A native of Jacksonville won 13 Emmy awards for his animated children’s series ‘Big Green Rabbit’

August 02, 2009 2:48 PM

ANIESA HOLMES of The Daily News, Jacksonville, NC

Thanks to a big green rabbit, one Jacksonville native is seeing gold.

Shane DeRolf and his production team were recently awarded with 13 Emmy Awards by the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his Boulder, Colo., based children’s animated series “Big Green Rabbit.” DeRolf and his creative team accepted awards in four categories, including Best Children/Youth Program/Special and Best Musical Composition/Arrangement.

“We were thrilled the first win. One was like letting air out of pressure cooker,” he said. “When you win more than one it just gets better and better. It was a very special night.”

DeRolf’s mother and stepfather, Dennis and Jackie Wilchesky of Jacksonville, were thrilled to receive the news of his big win.

“I kept saying ‘Wow,’” Jackie said. “As a parent you always expect your children to win, but not that many awards.”

DeRolf, 55, is the CEO and chief creative officer of Big Green Company, a media company in Boulder that is dedicated to educating and entertaining children about personal health and environmental preservation. Although the show has received many awards and other recognition, DeRolf feels that his biggest success will be seeing the impact that his creation has had in contributing toward a greener Earth and healthier children.

“Winning awards are great, but the reason in doing ‘Big Green Rabbit’ is really trying to make a difference in our country and maybe in the world,” DeRolf said. “There are issues and challenges that we face as a country, especially childhood obesity.”

“Big Green Rabbit” follows the adventures of a giant rabbit named Charlie and his friend Isabelle as they explore health, nature, science and the planet. The show is presented by Rocky Mountain PBS Television and distributed free to public television stations by American Public Television.

Since its October 2007 debut, “Big Green Rabbit” has been seen in more than 75 markets in the United States and is broadcasted nationally once a week on PBS in six of the country’s Top 10 markets. De-Rolf encourages parents to ask local TV programming to bring “Big Green Rabbit” to into their homes. The show has also been a hit on the Internet, through its award-winning interactive Web site.

“‘Big Green Rabbit’ has been viewed by more than 10 million people on Youtube and it’s grown to a rate of 500,000 per month,” DeRolf said. “It’s all by word of mouth with no advertising or promotion—it’s just people that love it.”

The Jacksonville High School graduate and former East Carolina University student admits that although he always had an inter- est in education, he never imagined the success that he has achieved over the years as an author, television producer and company founder.

“I always tried to be a good student, and I was more interested in art than in anything else,” he said. “It’s important to have a good general education in life. Who really knows what you’re going to be in high school or in college?”

His mother said that she noticed his creative talents at a very young age, and is glad that he stuck with his interests over the years.

“One day he was in his room playing with toy soldiers and he made this really creative situation,” Jackie said. “He always remembered that, and he said that is what started the development of his imagination.”

DeRolf, along with Chief Green Officer A.J. Grant, helped to bring Big Green Company to life three years ago to provide quality programming for children that promotes healthy living and caring for others.

“The quality of the music, the animation, the quality of writing and the acting are unique, and we don’t talk down to children,” DeRolf said. “We try to educate and inspire them to learn more—that’s a unique quality about it.”

With three series under his belt, DeRolf is considered a veteran in the children’s entertainment industry. His first series, “Zazoo U,” first aired on the Fox Kids network in 1991. He is also former president of Random House Entertainment, where he wrote the critically acclaimed children’s book “The Crayon Box That Talked” and created and produced “The Crayon Box,” a series that is now in national syndication. The National Ad Council even made the book its theme for their 1997 National Anti-Discrimination Campaign for Children. President Bill Clinton sent De-Rolf an endorsement letter that same year for his contribution to promoting diversity in America. The Wilcheskys display the framed letter proudly at their home.

With his imagination and creative energy, DeRolf has two more animated series in the works that will also promote getting off the couch and living an active and greener life.

“If you want to do something about the couch potato lifestyle, then we’ve done it with an interactive experience for kids,” he said.

Jackie said that she is proud of her son’s accomplishments and his dedication to improving the lives of children through education.

“What has always amazed me is that his interest has always been in educating and bettering the minds of children,” Jackie said. “Not many adults think of children and what they can do now for them.”

As the father of three sons — ages 28, 24, and 9 — De-Rolf believes that success can only be accomplished through working hard in school and maintaining confidence in goals and dreams through adulthood.

“When you do something you really believe in it takes a long time to come, but don’t give up,” DeRolf said. “I’ve learned in my career and I tell all kids if you really believe in something and you really think you can accomplish something, then try it and never give up.”

Episodes of “Big Green Rabbit” can be seen online at www.biggreenrabbit.com. For more information, visit www. biggreencompany.com.

Contact Aniesa Holmes at 910-219-8453 or aholmes@freedomenc. com.