Staines Down Drains - Drainland Unplugged (First Episode)

This first episode of the animated series for kids follows germaphobic Stanley and feisty Mary-Jane down a plughole into ‘Drainworld’. There they help a plethora of slimy mutated creatures battle the evil Dr Drain. Created by Jim Mora (Mucking In) and Flux Animation's Brent Chambers, Staines was NZ’s first official animation international co-production (with Australian studio Flying Bark). The 26 episode series debuted on Australia’s Seven in late 2006, on TV2 in early 2007, and sold globally. It opens with the award-winning theme tune composed by Australian Michael Lira.

It was an enormous undertaking ...With Staines Down Drains partner Jim Mora, we spent at least a month in Sydney locked in room with German and Australian story guys, great fun. I also handled much of the financing and legal on that deal, which was exhausting and educating. The show sold very well internationally and topped the ratings for all three co-producers in NZ, Australia and Germany; it got our name out there as a good company to partner with.

– Brent Chambers, in a November 2011 interview for Animation College blog

Key Cast & Crew

Yoram Gross

Producer

Brent Chambers

Lead Character Design, Producer, Creator

Guy Gross

Director

Jane Schneider

Director

David Evans

Writer

Drew Forsythe

As: Doctor Drain