Nathan Love director Jim McKenzie has delivered an evocative, nostalgic promo for National Geographic Channel’s The 80s: The Decade That Made Us miniseries. A rousing contrast to National Geographic’s traditionally grounded advertising, the animated spot serves up a trio of grinning, buff cheese ball characters working out in synch to an electronic frenzy of a song reminiscent of the 1980s.
“This is a completely different look for the network, and that’s exactly what National Geographic wanted,” notes Nathan Love ECD Joe Burrascano. “Because the series itself – which details the many unsung cultural revolutions ignited during that time – was such a departure from their traditional programming, the goal was to catch people by surprise, piquing their interest while connecting them to the light-hearted spirit of the 80s.”
Nathan Love decided to pursue a hand-drawn animated look evocative of that decade’s wacky, in-your-face graphics and crudely drawn cartoons. The studio pitched a trio of 80s-themed spots based on the illustrations of longtime friend-of-the-studio Ana Benaroya and settled on the workout theme, a sequence drawn with the loud colors, tacky outfits and unintentional humor of that decade’s incipient fitness videos. McKenzie and Benaroya worked together to create the fun, off-the-wall moments that followed.
The result is a highly saturated, bubblegum-pop spot in the spirit of Nathan Love’s more intensely produced CG work.
“Prior to teaming up with National Geographic on this spot, we had just finished work on really great spots for Polly Pocket and Froot Loops, and this workout video fits right into the vibrant, entertaining world of characters that we’ve established here at Nathan Love,” explains McKenzie.
Nathan Love designed the initial key frames in Photoshop, and then hand drew each frame in Flash. Once the client signed off on the final images – selecting from a range of over-the-top butt shots and more conservative frames – Nathan Love compiled the final cut in After Effects.
There are several fun new animated and puppet-driven series making their debut on DVD/Blu-ray this week that should put everyone in the right retro summer mood. First up, how can you say no to the Fraggle Rock: 30th Anniversary Collection ($130 listed, $113 on amazon)? This glorious 21-disc (3230 minutes—that’s over 58 hours) includes all four seasons of the popular music and mayhem-filled HBO series (1983-1987)—as well as a collective Red Fraggle plush keychain and an exclusive Fraggle Rock graphic novel. Vivendi and Henson are also offering Season 2 and 3 DVDs for $29.93 per title.
Fraggle Rock: 30th Anniversary Collection
If you’re hungry for more rambunctious high-energy humor, then you’ll have to check out our old Warner Bros. pal The Tazmanian Devil in his own animated series Taz-Mania: Taz on the Loose: Season One, Vol. 1 ($19.97). This two-disc release features the first 13 episodes of the Warner Bros. animated series that ran from 1991 to 1997 on Fox Kids. Created by Art Vitello and exec produced by Jean MacCurdy and Tom Ruegger that show features the amazing Jim Cummings as the voice of Taz and Maurice LaMarche, Miriam Flynn, Debi Derryberry and Kellie Martin.
Taz-Mania: Taz on the Loose: Season One, Vol. 1
Among other animated titles out this week are:
The Chipettes: The Glass Slipper Collection (Arc, $14.99)
Production management system Shotgun Software is offering a complete product overhaul with its new 5.0 version. The release encompasses production tracking, scheduling, review and approval, helping modern production pipelines run as efficiently as possible—and now also includes a new UI and toolset designed specifically for artists and supervisors. Shotgun 5.0 also adds new tools for task tracking, review and approval, collaboration and search, and is priced at $49 per seat, per month.
The version 5.0 build of Shotgun was designed together with artists who wanted simple and visual views of their essential tasks and key updates with tools to collaborate about their work with supervisors and peers. Shotgun 5.0 delivers that and more, including:
My Tasks — A simple view of an artist’s tasks with key project information and updates presented in an easily digestible news feed format. My Tasks also displays who else is actively working with the artist at any given time, breaking down the walls that divide artists who often work in isolation whether co-located or at remote locations.
Inbox — A visual collection of notes and important updates related to the artist’s work. Artists can customize their inbox by choosing to ‘follow’ progress of specific project shots or assets that are important to them filtering out updates that aren’t relevant to their tasks.
Global Search — Search for anything in any project and receive an immediate, curated list of results with an easy-to-read news feed style layout.
“For the 5.0 release, we turned our focus to artists and supervisors, designing simple and visual tools that connect them to important project details and to each other,” said Don Parker, Co-Founder and CEO, Shotgun Software. “This is an important step towards providing an off-the-shelf toolset that equally meets the needs of creative artists and data-centric facility managers around the single goal of doing great work while running a solid business.”
Shotgun 5.0 comes on the heels of a new integrated Shotgun package, making three previously independent products (Shotgun, Revolver and Tank) available now as a single, unified, comprehensive package at a cost of $49 per user/per month. Pricing for enterprise customers, advanced support options and education institutions is available upon request by emailing sales@shotgunsoftware.com.
Brenda Chapman, the Oscar-winning writer and director of Brave has responded to Disney’s recent makeover of the film’s lead character Princess Merida. In conjunction with adding Merida to the Disney Princess line, Disney gave Merida a “more adult” look, dropping her bow-and-arrow and putting her in the type of glitzy gown she hated to wear in the original picture.
Chapman wrote to the Marin-based Independent Journal this past weekend and criticized Disney for its blatant disregard for the original film’s message and called the movie “a blatantly sexist marketing move based on money.” She said she has given Bob Iger, president of Walt Disney International, “a piece of my mind” for the entertainment giant’s decision to glamorize the tomboy character she envisioned.
“There is an irresponsibility to this decision that is appalling for women and young girls,” she said. “Disney marketing and the powers that be that allow them to do such things should be ashamed of themselves. I think it’s atrocious what they have done to Merida. When little girls say they like it because it’s more sparkly, that’s all fine and good but, subconsciously, they are soaking in the sexy ‘come hither’ look and the skinny aspect of the new version. It’s horrible! Merida was created to break that mold — to give young girls a better, stronger role model, a more attainable role model, something of substance, not just a pretty face that waits around for romance.”
Chapman has also added her name to a petition with more than 50,000 signatures that has gone viral on the female empowerment website A Mighty Girl.
“They have been handed an opportunity on a silver platter to give their consumers something of more substance and quality — THAT WILL STILL SELL — and they have a total disregard for it in the name of their narrow minded view of what will make money,” Chapman wrote. “I forget that Disney’s goal is to make money without concern for integrity. Silly me.”
In an official statement to Yahoo! Shine, a Disney spokesperson said, “Merida exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate, and confident and she remains the same strong and determined Merida from the movie whose inner qualities have inspired moms and daughters around the world.”
LATEST UPDATE: On Monday, May 13, Disney responded to the controversy by removing Merida’s new look from the official Princess website and swapping in the original.
Japanese director and animator Anno Hideaki (Neon Genesis Evangelion) will voice the lead character Horikoshi Jiro in this summer’s Miyazaki movie Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises). According to Twitch.com, the announcement was recently made on the film’s official website. Hideaki will portray the man who designed the zero fighter plane used in the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor.
Hideaki and Miyazaki have a history of collaborating on projects: Hideaki worked as an animator on the 1984 classic Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind, and recently also worked on the short Giant God Warrior Appears In Tokyo. His new gig came about after he got a phone call from Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki, who asked him whether he wanted to play the lead in the movie. This will be the first leading role for Hideaki who voiced a character in FLCL and also appeared in live-action films such as The Taste Of Tea and Japan Sinks.
As expected, fans are very hungry for every piece of information about Miyazaki’s upcoming movie. For now, everyone is waiting for the film’s trailer to pop up on the Internet. We’ll let you know as soon as it becomes available since we’re just as curious about it as you are!
Disney Junior plans to air its popular animated series Sofia the First weeknights at 7 p.m. and weekends at 5:30 p.m., beginning June 10. The Hollywood Reporter says the show will also air weekdays at 9 a.m. and weekends at 8:30 a.m. on Disney Channel. This is part of the cabler’s multiplatform “Pirate and Princess Summer” blitz.
New episodes of Sofia the First will continue to premiere on Fridays, alternating with Jake and the Never Land Pirates, from June 14 to Aug. 23 on Disney Channel at 9 a.m. and Disney Junior at 5 p.m. A new Sofia the First will air at 9:30 a.m. on June 14 following a new episode of Jake and the Never Land Pirates.
The new season will feature Viola Davis and Megan Mullaly as guest voices. Also on tap is an appearance by Princess Jasmine of Aladdin fame, voiced by Linda Larkin and sung by Lea Salonga. Meanwhile Jake and the Never Land Pirates welcomes Jerry O’Connell, Jane Kaczmarek and Teri Hatcher as additional guest voices.
Lucasfilm announced on Friday that production of Star Wars: Episode VII will take place in the United Kingdom. All of the six previous live-action Star Wars movies have included U.K. production at Elstree, Shepperton, Leavesden, Ealing and Pinewood Studios.
“We’ve devoted serious time and attention to revisiting the origins of Star Wars as inspiration for our process on the new movie, and I’m thrilled that returning to the U.K. for production and utilizing the incredible talent there can be a part of that,” said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. “Speaking from my own longstanding connection to the U.K. with films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Empire of the Sun and recently War Horse, it’s very exciting to be heading back.”
Earlier this year, representatives from Lucasfilm met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in London to establish an agreement to produce Star Wars in the U.K.
“I am delighted that Star Wars is coming back to Britain. Today’s announcement that the next Star Wars film will be shot and produced in the U.K. is great news for fans and our creative industries,” Osborne said today.
Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Michael Arndt and is scheduled for a 2015 release.
Kids Media powerhouse DHX Media launched three dedicated paid YouTube family channels this week: DHX Kids, DHX Junior and DHX Retro were there of the premiere content partners selected to be part of YouTube’s first paid channels on Thursday. DHX Media digital channels will be offered in multiple countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Korea, Spain, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. and in multiple languages, including English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The content is available now for free sampling for two week free trials with a subscription price of $2.99 (U.S.)/month. Discounted yearly subscriptions are also available.
“There is an insatiable appetite for kid’s content in the digital universe across the globe and DHX Media is positioned with our extensive library of evergreen favorites to satisfy that demand,” said Michael Hirsh, DHX Media’s exec chair. “Millennials changed the way entertainment is consumed and now, parents in this generation, who grew up with Inspector Gadget and Super Mario, can introduce their kids to these family friendly favorites anytime, anywhere, online and on-the-go,” he concluded.
The DHX Kids channel will feature live action and animated series such as Horseland, Mudpit, which will be first run in the U.S.; Sabrina: The Animated Series, and Sherlock Holmes. The DHX Junior channel will offer titles such as The Busy World of Richard Scarry, The Doodlebops and Madeline. The DHX Retro channel is a platform for nostalgic childhood favorites including Heathcliff, Inspector Gadget, Sonic Underground and Super Mario.
DHX Media will add additional content to these channels regularly and will showcase a selection of first-run programming through their digital channels in all territories. For more info, visit www.dhxmedia.com.
In advance of its May 15 New York City Upfront event, Adult Swim has unveiled its slate of new and returning shows. Among the new offerings is the comedy toon Rick and Morty from Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, which will premiere in primetime later this year and Fox Television’s hit Bob’s Burgers airs this summer.
“As Adult Swim continues to grow and be the place for great comedic talent as well as surprising and unexpected content, it is important that we expand its development of original programs so that we can build on its success even more,” said Stuart Snyder, president/COO of Turner’s Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media Group. “The record ratings the network is experiencing this year is a testament to the great work being done by all the wonderfully talented people at Adult Swim.”
Here is a complete list of the new offerings; [Animated shows are marked with a *]
New original series and specials:
* Rick and Morty. Follows the adventures of a genius inventor grandfather and his less than genius grandson, and the journeys in life they share. From Dan Harmon (Community, Channel 101) and Justin Roiland. Animated half-hour.
* Mr. Pickles.The urban sprawl of modern society pollutes the old-fashioned town where the Goodman family lives with their lovable pet dog, Mr. Pickles, a deviant border collie with a secret satanic streak. From creators Will Carsola and Dave Stewart (Funny Or Die Presents Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time). Animated quarter-hour.
* Mike Tyson Mysteries. In this new animated comedy series, Mike Tyson is taking the fight from the boxing ring to the streets… by solving mysteries! Armed with a magical tattoo on his face and a trusty associate by his side—a talking pigeon—if you have a problem that needs solving, Iron Mike is in your corner. The series incorporates live-action appearances featuring Mighty Mike himself, and the gloves come off as the former heavyweight champ and his fowl-mouthed partner gear up for weekly adventures as they put unsolved mysteries—like how to defeat a super computer at chess or why a famous author/werewolf can’t finish his novel—down for the count. Animated quarter-hour from Warner Bros Animation.
* King Star King. Features a punk rock, modern day he-man who falls from the realm of the gods to land as a fry cook in a slummy waffle joint. King Star King must regain his memory to defeat the evil (and adorable) Spring Bunny and rescue his love, the megababe Princess Snow White. Only then will King Star King regain his rightful place in the heavens. From artist JJ Villard (Monsters Vs. Aliens). Animated quarter-hour.
Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell. This new live-action series from Adult Swim is a workplace comedy about Gary, an associate demon, as he attempts to capture souls on earth in order to climb the corporate ladder of the underworld. Gary hopes to advance in Hell, but he may be too stupid, lazy and kind-hearted to realize his dreams of promotion. Meanwhile, Gary’s intern Claude is more talented, more devious and will do whatever it takes to impress Satan. A Williams Street production, the show is created and directed by Dave Willis (Squidbillies, Aqua Teen Hunger Force) and Casper Kelly (Squidbillies, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Stroker & Hoop). The series is currently presenting premiere episodes on Thursday nights at Midnight ET/PT on Adult Swim. Live-action quarter-hour.
* Robot Chicken DC Comics Special II. Faster than a speeding bullet! Well, maybe not but quality takes time. Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, in partnership with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, will premiere a sequel to their acclaimed Annie Award-winning Robot Chicken DC Comics Special in 2014. Robot Chicken DC Comics Special II brings you the awesomeness of the DC Comics universe of characters as only Robot Chicken can, with amazing guest stars and the stop-motion sketch comedy you’ve come to love after six seasons of the popular Adult Swim series. Executive producers for the second Robot Chicken DC Comics Special include Stoopid Monkey’s Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, Warner Bros. Animation’s Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs Sam Register, and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios’ John Harvatine IV and Eric Towner.
* Metalocalpyse: The Doom Star Requiem. We pick up directly after the abduction of Dethklok guitarist Toki Wartooth in the season 4 finale. With his life in danger his only salvation can come from the four most selfish human celebrities on earth—his bandmates, extreme metal band DETHKLOK. Will they be able to get past their own egos to help someone besides themselves? Find out in this one-hour heavy metal rock opera special with a completely original score. Created by Brendon Small, Metalocalypse: The Doom Star Requiem airs in October. Animated one-hour special.
Hot Package. Premiering in October on Adult Swim, Hot Package is a live-action fictional Canadian entertainment news program in vein of “Entertainment Tonight,” “EXTRA,” or “E! News.” Hot Package is created by and stars Derrick Beckles (TV Carnage), produced by Abso Lutely, with Derrick Beckles and Dave Kneebone as executive producers. Live-action quarter-hour.
Pilots:
Aaron McGruder Pilots – Two new live-action pilots from the creator of The Boondocks. Live-action quarter-hour and half-hour.
* Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories: Zach’s Haunted House – Tim, Eric and Zach are elated to learn their grandfather has left them each $1,000 in his will. However, there’s a catch. In order to collect the money, they must live in his haunted mansion for the rest of their lives. Are the three of them up for it? This Halloween special is written, directed and stars Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!) with Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover). Live-action half-hour.
* Ghostbags – These three frat guys were douchebags while they lived, but now that they’ve died in a horrible car accident, absolutely nothing has changed. Created by Hayes Davenport (Eastbound and Down) and Guy Endore-Kaiser (Allen Gregory). Animated quarter-hour.
Hole to Hole – Hole to Hole follows the fabulous exploits of Ashleigh and Amelia Dangerhole, America’s sexiest billionaire detectives in a parody of ’80s detective shows. From Pam Brady (South Park, Neighbors from Hell) and Arden Myrin (MADtv, Chelsea Lately). Live-action quarter-hour.
Filthy Sexy Teen$ – Filthy Sexy Teen$ follows the exploits of a group of teens (and one high school principal) as they attempt to climb the social ladder by any means possible, even if they have to use sex, lies, and murder to get there. It won’t be easy in a school where everyone has a dark secret, and one mysterious teen is out to expose every one of them. Created by Curtis Gwinn (Walking Dead), Paul Scheer (The League, Human Giant) and Jonathan Stern (Childrens Hospital, Burning Love). Live-action quarter-hour.
* Team Unicorn – Team Unicorn is a modern send-up of Saturday morning kids’ shows featuring a team of four sexy, culture-obsessed heroines who present darkly ironic twists on 80’s cartoon tropes. From the creators of Robot Chicken. Live action/animation mix, quarter-hour.
* Übermansion – From Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and the creators of Robot Chicken comes Übermansion, a glimpse into the mundane humanity of six superheroes all living in the same mansion. Created by Zeb Wells and Matthew Senreich, executive produced by Wells, Senreich, Seth Green, John Harvatine IV, Eric Towner and Bryan Cranston. Animated quarter-hour.
Untitled Cruise Ship Project – The corrupt employees of a trashy cruise ship are piloted into danger by their insane Scandinavian captain. Created by Matt Harrigan (Space Ghost Coast to Coast). Live-action quarter-hour.
Returning series:Aqua TV Show Show, Black Dynamite, The Boondocks, Children’s Hospital, Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule, China, IL, Eagleheart, The Eric Andre Show, The Greatest Event in TV History, The Heart, She Holler; Infomercials, Loiter Squad, NTSF:SD:SUV::, Robot Chicken, Squidbillies, Superjail!, The Venture Bros.
New Acquisitions:Bob’s Burgers
Returning Acquisitions:American Dad, Bleach, Cleveland Show, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Naruto, One Piece, Soul Eater
Rick and MortyRobot Chicken DC Comics Special IIBlack DynamiteBob’s BurgersChildren’s HospitalFamily GuyNTSF:SD:SUV::
Shout Factory will release Luc Besson’s fantasy adventure The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec on DVD and a special two-disc Blu-ray combo pack on August 13. The EuropaCorp feature is based on the popular series by Eisner Award winner Jacques Tardi’s and stars Louise Bourgoin (The Girl From Monaco), Mathieu Amalric (Quantum of Solace, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Gilles Lellouche, Jean-Paul Rouve, Jacky Nercessian and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre.
Brimming with heart-pounding action, breathtaking cinematography and visceral special effects, this acclaimed feature illustrates the magical power of movie-making, and delivers wildly entertaining cinematic adventure filled with humor, incredible action, mystery and lush Parisian period details! Both Blu-ray combo pack and DVD editions offer English and French audio tracks, English subtitles. Insightful bonus features take viewers behind- the-scenes as director Luc Besson and the cast share their passion in bringing this timeless tale to the screen. The Blu-ray combo pack will be available for $24.97 and the DVD will be priced at $14.97. The Director’s Cut Edition Two-Disc Blu-ray+DVD Combo Pack will arrive in stores in the fall.
Directed and produced by Besson (The Fifth Elment, Transporter, Arthur and the Invisibles), the pic is set in 1912-era Paris, and follows the fantastic adventures of intrepid young reporter Adèle Blanc-Sec and her quest for the power of life over death. She will go to any lengths to achieve her aims, including sailing to Egypt to tackle mummies of all shapes and sizes and saving her city from a mysterious 136 million-year old pterodactyl from the natural history museum.
Here’s the trailer for the 2012 film, which never received an official U.S. theatrical release.
Five animated Disney series will now be available on Netflix’s subscription-based streaming service in the U.S. The multi-year, non-exclusive licensing deal features Disney XD’s Tron: Uprising, Disney Channel’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and preschool favorites Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and JoJo’s Circus.
Last December, Netflix landed the exclusive pay TV rights to Disney Studio movies including Marvel’s superhero pictures, Pixar’s animated features and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars.
“This deal extends on the incredible line-up of Disney content already available for our members,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.
In February, Netflix partnered with DreamWorks Animation to create an original animated series for the service based on the forthcoming summer family film, Turbo. The content in Netflix’s children’s section is kept commercial-free and carries ratings and reviews from Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization that provides information to parents seeking help in evaluating their children’s media choices.
This summer’s big computer graphics confab SIGGRAPH at the Anaheim Convention Center in Calif. (July 21-25) will feature several hot sessions focusing on the vfx of big studio features, including Guillermo del Toro’s much anticipated Pacific Rim, Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University, Disney’s holiday feature Frozen, Fox’s Oscar-winning Life of Pi, Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful, LAIKA’s ParaNorman and a presentation by Japan’s OLM Studio on animating Pac-Man and Pokemon.
“The production sessions at SIGGRAPH 2013 are your only opportunity to experience the world’s best talent in one place during one week,” says Jerome Solomon, SIGGRAPH 2013 Production Sessions Chair from Cogswell College. “Major studios share their latest creative work, allowing attendees to experience the newest and most significant achievements. In many instances this is the first time these particular topics are discussed with the public. Nowhere else but at SIGGRAPH is this type of cutting-edge content available. There are ‘must see’ sessions every day at SIGGRAPH. It’s very exciting for our attendees. And, this preliminary line-up is just the beginning of what we have in plan.”
The Computer Animation Festival, chaired this year by Jason R.M. Smith, is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival. Since 1999, several works originally presented in the Computer Animation Festival have been nominated for or have received a Best Animated Short Academy Award. This year’s selections will be featured during the Computer Animation Festival through a series of daily Festival Screenings and the iconic Electronic Theater, allowing attendees to get a glimpse behind the making of computer generated effects, visualizations, and animations In all there will be more than 15 sessions. For more info, visit s2013.siggraph.org.
Warner Bros. Home Ent. has released the first official clip from its upcoming feature LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite. Based on the popular TT Animation videogame, the pic will be available as a Blu-ray combo pack, DVD and On Demand offering beginning on May 21. The Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD release will include an exclusive Lego Clark Kent/Superman figurine on pack while supplies last.
The clip features a first-look at the Batcave and a quick interaction between Bruce Wayne/Batman and Martian Manhunter, who reaches out from the Justice League’s Watchtower (lots of Easter Eggs in the background).
LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite finds Lex Luthor taking jealousy to new heights when fellow billionaire Bruce Wayne wins the Man of the Year Award. To top Wayne’s accomplishment, Lex begins a campaign for President – and to create the atmosphere for his type of fear-based politics, he recruits the Joker to perfect a Black LEGO Destructor Ray. While wreaking havoc on Gotham, Lex successfully destroys Batman’s technology – forcing the Caped Crusader to reluctantly turn to Superman for help.
LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes UniteLEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes UniteLEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes UniteLEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes UniteLEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite
The Jim Henson Company launched the new YouTube pay channel Jim Henson Family TV on Thursday (May 7). The online platform will feature ad-free full episodes of shows such as Sid the Science Kid, Fraggle Rock and The Hoobs for the introductory price of $2.99/month or $24.99/year. (www.youtube.com/JimHensonFamilyTV).
Launching on the same day, Jim Henson TV para la familia en español (www.youtube.com/HensonEnEspanol) will debut Henson content in Spanish for $1.99/month or $17.99/year. In the near future, subscribers to the English channel can upgrade to include the Spanish channel for an additional .99/month or viewers can subscribe to both English and Spanish channels for $34.99/year.
Jim Henson Family TV offers YouTube’s highest level of content filtering, automatically engaging YouTube’s “safety mode” which identifies and filters out recommendations and links that may be inappropriate for young viewers.
“YouTube is once again redefining how, when and where we enjoy our favorite shows,” says Richard Goldsmith, Henson’s exec VP of global distribution. “With the launch of Jim Henson Family TV, audiences can watch our hit shows again and again and we welcome parents to introduce their favorite Henson titles to their children in a convenient and affordable way.”
Along with full episodes of favorite Henson titles, the channel will include curated playlists, behind the scenes clips, music videos, podcasts and parenting tips. With more content scheduled to be added, Jim Henson Family TV currently offers Sid the Science Kid, Fraggle Rock, Animal Show, Construction Site, The Hoobs, Mopatop’s Shop, Mother Goose Stories, The Secret Life of Toys, The Skrumps and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss.
Strange Hill High, the new tween show from the CBBC, FremantleMedia and Factory Transmedia, has a wicked sense of humor and knock-your-socks-off visuals.
Once in a blue moon, all the right ingredients for a cool kids show come together, and the final product ends up being better than anyone had envisioned in the first place. A case in point is FremantleMedia and Factory Transmedia’s clever and innovative new series Strange Hill High, which debuted in April on the CBBC in the U.K. Serving up state-of-the-art puppetry, Japanese vinyl toys, CG effects and some inspired writing from both sides of the Pond, the (13 x 30′) show follows the misadventures of three students, who are constantly chasing down mysterious phenomena at their inner-city school. Think of it a topsy turvy X-Files for tweens.
Originally conceived by U.K.-based indie producer Kat Van Henderson and championed by the head of CBBC acquisitions and drama development Sarah Muller, the show caught the attention of the development team at FremantleMedia Enterprises at an early stage. Factory Transmedia was then tapped to produce the animation, while L.A.-based Josh Weinstein, former exec producer and writer on The Simpsons and Futurama came on board as showrunner.
“Sarah Muller had been championing the project from Kat Van Henderson for his talented and amazing creator who had never done a show before,” recalls Bob Higgins, exec VP of Children & Family Entertainment at FremantleMedia. “We had great success working with the CBBC on our show Tree Fu Tom so it was a very smooth process for us.”
Strange Hill High
Higgins says originally it was the show’s unique look that totally won him over.
“What grabs most people at first are the visuals,” he adds. “Before coming to Fremantle, I had worked at WildBrain and Kid Robot so I had Japanese vinyl toy in my blood. I knew I wanted to be part of this show when I saw that. There was also the notion of doing something completely different in terms of the way the show was produced.”
Hypervynorama—that’s the term coined by Van Henderson to describe Strange Hill High‘s snazzy look, which blends a variety of methods and technologies. The puppets are designed and created by the iconic Mackinnon & Saunders firm in the North of England. The stop-motion and puppet-making shop has had a huge impact in the children’s entertainment world over the past 30 years, having worked on TV shows and features such as Bob the Builder, Postman Pat, Rastamouse and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
As Muller tells us, “From the first moment I saw Hypervynorama, I knew it was unique – quite unlike anything else that I’ve seen in my entire (lengthy) career and I genuinely had that tingly feeling that you get when you know you’re on to something special! There’s something about the physicality of the puppets in the hyper-real backgrounds that creates an altered sense of reality and allows us to tell some really weird stories that I think kids are going to love.”
Strange Hill High
The puppets are shot live with rods on stage to deliver a truly cinematic look.
“This gives us the ability to get amazing depths that you can’t really get any other way,” says Higgins. “You can blow smoke on the set to evoke mystery. Then you add the stop-motion, CG and After Effects elements. None of the puppets have any facial expressions—they’re puppets without faces. All of those features are added in post, combining several classic techniques which are put together seamlessly.”
According to the producers, it takes about a full day to produce two minutes of show footage. But the laborious process has certainly been worth the time and effort.
“There are lots of phone calls, emails and video conferencing involved, and because we are stretched from L.A. to Manchester, someone is always working on the show, 24/7,” says Higgins. “Josh is a great writer and communicator, and he was able to get the best of the writers, who are based in the U.K.”
Strange Hill High
Higgins says what he and his team at Fremantle Kids strive to do each year is to bring the best of the best to the market each year.
“I honestly think that we’ve achieved it this time. The look of the show, the writing, the stories, the voice talent, the music—it’s all a great combination of elements, and I can guarantee that it’s going to get noticed by the buyers. They’re going to sit up and take notice!”
For Weinstein, the project presented a great opportunity to work on a stop-motion series, having spent many years on traditionally animated shows.
“I was happy when they approached me because they wanted someone with TV experience to lead it along,” he recalls. “I loved the way the way the puppets looked at first. We ended up aging up the puppets—they were kids in the beginning, and now they look about 12.”
Strange Hill High
The veteran toon writer says he believes that comedy is valued more in the U.K.
“For many of us who work in comedy, British comedy has been the best,” says Weinstein. “The stereotype of a British person is this uptight person, but I think it’s the total opposite. There’s this amazing tradition of comedy in the country, and I think they’re more open to try new different things.”
Don’t tell the studio suits he has worked with in the past, but Weinstein says the show’s development process has been a breath of fresh air compared to some of his previous experiences.
“I’d fly over to London, and the execs from the BBC were pitching lots of funny ideas. They are a real hoot over there. We were all in synch and it all felt like we were going down this fun road together.”
Strange Hill High
Both Weinstein and Higgins point out that one of the great selling points of the show is that the writers never talk down to kids.
“That’s the way we wrote on The Simpsons, and I feel that we follow the same rule on this show,” says Weinstein. “You assume that kids are smart, and that they’ll get what do you. You write for the kids and adults and hope that they both find things that are funny in the show.”
Another fun aspect of the show is that one of the main characters Mitchell (voiced by Doc Brown) is a real anti-hero.
“He doesn’t like authority,” says Weinstein. “He doesn’t like to work. He often causes problems by trying to avoid something!”
Strange Hill High
To date 13 episodes of the show have been produced, and a new season has already been greenlit by the CBBC. While the original voice cast for the show is British, led by Emma Kennedy, Doc Brown, Richard Ayoade, Jonathan Keeble and Caroline Aherne, the producers are preparing a version with American voices for the international market.
As Weinstein mentions, “The original target audience for the series is 6 to 12-year-olds, but I think it’s really 6 to 60, as all good animated comedies should be. I’m the father of 13-year-old twins, and they’re harsh judges of the stuff that I do, but they seem to be captivated by it!”
Strange Hill High premiered on the CBBC in April. FremantleMedia offered the toon at the MIPTV market.
Disney Studio released info and art about its upcoming 2014 animated release: Based on the Marvel comic of the same name, the CG-animated, 3D Big Hero 6 will be released in theaters on November 7, 2014.
The studio describes the pic as an “action comedy adventure about brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who finds himself in the grips of a criminal plot that threatens to destroy the fast-paced, high-tech city of San Fransokyo. With the help of his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—Hiro joins forces with a reluctant team of first-time crime fighters on a mission to save their city.”
According to the L.A. Times blog Hero Complex, Don Hall (Winnie the Pooh) is directing the feature.
Hall told the paper, “I was looking for something on the obscure side, something that would mesh well with what we do. The idea of a kid and a robot story with a strong brother element, it’s very Disney….Marvel properties take place in the real world. We were looking for something to do where we could make our own world — bring in the Japanese influences, have recognizable landmarks mashed up with a Japanese aesthetic.”
According to reports, Marvel Chief Creative offers Joe Quesada has been heavily involved in the film’s development, so hardcore comic-book aficionados won’t need to worry about the property being “Disneyfied.”
Pictured in concept art, the high-tech city of San Fransokyo is home to brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada and his team of first-time crime fighters in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ action comedy adventure Big Hero 6 — in theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014.Concept art showcases an iconic bridge and treasured landmark of the high-tech, fast-paced city of San Fransokyo, the setting for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ action comedy adventure Big Hero 6 — in theaters on November 7, 2014.
Method Studios, a Deluxe Entertainment Services Group company, announced today the addition of three world-class animation artists to its creative team.
Erik-Jan de Boer, this year’s Oscar recipient for his work on Life of Pi, joins Method’s Vancouver office as Animation Supervisor. Joining him in Vancouver is Creature Supervisor James Jacobs, another Oscar-winning artist who received the 2013 Scientific and Engineering Academy Award for character simulation software used in Avatar. Animation Supervisor Keith Roberts will work in Method’s Los Angeles office. A longtime member of the team at Rhythm & Hues, Roberts is versed in all styles of CG animation, and his impressive list of credits includes The Chronicles of Narnia, The Cabin in the Woods and The Incredible Hulk.
“We are thrilled to have Erik, James and Keith join our team,” said Christian Kubsch, Method’s President. “Their arrival couldn’t have come at a better time, as Method Studios is in the process of expanding the character animation talent across our global network.”
Great news this is: Star Wars is set to return to Cartoon Network with The Yoda Chronicles, a new Star Wars story told in three animated specials. The first 30-minute special titled The Phantom Clone will premiere on Wednesday, May 29 at 8 p.m. on CN, with the second and third installments airing later this year.
Set in the prequel era, The Phantom Clone centers on Jedi Master Yoda and a fresh class of Padawans who set out to stop Darth Sidious and his minions from creating a new super-weapon that could crush the Republic. The special will also introduce Jek 14, an all-new original clone character who has been “enhanced” by the Force. The script is written by Michael Price, an alum of The Simpsons. The animation is produced by Denmark’s Wil Film and exec produced by studio CEO Erik Wilstrup (Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu).
Last year’s The Empire Strikes Out premiered as the #1 telecast of the week among boys 9-14, and the #1 telecast of the day among kids 6-11 and key boy demos, according to Nielsen Media Research. The Yoda Chronicles marks the first time entirely new Star Wars characters and vehicles have been created specifically for LEGO Star Wars. Building sets related to the special and featuring Jek 14 will be in stores this August.
Disney and Pixar learned yesterday that sometimes it’s not such a great idea to trademark the name of your movie. The studio got a huge backlash on Tuesday after trying to trademark “Dia de los Muertos” for the upcoming Pixar animated feature.
After social media critics lashed out against the studio’s attempts to trademark the name associated with the popular Mexican November celebration, Disney withdrew its bid.
“As we have previously announced, Disney-Pixar is developing an animated feature inspired by the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos,” the studio said in a statement. “Disney’s trademark filing was intended to protect any potential title for our film and related activities. It has since been determined that the title of the film will change, and therefore we are withdrawing our trademark filing.”
Pixar’s Dia de los Muertos film will be directed by Oscar-winning Toy Story 3 helmer Lee Unkrich and produced by Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson.
Interestingly enough, that’s not the only Day of the Dead-themed animated feature in the works. Reel FX is also working on a similarly themed CG-animated feature produced by Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim) and directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez, co-creator of Nickelodeon’s Emmy-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera. The script, which is penned by Gutierrez and Doug Langdale, is described as a Romeo & Juliet-style love story set against the Mexican holiday. The Reel FX feature is slated to open in the fall of 2014.
Warner Bros. much-anticipated Man of Steel and Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University have been added to the lineup at the upcoming L.A. Film Festival in June. The Superman which stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon, will play at a special screening on June 12, two days ahead of the festival’s official opening day. Festival pass holders can purchase tickets to the special screening starting May 10.
The special screening of Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University is planned for June 18. Directed by Dan Scanlon and featuring the voices of John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi an Nathan Fillion, the movie will open nationwide on June 21st. Among the festival’s other highlights is a special screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo and a “Women in the Cut” panel in honor of women editors. Also on tap are are several anthologies of shorts, which include animated projects such as Emma De Swaef and Marc James Roels’ celebrated Oh Willy… and Michaela Pavlátová’s Annecy Prize winner Tram.
