Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • Anima 2017 Announces Italian & Portuguese Focus

    Anima 2017 Announces Italian & Portuguese Focus

    Anima, the Brussels International Animation Festival (Feb. 24-Mar. 5, 2017 in Flagey) is gearing up for its annual spring fling. This year, the Festival will present focuses on Italian and Portuguese animation on top of its international feature competition, and international/national shorts and graduate film competitions — organizers expect close to 300 films for the official selection.

    The list of short films in competition is available at www.animafestival.be. Part of the Anima program will tour to Liege, Namur, Chaleroi, Mons, Antwerp, Ghent and Louvain.

    Feature film highlights will include kid-friendly fare Snowtime! (Jean-François Pouliot and François Brisson, Canada), The Big Cheese Race (Rasmus Sivertsen, Denmark) and Rabbit School (Ute von Münchow-Pohl, Germany). For the grown-ups, unique viewpoints can be found in Bill Plympton’s Revengeance (US), Window Horses by Ann Marie Fleming (NFB Canada), Ethel and Ernest by Roger Mainwood (Lupus Films, UK) or In This Corner of the World by Sunao Katabuchi (MAPPA, Japan).

    Acclaimed stop-motion house LAIKA (Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings) will be presenting a conference session on its studio and filmmaking skills with Mark Shapiro. And for the first time ever, VR enters the picture as the Festival hosts the EXPERIENCE Brussels Virtual Reality Festival — nine days of specially curated animated films created in partnership with Anima.

    Finally, the Futuranima professional days (Feb. 27 – Mar. 4) will host a number of international guests discussing their latest productions. Already confirmed are: Arthur de Pins for the adaptation of his comic book Zombillenium into an animated feature, Sébastien Laudenbach for his feature The Girl Without Hands, Alessandro Rak for Cinderella the Cat and Benjamin Renner for the animated series The Big Bad Fox.

    On top of screenings and special events, Anima offers free animation workshops for kids, a week-long course for teens, meetings with filmmakers, exhibition, concerts, open-air screenings, a psychedelic Animated Night and entertaining installations.

    Full program details will be announced on February 1.

    Anima 2017
    Anima 2017
  • Mireille Soria Vacates DreamWorks Animation Co-Presidency

    Mireille Soria Vacates DreamWorks Animation Co-Presidency

    Mireille Soria is stepping out of her office as co-President of DreamWorks Animation, a post which she has held alongside Bonnie Arnold since the studio’s post-Comcast buy restructuring in August. Soria will be staying at DWA, returning to her role as producer for the Madagascar franchise.

    Soria and Arnold jointly became co-Presidents of DWA’s feature animation division in January of 2015, after CCO Bill Damaschke left, before being put in charge of the studio at large. Arnold will remain as President of DreamWorks Animation.

    DWA is integrating into Comcast’s NBCUniversal entertainment umbrella following the $3.8 billion acquisition. Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley informed DWA staff of Soria’s departure in a memo dated December 12 and released by Variety:

    “Mireille is an incredibly passionate and talented filmmaker who has contributed to the DreamWorks Animation legacy. She has shepherded a successful slate of films during her tenure at the studio, including the Madagascar franchise, of which she will continue to be involved as a producer,” Langley wrote in the announcement. “I want to personally thank both Mireille and Bonnie for their guidance and stewardship during this time of transition. As we close out 2016, we are energized for the New Year and looking forward to accomplishing great things together in 2017.”

    Soria most recently provided executive oversight for DWA’s 2017 releases The Boss Baby (March 31) and Captain Underpants (June 2). As a producer, she delivered for the studio Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Sinbad: Legends of the Seven Seas, 2005’s Madagascar and its follow-ups. She also served as a creative consultant on the Madagascar spin-off series, The Penguins of Madagascar.

    Mireille Soria and Bonnie Arnold
    Mireille Soria and Bonnie Arnold
  • Elizabeth Banks Voicing VR Character in ‘Asteroids!’

    Elizabeth Banks Voicing VR Character in ‘Asteroids!’

    Emmy-nominated actor Elizabeth Banks is expanding her voiceover career into the latest entertainment frontier, tackling the role of the adorable alien “Cheez” for Baobab Studios’ newest virtual reality animation project, ASTEROIDS! A Holiday Sneak Peek of the humorous, action-packed adventure launches today for Daydream, Samsung Gear and Oculus.

    Banks’ recent voice performances include Wyldstyle in The LEGO Movie franchise and Pizzazz in Moonbeam City, on top of her on-screen appearances in the Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect movies.

    “Elizabeth’s voice brings the heart-warming and blissfully innocent character of Cheez fully alive in ASTEROIDS! as viewers don a VR headset and become part of the completely engrossing animated story,” explains Maureen Fan, CEO and co-founder, Baobab Studios. “This story employs a secret, decodable and very fun alien language that she has fully and enthusiastically embraced in the voice of Cheez.”

    The full version of ASTEROIDS! will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January as part of the event’s official selection. In the experience, viewers take on the role of a helper-bot alongside a pair of quirky aliens, Mac and Cheez. Joined by their other robot sidekick, Peas, you wait for a chance to prove your worth on a dangerous mission in deep outer space. The chance finally comes when the spaceship is endangered by teeth-gnashing space-bugs and careening asteroids. With the others up to their alien eyeballs in trouble, it’s your job to save the day!

    ASTEROIDS! is Baobab’s second animated VR experience, a follow up to its acclaimed debut INVASION!, an award winner at Cannes and Tribeca. A feature film version of INVASION! is slated to be developed by Roth/Kirschenbaum (Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent).

    Asteroids!
    Asteroids!
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    VIDEO: Trollhunters – Jim Becomes the Trollhunter
    Guillermo del Toro’s amazing animated world comes to life in DreamWorks Animation’s Netflix Original Series, arriving Friday, Dec. 23. (Read more about it in the February issue of Animation Magazine!)

    Rodeo FX Works Its Magic for ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’
    The Montreal studio delivered 126 VFX shots for the latest entry in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. (Read more about the film’s effects in the January issue of Animation Magazine!)

    Discovery Kids Announces Its Second India Series ‘Sheikh Chilli & Friendz’
    Network continues its “go local” push with the new CG series from Mayapuri Group and iRealities Ent., set to debut early next year.

    Loot Anime by Loot Crate: Featuring Sailor Moon
    You have until Dec. 28 to order this month’s Loot Anime, which features special items from Cowboy Bebop, Space Patrol Luluco, Robotech and Sailor Moon!

    VIDEO: Pool Table Fit for Legend of Zelda! – Super-Fan Builds
    The latest episode of AWEme’s Super-Fan Builds, Man at Arms creates a hand-carved table inspired by the hit Nintendo franchise, complete with blue sword pool cues.

    Trollhunters
    Trollhunters
  • ‘The ZhuZhus’ Return to Disney Channel Jan. 7

    ‘The ZhuZhus’ Return to Disney Channel Jan. 7

    Need something cartoony and cuddly to look forward to? The ZhuZhus animated series is returning to Disney Channel for a super-cute New Year’s celebration! New adventures featuring Frankie and her pets Pipsqueak, Num Nums, Chunk and Mr. Squiggles will premiere every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. from January 7 to 29.

    The fuzzy fun begins Sat., Jan. 7 with “Zhu Years Eve” — in which Frankie and the Zhus plan a New Year’s party for the history books, as long as Frankie can stay awake — and “Lookies for Cookies,” in which Squiggles misplaces the family cookie jar in a treasure hunt gone wrong.

    Further premieres throughout the month will be “Storming the Cat Castle/Ha Ha Hamsters” (Jan. 8), “Fur-Vivor/Zhuper Girl” (Jan. 14), “Wingin’ It/Friendship Friend-zy” (Jan. 15), “Dreams O’Clock/Badge to the Bone” (Jan. 21), “Full Groan/The Shell Game” (Jan. 22), “If Wishes Were Rainbows/Deja Zhu” (Jan. 28) and “A Total Bust a Move/The Grand ZhuZhu Pets Hotel” (Jan. 29).

    Produced by Nelvana and inspired by the ZhuZhu Pets toy phenomenon that took off in 2009, The ZhuZhus delights young fans with the hijinks of a curious bunch of fun-seeking furry adventurers who live with their human friend Frankie in Anytown. With their distinctive coloring, undeniable charm, and fur-raising escapades, the ZhuZhus certainly prove they are no ordinary pets – they’re extraordinary!

    The ZhuZhus
    The ZhuZhus
    The ZhuZhus
    The ZhuZhus

  • Gordon Hunt, Voice Director and Acting Coach, Dies at 87

    Gordon Hunt, who is credited as recording director on hundreds of TV cartoons, has died. Also highly regarded for his live-action sitcom directing, the multitalented California native and father to actor Helen Hunt passed away Saturday night at his home in Sherman Oaks at age 87, according to The Holiday Reporter. Hunt had Parkinson’s disease but had been teaching his acting class until recently.

    Hunt spent years as the casting director at the Mark Taper Forum in LA before he began as head of the voice department for Hanna-Barbera in the early 1980s, where he worked for about a decade. His credits there include directing the recordings for The Smurfs, Richie Rich, The Jetsons, Super Friends, The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo.

    “There was only a small coterie of voice actors [when I started], and so I began to bring in people from the theater whom I had worked with who turned out to be really, really good at doing this,” he said in a 2005 interview. “[They were] people like Rene Auberjonois, Ed Asner, really skilled actors who really loved coming in and doing these cartoons. And Jonathan Winters was Grandpa Smurf. We had classic actors as well, like Mel Blanc and some of those other great voices. I was there at the golden age of voiceovers. It was quite a treat for me.”

    Hunt also took a few turns at voice acting himself — he was the voice of the perpetually work-shirking Wally in UPN’s Dilbert (1999-2000). In the early 2000s, he also moved into recording director roles on video games.

    In the 1990s, Hunt moved to the live-action realm, directing 31 episodes of Mad About You, which starred his daughter Helen. He won a DGA Award for an episode of this show in 1996. He also directed episodes of Caroline in the City, Coach, Frasier and Suddenly Susan.

    Gordon Hunt is survived by his wife, voice actress B.J. Ward; daughters Helen and Colleen; brothers George and Peter; and three grandchildren.

    Gordon Hunt
    Gordon Hunt
  • Marianne O’Reilly Named COO of Cinesite Animation

    Marianne O’Reilly Named COO of Cinesite Animation

    London- and Montreal-based studio Cinesite has hired industry mainstay Marianne O’Reilly as Chief Operating Officer for its feature animation studio in Quebec. Based out of the Montreal facility, O’Reilly will be responsible for the oversight, development and management of service work as the studio continues to grow its roster of animated feature films.

    Under O’Reilly’s leadership, the Cinesite Animation studio will increase its capacity to span two floors within the building to support of the current productions on 3QU Media’s four-film slate — including Charming and Gnome Alone.

    “I’m thrilled to take on the COO role at this critical time, and to connect again with colleagues in the Montreal film community. Cinesite Animation is a dynamic studio with a strong reputation, growing from 3QU’s slate of films and beyond,” said O’Reilly. “We have a number of exciting projects ahead, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with our clients and supporting our talented international crew. Montreal is a city with great heart and beauty; a perfect backdrop for storytelling. I’m happy to call it my new home.”

    O’Reilly joins the company from Vancouver Film School, where she was responsible for 300 graduates per year and 65 faculty members as Head of Animation & Visual Effects. Beginning her career at Rainmaker as a VFX producer, O’Reilly rose to the role of President of its VFX and animation division. During her tenure, O’Reilly helmed an award-winning team of producers, supervisors, artists, department heads and administration in Vancouver and London. She effectively lead all aspects of the Vancouver & London CIS facilities, while navigating the successful transition from Rainmaker to CIS upon purchase by Deluxe Ent. in 2008.

    O’Reilly’s appointment follows Cinesite Animation’s hiring of former Illumination Entertainment executive Dave Rosenbaum as Chief Creative Officer.

    Marianne O’Reilly
    Marianne O’Reilly
  • GKIDS Announces ‘Zucchini’ English Voice Cast

    GKIDS Announces ‘Zucchini’ English Voice Cast

    GKIDS has revealed the star-studded English language voice cast for Golden Globe nominee My Life as a Zucchini, directed by Claude Barras. The English version will feature the voices of Will Forte, Nick Offerman, Ellen Page and Amy Sedaris, and will have its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival before receiving a wide theatrical release in February (both English and original French versions).

    My Life as a Zucchini is the official Swiss submission and has been shortlisted for the “Best Foreign Language” category for the 2017 Academy Awards, where it is also in consideration for Best Animated Feature. The film was recently nominated for Best Motion Picture – Animated for the 2017 Golden Globe Awards, named the Best Animated European Film by the European Film Awards, and Best Swiss Film by the Association of Swiss Film Critics.

    The stop-motion film made its acclaimed world premiere earlier this year in the Director’s Fortnight section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. It went on to win both the Grand Prize (Cristal) and Audience Award at the 2016 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and beat out 350 features to win the Audience Award – Best Feature at the Melbourne International Film Festival. My Life as a Zucchini made its North American premiere at this year’s 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, and it will also play at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in addition to Sundance.

    Read Karen Idelson’s feature story from the January ‘17 issue of Animation Magazine for more on the film.

    My Life as a Zucchini
    My Life as a Zucchini
  • VIDEO: Wes Anderson Details ‘Isle of Dogs’ Stop-Mo Project

    VIDEO: Wes Anderson Details ‘Isle of Dogs’ Stop-Mo Project

    Wes Anderson is returning to the stop-motion animation realm nearly a decade after he first boarded Fantastic Mr. Fox. In a video released through Vimeo, The Grand Budapest Hotel director reveals the cast list and a first look at one of the main canine characters of his latest (yet undated) project: Isle of Dogs.

    In the video, Anderson rattles off a cast list which includes regular accomplices Bill Murray, Bob Balaban and Edward Norton (who makes a charmingly self-conscious cameo in the clip), newcomers Scarlett Johansson and Greta Gerwig (voice of Pony Merks in China, IL), plus F. Murray Abraham, Bryan Cranston, Jeff Goldblum, Akira Ito, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, Kunichi Nomura, Yoko Ono, Koyu Rankin, Liev Schreiber, Tilda Swinton, Akira Takayama and Courtney B. Vance.

    Mr. Fox collaborators Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders will once again be the puppet masters, returning along with composer Alexandre Desplat and cinematographer Tristan Oliver.

    Anderson is also partnering with Crowdrise, which released the video, to give fans the chance to voice a character in the film and visit the set in London. Viewers can donate $10 to The Film Foundation — Martin Scorsese’s film preservation organization — to enter the sweepstakes.

    Isle of Dogs
    Isle of Dogs
  • Sony Teases ‘Emoji Movie’ with Steven Wright as “Meh”

    Sony Teases ‘Emoji Movie’ with Steven Wright as “Meh”

    Sony Picture Animation has launched a first mobile teaser trailer for its upcoming 21st century comedy The Emoji Movie, featuring new voice talent Steven Wright as “Mel Meh,” in what can only be considered a casting triumph. For the first 24-hours, the trailer will be optimized for mobile viewing before an extended version launches in theaters. The Emoji Movie hits theaters nationwide August 4.

    Further, the studio is teaming up with some of the most popular phone apps out there to send the movie’s emoji characters through a teen’s library of games and apps: Candy Crush Saga, Dropbox, Instagram, Just Dance, Spotify, Twitter and YouTube. Some apps will be presented as standalone worlds in the film, with the characters riding rushing streams of music through Spotify and playing for their lives though Candy Crush. Crackle, Facebook, Shazam, Snapchat and Twitch will also appear in the movies.

    “We knew early on that we wanted actual apps in the movie, to ground it in reality and raise the stakes for our characters,” said SPA President Kristine Belson. “The fact that each app we approached said yes right away was an incredible testament to how engaging and relevant this movie is.”

    Actor-comedian Steven Wright voices Mel Meh, father to the film’s overly emotive hero, Gene (T.J. Miller). The Emoji Movie follows Gene and his handy best friend Hi-5 (James Corden) as they team up with notorious codebreaker Jailbreak (Ilana Glazer) and set out on an epic “app-venture” through the phone that houses their hometown of Textopolis. But when a greater danger threatens the phone, Gene must set aside his quest to be a “normal” one-expression emoji, and the three unlikely friends unite to save their world before it’s deleted forever.

    “Everyone – from your preschooler to your grandmother – sends emojis every day to share love, frustration, happiness…” said director Tony Leondis. “We all have an immediate connection with these icons that we send out as ways to express ourselves, and it paved the way for a very rich story and characters that audiences of all ages and backgrounds will be able to relate to.”

    Director Leondis also penned The Emoji Movie script with Eric Siegel and Mike White. Michelle Raimo Kouyate serves as producer.

    The Emoji Movie
    The Emoji Movie
    The Emoji Movie
    The Emoji Movie
  • Saw Gerrera Returns in ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Season 3

    Saw Gerrera Returns in ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Season 3

    Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker will be reprising his Rogue One starring role as Rebel freedom fighter Saw Gerrera in a new episode of Star Wars Rebels, “Ghosts of Geonosis, Parts One and Two,” premiering on Disney XD Saturday, January 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

    “There’s the myth and there’s the man, and sometimes his methods are extreme. He’s just someone that doesn’t believe in playing nice all the time.” — Rayne Roberts, Creative Executive of Lucasfilm Story Group, on Saw Gerrera.

    In a newly released featurette (watch it below), get a look at the latest animated incarnation of Saw — who was first introduced in TV’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2015) as a guerilla fighting for his home planet. Created by George Lucas, the character received training from the Jedi (Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano) and presaged the formation of the Rebel Alliance.

    “Forest did a great job capturing Saw in a way that he is both a bit mad, a bit crazed, a bit afraid, but also a bit sympathetic. He sees something coming and no one will listen to him, to take action before it’s too late,” Dave Filoni, Executive Producer and Supervising Director, remarks in the video.

    Star Wars Rebels
    Star Wars Rebels

  • Jemaine Clement Is So “Shiny” in Disney’s ‘Moana’

    All those cheery box office results must be putting Disney Animation in a very good mood, as they’ve released the full video sequence for Moana musical sequence “Shiny.”

    The number is written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and features the cruelly crustaceous vocal stylings of Flight of the Conchords‘ Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa. Check it out below and look for the Moana original motion picture soundtrack wherever music is sold and streamed — available now in two-disc deluxe and digital deluxe editions.

    Moana
    Moana
  • CBBC Adds Tiger Aspect’s Tim Searle, Ups Anna Davies

    CBBC Adds Tiger Aspect’s Tim Searle, Ups Anna Davies

    UK’s CBBC Productions has boosted its scripted production team with the appointment of Tim Searle, formerly of Tiger Aspect, to oversee its animated comedy division; and the elevation of Anna Davies, promoted to Head of Drama Development.

    As the new Executive Producer of Animation at CBBC Prod., Tim Searle will lead the pubcaster’s in-house toon comedy slate — including the hit revamp of Danger Mouse, for which he serves as EP. He joins CBBC from Tiger Aspect, where he became Creative Director for Kids & Animation in 2015, having joined the studio in 2013 as series director for Mr. Bean.

    Searle also founded Baby Cow Animation in 2001 with Steve Coogan and Henry Normal. A member of Skillset Animation Group and Animation UK, his credits include I Am Not an Animal, Horrible Histories (BBC), Dara O’Briain’s School of Hard Sums (Dave), Man Down (C4), The Cow that Almost Missed Christmas (CBeebies), Uncle Wormsley’s Christmas (Sky Arts), and Warren United (ITV).

    Anna Davies has been with CBBC Prod. since 2012 as a senior development producer, serving as creative lead across a variety of scripted projects — including the upcoming TV adaptation of author-illustrator Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch. Davies career highlights also include serving as a scripted development exec at Lime Pictures and a stint at ITV Productions.

    Tim Searle
    Tim Searle
  • ‘Thomas & Friends’ on Track for Discovery Kids LatAm

    ‘Thomas & Friends’ on Track for Discovery Kids LatAm

    The world’s most famous tank engine is embarking on his biggest international adventure yet as the hour-long special Thomas & Friends: The Great Race is set to premiere exclusively on Discovery Kids Latin America alongside the latest TV series (season 20!) throughout December and across its feeds.

    The deal marks the eighth CG-animated season of the show on Discovery Kids, with all new episodes available to Latin American fans in Spanish and Portuguese.

    The Great Race is the 11th feature film for Thomas the Tank Engine. It includes the most songs ever featured in a Thomas movie special, and sees him take on an exciting adventure at the Great Railway Show. Along the way, he meets new trains from all over the world, including Ashima (India), Axel (Belgium), Yong Bao (China), Ivan (Russia), Etienne (France), Gina (Italy), Shane (Australia), Raul (Brazil) and Carlos (Mexico).

    The movie had its theatrical premiere in Mexico City last October, across 30 cinemas nationwide and a red carpet premiere event with musician Leonardo de Lozanne.

    “We are very proud to be the network that offers the smallest viewers of the household this exciting new movie, where kids and parents will be able to see this iconic character in a new and exciting context,” said Flavio Medeiros, Director of Programming and Acquisitions for Discovery Kids Latin America. “We are also looking forward to the premiere of new episodes of this beloved series during this festive season of the year.”

    Thomas & Friends
    Thomas & Friends
  • Netflix, Amazon, DHX, LEGO & YouTube Kids Lead Kidscreen Hot50

    Netflix, Amazon, DHX, LEGO & YouTube Kids Lead Kidscreen Hot50

    Kidscreen has unveiled the results of its 2016 “Hot50” ranking of the year’s best in broadcasting, production, distribution, licensing and digital media. The list was voted by Kidscreen magazine and newsletter subscribers, who were invited to pick their favorites over a three-week period.

    The final results by category are:

    BROADCASTING
    1. Netflix
    2. Cartoon Network
    3. PBS KIDS
    4. CBeebies
    5. Amazon
    6. NBCU Sprout
    7. Nickelodeon
    8. Corus Kids
    9. DHX Media
    10. Disney Channels Worldwide

    PRODUCTION
    1. Amazon Studios
    2. DHX Media
    3. Sinking Ship Entertainment
    4. Cartoon Network Studios
    5. Mattel
    6. Brown Bag Films
    7. 9 Story Media Group
    8. The LEGO Group
    9. Entertainment One
    10. Zag America/Zagtoon

    DISTRIBUTION
    1. DHX Media
    2. CAKE
    3. Entertainment One
    4. 9 Story Media Group
    5. The Jim Henson Company
    6. Sesame Workshop
    7. Sinking Ship Entertainment
    8. The Pokémon Company
    9. PBS Distribution
    10. Boat Rocker Rights

    LICENSING
    1. The LEGO Group
    2. Aardman Animations
    3. Entertainment One
    4. DHX Media
    5. Cartoon Network
    6. Nickelodeon Consumer Products
    7. Mattel
    8. Sesame Workshop
    9. Hasbro
    10. Rovio Entertainment

    DIGITAL MEDIA
    1. YouTube Kids
    2. Toca Boca
    3. PBS KIDS
    4. Cartoon Network
    5. DHX Media
    6. The Pokémon Company
    7. Sinking Ship Entertainment
    8. Rovio Entertainment
    9. DreamWorks TV
    10. Hopster

    The top-ranked companies in each category will be formally inducted into the Kidscreen Hot50 Hall of Fame in a celebration to be held during Kidscreen Summit 2017 (February 13-16 in Miami, Florida).

    Kidscreen Hot50
    Kidscreen Hot50
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    VIDEO: ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Announcement
    Ryan Gosling stars as K, an LAPD officer who uncovers a long-buried secret that leads him on a hunt for Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner missing for 30 years. Denis Villeneuve directs this Oct. 6 release. (Also, check out the VR experience coming to Oculus.)

    How the Body-Switching ‘Your Name.’ Became an Animated Oscar Contender
    Director Makoto Shinkai gives Bill Desowitz the down-low on his breakout anime hit for Indiewire. (Read more about the film in the Feb. ’17 issue of Animation Magazine.)

    There’s an RPG Called ‘Pugmire’ About Medieval Fantasy Dogs
    1 – Shut up and take my money. 2 – The studios better start bidding on the feature and series animation rights to this, ASAP.

    From Disney to Studio Ghibli: Why the Pen Is Mightier Than the Pixel
    Telegraph film critic Robbie Collin on the practical and artistic differences between the two leading mediums — as well as their increasing integration.

    Royal Shakespeare Company Reimagines ‘The Tempest’
    Check out more images from the incredible real-time animation feats in this theater project announced in November.

    Blade Runner 2049
    Blade Runner 2049
  • Walt Disney Studios Set to Hit Record $7B Box Office

    Walt Disney Studios Set to Hit Record $7B Box Office

    As of Monday, The Walt Disney Studios is securely on track to become the first studio ever to reach $7 billion at the global box office, setting a new industry record. With the force-ful $290 million worldwide debut of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the studios’ year-to-date gross adds up to $6,988.3 million for Jan. 1 through Dec. 18, 2016, including $2,700.4 million domestically (also an industry record) and $4,287.9 million internationally (a Disney record).

    These unprecedented results are fueled by hit films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, with 2016 marking the first time all five brands have released films in the same calendar year.

    “This historic achievement is possible because all of our film studios are bringing their absolute best to the table, telling great stories of all kinds that resonate with audiences across borders, gender, and generations,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “These films work because each one has not only something for everyone, but everything for someone. It’s our honor to be able to create these experiences for audiences, and we’re thankful to them for continuing to come out to the theater with us.”

    Currently, Disney holds five of the top 10 films of the year globally, domestically, and internationally, including the top four global, with three topping $1 billion and a fourth over $960 million, as well as the top three international and the top two domestic. Four releases opened above $100 million, more than any other studio in a single calendar year. With Captain America: Civil War‘s $179.1 million debut, Disney now holds five of the top six domestic openings in industry history; four are Marvel Cinematic Universe films. With Finding Dory and Zootopia, Disney holds four of the top five animated films of all time.

    Disney’s big money-makers this year include:

    Captain America: Civil War (Marvel, May 6): #1 global and international and #2 domestic film of the year. #5 opening of all time ($179.1 million). $408.1 million domestic and $745.1 million international. Global total: $1.15 billion, all-time #12.

    Finding Dory (Pixar, June 17): #1 domestic and #2 global release of 2016. #1 all-time animated debut ($135 million). #7 all-time domestic release with $486.3 million, plus $541.3 million international. Global total: $1.028 billion).

    Zootopia (Disney Animation, March 4): #3 global and #2 international release of the year. $341.3 million domestic and $682.5 million international, including $235 million in China where it is the #1 animated release of all time (admissions). Global total: $1.024 billion.

    The Jungle Book (Disney, April 15): #3 international and #4 global and domestic release of 2016. $364 million domestically, $602.6 million internationally, and $966.6 million globally. It is the biggest Western release of all time in India.

    Doctor Strange (Marvel, Nov. 4): #9 film of the year domestically and internationally and #10 film of the year globally. $226.2 million domestic and $426.6 million international. Still in release and not yet opened in Japan. Global total: $652.8 million to date.

    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Lucasfilm, Dec. 14 int’l/16 dom.): Opened domestically with $155.1 million and a global day-and-date debut of $290 million in five days of release. The film is yet to open in South Korea (Dec. 28) and China (Jan. 6).

    Disney’s 2016 grosses have also been bolstered by Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which debuted in December 2015 and earned $736.6 million of its $2 billion global total during the 2016 calendar year, as well as new release Moana, the second Disney Animation release of the year, which opened domestically on Nov. 23, becoming the #2 Thanksgiving debut ever with $82 million and earning $162.9 million to date in the US/Canada. Internationally, it has only opened in approximately 53% of territories, with debuts in Germany, Italy, and Australia over the next week and Brazil, South Korea, and Japan in 2017.

    The Walt Disney Studios
    The Walt Disney Studios

  • Margaret Loesch Named Kids Genius Cartoon Channel Exec Chair

    Genius Brands International has brought onboard children’s and family media executive Margaret Loesch as Executive Chairman of its Kids Genius Channel. Loesch will provide counsel to the channel’s new President, Deb Pierson — promoted from General Manager — as she spearheads aggressive growth plans for the platform.

    Pierson, a former Kabillion executive, joined Genius Brands in March 2016 as GM of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel, and has been responsible for growing the VOD service into a channel accessible to nearly 50 million US households. Pierson and Loesch will work in collaboration to continue its domestic and international expansion.

    Loesch brings four decades of success in kids’ broadcasting and family entertainment to the newly created Executive Chairman position. In addition to key leadership roles at some of the most successful kidnets, Loesch has lead development and/or production of iconic programs including Smurfs, My Little Pony, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, X-Men, Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies, Animaniacs and Transformers.

    “We are extraordinarily fortunate to have the dean of children’s broadcasters, Margaret Loesch, expand on her role as a board member of Genius Brands International to join the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel as its Executive Chairman, given her outstanding background in creating and building successful kid’s networks. As founder and CEO of Fox Kids Worldwide, she stewarded the Company until shortly before its sale to the Walt Disney Company for $5.4 billion dollars and in her career, she has repeatedly generated success time and time again,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Genius Brands.

    “It is truly remarkable what Andy and the Genius Brands’ team have accomplished with the Kid Genius Cartoon Channel in such a short amount of time,” Loesch responded. “I joined the Company’s board of directors last year because I believed in the mission and direction of the Company, and I am excited to provide insight and counsel in collaboration with Deb Pierson to build this video on demand channel into a leading global children’s digital platform.”

    Throughout her formidable career, Loesch has held senior creative and business roles with leading companies. She was the founding President and CEO of Discover and Hasbro’s Hub TV Network, and had oversight of all business and creative areas of the network. Loesch was also the first President and CEO of Crown Media United States, responsible for the creation of its U.S. cable television network, Hallmark Channel; and President of Television Worldwide for The Jim Henson Company, where she served as executive producer of Bear in the Big Blue House.

    Margaret Loesch became founding President and CEO of Fox Kids Network, Worldwide in 1990, which under her leadership expanded into Latin America, Australia, and the UK, before eventually being sold to the Walt Disney Company for $5.4 billion dollars. Prior to that she was President and CEO of Marvel Comics’ film production arm, Marvel Productions, where she executive produced multiple hit series, including G.I. Joe, Transformers, Jem and the Holograms, Dungeons and Dragons, My Little Pony and Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies.

    Among Loesch’s industry awards are multiple Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, a CableFAX Most Powerful Women in Cable Award, a CableFAX 100 Award, an IFF Film Excellence Award, a Vision Award, the Chair Award from the Caucus for Television Producers, Writers and Directors, and a career lifetime achievement honor from the Cynopsis Kids !magination Awards.

    Deb Pierson brings over 25 years of experience in children’s entertainment experience to her post as President, including almost six years as VP of Sales and Marketing for multiplatform kids’ entertainment channel Kabillion. Prior to Kabillion, Pierson served as VP of Specialty Merchandise for Neopets, where she created the independent retailer merchandise and licensing strategy for the brand, bringing Neopets to market for their 25 million registered users and leading the product development, manufacturing, licensing and sales for the Neopets’ Specialty Merchandise division.

    Genius Brands International
    Genius Brands International
  • ‘Rock Dog’ Gets Tail-Wagging New Trailer

    ‘Rock Dog’ Gets Tail-Wagging New Trailer

    Summit Premiere will be introducing audiences to a new breed of rock star early next year with the February 24, 2017 theatrical release of Rock Dog — a new animated comedy from Oscar-nominated writer-director Ash Brannon (Surf’s Up, co-director Toy Story 2). Check out the new trailer below.

    The Chinese-American CG co-production features the voices of J.K. Simmons, Luke Wilson, Eddie Izzard, Lewis Black, Kenan Thompson, Mae Whitman and Jorge Garcia, with Matt Dillon and Sam Elliot as “Fleetwood Yak.”

    The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel Tibetan Rock Dog by Zheng Jun, with a screenplay by Brannon and Kurt Voelker. Rock Dog is presented by Lionsgate’s Summit Premiere, and is a production of Huayi Brothers Media Corp. and Mandoo Pictures, in association with Huayi Tencent Ent. Co., Eracme Ent. and Dream Factory Group.

    Synopsis:

    For the Tibetan Mastiffs living on Snow Mountain, a dog’s life has a simple riff: Guard a peaceful village of wool-making sheep from the thuggish wolf Linnux (Lewis Black) and his rabid pack. To avoid distractions, Mastiff leader Khampa (J.K. Simmons) forbids all music from the mountain. But when Khampa’s son Bodi (Luke Wilson) discovers a radio dropped by a passing airplane, it takes just a few guitar licks for his fate to be sealed: Bodi wants to be a rock ‘n’ roll star.

    That means defying his father’s wishes, heading to the city, and locating the legendary – and reclusive – musician Angus Scattergood (Eddie Izzard), who needs to write a new song and fast. If Bodi can put a band together, help Angus with his song, and defeat the wolves’ plot to take Snow Mountain, he will become what he’s always dreamed of being: More than a dog … more than a Rock God… a ROCK DOG!

    Rock Dog
    Rock Dog
  • ‘SuperMansion’ Takes Flight on Adult Swim Jan. 1

    ‘SuperMansion’ Takes Flight on Adult Swim Jan. 1

    Adult Swim will be ringing in the new year with its latest animated acquisition: the stop-motion comedy series SuperMansion, created by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios (Robot Chicken) and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. Season one will make its AS debut January 1 at midnight ET/PT.

    The series features the voices of Bryan Cranston, Zeb Wells and Keegan-Michael Key, with hilarious guest stars including Seth Green, Chris Pine, Nick Kroll, Ron Perlman, Jim Parsons, and others. SuperMansion is created and executive produced by Matthew Senreich and Zeb Wells, with Bryan Cranston, Seth Green, John Harvatine, Eric Towner and James Degus executive producing.

    Synopsis:

    Titanium Rex (voiced by Bryan Cranston) is an aging superhero who has long been the head of the League of Freedom, a once-proud assembly of super heroes that isn’t what it used to be. The irascible Titanium Rex finds himself playing mentor to a new crop of Millennial-aged heroes who have little interest in their noble profession. Much to Titanium Rex’s chagrin, they’re all thrown together to live in the SuperMansion, where the young heroes learn how to harness their superpowers and fight for justice, liberty… and the need to stay relevant to society.

    SuperMansion
    SuperMansion