Catalan children have a new childhood idol. Tito is a character who came to 3Cat without pretentions. “We said that either you had it, or it lasted a month.“, says Laia Servera, head of children’s content at 3Cat. And it worked. The young hiker embarks on an adventure in each episode and discovers the world alongside his inseparable friend John C. A simple idea that has conquered the most little. Bittor Fernández, The Catalan actor who plays Titó has gone from acting in musicals to finding his face on t-shirts, toys, books and, soon, on Easter cakes. A phenomenon that is getting bigger and bigger and that this Christmas has also made the leap to the theater.
A little over a year ago, the Catalan Audiovisual Media Corporation (CCMA) decided reformulate the Super3 -now converted into SX3, although it is pronounced the same- and find new content that could reconnect with children, as they had done before Tomatic or the Super3 Family. In this way, the character of Titó was incorporated, a complement of the beloved Mic -which already worked in audiences- but in a flesh and blood format.
Of flesh and blood
Titó is a character who, in each episode, proposes a different excursion accompanied by his partner John C., who speaks English and brings a humorous tone to the program. During his trip, Tito discover the world at the same time as children and makes simple explanations of topics that may be complex for them. The clothing he wears is also characteristic: a cap with ears, a colorful t-shirt and a ‘sol solet’ backpack.
He is the only human character in the SX3 programmingsince the rest of the content on the platform has dolls or cartoons as protagonists. There are those who believe that this is the key to having become a mass phenomenon and what makes children connect with it. Whatever it is, the videos of their excursions already accumulate more than 14 million views on digital platforms, it is the most viewed content of the SX3 and is the third of the entire 3Cat platform. Both of his books are among the best sellers in the children’s category.‘The Excursions of Titó’ was the most purchased book last Sant Jordi -, the products with his face are the most loved in the 3Cat ‘online’ store and it has 20 performances scheduled at the Tívoli theater of Barcelona for this Christmas with almost all the tickets sold out.
Jump to the theater
The performer hiding behind Titó is Bittor Fernández, an actor specialized in musical theater. “We wanted the character to discover the world in the same way that children do. Obviously, I’m not three years old nor do we try to make it seem like it, but I try to convey the same emotion“, he explains about his relationship with the little ones. The role came to him almost by chance and he complements his childhood version with his performances in the theater in musicals such as ‘La Jaula de las Locas’ or ‘The Producers’.
Now he is also on stage with Titó. Until next January 7, the children’s show can be enjoyed live at the Tivoli. “The reaction we are seeing in the theater is shocking. The tickets for the first dates were sold out in less than a week,” details the performer. During the play, Titó recovers the excursions and elements that have worked best in the program and interacts with the children live.
conscious language
Laia Servera considers that this character needed three important characteristics to function. First of all, master Catalan, since its target audience is at an important moment “of entry into the language.” Also approaching the world in a “loving” way. “Titó is curious, he learns naturally both with children and has respect for the environment“, he details. Finally, being accompanied by character of John C. who, according to Servera, is his antithesis, “histrionic, the usual clown.”
The creators of Titó paid special attention to correctly transmitting the language and provide quality content, but also use good vocabulary and intonation. “We talk to children face to face, like any normal person, not as if they were stupid“explains the actor.”We do not use diminutives or simplified words. If we consider something to be complicated to understand, we try to explain it better. Because he is three years old, he is no less than anyone,” adds Fernández.
Furthermore, the program is not intended to be educational, although it is aimed at a children’s audience. “It was always considered as an entertainment product.. “I am not the teacher, father or brother who teaches from a superior position,” says the interpreter, but rather he tries to help the little ones discover things through fun.
Childhood success
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Although he is a role model for Catalan children, Fernández can still lead a normal life without being recognized on the street. “I have been stopped once, but It is not proportional to the success of the program“, he assures. Although he shows his face in each episode, just the fact that they find him dressed as a normal person and not as the character, throws the children off. “Being so small, They don’t distinguish much between reality and fiction either.. Even if they see someone on the street who looks a lot like Titó, I think they are not too aware that there is a possibility that they can find him,” he comments.
The Titó phenomenon has managed to connect with Catalan children again. Children have returned to the theater and have found a reference with which to identify themselves on television. For the nostalgic, now all that remains is for TV3 to recover the mythical Feast of Supers.
2023-12-30 05:04:14
#entertainment #talking #children #fools
