Wompkees
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The Wompkees are a children’s animated program created by Con Fullam and Maura Clarke, and are owned by Wompkee LLC. As of December 2009, two 54 minute movies have been produced in association with Deos Animation, led by Mike DeVitto, and are being distributed internationally by MarVista Entertainment. The Wompkees also have a line of plush toys manufactured by Mary Meyer Corporation.
Premise
The Wompkees are furry, big eared elfin-like creatures that have the ability to communicate with all the beings and animals in the world. Each Wompkee represents a different set of personality traits; no two are alike. They reside in the magical Wompkee Wood, eating Wompberries, and having adventures. As positive role models, children and parents can relate to and see themselves through one or more of the Wompkees. Curious and adventurous, the Wompkees are often faced with a situation that requires teamwork and brave action to save the day. Using their special ability to communicate with all creatures, the Wompkees teach us that through the power of using our words and our hearts, we can solve many of our problems.
Wompkee Characters
Gran: The matriarch of the Wood. Wise and warm and full of love. Loves to read books.
Twig: The littlest one, very brave for her age, but sometimes doesn’t think before she leaps. Sweet and sincere, full of curiosity and a bit of mischief.
Hummer: The inventor, super smart, no problem to great to solve. Only problem is his solutions can be a bit complex turning simple tasks into complex confusion.
Daisy: The athlete, and very coordinated. Often the big sister to Twig, but gets a little tired of having to act like a grownup.
Scout: Adventurous with a “can do” spirit. Very self assured and the one to take control.
Buster: A bit hefty due to his lust for Wompberries. Strong, but sensitive, and not overly confident.
History
The Wompkees were created in 1994 by a Portland, Maine husband and wife, Con Fullam and Maura Clarke. Fullam is a career musician, songwriter, and producer, with work published by MCA Universal, Sony/BMG, Warner/Chappell, Acuff Rose, Opryland, and Chrysalis Music. Clarke is also a recording artist who also works in the field of television production. The Wompkees debuted in a paperback childrens book entitled <ref>“The Wompkees First Grand Adventure”</Publisher: CDS Books Date published: 2003 ISBN-13: 9781593150105 ISBN: 1593150105>, written by Mark Medford and illustrated by Heather Shipman. It was accompanied with an audio cassette and plush Wompkee stuffed toy. In 2002, Con met Mike DeVItto, President of [Deos Animation] of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Using a new animation technique pioneered by Deos, the team created the first full length Wompkee movie entitled, [1]“A Very Wompkee Christmas” that debuted in the fall of 2003. Within the year, the movie made its broadcast debut on public television where it cleared 70% of all U.S. households including nine of the top ten markets.Concurrent with the broadcast of the movie came a distribution deal between Wompkee, LLC and Sony Wonder for the domestic sales and distribution of the DVD. In addition, an international sales and distribution agreement was reached between Wompkee, LLC and MarVista Entertainment. When Sony Wonder closed down, the project was put on hold until the fall of 2007, when Con created a separate movie division under the heading of Wompkee Movies LLC, which is owned by Wompkee LLC. Production began on the second full length movie that was finished in May 2009, entitled “The Hidden Treasure of Wompkee Wood.” The 54 minute movie was released in High Definition Blu-Ray. Both movies are now in international distribution through MarVista Entertainment. [2]
DVD Releases
A Very Wompkee Christmas Running Time: 54 minutes Released November 2003. It’s Christmas Eve in Wompkee Wood and the Wompkees are preparing for a celebration. Twig, the littlest Wompkee, hopes her biggest wish will come true; being able to fly like all the other Wompkees. She wants to learn in time to place the star at the top of the Wompkee Christmas tree. Will Twig's dream come true, or will the evil ice witch, Iglora Borealis, ruin the Wompkee's Christmas celebration? The movie features 3D animation made possible by the Deos Animation SAM system or Structured Animation Method.
Deos Animation Created by Con Fullam and Maura Clarke Directed by Mike DeVitto Executive Producers: Mike DeVitto, Con Fullam, Scott Guy Written by: Peter Hunzinger and Cynthia Riddle Cast: Laura Darrell (lead vocals), Lynn Lambert (Twig), Mary Elaine Monti (Gran, Iglora), Fred Newman (Hummer, Woofus), Chris Phillips (Scout), Alice Payton (Buster), Kelli Rabke (Daisy)
Hidden Treasure of Wompkee Wood Running Time: 54 minutes Released in May 2009. When the littlest Wompkee, Twig, discovers a treasure map, the Wompkees set out on an adventure to recover an ancient glowing stone that will restore the power of universal language to all the Wompkees. It’s not always easy going, but the Wompkees rise to the challenge. The discovery and ultimate return of the stone gives the Wompkees the ability to speak the languages of all animals in the world.
Deos Animation Created by Con Fullam and Maura Clarke Directed by Mike DeVitto, Jamie Norton Executive Producers: Tom Talbott, Mike DeVitto, Con Fullam Written by: Peter Hunzinger, Cynthia Riddle, Con Fullam Cast: Lynn Lambert (Twig), Mary Elaine Monti (Gran, Iglora), Fred Newman (Hummer, Woofus, Chipper), Tom Pakulski (Scout, Woodland animals), Alice Payton (Buster), Kelli Rabke (Daisy)
Wompkee Finger Puppets
Wompkee partnered with Mary Meyer of Townsend, Vermont to make Wompkee plush toys. Founded in 1933, Mary Meyer creates quality stuffed plush toys currently with over 400 products in the catalog. The company began manufacturing the Wompkee characters into 6 inch finger puppets and 10 inch stuffed toys in 1994. In 1995, 2400 of the stuffed toys were recalled by Wompkee LLC as a precaution when it was discovered that a flexible wire used to shape the ears had the potential to break and poke through the fabric. There were no complaints or injuries reported. Con Fullam reported the problem to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission as a preventive measure.