“Dirty T-Shirt” Raves about “Little Spirit”

Another rave for “Little Spirit” from a Mommy Blog.  This time it’s one called “The Dirty T-Shirt“.  Here’s what they had to say:

My daughters both loved this DVD and the story it told. While not the typical type of cartoons they are used to watching they both sat still, which is a feat in itself with my toddler and watched the movie from start to finish. My toddler even clapped when it was over and immediately asked for it to be put on again. We really enjoyed this movie and it was a nice surprise and a great way to spend family time together. We recommend it to everyone, especially for the upcoming holiday season!

This has been a common reaction to the special.  Kids seem to really love it!

“Trendy Tykes” Raves about “Little Spirit”!

Another review of “Little Spirit: Christmas in New York” from the blog “My Trendy Tykes Reviews“, saying:  “It’s one of those NICE & FEEL GOOD types of movies!”

This site also offered a giveaway of the DVD, but unfortunately the period for entering is over.

Mommy Blog Raves about “Little Spirit”!

The Blog “Moms Without Blogs” has this to say about the DVD of Leopoldo Gout’s TV special “Little Spirit:  Christmas in New York”:

This DVD captured our attention from the beginning. Since we live in California, our kids have only heard about New York City and were fascinated with the sights, sounds and details of the city included in this animated holiday tale. Did I mention the animation was amazing?

This holiday tale comes to life when a Little Spirit helps a young boy on his journey to find his lost dog, but ends up finding the spirit of Christmas along the way. My kids were belly laughing at parts and in the end we were all smiling. This is a heart-warming holiday story and a great way to spend a cozy evening with your whole family.

Thanks a lot for these kind words!

Win a Copy of “Little Spirit” on DVD!

Leopoldo Gout’s TV special “Little Spirit: Christmas in New York”  is on DVD, and now the blog “Plus Size Mom” offers you a chance to win a copy.  Click here to find out how!

And if you’re not aware of this movie, we have a number of stories about it right here on this blog.  Just click here to read them.

South Bend Tribune Impressed by “Little Spirit” and Leopoldo Gout!

They call it:

one of the best original animated Christmas programs to be released in years.

More of the article:

“Little Spirit” Shows Big Potential!

By Jeremy D. Bonfiglio

Leopoldo Gout is a name that may be more familiar with fans of graphic novels and suspense fiction, but that is about to change.

Gout, who co-wrote “Daniel X, Alien Hunter” with novelist James Patterson and the supernatural thriller “Ghost Radio,” which hit bookstores in October, also is the man behind “Little Spirit: Christmas in New York.”

The hour-long holiday special, which airs Dec. 10 on NBC (a Spanish-language version also will be broadcast Dec. 13 on Telemundo), is without a doubt, one of the best original animated Christmas programs to be released in years.

Gout, who was born and raised in Mexico and now lives in New York, has not only attracted an all-star voice cast that includes Danny DeVito, Lucy Liu and Brian Williams, but he also has managed to stylistically blend the look of traditional painting with contemporary 3-D technology to create an aesthetic that is both classic and innovative.

“What we wanted is to imagine a Marc Chagall or a Frieda Kahlo painting and then make it move,” Gout says by telephone on a conference call with reporters. “You want it to express something that had the feeling of a moving painting.”

Read the rest of the article here.

TV Guide Puts “Little Spirit” on Hot List!

Ad Age Covers “Little Spirit”!

Animated Tale ‘Little Spirit’ Builds on Retailer’s Links to Holiday

by Marissa Miley

Published: December 03, 2008

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — Macy’s is no stranger to TV, what with fireworks displays and parades down Broadway. But the retail giant is coming to the small screen this holiday with a new 3D animated movie that was put together in collaboration with its agency of record, Mediaedge:cia.

In ‘Little Spirit,’ an animated creature shows a boy how warm and helpful New York can be.

The WPP Group agency was looking for a “monumental entertainment experience” that would build upon the brand’s association with the Christmas holiday, similar to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and July Fourth fireworks display, both of which are nationally televised.

So Mediaedge teamed with New York animation studio Curious Pictures to create a family film, “Little Spirit: Christmas in New York,” for the department store that will premiere on NBC Dec. 10.

Nostalgic for the ’60s
Chet Fenster, managing partner of MEC Entertainment, said Macy’s and his team were particularly inspired by 1960s holiday movies such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“We love[d] not only the warmth, but the magic that those Christmas specials garnered for the family coming together,” Mr. Fenster said. “We thought, let’s try and create the next one.”

Mediaedge went to Curious Pictures with the idea for branded entertainment. The animation studio also had a great story, based on the personal experience of the movie’s writer-director, Leopoldo Gout. When Mr. Gout first moved his family to New York City, his son lost (and then found) his beloved pet dog.

Read the rest of the article here.