshead and this is their first production for S4C. Glasshead’s producer Tim Froggatt has enjoyed the new partnership with S4C, and is also looking forward to working on the interactive project.
‘The combination of storyline, art work, music and the way that they’ve come together is really exciting. It’s a fantastic project with such a compelling story.’
