Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • ‘The Snail and the Whale’ Wins Double BAFTA Children’s Honors

    ‘The Snail and the Whale’ Wins Double BAFTA Children’s Honors

    BAFTA announced Sunday the winners of this year’s BAFTA Children & Young People Awards. Hosted by TV and radio presenter Lindsey Russell, the awards ceremony is a celebration of U.K. and international content for children and young people spanning film, games and television.

    Magic Light Pictures’ charming 2019 special The Snail and the Whale, another of the studio’s popular adaptations of a children’s book by writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler scored an impressive double win with both the Animation prize and Director honors for first-time helmers Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon.

    This year’s C&YP BAFTAs were particularly animated, with tooned up titles dominating many categories including Feature Film. Carton Saloon/Melusine/Apple’s widely acclaimed 2D folklore adventure Wolfwalkers pulling ahead of an all-animated nomination pack.

    Bluey won in another happenstance all-animation race, for the best International program, El Deafo was recognized with the Content for Change award and  The Amazing World of Gumball took the Writer award. Meanwhile, Hey Duggee picked up its fourth BAFTA for Preschool Animation.

    Sackboy: A Big Adventure won the Game category, following its win in the BAFTA Games Awards in 2021.

    Wolfwalkers
    Wolfwalkers

    The awards were presented by a host of stars and content creators including Alishea Cambell-Drummond, Joseph Coelho, Dani Harmer, Jason Isaacs, Molly Rainford, Ben Shires, Inel Tomlinson and Amir Wilson, as well as BAFTA Young Presenter competition winners, Maryam and Jeriah. The ceremony took place at the Old Billingsgate in London.

    Additionally, this weekend BAFTA hosted its first-ever Children and Young People’s Festival at its London headquarters, 195 Piccadilly. Open to the public, the festival weekend was a celebration of content for younger audiences as well as a showcase of BAFTA’s outreach work and initiatives for young people, underscoring the arts charity’s mission to nurture and inspire the budding creatives, filmmakers and talent of tomorrow.

    Bluey
    Bluey

    The animation winners are…

     

    ANIMATION

    Hilda – Production Team – Hilda Productions Limited, a Silvergate Media Company, Netflix Inc. and Mercury Filmworks/Netflix

    Robin Robin – Dan Ojari, Mikey Please, Helen Argo – Aardman Animations for Netflix/Netflix

    The Snail and the Whale –  Production Team – Magic Light Pictures/BBC One

    The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Robin Shaw, Ruth Fielding, Camilla Deakin – Lupus Films Limited/Channel 4

    CONTENT FOR CHANGE

    Ada Twist, Scientist – Production Team – Laughing Wild, Higher Ground Productions, Wonder Worldwide and Netflix/Netflix

    El Deafo – Gilly Fogg, Cece Bell, Will McRobb – Lighthouse Studios in association with Apple/Apple TV+

    Only a Child – Simone Giampaolo, Gabriella De Gara – Amka Films/YouTube

    Waffles + Mochi – Production Team – Higher Ground Productions for Netflix/Netflix

    DIRECTOR

    Steve Cox – Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas – Aardman Animations for Netflix/BBC One

    Mic Graves – The Amazing World of Gumball – Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe/Cartoon Network

    Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon – The Snail and the Whale – Magic Light Pictures/ BBC One

    Rhys Thomas – Dodger – Universal International Studios for BBC/CBBC

    FEATURE FILM

    Klaus – Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh – Netflix/Netflix

    The Mitchells vs. the Machines – Mike Rianda, Kurt Albrecht, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller – Netflix/Netflix

    Over the Moon – Glen Keane, Gennie Rim, Peilin Chou – Netflix/Netflix

    Wolfwalkers – Will Collins, Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart – Cartoon Saloon, Melusine Productions in association with Apple/Apple TV+

    GAME

    Astro’s Playroom – Development Team – Asobi Team/Sony Interactive Entertainment

    LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – Development Team – TT Games/Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

    Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Development Team – Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Sackboy: A Big Adventure – Development Team – Sumo Sheffield/ Sony Interactive Entertainment

    INTERNATIONAL

    Bluey – Joe Brumm, Charlie Aspinwall, Sam Moor – Ludo Studio/BBC Studios Kids & Family, Disney

    City of Ghosts – Elizabeth Ito, Joanne Shen, Ako Castuera – A Netflix Original Series/Netflix

    Kiri and Lou – Fiona Copland, Heather Walker, Harry Sinclair – Stretchy and Yowza Animation/CBeebies

    Maya and the Three – Jorge Gutierrez, Tim Yoon, Jeff Ranjo – A Netflix Series/Netflix

    PERFORMER

    Justin Fletcher – Mr. Tumble’s Busy Bus Day – BBC Studios Kids & Family/CBeebies

    Chris O’Dowd – Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth – Studio AKA/Apple TV+

    Cathy Tyson – JoJo & Gran Gran – BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions/CBeebies

    Julie Walters – Terry Pratchett’s The Abominable Snow Baby – Eagle Eye Drama/Channel 4

    PRESCHOOL – ANIMATION

    Circle Square – Production Team – Wyndley Animation Ltd, Kavaleer Productions ltd/Channel 5

    Hey Duggee – Grant Orchard, Sander Jones, Janine Voong – Studio AKA, BBC Studios Kids & Family/CBeebies

    Pip & Posy – Production Team – Magic Light Pictures/Channel 5/Sky Kids

    The Very Small Creatures – Lucy Izzard, Stephanie Owen – Aardman/Sky Kids

    WRITER

    Max Lang, Suzanne Lang – The Snail and the Whale – Magic Light Pictures/BBC One

    Joe Markham, Mic Graves, Tony Hull –  The Amazing World of Gumball – Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe/Cartoon Network

    Lucy Montgomery, Rhy THomas – Dodger – Universal International Studios for BBC/CBBC

    Lee Walters – Silverpoint – Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK/CBBC

    YOUNG PERFORMER

    Bobby Beynon – The Adventures of Paddington – Blue Zoo Animation, NICK Jr, Studio Canal, Heyday Films, Superprod/Nick Jr

    Ella Bright – Malory Towers – King Bert Productions for BBC/ CBBC

    Keaton Edmund – Jamie Johnson – Short Form Film Ltd/CBBC

    Taiya Samuel – JoJo & Gran Gran – BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions/CBeebies

  • Watch: Cartoonito Sneak Peeks an Animated Holiday Season

    Watch: Cartoonito Sneak Peeks an Animated Holiday Season

    HBO Max and Cartoon Network’s preschool destination Cartoonito is ready to unwrap a festive new batch of animated fare for the holiday season, featuring beloved characters and new favorites. Four all-new 30-minute holiday specials plus additional holiday-themed programming preschoolers and families can enjoy all month-long are on the way:

    Dec. 1 on Cartoonito on HBO Max – Sesame Street The Nutcracker  – The classic story is retold Sesame Street-style in an animated special that follows Elmo and his puppy Tango on a fantastical adventure filled with new music and friends. This 30-minute festive feature is a celebration of the greatest gift of all: friendship.

    The holidays are here on Sesame Street, and Elmo is determined to make it the best Christmas ever for Tango. At Elmo’s family holiday party, friends and family sing about how wonderful this holiday will be. The Count arrives bearing gifts for everyone, including a wind-up rocket ship for Elmo and a cute, nutcracker-shaped doggy toy for Tango. After a fun-filled night, Elmo and Tango fall asleep listening to Elmo’s dad, Louie, read them the story of The Nutcracker. Elmo drifts into a dream sequence where Tango can speak, and that’s when the adventure to magical lands begin.

    Dec. 5 on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network (streaming Dec. 6 on Cartoonito on HBO Max) – Three fan-favorite Cartoonito series, Sesame Street Mecha Builders, Bugs Bunny Builders and Batwheels will premiere super-sized half-hour holiday specials. It will be a very cheerful morning!

    9 a.m. Sesame Street Mecha Builders “Yip Yip Tree Tree/The Snowman Scarecrow” — When the ornaments on the Pretty Big City tree break, the Mechas must build new ones and save the holidays for their friends./It’s time for Zee and MacBarm’s gift exchange, but the snowman scarecrow Zee made for MacBarm keeps blowing away!

    9:30 a.m. Bugs Bunny Builders “Looneyburg Lights” — The Looney Builders prepare to host a big holiday lights festival in Looneyburg Park when an unexpected snowstorm prevents Looneyburgers from attending.

    10 a.m. Batwheels “Holidays on Ice” — Frustrated by the Batwheels’ distracting affinity for holiday festivities, Batwing decides to “go solo” to thwart Mr. Freeze’s evil Christmas-time plots. However, Batwing and the Batwheels soon realize that stopping Mr. Freeze is much harder when they all aren’t working together as a team.

    The series stars Ethan Hawke as Batman, Gina Rodriguez as Catwoman, Cobra Kai’s Jacob Bertrand and Xolo Maridueña.

    Additional Cartoonito holiday programming includes winter-themed episodes of Thomas and Friends All Engines Go, Lellobee City Farm and Blippi Wonders.

  • The Animation Lover’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

    The Animation Lover’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

    ***This feature originally appeared in the December ’22 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 325)***

    New delights for animation movie lovers, bookworms, collectors, artists and plain ol’ fans of many ages and tastes, sure to light up their winter holidays!

     

    Art of PinocchioInside the Master’s Workshop. One of the season’s — not to mention the year’s and, arguably, the decade’s — most-anticipated animated projects is far from your typical holiday fare. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a uniquely dark, emotionally complex take on the classic story brought to life with incredible stop-motion artistry, which fans and cinephiles can explore in this 220-plus page hardcover, which features a foreword from the Oscar winner. Exclusive cast and crew interviews, concept art and BTS images from the full production process turn another inspiring page in the tale of a character we all thought we knew. [Insight Editions | $60 | Dec. 13]

     

    Turning Red Mug + Mei Panda Plush Slippers [shopDisney | $20, $14]
    Soothe the beast within with a new, Pixar-themed a.m. ritual.

     

    Aqua Teen Forever - Plantasm

    Fast Food Heroes Reflux. Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro’s Adult Swim animation icons are back in their second feature adventure: Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm! After the team falls out and goes their own way, global events conspire to reunite Frylock, Meatwad and Master Shake to fight crime once more (or at least sort of try) — namely, the greedy mega corporation “Amazin” and its tech mogul CEO (voiced by Peter Serafinowicz). The perfect gift for your friend still nostalgic for their early 2000s insomniac phase! [WB | $30 BD, $40 4K]

     

    Jujutsu Kaisen Tamagotchi Nano [Crunchyroll Store | $25]
    The latest anime smash hit meets a retro toy fad for otaku fun wherever your sorcerer’s quest takes you.

    Copic Sketch Blending Basics [Copic | $50]
    Nice intro kit for the cult favorite markers, with four super light colors, blender and 0.3 Multiliner pen for on the go sketching.

     

    Ode to the Collector. For the kid at heart with just barely enough room left on their shelves, pick up a copy of the photo-packed, creatively pitched memoir My Life and Toys by writer/director/producer Brian Levant, whose film credits include The Flintstones (1994) and Scooby-Doo! (2009). The book spotlights his extensive collection of pop culture character toys (shot by Joe Pellegrini) with tales from his life and career. From the Addams to the Jetsons, Dino to Scooby, Levant’s hardcover exhibition “is more than just beautiful pictures and Brian’s unbelievable stories,” as TV writer/producer and Gallery 1988 owner Jensen Karp writes in his foreword, “… It’s evidence that you don’t really have to grow up to be an adult.” [G Editions | $85]

     

    Pillow Pets Appa Plush [Pillow Pets | $32]
    Yip yip! Avatar: The Last Airbender stans will squeal for this cuddly 16″ companion.

    Revolution Beauty Collabs
    Get cruelty-free glam with beloved characters like The Powerpuff Girls (pictured: Collector’s Set, $62), The Simpsons (Couch Bag, $9) & more from this London-based makeup brand. [revolutionbeauty.us]

     

    Feudal Fandom. A scrappy orphan thief joins forces with a tragically cursed, incredibly adept warrior to reclaim the latter’s lost body parts and sensory abilities by destroying the demons that marked him in Dororo, a supernatural adventure through ancient Japan. Fans of this monster-slaying saga will be delighted to unwrap the Dororo Limited Edition Premium Box Set, featuring 24 episodes (600 min., English dub & sub) on Blu-ray plus extras, packaged in a collector’s box with a 40-page booklet, illustrated privacy screen and 12 double-sided art cards. [Sentai | $130]

     

    Nix Mini 2 Colorimeter [Nix | $65]
    Capture inspiration with this portable tech that scans any surface to match a digital color value.

    Howl’s Moving Castle Calcifer Tee [BoxLunch | $30]
    Burn bright in 2023 with this exclusive shirt’s confidence-boosting Ghibli mantra.

     

    Haunts for the Holidays. For your favorite spooky li’l weeb, you can’t go wrong with some Junji Ito — especially as fans prepare for the launch of the Netflix Anime anthology Maniac in January! The latest work by the three-time Eisner-winning writer and artist to be translated to English, Black Paradox is a twisted manga tale about four people intent on killing themselves who meet through a macabre website. On their quest to find the “perfect death,” they open a door to a bizarre destiny. (Hey, some folks can only take the holly-jolliness for so long!) [VIZ Books | $20]

     

    Refreshed Classics. LAIKA fans will be delighted to snag new Limited Edition Steelbook sets of Henry Selicks’ Coraline and/or Sam Fell & Chris Butler’s ParaNorman (celebrating its 10th anniversary this year). These luxuriously hand-crafted and well-loved stop-motion hits come home with new 4K restorations and Dolby Atmos sound mixes, accompanied by behind-the-scenes featurettes, making-ofs, audio commentaries, deleted scenes and lovely little art & essay mini books. [Shout! | $35 each | Dec. 13]

     

    Fabulous New Frontiers. For those looking for a gentler journey into the unknown, Disney has once again given its latest animated feature a charming picture book treatment for Strange World – Little Golden Book. These sweet little retellings are the perfect way to inspire preschoolers to read with the help of their favorite characters, both classic and thoroughly modern like the Clades! [Golden Books | $6]

     

     

    Gnomon Workshop Subscription [The Gnomon Workshop | $49/mo., $490/yr.]
    Knowledge is a gift — especially with access to hundreds of 3D creation lectures, pro training and videos.

    Mickey Mouse Fuzzy Tote [shopDisney | $40]
    A fresh way to rep a classic Disney icon in the hypebeast era.

    Existential Romance. For the person looking for the next beautiful animated import to wow them, illustrator loundraw’s debut feature Summer Ghost is the perfect fit. Inspired by one of the artist’s original drawings, the poignant supernatural drama centers on three troubled teens who meet by chance when they all converge to summon a local legend, the “summer ghost,” leading one boy to become obsessed with the spirit’s mysterious purpose. The Blu-ray includes a documentary, feature animatic and interview with loundraw. [Shout!, $23 BD]

     

    Gabby’s Dollhouse – Purrfect Dollhouse [Spin Master | $68]
    Become a young fan’s favorite person ever by gifting this top-selling playset.

    The Nightmare Before Christmas 13 Day Countdown Calendar [Funko | $35]
    Collectible fun for any time of the year, with 13 quirky blacklight reactive Pop! figs.

     

    All Hail the Elder Gods! No need to brush up on your R’lyehian for this gift pick: The Lovecraft mythos gets a colorful modern crossover in the new four-part comics mini-series Rick and Morty vs. Cthulhu. Reuniting the Eisner-nominated team from Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons and Dragons (Jim Zub, Troy Little, Leonardo Ito and Crank!), the story follows the Smith family through a Lovecraftian hellscape, fighting cosmic sentient color and racist fish-people. Part 1, The Whisperer in the Dorkness, is out December 7 with cover by Little, variants by Zub, Zander Cannon, Marc Ellerby, Julieta Colás and Ryan Lee. [Oni Press | $4]

     

    Chainsaw Man – Pochita 1/1 Scale Vinyl Figure [Crunchyroll Store | $267]
    Everything to love about a licensed art toy packed into 13 dangerously adorable inches.

    Wacom Cintiq 16 15″ [Wacom | $650]
    Named the best digital drawing tablet of the year, which is no surprise for the top-of-the-line art tech brand. For a budget-friendly option, the XP-Pen Deco 01 v2 (10″) gets high marks for a $60 price tag.

     

    Laughter Is the Best Medicine. Bring home the first two of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s hit special events for Comedy Central in the new South Park: Post COVID & The Return of COVID set. The irreverent adventures follow pandemic survivors Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny on a quest to go back in time, stop the virus and save Kenny’s life — a seemingly simple solution, until they cross paths with the mysterious Victor Chaos. Do your part to stop the winter variant wave by staying in and rewatching! [Paramount | $14 DVD, $18 BD]

     

    29 pc. Pro Sketching & Drawing Kit [Arrtx | $13]
    Graphite, charcoal and paper pencils plus accessories, all wrapped up in a canvas pouch ready for when inspiration strikes.

    Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas Super Deluxe Edition [Craft Recordings | $100 CD/BD, $50 Digital]
    The definitive remix of the evergreen soundtrack, including recording outtakes and hardcover book packaging.

     

  • Eagle Eye Drama Launches Animation Prodco with ‘Abominable Snow Baby’ Leads

    Eagle Eye Drama Launches Animation Prodco with ‘Abominable Snow Baby’ Leads

    U.K. production company Eagle Eye Drama is snowballing its animation activity by launching a new toon shop, dubbed Eaglet Films. The London-based studio will produce a range of projects including series, films and specials, tapping animation talent from all across Europe.

    Eagle Eye has tapped creative director Massimo Fenati and executive producer Tess Cuming to lead the new venture, having previously collaborated with them on their entrées to animation in the Channel 4 Christmas specials Quentin Blake’s Clown (2020) and Terry Pratchett’s The Abominable Snow Baby (2021) as well as the six-part Quentin Blake adaptation series Box of Treasures for the BBC. The company, like others, began exploring animation in the wake of worldwide film and TV production shutdowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Our core aspiration when we set up Eagle Eye was to break exciting new talent into the U.K. production community, so we were always very keen to diversify and broaden our portfolio to encompass children’s and family programming,” said Eagle Eye CCO Jo McGrath.

    “Our successful foray into animated Christmas specials has been rapidly expanding into a substantial animation slate which now encompasses a major six-part BBC series and a movie development, so it made perfect sense to create a new venture under the visionary creative leadership of Massimo Fenati to allow this burgeoning side of the company to truly flourish and reach its full potential.”

    Fenati and Cuming will also join Eaglet Films’ board of directors, alongside Eagle Eye’s Head of Production Isobel Nicholson.

    [Source: C21]

  • Ferly’s ‘Momolu’ Finds Digital Friends in Wizz, Little Dot

    Ferly’s ‘Momolu’ Finds Digital Friends in Wizz, Little Dot

    Finnish animation, publishing and licensing studio Ferly announced that its kids’ animated brand, Momolu, will feature on children’s YouTube channel, Wizz. As well as the distribution through Wizz, the deal will also see award-winning digital content agency and media network, Little Dot Studios, manage the social media channels for the Momolu brand.

    With 2 million subscribers and 400,000 daily views, the Wizz channel will provide a huge platform for young audiences to discover the Momolu world. Both Wizz and Ferly’s own channel on YouTube will be running Momolu Minis and content including clips, compilations and newly created music videos.

    The Momolu content and its brand presence on YouTube will be managed by Little Dot Studios, with a focus on English-speaking audiences. The Momolu brand is designed for young children with the intention of helping them to problem-solve through art and design, manage challenges and to work together to find solutions.

    “We’re super excited to start our collaboration with Little Dot Studios to bring Momolu to even more kids in the English-speaking territories, and in particular children and families in the U.K.” says Laura Nevanlinna, CEO of Ferly. “Little Dot Studios’ digital expertise is a fantastic addition to our partner network and we can’t wait to work with them on our kids’ content in the future. Further to this, Wizz is known for quality kids’ content and we know Momolu will find himself right at home on its wonderful channel.”

    Little Dot’s Director of Entertainment James Loveridge adds, “We can’t wait to add Momolu and Friends to Wizz. It will be joining some of the best preschool kids television shows on YouTube from around the world, therefore the perfect place for the brand to connect with a wider audience. What’s exciting about the partnership is that we’re managing and optimizing the brand’s official channels too, with our wealth of kids entertainment data and experience, we’ll be building a robust digital ecosystem to develop engagement and create a lasting community for the brand.”

    Wizz, run by Little Dot Studios, offers preschool shows from the U.K. and around the world. Momolu and Friends joins a lineup of popular seires including Alphablocks, Baby Jake, Octonauts, Peter Rabbit, Woolly and Tig, Everything’s Rosie and Numberblocks. Wizz provides clips and full-length episodes of kids’ favorites as well as exploring new titles for fun or learning, and uploads new content several times a week.

    Momolu will also be available on ITV’s new streaming service, ITVX, from December onwards. ITVX will be the U.K. home to all the episodes in the Momolu and Friends series.

    Momolu and Friends

  • Johnny Kelly & Nexus Inspire Conscious Consumption with Black Market

    Johnny Kelly & Nexus Inspire Conscious Consumption with Black Market

    Back Market (blackmarket.com), a global marketplace offering accessible pricing on quality devices as a more sustainable alternative to buying new, launched its “Tech Reborn” campaign this week having enlisted double Cannes Grand Prix winner, Johnny Kelly, to create the centerpiece film, The Monster.

    Brought to life with whimsical puppetry and featuring two unlikely friends — a tech-disgorging monster and a concerned little girl — the film highlights the impact of our insatiable desire for the new, offering an alternative, regenerative approach. The production featured over 20 hand-crafted puppets, three of which were different versions of the Monster himself, the young girl, four city slickers, four miners, four zoned out tech fans … not to mention the crying clouds. The spot was also topped off with a bit of stop-motion animation and 2D compositing.

    The Monster
    The Monster

    Tapping into the unique personalities of the characters was particularly vital for the larger-than-life Monster, who is simultaneously emotive and comedic. The character is made up of a tangled ball of discarded charger cables and headphones, wobbling on slim cord limbs and sparking off a chaotic consumeristic energy.

    “Somehow, I get to play with puppets for a living, and this particular puppet was especially fun to play with,” says Kelly. “Assembled from the kind of cables you find in every drawer, in every home around the globe — Monster is a sort of big-tech ‘Mr. Messy’. Behind the juggling phones and belching phablets however, is a slightly less silly message about our obsession with the new, and the havoc our over-consumption is wreaking on the world.”

    The Monster
    The Monster

    Kelly’s animation team at Nexus Studios (nexusstudios.com) used photogrammetry to capture the sets, puppets and props to help with previsualization and developed a more dynamic turnaround for compositing, enabling the animation team to quickly visualize in a 3D space how the 2D animation will track on to the real-life puppet’s face. For the magical scene where the phone is made new again, the team used stop motion along with clever choreographed lighting to craft a stylized representation of the Back Market phone regeneration process.

    “The story of The Monster asks us to reflect on our own buying habits and challenges the belief that you have to sacrifice something when buying products that have a lower impact on your wallet and the environment. Back Market believes we should do more with what we already have, an idea shared through the tale of a monster who sees that ‘new’ isn’t always better,” said Woody Wright, Head of U.S. Marketing, Back Market.

    The Monster
    The Monster

    “We feel privileged to have worked alongside visionaries like Nexus, Johnny Kelly, Andy Gent, and their talented teams. Johnny’s clear and delightful vision of The Monster helped elevate the script and overall message, and we couldn’t be more proud with how the campaign was brought to life.”

    Master model maker Andy Gent and his talented team were behind the creation of Monster and the other puppets. Set fabrication from Asylum and Arch Model Studio.

    The Monster is launching regionally in New York in time for the U.S. holidays and will be placed in Premium Video Placements and Premium Social, with notable broadcast moments including the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center.

  • Passion Pictures Inks First-Look Deal with Circus Studios

    Passion Pictures Inks First-Look Deal with Circus Studios

    Passion Pictures today announces a new partnership with Paris-based animation outfit Circus Studios. The partnership will allow the two studios to continue their successful relationship and enable both award-winning outfits to further expand their long-form animated features and TV series slates.

    Passion Paris, a Passion Pictures company, and Circus Studios have previously collaborated on a wide variety of projects, including three seasons and over 650 hours of LEGO City Adventures for original network Nickelodeon.

    The studios are currently in development on a brand-new TV series Earthworm Jim: Beyond The Groovy, based on the cult, iconic ’90s computer game, bringing Earthworm Jim’s world to television screens once again.

    The new agreement will see Circus Studios working with Passion Pictures’ in-house creative team on CG animation, bolstering Passion Pictures’ offering and capacity for large-scale projects for world-leading clients.

    “I am excited to further develop Passion’s creative collaboration with Circus Studios,” says David Park, Executive Producer & Head of Production for Passion Animation. “Along with our Paris team, led by Marc Bodin-Joyeux, the agreement with Circus Studios will enable us to expand Passion Pictures’ offering in France, allowing us to take on larger scale commissions as well as service our own slate of original features and series. This collaboration will help continue Passion’s bold expansion of our animation division.”

    Julien Villanueva and Jérome Bacquet, Co-Founders of Circus Studios, add, “We have had a strong working relationship with Marc Bodin-Joyeux for years, working on commercials and animation series for Passion Paris. We are very excited to collaborate with Passion Pictures and to take on these new creative challenges.”

    The latest partnership with Circus Studios continues Passion Animation’s expansion following the recent additions of Pixar veteran and Academy Award winner Alan Barillaro, Head of Development Nicki Cortese and Head of Production / EP David Park to Passion’s long-form team, joining Executive Producer Debbie Crosscup and Oscar-winning Founder/Executive Creative Director Andrew Ruhemann.

    passion-pictures.com | circus.fr

  • Platige Image Gets Aussie Tourism Hopping with New Promo

    Platige Image Gets Aussie Tourism Hopping with New Promo

    Polish studio Platige Image has launched a new project for Tourism Australia. Films and commercial spots created by the BAFTA-winning animation & VFX studio will be displayed as part of an international campaign aiming to encourage more people to visit Australia, featuring a digitally created Aussie mascot: a kangaroo.

    Tourism Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for attracting international visitors to Australia, both for leisure and business events. The organization is active in 15 key markets and activities include advertising, PR and media programs, trade shows and industry programs, consumer promotions, online communications and consumer research.

    The org’s new ambassador is Ruby — a souvenir kangaroo brought to life by Platige Image with CGI animation. The spot prepared by the studio also features actress Rose Byrne, who became the English voice of the campaign. The new film premiered on  October 19 in New York, and the campaign has since hopped to billboards in Singapore, Berlin, New York, Paris and Tokyo.

    Within just the first two weeks, the campaign’s nine-minute video on YouTube was viewed by almost 20 million users, while all its videos have totted up more than 100 million views. The spot was also shown on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, one of the most popular talk shows in the U.S.

    Besides the nine-minute video, the Platige Image team led by producer Nichole Ryan also delivered 60-, 30- and 15-second commercial spots. Additionally, two versions of 30-second spots and one 15-second video were made for the project collaborator, Australian national carrier Qantas Airlines.

    “Michael Gracey, director of the spots commissioned by Tourism Australia and a huge fan of the work of the Polish studio ever since he saw the commercial for Citizen watches, knew that Platige Image was the perfect choice for the project,” notes Ryan. “Choosing us for the execution of these animations was prompted also by our vast experience in working for numerous famous international brands, including Aston Martin, LEGO, Samsung, etc.”

    G'day - Tourism Australia
    G’day – Tourism Australia

    The project also included the creation of the forced perspective large-scale animated 3D billboards intended for DOOH displays at such prestigious locations as Times Square in New York, Moxy in Los Angeles and K-Pop Square in Seoul.

    “Creating content for large format displays requires experience in both CG and advertising, and also a lot of streamlined computing power at one’s disposal,” explains Arek Arciszewski, VFX supervisor at Platige Image, who worked on these 3D showpieces. “We are dealing with projection mapping onto large 12K displays. Fortunately, having completed this type of projects in the past — e.g. with Samsung — we managed to plan everything ahead and create it without a hitch.”

    Although Platige Image was mostly responsible for generating digital characters and their animation, the studio’s role was not limited to this task, Arciszewski addes: “We also supported the creative process of the project’s commercial parts, in direct cooperation with the agency. Moreover, we ensured that creative ideas took full advantage of the available media, technology, resources and creative power of all the artists involved in this project.”

    According to Łukasz Dziedziński, the lead VFX supervisor of the project at Platige Image, creating these animations proved to be not only a challenge in and of itself, but also a genuine test of logistic skills.

    “In the nine-minute video we were working with over 150 shots, including 116 digitally animated ones, all of which required setting the proper camera track, adjusting the light, as well as rendering, 3D animation and composition. Each of these steps required various people to coordinate with one another, and the client’s cooperation (to approve each subsequent step). It really was quite a challenge,” says Dziedziński.

    Ryan reflects fondly on not only her team’s work on the project, but also the cooperative atmosphere across international borders that resulted in its success. “It was a case of a frankly incredible mutual understanding between all the participating sides. Despite the fact that we worked dispersed — across the whole wide world the communication was virtually perfect. This enabled us to solve any issues as they arose, and make sure that we were on the right track,” the producer shares.

    See more of the studio’s work at platige.com.

    https://youtu.be/P3PdfWVk7h8

  • Gorillaz Mixes with Smirnoff for Live-Animated Experience

    Gorillaz Mixes with Smirnoff for Live-Animated Experience

    Pull up a virtual bar stool and get ready for an evening of truly original mixology with your host: self-proclaimed music legend Murdoc Niccals. The vodka brand Smirnoff and musical originators Gorillaz are back for the next installment in their creative collaboration, following the Limited Edition Smirnoff x Gorillaz No. 21 Vodka Bottle, which sold out in just 24 hours and featured some very special reimagined recipes of classic
    Smirnoff cocktails. Gorillaz fans should get ready to mix along with Murdoc as he smooth-talks the audience through his delicious, pickle-perfect creation: The Vodka Murdini.

    “When we blend our creativity with our partners, we create innovative and disruptive new experiences for audiences to enjoy,” comments Mark Jarman, Head of Smirnoff GB. “Gorillaz are entertainment originators and real pioneers. This masterclass is a true testament to the endless possibilities that arise from embracing the true power of originality!”

    Murdoc Masterclass

    The masterclass will go live on YouTube at 18:00 GMT on the Thursday, November 24 on the Gorillaz YouTube Channel and the class is strictly for over those 18+ only (21 in the U.S., please). Fans wanting to follow along at home will need to have to hand: a cocktail shaker, jigger, ice, a martini glass, vermouth, olive brine, pickles and — of course — a bottle of Smirnoff’s No. 21 vodka. The ever-charismatic Murdoc will go live on air to walk fans through his cocktail creation, before hosting a Q&A with those curious about his cocktail credentials or his lasting musical legacy.

    “Would you like to know the secret to my signature cocktail, The Vodka Murdini? Or maybe you just want to see me shaking one of those cocktail things while I spin inspiring yarns and solve all your problems? Then tune in to my LIVE mixology masterclass with Smirnoff!” says Niccals. “Not into cocktails or top-draw banter? Just sit back and behold my dazzling new tuxedo!”

    Murdini Cocktail
    Learn how to craft a perfect Vodka Murdini

    The Smirnoff x Gorillaz collaboration began with each of the four band members putting their own personal twist on some classic cocktails made famous by Smirnoff. Since 1864, the brand has impacted on global cocktail culture, introducing the likes of the Vodka Martini cocktail and the Brits’ favorite Bloody Mary into the global liquor cabinet.

    This mixology masterclass marks the first time that one of the Gorillaz band members/characters will be able to react live and in real time to fans, thanks to the animation wizards at Nexus Studios (who recently brought the band’s music video “Cracker Island”) and Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett.

     

  • Emmy-Nominated Short ‘Little Bird’ Makes Online Debut

    Emmy-Nominated Short ‘Little Bird’ Makes Online Debut

    On the heels of its recent nomination in the first annual Children & Family Emmy Awards race, writer/director Chris Perry’s stylized science-fiction short Little Bird is now available to watch online. The film is up for Outstanding Short Form Program, with the kids’ Emmy winners to be announced December 11.

    Little Bird tells the story of a young astronaut trying to rescue her father. Featuring the voices of animation icons Phil LaMarr (Samurai Jack, Futurama, MADtv) and Cree Summer (Rugrats, Inspector Gadget), the short was produced using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine and with the support of an Epic MegaGrant.

    Little Bird
    Little Bird

    “Short films are incredibly important incubators for film. Because they’re small in scope, and generally non-commercial, they offer a unique opportunity to try new things,” says Perry. “It’s wonderful that the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has a short form category to help encourage this kind of experimentation — and of course it’s an amazing tribute to our cast and crew that we earned a nomination!”

    Led by tools developer Raf Anzovin, the Little Bird team created two Unreal Engine plugins to enable their stylized linear production pipeline. The first of these, which shares the name of the short, is now available on github.

    Little Bird
    Little Bird

    “Little Bird (the plugin) enables real-time multi-pass rendering and compositing in-engine,” says Anzovin. “Built on top of Unreal’s compositing plugin Composure, LB is what allowed us to break free from the default photorealism of Unreal and use our own custom lighting and compositing strategies per shot. It includes a robust paint projection system and a custom rim light implementation that helps maintain a graphic look. We’re excited to get other creators using the system and are actively in the process of documenting it as we speak.”

    Little Bird
    Little Bird

    Learn more about the making of the film and track its progress on Instagram. You can also find behind-the-scenes R&D insights on Anzovin’s personal blog.

    Little Bird is now available to watch in full for free on Vimeo.

  • Trailer: ‘SuperKitties’ Ready to Pounce on Disney Junior

    Trailer: ‘SuperKitties’ Ready to Pounce on Disney Junior

    An adorable new squad of animal heroes are ready to join the Disney Junior lineup in January in SuperKitties! A new trailer for the CG-animated preschool series dropped today, introducing young viewers to the action-packed adventures of four firece and furry superhero kittens — Ginny, Sparks, Buddy and Bitsy — who are on a mission to make Kittydale a more caring and “pawesome” place.

    Defeating villains and imparting important messages of kindness, empathy, friendship, resilience and problem-solving, the SuperKitties voice cast includes Emma Berman (Luca) as Ginny, Cruz Flateau (CoComelon) as Sparks, JeCobi Swain (Home Economics) as Buddy and Pyper Braun (Country Comfort) as Bitsy.

    Tied to the trailer launch, Disney Junior has also announced that  American Idol icon Justin Guarini will voice star as the crafty Cat Burglar. As Kittydale’s preeminent thief, if someone has it, Cat Burglar wants it. Always one step ahead, he enjoys playfully teasing the SuperKitties in their never-ending game of cat and mouse. He is all swag until you surprise him, then … cue the scaredy-cat!

    SuperKitties is created and executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Paula Rosenthal (Peter Rabbit). Emmy Award-winning producer, director and storyboard artist Kirk Van Wormer (Transformers: Prime) is co-executive producer. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television – Kids (formerly known as Silvergate Media) in association with Disney Junior.

    SuperKitties
    SuperKitties
  • Trailer: ‘The Mighty Ones’ Blast Off for More Quirky, Chaotic Adventures

    Trailer: ‘The Mighty Ones’ Blast Off for More Quirky, Chaotic Adventures

    Rocksy, Berry, Leaf and Twig face uncharted backyard territory in the 10 newest episodes of DreamWorks Animation’s The Mighty Ones Season 4 arriving to Peacock and Hulu December 9.

    Created and and executive produced by ​Sunil Hall​ (Gravity Falls) and ​Lynne Naylor (Samurai Jack) and featuring the creative team behind some of the most influential animated series of the last two decades (​The Ren & Stimpy Show, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Powerpuff Girls)​, watch the adventures unfold in the trailer below!

    Synopsis: In every backyard a secret world exists filled with tiny creatures. The Mighty Ones follows the hilarious adventures of the smallest of them: a twig, a pebble, a leaf and a strawberry who call themselves “the Mighty Ones.” These best friends live in an unkempt backyard belonging to a trio of equally unkempt humans who they mistake for gods. Despite their diminutive stature, the Mighty Ones are determined to live large and have fun in their wild world.

    Now, the Mighty Ones once again find themselves in uncharted territory as they continue to discover unexplored areas of the yard. Twig must fight for his life in a Gladiator Pit after being accidentally discarded into a compost bin. The group embarks on an epic quest to find something called a cup. Leaf struggles to find a decent pair of pants. And when they decide to launch themselves into outer space, they become stuck in the heavens (really, a light bulb).

    The Mighty Ones features the voices of Jessica McKenna as Rocksy, Alex Cazares as Very Berry, Jimmy Tatro as Leaf and Josh Brener as Twig.

    Guest stars include Johnny Pemberton as Gherkin, Kayvan Novak as The Emperor Worm and Flula Borg as Hans.

    The Mighty Ones

     

  • Cinesite Snags Majority Stake in Assemblage Animation Studio

    Cinesite Snags Majority Stake in Assemblage Animation Studio

    Mumbai-based Assemblage, one of Asia’s leading premium CGI animation studios, has entered into a partnership with privately owned feature animation & VFX studio Cinesite, which has acquired a majority stake. Assemblage will continue to service its global clientele independently under Founder AK Madhavan and CEO Arjun Madhavan.

    Founded in 2013 by industry stalwart Madhavan (amiably known as “Madmax”), Assemblage provides premium 3D animation and visual effects services to major Hollywood studios and independent production companies globally across theatrical features, long-form episodic TV series and short-form content, Assemblage’s portfolio includes Norm of the North (Lionsgate), Trollhunters (Netflix), Arctic Dogs (Entertainment Studios), Chico Bon Bon, Word Party (Netflix), Miraculous Ladybug (Disney), Enchanted Village of Pinocchio (France.TV), Arctic Friends, Puffins, Puffins Impossible (Apple TV, Prime Video) and Swan Princess (Sony).

    Antony Hunt
    Antony Hunt

    “Assemblage is an undisputed CGI animation industry leader in Asia and knows the market, the culture and the landscape better than any other company,” said Antony Hunt, CEO of Cinesite. “To produce the quality of content that we are aiming for to serve the market demand in the future, we need to be able to draw on talent and competence from various territories around the world. Through this venture, we have found the right partner in Assemblage who is well-placed to further solidify its position as an important player in the international animation market, grow its VFX capabilities and meet the extensive commercial demand in Asia.”

    Arjun Madhavan
    Arjun Madhavan

    Assemblage’s Arjun Madhaven commented, “Cinesite brings a wealth of experience in the feature animation and VFX sectors that marries perfectly with our growth strategy. Its creative and technical expertise, multinational presence and robust talent network provides us with enhanced opportunities. This will empower us to further strengthen our service offerings, deepen our footprint and widen our clientele globally. With a legacy of pioneering many firsts in & from India, we are enthused by how much more we can achieve together.”

    The partnership with Assemblage comes at a time of unprecedented demand for global animation services and follows on from Cinesite’s previous acquisitions of high performing studios Image Engine in 2015, Trixter in 2018 and, more recentl,y Balkan VFX studio FX3X as well as Canadian animation studios L’Atelier Animation and Squeeze. Collectively, the Cinesite group has over 2,500 filmmakers serving its customers around the world.

    Recent and upcoming credits from the group include: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel), Matilda (Netflix), Iwájú, Willow, Peter Pan & Wendy (Disney+), Animal Farm (Aniventure, The Imaginarium), The Witcher S3 (Netflix), Foundation S2 (Apple), Strays (Universal) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (Paramount) to name a few.

    cinesite.com | madassemblage.com

  • Exclusive Trailer: Award-Winning Short ‘More Than I Want to Remember’ Coming to Paramount+

    Exclusive Trailer: Award-Winning Short ‘More Than I Want to Remember’ Coming to Paramount+

    The powerful story of a Congolese child refugee’s search for family in the wake of violence and tragedy will reach a wider home audience next week, when Amy Bench’s animated documentary More Than I Want to Remember premieres on Paramount+ on November 29, presented by MTV Entertainment Studios.

    The beautifully animated film premiered at SXSW early this year and went on to win Best Animated Short at Tribeca Film Festival, among many other accolades. (In fact, More Than I Want to Remember is being touted as the most-awarded animated short of 2022.)

    Synopsis: One night at her home in southeastern Congo, 14-year-old Mugeni Ornella awakes to the sounds of bombs. As her family scatters to the surrounding forests to save themselves, Mugeni finds herself completely alone. From there, she sets out on a remarkable solo journey across the globe, determined to reunite with her lost loved ones and lift up the Banyamulenge people. Despite unimaginable obstacles, Mugeni’s story is ultimately a portrait of hope, love, and family bonds.

    More Than I Want to Remember is directed by Amy Bench (A Line Birds Cannot See) and produced by Bench, Mugeni Ornella and Carolyn Merriman. Maya Edelman (Out of My Head, Lindsay Katt’s Avant Gardener) is the film’s animation director, with Sebastian Bisbal Rivas as lead animator.  Sheila Nevins is executive producer.

    The film’s awards include:

    • Best Animated Short – Tribeca Film 2022
    • Best Short Animation – DeadCENTER Film Festival 2022
    • Best Animated Short – Walla Walla Movie Crush
    • Best International Short Documentary – Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2022
    • Best Documentary Short – Cleveland International Film Festival
    • Best Documentary Short – Woods Hole Film Festival 2022
    • Audience Choice Award for Best Short & Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary Short – Sidewalk Film Festival 2022
    • Audience Award – DC Shorts 2022
    • Best Documentary Short Film & Milos Stehlik Global Impact Award – 2022 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

    More Than I Want to Remember premieres on Paramount+ on Tuesday, November 29.

    More Than I Want to Remember
    More Than I Want to Remember
  • Anime NYC: HIDIVE Details 2023 Slate

    Anime NYC: HIDIVE Details 2023 Slate

    HIDIVE (hidive.com) took the stage at Anime NYC to announce a number of exclusives, acquisitions and new series joining its ever-growing anime slate. Highlights include Oshi no Ko, the highly anticipated new anime drama series adapted from the award-winning seinen manga written by Aka Akasaka (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War) and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari (Scrum’s Wish); plus eight acquisitions led by Winter 2023 simulcasts for Spy Classroom, Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible and more.

    Oshi no Ko (Spring 2023) — When a pregnant young starlet appears in Gorou Amemiya’s countryside medical clinic, the doctor takes it upon himself to safely (and secretly) deliver Ai Hoshino’s child so she can make a scandal-free return to the stage. But no good deed goes unpunished, and on the eve of her delivery, he finds himself slain at the hands of Ai’s deluded stalker — and subsequently reborn as Ai’s child, Aquamarine Hoshino! The glitz and glamor of showbiz hide the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry, threatening to dull the shine of his favorite star. Can he help his new mother rise to the top of the charts? And what will he do when unthinkable disaster strikes? 

    Oshi no Ko will be directed by Daisuke Hiramaki (Selection Project) and Chao Nekotomi (Love Is Like a Cocktail), written by Jin Tanaka (The Misfit of Demon King Academy), with character design by Kanna Hirayama (Rent-A-Girlfriend) and animation by production studio Doga Kobo (Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun, Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle). The voice cast will star Rie Takahashi (Teasing Master Takagi-san 3) as Ai Hoshino. The series will premiere in Spring 2023 with a special 90-minute first episode and be available exclusively on HIDIVE.

    Set in the cutthroat world of showbiz, the Oshi no Ko manga series first premiered in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump in April 2020 and since then, has grown to encompass nine volumes with more than 3.8 million copies in print. It has picked up accolades including wins at the Next Manga Awards and 46th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards, as well as nominations for the Shogakukan Manga Award and 26th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. In March 2022, Oshi no Ko was named #5 on the 2022 AniRank, AnimeJapan’s annual poll of the Top 10 “Manga We Want to See Animated,” just three months before plans for the anime adaptation were announced. Ahead of the anime’s release, Yen Press will be publishing the first-ever English paperback edition of the manga series. Volume 1 will hit bookshelves on January 17, 2023 and is currently available for pre-order.

    Spy Classroom

    Spy Classroom (Winter 2023 Simulcast) — Conflict-ravaged nations now deploy covert operatives instead of missiles. Lily is recruited into spy-training … but her practical skills are absolutely abysmal. Desperate to pass, she leaps at the chance to join the mysterious “Tomoshibi” team. Too bad the team is filled with even more hopeless spies. Together they must conquer the Impassible Mission and best their genius instructor, but the true purpose behind their classroom is more harrowing than they can imagine…

    Based on the spy thriller light novel series written by Takemachi and illustrated by Tomari. Spy Classroom is directed by Keiichiro Kawaguchi, written by Shinichi Inotsume and produced by studio feel.

    Kubo Won't Let Me

    Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible (Winter 2023 Simulcast) — Junta Shiraishi has just one goal: to experience youth to the fullest! But this is easier said than done. Junta is so socially invisible that people at school would swear he skipped class even when he’s sitting right behind them. Everything changes when Junta meets Nagisa Kubo. She’s the only person who pays Junta any attention, and her constant teasing is sure to turn Junta’s quiet life upside down because Kubo won’t let him be invisible!

    Based on the seinen rom-com manga series by Nene Yukimori  serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump since October 2019. Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible is directed by Kazuomi Koga, written by Yūya Takahashi and produced by Pine Jam.

    My Life as Inukai-san's Dog

    My Life as Inukai-san’s Dog (Winter 2023) — They say every dog has his day. That’s especially true for our protagonist, who was just turned into a dog and now lives every day under the care of his crush, Inukai-san! She happily dotes on her new companion, and while he wants to return to human form someday, there’s something wonderful about being cared for by the person he loves. Enjoy life through the eyes of a dog!

    Based on the shonen ecchi rom-com manga series by Itsutsuse and originally serialized in Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket. My Life as Inukai-san’s Dog is directed by Takashi Andō and produced by Quad.

    Endo and Kobayashi Live

    Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieslotte (Winter 2023 Simulcast) — Endo and Kobayashi just decided to play A Magical Romance, an otome game featuring a devious villainess named Lieselotte. Kobayashi thinks Lieselotte is a traditionally dastardly villain, but Endo insists Lieselotte is just misunderstood. The pair bicker and argue about Lieselotte’s character and motivations. But little do they know that Lieselotte’s in-game fiancé can hear their every word, and their colorful chatter will lead him down a completely different path than his character is supposed to tread!

    Based upon a fantasy light novel series written by Suzu Enoshima and illustrated by Eihi. Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte is directed by Fumihiro Yoshimura, written by Tomoko Konparu and produced by Tezuka Productions.

    Tsurune - The Linking Shot

    Tsurune – The Linking Shot – Season 2 (Winter 2023 Simulcast) — Protagonist Minato Narumiya has reignited his passion for kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery. Along with his friends in the school kyudo club, he returns for an all-new second season and feature-length film of Kyoto Animation’s beloved Tsurune.

    Based on the three volume sports light novel series Tsurune -Kazemai High School Archery Club- written by Kotoko Ayano and illustrated by Chinatsu Morimoto. The first novel won a Special Judge Award in the Kyoto Animation Award competition in 2016 and was published by Kyoto Animation later that same year in December. Tsurune – The Linking Shot – (Second Season) is directed by Takuya Yamamura and produced by Kyoto Animation. The 13-episode first season premiered on October 22, 2018.

    Dangers in My Heart

    The Dangers in My Heart (2023) — Fascinated by murder and all things macabre, Kyotaro daydreams of acting out his twisted fantasies on his unsuspecting classmates — but an encounter with Anna Yamada, the gorgeous class idol, lights a spark in the darkness of his heart. It’s a classic tale of an antisocial boy falling for a popular girl, but neither are who they appear to be at first glance. Will Kyotaro and Anna defy their expectations of each other — and of themselves?

    Based on the shonen rom-com slice of life manga series by Norio Sakurai and serialized in Akita Shoten’s Manga Cross. The production staff of The Dangers in My Heart has not been revealed.

    Tsurune Movie

    Tsurune The Movie – The First Shot – (In Theaters 2023) — Protagonist Minato Narumiya has reignited his passion for kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery. Along with his friends in the school kyudo club, he returns for an all-new second season and feature-length film of Kyoto Animation’s beloved Tsurune.

    Like the series, based on the three volume sports light novel series Tsurune -Kazemai High School Archery Club-. Tsurune The Movie – The First Shot – (a.k.a. Gekijouban Tsurune -Hajimari no Issha) was written and directed by Takuya Yamamura and produced by Kyoto Animation. The 120-minute movie premiered in Japan on August 19, 2022.

  • George R.R. Martin Announces Fellow Author David Anthony Durham as ‘Ice Dragon’ Screenwriter

    George R.R. Martin Announces Fellow Author David Anthony Durham as ‘Ice Dragon’ Screenwriter

    In a recent live-streamed conversation promoting his latest book, author George R.R. Martin, creator of the A Song of Ice and Fire saga that inspired HBO’s award-winning Game of Thrones and the new prequel series House of the Dragon, announced that the animated feature based on his short story The Ice Dragon will be written by David Anthony Durham.

    The video interview was presented by Random House Events, The Strand Book Store and Waterstones in support of The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty Vol. I.

    Martin describes Durham, who moderated the conversation, as his “partner in crime” and “one of the rising stars in science fiction and fantasy.” In addition to his epic Acacia fantasy trilogy, he is known for his Westerns and historical fiction works inspired by figures such as Spartacus and Hannibal.

    “Some of you may know that I have other books, I occasionally wrote other books that were not part of Westeros or that,” Martin quips in the video, “and one of them that I wrote way back in 1978 was a short story about a dragon, an ice dragon — it’s called The Ice Dragon.

    “… It’s primarily a kids’ story, but we are going to make that, Warner Bros. Animation has purchased the rights to it, and we’re going to expand it to a fully animated film … A theatrical film, we hope, to be released in a motion picture palace near you! And — David Anthony Durham will be writing the screenplay. And he better do a good job!”

    Durham modestly replies: “So pleased to get that assignment — and so daunted by actually having that assignment.” This will seemingly be the author’s first screenwriting gig, following in the footsteps of Martin himself. The ASOIAF scribe wrote for TV’s The Twilight Zone and Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990) in addition to serving as writer and producer on his own projects, including Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon and Nightflyers.

    Martin once again reiterated that despite the whole “dragon” bit, The Ice Dragon is not part of the Westeros universe with GoT and HotD. 

    The Ice Dragon Luis Royo

    Warner Animation Group announced it had acquired rights to adapt The Ice Dragon back in 2018. Martin is serving as producer on the feature, and his manager, Vince Geradis, is an executive producer.

    Published in the 1980 Ace Books anthology Dragons of Light and originally illustrated by Alicia Austin (Luis Royo illustrated the most recent 2014 edition from Harper Voyager), The Ice Dragon centers on a young girl named Adara, a “winter child” born during the worst freeze in common memory with a special gift for tolerating ice and snow — and to bond with the elusive and feared ice dragon. When a fiery threat descends on their peaceful farm from the war-torn North, only Adara and her protector can save the world she knows from destruction.

    You can watch A Conversation with George R.R. Martin below; the small section on The Ice Dragon begins after the 53 minute mark, followed at the end by an update on The Winds of Winter (it’s about three quarters done) and A Dream of Spring (we’ll get it when we get it).

    [H/T Collider]

  • Let’s Dig In! ‘PAW Patrol’ Spin-Off ‘Rubble & Crew’ Is Ready to Roll

    Let’s Dig In! ‘PAW Patrol’ Spin-Off ‘Rubble & Crew’ Is Ready to Roll

    Nickelodeon and Spin Master are building on the global success of the award-winning, top-rated preschool series PAW Patrol with the launch of Rubble & Crew, a brand-new animated spinoff centered around fan-favorite character Rubble. The series kicks into gear on Friday, February 3, at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT). A promo video and first-look clip for the new show were excavated today.

    “Every dog has its day, so we’re answering the fan demand for more of PAW Patrol’s beloved bulldog, Rubble, with his very own series that marks the TV expansion of the global PAW franchise,” said Ramsey Naito, President, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation. “Rubble & Crew is an all-new series focusing on family and community, and it’s filled with new characters and big adventures that lean into construction play patterns that will let the audience engage in a whole new way.”

    Produced by Spin Master Entertainment, Rubble & Crew (26 episodes) follows Rubble and his pup family as they use their awesome construction vehicles to build and repair whatever the town of Builder Cove needs in high-stakes adventures. The series marks the first television spinoff for preschool powerhouse PAW Patrol, which will celebrate its milestone 10th anniversary in 2023.

    Rubble & Crew will air regularly Fridays at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon and continue to roll out on Nick Jr. channels internationally next year.

    “As a proud member of the PAW Patrol, Rubble has stolen the hearts of preschoolers around the world with his loyal, optimistic nature and penchant for treats,” said Jennifer Dodge, Spin Master’s President of Entertainment and Executive Producer. “Our new series expands Rubble’s world with storytelling that digs into amazing construction projects and the importance of family, combined with high-stakes action, fun adventures and messy demolition that preschoolers will love.”

    Synopsis: Set in the community of Builder Cove, a neighboring town to PAW Patrol’s Adventure Bay, Rubble & Crew centers on Rubble, the funny and optimistic leader of the construction crew. In the small, quickly growing town, lots of things are still needed for the community to come together, including a bigger airport, train station, bridges, tunnels, schools, fire stations, parks and more. Rubble and his construction pup family — his pup cousins Mix, Wheeler, Charger, Motor, along with Grandpa Gravel and Auntie Crane — must work together to tackle and build all the projects the town needs.

    Rubble & Crew will feature occasional appearances by familiar faces from Adventure Bay and introduce the following new characters:

    • Mix, a construction chemist handling all things concrete, glue, cement and custom paints.
    • Wheeler, the clean machine for this Builder Cove team, who does not like to get dirty and bolts away to clean up every mess.
    • Charger, a big energy pup (especially when he gets a case of the zoomies!) who is kind and always eager to help out or dig into a new construction project.
    • Motor, the tiniest and youngest pup who is a valuable member of the construction crew and looking for ways to be a good helper with her power smash-it energy.
    • Grandpa Gravel, Rubble’s grandpa, the family kibble chef who supplies the team with snacks from his tasty food truck.
    • Auntie Crane, Rubble’s auntie, who runs the supply warehouse and makes sure all the pups are loaded up and ready to build.
    • Speed Meister, who runs the rival construction company in town along with his slow-moving villainous sidekick, Mr. McTurtle — together they build fast and sorta good.
    • Mayor Greatway, Adventure Bay Mayor Goodway’s sister, a motorcycle-riding bubbly bundle of friendliness and her pet, Mr. Ducky-Doo.

    Following the series launch of Rubble & Crew, PAW Patrol’s 10th anniversary year in 2023 will culminate with the October 13 release of the theatrical movie sequel, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, from Spin Master Entertainment, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies. PAW Patrol was recently renewed for a 10th season (26 episodes) that will follow the PAW-some pack of pups, including Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky, Zuma, Everest and Tracker, on even more action-packed rescue missions and adventures — whether it’s deep in the unexplored regions of the jungle or out-of-this-world trouble in Adventure Bay.

    Additionally, PAW Patrol’s Chase will take to the sky once again as a balloon in this year’s 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

    Rubble & Crew is executive produced by Jennifer Dodge, Ronnen Harary, Laura Clunie, Toni Stevens and Bradley Zweig, and is directed by Dianna Basso and supervising director Joey So. Rubble & Crew was developed by Bradley Zweig based on the original PAW Patrol television series created by Keith Chapman. The series for Nickelodeon is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation, Global Series Content. Jen Pace serves as Nickelodeon’s Production Executive for the series.

  • Exclusive Clip: Amazonian Adventure ‘Ainbo’ Swings onto Disc

    Exclusive Clip: Amazonian Adventure ‘Ainbo’ Swings onto Disc

    Family audiences can take an imaginative trip to the warm Amazon Rainforest to get away from the chilly weather, as Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon arrives on DVD, digital download and on demand next week The Peruvian-Dutch family animated feature about a brave Indigenous girl on a quest to save her home arrives November 29 from Shout! Kids, in collaboration with Cinema Management Group.

    To celebrate the release, we’ve got an exclusive clip that sees our heroine getting in and out of a bit of a batty misunderstanding high in the trees, with the help of her animal companions.

    Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon
    Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon

    Synopsis: A world of adventure awaits you in Ainbo: Spirit of The Amazon, the tale of a young girl determined to save her home in the deepest jungle of the rainforest. One day, Ainbo discovers that her homeland is being threatened and realizes that there are other humans in the world besides her people. Using the help of her spirit guides, Dillo the armadillo and Vaca the tapir, she embarks on a journey to seek help from the most powerful Mother Spirit of the Amazon, Turtle Motelo Mama.

    As she fights to save her paradise against the greed and exploitation of illegal gold mining, she struggles to reverse the destruction and the impending evil of the Yacaruna, the darkest demon that lives in the Amazon. Guided by her mother’s spirit, Ainbo resolves to save her land and her people before it’s too late!

    Directed by award-winning filmmaker José Zelada (Kayara, Searching for Hearts) and Richard Claus (The Little Vampire and The Thief Lord), the Tunche Films (Lima) and Cool Beans (Amsterdam) co-pro features the voices of Lola Raie (Cheaper by the Dozen), Naomi Serrano (New Amsterdam), Dino Andrade (Batman: Arkham Asylum), Joe Hernandez (Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy), Alejandra Gollas (Quinceañera), Bernardo De Paula (Carmen Sandiego), Thom Hoffman (Black Book), Yeni Alvarez (Pinocchio), Susana Ballesteros (The House of Flowers), Rene Mujica (Elena of Avalor) and Gerardo Prat (The Barrier).

    Read more about the release here. Pre-order Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon at ShoutFactory.com.

    Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon
    Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon
  • Aviation Anime ‘Blue Thermal’ Soars with Eleven Arts

    Aviation Anime ‘Blue Thermal’ Soars with Eleven Arts

    Los Angeles based film distribution and production company, Eleven Arts, announced their acquisition of North American distribution rights for the anime feature film Blue Thermal during their Industry Panel at Anime NYC on Saturday, November 19.

    Blue Thermal is based on the original graphic novel by Kana Ozawa, originally serialized in Shinchosha’s seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic @ Bunch from April 2015 to November 2017, and later published into five volumes. A prequel of the graphic novel was then released by Ozawa, titled Blue Thermal: First Flight, which after being serialized online via Line Corporation’s Line Manga website from November 2021 and January 2022 was published in a single volume.

    The film adaptation tells the story of a brand-new college student who accidentally becomes involved in the school’s aviation club and discovers among the clouds a thrill she’s never experienced before. This inspirational slice-of-life story features a soaring Japanese-language voice cast, led by rising drama star Mayu Hotta (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War 2019, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning) in her first VO role.

    The film was produced by Telecom Animation Film (Lupin III, Orange). Masaki Tachibana (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Princess Principal) directed the film, as well as wrote the script alongside Natsuko Takahashi (Bleach; Farewell, My Dear Cramer). Piano rock band SHE’S performs the film’s theme song “Blue Thermal” and the insert song “Beautiful Bird.”

    Blue Thermal will have its North American Premiere at Anime Frontier in December. Eleven Arts will announce more information on the premiere and further details about the film at a later date.

    Synopsis:

    “I want to experience a love that sparkles!”

    Arriving from Nagasaki with her wishful mantra is Tamaki Tsuru, who in high school could think only about volleyball. Things don’t begin well, however, when she looks for an extracurricular club to join and proceeds to immediately ding a glider at aviation club tryouts ending up having to work it off. She is initially disillusioned with campus life. Then Kuramochi, the club leader and glider pilot, takes Tamaki under his wing, and from the moment he takes her up for a flight in a glider, Tamaki becomes a captive of the vast beauty of the skies.

    Japanese Cast

    • Mayu Hotta as Tamaki Tsuru
    • Nobunaga Shimazaki (Summer Ghost) as Jun Kuramochi
    • Junya Enoki (My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission) as Daisuke Sorachi
    • Mikako Komatsu (Jujutsu Kaisen 0) as Chizuru Yano
    • Daisuke Ono (Batman Ninja) as Yo Asahina
    • Haruka Shiraishi (When Marnie Was There) as Yukari Muroi
    • Yo Taichi (Her Blue Sky) as Ayako Maki
    • Ayumu Murase (Drifting Home) as Eita Narihara
    • Makoto Furukawa (Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative) as Ryohei Nanba
    • Rie Takahashi (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie) as Kaoru Mochida
    • Taku Yashiro (The Island of Giant Insects) as Harukaze Aihara
    • Kengo Kawanishi (Batman Ninja) as Kaede Hatori
    • Minori Terada (Castle in the Sky) as Aonagi University’s Aviation Club Director

    Blue Thermal Poster

  • Enjoy the Musical Brew of ‘The Cuphead Show!’ OST on Digital Today

    Enjoy the Musical Brew of ‘The Cuphead Show!’ OST on Digital Today

    Today (Fri., Nov. 18), Netflix Music digitally releases The Cuphead Show! (Songs from the Netflix Series) — Music by Ego Plum – Songs by Dave Wasson, Cosmo Segurson and Ego Plum. The digital album drop coincides with the debut of Part 3 of the series, on Netflix streaming today .

    Based on the award-winning video game that smashed onto the scene with a gorgeous retro animation style, The Cuphead Show! is a character-driven comedy series following the unique misadventures of loveable, impulsive scamp Cuphead and his cautious but easily swayed brother Mugman. The series combines nostalgic delights, side-splitting gags, and a healthy dose of the heebie jeebies — especially when a ridiculously weird nemesis, The Devil himself, arrives on the scene to toy with our heroes.

    “Writing songs for cartoons is very different from writing songs for a record or live performance,” notes Ego Plum. “The songs of The Cuphead Show! were composed strictly in the service of storytelling and propelling the narrative forward. Also, the songs generally did not need to be longer than a minute and sometimes would even end abruptly after a verse or two for comedic effect! (Like in the pilot when the Devil’s Song is cut short by his bumbling assistant).”

    Fans will recognize “The Devil’s Song” on the OST from the character’s introduction in the show. And, for the first time, they will be able to listen to the whole song in its entirety!

    The Cuphead Show!
    The Cuphead Show!

    “These truncated ditties all made sense within the context of the episodes, but part of me always wondered what it would be like if these were fully realized compositions!? Could these exist as proper 1930s pop songs? I had the foresight to suggest to Dave Wasson (showrunner) that he write additional lyrics and that we record them with the cast. Sure enough, we got Wayne Brady (King Dice) to record additional verses, as well as Luke Millington-Drake (The Devil), Tru Valentino (Cuphead), Frank Todaro (Mugman) and Grey DeLisle (Ms. Chalice),” the composer explains.

    “This made it easier for me to pitch Netflix the idea of ‘The Songs of the Cuphead Show’ and the extended versions. Once they agreed, I went about arranging, rearranging, recording and remixing the music with new horn parts, solos and a few special guests, including the great Steve Bartek (Oingo Boingo Guitarist & Danny Elfman Orchestrator/Conductor).”

    The Cuphead Show! (Songs from the Netflix Series) is available for digital purchase and streaming on major music platforms via the Netflix music hub here. Loyal Cuphead-heads should also keep an eye out for the song collection to appear on vinyl as well as a subsequent album of score material due for release in 2023.

    Plum adds, “I’m excited for fans to finally hear the ‘Songs of the Cuphead Show!’ all properly recorded, mixed, and mastered! This is just the tip of the iceberg; we haven’t even gotten to all the crazy jazz and orchestral music from the series. With the help of IAM8BIT, I’m pretty sure we are going to be seeing a lot more music from The Cuphead Show! next year!”

    The Cuphead Show! Songs from the Netflix Series

    Track List

    1. Welcome to The Cuphead Show!
    2. The Devil’s Song
    3. Mudda
    4. Roll the Dice
    5. Dance Across a Rainbow
    6. Turnin’ Up the Charm
    7. Ghosts Ain’t Real
    8. I Love My Little Veggies
    9. Welcome to Sugar Land
    10. Sweets for Me Sweet
    11. Cala Maria’s Song
    12. Big Ol’ Christmas Tree
    13. Brings Out the Devil in Me
    14. Making Christmas Toys
    15. Lookin’ Out for Number One
    16. The Devil and Ms. Chalice (Dance Battle Finale)
    17. Farewell to The Cuphead Show!

    Known as “The Cartoon Composer,” Mexican-American Ego Plum is an award-winning composer, musician and music producer whose distinctive sound and unique self-taught sensibility have made him the musical king of quirky animation.  His tunes for toons can also be heard in Jellystone (HBO Max); Star vs. The Forces of Evil (Disney Channel); Kamp Koral (Paramount+); The Patrick Star Show, SpongeBob SquarePants, Harvey Beaks and Amy Winfrey’s Making Fiends (Nickelodeon).

    Read more about Ego Plum’s inspirations and process for creating the music of The Cuphead Show! in Animation Magazine‘s interview here.