THE STORY OF THE SPARK
The imagined account of how the original traffic signal got its very
first, yellow bulb. An animated feature.
Yes, that’s right. The original traffic light erected in Cleveland, Ohio
back in 1914 --- right on the corner of 105th and Euclid, in fact ---
only had a red and green lens. No yellow.
Lester Wire, the inventor of the curb-side icon, didn’t think of that
until six years later. This happens to be the story that led him to
such a bright idea. But let’s back up a bit shall we?
Blink once… 1879 Edison invents the first lightbulb.
Blink twice… 1800 Volta harnesses electricity ---
--- No, no. Back farther, please.
Blink three times…
THE SPARK
Ah, here it is. A sliver of light whose shards became the buds of life that make up the universe. Now, one, particular Spark traveled and searched far and wide. Until one day, the lonely bead of light finally found its place to shine in the discovery we know today as ELECTRICITY. And each invention following that discovery --- digital clocks, cars, and yes, even traffic lights --- became a new expression of the Spark’s continual purpose to light up a growing world. But that purpose needed a little help, you see. And was passed on to hidden, luminary beings called…BULBIES.
CHARACTER DESIGN:TRICITY
The first-ever-seen, Yellow Bulbie to be sure. Tris quite literally popped into existence when her Green Bulbie dad and Red Bulbie mom fell in love. Did you know that red and green light mixed together makes yellow? Well, it does.
Tricity’s bright spirit and need to find her place in a world where only red and green are accepted is what drives her each step along the way. Oh yeah, and she has a thing for bugs. She might even collect them. What light wouldn’t?
CHARACTER DESIGN: ZIP & ZAP
Green Bulbie brothers and the friends Tricity never asked for. They’re persistently annoying, undeniably adorable and have a good knack for mischief. Zap is the practical, naturally cynical half with a fear for the unknown and a dash of poetic ambitions. Zip, on the other hand, is the whimsical, lovingly clueless little brother with a big heart and a cutesy vibe that will not be contained. Though Tris would rather call her friendship with these two an “enemy-ship,” these Bulbie brothers prove time and again that friends don’t let you do stupid alone.
CHARACTER DESIGN: LUMINA
A Christmas light who fell off her strand a long time ago, but still remembers how to dance. Lumina, a tiny, purple bulb that flits about like a fairy, but whatever you do don’t get her angry… Deadpan humor, a no-nonsense demeanor, and maybe a little insane --- she lost her strand, after all. Oh, and she has a bit of a chronic rhyming problem which she constantly denies --- it’s better to just ignore it, though. Anyhow, you might have noticed that Lumina is not a Bulbie. That’s right. As Lumina would say in her condescending way, “Bulbies are lovely in their own right, but there are many different kinds of light.”
THE SETTING
What is it like inside of a traffic signal, you might ask? Well, it looks much like a city set during the “Roaring 20s,” specifically, the fast-growing city of Cleveland, Ohio where it all began. Inside that iconic, blinking box you’ll find flappers and jazz music, bustling streets, and an industrious workforce. Differences between this world and the human one outside might be the circuitry streets where Bulbies zip their way up, down, and all around. Oh, and the highest line of work would be lighting up the traffic signals, of course. Now, you may have surmised there exists a distinctive RED SIDE and a GREEN SIDE to the hidden city. Bulbies on either end are not allowed to cross over or mingle --- we know what happened last time, right?
As a result, Tricity’s environment is a world divided by differences --- another reflection of that time in history and even a parallel to what we might experience today. There is a clear vibrancy in both the Bulbie world and the historical city that hosted the first traffic signal. While greater detail is given to both these settings in the film animation, it is worth noting that future installments of the book series are specifically designed to expand upon the depth and richness of both environments in a unique way. The continuing adventures of our sparkling cast of luminary characters --- and Jute, the egg, of course --- uncovers block by block and bulb by bulb a very special place that simply needs to be explored.
THEMES
MIXED-RACE FAMILIES
We are all looking for stories with characters that reflect our own self-image in some way, but what about children who are from mixed-race families? I have nephews with bold Caucasian-Belizean traits and nieces with beautiful Caucasian-Filipino features, but where are the stories that reflect these kinds of racially mixed heritages? Exactly --- nowhere near center-stage. Which is why TRICITY and her yellow glow --- a mixture of red and green light and a blend of two cultures --- is the perfect reflection of a story that needs to be told.
REMOVING DIVIDES
In a modern world where divisions of race, social status, beliefs and political parties have grown beyond our common bridge of understanding; in an atmosphere where countries literally erect walls out of fear of the unknown and where families are torn apart --- it seems a story showing another way is very much needed. If our society is divisive today, then what was it like during the 1920s? A scary thought. And yet, perhaps a fictional tale of BULBIES removing barriers of color way back when can somehow bring a small bit of hope into our 2020s era.
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SHINE YOUR LIGHT
Whatever color you happen to be or whatever perception of your shade --- your purpose remains the same. THE SPARK is in all of us. It not only connects us, one to another, but it transparently demonstrates our unique way of lighting up a space. Outside of hiding our light completely, there is no way to be anything but exactly what we are. Our very own Yellow Bulbie had to learn to accept her light for what it was and find a place where it could shine with a sincere purpose. My thoughts? There likely would be a lot less bad in the world if we each strove to do the same.
THE FILM FRANCHISE
A BULBIE'S STORY
The animated adaptation of BULBIES begins when Tricity, the world’s first Yellow Bulbie, pops into existence in a town of only Red and Green. Her parents are separated by a wall dividing the city and Tris is forced to keep her yellow glow hidden; until one day a bolt of lightning strikes the traffic light! Causing THE SPARK --- the source of all light --- to disappear. Tris takes it upon herself to leave home and find the missing Spark before every Bulbies’ light goes out forever.
THE LOST BLUE BULBIES
Having taken her place in the traffic signal as the yellow light we all know, this planned animated sequel throws Tris and her companions into a mission to unite the Bulbie world and save their fading colors from a strange darkness corrupting their light.
Once they combine the hues of Red, Green and Blue --- the three primary colors --- the pure, white glow created will set things right. The only problem is… no one has ever met a Blue Bulbie.
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BULBIES AND THE DARK SPARK
The planned final chapter in the animated film series reveals the strange darkness to have been the work of the Dark Spark --- the source of all darkness --- an ancient entity that is jealous of the light. Afterall, he was here first. So, Tris and her friends must find a way to keep shining, despite a power trying to put them out.
While the picture book targets younger readership, the animation expansion adds a whole host of new characters and elevates the underlying themes for both young adult and family enjoyment, reaching audiences of all ages. To support this endeavor, the picture book is being shopped to parties specifically interested in TV and film adaptation as a goal in bringing the hidden world of BULBIES fully to life.