Vancouver-based multiplatform company Thunderbird Entertainment has made a series of key management appointments, including naming Ivan Fecan interim CEO of Thunderbird and promoting Jennifer McCarron and Mark Miller as co-Presidents. Fecan will retain his position as Executive Chair of the Thunderbird Board and will continue to produce hit sitcom Kim’s Convenience.
In addition to her new title at Thunderbird, McCarron joins its Board and has been upped to CEO of its Atomic Cartoons animation branch.
McCarron came onboard at Atomic as Head of Production in 2011, supervising all in-house production and taking the lead on multiple titles, including Beat Bugs for Netflix, Rocket Monkeys (teletoon) and the successful magic-themed preschool series Little Charmers for Spinmaster and Nelvana. Under her leadership, the Atomic team grew from 30 to more than 200 people. McCarron was promoted to President in 2016.
Prior to joining Atomic, McCarron was VP of Production for Rainmaker Entertainment. In the course of her career, she has produced and executive produced, dozens of animated TV series, videogame cinematics, and direct-to-DVD features, including the popular Barbie Princess franchise with Mattel. As a producer, McCarron has received several Leo awards, an ELAN, a DTV, an AACTA, an Emmy award and was voted one of the “Top 25 Women in Animation” by Animation Magazine in 2004.
McCarron’s Thunderbird co-Prez Mark Miller continues as CEO of factual arm Great Pacific Media, of which he is a founding partner.
Further, Thunderbird co-founder Tim Gamble has been appointed Vice Chair of the Board and will continue to pursue new opportunities for the company, with a focus on IP. Gamble was instrumental in bringing upcoming feature Blade Runner 2049 and Netflix original series Beat Bugs into the fold.
McCarron, Miller and Gamble, as well as COO Cam White, CFO Barb Harwood and SVP Scripted Production Alex Raffé, will report to Fecan and will be part of the Senior Leadership Team.
Among the exhilarating intergalactic activities Disney Co.’s Star Wars department and partners are planning for Force Friday II (like the multinational Find the Force AR event), civic-minded retailer BoxLunch is launching a selection of goodies inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi — in theaters Dec. 15. Details on some droid-tastic delights you can shop at boxlunch.com below.
More on The Last Jedi and the Star Wars franchise can be found at www.starwars.com.
BB-9E Bag by Loungefly: Designed exclusively for BoxLunch and individually numbered (1,000 piece limited edition) based on the black-lated droid of the First Order being introduced in Episode VIII. Matte effect and patent leather details with chrome color accents and embossed chrome detailing.
BB-9E Funko! POP Bobblehead: Exclusive chrome colorway version for BoxLunch.
R2-D2 App-Enabled Droid by Sphero: You can control your very own Rebel Alliance astromech with your smart device, or watch it patrol on its own. Features authentic movements, LED lights and integrated speakers for realistic beepin’ and boopin’. Plus, explore the galaxy and go inside starships via Holographic Simulation, enjoy the Star Wars saga with Artoo in Watch With Me mode, and observe Droid to Droid interactions with other Sphero app-enabled droids.
BB-8 App-Enabled Droid by Sphero: If orange is more your color than blue, this is the droid you’re looking for! All the same fun reactive and interactive features of the Artoo unit can be had on a roll with this sassy mechanical basketball-butt.
BB-9E App-Enabled Droid by Sphero: This is not the droid you’re looking for… this is the droid that’s looking for you! This vigilant little seeker boasts all the same features as the Artoo and BB-8 models, and an enhanced radio system that enables the Rebel-hunting robot to react to your presence when you trigger its sensors.
BoxLunch will have many other pieces of Star Wars apparel, accessories, home goods and collectibles (including lots more Episode VIII POP vinyls) on offer. And the more you shop, the more you help fight hunger — for every $10 spent at BoxLunch stores and web store, the company helps provide a meal through its partnership with Feeding America. More than 8 million meals have been donated so far!
Star Wars BB-9E, R2-D2, and BB-8 Pop!Star Wars Finn Pop!Star Wars Chewbacca Pop!Star Wars Borg Pop!Star Wars LoungeflyStar Wars BB-9E Pop!
Toy Story Land to Open at Walt Disney World Resort in Summer 2018
Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek set the opening date for Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ new 11-acre zone. Two attractions will feature: family coaster Slinky Dog Dash and play set-inspired Alien Swirling Saucers, in which aliens are flying around trying to capture your rocket with “The Claw!”
61st BFI London Film Festival Program Announced
Nora Twomey’s The Breadwinner will make its European Premiere in the official feature competition. Loving Vincent will have its UK Premiere, broadcast live from the National Gallery with special Q&A. Animated titles running in the Family program include The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (Benjamin Renner), Big Fish & Begonia (Xuan Liang, Chun Zhang), Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess (Michel Ocelot), Lyana (Aaron & Amanda Kopp) and Lu Over the Wall (Masaaki Yuasa), plus shorts. The fest runs October 4-15.
The “Baking of” Channel 4’s new ‘Bake Off’ Promo
Director duo Parabella got their hands dirty with a crack team of bakers, model makers and stop-frame animators to create this appetizing spot from Blink Ink. 500 eggs, 50kg of flour, 28kg of sugar and a whole lotta love went into the making of 335 baked characters!
Channel 4 Bake Off
Precious Moments Inc. Signs Agreement with United Talent Agency
The doors have opened for an animated treatment of the internationally recognized inspirational brand, with UTA on board for exclusive representation to producers and production companies. Launched as illustrated greeting cards in 1978, teardrop-eyed tots have been a consistent best-seller ever since.
Critically Acclaimed Cinematic Adventure ‘Last Day of June’ Available Now
The emotionally wrenching new digital story experience from 505 Games and Ovosonico has finally arrived! Created by game designer Massimo Guarini (Murasaki Baby), musician Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), writer/director Jess Cope (Frankenweenie) and illustrator Hajo Muller (“Drive Home” m.v.), Last Day of June leads players through fate-altering puzzles and interactive storytelling as the main character travels back in time in an attempt to reach a different outcome of his fateful final drive home with his beloved wife, June.
Available now on Steam and PlayStation Store.
Swedish studio Experiment 101 made a big splash at Gamescom in Cologne last week with the highly anticipated unveiling of their first videogame project, Biomutant. The action-driven, open-world RPG received positive reactions from both visiting gamers and industry players.
“We are overwhelmed by the fantastic response to Biomutant,” said Stefan Ljungqvist, Head of Studio at Experiment 101. “It’s a very special feeling to finally be able to show what we have been working on in secret. Seeing the massive international interest and getting such enormously positive reactions, that really spurs us on to keep doing our utmost as we work towards finishing the game.”
Biomutant has a number of distinct features that enrich gameplay (as well as some pretty fantastic graphics). Your avatar’s appearance and fighting abilities are affected by mutations to your virtual genetic structure, as well as by exposure to bio-contaminants and radiation in the game world. The game also offers major flexibility in customizing your avatar’s gear and weaponry, crafting items, and in exploring the expansive world in your quest to unite the Tribes of the New World to save the Tree-of-Life and head off the doomsday plague ravaging the land.
Experiment 101 was founded by industry veteran Ljungqvist, previously of Avalanche Studios, and Goodbye Kansas Game Invest, which owns 50% of the studio. Goodbye Kansas has invested in seven videogame workshops since launching this focused branch in 2015, and Biomutant is the first title to be announced born out of these investments.
“Biomutant is a real milestone for us, since it’s the first game we unveil since founding Experiment 101 together. Seeing hours-long queues at Gamescom is an extraordinary feeling. Goodbye Kansas Game Invest exists to help our partners create amazing game experiences, and I can’t think of better proof that we have achieved precisely that,” commented Peter Levin, CEO at Goodbye Kansas Game Invest.
Having announced the project earlier this year, Cinemax has slated the premiere of its first original animated comedy Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus, which will debut September 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes will air subsequent Fridays at the same time.
Judge, the creator of classic adult toons King of the Hill and Beavis and Butt-head and Cinemax sister network HBO’s live-action Emmy nominee Silicon Valley, narrates the show — getting back in touch with his roots in music. The 8 x half-hour series recounts raucous on-the-rode adventures of musicians as told by those who knew them best. Tales from the Tour Bus features animated interviews with former bandmates, friends and other associates sharing uncensored anecdotes about the artists, complete with animated reenactments and archival live-action footage and photos.
The premiere episode will put the spotlight on country music outlaw Johnny Paycheck, with the rest of the season covering George Jones & Tammy Wynette (two parts), Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Joe Shaver, Waylon Jennings (two parts) and Blaze Foley.
“Johnny Paycheck” synopsis: In addition to selling 40 million records and producing chart-topping hits like “She’s All I Got” and “Take This Job and Shove It,” country music outlaw Johnny Paycheck became notorious for living the part. He was known for his music, grand theft auto, drug binges and stints in jail. At the height of Paycheck’s fame, he shot a man over a turtle soup recipe, which led to a high-profile trial, a prison sentence and one of his greatest hits, “Old Violin.”
Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus is created by Judge, Richard Mullins and Dub Cornett; executive produced by Judge, Glen Zipper, Sean Stuart and Dub Cornett; producer, Richard Mullins; composer, John Frizzell.
Peyo’s little blue mushroom-dwellers are going to return to the small screen once more, as official licensor IMPS announces it is joining forces with Dupuis Audiovisuel to create a fresh TV series starring The Smurfs. Currently in pre-development, the show will be produced and offered as a pack of 13-minute episodes.
“The Smurfs TV series produced by Hanna-Barbera in the ‘80s is a highly successful series, still being broadcast on a global scale. But creating a new series, giving the Smurfs an updated look, was just a logical next step for the property after three Hollywood movies,” said Véronique Culliford, President of IMPS. “We are very happy to embark on this exciting journey with the Dupuis group, one of our historical partners on Smurf comic books and animation.”
Run by Véronique Culliford, IMPS has since 1984 worked in close collaboration with agents worldwide to develop successful Smurfs L&M programs, promotions, publishing, broadcast deals, theme parks, live shows, games, music and more. The globally beloved Smurfs were first created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo (Pierre Culliford) in 1958 and soon appeared in animated movies and theatrical cartoons. They most recently starred in Sony’s full-animated Smurfs: The Lost Village, available on home entertainment media now.
“Our collaboration with Peyo on Smurfs goes back to the first publication of the Smurf characters in the magazine Spirou and the co-production of the Hanna-Barbera series,” notes Dupuis Audiovisuel CEO Léon Perahia. “We’re delighted to be able to use our experience in bringing comic-book characters to life in service of this marvelous and enchanting universe.”
Founded in 1990, Dupuis is behind many screen adaptations of European comic classics, including Spirou, Papyrus, Marsupilami and more. It is a subsidiary of Média-Participations, an entertainment group behind titles such as The Garfield Show, Tintin, Asterix, Lucky Luke and The Red Turtle. The group runs the animation studios Ellipsanime (France) and Dreamwall (Belgium).
The Visual Effects Society has announced its special honorees to be recognized at the 9th Annual VES Summit, set for Saturday, October 28. Venerated VFX producer and founding VES member Toni Pace Carstensen will receive the 2017 VES Founders Award; VFX producer and longstanding VES Awards Committee member Chuck Finance will get a Lifetime VES Membership; and VFX archivist and artist Bob Burns will receive an Honorary VES Membership.
These three industry luminaries (as well as the year’s to-be-named VES Fellows) will be recognized at an evening ceremony and reception during the Summit, which this year is themed “Inspiring Change: Building on 20 Years of VES Innovation.” Marking the org’s 20th anniversary, the event will gather top creatives, executives, thought leaders and visionaries in Beverly Hills to discuss and explore the evolution of the VFX landscape. This year’s Keynote Speaker is acclaimed futurist and conceptual artist, Syd Mead, recipient of the 2015 VES Visionary Award. (www.visualeffectssociety.com/news-events/summit.)
Founders Award: Toni Pace Carstensen. This year, the VES Board of Directors is privileged to bestow the Founders Award upon Toni Pace Carstensen for her sustained contributions to the art, science or business of visual effects and meritorious service to the Society. Carstensen has a passion for new worlds—one that has taken her from the Amazon to Pandora. Her feature work as VFX producer/digital production manager includes Avatar, Minority Report and Fantasia 2000. For theme parks she contributed to Epcot’s Mission: Space and Star Trek Voyager: Borg Encounter 4D. While Executive Producer at View Studio, Carstensen produced TV FX work for The X-Files and Outer Limits and then remastered VFX for the original Star Trek series HD release at CBS Digital. Venturing out on her own, Carstensen started CyberGraphix, one of the first Mac-based motion graphics. She is the recipient of a Broadcast Design Gold Award for Francis Ford Coppola’s White Dwarf, a VES Award nomination for Best Supporting Visual FX – Broadcast for Pushing Daisies and three Emmy Award nominations for her early work as a radio and television news producer.
In 1997, Carstensen helped create the VES as member 0004 and first Treasurer. She was a Founding Member of the Executive Committee and served on the Global Board of Directors for many years, as well as being Co-Chair of the Education Committee. She co-edited the first edition of The VES Handbook and, with the Education Committee, generated the idea for the VESAGE book showcasing the personal artwork of VES members. Always thinking about the future, Carstensen created the Vision Committee in 2011, which she continues to Chair. She is currently the Treasurer on the Los Angeles Section Board of Managers. Currently Carstensen teaches and mentors the next generation of visual effects explorers at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, while working as a development/production executive for animation studio Neko Productions. She is also a member of the PGA, TEA, Women in Animation, Motion Picture Editors Guild and the Art Directors Guild.
Lifetime Membership: Chuck Finance. The Board of Directors is proud to designate Chuck Finance with a Lifetime Membership for meritorious service to the Society and the global industry. Chuck Finance has been a member of the VES for nearly 20 years, and a member of the VES Awards Committee for 14 years. He was Chair of the committee in 2005 and has been one of its dedicated Co-chairs ever since. With an unwavering commitment to the VES, Finance dedicates thousands of hours each year, in his retirement, to advance the organization. He has overseen the interaction between the Awards Committee and hundreds of queries about the Awards process, ensuring the integrity, protocols and high standards of the VES Awards.
Finance began his career in film by producing and directing educational and information films for companies like Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the National Science Foundation. He made the leap into visual effects when producer Raffaella De Laurentiis hired him as visual effects coordinator on the movie Dune, one of the most VFX-heavy films up to that time. That was back in the analog, or optical, era, before computers revolutionized the art of visual effects. In the late 1980s he co-founded a full-service visual effects company, Perpetual Motion Pictures, where he was the general manager as well as the company’s effects producer. Among the films Chuck worked on were Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Leviathan, Mom and Dad Save the World, The Firm, Honey I Shrunk the Kids and many others. Following that he worked for a number of years as a freelance VFX producer and supervisor on films like George of the Jungle, The Arrival and the TV series 24.
Honorary Membership: Bob Burns. The Board of Directors is proud to designate Bob Burns with an Honorary Membership in the VES for his exemplary contributions to the entertainment industry and for furthering the interests and values of visual effects practitioners.
Burns was a VFX practitioner in the 1950s and ‘60s, doing miniature work and makeup prosthetics. His famed Halloween shows staged in Burbank in the ‘70s gave inspiration to hundreds of now-current practitioners in the VFX and makeup fields. He was a mentor and friend to many who have gone on to become legends in their own right, including Rick Baker, Dennis Muren, Robert and Dennis Skotak. More notably, he became a historian and archivist of the effects arena by amassing an extraordinary collection of film and television VFX props, miniatures, paintings and costumes, dating from the ‘50s to the digital age. Filmmakers have visited his collection and had reunions with items long thought lost, while many of the younger generation have been inspired by seeing (and sometimes handling) the original items from such seminal films as The Time Machine, Destination Moon, Forbidden Planet, Alien, Aliens, Terminator 2 and many others. He is recognized by many for his encyclopedic knowledge and preservation of these artifacts so often thrown away after production and for inspiring new generations with his wit and ability to bring VFX history alive.
Virtual Reality Developers Conference is gearing up to bring premier content and networking opportunities for immersive VR, AR and MR experience creators to San Francisco’s Union Square Hotel on September 21 & 22. An initial batch of knowledge-enriching and inspiring sessions focused on key themes facing content creators has been revealed, and registration is open now.
“As virtual and augmented reality innovations continue to emerge, the need for more education around its development grows,” said Katie Stern, General Manager, VRDC and GDC. “This year’s programming will help VR, AR, and MR creators understand the latest technologies, techniques, and trends while networking with industry leaders.”
According to the second annual VRDC VR/AR Innovation Report, 95% of respondents think VR, AR, and MR are long-term sustainable markets. To help attendees gain insight into future development and opportunity in these fields, VRDC sessions focus on VR, AR, and MR as well as use cases across industries including, Brand Experience, Innovation, Healthcare, and Games and Entertainment.
Some of the Fall 2017 highlights include:
GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality Postmortem – VR Lessons *burrrp* Learned. Devin Reimer and Alex Schwartz (Owlchemy Labs)
Three Years of Tilt Brush. Patrick Hackett and Drew Skillman (Google)
Building VR Communities: Asymmetry, Asynchrony, and Abuse. Daniel Citron, Rob Jagnow (Google), and Cy Wise (Owlchemy Labs)
Use Your Illusion: Creating Immersive Virtual Reality Worlds. Adam Orth (First Contact Entertainment), Dirk Van Welden (I-illusions), Will Smith (FOO), and Chris Pruett (Oculus VR)
INNOVATION
Mixed Reality for Space Exploration. Nathaniel Guy (NASA)
How AR Is Transforming the Building and Construction Industries. Scott Montgomerie (Scope AR)
Creating Social Experiences in VR. Mike Booth (Facebook)
Why Virtual Reality and Machine Learning Are Good for Science. Aldis Sipolins (IBM Research)
BRAND EXPERIENCE
NBA VR: Putting Fans Courtside with NBA Legends. Aruna Inversin (Digital Domain)
Red Bull Air Race Case Study: Creating Branded Mixed Reality Content. Rick Davis (REWIND)
Avoiding Demo Nightmares: Did You Just Reach Down My Blouse? Serafina Pechan (Alkaline Games)
Mobile VR Discovery and Monetization: Lessons from Daydream. Michael Almeraris (Google)
Studio 100 and Planeta Junior have tapped Giochi Preziosi as Master Toy partner for global kids’ animation brand, Maya the Bee. The licensee will handle manufacturing, distribution, promotion and marketing for soon-to-be-launched lines.
“We are very proud to be working with Giochi Preziosi as their products are renowned for strong play value, creativity and innovation,” said Christophe Drevet, International Consumer Products Director at Studio 100. “This agreement will also add even more sales and marketing power to the brand. We are confident the range will capture the essence of Maya’s character and fully engage the fans of yesterday and tomorrow.”
An extensive range of licensed products are planned for a Fall 2018 launch, covering main categories such as figurines, playsets, role play and feature plush. The licensing deal covers key territories including Italy, France, Spain, UK, Portugal, Greece and others.
“We are honored to be named the Master Toy licensee for Maya the Bee, a great preschool brand! We are confident that the range will be a huge hit with all the Maya fans across the world especially thanks to the great content, constant news and long-term development until 2020.’’ added Graziano Delmaestro, Licensing Director at Giochi Preziosi.
A second season of the new CG-animated Maya the Bee (52 x 13-min.) will air on major international networks including Gulli, Tiny Pop and RTP, furthering the adventures of Maya, her very best friends Willy and Flip, the crazy ant peacekeepers Arnie and Barney, and introducing Theo, a young bee with a prosthetic wing.
Maya will also be returning to the big screen in 2018 in her second theatrical feature, Maya the Bee Movie – The Honey Games, with plans for a third movie in 2020. And, building on the success of her online dance videos (25 million viewers worldwide), a new web series based on Maya and her friends is being developed specifically for digital platforms.
Maya the Bee is a timeless character loved by all ages. This second season will expand the joy and fun with new exciting adventures and lovely characters that will charm certainly all generations. We are pleased to further strengthen our partnership with such a well-established global toy manufacturer like Giochi Preziosi, and they will for sure play an important role in Maya’s exciting future,” commented Diego Ibáñez, International Commercial Director at Planeta Junior.
In partnership with Plopsa, a new Mayaland theme park in Poland will open in 2018, joining attractions in Belgium and Germany — Maya also now has her own musical in Benelux.
Mobile-first entertainment company Seriously has teamed up once again with Golden Globe-nominated animation studio Reel FX for a second original short in the Best Fiends game-inspired franchise: Visit Minutia. The vacation adventure comes on the heels of debut short, Boot Camp, which racked up over 6.4 million views in the months following its launch.
Best Fiends: Visit Minutia is helmed by Reel FX Director Augusto Schillaci (VFX supervisor, Book of Life; add’l art director, Free Birds) and features an all-star voice cast comprising Pamela Adlon (Better Things), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), David Herman (Office Space), Maurice LaMarche (Futurama), Kate Walsh (13 Reasons Why) and Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars).
The comedic CG short takes viewers through the island of Minutia, the land of sun and fun, and follows the vacation follies of JoJo, Howie, Temper, Gordon and friends. Every attempt at relaxation and adventure is quickly thwarted by the hordes of slugs at every turn, packing the beaches, invading the buffet and generally spoiling any moment of leisure.
A special Visit Minutia event will also be available for players in the Best Fiends mobile game app, so fans can watch the animation and play through in-game content that extends the experience. You can download Best Fiends at download.bestfiends.com.
Seriously is planning additional shorts tied to fresh in-game content to be released throughout the year, further building the Best Fiends brand.
Best Fiends: Visit MinutiaBest Fiends: Visit Minutia
’The Simpsons’ Composer Alf Clausen Fired
Double Emmy winner to exit the record-setting show after 27 years in what speculators peg as a cost-cutting measure. The show has recorded weekly with a pricey 35-piece orchestra per creator Matt Groening’s stipulations since the beginning.
African Animation Strides Onward
US-based Nigerian animator/writer/artist Bankole Lasekan is moving forward with bringing his children’s storybook Banji Versus the Village to full animation.
No Stopping North America SVOD Market
The globe’s most mature streaming market still has plenty of room for growth, according to a new report from Digital TV Research. The US SVOD reach could grow from 112M to 171M by 2022 — meaning 70% of US TV households will be subscribed to at least one platform.
VIDEO: “Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)” Official Music Video
You will have zero regrets about watching this aesthetically punchy, character-driven stop-mo video for US band Sparks’ latest single. Joseph Wallace created the film, which follows Ron and Russell Mael on a fantastical pursuit through 1930s Paris.
Innovative VFX and immersive entertainment house Digital Domain, in league with Universal Brand Development, announces DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles — the first-ever virtual reality adventure for the critically acclaimed Netflix original animated series. Fans can now pre-order the title for PlayStation VR, with a launch slated for September 26.
“We are big fans of the Voltron franchise and wanted to create an experience that would captivate existing fans and also introduce the story in a compelling way for new ones,” said Wayne Kennedy, Digital Domain’s Director of Creative Development. “With DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles, we are pioneering the next evolution of interactive storytelling in a fully-immersive setting.”
In Voltron VR Chronicles, players become a Paladin of Voltron and blast through time and space to save the universe from dangerous alien threats, all in a fully-immersive environment with interactive elements. Fans can join forces with Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Keith, Shiro, Allura and Coran inside the Voltron story as they fight back against Zarkon by solving puzzles and conquering challenges.
“We are excited to collaborate with Digital Domain to create a deep ‘in-world’ experience that allows fans to step inside the world of DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender and create their own memorable adventure,” said Chris Heatherly, EVP of Games and Digital Platforms, Universal Brand Development. “This interactive narrative experience allows us to creatively extend the series’ storylines, putting fans in the center of the action.”
DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles will be available for $14.99 on PlayStation VR via the PlayStation Network; HTC Vive and Oculus Rift via Steam; for Rift via the Oculus online store.
Season four of DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender premieres on Netflix on October 13.
Entertainment One continues to grow popular animated preschool properties Peppa Pig and PJ Masks both on-air and at retail with new international partnerships. Recent highlights include major expansion in the Nordics for both properties, and lajsdlfakjslfd
Across the Nordic region, Plus Licens represents consumer products programs for both brands, and will be introducing new categories in 2017.
Peppa Pig airs on four state broadcasters in the region: NRK (Norway), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland) and SVT (Sweden). Otava and Gyldendal spearhead a publishing program with story and novelty books available in Finland (45K+ copies sold in three years) and Norway; publishing titles will roll out in Denmark through Forlaget Alvilda later this year. Additional categories will launch starting in September, including puzzles and games from Clementoni, Amo and Barbo Toys; plastic bead sets from HAMA; and nightlights by Bjørna.
PJ Masks launched in the Nordics on SVT in April, and now airs multiple times a day and performs exceptionally well, achieving an 80% audience among kids 3-6 in its 6:45 a.m. timeslot. Fox will start airing season one in Finland next month. Regional consumer products and retail partners on board include Skybrands (apparel, home textiles), Clementoni (puzzles), Euromic (back to school), Procos (partyware), Stor (tableware), Amscan (costumes) and Bjørna (nightlights) — a publishing deal is in negotiations. The first product line will launch this fall/winter.
“We are deeply committed to strengthening the licensing success of Peppa Pig and PJ Masks across Northern Europe and we look forward to working with our partners there to make these beloved preschool properties a big success across the region,” said Ami Dieckman, Head of International Licensing at eOne.
Further east, eOne has secured new toy and broadcast partners for PJ Masks in Taiwan. The series will debut on Eastern Broadcasting’s cable channel Yoyo TV beginning this month, joining eOne’s Peppa Pig and Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom (coming October). Kicking off the fall consumer products launch, Pro & Pacific will distribute the award-winning toy range from global master toy partner Just Play, debuting exclusively at Toys ‘R’ Us in late September. More products in key categories will begin rolling out in early 2018.
“With its core values of adventure, teamwork and friendship, PJ Masks is striking a chord with young fans all around the world,” commented Andrew Carley, Head of Global Licensing for eOne. “We’re delighted to be expanding the brand’s presence in Asia with the added exposure of Yoyo TV and introduction of toys into the Taiwanese market this year.”
Decades later, Russia has apparently won another space race. Global hit Masha and the Bear, from Moscow-based Animaccord Animation Studio, has become the first preschool toon to be viewed in space! This extraterrestrial development follows a raft of sales across Masha’s home planet.
Through cooperation with Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, a new cosmic-themed episode of Masha titled “We Come in Peace” was sent to Fyodor Yurchikhin, Commander of the International Space Station, ahead of its debut on the official Russian-language YouTube channel MashaMedvedTV. Roscosmos published a video showing the astronaut sending greetings to Earth and watching the episode.
Masha and the Bear “We Come in Peace” was released online on July 14.
You can watch Commander Yurchikhin’s video here (in Russian).
Reed Exhibitions, producer of Asia TV Forum & Market, has opened the call for entries for the first-ever ATF Animation Pitch: a premier Asian pitching competition for creators and producers of innovative kids’ animation concepts. The new initiative is backed by India’s largest toon producer, Green Gold Animation (Chhota Bheem).
The 18th edition of ATF (www.asiatvforum.com) will take place in Singapore from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, 2017, with a live pitching event slated for November 30.
“Being surrounded by passionate and ambitious people, who share a similar love for animation, is a great way to feel inspired and expand intellectual horizons. It’s also important to give back to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the animation industry, foster creativity and innovation. After all, animation is the craft of the soul,” said Rajiv Chilaka, Founder & CEO, Green Gold Animation
Launching under the competition tagline “Think. Believe. Dream. And finally … Dare,” ATF Animation Pitch 2017 is open to creators and producers from around Asia (individuals, students and small- to mid-sized studios) eager to present new and original animated shorts, series and feature-length films aimed at young audiences in the comedy, adventure, action and fantasy genres.
The winner will receive from Green Gold Animation a $2,500 USD cash prize plus a tailored consultancy package to develop the concept for pitching to broadcasters (valued at $16,500 USD). This mentorship will also expose the winner to Green Gold’s expertise in marketing, pitch writing, global sales opportunities, trailer and sizzle reel preparation, production budgeting, etc.
The first round will be judged by Chilaka and Marc Lumer, VP & Head of US Operations for Green Gold Animation USA; with input from the studio’s Acquisitions & Marketing teams led by Bharath Laxmipati, VP Content Sales.
Shortlisted entries will progress to the live pitching event at ATF, where they will be able to pitch their ideas in front of industry veterans — including senior Green Gold Animation executives, with leading commissioning editors on stage to offer advice and commentary.
“We are extremely proud to launch the inaugural ATF Animation Pitch with one of Asia’s biggest players in the industry – this is a true reflection of the potential of a rising Asia. Just as our existing pitch competitions – ATF Formats Pitch and Southeast Asian Film Financing Project Market – have nurtured Asia’s talent pool and created a culture of excellence in content, we are confident that ATF Animation Pitch will be another significant element within ATF that will allow us to be the enabler of so much merit across this vast and diverse continent,” said Yeow Hui Leng, Senior Project Director of ATF, Reed Exhibitions.
Entries to ATF Animation PItch can be submitted via animationpitch.asiatvforum.com.sg until October 31, 2017.
The new, cutely blood-curdling kids’ show Vampirina has been slated for its broadcast premiere on Sunday, October 1 at 11 a.m. ET, with two back-to-back episodes simulcast on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. The opening adventures will also be available on Disney Junior’s VOD and YouTube platforms as well as the DisneyNOW app. New episodes will roll out every Monday and Friday on the channels through October.
To make the most of its monstrous debut, special screenings of Vampirina will take place at theaters across the US on Sat., Oct. 21; Thurs., Oct. 26; and Sat., Oct. 28 as part of Disney Junior at the Movies – HalloVeen Party!, presented by Fathom Events. The cinema events will include a never-before-seen Vampirina episode, costume party for kids and families, and other festive surprises. Tickets go on sale Sept. 22 through FathomEvents.com/DisneyJunior.
Set in a Pennsylvania neighborhood, the series stars Lauren Graham, James Van Der Beek and Isabella Crovetti as the Hauntley family; friendly vampires who have recently moved from their home in Transylvania. The stories follow Vampirina (aka “Vee”) as she faces the joys and trials of being the new kid in town including making friends and attending a new school in the human world. Along the way, Vee learns that it may be easier to blend in with her peers, but it’s more valuable to celebrate the qualities that make each individual unique.
Inspired by the popular Vampirina Ballerina books by author Anne Marie Pace and illustrator LeUyen Pham (Disney Publishing), the series is made by the creative team behind Doc McStuffins, including creator/EP Chris Nee and co-EP Norton Virgien. Nicky Phelan (Octonauts) is director. Vampirina is produced by Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Junior.
ELEVEN ARTS Anime Studio will be bringing Naoko Yamada’s widely acclaimed animated teen drama A Silent Voice to US theaters, opening October 20, 2017. Based on the manga by Yoshitoki Ōima and produced by Kyoto Animation, the film carries a timely and important message about schoolyard bullying.
A Silent Voice is the poignant coming-of-age story of Shōya Ishida, a school bully, and Shōko Nishimiya, a young girl with a hearing disability. Their lives intersect in sixth grade when Shōko transfers to Shōya’s elementary school and quickly finds herself bullied and isolated due to her hearing disability. Years later, the tables turn, and Shōya finds himself the victim.
The film premiered in Japan nearly a year ago, and has since attracted attention on the festival circuit and in multiple theatrical markets. A Silent Voice won Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay/Original Story at the 2017 Tokyo Anime Awards, was nominated for the Japan Academy Prize and played in competition at Annecy this year.
Yamada’s directing credits include series K-On! and Tamako Market, as well as the Tamako Love Story movie. A Silent Voice’s key creative team also includes screenwriter Reiko Yoshida (Lu Over the Wall), art director Mutsuo Shinohara (Clannad) and cinematographer Kazuya Takao (Free! franchise).
The television animation landscape changed forever a quarter-century ago with the launch of the very first 24-hour toon channel. To celebrate its big 25th anniversary, Cartoon Network has allied with The Paley Center for Media to present “Cartoon Network: 25 Years of Drawing on Creativity.” This exclusive exhibit will premiere at Paley Center’s New York, NY location on September 16, and run through October 8. The show will then move to Paley Center’s Beverly Hills location on October 14, running through November 19.
“It was a crazy idea to start, but a crazy good idea that led to twenty-five years of laughter and innovation,” said Cartoon Network President Christina Miller. “We are very thankful to our talent, team and, of course, our fans. We are proud to be celebrating this milestone with Paley Center.”
Visitors to the exhibit will experience the creative process from sketch to screen (and beyond) with an in-depth look at Steven Universe, take in special exhibits (including stop-motion sets from Adventure Time) and enjoy photo ops with sculptures from The Powerpuff Girls and CN’s newest hit series, O.K. KO! Let’s Be Heroes!
The exhibits and immersive activities will be complemented by screenings and panel discussions with Cartoon Network talent and creative teams at both Paley Center locations — all free and open to the public.
“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors into the visually exciting world of Cartoon Network,” said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center’s President & CEO. “Cartoon Network: 25 Years of Drawing on Creativity is one of the many exhibits the Paley Center presents each year that capture the unique combination of artistry and entertainment.”
More information at paley.me/cartoonnetwork.
Cartoon Network: 25 Years of Drawing on Creativity
Ginni Mack, one of Walt Disney Studios’ ground-breaking “Ink & Paint Girls” who moved up the department ranks and was immortalized as the original model for Tinker Bell, has passed away at age 90. Mack’s death on August 23 was reported by Disney historian and family friend, Mindy Johnson, who spotlights the late artist in her soon-to-be-released book Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation.
Mack made important contributions to the classic era of Disney animation. Hired in her late teens as a painter, “Ginni” (short for her middle name, Virginia) quickly proved her artistic worth and keen color sense, and was appointed to the legendary “Rainbow Room” Legendary animator Marc Davis used her as his muse for Peter Pan’s pixie pal in 1953. In 1958, she married Disney background painter and story artist Brice Mack. Having worked for other studios and raised a son (Oscar-winning VFX artist Kevin Mack), Mack was one of a select group of I&P artists asked to return to Disney for Pete’s Dragon, and she later helped develop and test the studio’s digital ink and paint system before retiring in 1991.
Johnson provided the following obituary on behalf of the family (edited for clarity):
Helen Virginia Gilliland was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and grew up in the small town of Walters, OK. At age ten, Ginni went to live with her aunt in Los Angeles, and the rest of her family soon followed. Settling in Glendale, CA, Ginni attended Glendale High School, where her sharp mind and noted artistic talent thrived as she achieved the highest SAT score in her class for mechanical aptitude – higher than any of the men in her class. Ginni could do just about anything and her talents served her throughout her life. Whether fixing cars, doing electrical work, or making furniture, décor, jewelry and clothing, Ginni was a true creative!
In June of 1946, at age 18, Ginni was hired at Walt Disney Studios as a Painter in the Ink & Paint Department. Her keen color sense was soon recognized and she was put to work in the Paint Lab, known as the legendary “Rainbow Room.” Specializing in Mix & Match, Ginni’s talents and artistry contributed to many of the early Disney animated films of the post-war era and the resurgence of animation in the early 1950s.
When Walt Disney was developing the characters for his animated version of Peter Pan (1953), Ginni was asked by legendary animator Marc Davis to serve as the original model for the tiny pixie, Tinker Bell. Ginni’s genuine twinkle and signature blonde hairstyle (usually tied in a bun with side-swept bangs), proved to be the inspiration for the final form of tiny Tink.
Following an earlier marriage and divorce, Ginni met Brice Mack, a background painter and story artist, who also worked for Disney Studios. This fun-loving couple became an integral part of the Disney culture and were well known and loved by everyone, including Walt Disney, himself. Married in 1958, Ginni and Brice enjoyed a loving 40 year marriage until Brice’s passing in 2008.
After leaving Disney late in 1952, Ginni worked for other animation studios, including ERA Productions, an animation production company her husband Brice started.
In 1959, Ginni and Brice’s son, Kevin, was born and she dedicated herself to raising him. When Kevin left for college in 1977, Ginni was sought-out as part of a select group of talented Ink & Paint artists to return to Disney Studios to save animation with the production of Pete’s Dragon (1977). As Paint Supervisor, Ginni oversaw the color and artistry of many later animated films during her second tenure at Disney, and was involved with the early development and testing of CAPS, Disney’s Computer Animation Production System for digital Ink & Paint, before her retirement in 1991.
In 2012, Disney historians Mindy Johnson, Joe Campana and Didier Ghez confirmed Ginni as the original model for Tinker Bell, who was featured in early studio publicity photos, but unidentified for over 60 years. Ginni was officially “revealed” as the model for Tinker Bell by Johnson at Disney’s Destination D event at Disneyland in 2012, and was subsequently featured in Johnson’s book, Tinker Bell – An Evolution, about the history of the legendary character. This led to on-camera interviews for the Disney Animation Oral History program, the Studio Archives and autograph signings as well as panel discussions at a wide range of Disney events. In recent years, Ginni did further appearances and panel discussions illuminating the history of the Ink & Paint Department and is strongly featured in Johnson’s latest book, Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation.
Ginni had a profound impact on a great many people and is fondly remembered, not only for her pioneering work in animation and as the original model for Tinker Bell, but as an extremely bright, creative, kind and beautiful lady who loved to laugh, and make others laugh with her quick wit, amazing stories, and wonderful sense of humor.
Ginni is survived by her son, Kevin (Martha Snow) Mack; grandsons, Jonathan (Natalie) Mack and Ray Mack; stepsons, Brice (Sandi) Mack and Greg Mack; and step-grandson, Dan Mack. Jonathan and Natalie are expecting Ginni’s great-granddaughter in October. Ginni was preceded in death by her husband, Brice Mack, and her stepson Greg’s wife, Carol.
YouTube’ subscription service Red is bulking up its original programming slate with the addition of Dallas & Robo — a new animated sci-fi comedy series from Shadowmachine studio (Robot Chicken, BoJack Horseman) and featuring the voices of wrestling superstar/actor John Cena and 2 Broke Girls star Kat Dennings. The eight-episode first season will debut in 2018.
Cena plays a warrior-poet named Robo with Dennings as sassy space trucker Dallas — together, they travel the cosmos evading cannibal bikers, rival truckers and vengeful vending machine burritos as they try to make a few bucks in the seedy interplanetary big-rigging biz.
The voice cast also features Jane Lynch, Dana Snyder, Giancarlo Esposito, Clancy Brown, Bree Williamson, Nat Faxon, Taran Killam and Milana Vayntrub.
Roberts also serves as executive producer, along with series writers Matt Mariska (Robot Chicken) and Andy Sipes (Archer), and Cena.
