The Family Fun Show
Case Study: The Family Fun Show
Case Study: The Family Fun Show
Client: Mondelez International, Carat Advertising (Singapore)
Project: The Family Fun Show
Location: Red Studios, Shanghai, China
Years Active: 2017–2018
Production Partner: ID Creations (China)
Executive Producers: Ean Thorley / Adam Bow
Language: Mandarin
Families who play together, stay together
The Family Fun Show is a Mandarin-language children's game show developed for Oreo (a Mondelez brand) that aired on Tencent. Designed to reconnect parents with their children's imaginations, the show features families competing in imaginative, energetic challenges that require teamwork, creativity, and humor.
Commissioned by Carat Advertising (Singapore) in 2017, we were brought on to pitch, conceptualize, and produce a compelling branded kids' format. Our concept won the pitch, and over several months, Executive Producers Ean Thorley and Adam Bow collaborated to develop the final format
In many Chinese households, grandparents traditionally care for children. The show subtly encouraged greater engagement from parents, aiming to bring mothers, fathers, and children together through shared experiences and playful storytelling.
Characters
The Host
- Energetic, engaging, and dressed in wildly imaginative costumes, the host guides families through each episode, shaping the show's narrative and maintaining its playful spirit.
The DJ
- Music is central to the show's energy. The DJ keeps the tempo high during all games, creating a party atmosphere and driving momentum.
The Spaceman
- The Spaceman acts as the show’s comic antagonist, dunking losing family members into a vat of "milk" and popping up throughout the episode for kids at home to spot. Despite his mischief, he joins the dance party at the end of each episode.
Set Design
- The set was designed as a vibrant, imaginative wonderland using bold colors, oversized props, and thematic backdrops. It provided a visually stimulating environment that supported the theme of childhood imagination and family adventure.
Games & Format
- Each 30-minute episode includes multiple challenges that blend creativity with family cooperation:
Three Circles
- Inspired by the "30 Circles" creative exercise, families draw as many imaginative pictures as possible within a time limit. They then craft a connected story from the images. The most imaginative family wins a 5-second head start in the final game.
Pop Pop Pop
- A balloon-popping challenge where families shoot at balloons within a 30-second time frame. The family popping the most balloons earns another time advantage for the final obstacle course.
Wonderland
- The finale: a 90m x 12m obstacle course inspired by the five Chinese elements, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Parents and children must navigate the course together. The winning team hits the “Wonder Buzzer” to rescue their dad from a dunk tank.
Dunk Tank
- A humorous but satisfying finale where the losing team's father is dunked into a giant vat of (fake) milk by the Spaceman.
Production
- The show was shot over multiple weeks at Red Studios in Shanghai with a bilingual crew, including directors, camera operators, and set designers. A total of 13 pre-recorded episodes were produced for distribution on Tencent's streaming platform.