Fun Song Factory
 |
| Fun Song Factory | |
|---|---|
| File:Fun Song Factory.jpg Logo for the 2004 series | |
| Genre | Children's Pre-School |
| Created by | Will Brenton & Iain Lauchlan |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 82 (7 live) |
| Production | |
| Producer | Tell-Tale Productions |
| Running time | 50 mins VHS releases 20 mins (GMTV Series) 10 mins (CITV Series) |
| Production companies | Tell-Tale Productions Abbey Broadcast Communications (Original DTV Videos and 1998 TV series) Entertainment Rights PLC (2004 series) |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV Network ITV2 (CITV/GMTV) |
| Original release | 1 December 1994 – January 2006 |
Fun Song Factory is a British preschool children's television series. It was originally created in 1994 by Will Brenton and Iain Lauchlan, who at the time, were part of the Playdays production team. The series was produced through their studio Tell-Tale Productions, and was originally released as a Direct-to-video series through Abbey Home Entertainment (and later PolyGram Video)'s "Tempo-Pre-School" imprint.
Format
The series centers around a factory where music is created. In it, live presenters alongside children come inside and sing a number of nursery rhymes, which depend on per episode.
Original production
The first production was a show made exclusively for release on VHS, filmed at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, presented by Iain Lauchlan, Sarah Davison and Dave Benson Phillips.
The video was a commercial success and led to a second being filmed at Chicken Shed in North London, this time presented by Iain, Dave and Michelle Durler. Following the success of the second tape, another five were produced, which began a transition more to the later-produced television series format. With this, a fully-costumed dog character named Ozzy Octave (voiced by Nick Mercer) would be introduced, who would be the foreman of the Fun Song Factory. Other characters introduced were Fred Fixer (voiced by Iain Lauchlan), Talking paint pots and Sally Cat (voiced by Sally Preisig). The specials featured costumed appearances from Postman Pat, Rupert Bear, SuperTed, Bump the Elephant and Dusty the Dinosaur.
GMTV Series (1998)
After the original 7 videos sold a combined total of 750,000 copies in the UK, a full TV series of 23 episodes was commissioned by GMTV in 1998. For the TV series Dave Benson Phillips became the main presenter and appeared in every episode. The other presenters who appeared in this series rotated from Katy Stephens (Returning from the Fun and Games DTV feature), Alex Lovell (Her first television role), Justin Fletcher (Also his first television role), and Karl Woolley. Nick Mercer reprises his role as Ozzy Octave and also performed Old MacDonald in the episode "Farm Animals" (whom Lauchlan previously appeared as in the Old MacDonald's Farm DTV feature), Mercer previously was The Grand Old Duke of York in the Nursery Rhyme Land DTV feature. Lauchlan would reprise the role of Fred and Preisig would reprise the role of Sally, The paint pots would also return. A new character, a talking factory hooter named Hooter was introduced. This show was nominated for a BAFTA in 1998.
CITV series (2004)
In 2004, CITV commissioned an updated version of the show featuring an all-new cast. The CITV series featured a format that was similar to other children's music shows like Hi-5, and the episodes lasted at a shorter 10 minute length instead of the previous 20-minute length.
The cast members in this version used acting names instead of their real names, with the characters being Melody (Laura Hamilton), OJ and Cookie (Chris Till and Aston Merrygold, the latter later of the boyband JLS), Paige (Polly Parsons) and Cal (Kerry Newell). Ozzy Octave and the paint pots were the only characters who returned for the series, with Ozzy now voiced by Justin Fletcher. A new character was also introduced, Ozzy's nephew named Harry (voiced by Jane H. Pickworth).
Live Shows (1994-97)
- Fun Song Factory (1 December 1994) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Sarah Davison and Dave Benson Phillips (featuring Postman Pat, Rupert Bear, SuperTed and Dusty the Dinosaur)
- Fun Song Factory 2 (5 January 1996) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Michelle Durler and Dave Benson Phillips (featuring Postman Pat, Rupert Bear and SuperTed)
- Party Time at the Fun Song Factory (26 July 1996) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Sarah Davison and Dave Benson Phillips
- The Fun Song Factory at Old MacDonald's Farm (28 September 1996) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Sarah Davison and Dave Benson Phillips
- Christmas at the Fun Song Factory (30 November 1996) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Sarah Davison and Dave Benson Phillips
- Fun Song Factory - Fun and Games (24 September 1997) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Katy Stephens and Dave Benson Phillips (featuring Postman Pat, SuperTed and Bump the Elephant)
- Fun Song Factory - Nursery Rhyme Land (5 November 1997) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Sarah Davison and Dave Benson Phillips (featuring SuperTed)
- Fun Song Factory - Sight for Sore Eyes (4th March 2005) - Presented by Iain Lauchlan, Sarah Davison and Dave Benson Phillips
Fun Song Factory (GMTV series) episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Birthdays" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | May 30, 1998 | |
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Ozzy helps hold a birthday party for Fred. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 2 | "Sounds" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | June 6, 1998 | |
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Hooter is making all sorts of random sounds. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Alex Lovell & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 3 | "Big and Small" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | June 13, 1998 | |
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The children make large and small friends with each other with help from Ozzy and help Sally overcome her fear of mice. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Katy Stephens | |||||
| 4 | "Farm Animals" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | June 20, 1998 | |
|
Old MacDonald visits the factory. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Alex Lovell & Nick Mercer | |||||
| 5 | "Numbers" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | June 27, 1998 | |
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The children and the presenters sing all sorts of counting songs. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Justin Fletcher & Alex Lovell | |||||
| 6 | "Please and Thank You" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | July 4, 1998 | |
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Everybody is being polite and caring on Good Manners Day. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Justin Fletcher Children: Isabella Cheevers, Jamie Meyer, Mikayla Jones, Amber Charles & Francesca Baldwin | |||||
| 7 | "Picnic Time" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | July 11, 1998 | |
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Will the weather dampen Ozzy's surprise for the children? Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Katy Stephens | |||||
| 8 | "Helping" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | July 18, 1998 | |
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Ozzy is extra busy today, so he asks everybody to help him out at the Factory. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Karl Woolley | |||||
| 9 | "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | July 25, 1998 | |
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The crew show off what our bodies can do. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 10 | "Colours" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | August 1, 1998 | |
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Ozzy and the crew show off the wonderful colours of the rainbow. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 11 | "Collywobbles" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | August 8, 1998 | |
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Strange sounds are coming through the factory and Dave wonders if it's the "Collywobbles" to blame... Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Karl Woolley | |||||
| 12 | "Hide and Seek" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | August 15, 1998 | |
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Everyone is playing Hide and Seek, and there are quite a few surprises in store! Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Karl Woolley | |||||
| 13 | "Making Friends" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | August 22, 1998 | |
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Everybody shows ways on how to become a good friend. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 14 | "Senses" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | August 29, 1998 | |
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The crew shows different ways on how to use their senses. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Karl Woolley | |||||
| 15 | "Music" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | September 5, 1998 | |
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As usual, the crew show off the different kinds of music that can be played in the factory. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 16 | "Creepy Crawlies" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | September 12, 1998 | |
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Creepy Crawlies are all throughout the factory today! Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Alex Lovell | |||||
| 17 | "Wild Animals" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | September 19, 1998 | |
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Professor Plimsoll and Arnold the Orangutan visit the factory, and it goes a bit wild with them! Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Katy Stephens & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 18 | "Times of the Day" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | September 26, 1998 | |
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The crew learn how to tell the time. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Alex Lovell & Justin Fletcher | |||||
| 19 | "Transport" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | October 3, 1998 | |
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Everybody travels through various modes of transport. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Alex Lovell | |||||
| 20 | "Water" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | October 10, 1998 | |
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Ozzy shows the crew how amazing water can be. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Alex Lovell | |||||
| 21 | "Seasons" | Will Brenton | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | October 17, 1998 | |
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The crew learn about the four seasons in a year. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Justin Fletcher & Katy Stephens | |||||
| 22 | "Letters and Words" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | October 24, 1998 | |
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The crew learn about the letters of the alphabet. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips & Katy Stephens | |||||
| 23 | "People Who Help" | Robin Carr | Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton | October 31, 1998 | |
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The kinds of humans who help us visit the factory. Presenters: Dave Benson Phillips, Alex Lovell & Karl Woolley | |||||
Magical Musical Market
In 2019 creator and original presenter Iain Lauchlan produced a new series titled "Magical Musical Market" for his production company "Checky Chimps TV". The show is designed to fit a similar format as Fun Song Factory itself but instead is set in a market. Lauchlan presents each episode along with two children. The children visit a different stall and meet it's owner (played by Lauchlan) and then sing a song related to an item being sold. At the beginning of each episode Lauchlan and the children must sing a song in order for the market to open. Many of the songs featured were carried over from Fun Song. Episodes were also broadcast on it's official YouTube channel.
References
- Articles lacking sources from August 2013
- All articles lacking sources
- Use dmy dates from July 2013
- Use British English from August 2012
- 1998 British television series debuts
- 2006 British television series endings
- ITV children's television shows
- British preschool education television series
- British television shows featuring puppetry
- 1990s preschool education television series
- 2000s preschool education television series
- ITV comedy