Jammer the singing strawberry is star of new animated film

A talking and singing strawberry named Jammer is the star of new animated film, but the character was created as much to educate as entertain.

The video, "Jammer Saves the Farm," tells how the star and his friends save the crop on a cold winter night. The 12-minute, 11-second, film was begun in early June and completed in mid-September.

Plant City video producer Ben Rawnsley of Simply Video Productions recently delivered the final edit of the DVD to the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. The film, geared for students in kindergarten through third grade, shows how strawberries are brought to the table.

The feature is full of information such as the importance of irrigation in freeze protection, the role bees play in pollination and the nutritional benefit of strawberries.

Sean Sanczel, a friend of Rawnsley's who owns Sean Sanczel Productions, collaborated on the animated film. Sanczel primarily employed 3D animation, using live footage of some of the processes that go into strawberry production.

A new 10-page coloring book featuring the characters will soon be available to teachers.

Jammer is also the new mascot of the growers association and will be appearing live at events, Rawnsley said. There is also a Jammer doll and puppet in the works, he said.

Rawnsley, 76, and his wife, Jayne, have lived in Plant City about 12 years. The couple for years lived in Los Angeles, where Rawnsley was an actor who landed parts in such television shows as "The Golden Girls," "Dallas" and "L.A. Law," along with a few movie roles.

He struck up a friendship with Sanczel when they appeared in a play at Tampa's Gorilla Theatre. They have collaborated on several projects, including an award-winning commercial for Hershey's chocolate. They also have produced corporate and instructional videos, animated shorts and other works.

"Jammer" evolved from an idea for a documentary on strawberry growing, Rawnsley said. He hopes to finish that project, and has compiled hours of film - from footage taken at strawberry plant nurseries in Canada to harvesting at Plant City area farms.

The "Jammer" video can be viewed at www.flastrawberry.com.