Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • ‘Big Fish & Begonia’: Chinese-Korean Fantasy Gets First Trailer

    ‘Big Fish & Begonia’: Chinese-Korean Fantasy Gets First Trailer

    One of the most anticipated Chinese animated features of recent years will finally arrive in local theaters on July 8, and if the freshly released trailer is anything to judge by, this colorful fantasy adventure will likely win over audiences internationally. Directed, written and produced by Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun, Big Fish & Begonia is produced by Beijing’s B&T Studio with help from South Korean animation house Studio Mir (The Legend of Korra).

    Taking inspiration from classic Chinese tales, the film follows a teenage girl on a journey through a strangely altered world, where the Earth and sea blend more fluidly than in our reality. In the form of a dolphin, she sets out to find the human who saved her and repay the favor. After showcasing a half-hour of footage from the film, Big Fish & Begonia drew comparisons to Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed Spirited Away.

    Big Fish & Begonia is being released in China by Beijing Enlight Media after a very up-and-down journey to theaters. Xuan and Chun began their journey with a short film titled Swallowtail Butterfly in 2004, and formed B&T Studio the next year to turn the well received short into a feature. Funding proved difficult for years — finally, an appeal to Chinese social media site Weibo in 2013 helped spread the word about the ambitious project, and Studio Mir came on board.

    “No any normal people will do things like what [Xuan and Chun] do,” said Enlight Media’s president Wang Changtian at a press conference last week. “I have to thank the two special people who’ve made this film for their endurance and persistence. A good animated film needs time. It will make the Chinese animation industry proud and will not disappoint anyone who’s been waiting for 12 years.”

    Big Fish & Begonia
    Big Fish & Begonia
  • DeZerlin and Zycon Ink Five-Feature Deal

    DeZerlin and Zycon Ink Five-Feature Deal

    DeZerlin Media of Qindao, China, and London-based Zycon Media signed an agreement during the Beijing International Film Festival to co-finance and co-produce a slate of five animated features aimed at both the Chinese and international movie markets. The five films will be produced over the next three to four years, with a new production beginning every nine months.

    First in line for production under the new deal are Wanhoo, a quirky comedy-fantasy set in ancient China; and Outlaws, a fast-paced comedy-adventure set in the Wild West. Both films have been developed by DeZerlin’s in-house story team. Under the agreement, the five films will be produced by Zhang Lin, CEO of DeZerlin, and Mohammed Khalid, CEO of Zycon. The deal was structured by Mark Byers, a Beijing-based producer and CEO of Quixotic Group, Inc.

    “I’ve been a proponent of the Chinese animation industry for many years,” said Khalid in the announcement. “and this opportunity gives us the platform to not only utilize the China/UK co-production treaty but enhance our understanding, knowledge and experience in working with a highly skilled and talented team at DeZerlin, developing the capacity of our teams to address communication and sharing of both cultures in a partnership environment that will promote creativity, and visual narrative that will touch the hearts of our audiences around the globe.”

    DeZerlin and Zycon are supported in the planned production slate by Beijing-based HG Capital, which has funded and co-produced some of the highest grossing films and TV series of the recent past as one of China’s premiere investment companies.

    In addition to the Zycon agreement, DeZerlin has also secured an animated features co-production deal with New Zealand’s Huhu Studios.

    DeZerlin and Zycon Ink Five-Feature Deal
    DeZerlin and Zycon Ink Five-Feature Deal
    Wanhoo
    Wanhoo
    Outlaws
    Outlaws
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    The Simpsons Get Disney-fied Couch Gage from Animator Eric Goldberg
    Legendary Disney animator sprinkles some fairydust over the first family of Springfield, inspired by (some of) the studio’s classic moments.

    Prithviraj’s Karnan to Have an Animated Avatar
    R.S. Vimal plans to release the film’s digital storyboards as a full-length animated movie for TV and DVD shortly after the live-action epic is arrives in theaters.

    Hollywod Firm Flickerpix Animations Bring Zig and Zag Back to TV Screens at CBBC
    Beloved alien puppet pals from ’90s TV are making an animated return to the small screen on Monday, April 25.

    Kent Producers Hope to Rival The Simpsons and Family Guy with Their Own Animated Satire Show
    TV writer/producer Ian Brown seeks to grow an international hit in his own British backyard with The Bruvs.

    3D Scanning Brings Nightmare Universe to Life in SXSW Short Film Night Stalker
    New Media Ltd. and Ooh La La Records have unleashed a stunning, unnerving horror-romance in this hybrid short featuring music by Brooklyn rockers Fort Lean.

    The Simpsons
    The Simpsons
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Meet the Under-the-Radar Company that Brings You the Best Animation in the World
    GKIDS has found success in the risky independent film business by bringing innovative, international animation to the North American market.

    DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg’s 2015 Pay Soars 112 Percent
    Studio head is in the money, raking in $13.5 million last year.

    New Episodes of Multi-Emmy Award-Winning Amazon Original Series Tumble Leaf Will Premiere on Prime Video May 6
    Fig the blue fox and his caterpillar buddy Stick return to the streaming service for all-new adventures.

    Angry Birds Promo Aims to Net $250 Million
    Sony announces more than 100 global partners have signed on to the Rovio film’s campaign.

    Beauty and the Beast to Prince Charming: Disney Animation Set for Live-Action Movies
    Maleficent was just the tip of the iceberg: Live-action Cruella, Dumbo, Mulan and much more are in the works at the Mouse House.

    Tumble Leaf
    Tumble Leaf
  • Disney & Marvel Announce Girls STEM Challenge Winner

    Disney & Marvel Announce Girls STEM Challenge Winner

    Ahead of the May 6 release of Captain America: Civil War, Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Studios, Dolby Laboratories, Synchrony Bank, Broadcom MASTERS and Science & Entertainment Exchange (a program of National Academy of Sciences) announce the Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War – Girls Reforming the Future Challenge Grand Prize Winner and recipient of an internship at Marvel Studios.

    Maia Dua, from West Sacramento, California, was selected from five finalists as the Grand Prize Winner, and will take part in a week-long internship at Marvel Studios. Over 1,000 young women from across the U.S. took on the challenge to use science and technology to create a project that would create positive change in the world.

    For her entry, Dua developed a robot that is a cost-effective and durable alternative to a seeing eye dog. The self-propelled, echo-locating “Seeing Eye-Bot” is made of readily accessible materials, putting it within financial reach of more people who need it. Dua’s robot is designed to require minimal maintenance and to function for at least seven years.

    During the internship, Dua will learn firsthand how STEM skills are used in innovative and creative ways to produce globally recognized films and characters. At the end of the week, Dua will join the four other finalists — Holly Riepling from Colorado Springs, Janie Kim from San Diego, Margaret Fleck from Emmaus, PA and Vivian Qiang from Marlboro, NJ — to inspire other young girls in a special live global webinar hosted by Broadcom MASTERS. The finalists will discuss how they used STEM skills to create their projects, and Due will share insights from her internship experience.

    Captain America: Civil War - Girls Reforming the Future Challenge
    Captain America: Civil War – Girls Reforming the Future Challenge
  • ‘Bling’ Arrives in Select Theaters May 6

    ‘Bling’ Arrives in Select Theaters May 6

    Entertainment One’s Momentum Pictures will release Korean-made CG animated feature Bling in select U.S. theaters starting May 6. The film is produced by animation studio Digiart in association with Korean VFX Digital Idea and Celsius Entertainment.

    Featuring the voice talents of Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights), Jennette McMcurdy (iCarly), Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) and James Woods (Justice League Action, Hercules), Bling follows the tale of lowly theme park mechanic Sam whose plan to marry the girl of his dreams is thwarted by a super villain. It is up to him and his team of superhero robots to save the city. Can this accident-prone amusement park mechanic get back his ring, stop the villain, and win the girl before it’s too late?

    The voice cast also includes Tom Green, Jon Heder and Jason Mewes. Bling is directed by Kyung Ho Lee (Shark Bait, Garfield Gets Real) and Wonjae Lee, from a script written by Chris Denk (Alpha & Omega), Hyunjoong Kim and Kyung Ho Lee.

    Bling
    Bling
  • ‘Moana’ Sets Sail for Annecy

    ‘Moana’ Sets Sail for Annecy

    The Annecy festival organizers have announced that Walt Disney Animation Studios will hold the world premiere of their new theatrical short film Inner Workings at the French animation event, and will bring along never-before-seen footage from the upcoming feature film Moana.

    Moana is set in the ancient water-bound world of Oceania, and follows an adventurous teenager who, with help from her demi-god travel companion Maui, sails out on a daring mission to prove herself as a master wayfinder, and save her people. The film arrives in U.S. theaters on November 23.

    Legendary directors John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog) will be on hand to present the footage on June 17th at 10:30 a.m. in the Bonlieu’s Grande Salle. Attendees will get a first ever glimpse at new artwork and work-in-progress film sequences from Moana, as Musker and Clements detail the extensive research the filmmakers put into creating an authentic animated world for the film.

    Moana
    Moana
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Cannes: White Fang Animation Gets Int’l Sales Deal
    SC Films picks up Jack London adaptation from French animation studio Superprod and production partners Bidibul and Big Beach.

    Bloomberg Is Concerned About the “Glut” of Animated Features
    Cartoon Brew tears up dismissive piece published by business rag about the financial dangers of producing “kids” movies.

    Laguna College of Art and Design Announces “The Art of Story” Animation Exhibition
    Running May 5-27 at LCAD Gallery, the show features storyboards by artists whose credits include How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and Shrek.

    FMX Workshop: DI4D Facial Performance Capture for Digital Doubles
    DI4D’s CEO Colin Urquhart is joined by Angela Bassett (“Six” in Rainbow Six: Siege) and director Kevin Margo from Blur Studio, and Remede Ent.’s lead character technical artist Antti Herva.

    Spin Master Buys Appmakers Toca Boca & Sago Mini
    Snapping up the Swedish developer and its Canadian subsidiary gives the toy giant a leg up in kids’ mobile game world.

    White Fang
    White Fang
  • Portfolio Tots Up Sales for ‘Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!’ Movies

    Portfolio Tots Up Sales for ‘Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!’ Movies

    Portfolio Entertainment has secured the first international sales for its three new The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! movies. Now in the final stages of productio, the movies have been acquired by Discovery Kids (Latin America), KiKa (Germany), HOP (Israel), SVT Barnkanalen (Sweden) and Minimini+ (Poland) — all five networks currently air the animated TV series.

    Commissioned by PBS in the U.S. (and also set to air on Treehouse in Canada), the three one-hour movies focus on camping, space and Halloween, and feature the inimitable Martin Short reprising his role as the voice of the Cat.

    The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Camping! – The Little Cats join The Cat in the Hat, Fish, Nick and Sally on a fun and frenzied outdoor adventure as they camp, hike and paddle their way to Fish’s family reunion.

    The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Halloween! – The Cat in the Hat takes Nick and Sally on the craziest fright-filled Halloween adventure that takes them deep into the Oooky-ma-kooky Closet where Nick and Sally discover the very best Halloween costumes ever.

    The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Space! –The Cat in the Hat takes viewers on a cosmic adventure through the solar system to assist with Operation Rover Repair.

    Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
    Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
  • FMX Animation Highlights Include Kung Fu Panda 3

    FMX Animation Highlights Include Kung Fu Panda 3

    FMX 2016 kicks off in Stuttgart next week, running April 26-29, and program announcements are still rolling in from the organizers. Just days ago, Anne Kolbe, the Executive Vice President of Visual Effects at Warner Bros. Pictures, and Kathy Chasen-Hay, Senior Vice President of VFX at Lionsgate joined the lineup for the week-long event based on the theme “Blending Realities.”

    Both Kolbe and Chasen-Hay will each share their perspectives on the state of entertainment as part of the Studio Insights track curated by Dave Gougé (Weta Digital). Plus,  Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the first female director to helm an animated feature film – namely Kung Fu Panda 3 – for a major Hollywood studio (DreamWorks Animation) will be joined by Steve Martino (director for The Peanuts, Blue Sky) and Kevin Margo (Construct, Blur Studio)for a director’s panel on the relationship between directors and technology.

    Also on tap for animation at the event: Max Boas and Raymond Zibach (DreamWorks Animation) take the FMX audience behind the scenes and delve into the creative design process of Kung Fu Panda 3. Two-time Emmy winner Nick Cross, animation director James Cunningham, and creative director and director Philip Hunt partake in sharing their unique stories as part of the “Wild & Strange” track. Shelley Page (DreamWorks) and Ron Diamond (Acme Filmworks Inc.) return to present their animation highlights from the last year.

    For visual effects insights, check out: The “VFX in Commercials” track, featuring insights into the latest advertising coups: Diarmid Harrison-Murray takes the audience through the whole range of MPC’s creature craftsmanship. Jan Stoltz (TRIXTER Commercials) explains the work on the Check24 commercials. Andy Chlupka and Max Zimmermann (FIFTYEIGHT 3D Animation & Digital Effects) describe the challenges of developing the Tassen films. The track on “VFX for TV” assembles Mat Beck and Brian Ali Harding who talk about the work of Entity FX, one of the studios behind the visual effects of TV series such as Vampire Diaries and The Walking Dead. In addition, Thilo Ewers (Pixomondo) provides insights into The Shannara Chronnicles. Joern Grosshans (Mackevision) also elaborates on Shannara Chronicles and Games of Thrones. Erasmus Brosdau (Film Engine), the creative mind behind The Lord Inquisitor project, and Andreas Feix (MPC) deliver talks about “Fan-Made Projects.” Mike Seymour’s Virtual Humans Forum encompasses presentations by Dr. med. Peter Maloca (MP), Pascal Bérard (DR) and Haarm-Pieter Duiker and Brian Karis (Epic Games) as well as a Virtual Humans Forum Workshop (Christopher Nichols, Chaos Group Labs; Christophe Hery, Pixar; Dr Thabo Beeler and Brian Karis).

    The virtual reality programming includes: Ted Schilowitz (20th Century Fox) as well as Craig McPherson and Chris McClintock (The Third Floor) join Jacquie Barnbrook (The VR Company) via Skype to give an insight into the creation of The Martian VR Experience.   (Sony Computer Entertainment) talks about the difference between VR and other forms of media storytelling. Jake Black(Create Advertising) describes how Create Advertising was asked to create a VR experience for Zemeckis’ The Walk. Steffen Kottkamp (Mack Media) and Professor Thomas Wagner (VR Coaster GmbH) dissect the VR experience that they designed for the Europa-Park, and Trevor Tuttle (BOSA) analyzes the design for Dubai’s upcoming theme park Motiongate. Guido Voltolina (Nokia Technologies) illuminates the technology behind VR storytelling from camera lens placement to synchronized audio. Assistant Professor Victoria Abrash shares her perspective as a performing arts professional. Yehuda Duenyas’ (Mindride) talk “Becoming Superhuman- Techno Transcendence” elaborates on the synergetic relationship between transcendence and technology. Terrence Masson (Building Conversation), Keith Miller (Weta), Andrew Cochrane (Mirada) and Andrew Daffy (DAFFY LONDON) expound on new VR business models.

    FMX 2016 is offering over 300 events — visit www.fmx.de for more information.

    Kung Fu Panda 3
    Kung Fu Panda 3
  • ‘Finding Dory’ Nets 13 Promo Partners

    ‘Finding Dory’ Nets 13 Promo Partners

    As Ellen DeGeneres’ fishy alter ego prepares to dive back into theaters in Disney-Pixar’s Finding Dory (June 17), 13 brands have signed on to support the film, building up an ocean off promotional campaign elements. The fruits of collaboration with Aussie, Band-Aid Brand, Bounty, Coppertone, Ice Chips, Juicy Juice, Kellogg’s, KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese, Nature’s Harvest Bread, Pirate’s Booty, Quaker, Subway and Yoplait GoGurt are set to hit shelves shortly.

    Aussielaunches its licensed Finding Dory product on May 16, supporting the campaign through digital and print media. Additionally, P&G will feature a movie-ticket offer with multiple grocery retailers that will be supported through Disney media.

    Band-Aid Brand begins its promotion on May 16 with a custom-animated TV spot that will promote licensed Finding Dory character adhesive bandages. The campaign will be featured in national broadcast and Disney digital and social properties; it will return to support the in-home film campaign.

    Bountykicks off its licensed-product campaign on May 6, supporting the program with dedicated TV and social media campaigns. Procter & Gamble (P&G) will also feature a movie-ticket offer with multiple grocery retailers.

    Coppertonelaunches its first-ever film promotion in May. The campaign features a custom-animated TV spot promoting sun protection. Consumers will be able to see the Finding Dory characters on the Coppertone® KIDS sunscreen spray product. The film’s release will be supported with van wraps, in-store displays and via consumer promotions, including an offer for a free Fandango promo code to see the film with a purchase of $20 in Coppertone® products.

    Ice Chips has signed on for a multi-picture deal. Beginning May 16, Finding Dory will be featured on pack and via in-store take-overs.

    Juicy Juice kicked off a promotion on April 1, featuring an instant-win game on licensed packaging, plus a hometown-screening sweepstakes. The campaign will be visible through digital and print media, as well as premiere sponsorship.

    Kellogg’s kicks off its campaign on May 16 with a custom-animated TV spot, promoting a special in-pack premium “cereal chillers.” The campaign will be visible via packaging, in-store displays, TV and digital media.

    KRAFT Macaroni & Cheesewill promote its Finding Dory licensed product through a Disney media buy as well as premiere sponsorship. The campaign begins May 16.

    Nature’s Harvest Breadkicks off its promotion on April 28, featuring an offer for a Dory plush on packaging and in-store displays. The brand’s first-ever Disney promotion will be shared via digital and in-cinema media.

    Pirate’s Bootykicked off their promotion on April 1 with licensed Finding Dory packaging and in-store displays. The campaign will also be promoted through print advertising and Disney sampling sponsorships.

    Quakerplans to promote the film via product packaging and in-store displays. The campaign, which starts May 1, will be supported through digital media.

    The Subway Brand launches its Finding Dory-themed kids’-meal program in its sandwich shops on June 6, providing build-your-own 3D scene makers to its younger guests. The campaign will be supported via TV and Digital media and in-store displays.

    Yoplait GoGurtwill promote their in-store program with a packaging takeover. Starting May 16, the campaign will be shared via TV and digital media.

    Finding Dory
    Finding Dory
  • Funimation Brings Project Itoh’s ‘Harmony’ to U.S. Theaters

    Funimation Brings Project Itoh’s ‘Harmony’ to U.S. Theaters

    On the heels of the limited theatrical release of The Empire of Corpses, Funimation Films announces that advance tickets are now on sale for Harmony — the second in a three-part series of animated films adapted from Project (Satoshi) Itoh’s novels.

    Harmony is produced by Studio 4°C and co-directed by Michael Arias (Tekkon Kinkreet) and Takashi Nakamura (Akira). Presented in both English subtitled and dubbed versions, Harmony will screen in over 60 theaters across the U.S. on May 17 & 18. A trailer is now available online through IGN.

    Harmony was the second novel published from Japanese sci-fi author Itoh, who died at the early age of 34 from cancer. Released in 2009, the novel was well received and was awarded the Japanese Science Fiction Grand Prize, as well as being nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award in 2010.

    Synopsis

    In a future ruled by an unwavering dedication to good health, three high school girls led by the defiant Miach Mihie attempt suicide as the ultimate act of rebellion. Tuan Kirie survives, but can’t shake the hatred she has for the “perfect world” she lives in.

    Years later, a simultaneous mass suicide rocks the globe and sends society into a state of shock. A small group stands up to take credit for the event, claiming they’ve hijacked the consciousness of every person on the planet. Everything about the terrorists’ message sounds too familiar to Tuan. She suspects her old friend Miach might be involved, but how could that be when she’d supposedly killed herself years earlier? Desperate for answers, Tuan launches an investigation that takes her across the globe chasing the ghost of her old friend. But what is Miach’s end game? Will she finally wake the world from its monotonous slumber? Or, end it all for good?

    Harmony
    Harmony
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Emoji Movie by Sony Animation to Hit Theaters in Augus 2017
    SPA’s CinemaCon presentation dished details on the curious film concept set in the fantastical digital world inside your smartphone.

    Gross Digital Animation Brings Bosch’s Painting of Hell to Life
    The iconic hellscape created for the medieval painter’s Garden of Earthly Delights triptych has been painstakingly built using Unity by artist Floris Kaayk.

    Video: Animators Share What’s New in Adobe Animate CC
    Nickelodeon animator David Gerhard (Breadwinners) and his colleagues weigh in on their love of animation and their new favorite tech tool.

    Pixar Reveals Art of Animation
    A special exhibition in honor of the studio’s 30th anniversary is underway at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.

    Worth a Thousand Words: SHSU 2016 Animation Festival
    Sam Houston State University showcases its latest batch of talent coming up through the Computer Animation program.

    Emoji movie
    Emoji movie
  • ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Delivers Ratings High for Disney XD

    ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Delivers Ratings High for Disney XD

    Disney XD announces that based on Live + 7 preferred viewing ratings, the one-hour season two finale of CG animated series Star Wars Rebels (which aired from 9-10 p.m. ET/PT) posted an over one-year ratings high in Total Viewers (1.2 million), earned 2016 ratings highs with Kids 6-11 (303,000/1.3 rating) and Boys 6-11 (220,000/1.8 rating) and tied its highest rated telecast of the year in Kids 2-11 (1.0 rating) and Boys 2-11 (1.4 rating).

    On digital platforms, Star Wars Rebels generated 3.2 million views on the Disney XD app and raked in over 8.8 million VOD orders throughout its season. Competitively, the season two finale ranked as the No. 1 cable TV telecast in the hour for Boys 6-14 (290,000/1.6 rating) and ranked No. 2 in Kids 6-11 and across target boy demographics. For the season, Star Wars Rebels reached 22 million Total Viewers, including 5.5 million Kids 6-11, 3.2 million Boys 6-11 and 7.6 million Adults 18-49.

    Star Wars Rebels
    Star Wars Rebels
  • Rebecca Hershinger Appointed CFO of Genius Brands

    Rebecca Hershinger Appointed CFO of Genius Brands

    Genius Brands International and its Board of Directors have named veteran financial executive and former VP of Finance for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Rebecca Hershinger, as Chief Financial Officer — effective immediately. The announcement was made by GBI Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward, to whom Hershinger will report. Hershinger started working with GBI in early 2014 through her company, CFO Advisory Services. She then served as the company’s CFO from October 2014 through June 2015 while living in Salt Lake City.

    Hershinger’s reappointment and imminent relocation to GBI’s headquarters in Beverly Hills, California, underscores the growth anticipated by the company through 2016 and beyond, driven by a multi-year distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, the growth of the Kid Genius channel on Xfinity On Demand and the launch of new brands worldwide like SpacePop, Llama Llama — as well as the expansion of existing brands Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club and Stan Lee’s Mighty 7.

    As CFO, Hershinger will be responsible for the company’s corporate finance, accounting and financial reporting functions. She will also play an active role in investor relations and corporate development initiatives. Hershinger previously held finance and corporate development positions at MGM and was an Investment Banking Analyst for JP Morgan Chase & Co. She received an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

    Rebecca Hershinger
    Rebecca Hershinger
  • Crackle Upfronts: More ‘SuperMansion’ & Anime Channel Announced

    Crackle Upfronts: More ‘SuperMansion’ & Anime Channel Announced

    Crackle — the online web series, film and TV show outlet owned by Sony — held its upfront presentation in New York today, and among the announcements was news of a second season of animated original SuperMansion and plans to launch a new anime channel.

    The second season of SuperMansion will bow in early 2017 and follow the further adventures of Titanium Rex (voiced by Bryan Cranston, who is also the show’s executive producer) as he struggles to live with and fight alongside the Millennial-aged, often lackadaisical members of The League of Freedom.

    The stop-motion series is produced by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, and also features the voices of Seth Green, Keegan Michael-Key and Jillian Bell. SuperMansion is directed by Zeb Wells (Robot Chicken), who also serves as writer and EP alongside Matthew Senreich. Cranston, Green, John Harvatine, Eric Towner, James Degus and Moon Shot Ent. join as executive producers.

    Crackle also unveiled a series of new “multiplex channels” which have launched today as part of their “Always On” platform. The free, ad-supported network is comprised of seven distinct destinations spanning categories including Anime, Comedy, Action, Drama, Thriller, Sports and Fandom. The channels are anchored by original content and will play like linear TV once selected.

    SuperMansion
    SuperMansion
  • Jim Henson Co. Secures Multiple Global Preschool Deals

    Jim Henson Co. Secures Multiple Global Preschool Deals

    Following the MIPTV event in Cannes, The Jim Henson Company announces it has secured a number of new licensing deals across multiple platforms for its popular animated preschool series Dinosaur Train, Doozers and Sid the Science Kid. These include free TV, SVOD and other platform agreements across multiple continents.

    Among the new agreements recently completed are a slew of deals for Dinosaur Train. Netflix has picked up global SVOD rights for season one, and for season two for U.K. and Korea. TVO acquired free TV rights for the new fourth season in English-speaking Canada. France Televisions also picked up season four, and France Televisions Distribution acquired TVOD rights to season three and four. Further deals were inked with Movile Internet Movel (season one, SVOD in Germany), MTVA (exclusive season one rights for free TV, Hungary), Tring TV (seasons one, two and three; free TV and basic cable, Albania and Kosovo) and Multichoice Africa Limited (seasons one, two and three, SVOD and AVOD, Africa).

    Doozers got picked up by German online SVOD service Watchever GmbH, by France Televisions Distribution for TVOD and by POD Worldwide for free TV in Thailand.

    Netflix also acquired global SVOD rights to Sid the Science Kid season one and Sid the Science Kid: The Movie. Global education rights for seasons one and two of the series were taken by Discovery Education. Movile Internet Movel picked up on-demand rights for season one and interstitials for the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the U.K. And Tring TV snapped up free TV and basic cable rights for the movie and interstitials in Albania and Kosovo.

    Dinosaur Train
    Dinosaur Train
  • OddBot, Tails of Whimsy Partner for ‘Mackie McKeens’

    OddBot, Tails of Whimsy Partner for ‘Mackie McKeens’

    Los Angeles-based animation studio OddBot, Inc. has optioned The Mighty Machines of Mackie McKeens from The Art of Daryl Slaton LLC — best known as Tails of Whimsy — to develop the property as an animated television series.

    Aimed at kids ages 2-6, The Mighty Machines of Mackie McKeens centers on an imaginative bear named Mackie, his sister Mika, and their helper Mini-bots. Together, they create fantastic inventions and machines in a playful learning laboratory to help solve the comic dilemmas of Citytown.

    “We had an instant connection in both the art style and content of Mackie McKeens,” says OddBot president, Chris Hamilton. “Our goal is to develop a series that encourages creative problem solving via Mackie’s fanciful tinkering. In his laboratory he combines everyday objects to build new, out-of-this-world inventions and machines.”

    OddBot is an Emmy-nominated studio which has produced animation for Disney, WB, Sprout, American Greetings, DreamWorks TV and others for character-branded original shorts, TV series, commercials, interactive books, mobile apps and more.

    Tails of Whimsy is a creative content provider headed by author-illustrator Daryl Slaton, who has created characters for Fortune 500 companies, tourist attractions, animation, licensing and publishing. In recent years, the company has launched several new IPs at major industry events like Licensing Expo, KidScreen and Book Expo America, with new deals in the works.

    Tails of Whimsy
    Tails of Whimsy
  • DHX and Mattel Creations Ink Content Deal for ‘Rainbow Magic’

    DHX and Mattel Creations Ink Content Deal for ‘Rainbow Magic’

    DHX Media has licensed much-loved children’s publishing property Rainbow Magic from Mattel, Inc., in a long-term, exclusive, worldwide agreements managed under the Mattel Creations division. The deal covers multiple revenue streams and paves the way for DHX to producer and distribute a range of new, multi-platform content inspired by the books.

    Rainbow Magic first captured the attention of young readers around the world when the publishing property launched in 2003, and has since produced hundreds of titles reaching millions of readers in more than 30 languages. Rainbow Magic follows the exciting adventures of young friends Rachel and Kirsty and the magical beings they meet in Fairyland. The books are currently published by Orchard (Europe) and Scholastic (USA).

    While DHX holds worldwide rights to develop and produce (through DHX Studios) new content for Rainbow Magic, Mattel will oversee global brand management and global toy rights. The partners will work together to mutually approve consumer product licensing activities for the brand in territories where DHX has a consumer products presence.

    The Rainbow Magic deal expands on DHX and Mattel’s existing relationship, which include the previously announced long-term global partnership for original content based on popular brands Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Little People and Polly Pocket.

    Rainbow Magic
    Rainbow Magic
  • GKIDS’ ‘Nocturna’ to Open CineYouth Fest

    GKIDS’ ‘Nocturna’ to Open CineYouth Fest

    Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival have announced that the Chicago premiere screening of GKIDS’ Nocturna will be the Opening Night screening event of the CineYouth Festival. The 12th annual fest runs May 5-7 at Columbia College Chicago, with Nocturna debuting Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m.

    “The film is delightful – I know families and film lovers alike will be charmed by the magic and imagination of the film, and we couldn’t be happier to present an internationally-made animated film to kick off CineYouth,” says CineYouth Festival Director Rebecca Fons, who is also Education Director for CIFF.

    Directed by Adrià García and Víctor Maldonado with music by French composer Nicolas Errera, Nocturna had a select release in the U.S. back in 2014. Visually compelling and wildly inventive, the film explores the “mystery of the night”  as it follows a young boy named Tim on a fantastic adventure through dreamlike lands after he makes an unusual discovery on the rooftop of his orphanage and plunges into the secret world of Nocturna, where live the strange creatures who rule over night.

    CineYouth is an internationally competitive film festival aimed at students and youths aged 22 and under. The opening night screening will be followed by a reception catered with hot dogs, cotton candy, button making station and other fun activities. Admission is free and open to the public. See the full schedule online.

    Nocturna
    Nocturna