“Behind the Beats”
France's producer and distributor TeamTO, has sold its animated pop music documentary series, “Behind the Beats” to RAI (Italy) and KiKA (Germany), joining co-production partner France Télévisions as the first major linear channels to air the series in Europe. The sales coincide with the series’ official selection and presentation at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The only animated history of pop music of its kind, “Behind the Beats” (26x5) debuted on France Télévisions in 2023. RAI launched the series in Italy in February 2024 with KiKA to follow in the coming months.
“Behind the Beats” is an animated documentary for families that tells the stories of how talented musicians with incredibly different styles came together, revealing the often-unexpected origins of new musical genres. Using funky, dynamic animated storytelling with lively narrators, each episode of the series created by Baptiste Jaquemet and produced by Corinne Kouper (TeamTO) and Emmanuel Deletang (22D Media Group), in partnership with France Télévisions, features three songs that explore the history behind movements such as New Wave, Rock’n’Roll, G-Funk, Reggae, Electro Pop and Trap. Episode examples include Punk Meets Disco (how Blondie paved the way to the New Wave) and Gangsta Rap Meets P-Funk (how Snoop Dogg paved the way to G-Funk).
Sebastian Debertin, Head of International Content, Acquisitions & Co-Productions Managing & Programming Department / KiKA - The Children’s Channel of ARD & ZDF, says: “'Behind the Beats' is a fantastic way of introducing Kids -and Family - audiences to the world’s musical heritage. This unique new series will quickly win over KiKA audiences by taking them on a colourful and inspiring journey, backstage and behind the scenes of key trends in global music, presenting techno, punk, salsa, pop, grunge, soul and funk. KiKA is very keen to present the outstanding and inspiring stories about great artists and unique characters, including pioneers of music, like Kraftwerk. The series even features some heroes from my own teen days like The Ramones and Debbie Harry, and also big stars of today, like Dr. Dre. Behind the Beats is programming with a real groove!”
“Discovering how the most famous pieces of pop music were born, the styles and genres of the music we listen to every day is a fun and educational experience”, commented Luca Milano, director of Rai Kids. “This is why as a public broadcaster we were pleased to welcome the 'Behind the Beats' animated series, an innovative and stimulating project. The series also has the advantage of uniting generations: that of adults who witnessed the success of great pop and rock artists, and younger ones who enjoy discovering the context and background of the music that they still love today.”
Produced in a modern music video/video game graphic style, Corinne Kouper, Executive Producer, TeamTO explains, “'Behind the Beats' offers more than just a unique point of view on great musical moments – it inspires viewers to explore their own creativity, showing how so many artists started their careers in unusual ways.”