Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • Boat Rocker Media Acquires Jam Filled Entertainment

    Boat Rocker Media Acquires Jam Filled Entertainment

    Global entertainment company Boat Rocker Media continues to grow its family and kids’ content investments with the acquisition of Canadian full-service animation studio Jam Filled Entertainment. Specializing in premium 2D production, Jam Filled is the animation elbow grease behind No. 1 Nickelodeon show The Loud House, and is providing animation for new series The Bagel and Becky Show from Radical Sheep (Boat Racker’s family content arm).

    The buy was announced by co-Executive Chairmen David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, and Boat Rocker’s CEO John Young.

    Under the deal, Jam Filled’s founding partners, Kyle Mac Dougall (President), Jamie Leclaire (Creative Director) and Phil Lafrance (Creative Director), will retain their current tiles and remain in key leadership roles. Jam Filled will continue to operate under its current banner, reporting in to CEO John Young at Boat Rocker. The new owners will provide capital investment and business support to the studio’s senior leadership, and go forward with strategic growth of 2D animation capacity and expansion of 3D animation capabilities.

    “With more than 150 outstanding animators, the acquisition of Jam Filled will not only allow Boat Rocker to expand its animation services capabilities, but will also allow us to add to our original programming strength in the kids and family arena, complementing the teams within Radical Sheep and Industrial Brothers,” said Young. “With these expanded capabilities, Boat Rocker can offer kids and family creators, broadcasters, toy companies and brands one integrated solution, solidifying Boat Rocker’s position as a global leader in the development, creation and production of kids and family animation for all platforms.”

    “Joining forces with Boat Rocker Media creates opportunities for Jam Filled to do more of what we love; make great animated content. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished up to this point and with this partnership, we’ll have the resources to expand the Jam Filled brand at an accelerated rate,” said Mac Dougall.

    Bagel and Becky
    Bagel and Becky
  • Acamar Packs ‘Bing’ for BLE

    Acamar Packs ‘Bing’ for BLE

    Acamar Films and its licensing agent The Licensing Company are taking award-winning animated preschool property Bing to Brand Licensing Europe this year. The continent’s premiere licensing event will take place Oct. 11-13 at London’s Olympia venue, where you can find the wee bunny at booth #L100.

    Produced by Acamar and Dublin’s Brown Bag Films, Bing took home the International Emmy Award for preschool series this year and has also won a Writer’s Guild Award and earned a BAFTA nomination for best preschool series. The show, based on the books by award-winning author and illustrator Ted Dewan, has proven a ratings success for CBeebies in the U.K. and ABC in Australia.

    On the licensing side, Bing continues to grow its cohort and now stands with 18-plus licensees, including global partners Fisher Price and HarperCollins. Recently, El Ocho was appointed as L&M agent for Spain and Portugal. Other key partners include Egmont, Studiocanal, Rainbow Productions, HTI Group, Dreamtex, Blueprint, Spearmark, TDP Aykroyds, Roy Lowes, TVM Fashion Lab, Immediate Media, Ravensburger and Woodmansterne.

    Last month, Acamar launched its first Bing app in partnership with the digital team at Aardman.

    Bing
    Bing
  • ‘Mr. Madila’ Takes TAIS Grand Prize & Audience Award

    ‘Mr. Madila’ Takes TAIS Grand Prize & Audience Award

    On Saturday, July 30, the Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) revealed the award winners for the 10th annual TAIS Animation Showcase. The program comprised 23 animated shorts created within the last two years, whittled down from over 1,000 entries — a record intake for the competition. Taking both the Grand Prize and Audience Award honors this year is Mr. Madila or the Colour of Nothing by Rory Waudby-Tolley.

    The Showcase also included 14 “Anijams” (10-second micro animations). In a striking coincidence, the winner of both the Best Anijam and Audience Award for Best Anijam categories was also the same: Toronto-based animator William Allinson. Determining the Grand Prize and Best Anijam Prize recipients was a Guest Jury made up of Terril Calder, Isaac King, Rhayne Vermette and Farah Yusuf.

    2016 TAIS Animation Showcase winners:

    Best Short Film

    Jury Award – Grand Prize & Audience Award:

    Mr. Madila or the Colour of Nothing by Rory Waudby-Tolley (U.K., 2015)

    Honorable Mentions – Jury Award:

    Continuum by Noncedo Khumalo (Montreal, Canada, 2016)

    Last Judgement by Junyi Xiao (U.S., 2015)

    Honorable Mention – Audience Award:

    Le clitoris by Lori Malépart-Traversy (Montreal, Canada, 2016)

    Best Anijam

    Jury Award & Audience Award:

    William Allinson (Toronto, Canada, 2016)

    Honorable Mention:

    Evan DeRushie (Toronto, Canada, 2016)

    Learn more about TAIS and the showcase at http://tais.ca.

    Mr. Madila
    Mr. Madila
  • Digital Hollywood Sets VR/AR Track

    Digital Hollywood Sets VR/AR Track

    Organizers of Digital Hollywood Fall for 2016 are quickly bulking up programming for the four-day event, being held October 18-21 at L.A.’s Skirball Center. Key themes being explored in this session include virtual reality, internet TV, immersive entertainment and interactive surfaces. Also of note on the agenda is The Women’s Summit (and workshops) — programmed by and for women in film.

    Virtual and augmented reality will feature heavily from the start, including at two Welcome Dinners to pick from on Oct. 18. Each dinner features a Keynote Roundtable; one on “The Human and Entertainment Interface” moderated by USC Entertainment Technology Center VR/AR program manager Philip Lelyveld, and the other on “The Hollywood VR-AR State of the Union” moderated by Steve Schklair, founding principal and CEO of 3eality & 3mersiv.

    Further VR/AR sessions lined up include a live webcasts on “Pokemon GO – The Phenomenon of AR Gets Real” and “Implementing the Next Generation of AR into Application”; “Women in Virtual Reality and Immersive Entertainment”; “VR-AR – Financing the Imagination”; “The VR-AR ThinkTank” track; “Virtual and Augmented Reality: The Technology that Will Change Everything”; “Future of Film”; “VR-AR-Immersive Innovators & Disruptors”; and much more.

    Further information online at DigitalHollywood.com, including complete agenda and registration information.

    Digital Hollywood
    Digital Hollywood
  • Toronto’s Arc Productions Shutters

    Toronto’s Arc Productions Shutters

    Toronto animation studio Arc Productions, formerly Starz Animation up until 2011, has halted operations and locked up its offices. CEO Tom Murray stated in a written note to employees that the company had been facing “significant financial difficulties and a liquidity crisis.”

    Murray added that an application has been filed to have professional services firm Deloitte take control of Arc as an interim receiver. Deloitte is expected to take the reigns August 4, and Arc’s 500 some employees have been encouraged to contact the firm for further information.

    According to the note, Arc is “working diligently to find a solution that will allow us to pay outstanding wages.” Murray goes on to say that if these efforts fail, the Canadian government’s Wage Earner Protection Program can pay up to $3,900 per individual. Employees reportedly were first aware of trouble at the company when Arc failed to make payroll last week.

    Arc Productions had been working on the indie CG feature Blazing Samurai for AMC Entertainment and Open Road Films. Under its former Starz banner, the studio delivered animation for Gnomeo & Juliet and Dolphin Tale. Recent TV projects included the Thomas & Friends: The Great Race TV movie for Mattel Creations, Kody Kapow for Zodiak Kids (coming to Sprout next year) and the Amazon Studios pilot Lost in Oz.

    Arc Productions
    Arc Productions
  • New ‘Storks’ Spot Takes Flight

    New ‘Storks’ Spot Takes Flight

    Warner Bros. Pictures has released a spankin’ new trailer for its upcoming original CG comedy, Storks, which will be flapping into theaters September 23. The new spot gives a brief history of the storks’ proud baby-delivering history, more odd couple comedy moments between Junior and Tulip, and some very bizarre wolfpack behavior you won’t see on National Geographic any time soon.

    The trailer also features the film’s catchy pop single, Jason Derulo’s “Kiss the Sky,” which the artist debuted recently his Teen Choice Awards performance.

    Produced by Warner Animation Group, Storks is directed by Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland, and features the voices of Andy Samberg (Junior), Katie Crown (Tulip), Jennifer Aniston, Ty Burrell, Kelsey Grammer, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Anton Starkman, Danny Trejo and Stephen Kramer Glickman.

    Synopsis:

    Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for global internet giant Cornerstore.com. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl. Desperate to deliver this bundle of trouble before the boss gets wise, Junior and his friend Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, race to make their first-ever baby drop – in a wild and revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the storks’ true mission in the world.

    Storks
    Storks
  • VIEW Conference 2016 Details Revealed

    VIEW Conference 2016 Details Revealed

    Italy’s largest computer graphics and digital media conference, VIEW, will take place in Turin October 24-28 this year. The 2016 edition promises the largest and most diverse cross-section of industry professionals from the worlds of animation, visual effects, virtual reality and digital design in the event’s history. VIEW will offer its expected 6,000 attendees five days of workshops, panel discussions, interactive sessions and awards.

    This year’s three headlining keynote speakers are Byron Howard, co-director of Zootopia, who will discuss the film’s five-plus-year evolution at Disney; Dr. Donald Greenberg, director of the computer graphics program at Cornell University and a researcher whose work is supported by Pixar, DreamWorks, Microsoft, Intel, Oculus, Valve and Autodesk — he will address the question of what makes realistic VR; and Brad Lewis, producer of Warner Animation Group’s upcoming second animated feature, Storks.

    Howard will also present a workshop on “The DNA of Disney Character Design,” with instruction on creating appealing characters like those in his films Tangled and Bolt. Also among the workshops are “The Fundamentals of Storyboarding” with David Feiss (director, Open Season: Scared Silly), “Animation Posing and Composition” with Troy Saliba (animation supervisor, Alice Through the Looking Glass) and a portfolio review session with J.C. Cornwell, Director of Training and Artist Development for Sony Pictures Imageworks.

    Animation-centric talks confirmed so far include “The Visual Design of The Good Dinosaur” with DP Sharon Calahan from Pixar, “Kubo and the Two Strings” with screenwriter Marc Haimes from LAIKA, “Finding Hank” with Finding Dory supervising TD John Halstead from Pixar and “The Making of Open Season: Scared Silly” with director David Feiss from Sony Pictures Animation.

    Other promising talks on the schedule include a look at Google Spotlight Stories’ Rain or Shine with EP Luke Youngman and director Felix Massie (of Nexus) and “Virtual Reality – Jump into the Story” with Baobab Studios CEO and co-founder Maureen Fan.

    2016’s lineup also includes a competition for animated short films (or videogames) at VIEW. Works created in 2015 and 2016 may be submitted until September 15 for consideration for the VIEW Award for short film, VIEW Social Contest Award for a short film, music video or commercial addressing social issues; VIEW Game Award; VIEWTube Video Award and Italianmix prize for a short film with Italian themes.

    More information on event programming and the VIEW Awards can be found at www.viewconference.it.

    VIEW Conference
    VIEW Conference
  • ‘April and the Extraordinary World’ Out Now

    ‘April and the Extraordinary World’ Out Now

    Take home a dazzling slice of indie European animation with GKIDS’ April and the Extraordinary World — available now on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD. One of the best-reviewed releases of the year, April is directed by Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci (Persepolis) and brings Jacques Tardi’s incredible steampunk adventure to animated life.

    The film is available on DVD ($29.98) and Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack ($34.98). Bonus features are trailers and “The Origin of The Extraordinary World” featurette.

    Synopsis:

    Paris, 1941. A family of scientists is on the brink of discovering a powerful longevity serum when all of a sudden a mysterious force abducts them, leaving their young daughter April behind. Ten years later, April (Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard) lives alone with her cat, Darwin, and carries on her family’s research in secret. But she soon finds herself at the center of a shadowy and far- reaching conspiracy, and on the run from government agents, bicycle-powered dirigibles and cyborg rat spies. English language version featuring Paul Giamatti, Tony Hale, Susan Sarandon, and J.K. Simmons!

    And don’t miss GKIDS’ latest theatrical release, Phantom Boy, in select theatres this week. Find screenings at PhantomBoyFilm.com.

    April and the Extraordinary World
    April and the Extraordinary World
  • ‘Hey Duggee’ Makes New L&M Friends

    ‘Hey Duggee’ Makes New L&M Friends

    BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand announce a trio of new licensing partners for its successful preschool animation brand Hey Duggee down under. The deals will bring branded confectionery, homewares and live performances to the country, where Hey Duggee airs daily on CBeebies and ABC Kids.

    Children’s homeware supplier MacDonald Imports will launch Hey Duggee kids’ dinnerware and infant feeding range, including plates, bowls and tumblers, later this year. Kinnerton Confectionery will have a line of seasonal goodies ready to launch in time for Christmas 2017. And live event producer The Entertainment Store will provide non-ticketed character appearances at retail and special events.

    Jasnor continues to distribute Hey Duggee soft toys, character figurines and playsets in Australia, with books published through Penguin Random House in the region.

    Hey Duggee centers on a big, lovable dog named Duggee who runs the Squirrel Club: a group of animal youngsters who take part in all kinds of activities and adventures to earn merit badges and have fun. The first season has sold to over 80 territories worldwide, with a second season recently commissioned from award-winning animation house Studio AKA.

    Hey Duggee
    Hey Duggee
  • VIZ Debuts ‘Bee and Puppycat’ Cookbook

    VIZ Debuts ‘Bee and Puppycat’ Cookbook

    VIZ Media is offering a scrumptious temptation to foodies and pop culture fans with the release of Easy Eats: A Bee and PuppyCat Cookbook. The recipe book is inspired by Natasha Allegri’s hit animated web series, and debuts as a hardcover edition with an MSRP of $16.95 US / $19.95 CAN.

    Recipes for Easy Eats were submitted by creatives working on Bee and PuppyCat as well as by fans of the series (don’t worry, they were tested by VIZ’s food editing team in Italy). Staying true to Bee and PuppyCat’s love for food, the beautifully illustrated cookbook offers tons of delicious dishes for both beginner and experienced cooks.

    Created by the American cartoonist and writer Natasha Allegri, Bee and PuppyCat depicts the intergalactic, temp-job escapades of twenty-something, chronically- unemployed Bee and her supernatural companion, PuppyCat. The series is produced by Frederator Studios / Cartoon Hangover and is widely seen on its web channel.

    Easy Eats: A Bee and PuppyCat Cookbook
    Easy Eats: A Bee and PuppyCat Cookbook
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Kubo and the Two Strings Launches Interactive Map
    Head to KuboMap.com to take your own interactive journey through Kubo’s realm with LAIKA and Focus Features’ latest innovative social media promotion for the film. (Note: interactive annotation features of the video-map can only be used through desktop browsers.)

    Nickelodeon Scores 52 Straight Weeks at Number One
    The network also claims the top kids’ shows across all TV for the month of July, lead by new original toon The Loud House at No. 1.

    Video: Custom Voltron Lion Bikes Built for Lucky Super-Fan
    The newest episode of of Super-Fan Builds follows veteran film industry craftsman Fon Davis (Star Wars, The Matrix) as he creates some pretty sweet rides for giant robot fans.

    Summer of Steven Sweepstakes at CN Shop
    CartoonNetworkShop.com has launched a two-week, two-part Steven Universe sweepstakes. The Week 1 prize pack for one lucky winner includes a cast seatbelt belt, Quest for Gem Magic hardcover book, Steven’s star socks, Mr. Universe tote bag, and large Steven plush!

    World Screen Unveils 2016 Kids’ Content Trendsetters
    Canal+’s Laurence Blaevoet, CBBC’s Sarah Muller, Disney XD’s Marc Buhaj and Amazon Studios’ Tara Sorensen will be honored at an awards ceremony during MIPJunior.

    Kubo and the Two Strings Interactive Map
    Kubo and the Two Strings Interactive Map
  • TBS Greenlights First Primetime Toon ‘Tarantula’

    TBS Greenlights First Primetime Toon ‘Tarantula’

    Turner’s TBS announced a raft of programming news on Sunday. Most of the news covered live-action fare, such as a series order for Greg Garcia’s The Guest Book, a pilot for World’s End starring Wanda Sykes and Hamish Linklater, and premiere dates for ensemble comedy People of Earth (Oct. 31) and Search Party.

    But EVP of programming Brett Weitz also revealed TBS has greenlit its first original, animated primetime comedy, Tarantula. The “animated absurdities,” as Weitz put it, come from the mind of creator and writer Carson Mell (Silicon Valley), and TBS has ordered an open-ended run, with a premiere planned for 2017.

    Tarantula is a half-hour comedy about the residents of the Tierra Chula Resident Hotel (a.k.a. “The Tarantula”). The series centers on Echo Johnson, a respected by uncertified tattoo artist who delivers absurd yet introspective monologues. Echo’s poetic ramblings spin tales of misadventures with the other residents, as they partake in party crashing, dumpster diving, and other acts of mischief.

    Tarantula is a co-production of Rough House Pictures and Turner’s Studio T, with Danny McBride, Jody Hill, David Gordon Green and Brandon James (all of Vice Principals) serving as exec producers.

    TBS
    TBS
  • ‘Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom’ Arriving Sept. 27

    ‘Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom’ Arriving Sept. 27

    Shout! Factory will be unleashing some eldritch horrors on the home entertainment scene this fall, with the new animated movie Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom arriving on disc and digital on September 27. The feature adventure from Arcana Studio and Sean Patrick O’Reilly (Pixies) is based on the bestselling graphic novel by Bruce Brown.

    Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom is centered on a the famed horror and fantasy writer as a young lad of infinite imagination and boundless curiosity. Written, directed and produced by O’Reilly, the film’s voice cast is lead by Emmy winner Jane Curtin (3rd Rock from the Sun), Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Oscar winner Christopher Plummer (Beginners, Up), Doug Bradley (Hellraiser), Kiefer O’Reilly (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) and Alison Wandzura (CW’s Van Helsing).

    Michelle O’Reilly serves as producer, with Gary Yuen as art director & senior modeler, Brendan Hansell as senior editor, and Haqui Gbadamosi as CG supervisor.

    Now available for pre-order (receive an exclusive poster while supplies last!), Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom will be released by Shout! Factory on Sept. 27 as a two-disc Blu-ray + DVD combo (w/ digital copy), DVD (w/ digital copy), on Digital HD, VOD and through Redbox.

    Synopsis:

    Before he becomes the famed horror writer H. P. Lovecraft, young Howard Lovecraft is a curious and imaginative boy living with his mother. But after she unwittingly gives Howard the legendary Necronomicon, he is transported to a dangerous and frozen world populated by horrifying creatures. After saving and befriending one such creature – Spot – Howard and his new friend set off on a perilous quest to save the kingdom and get Howard home. But Howard soon finds out that not everything is as it seems and not everyone is to be trusted.

    More at HowardLovecraftMovie.com.

    Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom
    Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom
  • Clips: ‘Teen Titans GO!’ Get Shipwrecked on CN

    Clips: ‘Teen Titans GO!’ Get Shipwrecked on CN

    This week on Cartoon Network, a special five-day Teen Titans GO! programming event will have Robin, Raven, Starfire, Cyborg and Beast Boy all washed up as they spend August 1 through 5 shipwrecked on a desert island. New episodes air each night at 6 p.m. / 5 p.m. C. Check out episode clips and stills below, courtesy of Warner Bros. Animation.

    “Coconut Crème Pie” Monday, August 1 – The Titans are shipwrecked on a desert island and must use the island’s resources to survive.

    “Pure Protein” Tuesday, August 2 – Still shipwrecked on a desert island, the Titans first hold a team competition but then must avoid an Alien hunter.

    “Open Door Policy” Wednesday, August 3 – Still shipwrecked on a desert island, the Titans try to find food but stumble upon dinosaurs instead.

    “Crazy Desire Island” Thursday, August 4 – Still shipwrecked on a desert island, Robin grants the other Titans their crazy desires.

    “The Titans Show” Friday, August 5 – The Titans try to get off the desert island, but soon realize that everything is not as it seems.

    Teen Titans GO!
    Teen Titans GO!
  • ‘Masha and the Bear’ Season 2 Launches on Netflix

    ‘Masha and the Bear’ Season 2 Launches on Netflix

    As of August 1, an all-new second season of 26 episodes of hit Russian kids’ series Masha and the Bear launches on Netflix, available to subscribers in the U.S., U.K. and Republic of Ireland. The series first debuted on the streaming service a year ago and has proved widely popular, thanks to the comedic antics of mischievous Masha and her kindly Bear companion.

    The new season produced by Animaccord features notably improved CG animation and promises more screen time for secondary characters and new send-ups for Masha — from Audrey Hepburn to Avatar. A third season began production late last year and is due in mid 2018. This fall will also see Masha and Bear arriving on North American shelves with licensed products from master toy partner SpinMaster available through Toys ‘R’ Us.

    Additionally, U.K. pay TV channel Boomerang has confirmed it will launch both seasons of Masha, with a broadcast premiere set for September. The deal was arranged by Ink Group. The series currently airs in the U.K. on Cartoonito, where it is one of the top three most popular series, and is also enjoying success on YouTube. Seasons 1 and 2 of Masha — as well as the spin-off series Masha’s Spooky Stories — are also heading to podcast aggregator Juice on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon Instant Video in NorAm, U.K., Australia, New Zealand and France, starting in September.

    Masha and the Bear
    Masha and the Bear
  • ‘Octonauts’ Steer for Spain’s RTVE

    ‘Octonauts’ Steer for Spain’s RTVE

    Silvergate Media has captained its hit preschool series Octonauts into exciting new harbors as Spanish national broadcaster RTVE enjoys a successful launch of the series on its kids’ channel, Clan. The show was acquired by Disney Junior for both Spain and Portugal last summer, as well, with both broadcast deals negotiated by Silvergate’s Spanish agent, Ypsilon.

    Ypsilon has further secured Editorial Planeta as local publishing partner, with initial products set to come off the presses later this year. The agency also represents Octonauts merchandising rights in the region. Consumer products will be introduced to Spain next Spring, including Fisher Price Octonauts playsets and vehicles, plus back to school goodies from Montichelvo and Joumma Bags.

    “We’re delighted to partner with our friends at Clan. Spain is an important market for us and we’re thrilled to have another strong broadcast platform for Octonauts,” said Silvergate’s SVP – Commercial, Ron Allen. “We’re already seeing a strong response to the show with audience numbers building quickly. We have a fantastic team of broadcast, agent, and licensing partners in place to make 2017 a big success and we look forward to announcing more key partnerships for Octonauts products.”

    Now in its fourth season, Octonauts airs in over 100 countries on top broadcasters including Disney Channel (USA), CBeebies (UK), ABC (Australia), TF1 (France), Super RTL (Germany) and China Central TV (CCTV). Since 2011, the brand has emerged as a leading preschool property in the United States, UK, Europe, Australia, and Korea. A successful launch is underway in China, with Russia to follow this Fall.

    Octonauts
    Octonauts
  • ‘Super Wings’ L&M Takes Flight in Iberia

    ‘Super Wings’ L&M Takes Flight in Iberia

    Nottingham Forest has been keeping busy as Iberian licensing and promotion agent for animated TV series Super Wings, recently welcoming several new licensees on board the brand. Produced by Gil Hoon Jung’s FunnyFlux, Super Wings (52 x 11) launch on RTVE’s Clan on May 30. The series stars an adorable plane named Jett who delivers special packages to children all over the world with the help of his flying friends.

    New licensees include: Color Baby (Master Toy in Iberia; will also develop beach toys, outdoor toys, scooters and rollers, flying toys, et al), Joumma Bags (back to school and travel), Giochi Preziosi (puzzles and board games, educational toys, role play and art & craft), Toimsa (bicycles), CyP Brands (figures, gift and back to school), Lugar Difusión (hair accessories, jewelry and cosmetics), Dulcop (soap bubbles & bubble-toys), Claudio Reig (musical toys), Iberpos (dental care, mosquito repellent bracelets, strips and sponges), and Educa Borrás/Fábrica de Juguetes (ride-ons and play houses).

    Previously announced partners include Panini (books, collectibles and official magazine), Artesanía Cerdá (back to school, apparel, shoes and gift); Karacter Shoes; Dolci Preziosi (Confectionary) and Stor (tableware). Many other deals are in the works, and a raft of products will be heading to shelves starting in September.

    Super Wings
    Super Wings
  • FuseFX Expands New York Operations

    FuseFX Expands New York Operations

    Riding the rising wave of TV production demand for visual effects, FuseFX has expanded its footprint in New York. The studio has moved its operations into a larger facility, able to accommodate a team of over 50 artists to help tackle FuseFX’s workload — which has increased steadily since it first opened its NYC office in 2014.

    FuseFXs new New York quarters are located in the same SoHo building as its original facility, but provide more than 60% more space. The studio has also beefed up its 4K-optimized workflow with additional workstations, more servers and larder rendering farm.

    The studio has also been gradually upping its numbers of artists and production staff, according to Head of Production/Senior Visual Effects Supervisor Greg Anderson. “Production activity has grown steadily all year. Our new space is perfect for our current needs and for the future. … We’ve been slowly integrating people into our processes, methodologies and philosophies. Our senior artists and producers have been with FuseFX for a long time and that enables us to deliver consistently excellent results to our clients.”

    FuseFX NY recently wrapped work on season two of The Blacklist for NBC, and is currently providing vfx services for The Get Down (Netflix), Mr. Robot (USA), Marvel’s Luke Cage (Netflix) and Sneaky Pete (Amazon). Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company also has a facility in Vancouver. Learn more at fusefx.com.

    FuseFX
    FuseFX
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Why China’s Animation Industry Is Destined for Success
    Domestically produced CG movies are growing in popularity, but is the technical prowess still outpacing creative storytelling in the Chinese animation industry?

    StarCraft Universe – Fan Animation
    CGSociety shares an amazing 2 ½ minute ode created by RealtimeUK senior artist Chris Scubli, with character animation by John Batchelor and modeling by Andreea Scubli.

    VTDI to Introduce Animation Associate Degree Program
    Vocational Training Development Institute’s new two-year program is another concerted steps towards growing potential for Jamaican and Caribbean production.

    ABC Kids’ Content Rolling Out on SVOD Services in NZ & OZ
    Preschool service PlayKids will carry kiddy shows like Thomas & Friends and Octonauts beginning August 4.

    The Tick: First Look Photos from Amazon Revival
    Amazon Studios has released some pics from its reboot of the superhero comedy series. Pro: Comic creator Ben Edlund is exec producing. Con: No sign of Patrick Warburton.

    The Tick
    The Tick
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    The Simpsons Cast Their Vote for Hillary Clinton
    If it takes a primetime cartoon to sway your undecided voter’s heart this election, Fox’s animated mainstay has you covered.

    TBS Orders Animated Tarantula Series
    Slated for 2017, the network’s first original primetime toon comes from Rough House and Studio T., with Danny McBride, Jody Hill, David Gordon Green and Brandon James onboard as executive producers.

    Game of Thrones: HBO Confirms Season 8 will Be Last
    Well, the show writers are quickly running out of characters to kill off. And it would be nice is George could go back to focusing on finishing The Winds of Winter. (HA HA HA, LIKE THAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN.)

    Teen Choice Awards 2016: The Complete Winners List
    Teens showed their love for Family Guy, Deadpool and Kylo Ren’s brooding vibes, among other pop culture touchpoints of the last year.

    Animation Legend Bruce Timm on Batman: The Killing Joke
    Hear about the most controversial DC animated movie from the horse’s mouth with video and transcript of ComicBook.com’s SDCC interview with Timm.

    The Simpsons
    The Simpsons