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Get Squiggling
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| Get Squiggling | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Children's |
| Created by | Jo Killingley |
| Directed by | Adrian Hedley |
| Voices of | Janet James Samantha Dodd John Hasler Teresa Gallagher |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 50 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Jo Killingley (series producer) Tracy Nampala (producer) Sarah Colclough (for CBeebies) |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Production company | Dot To Dot Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBeebies |
| Release | 11 February 2008 – 30 July 2010 |
Get Squiggling is a British children's television series created and produced by Jo Killingley at Dot To Dot Productions, directed by Adrian Hedley, and broadcast on CBeebies and BBC Two in the UK.[1][2]
Format
[edit]The programme begins with a theme song. The lead character is Squiglet, a monster who speaks directly to the audience. The programme itself teaches preschool-aged children how to draw, as well as basic colours and shapes.[3] The audience is encouraged to use drawing as a method of triggering imagination and as a means to progress the story. Each episode begins with him against a plain white background, which is gradually filled by the characters that he draws, like animals, objects, and landscapes, using his squiggle sticks and Squiggle Pad. There are seven different lines (loopy, round, straight, curved, bumpy, wavy and zig-zag) that Squiglet uses to draw. The main character is then animated by Squiglet saying the magic words, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Let's make our squiggles come alive!" and they join the story. All other content in the show is animated based on his drawings. If the main character encounters a problem, Squiglet draws an object to help them solve the problem. If a problem cannot be solved, the Squiggle Pad gives them a clue to the problem with a short, live-action video. While most episodes end with a song related to the episode, summing up the preceding story, some episodes starting with "Spaceman" end with an epilogue that what happened to the episode, summing up the same preceding story as before. Each episode ends with Squiglet saying "Thanks for all your squiggles, it's time to go now but come back to get squiggling soon. Keep on squiggling." and everybody says "Bye." before the end credits start to roll over.
Cast
[edit]John Hasler as all male characters.
Teresa Gallagher as all female characters.
Janet James as Squiglet.
Episodes
[edit]Series 1 (2008)
[edit]| Episode | Title[4] | Aired[4] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Snowman" | 11 February 2008 |
| 2 | "Pirate" | 12 February 2008 |
| 3 | "Caterpillar" | 13 February 2008 |
| 4 | "Hippo" | 14 February 2008 |
| 5 | "Spider" | 15 February 2008 |
| 6 | "Hedgehog" | 18 February 2008 |
| 7 | "Three Little Pigs" | 19 February 2008 |
| 8 | "Spaceman" | 20 February 2008 |
| 9 | "Lamb" | 21 February 2008 |
| 10 | "Knight" | 22 February 2008 |
| 11 | "Photographer" | 25 February 2008 |
| 12 | "Cowboy" | 26 February 2008 |
| 13 | "Bloodhound" | 27 February 2008 |
| 14 | "Monster" | 28 February 2008 |
| 15 | "Fairy" | 29 February 2008 |
| 16 | "Elephant" | 3 March 2008 |
| 17 | "Scarecrow" | 4 March 2008 |
| 18 | "Tortoise & Hare" | 5 March 2008 |
| 19 | "Giant" | 6 March 2008 |
| 20 | "Crab" | 7 March 2008 |
| 21 | "Robot" | 10 March 2008 |
| 22 | "Frog Prince" | 11 March 2008 |
| 23 | "Hyena" | 12 March 2008 |
| 24 | "Bee" | 13 March 2008 |
| 25 | "Penguin" | 14 March 2008 |
Series 2 (2010)
[edit]| Episode | Title[5] | Aired[5] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Monkey" | 14 June 2010 |
| 2 | "Cinderella" | 15 June 2010 |
| 3 | "Troll" | 16 June 2010 |
| 4 | "Mouse" | 17 June 2010 |
| 5 | "Old Mother Hubbard" | 18 June 2010 |
| 6 | "Cow" | 21 June 2010 |
| 7 | "Dinosaur" | 22 June 2010 |
| 8 | "Cat" | 23 June 2010 |
| 9 | "Gnome" | 24 June 2010 |
| 10 | "Magician" | 25 June 2010 |
| 11 | "Bat" | 28 June 2010 |
| 12 | "Squirrel" | 29 June 2010 |
| 13 | "Polar Bear" | 30 June 2010 |
| 14 | "Wizard" | 1 July 2010 |
| 15 | "Chef" | 2 July 2010 |
| 16 | "Ostrich" | 19 July 2010 |
| 17 | "Rhino" | 20 July 2010 |
| 18 | "Humpty Dumpty" | 21 July 2010 |
| 19 | "Old King Cole" | 22 July 2010 |
| 20 | "Koala" | 23 July 2010 |
| 21 | "Goldilocks" | 26 July 2010 |
| 22 | "Jack and the Beanstalk" | 27 July 2010 |
| 23 | "Magpie" | 28 July 2010 |
| 24 | "Rapunzel" | 29 July 2010 |
| 25 | "Kangaroo" | 30 July 2010 |
Get Squiggling Letters
[edit]On February 7, 2013, CBeebies commissioned a 26-episode spin-off to the series that focused on the letters of the alphabet.[6] As with the original, Beyond Distribution handled worldwide distribution to the spin-off.[7]
Home media releases
[edit]BBC Worldwide (2 Entertain) originally intended to release DVDs of the series in the United Kingdom, as hinted through a promo video featuring footage from the show, but the distributor never did any.
Abbey Home Media released a DVD in February 2011 called "Animal Magic", which includes many animal-related episodes, with six from the second series and three from the first series.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Get Squiggling Credits". BFI Film Database. Retrieved 23 November 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Get Squiggling Episodes by date: November 2012". BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ "Get Squiggling! For Grownups". BBC. Archived from the original on 26 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Get Squiggling Series 1 Episode Guide". BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Get Squiggling Series 2 Episode Guide". BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ "CBeebies commissions Get Squiggling spin-off".
- ^ "Beyond takes two Dot to Dot series to MIP".
- ^ "Get Squiggling". Amazon UK.
Get Squiggling
View on GrokipediaProduction
Development
Get Squiggling was created by Jo Killingley, a former primary school teacher who founded Dot To Dot Productions in 2004 to produce educational children's content.[4] The initial concept for the series emerged in 2006 when Killingley sketched a simple squiggle on a piece of paper while on a beach in Cornwall, envisioning an interactive program that would bring drawings to life through animation.[2] The series was commissioned in November 2006 by Michael Carrington, then controller of CBeebies, as an engaging show designed for preschool audiences to encourage creativity and basic artistic skills.[2] Killingley served as executive producer, collaborating with producer Tracy Nampala to develop the format, which emphasized educational objectives such as teaching fundamental drawing techniques, color recognition, shape identification, and the stimulation of imagination.[2] An educational advisor, Brian Neish, contributed to incorporating structured elements like a "line of the day" to guide young viewers in exploring different line types, such as straight or curved.[2] Central to the early development was the character of Squiglet, conceptualized as a yellow, furry monster inhabiting a blank white world, who uses a "Squiggle Pad" and "Squiggle Sticks" (crayons) to animate drawings and construct vibrant environments.[2] This character-driven approach aimed to make the pre-production phase focus on interactivity, allowing Squiglet to directly address the audience and demonstrate how simple lines and colors could solve problems or create stories, setting the foundation for the show's innovative blend of live-action and animation.[2]Filming and animation
Get Squiggling was directed by Adrian Hedley, with production handled by Dot To Dot Productions in collaboration with CBeebies executives Tracy Nampala as producer and Sarah Colclough as executive producer.[2] The series employed a hybrid animation technique combining 2D puppetry for the character Squiglet, constructed from felt with a foam base and animatronic elements, alongside digital drawing animation for the characters that emerge from Squiglet's sketches; model-making was provided by Asylum.[2][5] Filming primarily took place in a studio setting using green-screen technology at Enfys Studios in Cardiff, Wales, to facilitate the seamless integration of live-action elements with animated sequences.[2] Production for the first series began following the show's commission in November 2006, with principal photography wrapping up by May 2007; it aired starting 11 February 2008.[2] Scripts were storyboarded in partnership with animation studio Blue Zoo, incorporating prop crayons and tracing paper to simulate drawing actions on camera before digital enhancement.[2][5] Central to the visual style is the "Squiggle Pad," a white digital canvas representing blank paper where Squiglet's drawn lines—such as loopy, zigzag, or wavy—animate into vibrant characters and environments.[2] Each episode features a "line of the day," one of several basic line types used for drawing, integrated with synchronized sound effects and musical cues to encourage viewer participation and interactivity.[2] Post-production involved animation director Damian Hook layering these elements to create a dynamic, educational world that transitions from monochrome to colorful as drawings come alive.[5]Format and characters
Series structure
Get Squiggling is a British pre-school animated series where each episode runs for approximately 14 minutes, blending live-action puppetry with animation to create an interactive drawing experience for young viewers.[6] The show centers on Squiglet, a friendly monster who inhabits a blank white world, using drawing as the primary mechanism to build narratives and resolve conflicts.[2] Episodes follow a consistent narrative flow beginning with an introduction in Squiglet's minimalist white environment, where he presents a new guest character and introduces their problem. This leads into a drawing sequence employing "Squiggle Sticks"—prop crayons that Squiglet uses on his "Squiggle Pad," a large sheet of paper—focusing on a specific "line of the day" such as straight or wavy lines to construct the character and elements of the story. As the drawings take shape, magical animation transitions bring them to life, animating the characters who then embark on an adventure or interaction to address the initial issue, often incorporating songs and exploratory segments. The episode culminates in a resolution of the problem through further drawing and an epilogue that reinforces the lesson, sometimes ending with a song to recap the drawing process.[2] The series emphasizes educational content by encouraging viewers to draw along at home, promoting the use of basic shapes and lines to form objects, while integrating colors to add vibrancy to the initially blank world. Through problem-solving scenarios, it fosters imagination and creativity, teaching children how simple sketches can evolve into complex stories and solutions without requiring advanced artistic skills.[2][7] Recurring motifs include the Squiggle Pad as the central canvas that transforms Squiglet's empty space into a colorful, populated realm with each episode, and the seamless magical transitions where hand-drawn lines animate into dynamic, three-dimensional characters via post-production animation. These elements create a rhythmic, repeatable format that builds familiarity and engagement across the series.[2]Main characters
Squiglet serves as the central protagonist in Get Squiggling, portrayed as a friendly, furry monster constructed from felt in shades of red, orange, and yellow sewn onto a foam base to evoke warmth and approachability. He inhabits a vast, blank white world that he transforms through drawing, using his Squiggle Pad—a large sheet of paper—and Squiggle Sticks—colorful crayons—to bring objects, landscapes, and companions to life. Voiced by Janet James, Squiglet directly addresses the audience, guiding preschool viewers in creative problem-solving by sketching solutions to everyday challenges faced by his drawn creations, fostering imagination and artistic confidence.[2][8][9] The series features a variety of episode-specific drawn characters that Squiglet animates in each installment, each embodying distinct personalities while demonstrating fundamental drawing principles through simple line work. Ronnie the Rhino, for instance, is a shy yet brave figure in series 2 episode 17, struggling with fairground games but gaining confidence through practice, illustrated primarily with round lines to form his sturdy body and horn.[10][11] Another notable character is Hiraldo the Monkey from series 2 episode 1, an adventurous and creative soul eager to compete in a jungle art contest, where his attempts at painting often result in bananas, emphasizing curved lines for his tail and limbs to teach fluid shapes. These characters, along with others like polar bears and squirrels, are designed with basic geometric elements—such as round forms for bodies, curly lines for tails, and straight edges for features—to simplify the drawing process and encourage young audiences to replicate them at home.[12][13][2]Cast
Voice actors
The primary voice cast for Get Squiggling consisted of three actors, a deliberate choice to streamline production for the preschool audience by minimizing recording sessions and ensuring consistent vocal styles across characters.[14][15] John Hasler provided voices for all male characters in the series, bringing his extensive experience in children's animation to the role. Hasler is particularly recognized for voicing Thomas the Tank Engine and serving as the UK narrator in Thomas & Friends from 2015 to 2021, as well as Foz in Go Jetters.[14][16] Teresa Gallagher voiced all female characters, leveraging her background in animated series to deliver versatile performances suited to the show's educational tone. Gallagher has notable credits including Nicole Watterson in The Amazing World of Gumball, Dashi in The Octonauts, and Emily in Thomas & Friends.[14][17] Janet James served as the voice of Squiglet, the central character, employing a playful and encouraging delivery to guide young viewers through drawing activities. James is known for roles such as Lucy Selby in Postman Pat, Zooter in Jungle Junction, and providing additional vocals for Peppa Pig. Samantha Dodd performed as the bodysuit artist for Squiglet.[14][18][19][20]Guest voices
Due to the educational and low-budget format of Get Squiggling, the series did not incorporate guest voice actors, relying exclusively on its core team to voice all characters, including those drawn in individual episodes.[14][21] This approach ensured consistency in the show's interactive drawing lessons and storytelling, with John Hasler providing male voices and Teresa Gallagher handling female roles. No celebrity cameos or special narrators were documented in production credits for series 2 (2010).[14]Episodes
Series 1 (2008)
The first series of Get Squiggling premiered on 11 February 2008 on CBeebies, introducing viewers to Squiglet's magical drawing adventures in a plain white world brought to life through simple lines and shapes.[1] The 25 episodes aired on weekdays from February to March 2008, with each installment centering on a primary drawing prompt—such as an animal, object, or character—that Squiglet animates using his Squiggle Pad, while creating 3-5 supporting characters to resolve a problem and teach basic drawing techniques.[22] Representative episodes include "Snowman", where winter themes are explored as Squiglet draws a snowman seeking a warm holiday, and "Bee", featuring insect adventures as a bee attempts to produce honey with Squiglet's help.[22] The episodes are as follows:| No. | Title | Air date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snowman | 11 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a curved line to draw a snowman called Steve, who wants a holiday from the cold and ends up at the beach with Squiglet's additional drawings of seashells and a crab. |
| 2 | Pirate | 12 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a straight line to draw a pirate called Long-Beard, who searches for treasure with the help of drawn parrots and a map to aid his adventure. |
| 3 | Caterpillar | 13 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a bumpy line to draw a caterpillar called Arthur, who transforms into a butterfly with drawn leaves and a cocoon to complete his journey. |
| 4 | Hippo | 14 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a curvy line to draw a hippo called Delores, a ballerina practicing her dance routine with added tutu and stage elements for her performance. |
| 5 | Spider | 15 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a straight line to draw a spider called Salma, who joins a football game by drawing a ball, goalposts, and teammates from her creepy-crawly friends. |
| 6 | Hedgehog | 18 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a zig-zag line to draw a hedgehog called Spike, who rolls into a ball and unrolls with drawn apples and a forest path to find his way home. |
| 7 | Three Little Pigs | 19 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a straight line to draw a whistling pig called Curly, who builds houses with his brothers using drawn bricks, sticks, and straw to escape a wolf. |
| 8 | Spaceman | 20 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a round line to draw a spaceman called Sonny, who feels lonely in space and connects with alien friends through drawn rockets and stars. |
| 9 | Lamb | 21 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a loopy line to draw a lamb called Lenny, who overcomes his fear of shearing with drawn shears, a farmer, and cozy blankets for warmth. |
| 10 | Knight | 22 February 2008 | Squiglet draws a knight called Sir Prancealot, who rescues a princess by drawing a horse, castle, and dragon in his quest. |
| 11 | Photographer | 25 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a straight line to draw a little bird called Photo Phil, who captures pictures with added camera, tripod, and scenic backdrops. |
| 12 | Robot | 26 February 2008 | Squiglet draws a busy robot called Ralph, who juggles three jobs by drawing tools, conveyor belts, and robot companions in Robot World. |
| 13 | Scarecrow | 27 February 2008 | Squiglet draws a scarecrow who protects a cornfield by adding drawn crows, farmer, and protective hat to keep the birds away. |
| 14 | Bloodhound | 28 February 2008 | Squiglet draws a bloodhound called Boris, who sniffs out a party invitation with drawn scents, bones, and party guests to join the fun. |
| 15 | Bee | 29 February 2008 | Squiglet uses a straight line to draw a bee called Bob, who makes honey with drawn flowers, hive, and buzzing friends in the garden.[23] |
| 16 | Crab | 3 March 2008 | Squiglet draws a crab called Herman, who finds a new shell by drawing ocean waves, shells, and sea creatures as he outgrows his old one. |
| 17 | Cowboy | 4 March 2008 | Squiglet draws a cowboy called Big Boots McGraw, who rounds up his lost cow Lizzie with drawn lasso, horse, and ranch fence. |
| 18 | Elephant | 5 March 2008 | Squiglet draws an elephant called Eleanor, whose loud trumpet echoes through the jungle with added vines, trees, and animal listeners. |
| 19 | Fairy | 6 March 2008 | Squiglet meets a fairy who stops sneezing after drawing magic wand, flowers, and a potion to cure her allergy. |
| 20 | Frog Prince | 7 March 2008 | Squiglet draws a frog called Freddie, who breaks a spell with drawn crown, lily pad, and a princess to reclaim his royal form. |
| 21 | Giant | 10 March 2008 | Squiglet uses a bumpy line to draw a giant girl called Hyacinth, who navigates her large world with drawn tiny houses, paths, and friends. |
| 22 | Hare and Tortoise | 11 March 2008 | Squiglet draws a tortoise called Tiloo racing against speedy hare Harry, with added track, finish line, and cheering crowd for the fable. |
| 23 | Hyena | 12 March 2008 | Squiglet draws a laughing hyena called Harry, who practices seriousness for tea with a friend using drawn teacups, table, and calm expressions. |
| 24 | Monster | 13 March 2008 | Squiglet draws a monster called Maurice, who falls asleep with drawn bedtime story, pillow, and soothing lullaby elements. |
| 25 | Penguin | 14 March 2008 | Squiglet draws a penguin called Patricia, who dislikes the cold and warms up with drawn sun, igloo alternatives, and tropical friends.[24] |
Series 2 (2010)
The second series of Get Squiggling! premiered on CBeebies on 14 June 2010, consisting of 25 episodes broadcast daily from June to July 2010. This season built on the foundational drawing mechanics of the first by emphasizing deeper storytelling, where Squiglet's squiggles often resolve character conflicts such as competitions, apologies, and adaptations of fairy tales like "Goldilocks" and "Cinderella," encouraging young viewers to engage imaginatively with narrative outcomes. No major production changes were noted, though the animation integrated more dynamic interactions between drawn elements and Squiglet's world.[25] The episodes are listed below with their original air dates and brief plot summaries:| Episode | Title | Air Date | Plot Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monkey | 14 June 2010 | Squiglet draws a monkey named Hiraldo who enters a jungle art competition but struggles as everything he paints resembles a banana, learning creativity through trial and error.[26][13] |
| 2 | Cinderella | 15 June 2010 | Squiglet assists Cinderella in preparing for a prince's party by drawing suitable shoes for dancing in the rain, helping her overcome her excitement and hesitation.[27][28] |
| 3 | Troll | 16 June 2010 | Squiglet squiggles a troll living under a bridge who initially scares passing goats but learns to make friends by drawing a welcoming environment.[29] |
| 4 | Mouse | 17 June 2010 | Squiglet creates a hurried mouse late for an appointment, teaching her to slow down by drawing calming elements like a clock and a path.[29][30] |
| 5 | Old Mother Hubbard | 18 June 2010 | Squiglet draws Old Mother Hubbard rushing home to find her cupboard bare, so they venture out to shop and draw food for her dog.[31][28] |
| 6 | Cow | 21 June 2010 | Squiglet squiggles a cow aspiring to jump over the moon, providing encouragement and drawing a ladder to build her confidence.[32] |
| 7 | Dinosaur | 22 June 2010 | Squiglet brings to life a dinosaur plagued by hiccups, drawing remedies like a glass of water to help him recover.[32] |
| 8 | Cat | 23 June 2010 | Squiglet draws a cat fearful of water who gradually learns to swim by creating a safe pool and floatation aids.[32] |
| 9 | Gnome | 24 June 2010 | Squiglet animates a garden gnome curious about the wider world, drawing a map and vehicle for his exploratory adventure.[33] |
| 10 | Magician | 25 June 2010 | Squiglet helps a magician whose multiplying rabbits overrun his theatre by drawing new homes and habitats for them.[33] |
| 11 | Bat | 28 June 2010 | Squiglet squiggles a bat scared of the dark, introducing echolocation through drawn echoes and a cave exploration.[33] |
| 12 | Squirrel | 29 June 2010 | Squiglet creates a squirrel collecting acorns who keeps misplacing them, drawing a storage tree to solve the issue.[34] |
| 13 | Polar Bear | 30 June 2010 | Squiglet draws a polar bear overheating in the Squiggle Pad, cooling him with icebergs and a trip to the Arctic.[34] |
| 14 | Wizard | 1 July 2010 | Squiglet assists a wizard whose spells misfire, practicing incantations and drawing props to perfect his magic.[34] |
| 15 | Chef | 2 July 2010 | Squiglet squiggles a chef inventing a recipe but lacking a key ingredient, foraging and drawing substitutes to complete the dish.[35] |
| 16 | Ostrich | 19 July 2010 | Squiglet draws an ostrich yearning to fly, discovering her strength in running fast through a circus training scene.[35] |
| 17 | Rhino | 20 July 2010 | Squiglet creates a shy rhino anxious about a fair, practicing games like ring toss with drawn targets to build his skills.[35] |
| 18 | Humpty Dumpty | 21 July 2010 | Squiglet draws Humpty Dumpty, too clumsy for sports day, equipping him with supportive gear to participate confidently.[36][37] |
| 19 | Old King Cole | 22 July 2010 | Squiglet helps Old King Cole, who has lost his fiddlers three before the Queen's birthday, by drawing clues to locate them.[37] |
| 20 | Koala | 23 July 2010 | Squiglet squiggles a sleepy koala needing to stay awake for a eucalyptus party, drawing coffee and games to energize him.[37] |
| 21 | Goldilocks | 26 July 2010 | Squiglet draws Goldilocks who must apologize to the three bears after an intrusion, creating a lunch invitation to mend relations.[38] |
| 22 | Jack and the Beanstalk | 27 July 2010 | Squiglet assists Jack in climbing the beanstalk to the giant's castle by drawing sturdy vines and a plan to retrieve treasures.[38] |
| 23 | Magpie | 28 July 2010 | Squiglet creates a magpie hoarding shiny objects, teaching her to share by drawing gifts for her bird friends.[38] |
| 24 | Rapunzel | 29 July 2010 | Squiglet draws Rapunzel trapped in a tower, using her long hair as a rope to escape and reunite with friends below.[38] |
| 25 | Kangaroo | 30 July 2010 | Squiglet squiggles a kangaroo practicing high jumps for a competition, drawing a trampoline and coaching her technique.[38][39] |
