DANIEL BAYS

(Founder & Creative Director)

ComKids_pic_daniel-bays.jpg
Show-runner
Creator
Head Writer
Animation Producer
Digital & Games Producer

Lightning Sprite Media was founded in February 2016 by Creator and Show-runner: Daniel Bays

Dan is an avid gamer, technology nut, animation collector and inquisitive, curious, ideas thinker-upper, developer and producer and writer of award-winning multi-platform wonderments.

HIGHLIGHTS
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Bitz_and_Bob_hero_cast_created_by_Daniel
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Bitz_and_Bob_YCDIT_Creator_Daniel_Bays.j

[All rights owned by CBeebies & BoatRocker]

BITZ & BOB (42 x 11min) - Creator, Development Producer & Writer
Landmark, multiplatform CG animated series 'Bitz & Bob' and mixed-media companion show, 'Bitz & Bob: You Can Do It Too'. Both launched on CBeebies in 2018, immediately entering the Top 10 most popular CBeebies shows and sold in 150+ territories. Dan created, developed and pitched the shows; secured finance; Produced and Script Edited 10 scripts (+ wrote 1 script); ran tender for animation studio; Produced all design and promo; helped to build and handed over to Production Team.

Find out more about Bitz & Bob
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[All rights owned by CBeebies & BoatRocker]

TREE FU TOM (72 x 22min) - Creator & Show-Runner (3 seasons)

Twice BAFTA-nominated, physically interactive, international hit preschool animated series and immersive companion games suite, produced in parallel as a multiplatform production. Produced in-house at CBeebies and broadcast on CBeebies and in 150+ territories (CBeebies & BoatRocker own all rights).

OTHER STUFF

Multi-Platform Development Producer

 

  • 2014-2016 - Ran the CBeebies and Fremantle Media Kids & Family co-development slate.

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  • 2006-2008 - Worked as part of a multi-platform development team in CBBC, winning a number of major TV, Digital and Games commissions, including Serious Explorers which ran to three series.

 

  • 2000-2001 - Founding member of BBC Factual's new ‘Ideas Lab’ – creating and developing shows for grown-ups and families in BBC Science and BBC Factual Entertainment.

Speaker, Expert and Mentor
 

  • Cartoon 360 - (Expert, Speaker & Advisory Panel 2016, 2017, 2018)

  • Cartoon Springboard - (Expert & Speaker 2016, 2017, 2018)

  • Kidscreen - (Session Producer & Speaker 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)

  • Cartoon Business - (Speaker 2013)

  • Animation POW-WOW, Helsinki - (Speaker 2017)

  • Children’s Media Conference - (Speaker 2011, 2012, 2014)

  • ComKids, Sao Paulo - (Speaker)

  • Salford University - (Speaker)

OTHER TOP FACTS:

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  • Graduated in Biology (2:1) from the University of York

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  • Worked at the BBC for 15 years - including 10 years in BBC Children's (developing and producing ideas and making games and digital products in both CBBC and CBeebies)

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  • Spent 4 years making documentaries and factual telly for grown-ups at the BBC ​

OTHER MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS:

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  • Self-shooting on an ambulance for 3 months for Trauma;

 

  • Filming a giraffe having his toenails cut (with a chainsaw) for Super Vets;

 

  • Convincing the women of a Linconshire village to leave for seven days to film what happened to the men for The Week The Women Went

 

  • Swimming with dolphins with Professor Lord Robert Winston for Human Instinct

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  • Working on Tomorrow's World - the UK’s number one technology show for 38 years - a personal goal since the age of 10.

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