Heather Walk, executive producer and established industry veteran, has purchased Yowza! Animation from founder Claude Chiasson. Established in 1996, Yowza! has built a reputation on the artistic strengths of its crew, with a client roster that includes DreamWorks, Disney, Warner Bros. and Nickelodeon.
“My vision for Yowza! Animation is to continue to expose the marketplace to our exceptional talent base through strong service and co-production partnerships,” says Walker. “We now have every opportunity to advance Yowza’s quality reputation in features and series and I am thrilled to take the helm.”
Walker has created a new space for the studio in an 8,000 sq. ft. facility located in the up-and-coming Junction Triangle neighborhood of downtown Toronto. Brothers Claude and Roger Chiasson continue to lead the team creatively, with Walker running productions. The new owner plans to sustain and build on Yowza’s heritage of classical hand-drawn animation along with its pipeline capacity for ToonBoom, Harmony and 3D projects.
Current projects at Yowza! Animation include a series for Nickelodeon (U.S.), storyboards for Cartoon Network (Middle East), and a number of 2D and 3D development tests and projects.
’Pacific Rim 2’ Gets Early 2018 Release Date
John Boyega will star, with Steven DeKnight taking over directing duty from Guillermo del Toro, who returns for the sequel as a producer.
Disney Sees 20% Gain in Volume for Kids’ Upfront
Ad commitments for Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD et al see a robust increase thanks to a number of factors, including cross-media packages.
L.A. based distributor Eleven Arts and Toei Animation announce that they will release the English-language version of feature-length anime Digimon Adventure tri. – Chapter 1: Reunion nationwide this fall. The film will bow with a special one-night Fathom Events screening in 300-plus cinemas across the U.S. on September 15, followed by a multi-city theatrical roll-out.
“We are excited to partner with Eleven Arts to share this exciting title with audiences across the U.S.,” said Masayuki Endo, President of Toei Animation Inc. “American viewers have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Digimon saga for nearly sixteen years, and we’re delighted to have produced this English language version for theaters, giving it the cinematic treatment our fans deserve.”
Digimon Adventure tri. – Chapter 1: Reunion is the first English-language feature film entry in the popular Digimon Adventure tri. series, which has not yet been released to American audiences. The film takes place six years after the summer adventure when Tai (now in high school) and the other DigiDestined crossed over to the Digital World, and nearly three years since the frenzied final battles between warring factions. With the gate to the Digital World closed, time continues to pass — until events conspire to Digivolve once more.
To mark the release of Gravity Falls: Journal #3 (out from Disney Press on July 26) and the closing of the acclaimed Gravity Falls animated television series, creator Alex Hirsch along with members of his production staff and professional illustrators have pulled together to create a body of original artwork inspired by the show for a special exhibition and book signing event at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, CA.
Farewell to the Falls: A Gravity Falls Art Show will open with a gala event on August 6, from 7-10 p.m., and will be on display at Nucleus through August 21. The Opening Night festivities — cosplay highly encouraged! — are open to all ages with $5 admission fees. Attendees can win exclusive door prizes and hourly raffle giveaways, and the first 100 people in line can have their book signed by series creator and exec producer Alex Hirsch.
The participating artists list has not yet been revealed (hey, it wouldn’t be a Gravity Falls tribute without a healthy dose of mystery), but as Oh My Disney reports, Hirsch was heavily involved in selecting the contributors and approving all pieces for the exhibition.
“Gravity Falls didn’t just appear overnight–every spooky cave and moss covered tree was created by a team of brilliant artists,” Hirsch said of his fan-favorite show. “Now for the first time ever many of these artists, and a few talented friends, will be showcasing original art in tribute to Gravity Falls–including goodies to purchase and oddities to behold. I hope to see you there!”
Farewell to the Falls is a collaborative event from Oh My Disney, Cyclops Print Works and Gallery Nucleus, working with Disney XD and Disney Publishing Worldwide.
Written by Hirsch and Rob Renzetti with illustrations by Andy Gonsalves and Stephanie Ramirez, Gravity Falls: Journal #3 is a hardcover release comprising nearly 300 pages. This includes every journal page seen on the show, plus all-new leafs filled with monsters and secrets, notes from Dipper and Mabel, and the author’s full story. (Plus, the book jacket doubles as an exclusive poster.) The book will be available at the Gallery Nucleus store for the event.
July marks the arrival of an all-new Netflix original series from DreamWorks Animation — the out-of-this-world buddy comedy Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh — as well as a fresh third season of The Adventure of Puss in Boots — following the further magical adventures of the swashbuckling cat as he fights to defend the innocents of San Lorenzo.
Arriving July 15, The Adventures of Puss in Boots Season 3 picks up where the last season’s cliffhanger finale left off: Puss must go toe-to-toe against the evil Bloodwolf. Realizing he can’t succeed along, he forms the Senior Defense Squad and joins a rowdy band of Sky Pirates. Fans will also see Puss face off with his ex-girl-fish-monster FeeJee and the Emperor of the Merpeople, take control of the flying pirate ship, and lead an army of skeletons back to San Lorenzo; a twin Puss created by Artephius; Kid Pickles named King for his birthday, and much more.
Then on July 29, Netflix premieres Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh, which relates what happens when misfit alien Oh moves in with adventurous teen girl Tip and her human family. Set after the events of the 2015 feature film Home, this coming-of-age buddy comedy follows the unlikely duo as they navigate the crazily combined human and alien culture they live in. The show will also include lots of catchy original music performed by teen singing sensation Rachel Crow (Rio 2, X Factor).
MIPJunior organizers have announced that The Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises series Splash and Bubbles will receive a World Premiere TV Screening at the 2016 event — set for October 15 & 16 in Cannes. The 80 x 11-minute series for kids ages 4-7 will make its broadcast debut November 23 on PBS KIDS in the U.S.
Splash and Bubbles follows Splash, a yellow fusilier fish who has migrated all over the ocean before settling down in Reeftown, where he befriends Bubbles, a Mandarin dragonet whose vivid orange and electric blue colouring matches her colourful personality. Until Splash came along, Bubbles and most of the other Reeftown residents had no idea what lived beyond the cozy confines of their coral walls. Together, Splash, Bubbles and their friends embark on adventures to explore the world’s undersea habitats, make new friends and learn about the many different ways life looks and lives in the ocean, celebrating the importance of diversity along the way.
Produced using the Emmy-winning Henson Digital Puppetry Studio proprietary technology, Splash and Bubbles is grounded in a marine biology curriculum that focuses on themes of diversity, individuality, interconnectedness and the celebration of learning and discovery. The series also introduces the concepts of ecological balance and the importance of taking care of the ocean.
Created by John Tartaglia (Imaginocean, Johnny and the Sprites), Splash and Bubbles is executive produced by Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford of The Jim Henson Company, Julie Phillips and Merrill Puckett-Miller of Herschend Enterprises, as well as John Tartaglia, Michael Shawn Lewis and Jill Shinderman. Tom Keniston is producer and David Skelly is supervising director.
The Jim Henson Company oversees all distribution and merchandising for the property; Herschend Enterprises administers all location-based themed entertainment rights, including live-shows. The series is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The Academy and the ABC Television Network today announced key dates for the 89th Oscars, taking place Sunday, February 26, 2017 and airing live on ABC. The 2016 Academy Awards season schedule is:
Saturday, November 12, 2016 – Governors Awards
Thursday, January 5, 2017 – Nominations voting opens
Friday, January 13, 2017 – Nominations voting closes
Tuesday, January 24, 2017 Oscar Nominations Announcement
Monday, February 6, 2017 Oscar Nominees Luncheon
Saturday, February 11, 2017 Scientific and Technical Awards
Monday, February 13, 2017 Finals voting opens
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Finals voting closes
Oscar Sunday, February 26, 2017 89th Academy Awards
The date for the 89th Academy Awards was previously announced, as was the date for the 90th Oscars (March 4, 2018). The Awards will be held once again at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, televised live by ABC in the U.S., and also available live on air in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival has named award-winning cartoonist and animation director Dan Meth as its artist-in-residence for 2016. In this solemn duty, Meth will create animations and art for the fest’s social media platforms, and a collection of his work will be exhibited during the annual festival this October 25-30.
“We’re pleased to have Dan Meth join us here at KLIK! this year,” said Yvonne van Ulden, creative director. “Earlier this year Dan relocated from New York City to the Netherlands seeking new inspirations, and he wanted to get involved in the Dutch animation scene. His eclectic and colorful mix of the funny and bizarre perfectly fits with KLIK!’s fun and edgy approach of animation. With his experience in creating cartoons and memes that are infused with popular culture, Dan can use our social media platforms as a playground to experiment with KLIK!’s beloved characters and to promote animation’s diversity and broad appeal.”
Born in the suburbs of NYC, Dan Meth had a passion for drawing cartoons from a tender age, growing up to major in illustration at Syracuse University before pursuing an animation career. Graduating just as the world of internet video content was taking off, Meth established himself as a viral animated comedy master. In addition to his personal work like 39-episode series The Meth Minute (2007) and its spin-off Nite Fite, he has also worked on TV series including Comedy Central’s Ugly Americans and Nickelodeon’s Random Cartoons, and has been commissioned for illustrations by The New York Times, BuzzFeed and New York Magazine.
Meth is currently working on a sci-fi graphic novel epic, The Regolith, which you can read on Instagram @the_regolith as he goes. His custom work for KLIK! will be published on the event’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and mascot fan page. A collection of these works will be on display during the festival at EYE in Amsterdam.
Shout! Factory returns to the showfloor at San Diego Comic-Con this year with a dynamic lineup of pop-culture panels, signings, new home entertainment products, CCI exclusives and fun booth activities at Shout! HQ: #4118. Among the fan-favorite notables scheduled so far are Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray (Nerdist), Felicia Day (Geek & Sundry), Gail Simone (Red Sonja), Gregg Berger (Transformers: The Movie, Gargoyles) and Misty Lee (Ultimate Spider-Man).
Swing by the booth to pick up exclusive Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir buttons if you use the secret passphrase: “Be Miraculous!” Scream Factory is also giving away collectible five-button packs for the fourth year in a row. Home ent. highlights for the event include Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir – Spots On!, My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Season 5, Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues, MST3K Vol. 36 and more.
Character Appearances (Booth)
Power Rangers – Thurs. & Fri. at 10 a.m.
Meet Spot! a.k.a. Cthulhu from Howard Lovecraft & the Frozen Kingdom upcoming animated feature – Fri. & Sat. at 2 p.m., Sun. at 1 p.m.
Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot from MST3K photo opp – Sat. at noon
Ladybug and Cat Noir from Miraculous – Sun. at noon
Signings (Booth)
Gail Simone and Misty Lee for new animated comic Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues – Thurs. 11 a.m. to noon
Return of the Living Dead presented by Scream Factory, with Thom Mathews (Freddy), John Philbin (Chuck) and Sean Clark (host of Horror’s Hallowed Grounds) – Fri. at 3 p.m.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 new season, with creator Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray and Felicia Day – Sat. 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Gregg Berger with exclusive Transformers: The Movie 30th Anniversary Edition posters – Sun. at 11 a.m.
Panels/Events
An Inside Look at Shout! Factory and Scream Factory (Fri. at 8 p.m.; Rm. 29AB) with Brian Ward (Director of Blu-ray and DVD Production) and Jeff Nelson (Sr. Marketing Director). Exclusive announcements, sneak peeks from upcoming releases and more! Moderated by Julia Cunningham, host of Entertainment Weekly Radio’s “LA Daily” on SiriusXM.
MST3K at Camp Conival (Sat. at 4 p.m.; Conival Main Stage) Join Nerdist and Geek & Sundry for Camp Conival: a trip back in time to classic pop culture summer camp! Swing by the Conival Main Stage on the second concourse at Petco Park for a special Q&A with Joel Hodgson, Felicia Day, and Jonah Ray. Camp Conival does not require an event badge and is open to the public.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Is Back! (Sat. at 8:30 p.m.; Rm. 24ABC) Creator Joel Hodgson, Geek & Sundry’s Felicia Day and others discuss the show’s record-breaking crowdfunding campaign, and reveal behind-the-scenes info on Season 11.
Disney Animation has announced that an all-new adventure in the arcade is coming March 9, 2018 in an untitled sequel to the Oscar-nominated feature Wreck-It Ralph. Stars John C. Reilly (Ralph) and Sarah Silverman (Vanellope) will reprise their roles for returning director Rich Moore and producer Clark Spencer, both of whom worked on Zootopia. Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia writer Phil Johnston joins Moore as director and writer for the sequel.
With the Ralph sequel stepping into the March slot, Nathan Greno’s “Jack and the Beanstalk” musical fantasy Gigantic has been pushed to November 21, 2018.
“From the moment we started working on the first Wreck-It Ralph, we knew there were so many possibilities with these characters,” said Moore in Thursday’s video announcement via Facebook Live “This time, Ralph’s wrecking wreaks havoc on the Web—as only he can do. Characters we loved in the first film are back and we are ecstatic to be working with them—and the actors who voice them—once again.”
When it opened on Nov. 2, 2012, Wreck-It Ralph turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for best animated feature, Wreck-It Ralph won the PGA Award for outstanding producer of an animated theatrical motion picture as well as five Annie Awards, including best animated feature, director, cast and screenplay. The film was named best animated feature by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, earned outstanding achievement in casting for an animated feature by the Casting Society of America, and won the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie.
To celebrate the sequel announcement, Ralph will be wrecking it up in the hit mobile game Disney Crossy Road — as of today, as fans play through the 12 different Disney and Pixar worlds of the game, Ralph may pop up and throw a wrench (or a fist) in their gameplay.
Cartoon Network is inviting college undergrads from across the country to create original, 15-second animated shorts inspired by the immersive world of O.K. KO! Let’s Be Heroes during its inaugural Animation Jam. Set for July 9-11 in Burbank, California, the jam will provide young toon talent with the necessary production tools and a crew of mentors (including O.K. KO! creator Ian Jones-Quartey) to give them three days of full-time artist work experience.
Jones-Quartey’s original short, Lakewood Plaza Turbo, was generated from Cartoon Network Studio’s acclaimed Shorts Program and follows champion-in-training KO and his buddies as they battle evil Lord Boxman. The mobile game O.K. KO! later launched accompanied by animated shorts to view on Cartoon Network’s digital platforms, with each short coming from different animation studios offering their own unique perspectives.
Selected teams of graduating seniors and Cartoon Network Studios interns at the Animation Jam will work together at the studio’s computer workstations complete with a Cintiq, Adobe Flash and Adobe Photoshop to create their shorts. Jones-Quartey, supervising director Toby Jones and other CN animators will be on hand to help guide the teams as students select a concept at random to inspire their short. On Monday, July 11, the final animation fruits of the jam will be showcased as an opportunity to share and collaborate, as well as meet artists from other CN shows.
The eight teams include students and interns selected by their schools: University of Southern California; School of Visual Arts; California State University, Fullerton; Laguna College of Art and Design; California Institute of the Arts; San Jose State University; Maryland Institute College of Art, Rhode Island School of Design; Savannah College of Art and Design; and Exceptional Minds, the first American computer animation studio and non-profit digital arts school for young adults on the autism spectrum.
The July event follows CN’s successful Game Jam in Portland, Oregon earlier this year, which brought together 200 indie developers who created their own games based on the heroes of Lakewood Plaza Turbo. Their work will help inspire future iteration of the property, and the winning team will be awarded a fully funded project.
40 Greatest Animated Movies Ever Made Rolling Stone trawls through the great worldly wealth of CG blockbusters, stop-mo indies, cyberpunk anime and 2D classics to find the historical highlights of the animation “genre.”
FuseFX Vancouver announces the arrival of fresh talent to its ranks, with VFX Supervisor Eric Gambini coming on board along with VFX Producer Graeme Marshall and CG Supervisor Adam Marisett as the company continues to add staff to service the region’s TV production boom.
Having worked at effects facilities around the globe, Gambini most recently served as On-Set VFX Supervisor on the CW series The 100. He began his career in his native France as a picture editor before immigrating to the U.S. in 1996 to join Digital Domain, where as a camera department technician he worked on several blockbuster titles including X-Men. He also spent six years with Weta Digital in New Zealand, serving as an on-set TD for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Avatar. Gambini went on to work at studios in Singapore, Australia and Canada.
Marshall’s background includes three years at Zoic Studios, Vancouver, where he worked on such shows as Arrow for Warner/DC, Banshee for Cinemax and Hemlock Grove for Netflix. A native of New Zealand, he is a graduate of Auckland University of Technology and began his career with the commercial production company Flying Start. He gained his first experience in visual effects through PRS Spartacus and also founded and ran the boutique production house Thrash.
Marisett brings more than 10 years of experience as a visual effects artist, animator and CG supervisor. He arrives from Scanline VFX, Vancouver, and has also held staff posts with The Embassy, Digital Domain and Anthem Visual Effects. His credits include the series The Messenger, the mini-series Tut and Ascension, and the features Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Elysium.
Launched in 2015, FuseFX’s Vancouver facility currently produces visual effects for such shows as The Magicians, Zoo,Dark Matter and Salem.
Nickelodeon and its library programming block The Splat are opening the vaults for a slime-tastic, immersive experience at Comic-Con International in San Diego (July 21-14). Based out of its 1,800 sq. ft. convention floor booth (#4113), Nickelodeon will pay tribute to some of its most iconic series with activities, games, panels, talent signings and interactive elements inspired by Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, CatDog, Rocko’s Modern Life, Invader Zim, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Double Dare and more.
(Oh, and The Splat will celebrate 25 years of NickToons with brand-new commentary and behind-the-scenes info from voice talent and series creators, themed programming and encore airings of Ren & Stimpy, Rugrats and Doug every night throughout August!)
PANELS:
Happy Happy! Joy Joy!: 25 Years of Nickelodeon Original Animation
Thursday, July 21, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Room: 6A) – For 25 years Nickelodeon has produced some of the most innovative and memorable animation in the history of television. Nick Animation Podcast host Hector Navarro finds out how and why four of the network’s most influential creators did what they did: Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold!), Jhonen Vasquez (Invader Zim), Butch Hartman (The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom) and Arlene Klasky, who along with Gabor Csupo and Paul Germain,created Rugrats. Don’t miss the chance to see production art from the upcoming TV movie Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie; animation from Hartman’s new Bunsen is a Beast!; and the world premiere of Don vs Raph, a TMNT animated short written and produced by Jhonen Vasquez.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles–Return to New York
Friday, July 22, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Room: 6A) – Executive producers Ciro Nieli and Brandon Auman share sneak peeks of the epic adventures and new characters that await the Turtles when they return to the streets of NY in season four. On hand will be voice actors Rob Paulsen (Donatello), Greg Cipes (Michelangelo), Gwendoline Yeo (Shinigami) and Eric Bauza (Tiger Claw). Also, witness the world premiere of two never-before-seen TMNT animated shorts presented by co-creator, Kevin Eastman. The panel will be moderated by Andre Meadows (Black Nerd Comedy).
She Made That?: Nickelodeon hosts Women in Animation
Friday, July 22, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (Room: 24ABC) – Join innovative and pioneering female cartoon creators for a discussion on their careers and the opportunities for women in animation today. Panelists include Lauren Faust (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic), Mary Harrington (Invader Zim, Hey Arnold!), Vanessa Coffey (The Ren & Stimpy Show, Rugrats), Rikke Asbjoern (Pinky Malinky), Margaret Dean (Women in Animation) and Maija Burnett (California Institute of the Arts).
Back to the ‘90s: Nickelodeon’s All That Reunionand Legends of the Hidden Temple!
Saturday, July 23, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Room: 6A) – Join The Splat for a reunion of the trailblazing sketch comedy series’ major players, Josh Server, Danny Tamberelli, Lori Beth Denberg and Kel Mitchell. Plus, get the first look at Nick’s new TV movie based on Legends of the Hidden Temple and hear about it from returning cast members Kirk Fogg and Dee Bradley Baker, along with Isabela Moner (Transformers 5). The panel will be moderated by Entertainment Weekly staff writer, Marc Snetiker.
DAILY BOOTH ACTIVITY:
Legends of the Hidden Temple Virtual Reality 360-Degree Experience: Visitors can enter the world of the upcoming action-adventure TV movie inspired by the iconic game show, and experience the mysterious Mayan temple first-hand.
Olmec Photo Opp/Trivia: Fans can interact with Legends of the Hidden Temple’s King Olmec and test their knowledge by answering trivia questions for the opportunity to win prizes.
Hey Arnold! Stoop and Double Dare Nose Photo Opps
Costumed-Character Appearances: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rugrats, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly OddParents, Arnold and Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Dino Super Charge(select times)
Autograph Signings: Cast members from All That, voice of SpongeBob Tom Kenny, TMNT voice talent, Kirk Fogg from Legends of the Hidden Temple and more TBA.
Retail: Comic-Con exclusive figures, t-shirts and more.
Disney has issued some new featurettes and clips from Steven Spielberg’s magical hybrid movie adaptation The BFG, opening nationwide this Friday, July 1. Check out the videos for more footage of the Big Friendly Giant (voiced by Mark Rylance), Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) and the less-friendly but much bigger giants of Giant Land (Jemaine Clement and Bill Hader).
Based on the best-selling book by Roald Dahl, The BFG also stars Penelope Wilton as the Queen and Rebecca Hall as her maid, Mary. Melissa Mathison wrote the screenplay for The BFG, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has extended membership invitations to 683 distinguished filmmakers, artists and executives “who represent the best in our global film community, and who have made a lasting impact on movie fans everywhere,” according to president Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
Spurred by calls for greater diversity, AMPAS’ Class of 2016 is 46% female (bringing the overall total to 27% of members, a 2% increase) and 41% people of color (for 11% overall, up 3%). New international members total 283, representing 59 different countries.
Representing the animation and VFX communities in the Directors and Producers branches are Ari Folman (The Congress, Waltz with Bashir), Marjane Satrapi (The Voices, Persepolis) and masters of sci-fi spectacle Lana & Lilly Wachowski; and Roy Lee (The LEGO Movie). Congratulations to these accomplished filmmakers, and to all the new members of the Animation and VFX branches:
Short Films and Feature Animation:
Alê Abreu (Boy and the World, Cosmic Boy), Line K. Andersen (The Croods, Monsters vs. Aliens), Bruce Anderson (Rio 2, Rio), Graham Annable (The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman), Guillaume Aretos (Puss in Boots, Shrek the Third), Sanjay Bakshi (The Good Dinosaur, Monsters University), Maxwell Boas (Kung Fu Panda 3, Rise of the Guardians), Lydia Bottegoni (Hotel Transylvania, Surf’s Up), Rebecca Wilson Bresee (Zootopia, Frozen), Mark Burton (Shaun the Sheep Movie, Gnomeo & Juliet), Chris Butler (ParaNorman, Coraline), Clément Calvet (Cafard, Song of the Sea), Tom Cardone (Rio 2, Horton Hears A Who!), Galen Tan Chu (Epic, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs), Pam Coats (Gnomeo & Juliet, Mulan), Melissa Beth Cobb (Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 2), Deborah Cook (The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman), Renato Dos Anjos (Wreck-It Ralph, Bolt), Jeff Draheim (Frozen, The Princess and the Frog), Karen Dufilho (Duet, For the Birds), Pato Escala WINNER (Bear Story), Katie Fico (Zootopia, Feast), Michael Fong (Inside Out, Toy Story 3), Lori Forte (Epic, Ice Age: Continental Drift), Jonathan Gibbs (Turbo, The Croods), Steven Goldberg (Frozen, Tangled), Judith Gruber-Stitzer (Wild Life, When the Day Breaks), Jorge R. Gutierrez (The Book of Life, Carmelo), Jane Hartwell (The Croods, Madagascar), Georgina Hayns (The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman), Janet Healy (Minions, Despicable Me 2), Tang K. Heng (Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda ), Raman Hui (Monster Hunt, Shrek the Third), Claire Jennings (Coraline, Father and Daughter), Yong Duk Jhun (The Croods, Shrek Forever After), Scott Kersavage (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), Michael Knapp (Epic, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs), Robert Kondo (The Dam Keeper, La Luna), Shawn Krause (Inside Out, Cars 2), Max Lang (Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo), Nicolas Marlet (Kung Fu Panda 3, How to Train Your Dragon 2), Steve Martino (The Peanuts Movie, Ice Age: Continental Drift), Dale Mayeda (Planes: Fire & Rescue, Frozen), Brian McLean (The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman), Mike Mitchell (Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Shrek Forever After), Joe Moshier (Penguins of Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon 2), James Ford Murphy (Lava, Cars), Kiel Murray (Up, Cars), Yoshiaki Nishimura (When Marnie Was There, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya), Kyle Odermatt (Big Hero 6, PaperMan), Gabriel Osorio WINNER (Bear Story, Residuos), Sanjay Patel (Sanjay’s Super Team, Tokyo Mater), Martin Pope (Room on the Broom, Chico & Rita), Tina Price (Dinosaur, Fantasia 2000), Peter Ramsey (Rise of the Guardians, Monsters vs. Aliens), Denise Ream (The Good Dinosaur, Cars 2), Julie Roy (Carface, Kali the Little Vampire), William Salazar (Kung Fu Panda 3, Monsters vs. Aliens), Scott Santoro (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Flushed Away), Katherine Sarafian (Brave, Lifted), Kent Seki (Rocky and Bullwinkle, Megamind), Osnat Shurer (One Man Band, Boundin’), Mireille Soria (Home, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted), Richard Starzak (Shaun the Sheep Movie, A Matter of Loaf and Death), Michael D. Surrey (The Princess and the Frog, The Lion King), Galyn Susman (Ratatouille, Toy Story 2), Imogen Sutton (Prologue, The Thief and the Cobbler), Dice Tsutsumi (The Dam Keeper, Monsters University), Nora Twomey (Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells), Pablo Valle (How to Train Your Dragon 2, Turbo), Michael Venturini (The Good Dinosaur, Toy Story 3), Pierre-Olivier Vincent (How to Train Your Dragon 2, How to Train Your Dragon), Dan Wagner (Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda 2), Koji Yamamura (Muybridge’s Strings, Mt. Head), Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There, The Secret World of Arrietty), Raymond Zibach (Kung Fu Panda 3, Sinbad: Legends of the Seven Seas)
Visual Effects: Kevin Baillie (The Walk, Transformers: Age of Extinction), Sara Bennett WINNER (Ex Machina, Hercules), Theo Bialek (The Amazing Spider-Man 2, The Smurfs 2), Richard Bluff (The Big Short, Unbroken), Steve Cremin (Hail, Caesar!, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pts. 1 & 2), Lindy Wilson De Quattro (Pacific Rim, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), Adrian de Wet (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pts. 1 & 2, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), Matt Dessero (Jupiter Ascending, Divergent), Deak Ferrand (By the Sea, Lucy), Ronald Frankel (Gods of Egypt, Riddick), John Gibson (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Snow White and the Huntsman), Martin Hill (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 2, Furious Seven), Bruce L. Holcomb (Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron), Andrew Jackson (Mad Max: Fury Road, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies), Matthew Jacobs (Gods of Egypt, Deliver Us from Evil), Anders Langlands (The Martian, X-Men: Days of Future Past), Seth Maury (Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Maleficent), Rich McBride (The Revenant, Gravity), Kelvin McIlwain (Furious Seven, Snow White and the Huntsman), Paul Norris WINNER (Ex Machina, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation), Dan Oliver (Gods of Egypt, Mad Max: Fury Road), Edward M. Pasquarello (Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, Tomorrowland), Betsy Paterson (The Hunger Games, The Incredible Hulk), Matthew Shumway (The Revenant, Life of Pi), Jason Smith (The Revenant, Super 8), Kevin Andrew Smith (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Krampus), Simone Kraus Townsend (Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron), Stefano Trivelli (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Pan), Adam Valdez (Maleficent, World War Z), David Vickery (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Fast & Furious 6), Steven Warner (The Brothers Grimsby, The Martian), Andrew Whitehurst WINNER (Ex Machina, Paddington), Andy Williams (Mad Max: Fury Road, Fury), Tom Wood (Mad Max: Fury Road, The Last Witch Hunter).
Whether you’re ready or not, America, an all-new tenth season of Squidbillies is taking off on Adult Swim on Sunday, July 10 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. Yes, the “Booty Hunter” is back to reveal the violent, bizarre and uncomfortably sexual underbelly of rural life through the eyes of everyone’s favorite trash-talking cephalopods.
That is, if guest star Jesco White (“Dancing Outlaw” and voice of Ga-Ga-Pee-Pap Cuyler) can find ‘em in time…
This season will feature an all-new cover of the theme song each week, recorded by an eclectic variety of musical talents including Father John Misty, Kurt Vile, The B-52s, Sharon Van Etten, Jimmy Cliff and Rebecca Schiffman.
Squidbillies is written and produced by Dave Willis and Jim Fortier.
DreamWorks Animation and distribution partner 20th Century Fox have released a shiny new trailer for Trolls — the musical, CG-animated update on the classic toy brand coming to theaters November 4. The spot sets up the conflict of personalities between gritty survivalist Branch and bubbly optimist Poppy before taking your eyeballs and earholes on a careening, technicolor tour through their vibrant world — complete with dangerous creatures, strange characters and irresistible beats.
Directed by Mike Mitchell, co-directed by Walt Dohrn and produced by Gina Shay (all Shrek Forever After alums), Trolls stars Anna Kendrick as Poppy and Justin Timberlake as Branch, with Gwen Stefani, James Corden, Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand, Icona Pop, Ron Funches, Kunal Nayyar, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christine Baranski, John Cleese, Meg DeAngelis and GloZell Green.
Synopsis:
DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls is an irreverent comedy extravaganza with incredible music! From the genius creators of Shrek, Trolls stars Anna Kendrick as Poppy, the optimistic leader of the Trolls, and her polar opposite, Branch, played by Justin Timberlake. Together, this unlikely pair of Trolls must embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the only world they’ve ever known.
Brad Bird’s iconic animated feature The Iron Giant will be back on the home entertainment market this fall, and better than ever. Available September 6 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, The Iron Giant: Signature Edition will mark the film’s debut on Blu-ray, and the fully remastered 1999 film (enhanced with two all-new scenes) will also be available as an Ultimate Collectors Edition the same day.
“We’re tremendously gratified by the ever-growing status of The Iron Giant, which was a labor of love for those of us who made it,” said director Brad Bird. “It seems like a perfect time to give the film’s large and expanding fan-base the deluxe Blu-ray they’ve long been asking for.”
Bird’s credits also include The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Tomorrowland.
Winner of nine Annie Awards, The Iron Giant is the tale of an unlikely friendship between a rebellious boy named Hogarth (voiced by Eli Marienthal) and a giant robot, voiced by a then little-known actor named Vin Diesel. The voice cast also included Jennifer Aniston and Harry Connick Jr. The film was produced by Allison Abbate and Des McAnuff from a screen story by Brad Bird and screenplay written by Tim McCanlies and Brad Bird, adapted from poet Ted Hughes’ book, The Iron Man.
Priced at $14.97, The Iron Giant: Signature Edition on Blu-ray contains both the Signature Edition and original theatrical versions of the film in high definition, as well as the new, definitive making-of documentary, The Giant’s Dream. And for fans with deeper pockets, the Ultimate Collectors Edition (SRP $74.99) has both film versions in HD and SD. documentary, a hardcover art book of the film, collectible Mondo art cards, a four-inch articulated Iron Giant statue, and a letter from Bird.
Both sets also include theatrical version commentary from Bird, additional scenes (including alternate opening), mini documentary segments, “Teddy Newton – The X Factor,” “Duck and Cover” sequence, The Voice of the Giant, motion gallery and more.
Global Genesis Group and Hub Media announce that Sazzy Pets will make its international debut in July on Amazon Prime and Amazon Digital in the U.S., Germany, U.K. and Japan. The CG-animated preschool series is produced by Singapore-based family entertainment house SLS Atelier.
Sazzy Pets is set in a magical world of once-upon-a-time called Sazzyland, where the little goat princess Sazzy and her friends enjoy life to the fullest. The brand was inspired by the dreams of an 8-year-old girl named Sarah who wanted to create a story and a game for kids of all ages. Sazzy Pets features colorful, cute designs and will be augmented by a merchandise line, app and educational online game.
SLS Atelier designs, licenses and produces Sazzy Pets, as well as Sazzy Pets products that include stationery, school supplies, gifts and food items that will be sold worldwide and on the web. The company has also developed SazzyPets.com, a virtual world and online game aimed at children between 4-8, which allows users to socialize and play educational puzzles.
