France Truc (partially found French children's programming block; 2004-2006)
The show's logo and presenters, Truk (left), Truque (center), and Truc (right)
Status: Partially Found
France Truc (France Ploy) is a French weekend children's television programming broadcast aired on France 3 from August 30, 2004, to June 30, 2006. The show replaced T O 3 before being itself replaced by Toowam, and it was mainly aimed at children ages 3 to 11.
Presentation
Similar to its predecessor, T O 3, the characters were based on computer graphics.
In an animation studio, Normaal Animation (a co-production company with France Télévisions) created graphics for the show with Macromedia Flash MX (now Adobe Animate) and Adobe After Effects.:
- Truque: A pink and white limbless figure on the outside and a green screen on the inside. She is unique because of her humor, intelligence, and creativity.
- Truc: A two-armed blue halftone with spiky hair. He is resourceful and reckless, which makes him the group's leader.
- Truk: A red and yellow-orange, one-eyed three-legged blind screen with two mouth speakers. A walkable robotic dog-like with Truc and Truque. In the group, it is the fantastic beast.
Technical sheet
A Normaal and France Télévisions (France 3) co-production
- Original title: France TRUC
- Design and creation: Alexis Lavillat
- Director: Karl Bourdin, Alexis Lavillat, Julien Loron, and Gregory Wemmersch
- Production management: Antonia Martineau
- Creation of advertising jingles: Christophe “Zébé” Lourdelet
- Administration and legal: Antonio Velasco
- Written by: Phillipe Traversat
- Music by: Lauren Bauer
- Additional music: Karl Bourdin and Alain Lardeux (Boochon)
- Musicians: Sylvain Loiseau, Pierre Kloyan, Phlippe Lepape, Pierre Clouard, and Loïc Leluel
- Singers: Eric Barbier, Claude La Boursicaud, Phillipe Le Meyec, Bruno Pouliquen, and Christophe Vallin
- BG and props: Antonia Martineau
- Animation: Christophe "Zébé" Lourdelet, David Cez, Jean-Yves Castillon, Franck Bonnent, Christian Desmares, Alexander Hesse, Damian Gaillardon, Fabien Limousin, Pierre Minoux, Oliver Masson, Nicolas Guilloteau, Dao Nguyen, Luvidine Marquès-Verisimmo, and Sandrine Sekulak
- Character design: Jean-Yves Castillon
- Design: Karl Borudin, Fabrice Casali, and Christelle Soutif
- Editor: Patrice Monet and Benoît Humbert
- Production assistant: Joachim Lombradi and Juliet Monnet
- Sound director: Julien Loron
- Laboratory: Studio Saya and Ramses 2 (season 1)
- Sound engineer (Studio Saya): Sylvestre Buron
- Consultant manager: André de Semlyen
Voices
- Lore Bargès (season 1) then Alexandra David (season 2): Truque
- Alain Lardeux (Boochon): Truc and Truk
- Alex Taylor: Presentation (Season 1)
- Catherine Lachens
- Henri Courseaux
- Jean-Claude Donda
History
France Truc was launched on August 30, 2004, after the previous show T O 3 was not broadcast yesterday until the announcement. The first program began with The Three Little Sisters.
With this assertive and original visual identity, France 3 hopes to capitalize on its recent successes in animated series such as Scooby Doo, Winx Club, Marsupilami, Titeuf, and Mon Kanar, the news magazine. To these values will be added new episodes of Hilltop Hospital, the return of Astro Boy, Dragon Hunters, etc., and a French novelty, Les Gnoufs, an animated series that should constitute the small back-to-school event for children.
Lore Bargès and Alex Taylor left the show after Alexandra David replaced Truque's voice in the second season.
In 2005, Julien Borde joined France Télévisions to head the youth programs unit of France 3.
France Truc did not manage to have much success. After being unveiled for almost a year and a quarter, Toowam was officially unveiled on July 1, 2006. This show will be the last after the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids episode in the afternoon lineup.
Broadcasting
The show aired at 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekday mornings and weekends, from Monday to Friday.
Idents
The idents, however, contrast dramatically with the old. Leaving aside the realistic but not very dynamic 3D effect, "France TRUC" creates a flatter but less static visual. With a few acidulous colors, the "split-screen" (split screen), tight close-ups, rhythm, and speed are privileged. "It's a pop aesthetic inherited from manga and Japanese comics" explains a designer, who adds: "In another style, 'The Powerpuff Girls' already drew on the same inspiration.