TOY TEAMAn Animated Action Adventure for Ages 7-12

A band of medieval knights are in battle, attempting to storm a powerful wizard’s castle and rescue a princess. Volleys of magical arrows fly over the castle wall, all to no effect. Frederick, the wizard, is protected by powerful magic. Samuel, leader of the heroic band, is down to his last arrow. In a flash of inspiration (born of desperation), he ties some ragweed to the arrow and sends it flying straight into Frederick’s face.

The arrow bounces harmlessly off Frederick’s chest. Frederick grins. Laughs. Then stands still, a cold sweat beading up on his forehead. He is allergic to ragweed! He starts crying and sneezing and howling and stomping his feet – more the tantrum of a 10-year old than a powerful wizard. The castle starts to collapse under his stomping feet. What is going on here?

CUT TO a sunny California beach, where 10-year old Fred is crying and sneezing and howling and stomping on a giant sandcastle. His twin brother, Sam, is holding a handful of ragweed in his face. Lying in the sand are two medieval knight action figures. We’ve just been privy to the boy’s fantasy world of play!

Every episode of Toy Team starts with such a fantasy battle. It provides a window into the personalities of the children (in this case, the rivalry of Fred and Sam over Jessie’s affections), and sets up the story to follow (community groups warring over the development of a beachfront lot).

After the opening battle, the boys round up the rest of Toy Team for a meeting. Held in the basement of Sam and Fred’s dad’s candy store, the meetings include Sam, Fred, 10-year old Jessie, 8-year old Lia, and 6 year-old Bobby along with their favorite (for that day, at least!) toys.

The children come up with a problem to solve, brainstorm/play-act solutions, gather more information in the community, then solve the problem and save the day.

The show promotes brotherhood, honor, integrity, leadership, teamwork, mutual support, and creative problem solving. (For example: in a fantasy battle against alien invaders, the kids give up their selfish wants for the common defense. This leads them to try the same thing in real life.)

Toy Team’s context is that battles are acceptable -- even healthy -- in fantasy, but real life requires diplomacy, integrity, and teamwork.


MAIN CHARACTERS

Sam Ross. A ten year old boy, fraternal twin to Fred. Loves the beach, cars, and bad guys. Sam is mischievous, brave, quick thinking, impulsive, and immature for his age. His favorite toy is his “Knights of the Magic Heart” action figure – a medieval knight with magic powers. He is always teasing Frederick about liking Jessie.

Fred Ross. Ten year old twin brother to Sam. Likes electronics, reading, and helping out in his dad’s store. Mature and serious for his age, he has asthma. Likes Jessie. His favorite toy is a “Knights of the Magic Heart” sorcerer.

Jessie Kazan. Ten year old girl. Bossy, smart, and worldly. She likes pop music, glittery make-upy things, and pushing Fred and Sam around. Her favorite toy is an “Undercover Rocker” teen rock-star doll.

Lia Rose. Eight year old girl. Very bright and caring. She is the environmentalist of the group, and always talking about animals (especially horses), forests, and gardens. She is unsure of herself and reluctant to speak up, even though she often has the best ideas. Her favorite toy is a Native American princess doll called “Princess Earthwatersky.”

Bobby Rubarth. Six year old boy. Moody and brooding. Has a hard time keeping up with the older children. The other kids are not happy that they are stuck with him, but Lia looks out for him. He is in the team because Sam and Fred’s father insisted; Bobby lives with his father and needs the after-school care. Bobby’s favorite toy is an “Ambassador Bird” (a sort of James Bond for little kids) action figure.

Patrick Ross. Sam and Fred’s father. Owns an organic candy store in a California beach town. Good-natured creative type, his candy store has all sorts of weird, wonderful, and gross candies (Candy Ear Wax, Edible Socks, etc.) that sometimes play into the plots.

Robert Rubarth, Sr. Bobby’s father. An extremely obese man who is always failing in get-rich-quick schemes. He is a loner who has a hard time asking for help; he’s the antithesis of the show’s “teamwork works” premise. He and Bobby have a difficult relationship, and they strain to find common ground.


LICENSING POTENTIAL

Toy Team is a unique property in that there are four toy concepts within the show’s umbrella concept. So licensed product in the categories of books, clothing, games and toys can be sold in many different combinations.

Toy Team. The Toy Team concept of a group of friends getting together to play lends itself to licensed clothing, books, and games built around the Toy Team logo (a circle of hands on top of each other).

Knights of the Magic Heart. Ancient warriors of strength, magic, and honor, these medieval action figures use magical weapons and fierce battle skills to protect the Magic Heart – a gem that rejuvenates and heals injuries – from the forces of evil. When a natural disaster strikes, and the Magic Heart is most in need, the Dark Lord is sure to be around waiting for his chance to steal it. (The Magic Heart must always be shared with those in need, but the selfish Dark Lord wants it for himself.)

The Knights take advantage of the latest Velcro technology for imaginative play. Figures are covered with Velcro loops, and the accessories (armor, shields, etc.) have Velcro hooks molded in. The unique use of Velcro in all the Toy Team action figures will make them stand apart from other toys.

Princess Earthwatersky. “From the land of deep waters and clear sky” comes this Native American naturalist and her animal companions. The Princess flies with eagles, runs with horses, and swims with dolphins in her quest to promote harmony between the earth and its inhabitants. Velcro technology allows the Princess to apply clothing, flowers, and jewelry to herself and her animal friends.

Undercover Rocker. In the series, this doll is meant to be a satire on the low-hip-hugging, belly-button-piercing look of teen singers. But the character is actually a teen detective who dresses the part of rock star in order to solve mysteries in the world of rock music. Velcro accessories will change mild-mannered teen girl into wild looking Undercover Rocker.

Ambassador Bird. As used in this series, Ambassador Bird is a cute little creature not unlike the Hello Kitty characters. He is a little dove in a tuxedo with a rakish personality. His playset would include an airplane, speedboat, and racing car. (Perhaps Sanrio will add this adventurous, boy-oriented hero character to their line-up.)

Created by Ross and Bill Weber