Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • Russian Toon ‘Space Dogs 2’ Hits U.S. Screens

    Russian Toon ‘Space Dogs 2’ Hits U.S. Screens

    Epic Pictures will be bringing Space Dogs 2: Adventure to the Moon to over 50 AMC, Megaplex and Ultra Star theaters across the U.S. beginning August 26, according to Russian-language movie news site ProfiCinema and Russia Beyond the Headlines. The release coincides with Dog Appreciation Day.

    Produced by KinoAtis and originally released in 2014, Space Dogs 2: Adventure to the Moon is the follow-up to the hit CG animated adventure inspired by the true story of the first canine cosmonauts, Belka and Strelka, who spent a day in orbit on Sputnik 2 in 1960. The sequel’s English version is directed by Mike Disa (Hoodwinked Too!, Postman Pat: The Movie).

    Visit the film’s iTunes page to watch the trailer.

    Synopsis:

    Blast off for fun! Join an all-star cast including Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) and popstar Ashlee Simpson on an out of-this-world adventure. Pushok, a pup astronaut is on a mission to find his father who is trapped on the moon! Defying all odds, Pushok blasts off on a rocket to rescue his family but quickly finds he’s not alone as he crosses paths with a macho monkey and a tiny green alien. Can Pushok save his family? Will this be mission impawssible?

    Space Dogs 2: Adventure to the Moon
    Space Dogs 2: Adventure to the Moon
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman to Step Down in Settlement with National Amusements
    Following the investor’s renewed demands for shake-ups in the troubled media giant’s leadership, an internal memo from COO Tom Dooley says he will become interim CEO.

    Digital Media Studio Like Pizza Announces First Animated Project
    Formed by mobile content pioneer and former Disney exec Jeff Nuzzi and award-winning director/animator Bob Spang, Like Pizza launches Bunny Rappid with a music video and Kickstarter campaign.

    Zendaya’s ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Role Revealed
    The Wrap reports that sources say the Disney Channel star and undeniable Twitter queen will play love interest Mary Jane opposite Tom Holland.

    BAFTA Launching VR Advisory Group
    The L.A.-based panel will be headed by AMD vice president Roy Taylor, exploring the potential impact and opportunities of the new medium.

    ADCAN Awards Announces 2016 Winners
    Check out the live-action and animated winners and runners-up for the third annual competition, which connects creative talent with industry experts while generating original content for charities and social enterprises.

    Viacom
    Viacom
  • ‘Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ Wins Best of Gamescom Award

    ‘Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ Wins Best of Gamescom Award

    The winners of the 2016 Gamescom Awards were announced and honored at a ceremony at the annual Cologne, Germany conference on Friday, August 19. The coveted Best of Gamescom Award went to Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

    The awards were juried by a panel of international experts, with winners selected from 73 nominated products and games whittled down from over 200 entries.

    The 2016 Gamescom Award winners are:

    Global Awards

    Best Add-On: Destiny: Rise of Iron (Activision Blizzard)

    Best Preview: Horizon – Zero Dawn (Sony)

    Best Booth: Mafia III (2K)

    Platform

    Best Console Game for PlayStation 4: For Honor (Ubisoft)

    Xbox One: Sea of Thieves (Microsoft)

    Nintendo Wii U: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)

    PC Game: For Honor (Ubisoft)

    Mobile Game: Mario Party Star Rush (Nintendo)

    Genre

    Best Role Playing Game: Final Fantasy XV (Square Enix)

    Racing Game: Forza Horizon 3 (Microsoft)

    Action Game: Battlefield 1 (Electronic Arts)

    Simulation Game: NBA 2K17 (2K

    Sports Game: Steep (Ubisoft)

    Family Game: Skylanders Imaginators (Activision)

    Strategy Game: Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (2K)

    Puzzle/Skill Game: Dragon Quest Builders (Square Enix)

    Social/Online Game: GWENT: The Witcher Card Game (CD Projekt Red)

    Casual Game: Battlezone (Rebellion)

    Multiplayer Game: Sea of Thieves (Microsoft)

    Virtual Reality Game: Wilson’s Heart (Twisted Pixel)

    Best Hardware: PlayStation VR (Sony)

    Special Awards

    Gamescom Indie Award: Little Nightmares (Bandai Namco)

    Consumer Award: Battlefield 1 (Electronic Arts)

    Best of Gamescom: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)

    Zelda: Breath of the Wild
    Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  • ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimension’ Voice Cast Announced

    ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimension’ Voice Cast Announced

    Fans of monster dueling anime Yu-Gi-Oh! Will be happy to hear that Dan Green and Eric Stuart have signed on to reprise their roles as Yugi Muto, Yama Yugi and Seto Kaiba, respectively, for the North American release of feature film Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions. The announcement was made by 4K Media, which manages the 15-year-old franchise outside of Asia.

    “We are thrilled to be working once again with Dan and Eric on this current Yu-Gi-Oh! production,” said Shane Guenego, Producer. “They both bring such energy and passion, not to mention a strong history to these roles. It is fun to have them in the studio once again!”

    In The Dark Side of Dimensions, never have the stakes been higher, the rivalries so fierce or the risks so great. A decade in the making, the film features new designs and an all-new story from original creator Kazuki Takahashi. His tale marks the long-awaited return of some of anime’s most popular characters: Yugi Muto, Seto Kaiba and their faithful friends Joey Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, Téa Gardner and Bakura.

    Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions
    Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions
  • ‘Venture Bros.’ Season 6 Out Oct. 4

    ‘Venture Bros.’ Season 6 Out Oct. 4

    Adult Swim has announced that The Venture Bros. Season 6 will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 4, 2016. The cult hit series from creator Jackson Publick (The Tick) scored No. 1 rankings among adults and men 18-24, 18-34 and 18-49 for its timeslot when the hotly anticipated sixth season first aired earlier this year, after a 2 ½ year hiatus.

    Season six sees brothers Hank and Dean relocate to the Big Apple after patriarch Dr. Venture inherits a fortune. Fabulously wealthy and settled into their luxurious new compound, the Ventures embark on all new adventures filled with drama and danger. They are joined by reinstated family bodyguard Brock (voiced by Patrick Warburton) as they face off against arch nemesis The Monarch and a host of new and returning villains with other colorful would-be heroes.

    The home entertainment release contains all eight epic episodes from season six, plus the new-to-disc 2015 All This and Gargantua-2 45-minute special. Bonus material includes commentaries for every episode and deleted scenes. The Venture Bros. Season Six carries an SRP of $29.98 for Blu-ray and $24.98 for DVD.

    Episodes included are: “Hostile Makeover,” “Maybe No Go,” “Faking Miracles,” “Rapacity in Blue,” “Tanks for Nuthin’,” “It Happening One Night,” “A Party for Tarzan” and “Red Means Stop.”

    The Venture Brothers season 6
    The Venture Bros season 6
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Podcast: BBC’s Witness: Studio Ghibli – Japanese Animation
    Animator Hirokatsu Kihara talks to Made in Manchester’s Ashley Byrne about how the legendary studio has evolved since he first hired on to work on Castle in the Sky.

    Gatorade Teams with Oscar-Winning Animation Studio to Tell Usain Bolt’s Origin Story
    The Boy Who Learned to Fly from Moonbot Studios (The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore) is a subtle piece of marketing celebrating the gold medal Olympian.

    Animaze Animation Festival Starts
    The third edition of the Montreal International Animation Film Festival runs Aug 18-21, with screenings, panels and virtual reality presentations on tap.

    Call for Entries: Japan Media Arts Festival
    The 20th festival seeks international submissions for animation, games, comics, interactive art and more through September 9.

    A Star Wars Pop-Up Cantina Is Coming to Hollywood
    Scum and Villainy Cantina will offer galactic delicacies, drinks and surprises in a themed pop-up location this winter — reservations open next week!

    Castle in the Sky
    Castle in the Sky
  • Econet Picks Up ‘Jabu’s Jungle’ from Monster

    Econet Picks Up ‘Jabu’s Jungle’ from Monster

    Monster Entertainment has secured a broadcast deal with Econet Media for South African animated series Jabu’s Jungle. Already picked up by SABC and Gulli Africa, the show will be broadcast in 17 African countries through Econet.

    Aimed at kids 4-7, Jabu’s Jungle (13 x 22) follows the adventures of intrepid 9-year-old Jabu and his Magic Talking Drum, as he explores the jungle helping animals in need — while avoiding naughty Van the Vulture! The series is on its way to following successful Monster-distributed South African show Jungle Beat (broadcast in 196 territories), as well as Magic Cellar (sold to Ericsson and Gulli Africa).

    Set to a vibrant Afro pop soundtrack and featuring a host of colourful animal characters, Jabu’s Jungle has a unique African look and feel and introduces children to the wonders of Africa’s animals and exotic locations. The series is produced by Pixcomm in Cape Town’s Masiphumelele township, which provides training and internships for young animators and illustrators in the community.

    Jabu's Jungle
    Jabu’s Jungle
  • Olive Films Launches Oribu Anime Line

    Olive Films Launches Oribu Anime Line

    Chicago-based home entertainment distributor Olive Films has launched a new banner dedicated to importing the most exciting, modern animation: Oribu Anime. Complementing the existing Olive Films catalogue — dedicated to cinephiles, independent productions and hard-to-find films and TV series — Oribu Anime promises to celebrate “the genre that knows no limitations” by “showcasing some of the world’s most provocative animators.”

    The first titles out of the gate will be Korean director Yeon Sang-Ho’s acclaimed dramatic works The King of Pigs (2011) and The Fake (2013). Both releases are available for pre-order and will come out October 18.

    The King of Pigs is an unflinching, violent tale of murder, revenge and classism. The film begins moments after the brutal murder of a woman by her husband, a once-successful businessman name Kyung-mi, before flashing back to his school days and the abusive events that have shaped his life and that of his estranged classmate, Jong-suk. Both boys were considered lower-class “pigs” at the school, beneath the affluent “dogs”. When a rebellious new student arrives, the cowering pigs learn to fight fire with fire.

    The Fake is a vicious indictment of organized religion, telling the story of beloved Pastor Sung, who finds himself under the thumb of Elder Choi — an unscrupulous man who manipulates the Pastor into swindling the villagers out of the money they’re getting to relocate out of the flood path of a new dam. The only one who sees through the scam is local outcast, Min-chul, whose warnings fall on deaf ears. But when his daughter is put in danger, he puts the fear of god into the so-called religious leaders.

    The King of Pigs
    The King of Pigs
    The Fake
    The Fake
  • PBS Orders Second Season of ‘Ready Jet Go!’

    PBS Orders Second Season of ‘Ready Jet Go!’

    A second season of PBS Kids science series Ready Jet Go! is now in production at Wind Dancer Films. In addition to 24 new episodes for the TV series, which launched in February, the production house has announced an hour-long special and a collection of new online games and apps are in the works for 2017.

    Created by Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold!, Dinosaur Train), Ready Jet Go! Introduces kids 3-8 to scientific and technological concepts related to outer space and our own humble planet. The CG animated intergalactic adventures of Jet Propulsion — new kid in town and real-life alien — and his Earthling friends Sean and Sydney are spliced with live-action interstitials featuring NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory astrophysicist Dr. Amy Mainzer, science consultant for the show.

    Since its premiere, Ready Jet Go! Has reached 22 million viewers, including 7.5 million kids on linear TV, and its content has been streamed more than 93 million times since January. Full-length segments are available to stream on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app on many platforms, as well as Amazon Prime Video.

    Season two of the show is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Department of Education.

    Ready Jet Go!
    Ready Jet Go!
  • MoMA Celebrates a Century of Spanish Animation

    MoMA Celebrates a Century of Spanish Animation

    New York City’s Museum of Modern Art announces that from September 7 to 15 it will be presenting “From Doodle to Pixels: Over a Hundred Years of Spanish Animation.” This major retrospective of the little-recognized local creative industry in Spain will comprise eight programs spanning the past century and covering many genres and techniques. From Doodles to Pixels will screen at the Roy and Niuta Titus Theater.

    The programs feature historic work from 1908 through the end of the dictatorship, in 1975; commercial animation; Europe’s first animated color feature, Garbancito de la Mancha (1945); and internationally celebrated 21st-century work inspired by personal cinema, music videos, and the graphic novel.

    Taking advantage of new scholarship and restoration initiatives organized by the Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona and Acción Cultural Española, this series includes classic hand-drawn animation, stop-motion, and innovative digital works, and ranges from cultural and political themes and literary adaptations to adult fare, children’s stories, and advertising.

    Among the distinguished artists and studios represented are K-Hito, Francisco Macián, Robert Balser, José Antonio Sistiaga, Isabel Herguera, Javier Mariscal, Mercedes Gaspar, Rodrigo Blaas, Anna Solanas, César Díaz Meléndez, Nicolai Troshinky, Jossie Malis, Laura Ginès, Alberto Vázquez, Estudios Moro, Balet y Blay, and the Headless Studio.

    All films are in Spanish with English subtitles, unless otherwise noted. Carolina López, director of Xcèntric cinema at Contemporary Culture Center of Barcelona, and a number of special guest animators will introduce select programs. (Organized by Dave Kehr, Adjunct Curator, Department of Film, MoMA, and Steve Massa, film historian and author.)

    The retrospective at MoMA is organized by Ron Magliozzi, Associate Curator, Department of Film. From Doodles to Pixels was originally organized by Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona, with Acción Cultural Española and Carolina López.

    Garbancito de la Mancha
    Garbancito de la Mancha
  • Clips: ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ Out Friday

    Clips: ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ Out Friday

    LAIKA’s latest feature Kubo and the Two Strings is finally in theaters Friday, August 19! And just ahead of release, the studio and distribution partner Focus Features have unveiled even more awesome footage and behind-the-scenes clips.

    Check out the latest:

    In case you missed them, watch the previously released ’You’re Growing Stronger’ clip and take a peek backstage with ’Crafting an Epic’, ’Myth of Kubo and ’Creatures of Darkness’.

    Synopsis: Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan 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), Hashi (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
  • Czech Studio Developing Stop-Mo Hockey Movie

    Czech Studio Developing Stop-Mo Hockey Movie

    A new long-format puppet animation project is in pre-development in Prague. Directed and produced by Pavel Sadilek from a script by Petr Kolečko, Nagano: The Birth of Heroes is backed by the Czech Olympic Committee and Czech Ice Hockey organization.

    Sadilek is a freelance filmmaker and visual artist primarily working in music videos and commercials. Kolečko is best known for the films Sunday League, Chasing Fifty, Icing and the TV series Vinaři (Winemakers).

    The Birth of Heroes adapts the true story of the Czech ice hockey team’s challenging quest for Olympic gold at the 1998 winter games. The film will have an empowering message about believing in yourself and the power of team spirit, and is set to premiere in February 2018 to mark the 20 year anniversary of the victory.

    Bringing the 25cm puppets to life will be voice stars Vojta Dyk (as Jaromír Jágr) and Jiří Bartoška (as Ivan Hlinka). Dominik Hašek will play himself, and has contributed his own anecdotes and memories to the screenplay.

    Sadilek is producing the film through NGNO in coproduction with Radko Janoušek for Miafilm. Polish animation studio Se-ma-for and post-production house Magic Lab are also involved in the project, which has been budgeted at 2.2 million euro.

    Nagano: The Birth of Heroes
    Nagano: The Birth of Heroes
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Lin-Manuel Miranda Joining ‘Little Mermaid’ as Producer and Songwriter
    Hamilton creator and star will team up with legendary Disney composer Alan Menken for the live-action reboot’s music, following his Moana songwriting gig.

    From ‘Coraline’ to ‘Kubo’: A Look at the Evolution of LAIKA’s Stop-Motion Animation
    Travis Knight’s Oregon studio has built a global reputation on quality hand-craftsmanship, distinctive storytelling and innovative pushes in just over a decade of feature production.

    ’Yooka-Laylee’ Gets Adorable New Gamescom Trailer
    Playtonic Games’ 2017 platformer harkens back to Banjo Kazooie with obstacle-course gameplay, oddball characters and colorful environments.

    Qube! Powers Award-Winning Medical Animation
    PipelineFX’s intelligent render farm manager helps Nucleus Medical Media deliver detailed, accurate animations that help patients the world over.

    Hopster Learning App Launches in the U.S.
    U.K.-produced preschool app arrives on Apple’s iOS and tvOS platforms, chock full of newly acquired video and music content.

    Lin-Manuel Miranda
    Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • ‘Super Wings’ Ready for Takeoff with m4e Germany

    ‘Super Wings’ Ready for Takeoff with m4e Germany

    German brand management and media company m4e AG is taking over licensing and merchandising responsibilities for animated preschool series Super Wings in German-speaking territories from South Korea’s FunnyFlux, EBS and CJ E&M; U.S.-based Little Airplane Productions; China’s Qianqi Animation; and co-production partner KiKA.

    The agreement grants m4e representation for all categories except TV and home entertainment.

    A broad range of Super Wings playthings, distributed worldwide by Alpha Toys, will land in Germany, Austria and Switzerland midway through next year. Leading German kids channel KiKA will launch the series in a prime-time broadcast slot in early 2017.

    “Super Wings has all the important ingredients to succeed and is a very promising property based on the high toy sales from markets such as France, Spain and Italy. The prime time broadcast slot on KiKA offers the ideal conditions for this action-packed preschool brand to establish itself in the German-speaking markets.” says Judith Boehnke, m4e’s Licensing Manager for G/A/S.

    Super Wings (52 x 11) promotes cultural diversity and creative problem-solving through the animated adventures of Jett, a self-assured young jet plane who travels the world with his flying friends to deliver special packages to children. Since launching on EBS in Korea in 2014, the series has sold to over 40 countries, including the U.S., where the toy line will launch this October.

    Super Wings
    Super Wings
  • ‘Gravity Falls’ Alex Hirsch Tapped for ‘Pokémon’ Movie

    ‘Gravity Falls’ Alex Hirsch Tapped for ‘Pokémon’ Movie

    20 years into its global domination, Pokémon is hotter than ever thanks to the astounding success of AR game Pokémon GO. Among the pocket monster property’s upcoming projects is its first live-action movie.

    Based on the Detective Pikachu game (released in Japan in February for Nintendo 3DS), the movie is being produced by Legendary Entertainment in collaboration with The Pokémon Company. EW reports that negotiations are underway to sign writers Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Alex Hirsch, creator of hit animated Disney Channel series Gravity Falls.

    In the game, players follow Tim Goodman as he ventures into the big city to search for his missing father, where he encounters Detective Pikachu — everyone’s favorite electric mouse, wearing a Sherlock Holmes style deerstalker hat. The duo are quickly caught up in a quest to catch a thief and return a stolen necklace. The gameplay combines point-and-click “investigation” with logic puzzles to crack the case.

    Detective Pikachu
    Detective Pikachu
  • ‘60s Stars Get Animated in ‘Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader’

    ‘60s Stars Get Animated in ‘Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader’

    Holy home entertainment, Batman! The Dark Knight is returning to the light-hearted legacy of the classic 1960s television series in a new animated movie, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader.

    Inspired by the Batman show which ran from 1966 to 1968, this toon take will feature the voices of original series stars Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman).

    In a trailer released through EW.com, Batman and Robin are caught in a sinister, high-sodium trap, strapped to a giant TV dinner tray and slowly being conveyed to their fiery doom. But with the news of a new animated feature to lift their spirits, the Caped Crusader and his Boy Wonder make their escape to face the villainous machinations of the Joker, Riddler, Penguin and Catwoman.

    From Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader will be released on Digital HD on October 11 and on Blu-ray November 1.

    Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader
    Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader
  • Not Cool: Green America Slams ‘Frozen’ Toy Manufacturers

    Not Cool: Green America Slams ‘Frozen’ Toy Manufacturers

    The holiday mass-consumption season is almost upon us, and leading eco-conscious economy organization Green America is raising the alarm about conditions in factories producing Disney consumer products, including popular Frozen dolls. The campaign is asking consumers to sign a petition to Disney CEO Robert Iger, calling on the media giant to ensure living wages for workers and improved working and living conditions at the Chinese factories.

    “Disney has a lot of suppliers in China. It claims to regulate these suppliers with a Manufacturer Code of Conduct, which we doubt is effective,” said Au Lap Hang, China officer at Worker Empowerment. “We observed serious violations of local labor law in Disney supplier factories, which include long working hours without proper overtime salary and not providing the mandatory state pension for workers. In recent years, the Disney Company even required suppliers to relocate their factories to Southeast Asia in order to reduce production cost. As a result, the Mizutani Factory in Shenzhen was shut down and 196 workers lost their job, without getting the compensation required by law.”

    Green America’s eight-point list of demands for action by the company include wage increases, compensation for mandatory meetings and training, and paid, voluntary overtime; pre-job safety training; workplace and housing safety measures. Significant labor violations were enumerated in a recent report from China Labor Watch, “The Dark World of Disney.”

    Following a previous report from CLW raising concerns about conditions at five Chinese facilities, Disney released a statement in November of 2015 criticizing the organization: “We are disappointed that CLW continues its approach of withholding information about such concerns until they issue press releases months after issues are identified and does not actively engage with buyers and others that share their concern for improving labor standards in Chinese factories.”

    CLW counters the accusations in an open letter attached to the new report, saying that representatives of the group have had “face-to-face meetings” with the company “on more than 10 occasions” since 2007.

    Consumers can find gift guide of kids’ products that meet Green America’s labor conditions and non-toxic standards at SafeGreenToys.com.

    Disney toy factory
    Disney toy factory
  • ‘Creative Galaxy’ Season 2 Launching on Amazon

    ‘Creative Galaxy’ Season 2 Launching on Amazon

    Amazon Original Kids Series Creative Galaxy will blast off with a second season on Prime Video on Friday, September 16. The hit “make-along, create-along” animated preschool series is produced by Out of the Blue Enterprises with animation by 9 Story Media Group, and created by Angela Santomero (Blue’s Clues, Super Why!, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood).

    Creative Galaxy takes young viewers along on intergalactic adventures with adorable alien Arty (voiced by Meesha Contreras) and his sidekick, Epiphany (Kira Gelineau). In each episode, the duo solve problems using various forms of creativity — painting, music, sculpture, cooking and more — to show how art can be found in all different places in many different forms. The show features interactive stories and live-action craft segments to help adult viewers recreate the featured projects with their kids.

    In season two, the galaxy grows as Arty introduces cooking and singing/dancing when he travels to new planets with new celebrity hosts: Cooktopia with Chef Zesty (Donovan Patton), and Grooveopolis with Melody (Lisa Loeb). New episodes also explore childhood milestones like celebrating a parent’s birthday and losing a first tooth.

    Creative Galaxy is executive produced by Santomero and Samantha Freeman. Returning guest stars for season two include Samantha Bee, Jason Jones, Cloris Leachman, Jason Priestley and Brooke Shields, joined by newcomers Loeb, Patton and Broadway’s Caissie Levy.

    Creative Galaxy
    Creative Galaxy
  • Studio 100 Celebrates Big 2-0 at BLE

    Studio 100 Celebrates Big 2-0 at BLE

    Studio 100 is hitting its 20-year anniversary this year, and part of its celebration of two decades of success will be the presentation of an array of new and classic properties at Brand Licensing Europe. Studio 100 can be found at stand G15 during the show, taking place Oct. 11-13 in London.

    The company’s latest portfolio addition is Arthur and the Minimoys — a new CG-animated comedy-adventure series based on the kids’ fantasy novels and movie trilogy by Luc Besson. Aimed at kids 5-12, the show will follow 10-year-old Arthur as he explores the newly discovered world of the Minimoys — which will introduce exciting new characters whose unique accessories and imaginative environment offer a wealth of licensing opportunities.

    Arthur and the Minimoys is currently in production with Studio 100 and EuropaCorp Television, 26 episodes set for delivery in 2018. Studio 100 will have first-look images and a trailer on hand at BLE as it meets with key category partners across all territories where the show has pre-sold.

    Also being showcased at BLE will be Heidi, Nils Holgersson, Blinky Bill and especially Maya the Bee, with the character celebrating her 40th birthday this year. The new second season of Maya the Bee (52 x 13) will introduce new characters and settings ideal for licensed products when it debuts internationally in 2017.

    Maya will also be buzzing back to the big screen in theaters across the globe in Maya the Bee Movie 2, following the success of the first film which played on 4,000 screens worldwide. The sequel is currently in pre-production for a 2018 release. Studio 100 will have new images and official trailers for the new film and TV series at its BLE stand.

    Arthur and the Minimoys
    Arthur and the Minimoys
  • New Trailer for ‘Surf’s Up 2’ Enters the Ring

    New Trailer for ‘Surf’s Up 2’ Enters the Ring

    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has debuted a brand-new trailer for Surf’s Up 2: Wavemania. The CG sequel to the Oscar-winning 2007 animated comedy is a coproduction with WWE Studios, with some of wrestling’s biggest Superstars hanging ten alongside the familiar Sony characters. Wavemania is due out in early 2017.

    The sequel is helmed by Genndy Tartakovsky’s protégé Henry Yu, who served as a story artist on Sym-Bionic Titan and both Hotel Transylvania films, making his directorial debut. The screenplay is being written by Abdul Williams (Lottery Ticket), and Hotel Transylvania 2 production manager Michelle Wong serves as producer. Vancouver’s Rainmaker Entertainment (Ratchet & Clank, Open Season: Scared Silly) is producing the animation.

    Synopsis:

    Cody Maverick, hungry for a new challenge, convinces an infamous big wave riding crew known as The Hang 5, voiced by WWE Superstars John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H, WWE Diva Paige and Mr. McMahon, to let him join them on their journey to a mysterious surf spot known as The Trenches, where legend has it, they’ll find the biggest waves in the world. Cody soon discovers that the life he left behind might be more heroic than what any death-defying wave has to offer.

    Surf's Up 2: Wavemania
    Surf’s Up 2: Wavemania