Author: Brooke Wehrle

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

I am a Puerto Rican musician and composer based in Boston, MA. My main instrument is the cuatro, a five-double string guitar traditional to Puerto Rico. The cuatro has led me to some amazing opportunities: attending Berklee College of Music and graduating as the first Puerto Rican cuatrista; performing nationally and internationally with my original music project; doing workshops and residencies with organizations such as the Met, Chicago Philharmonic, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and many others; and recently, having the amazing honor writing music for children's television. It all started because of Alma's Way and their desire to honor and showcase the traditional sounds of Puerto Rico as part of the soundtrack of the series, which has then led to other writing opportunities.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

One of my favorite TV shows growing up was Sesame Street.

Describe your role on Alma’s Way.

My role on Alma's Way is to compose the music of the series alongside Asher Lenz and Stephen Skratt. I also support the production as a consultant, giving feedback and context on Puerto Rican traditions, culture, slang, and music. Additionally, I work with the digital team on creating some of the music for the video games on pbskids.org.

What is your favorite episode of Alma’s Way? 

My favorite episode of Alma's Way is "Alma's Nochebuena" because we got to showcase so many of the traditions I grew up celebrating, especially parrandas!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I'm not working, I love to be around nature: going to the park with my dog, hiking, and paddleboarding.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

I am originally from England and moved to Toronto, Canada five years ago. Since childhood, I've loved drawing and copying my favorite cartoon characters. I remember telling a teacher when I was only five that I wanted to be an animator and so when it came to choosing a university, I didn't have too many doubts. When I graduated in 2010, the world was going through an economic recession and prospects for getting into animation looked slim. I spent quite a few years in various jobs, from theme parks to retail to bar jobs. One day I realized unless I broke free of that cycle I wouldn't ever get to where I wanted to be. I took a risk and quit my jobs and spent a year trying to improve my skills and take commissions where I could. My family and friends were so supportive, and it is because of them that I was able to refocus. I was offered a position as assistant art director at a studio opening up in Manchester, and I have been working on different projects ever since.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

It is hard to pick a favorite, but I always watched Dumbo on repeat when I was little. Something about the simple story and the appealing characters meant it was on loop when I was a toddler. I also loved shows with animals, like the animated series The Animals of Farthing Wood, which follows a group of creatures that are displaced from their forest as the humans move in.

Describe your role on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. What is your favorite episode?

As art director, I am lucky to work with amazing artists every day, which is a treat. I help guide the look of the show and make sketches and concepts of new characters and locations. What is fun about this role is getting to see every stage from visualizing the script all the way to animation where I help guide any lighting and effects in post. Collaborating with all the different departments is what I like about art direction.

I think one of my favorite episodes is 604A, "Daniel Goes to Day Camp." I appreciate how the characters slow down to interact with the insects they find along the nature trail and how Daniel imagines being the size of the grasshopper. I think it has a message for adults and children alike about being mindful and noticing the world around us.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I'm not working, you will probably find me in the woods or by a stream taking photos of birds. In Toronto, we live on a great migration route for birds so any chance I get I am outside cycling with a camera to see what I can see. I love discovering the world and the nature we have on our doorstep.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

9 Story Brands and Fred Rogers Productions are pleased to announce a licensing partnership with new children’s outdoor company carter joey™ for the beloved children’s series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Rights granted include children’s outdoor backpacks, patch packs, and adventure blankets within the U.S. and Canada. The first carter joey™ x Daniel Tiger products will launch later this year and will include a Sling Pack backpack and a patch pack that correlates with episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

“We are thrilled to partner with carter joey™, an exciting new startup on a mission to inspire families to be intentional with their time and be active, not busy.” said Kyra Halperin, Co-VP of Consumer Products for 9 Story. “carter joey™ will help families play-out the learning themes of the series in their own backyards and bring the important themes to life off-screen.”

"We are delighted to have the honor of partnering with such a well-established and wholesome brand like Daniel Tiger," said carter joey™ Co-Founder, Damon Claus. "There is great synergy between how Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood teaches children valuable life lessons and how carter joey™ encourages the same audience to be adventurous in their approach to learning."

"We are excited to work with a fellow like-minded, Pittsburgh-based brand to bring Daniel Tiger to children and families in a new way," said Matt Shiels, vice president of Business and Legal Affairs at Fred Rogers Productions. "Daniel and his friends model fun and adventure outdoors, and carter joey™ is a natural partner to bring that element to life."

After premiering in 2012, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is now in its sixth season on PBS KIDS. The series is co-produced by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Media Group and animated by 9 Story’s award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films. 9 Story Brands holds worldwide licensing rights. The property has 50 licensees on board including Jakks Pacific (toys), Simon & Schuster (publishing), Crayola (coloring), Isaac Morris (apparel), Tonies (audio toy), Waloo Products (sporting goods), and more.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

I'm from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Watching television was a big part of my childhood. Fred Penner, Mr. Dressup, Under the Umbrella Tree, and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood were a few of my favorites when I was younger. I continued to love television as I grew up, and, after studying accounting, I decided I wanted to work in television. I went to school for broadcast and film at Centennial College, which led me to children's television, and I've loved it ever since.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

My favorite tv show when I was growing up was Exosquad. I enjoyed the sci-fi experience and futuristic look, but the greatest part of the show was that it didn't talk down to kids. It taught me that people can grow, change, and accept others.

Describe your role on Odd Squad.

I am the Post Production Supervisor at Sinking Ship Entertainment, the production partner for Odd Squad. My job begins from production and goes right through to delivery. I'm responsible for ensuring that filming, editing, vfx, audio, and delivery go smoothly. It's a great position because I get to work with people from every stage of the series' progress. I work with amazing teams of people who all love what they do, and we all want the best show for our audience.

What is your favorite episode of Odd Squad?

My favorite episode of Odd Squad is from Season 3, "Music of Sound." I enjoyed getting to work with the Soundcheck team and the idea of getting the band back together. The documentary style of the episode was also a lot of fun.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I'm not working, I enjoy writing, hiking, watching my favorite shows, keeping up with friends, and playing board games.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions, the iconic children’s media organization behind multiple Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, has formed the Writers’ Neighborhood, a five-year initiative focused on identifying and supporting new and emerging writers from underrepresented racial groups as they build careers in children’s media. The eight-week program aims to help hone the skills and broaden the experience of talented creatives who better represent the increasingly diverse audience for the company’s own hit series, like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Alma’s Way, and Donkey Hodie, as well as that of the broader children’s media industry. In the wake of its successful pilot in fall 2022, Fred Rogers Productions will accept applications for the program’s second cohort from May 1 to May 15.

"Many writers in children's media are freelancers, so we designed the Writers' Neighborhood with a dual focus of developing your craft and building your career," said Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer, Fred Rogers Productions. "Knowing how to write a good story or develop engaging characters is a completely different skill set from finding work, asking for and understanding feedback, or cultivating relationships, and we want to help our fellows gain experience on all fronts."

The Fred Rogers Productions Writers’ Neighborhood will welcome eight fellows per cohort as they learn to be intentional in their writing process, determine context for a series when they are not on a production staff, and interpret and take notes, among other important skills, including how to find and secure jobs in the field.

Beyond the eight-week program, Fred Rogers Productions will offer additional mentorship connections and opportunities to engage in industry activities and events. Many of the fellows who participated in last year’s pilot program are now writing episodes for series currently in production at Fred Rogers Productions.

Fred Rogers Productions will host an application information webinar on April 27, 2023, details for which can be found on LinkedIn.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, has secured a two-year $600,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF) for its newest series, Alma’s Way and Donkey Hodie. AVDF’s mission is to support institutions it views as pillars of American society, and Fred Rogers Productions is one of a few producers of public media receiving continued support.

“The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations is one of the nation’s foremost patrons of public media for viewers of all ages and a valued supporter of Fred Rogers Productions,” said Paul Siefken, president and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “Their funding enables us to provide a range of innovative and enriching programming to children and families every day.”

“By working with Fred Rogers Productions, we are supporting the very best in children’s media,” said Michael Murray, president and CEO, AVDF. “The company continues to lead the way with quality content that fills the gap and raises the bar in educational and prosocial children’s programming, and we’re delighted to help ensure that Alma’s Way and Donkey Hodie remain sources of learning and growth for young viewers.”

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Describe your role at Fred Rogers Productions.

I identify potential funders, primarily foundations, and help them understand how meaningful it can be to support FRP, how together we can make a huge difference in the lives of children and families. Internally, I get to help colleagues dream big about what we want to accomplish and how we’re going to get there.

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, majored in English at Berkeley, and then held a mish-mash of jobs including not only teaching preschool but also driving a recycling truck, waiting tables in a jazz club, and freelance-writing for newspapers and magazines. I began doing education-focused fundraising as a grant-writer at Carnegie Mellon, but Fred Rogers’ values have always meant the world to me, so I jumped at the chance to join FRP and focus again on young children.

What do you like most about working at Fred Rogers Productions?

I love getting to work with such an amazing group of people. Creative, hard-working, caring, and really funny. We’re committed to our work and to each other.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

Growing up with two significantly older brothers messed with my taste in TV. When I should have been watching Mister Rogers and Sesame Street, I think my favorites were Batman and Speed Racer. Also, we lived in a strange spot between hills where there was no ABC reception, and it took my parents forever to get cable. I still need to watch The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I seem to hang out a lot with my wife, Jen, in our kitchen, wondering what we should make for dinner. Apart from that, I love spending time with our two daughters, Ally and Emma, and our dog, Milo. I also love dancing (a lot of salsa and bachata lately), playing piano, biking, yoga, and reading (mostly as cover for taking a nap).

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

The 2022 Variety Family and Entertainment Impact Report lists Chief Creative Officer for Fred Rogers Productions, Ellen Doherty. 

Doherty, an Emmy Award-winning producer with more than 20 years of experience in children’s entertainment, oversees the creation of television and digital content for the company’s numerous PBS programs, including “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Peg + Cat,” “Odd Squad,” “Donkey Hodie” and “Alma’s Way.” She also created and serves as head writer and executive producer of the award-winning “Through the Woods,” which is a short-form series that revolves around nature. “Many of the stories and characters from our childhood stay with us always, so making good stuff for growing minds and growing hearts offers opportunities for long-lasting impact,” Doherty says.

Check out the entire article here.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

 A new collection of products from Donkey Hodie, the hit preschool puppet series, will be introduced nationwide this year. Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind multiple Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, and Licensing Street, licensing agent for the show, have partnered to secure deals with top brands in a variety of categories. The debut Donkey Hodie collection, which will include apparel from Komar and Mad Engine, as well as costumes from Rubies, is set to launch this fall.

“Consumer demand for Donkey Hodie products has been high since the series debut and we’re excited to welcome these best-in-class licensees to the Donkey Hodie family,” said Matt Shiels, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Fred Rogers Productions. “They are sure to help extend the whimsical and huggable world of Donkey Hodie so children can create their own imaginative series-themed adventures.”

“Donkey Hodie is a winner with kids and families,” said Jason Korfine, Partner at Licensing Street. “Just like viewers who are drawn to the series, licensees have been eager to join in, too, and we’re delighted to be working with Komar, Mad Engine, and Rubies to offer new series-inspired products for fans everywhere.”

The first Donkey Hodie products heading to retail include:

  • Komar – Sleepwear
  • Mad Engine – T-shirts and apparel
  • Rubies – Costumes and role-play

In addition, Jada Toys, master toy partner, will introduce a range of Donkey Hodie toys, including highly anticipated feature plush. Toys and additional character plush are expected later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to working in game design?

I’m a goofy, nerdy senior digital project manager at Curious Media, one of Fred Rogers Productions’ partners. After going to school for marketing and advertising management, I began my career working as a video and audio producer for advertising agencies in Portland, OR. Later I transitioned into an ever-expanding role at a production and post house where I did many things, but mostly video production for clients like Freightliner, Providence Health System, Kaiser Permanente, and Oregon Lottery. Eventually I moved to Boise, Idaho and got my current position at Curious in 2019. I am very passionate about making edutainment games for kids and the vast number of kids that I get to help teach basic skills to in my job.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

When I was growing up, I truly was a PBS kid! Starting at age 3, my dad would pick me up after school and take me to his company. I would sit under a desk with a 5” black and white TV and watch Sesame Street, Electric Company, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood while waiting for him to wrap up his work.

What goes into your role in the creation of digital content for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

Since partnering with Fred Rogers Productions, I’ve had the pleasure of working on a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood app, Donkey Hodie’s award-winning website, six games for Donkey Hodie, and just completing a Daniel Tiger goes to the dentist game. In so doing, I work with the fantastic producers at FRP and PBS KIDS, and our creative director at Curious to understand the curriculum and focus, and design a game around it that meets the needs of all and will be fun and replayable for the target aged users. Once we have a concept, I write up a game design document and present that to both FRP/PBS and our internal teams. We do a kickoff meeting (we do one for each milestone internally), and one of our designers will make the first round of wireframes, which I will share with the client. We then incorporate their changes and make another round. Once we have the flow nailed down, we move on to designs, of which there are three rounds with client feedback. Then we move on to development, where Curious will make an Alpha, Beta, QA, bug fix verification build, then a Gold Master Candidate. Throughout all this, my role is to liaise with the client, making sure we’re fulfilling their vision while watching scope, budget, and timeline; in addition to directing those in Curious’ various departments (Illustration, Design, Animation, Development, Sound) with clear direction on what they need to do to deliver the best product on time and on budget.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I have a myriad of activities. I love spending time with my (almost adult now) kidlet, playing VR, or reading Norse mythology by the fire. I have a wonderful friend group here where we do all kinds of activities like game nights, trivia, gallivanting around our great city. I also love to cook for people and read—mostly Star Wars books and fantasy.