Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • SIGGRAPH Asia Reveals 2016 Computer Animation Fest Winners

    SIGGRAPH Asia Reveals 2016 Computer Animation Fest Winners

    The winners of SIGGRAPH Asia’s Computer Animation Festival 2016 have been announced, with rising talent from India, Germany and New Zealand set to receive honors at the awards ceremony on December 6. A total of 433 submissions from 34 countries flooded in for the latest edition, of which 63 films will be screened at the Electronic Theatre and Animation Theatre during SIGGRAPH Asia — taking place in Macao at The Venetian, Dec. 5-8.

    “The Computer Animation Festival is one of the greatest highlights of SIGGRAPH Asia,” said awards chair Victor Wong Wang Tat. “In the past, when the tools for creating computer animation were being developed and refined, the entries that we’ve received were mainly technical. However, over the past decade, those tools have advanced to a much higher level, enabling artists bring their imagination to life more intuitively. This year, we had over 433 entries, which included both visually stunning and technically intense pieces. There were over 10 entries where all of the members of the jury agreed that they might win and surprisingly, half of these entries were created by students!”

    All submissions were evaluated by a jury of professionals from the visual effects, animation, research and development, games, advertising and education fields. Since 1999, the Computer Animation Festival has been distinguished as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards, with the Best in Show winner eligible for nomination in the Best Animated Short category next year. Visit https://sa2016.siggraph.org/en/ for more information on this year’s conference, exhibition and festival.

    Best of Show

    Schirkoa (India)

    Directed by Ishan Shukla; produced by Sharad Varma

    In the dystopian city of Schirkoa, a high­ profile senate member, 197(A), faces a tough choice between his political career and love for a mysterious woman. This is a choice that will transform their lives and the city in unimaginable ways. The film is metaphorical reaction to the world we live in; a mental dystopia with a misinterpreted idea of a “perfect life.”

    Ishan Shuklais an award-winning Indian CG artist and filmmaker with a strong penchant for storytelling and has been engaged in creating comics, films and stage-plays since childhood. After dropping out of an engineering college to pursue animation, he graduated from 3D Sense Media School Singapore in 2008. Between 2008-2012, Shukla was based in Singapore spearheading projects ranging from TV commercials to TV series. He then took a two-year sabbatical to work on Schirkoa. The look and design of the film is inspired by both classic anime and modern stylized games. He is now working as a CG Lead at an animation studio in India while working on personal projects in his spare time.

    Jury’s Choice

    Accidents, Blunders and Calamities (New Zealand)

    Directed by James Cunningham; produced by James Cunningham and Oliver Hilbert

    Inspired by the Edward Gorey classic, this black comedy for kids and parents alike is a hilarious and brutal alphabet of death and mayhem exacted upon animals by ignorant humans. 30 CGI animals were meticulously crafted and killed by a team of 44 students at Media Design School.

    James Cunninghamstarted as an animator/director while completing his Masters degree at Elam School of Fine Arts. His third film, Infection, competed at Cannes 2000, Sundance 2001 and dozens of other international film festivals and started off two key paths in his career as a director and visual effects artist and supervisor. In 2009, he took time out to make his second NZFC-funded short film, Poppy, a 10-minute CGI motion-captured WWI drama about a man finding salvation in the midst of hell. This film took out the top prize at SIGGRAPH Asia 2010. Since then, Cunningham has been teaching at New Zealand’s top institution for animation and visual effects, Media Design School, where he first met filmmaking partner Oliver Hilbert.

    Best Student Project

    BreakingPoint(Germany; Filmakademie’s Animationinstitut)

    Directed by Martin Lapp; produced by Anica Maruhn, Tobias Gerginov and Francesco Faranna

    The phenomenon “hysterical strength” is a display of extreme strength by humans, beyond what is believed to be normal, usually occurring when people are in life and death situations. We witness a mother giving birth to her child and follow her journey on a more metaphorical level.

    Born 1988 in Tübingen, Martin Lapp studied at the Merz Akademie Stuttgart and later switched to the Filmakademie Ludwigsburg to study animation with a focus on visual effects. During his studies, he worked as a VFX artist as well as an on set VFX supervisor for professional films and advertisement projects. He was a CG artist on several commercials and feature films at Method Studios in Los Angeles. He won the Visual Effects Society Award for his film Rugbybugs and was chosen “Student of the Year, Runner Up” at the annual Autodesk Student Awards. In 2015, he received a scholarship from Sony (Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence) and graduated with his diploma project BreakingPoint in 2016. He was selected “Student of the Year” again at “The Rookies” (formerly the Autodesk Student Awards) and currently works at Trixter Film in Munich as an FX Artist on Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

    Accidents, Blunders and Calamities
    Accidents, Blunders and Calamities
    BreakingPoint
    BreakingPoint
    Schirkoa
    Schirkoa
  • Jazwares Named ‘Miffy and Friends’ Master Toy Licensee

    Jazwares Named ‘Miffy and Friends’ Master Toy Licensee

    Jazwares has been appointed the North American master toy partner for Merci’s preschool animation brand Miffy and Friends. The company plans to offer a full line including figures, vehicles, playsets and plush at a range of price points, with the first products hitting shelves in Fall 2017.

    “Miffy is a charming brand with great new content that lends itself to timeless childhood moments of fun,” said Laura Zebersky, CCO, Jazwares. “We are elated to carry forward that timeless joy into a delightful and imaginative line of toys.”

    Rich Collins, CEO of Big Tent Entertainment, which acts as licensing agent for the brand in North America, added: “Jazwares is an ideal partner for the Miffy and Friends brand. The collaboration will produce creative and innovative toys that will entertain children for hours and provide value for parents as well.”

    A brand-new TV series featuring the brand’s characters, Miffy’s Adventures Big and Small, premiered on Nick Jr. in the US last month, while the classic Miffy and Friends fare airs on Nickelodeon’s NOGGIN. Both shows are based on the award-winning book series from author/illustrator Dick Bruna, which have sold more than 85 million copies and are currently published in more than 50 languages.

    Miffy and Friends
    Miffy and Friends
  • Clip: Disney Junior Calls Action for ‘Lights, Camera, Lexi’

    Clip: Disney Junior Calls Action for ‘Lights, Camera, Lexi’

    Disney Junior is going to introduce movie magic to young cinephiles in an all-new, highly animated way with the debut of its latest short-form series Lights, Camera, Lexi. The first five shorts will arrive on the Disney Junior App on Monday, Nov. 21, and will air on Disney Channel throughout that week. And right now, you can check out the “Spaghetti Western” episode in advance, featuring animation by Melissa Shepherd.

    Lights, Camera, Lexi stars enthusiastic kid filmmaker Lexi Lopez, who in each episode presents her young viewers with a different animation technique and movie genre, from silent film to sci-fi. Each installment spotlights an original short, each created by a different animation director/artist pulled from a variety of backgrounds — from recent CalArts grad Nak Yong Choi, to animation teacher Beck Underwood (Lower East Side Girls Club), to children’s book illustrator Barbara Bakos, who hails from Budapest.

    To complement the series debut, the Disney Junior App will have a same-day launch of Lexi’s Movie Maker, a digital experience that allows youngsters to make their own animated mini-movies using music, voice-over, props and backgrounds.

    Confirmed shorts to be featured in the first season of Lights, Camera, Lexi are: “STARSHIP NINE: The Ornite Mission” (sci-fi) by Beck Underwood, “Kiwi’s First Flight” (musical) by Heather Fortin, “Spaghetti Western” (western) by Melissa Shepherd, “The Great Pecan Pie Mystery” (film noir) by Barbara Bakos, “The Little Janitor” (silent film) by Tom Smith, “A Lobster to Remember” (romance) by Jeremy Jensen, “Bug the Superheroes” (documentary) by Nak Yong Choi, and “The New Werewolf on the Block” (suspense) by Chris Hamilton.

    Lights, Camera, Lexi
    Lights, Camera, Lexiq
  • Disney Junior Orders Season 5 of ‘Doc McStuffins’

    Disney Junior Orders Season 5 of ‘Doc McStuffins’

    Disney Junior is following doctor’s orders, re-upping its Peabody Award-winning animated hit Doc McStuffins for a fifth season. Since its March 2012 premiere, the show has received acclaim for its aspirational young hero, who wants to be a doctor like her mom. The season order was announced today by Nancy Kanter, EVP and General Manager of Disney Junior Worldwide.

    “Doc McStuffins is an unmistakable example of our commitment to powerful storytelling that enriches and enlightens kids,” said Kanter. “I can think of no other children’s television show in recent history that has touched as many lives and made the kind of impact around the world that Doc has. Our viewers have forged a deep connection with this series and are very vocal about how strongly they believe in these characters. We are excited to share with them many more stories about Doc and her toys when season five begins airing in 2018.”

    Shortly after the series launched, a group of female African-American physicians began a “movement” they coined “We Are Doc McStuffins.” Seeing a reflection of themselves in the Doc character and the opportunity to inspire young girls, the group grew to form the Artemis Medical Society, an organization which now boasts a membership of over 4700 women physicians of color from around the world.

    The show has many fans outside of its target audience of kids 2-7, including socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell who recently called it “One of the most important shows in the history of television.” First Lady Michelle Obama even guest starred on an episode, and hosted a special White House screening for military families of a Veterans Day-themed episode. Doc McStuffins has also welcomed Anthony Anderson, Audra McDonald, Geena Davis, David Copperfield, Taye Diggs, Patton Oswalt and Carson Daly as guest stars.

    Created and executive produced by Humanitas Prize and Emmy Award-winning Chris Nee, Doc McStuffins has been honored with a Peabody Award (2015) recognizing outstanding storytelling in electronic media and NAACP Image Awards (2016, 2015) for Outstanding Children’s Program. The series has consistently been a Top 10 preschool cable TV series in key demographics; averages 16 million views on the Disney Junior app, VOD and Hulu; and reaches 150 million viewers worldwide each quarter.

    Offscreen, Doc McStuffins has inspired an immersive traveling museum exhibit (currently at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis), and Doc features prominently at Disney Parks through character meet-and-greets and in the popular “Disney Junior Live on Stage!” at Disney California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The property has expanded to over 1,350 book titles globally (Disney Publishing Worldwide); a robust consumer products range including 2016 Toy of the Year (TIA) Doc McStuffins Pet Vet Checkup Center by Just Play; soundtrack and digital EP (Walt Disney Records) and seven DVDs, most recently Doc McStuffins: Toy Hospital.

    Doc McStuffins airs daily on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. The series is a production of Academy Award nominated Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Channel. Emmy winner Norton Virgien (Rugrats) serves as supervising director and co-executive producer. Michael G. Stern (Sofia the First) serves as co-executive producer and story editor. The Hollywood Health & Society division of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center provides the series’ health and medical consulting, advising on basic health issues that are relevant to young kids and families.

    Doc McStuffins
    Doc McStuffins
  • Clip: LAIKA Rocks the Boat for ‘Kubo,’ on Disc Nov. 22

    Clip: LAIKA Rocks the Boat for ‘Kubo,’ on Disc Nov. 22

    LAIKA’s critically acclaimed stop-motion folkloric fantasy adventure Kubo and the Two Strings arrives on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and DVD on November 22 (available on Digital HD now!), and the BD releases especially are packed with bonus features meant to answer the awestruck audience question, How did they DO that?

    As an appetizer, we’re delighted to share this cool behind-the-scenes clip in which director Travis Knight, lighting/camera lead Dean Holmes, animation supervisor Brad Schiff and voice star Charlize Theron (Monkey) discuss how all the elements of artistry, engineering and movie magic come together to address the unique challenges of stop-motion animation.

    Cross-release bonus highlights include audio commentary with director/producer Travis Knight and “Corners of the Earth”; BD releases also include the “Kubo’s Journey” behind-the-scenes series (Japanese Inspiration, Mythological Monsters, Braving the Elements, The Redemptive and Healing Power of Magic, plus intro and epilogue by Knight), and “The Myth of Kubo.”

    Synopsis:

    Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of Game of Thrones) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Akihiro (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) and Kameyo (Academy Award nominee Brenda Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara) to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny.

    Kubo and the Two Strings
    Kubo and the Two Strings
  • DHX Sells 2,400+ Half-Hours of Kids Content to China VOD

    DHX Sells 2,400+ Half-Hours of Kids Content to China VOD

    DHX Media has secured five new deals that expands the kids’ content company’s presence in China, with over 2,400 half-hours of preschool and children’s fare licensed to VOD services in the country. The deal spans 19 series, including classic Teletubbies, Caillou, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Twirlywoos, Inspector Gadget, Super WHY! And Messy Goes to OKIDO.

    These shows will now have local SVOD homes on Shanghai Media Group’s Best TV and SiTV platforms (986 half-hours); Mango (468 half-hours); PPLive (519 half-hours) and Youku Tudou (390 half-hours). In addition, iQiyi has added 51 half-hours to the 400 half-hours of DHX content already available on its platform.

    The new quintet of deals highlights DHX’s established and growing presence in China, in both English and Mandarin. The Canada-based company is represented with more than 6,100 half-hours of its content currently available across 13 VOD platforms, including Alibaba and LeTV, and a partnership with state broadcaster China National Television.

    “Our kids’ content performs incredibly well in this major market, as evidenced by the deals we have signed with China’s largest streaming and linear broadcasters over the past two years for a significant volume of library content,” said Josh Scherba, SVP Distribution for DHX Media. “These newest deals further underscore our position as the go-to distributor for kids’ content with proven global appeal.”

    Twirlywoos
    Twirlywoos

  • Jason MacLeod Steps Up as Business Rep for Animation Guild

    Members of the Animation Guild have determined that Jason MacLeod, a lighting artist with Disney Animation, will replace Steve Hulett as the group’s business representative. Hulett is retiring after holding the guild office since 1989.

    “I’m very honored to be elected to represent the membership” said MacLeod. “Animation in all forms is doing spectacularly well in the marketplace – but this hasn’t translated to a work-life balance our members are happy with. I look forward to partnering with the Executive Board, listening to our members concerns, and working in union to achieve our goals in the next contract cycle.”

    Hulett commented, “Jason has a big job ahead of him. The Guild has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade, and animation continues to be a red hot sector of the entertainment industry. There will be plenty of challenges ahead, but I know Jason is up to them.” The outgoing biz rep worked for a decade as a writer at Walt Disney Animation Studios in the 1970s-80s. He was preceded in the role by long-time Disney artist Harry “Bud” Hester.

    The Animation Guild operates as Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, representing approximately 2,500 artists, writers and technicians working in animation. The Guild holds contracts with Disney, DreamWorks, FOX TV, Nickelodeon, Sony and Warner Bros.

    Nickelodeon Animation Studios last week ratified a new two-year collective bargaining agreement covering some 240 employees, ensuring 10 days’ sick leave per year and containing the gains scored by the Guild in a 2015 deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. These include a 3% wage minimum increase, hikes in the Motion Picture Industry Pension Plan, and larger pension and health plan contributions.

    Jason MacLeod (Courtesy of Local 839 IATSE)
    Jason MacLeod (Courtesy of Local 839 IATSE)
  • Animation Production Day ’17 Presenting New Business Award

    Animation Production Day ’17 Presenting New Business Award

    The next edition of Animation Production Day — taking place May 4-5, 2017, presented by the Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film — will inaugurate the Trickstar Business Award. The €7,500 prize, sponsored by the Stuttgart Region, will recognize innovative national or international business models for projects or companies in the animation industry, making it the first award in this sphere focused on business.

    Dittmar Lumpp, managing director for organization and finances of the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF) and co-organizer of Animation Production Day, devised the concept for the Trickstar Business Award:

    “I’m delighted that we have initiated this prize together with the Stuttgart Region. With numerous successful companies working in the areas of animation and visual effects as well as the Animation Festival and FMX, the region is an outstanding European location for the industry with a worldwide presence. This prize enables us to send out a clear signal and at the same time offer new incentives for the region’s strength of innovation and international connectivity.”

    “I am convinced that the creation of the Trickstar Business award sends a powerful signal, because the award constitutes a great platform for the young and bright animation talent in the region that will thus be able to initiate exciting innovative projects,” added Professor Andreas Hykade, Director of the Animationsinstitut and FMX International Conference on Animation, Effects, VR, Games and Transmedia.

    All projects selected for APD 2017 can put themselves forward for the Trickstar Business Award, whether TV series, feature films, games, mobile content or transmedia formats. Their innovation can be defined in the areas of financing, distribution, marketing or exploitation of rights. Application forms will be available on the APD website in December at www.animationproductionday.de

    The organizers reserve the right to specifically invite companies to put themselves forward for the Trickstar Business Award.

    A five-person industry jury including representatives of the Stuttgart Region and the L-Bank will shortlist three finalists on the strengths of their submitted project and application form. These finalists will have the opportunity to present their business model to the jury in the form of a short pitch during Animation Production Day. The winner will be honoured on the evening of May 5 during a prize-giving ceremony in the rotunda of the L-Bank in Stuttgart.

    Animation Production Day
    Animation Production Day
  • Moore College Announces Women in Animation Fest

    Moore College Announces Women in Animation Fest

    Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art & Design is now accepting animated short film submissions for its 2017 “MooreWomenArtists Film Festival: Women in Animation,” taking place during Women’s History Month, March 23-26 at the college at 20th Street and The Parkway.

    The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2016; see moore.edu/2017FestSubmit for more information and to submit films.

    Continuing to honor its legacy as the first and only all women’s visual arts college in the US, the school’s second MooreWomenArtists Film Festival will showcase women working in the ever-growing animation industry. The theme aligns with Moore’s first graduating class of its Animation & Game Arts program. The festival will include feature length and short films, ranging from early animation to contemporary work for video games and interactive projects, as well as lectures and panels.

    Announced program highlights include Emily Hubley presenting the work of her mother, the late Faith Hubley — winner of festival honors from Cannes, Venice, London and San Francisco as well as 14 CINE Golden Eagle awards; Latvian filmmaker Signe Baumane‘s Rocks in My Pocket; Paper Red founding member Jessica Ciocci‘s Animation Mix Tape — a fully integrated video collage of work by women animators whom she admires; independent Asian-Canadian filmmaker, writer and visual artist Ann Marie Fleming‘s Window Horses; and the panel “Game Changers: Women Making Games” with Kat Webster (Bioware) and Lauren Brown (EA games).

    Full details will be announced in January. Learn more about Moore College of Art & Design at www.moore.edu.

    MooreWomenArtists Film Festival: Women in Animation
    MooreWomenArtists Film Festival: Women in Animation
  • Nerd Block Unites with Stan Lee for Limited Edition Box

    Nerd Block Unites with Stan Lee for Limited Edition Box

    Subscription box company Nerd Block has teamed up with comic-book icon Stan Lee to launch a limited edition Stan Lee Block. This unique, one-time offering includes limited issue collectibles, utility items and an exclusive T-shirt specially produced for this collaboration. Stan Lee: the man, the myth, the legend — delivered!

    “Stan Lee is a world-renowned icon in both the the comic book and superhero genres,” says Russ Montague, CEO of Nerd Block. “In collaboration with various artists, his creation of such iconic figures such as Spiderman, The Hulk, X-Men and more make this particular block a much-coveted, must-have item for any fan of the popular Marvel franchise.”

    The Stan Lee Limited Edition Block will include 10 officially licensed items exclusive to Nerd Block subscribers and personally curated by the comics legend — an exciting first taste of what is planned to be many future collaborations between the two entities. This box will ship within the first two weeks of January 2017.

    “Yes, I can freely admit, I am a nerd!” says Ken Stetter, President and Founder of By George!, Nerd Block’s manufacturing partner. “It’s hard to use the word ‘work’ when talking about collaborating with living-legend Stan Lee and geek and pop culture leader, Nerd Block. This opportunity is a dream come true. Excelsior!”

    Fans interested in receiving the Stan Lee Limited Edition Block should head to www.nerdblock.com/stan-lee to find out more and get on the list to be notified when orders open.

    Stan Lee Limited Edition Block
    Stan Lee Limited Edition Block
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    VIDEO: More Dangerous Than a Thousand Rioters: The Revolutionary Life of Lucy Parsons
    Experimental filmmaker Kelly Gallagher (Pen Up the Pigs) debuts her latest collage animation on The Nation — a visual an essay on one of American history’s most tenacious, oft overlooked, labor rights organizers.

    Sacked by Studio Ghibli: How the Boy Wonder of Japanese Animation Grew Up
    Film critic Robbie Collin delves into the curious career history of Mamoru Hosoda. (Registration to Telegraph.co.uk required)

    HBO Updates on Jon Stewart’s Animated Content Debuting in 2017
    The as-yet untitled Onion-inspired cable news network parody missed its pre-election debut goal, but it’s coming.

    DreamWorks Animation and Universal Kill Croods 2
    The prehistoric sequel has been hit by an extinction event; employees on the project to be shifted to other films or sent to in-house training programs.

    Viacom Confirms Telefe Acquisition
    Media giant has picked up the Argentinian broadcaster for $345 million, with plans to expand worldwide “potentially reaching hundreds of millions of Spanish speakers across Latin and North America, as well as in other markets,” says CEO Bob Bakish.

    More Dangerous Than a Thousand Rioters: The Revolutionary Life of Lucy Parsons
    More Dangerous Than a Thousand Rioters: The Revolutionary Life of Lucy Parsons

  • Miyazaki May Exit Partial Retirement for First CG Feature

    Fans sort of assumed it was only a matter of time before irrepressible creative guru Hayao Miyazaki canceled his (sixth) retirement, announced in all seriousness in 2013 when he was 73 and working on his “final” feature, The Wind Rises.

    Last year, the acclaimed writer-director-producer announced a half step out, declaring his intent to create his first CG project — a 10-minute short for the Ghibli Museum, Boro the Caterpillar (Kemushi no Boro), which he had hinted at in 2014. The larval hero, Boro, was described by his creator as “a tiny, hairy caterpillar, so tiny that it may be easily squished between your fingers.”

    Now, the news has surfaced that Miyazaki has decided that his tale roughly 20 years in the works deserves the full-length feature treatment — if Studio Ghibli agrees to tackle it. No official agreement with the studio is in place, but the unstoppable animator is already tackling storyboards for the project. These developments were revealed in a special NHK TV program broadcast in Japan on Sunday, Hayao Miyazaki: The Man Who Is Not Done (Owaranai Hito Miyazaki Hayao).

    Miyazaki told NHK that he expects to complete his Boro short in about a year, and have the feature debut four years after that, in conjunction with the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

    Hayao Miyazaki will be 79 years old on January 5, 2020.

    My Neighbor Totoro
    My Neighbor Totoro
  • Nick Debuts Animated TV Movie ‘Albert’ for the Holidays

    Nick Debuts Animated TV Movie ‘Albert’ for the Holidays

    Nickelodeon is giving audiences a very animated gift this holiday season with the debut of Albert, an original TV movie about a little Douglas fir who strives to become the city’s most famous Christmas tree, ever. Premiering Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m. ET/PT, the one-hour CG special features the voices of comedian Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) as the heroic evergreen, Sasheer Zamata (SNL), Judah Friedlander (30 Rock) and Rob Riggle (21 Jump Street).

    “Albert is in the great tradition of classic heartwarming holiday stories, and we’re thrilled that it is the first original animated TV movie Nickelodeon has ever made,” said Michael Sammaciccia, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Nickelodeon Original Movies. “Between the hilarious voice cast and the lush CG animation, Albert is a great movie for kids and families to enjoy this holiday season.”

    The movie follows Albert, a tiny Douglas fir tree with big dreams of becoming Empire City’s most famous Christmas tree. When the search for this year’s tree is announced, Albert hits the road with his best friends Maisie (Zamata), a persistently positive palm tree, and Gene (Friedlander, an abrasive and blisteringly honest weed, to fulfill his self-determined destiny. With a few prickly situations along the way, and Cactus Pete (Riggle) out to stop him, Albert learns the true meaning of Christmas. Albert will also feature two original songs, “The Best Thing That Can Happen to Christmas” and “Christmasiest Christmas,” performed by the voice cast.

    Additional voice cast members include Cheri Oteri (SNL) as a TV news correspondent; Breanna Yde (School of Rock) as Molly, Earth Mama’s granddaughter; John DiMaggio (Adventure Time) as Donny, Molly’s father; and Mary Pat Gleason (Mom) as Earth Mama, the owner and caretaker of the nursery.

    Albert is directed by Oscar nominee Max Lang (The Gruffalo), executive produced by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (The Adventures of Pete & Pete), and written by Will and Aaron Eisenberg (The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School Mystery) and Joe Stillman (Shrek). The Eisenbergs are also co-executive producers, and Viscardi serves as Nickelodeon’s SVP, Content Development, Nickelodeon Franchise Properties.

    You can learn more about Albert at www.nick.com/happy-holidays and the Holiday page on the Nick App, as well as Nick’s YouTube Channel. The movie will be available on Nick.com, Nick App and VOD platforms. An illustrated adaptation from Random House Children’s Books, Albert: The Littlest Tree with Big Dreams, is out now.

    Albert
    Albert
  • New ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Trailer Drops After Tokyo Launch

    New ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Trailer Drops After Tokyo Launch

    The first official trailer for Ghost in the Shell has arrived, showcasing the rich, night-club colored future world of the film, unsettling androids, and a taste of Major’s powerful cybernetic tech. The film will hit theaters on March 31, 2017.

    Over the weekend, stars Scarlett Johansson, “Beat” Takeshi Kitano and director Rupert Sanders stopped over in Tokyo for the global launch party for the live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga classic. The special event held at TABLOID included live Taiko drummers, including legendary anime composer Kenji Kawai (The Sky Crawlers, Innocence), and a screening of never-before seen footage.

    Attendees also got to peek behind the scenes with a display of costumes and props from the film, and a chance to capture their experience in a film-centric experiential photo booth, “Becoming the Major.” The festivities concluded with Johansson, Kitano and Sanders debuting the global trailer.

    Synopsis:

    Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, Ghost in the Shell follows Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotics’ advancements in cyber technology.

    Ghost in the Shell
    Ghost in the Shell
    Ghost in the Shell
    Ghost in the Shell
    Ghost in the Shell
    Ghost in the Shell
    Ghost in the Shell
    Ghost in the Shell
  • ‘Sailor Moon R: The Movie’ to Make US Theatrical Premiere

    ‘Sailor Moon R: The Movie’ to Make US Theatrical Premiere

    Toei Animation and VIZ Media have joined forces with LA-based film distributor ELEVEN ARTS to present the US premiere of Sailor Moon R: The Movie in a series of special, limited engagements in late January at more than 300 theaters across the nation. The event will also feature the North American theatrical debut of the original short, Make Up! Sailor Guardians.

    The film features the English-language voice cast already familiar to fans of the anime series: Stephanie Sheh reprises her leading role of Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon along with actor Robbie Daymond as Mamoru Chiba / Tuxedo Mask. Newcomer Ben Diskin will voice the role of the film’s villain, Fiore.

    “Sailor Moon holds a special place in the hearts of multiple generations of anime fans and these exciting premieres present the film in a vivid way befitting its celebrated status among viewers,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manager, Animation. “Fans will love the new, uncut English dub and we’ve worked closely with our partners at Toei Animation and ELEVEN ARTS to bring Sailor Moon R: The Movie to many major cities and metropolitan area across the US. We look forward to audiences enjoying all the action and drama as the Sailor Guardians face their new foe on the big screen!”

    The English-dubbed screenings (select theaters will present the film in Japanese with English subtitles, check listings) will be even sweeter to fans as a special Sailor Moon bonus gift will be given to ticket holders while supplies last. A list of participating theaters and advance ticket purchase will be online soon at elevenarts.net and the VIZ’s movie page.

    Movie synopsis:

    Long before Mamoru found his destiny with Usagi, he gave a single rose in thanks to a lonely boy who helped him recover from the crash that claimed his parents. This long-forgotten friend, Fiore, has been searching the galaxy for a flower worthy of that sweet gesture long ago. The mysterious flower he finds is beautiful, but has a dark side – it has the power to take over planets. To make matters worse, the strange plant is tied to an ominous new asteroid near Earth! Faced with an enemy blooming out of control, it’s up to Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians to band together, stop the impending destruction and save Mamoru!

    Short synopsis:

    In Make Up! Sailor Guardians, Usagi and Chibi-Usa are at a cafe when they overhear two girls debating which one of the Sailor Guardians is the best. Will Usagi’s alter-ego, Sailor Moon, end up being their favorite? Fans will not want to miss the answer!

    Trailer:

    Voice cast video:

    Sailor Moon R: The Movie
    Sailor Moon R: The Movie
  • Hybride Speaks in Alien Effects for ‘Arrival’

    Hybride Speaks in Alien Effects for ‘Arrival’

    Quebec-based Hybride, a division of Ubisoft, took to alien dialects to translate the vision of local filmmaker Denis Villeneuve through visual effects in his new sci-fi drama, Arrival, out now through Paramount. As the main VFX vendor, the Hybride team led by VFX Supervisor Louis Morin crafted 245 shots for the film, making up 25 minutes of screen time, including all alien appearances.

    In Arrival, adapted from Ted Chiang’s Nebula Award-winning short story Story of Your Life, 12 mysterious and massive alien spacecraft land all over Earth. An elite team of experts is assembled to investigate, entering one of the ships to make introductions with the otherworldly visitors and try to decipher their language in order to learn their intentions.

    In addition to handling the digital space creatures themselves, Hybride artists were tasked with designing their “logograms” — the written language used by the aliens as they attempt to communicate with the humans. Working with concept art from the production team, Hybride developed the transition effects for the logograms, delivering a total of 70 such shots.

    Another key role played by the Hybride VFX crew was look development and animation of the obfuscating fog within the craft, for which realistic interaction with the aliens was critical.

    “We are extremely proud of our participation on this film, which is already a huge success,” said Pierre Raymond, President and Head of Operations at Hybride. “It’s very motivating to be given a mandate where creativity is at the heart of the process. The visual effects requested for Arrival were quite ambitious and we’re especially honored by the confidence Denis Villeneuve has shown us by entrusting Hybride with key scenes in the film.”

    Arrival was released Nov. 11. A production of 21 Laps Ent., FilmNation Ent. and Lava Bear Films, the picture stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark O’Brien, Tzi Ma and Abigail Pniowsky.

    Hybride has previously delivered VFX for Avatar, The Hunger Games, Jurassic World, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Warcraft. The studio, now celebrating its 25th anniversary year, is currently working on The Great Wall and Luc Besson’s Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

    Arrival
    Arrival
    Arrival
    Arrival
    Arrival
    Arrival
  • ‘The Absence of Eddy Table’ Takes Fredrikstad Grand Prix

    ‘The Absence of Eddy Table’ Takes Fredrikstad Grand Prix

    The 2016 edition of Norway’s Fredrikstad Animation Festival has wrapped up, crowning local artist and filmmaker Rune Spaans as the Golden Gunnar Awards Grand Prix winner for his short, The Absence of Eddy Table. The jury declared the film “an intense mix of horror, love and comedy. It’s a magical universe, where we go on a ride with a crazy and energetic roller-coaster, and it’s scary and so incredible bizarre and funny. We love the great creativity of the artwork and the high quality of the animation. For us this is a good example of what animation can do.”

    The Grand Prix winner will now be nominated for the 2017 Cartoon d’Or. Eddy Table also snagged this year’s Audience Award at Fredrikstad.

    Golden Gunnar Awards 2016

    Grand Prix: The Absence of Eddy Table by Rune Spaans (Norway)

    Best Student Film: Untamed by Juliette Viger (The Animation Workshop, Denmark)

    “The Best Student Film brings us into a dark and desolated universe where we take part in a hurtful relationship. The graphics, the music and the animation strongly convey the mood of the characters and their inner conflicts. A promising start from a new talent.”

    Best Short Film: Empty Space by Ülo Pikkov (Estonia)

    “The quality of this film lies in the original idea of the concept where the filmmaker is constructing memories through a mix of genres. It can also be seen as a tribute to the art of dolls and miniatures where all the work lies in the details. As an audience we were touched by the nostalgic feeling and a longing for a playful childhood.”

    Best Children’s Film: Dunder by Endre Skandfer (Norway)

    “The film is more than one thing all at once. It is cozy, funny and a little bit scary, with nice and special characters.”

    Best Commissioned Film: Gjensidige Fairytale by Harald Zwart (Norway)

    “The winning film is a fantastic (work of) craftsmanship; it has great attention to details and got animated on a high level. The winning film is a great example of how CGI can be genuine and heartfelt. The winning film has a story with lots of humor and warmth. The winning film masters the most important task of a commissioned film; you want to see it again, and again, and again.”

    Honorable Mention – Best Commissioned Film: The Bird House by Robin Jensen and Kajsa Næss (Norway)

    “This film communicates brilliantly to both adults and children. It handles a sensitive theme in a clear and respectful manner. The overall visual style and use of subtle humor contributes to a very playful and informative experience. The jury has sent three friend requests on Beekbook.”

    Audience Award: The Absence of Eddy Table by Rune Spaans (Norway)

    The Absence of Eddy Table
    The Absence of Eddy Table
  • Manimation 2016 Speakers Announced

    Manimation 2016 Speakers Announced

    Manchester, UK’s animation and content creation conference Manimation has revealed its speaker lineup for the 2016 edition, taking place Thursday, November 17 at Auto Trader, 1 Tony Wilson Place. Representing the local industry is keynote speaker Cat Lewis, CEO and Executive Producer of Nine Lives Media, and Manchester Global Ambassador. Founded by Lewis, Nine Lives Media is a BAFTA, RTS and International Emmy award-winning TV production company, now the Northwest’s biggest factual independent producer.

    Manimation is designed to inform companies and freelancers about key factors for business success in working in animation, VFX, commercials, corporate, interactive, games, apps and virtual reality. The event is organised by The Children’s Media Conference, the UK’s premiere organization for the children’s content industries, and is co-funded by Creative Skillset’s Skills Investment Fund. Manimation also coincides with the last day of the Manchester Animation Festival.

    Confirmed speakers also include:

    Abigail Fairhurst (Layout Assistant, Brown Bag Films), Adrian Healey (Director of Business Development, The Manchester Growth Company), Andy Wright (HETV and Animation Certification Analyst, BFI), Ben Mills (CEO, Desk Dragons), Chris Halliday (Senior Certification Analyst, BFI), Daniel Kemp (Executive Producer, Hiive at Creative Skillset), David Sproxton (Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Aardman Animations and Member of BAFTA VR Advisory Board), Erica Darby (Producer, Spider Eye), Fiona Scott (Postgraduate Researcher, University of Sheffield), Helen Brunsdon (Creative Skillset), Jo Allen (BBC Children’s Animation and Acquisitions), Kath Shackleton (Producer, Fettle Animation), Nick Pittom (Director, Fire Panda), Oli Hyatt (Creative Director, Blue Zoo Animation), Peter Caddock (Head of New Technologies, Studio Liddell), Praveen Zacharies (Toon Boom Compositor/Renderer, Brown Bag Films), Rose Marley (CEO, Sharp Futures), Sarah Legg (Programme Executive, Acquisitions and Independent Animations, CBeebies), Steven Swanborough (Freelance Animator, Motion Designer and Editor), Tim Patterson (CEO, Larkshead Media), and Tim Searle (Executive Producer of Animation, CBBC Productions).

    “This year’s Manimation program will explore children’s animation and commissioning trends and opportunities for small and independent companies. It will also examine creating narrative through VR, motion graphics & VFX around Manchester and the Northwest and the impact of Brexit on creative industries amongst other topics,” said Kathy Loizou, Director, The Children’s Media Conference. “Places are still available and we recommend delegates register to avoid disappointment.”

    “Greater Manchester has a long-established reputation as an industry leader in animation, with a decorated and respected heritage of content creators,” added Tim Newns, CEO of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment organization. “Today, Manchester is recognized for its high-calibre, creative and uniquely diverse cluster of animation professionals, which makes Manimation the ideal platform for delegates from the regional, national and international community to gain industry insight and form valuable connections.”

    Cat Lewis
    Cat Lewis
  • Manchester Animation Fest Names Industry Excellence Nominees

    Manchester Animation Fest Names Industry Excellence Nominees

    The second annual Manchester Animation Festival will celebrate this impactful and creative industry at HOME this week, Nov. 15-17, and will toast the best in the biz with its Industry Excellence Awards.

    Winners will receive beautiful etched and hand-finished brass plates created by renowned puppet animation studio Mackinnon and Saunders (Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride, Fantastic Mr. Fox), featuring a new design just revealed by the studio.

    The Industry Excellence Awards celebrate contributions to the industry outside auteur and student filmmaking, focusing on industry contributions such as writing for animation, storyboarding and character animation for commissioned films. Nominations for these categories are:

    Writing for Animation:
    Alex Collier – Mr. Bean “Super Bean”
    Sara Daddy – Puffin Rock “Just Like Mama”
    Mark Oswin & James Griffiths – Danger Mouse “Greenfinger”
    Robert Vargas – The Ollie and Moon Show “Pilot”

    Storyboarding for Animation:
    Bianca Ansems – #ShakespeareLives “Macbeth”
    Stuart Bayley – SMITE “To Hell and Back”
    Mireia Serra Puig – Puffin Rock “The First Snow”

    Character Animation:
    Jane Davies – Bristol Ageing Better
    Will Eades – SMITE “To Hell and Back”
    Simone Giampaolo – More Stuff
    Oana Nechifor – #ShakespeareLives “Hamlet”

    Winners of the Industry Excellence Awards will be revealed alongside the film competition winners at the Nov. 17 ceremony, hosted by Barry Purves.

    The Manchester Animation Festival is supported by the BFI with National Lottery Fund. Visit manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk for full program information for this year’s event.

    Manchester Animation Festival Certificate for Character Animation
    Manchester Animation Festival Certificate for Character Animation
  • 9 Story Hawks ‘Numb Chucks’ S2 to Cartoon Network LatAm

    9 Story Hawks ‘Numb Chucks’ S2 to Cartoon Network LatAm

    9 Story Media Group has licensed season two of its animated comedy series Numb Chucks (52 x 11) to Cartoon Network Latin America. The first season premiered on the network in 2014 across the region; season two brings the series’ episode total to 104 x 11.

    Produced by 9 Story Media Group for YTV Canada, the series has also sold to Cartoon Network’s Boomerang (US), Kix (UK), ABC (Australia), TVNZ (New Zealand), TG4 (Ireland), Canal+ Family (France) and Super RTL (Germany). The series has also been acquired by international Disney Channels in Central & Eastern Europe, Asia, South Korea, Indian Subcontinent, Japan, Middle East & Africa, Israel and Benelux.

    Numb Chucks stars two half-witted woodchuck vigilantes, Dilweed and Fungus, who use their non-existent kung fu skills to protect the lives of all the citizens in Ding-A-Ling Springs, whether they need it or not! The 2D comedy has won multiple awards, including two 2016 Canadian Screen Awards (Best Performance in an Animated Program and Best Writing in an Animated Program), a 2016 ACTRA Award and a 2016 Writer’s Guild of Canada Award.

    Numb Chucks
    Numb Chucks