New Children’s Program Combines Entertainment, Education, and Awareness

By Lisa Horan

It’s not too often a children’s television show claims it can change the world. Earthlings is the exception.

With the theme, “One planet. One people,” the newly developed 22-minute interactive  program developed by writer/director Greg Acuna seeks to go beyond your average children’s program and provide a unique blend of entertainment, education, and awareness.

It all started in 2007, when Acuna was looking at his then six-year-old daughter. “I sat there thinking to myself, the world is going to be a very sad place when she’s an adult if we don’t start educating people about our planet and the responsibilities of the people on it,” explains Acuna. To bring this concept to life, Acuna came up with the idea to use aliens to focus on our similarities, in spite of our distinctiveness. “If aliens were to come down to earth and meet real children, they would not be looking at us as African or Indian or American. They would simply be looking at us earthlings,” explains Acuna. And that’s exactly what happens in the pilot episode: four animated aliens come down to earth and meet four children, who are live actors. Together, the two groups play games of cooperation, dance and sing, and explore the world.

Geared towards children ages 6 to 11, the show takes interactivity to a new level. “Most of the children’s shows out there today that characterize themselves as interactive incorporate the question, pause, and response method,” explains Acuna. “Our show is different in that it gets kids on their feet to do everything from yoga to dancing and it presents an engaging way to learn the words and dance steps to original songs that were written specifically for the show.”  According to Acuna, there are no shows that he knows of geared toward this age group that offer interactivity. “Most of the shows that are aimed at children older than six – while funny and beautiful to look at – are purely entertainment, and are often violent and mindless,” he asserts. Earthlings takes interactive, educational content and makes it age appropriate and fun.

Beyond the content and design of the show, Acuna says the level of quality has been greatly enhanced by the work that Studio Unknown was called upon to do. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have the budget for full sound design, but Studio Unknown was able to add in sound design on several scenes, and they handled the final mix,” says Acuna. “The results are truly amazing. I only wish we had a video camera in our office when we watched the first clips of the show with the newly incorporated sound. It gave the show life again and took it to a level of professionalism that never would have been achieved otherwise.”

This professional quality, coupled with the unique format and premise, already has proven valuable in the marketing process, which just recently began. “When we pitch the show, one of the most common responses we hear is that what we’re doing has never been done,” says Acuna, who says several broadcasters have seen the trailer and have expressed interest in viewing the first episode of Earthlings. He also reports that he is in talks with gaming companies and a major American book company. In fact, a video game based on the characters is already underway. “Interestingly enough, I was approached by Nintendo before we finished the first episode, and Earthlings characters were licensed to a Nintendo DS game.”

Ultimately, Acuna hopes that the show will empower children to think for themselves with open minds.  “In funny and sometimes even strange ways, we will present comprehensive information, but we won’t try to give viewers all of the answers. I want them to be intrigued and curious and take the time to figure out what it all means on their own.”