Animation Magazine

Tag: featured

  • Forbidden Planet Plans Virtual 42nd Birthday Bash

    Forbidden Planet Plans Virtual 42nd Birthday Bash

    Comic-book and cult entertainment retail shop Forbidden Planet is planning a major online event celebrating its 42nd birthday. The epic virtual event features interviews and appearances by some of the store’s famous friends and customers, including the likes of William Shatner, DMC, Neil Gaiman, Alice Cooper, Jonathan Ross, Gerard Way, Garth Ennis, Kevin Smith, Michael Moorcock, Simon Pegg, Mark Millar, Dan Slott, V.E. Schwab, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, Dirk Maggs, Chris Claremont and Ben Aaronovich. The event is hosted by Forbidden Planet’s Andrew Sumner. The guests will ponder “The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything!”

    You can check out the trailer here: https://forbiddenplanet.com/fp42

    This online event will also host a tribute to Forbidden Planet’s old friend – the late, great Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) in the shape of a rare, never-before-heard interview with Douglas (recently discovered in the Forbidden Planet vaults) conducted by another old friend, celebrate author Neil Gaiman.

    Forbidden Planet’s owners, Vivian Cheung & Nick Land noted, “Forbidden Planet 42 (yes, it’s our 42nd birthday!) is an auspicious tip of the hat to our old friend Douglas Adams, the genius behind The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – for whom the number 42 was the answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe & Everything. Douglas was one of the first authors to ever sign at the store and he returned for every new book he wrote. We are joined by a galaxy of stars from comics, music, science fiction, film & TV – friends of Forbidden Planet who have signed at the store over the last four decades. This celebration is dedicated to every creator who has appeared at Forbidden Planet and every staff member who has worked with us over the years—but most importantly, to all our customers and to every pop culture fan who shares this passion with us.”

    Here are some quotes from a few famous fans of the comic-book chain:

    “Before I ever visited London, Forbidden Planet was whispered about in New Jersey, you’d read about it in the letter columns of comic books, it actually appeared in the comics themselves. The first time I went over to the UK, one of the most important things to me about London was: we HAVE to go to Forbidden Planet!” – Kevin Smith (Clerks)

    “Forbidden Planet has a special place in my heart – it was June 19th 1983 when I realised such a magical kingdom existed. Discovering Forbidden Planet was like discovering an Aladdin’s cave!” — Simon Pegg

    “I went to university in London because I wanted to stay and enjoy things like Forbidden Planet. That’s when the whole new wave of more adult, progressive comics began. It was such an exciting time – there was a lot of new books & new publishers coming out – and the ONLY place you could find them was at Forbidden Planet.” —  Jonathan Ross

    “I’m so glad that your Forbidden Planet stores exist – they are wonderful!” — William Shatner

    Tune in to ForbiddenPlanet.com on Saturday, August 29th to join the celebration!

    Forbidden Planet
    Forbidden Planet
    Forbidden Planet
    Forbidden Planet
  • South Africa’s First Woman-Led Animation Studio Announces ‘Sola’ Project

    South Africa’s First Woman-Led Animation Studio Announces ‘Sola’ Project

    Johannesburg-based Studio Yezi, an animation studio founded by Thandiwe Mlauli, has announced its first project in development – which will also be South Africa’s first independently produced and women-led afro-animation, with Mlauli acting as producer, director and showrunner. The production, titled SOLA, will comprise a series and accompanying short film.

    SOLA is an action-adventure, fantasy and coming-of-age series about the adventures of a girl named Sola who experiences her magic awakening in a world where magic is dangerous and deadly.

    Sola
    Sola

    Per the company’s website, “Yezi” is short for “inkanyezi,” which means “star” in isiZulu. The development and animation shop intends “to be a symbol of hope and light, we intend to serve the world with our storytelling.”

    As the studio’s founder, Mlauli is already carving out a unique space in the South African animation and entertainment industries that focuses on heart-warming local stories, diverse narratives and character representations, as well as nurturing and developing fresh local talent.

    Having graduated with a BFA in Producing for Film & TV from the New York Film Academy, the studio founder spent time in Los Angeles studying the international animation game by attending workshops like the first-of-its-kind Black Women Animate Bootcamp in 2018, and returned to her home country having built a network of like-minded creatives all over the globe.

    Studio Yezi – true to Mlauli’s driven and creative nature – has launched an ambitious global fund-raising campaign (#MakeSOLAHappen) to complete production on the SOLA series and shorts. Having already begun the development process thanks to independent funding efforts, Mlauli and her team are giving everyday South Africans and lovers of representative storytelling all over the world an opportunity to invest in a project set to make a mark not only in local animation but international territories too.

    To learn more or to make a contribution that will help the production team, cast and developers move closer to getting SOLA on national and international screens, visit www.studioyezi.co.za.

    #MakeSOLAHappen
    #MakeSOLAHappen
  • V-CRX Adds ‘God of High School’ Guests, MAPPA Gallery & More to Lineup

    V-CRX Adds ‘God of High School’ Guests, MAPPA Gallery & More to Lineup

    The next wave of guests, panels and can’t-miss programming for this year’s Virtual Crunchyroll Expo (V-CRX) has arrived to include a panel with Yongje Park, creator of The God of High School; discussions featuring the creative talent behind the upcoming Crunchyroll Original series Noblesse; an exclusive virtual tour of the Studio MAPPA art gallery and the world premiere of GIBIATE episode 9.

    Yongje Park
    Yongje Park

    V-CRX attendees will have the chance to hear from the individuals behind Crunchyroll Originals including Masahiko Komino, the director and character designer of GIBIATE (animator, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure); voice actor Soma Saito (Tadashi Yamaguchi in Haikyu!!); EX-ARM director Yoshikatsu Kimura (Karate Girl); and writer Jeho Son and artist Kwangsu Lee of Noblesse.

    Masahiko Komino
    Masahiko Komino

    Arthell Isom, CEO of D’ART Shtajio, and Roland Kelts, author of JAPANAMERICA, will hold a discussion on race in anime. Additional guests include voice actor Patrick Saitz (Franky in One Piece, Germany in Hetalia, Dio Brando in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) and Tsukara Kiryu, the illustrator of light novel So I’m a Spider, So What?, who will be joining the title’s author, Okina Baba, as previously announced.

    So I’m a Spider, So What?
    So I’m a Spider, So What?

    The V-CRX Gallery Tour Featuring Studio MAPPA will include behind-the-scenes artwork from popular series, including The God of High School and will also include video messages from artists and creators.

    Crunchyroll also announced two additional judges or Crunchyroll-Hime’s Cosplay Cup: Rock M. Sakura (@RockMSakura) & Kamui Cosplay (@KamuiCosplay). This virtual celebration of fan-created costumes from anime and anime-inspired series will take place Saturday, September 5.

    Rock M Sakura
    Rock M Sakura

    Registration for V-CRX is open at crunchyrollexpo.com. The global anime community is encouraged to sign up for a free pass for this year’s event to catch all the action, announcements, guest panels and more.

    Virtual Crunchyroll Expo is a digital take on Crunchyroll’s yearly flagship convention that brings together the anime community to celebrate the best and brightest in Japanese animation. The event will be streaming from September 4-6 only on crunchyrollexpo.com.

    Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2020
    Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2020

  • Award-Winning VFX House Haymaker Launches LA Studio Under EP Leslie Sorrentino

    Haymaker, the award-winning Swedish visual effects studio, has expanded its U.S. operations and opened a new facility in Los Angeles. Haymaker CEO and Lead VFX Supervisor Alex Hansson has named Leslie Sorrentino as Executive Producer and Director of New Business for the Los Angeles office.

    Considered one of the industry’s more innovative studios, Haymaker has developed major campaigns for such premium brands as Puma, Girard-Perregaux, Burger King, and Hyundai, as well as such feature films as Borg vs. McEnroe, Chappaquiddick and the Cannes Film Festival opening selection The Dead Don’t Die.

    The Dead Don't Die
    The Dead Don’t Die

    Sorrentino is a multiple Clio and Emmy Award-winning advertising and VFX veteran. His distinguished resume includes work with director Martin Scorsese, as well as Bethesda Game Studios (publisher of the Fallout video game series), the National Football League, global agencies, movie studios and TV networks.

    Already the most successful VFX studio in Scandinavia, Haymaker boasts an incredible creative team thanks to the artist-driven nature of the company. Hansson founded Haymaker in 2008 with the goal of creating a studio that placed artistic passion and the use of the latest technology first while reducing the number of executives and administrative positions to the bare minimum, significantly lowering costs for clients while delivering work of the highest quality.

    “We started with nothing and built Haymaker into one of the most accomplished high-end independent VFX studios in Europe,” Hansson said. “That experience taught us new ways of pulling off the impossible for our clients. And I knew instantly that Leslie’s experience, personality, and drive made him a perfect fit for our entry into the U.S. market.”

    “After seeing the level of work Haymaker was delivering, I was convinced they were going to succeed in the U.S.” said Sorrentino. “Alex pushes to get that extra bit of perfection, which is a real difference maker.”

    Haymaker’s studio is already in full swing; the Swedish team is collaborating with the Los Angeles office to deliver multiple advertising campaigns. In addition, Haymaker is in pre-production for the highly anticipated remake of the classic feature The Emigrants to be released in December 2021.

    Changi Airport "First Visitors"
    Changi Airport “First Visitors”

    Haymaker is a visual effects studio specializing in animation, design, and 2D/3D effects for commercials, films, television, and digital productions. Haymaker’s new U.S. studio is located at 2211 Corinth Avenue, Suite 303, Los Angeles, California.

    haymakerfx.com

  • Big Bad Boo Taps Marcus Mosely as ‘ABC with Kenny G’ Lead

    Big Bad Boo Taps Marcus Mosely as ‘ABC with Kenny G’ Lead

    Big Bad Boo has officially cast the smooth jazz cat in its new preschool series, ABC with Kenny G. Marcus Mosely, famed Vancouver-based Gospel singer, joins the series as the show’s lead, Kensington — Lili and Lola’s cat from the hit series, 16 Hudson.

    In ABC with Kenny G, after all the humans have gone to bed, Kensington slinks down to the “milk & cookies” jazz club in 16 Hudson’s basement boiler room to sing late-night tunes for his fellow furry friends, all while teaching them the ABCs. Each episode features a song about a different letter in the alphabet, sung by the incomparable Mosely and composed by Toronto-based musician Matt Davis, who also worked on 16 Hudson.

    Mosely brings his extensive experience in the theater and recording industry to this exciting new musical series. A member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, Mosely is known for being one-third of the award-winning Gospel trio The Sojourners, as well as for appearing in films like Twist of Faith and Holiday Heart. In addition to his career as an actor and recording artist, Mosely is the artistic director and leader of The Marcus Mosely Chorale.

    “As a Vancouver-based production company, we are excited to cast Marcus, who is a staple in the BC Gospel scene,” said series creator Shabnam Rezaei. “Families will fall in love with Marcus’s soulful voice, and Matt’s varied musical style, silly comedic alliteration and clever lyrics.”

    ABC with Kenny G was greenlit by TVOkids and Knowledge Network in November of 2019 for an order of 30 animated shorts. The series is currently in production and is expected to launch in early 2021.

    “TVOkids helps preschoolers get ready for kindergarten,” said Marney Malabar, the director of Kids TV at TVO. “With its creative blend of music and the alphabet, ABC with Kenny G will keep kids engaged and excited about learning.”

    www.bigbadboo.com

  • DC Kids FanDome Trailer Opens the Doors to Titan Tower, Batcave & More

    DC Kids FanDome Trailer Opens the Doors to Titan Tower, Batcave & More

    In the newly released trailer for the DC Kids FanDome (a.k.a. KidsVerse) — a tooned-up complement to the super-powered DC FanDome aimed at youngsters — fans can get a sneak peek at a novel virtual experience that will let them explore incredible locations and interact with their favorite caped cartoons.

    This specially created mega virtual fan can be accessed via its own web address on August 22 at DCKidsFanDome.com.

    About DC Kids FanDome: Explore the Teen Titans tower, visit DC Super Hero Girls’ Sweet Justice Café, make your way to the Batcave, and see all your favorite animated heroes in this world made specially for kids of every age to celebrate, play and create. If your kids love Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and other DC Super Heroes (and Super Villains!), they won’t want to miss it!

  • ‘SpongeBob’ Spin Off ‘Patrick Star Show’ in the Works

    ‘SpongeBob’ Spin Off ‘Patrick Star Show’ in the Works

    The pink and positive co-star of SpongeBob SquarePants could be getting his very own show! Deadline reports that Nickelodeon is finalizing deals for The Patrick Star Show, which is expected to receive a 13-episode order for Bikini Bottom’s other most lovable invertebrate, voiced by Bill Faberbakke (Coach, How I Met Your Mother).

    Spawned by the SpongeBob creative team, The Patrick Star Show will be an animated riff on The Larry Sanders Show — a sitcom centered on the Star family and Patrick’s new gig as a late-night talk show host. A new cast of characters will be joining Fagarbakke behind the mic, with occasional visits from fan-favorite characters from the original series.

    Fans in the U.S. are still awaiting the all-CG-animated The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on Run, which is now set to release on PVOD and CBS All Access in early 2021. (Netflix has snapped up international streaming rights.) A new CGI-animated prequel series, Kamp Koral, is also in the works at Nickelodeon with a 13-episode order.

    Bill Fagerbakke, 2015 [Photo: Kevin Parry / Getty Images]
    Bill Fagerbakke, 2015 [Photo: Kevin Parry / Getty Images]
  • Pollution Evolution: Pascal Schelbli’s SIGGRAPH-Winning Short ‘The Beauty’

    Pollution Evolution: Pascal Schelbli’s SIGGRAPH-Winning Short ‘The Beauty’

    At the close of July, the SIGGRAPH 2020 Computer Animation Festival revealed the winning short films which will be offered to audiences around the world this month as part of a stunning virtual program Electronic Theater. Taking the Jury’s Choice honors was The Beauty out of Germany’s Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg Animationsinstitut, directed by VFX student Pascal Schelbli.

    The Beauty is a poetic journey through a fascinating underwater world, where plastic and nature becomes one. Where, for just a moment, our concerns and feelings of guilt about ocean pollution dissolve between eerily beautiful coral reefs and mysterious depths, as hybridized sea creatures move through sunstreaks and shadows.

    Pascal took the time to answer a few questions for us about the inspirations and production experience that went into his moving film, which has also received the VES Award for VFX in a student project, the Animago Award Jury Prize and two Young Director Awards, as well as making short lists for awards at Interfilm Berlin,Animafest Zagreb and Clermont Ferrand.

    Animation Magazine: Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration for your amazing short?

    Pascal Schelbli: The trigger to do this film was obviously our massive plastic pollution issue, which we all have to deal with these days. But, instead of showing another mournful stomach full of plastic bags, I thought, “What if plastic could be integrated into the sea life and nature would solve the problem?” The film should take you on a journey, where all our feelings of guilt should disappear. But in the end, we wake up and realize that we need to change something.

    Pascal Schelbli
    Pascal Schelbli

    When did you begin work on the short and how long did it take to complete?

    I started in August 2017 with my first scribbles and we exported the final DCP in July 2019. So, almost two years in between. But of course I (or we) wasn’t working on it for 24/7 — but close enough!

    How many people worked on The Beauty?

    So the main team were about nine people (me as a director and CG artist, Marc Angele as a VFX supervisor, Aleksandra Todorovic and Tina Vest as producers, Noel Winzen as a creature TD and animator, Lukas Gotkowski as a TD, David Dincer as the underwater cinematographer, Alexander Wolf David did the music and Robin Harff the sound design) and we had different helping hands at the film school. So, approximately 20 people were involved in the film.

    The Beauty
    The Beauty

    What animation tools did you use to produce the short?

    We used kind of everything, but our main tools were Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Nuke and Substance Painter and Resolve DaVinci. As I said … kind of everything.

    What has been the most memorable response to your film you’ve received?

    Probably when somebody told me that she started to cry after she watched the film. That is quite a feedback!

    What was the toughest aspect of the production?

    I think to achieve this photorealistic look and fitting our created CG content into the captured footage.

    Who are your animation heroes?

    That is a hard one. We all kind of look up to the big players like Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks and so on. But I don’t have a particular animation hero I guess. Maybe David Attenborough!

    The Beauty
    The Beauty

    What was the biggest lesson you learned from this experience?

    Perhaps that I got more confidence to realize an idea or a project. Before The Beauty started I always had this inhibition of, “The concept isn’t strong enough,“ or “Am I capable of finding the people or the money to go into production?” So after this project succeeded in many ways, I’m kind of hungry for more…

    What are you working on next?

    I am working as a freelance CG generalist and director. I’m a member of the collective PULK (www.pulk.co) and we’re based in Zurich, Switzerland. Apart from that, I’m in the financing stages to produce my new short.

    Most of the team on The Beauty are freelancing as well. Marc and Noel were working for MPC in London in the meantime and Aleksandra and Tina are working as producers in post production companies (Woodblock and Eder) around Stuttgart, Germany.

    See more of Pascal’s work at www.pascalschelbli.ch.

    Visit animationsinstitut.de/en to learn more about the school’s VFX and animation programs.

    The Beauty
    The Beauty
  • Studio 100 to Debut 1st Ep. of Eco-tainment Toon ‘SeaBelievers’ at MIPCOM

    Studio 100 to Debut 1st Ep. of Eco-tainment Toon ‘SeaBelievers’ at MIPCOM

    Studio 100 and SeaBelievers have announced that they will collaborate closely as distribution partners on the exploitation of the CGI animated series SeaBelievers (52 x 11’). Studio 100 acquired the worldwide (excl. Russia and CIS) distribution rights for all audiovisual as well as L&M exploitation. Studio 100 will present the show at the physical-virtual hybrid MIPCOM Rendezvous Cannes 2020 for the first time.

    SeaBelievers aims to represent a whole new genre of “eco-tainment.” Created by Brien Arone, Founder and SeaEO of SeaBelievers, the concept combines the benefit of edutainment for children, being informative and realistic about real-life issues affecting our ocean, and encouraging kids to make a difference – because they can! All in a fun and entertaining way through a stunning and engaging musical eco-adventure, with original tunes to sing and dance along to.

    Each episode leads kids on a new eco-adventure. Whether in the sea or on shore, the positive SeaBelievers characters with their distinct seaweed hair, seashell noses, sea- colored eyes and webbed hands and feet, problem-solve and take action around key environmental issues. Each SeaBeliever carries a Magic Sand Dollar which ignites his or her unique super powers – fueled by their self-belief!

    The series is targeted at children aged 4-7, and the first season of 52 x 11′ package will be ready for delivery in 2021. The first episode will be presented in time for this year’s MIPCOM Rendezvous Cannes.

    The impressive creative team behind SeaBelievers collectively boasts 28 cumulative Emmy Awards, with former Disney exec Paul Robinson as executive producer, Mike de Seve as showrunner and Rich Dickerson as composer – to name a few. The show is produced by Baboon Animation (U.S.A.), Telegael (Ireland) and AnCartoon (China).

    “Last year at MIP Junior we were looking for distributors who share the same vision, enthusiasm and commitment to our new genre and who are willing to bring SeaBelievers to children around the globe – with passion and expertise,” said Arone. “SeaBelievers is the first kids eco-tainment show in the world that tells stories that will thematically matter and empower kids. It is so important to let kids know that they can change the world and that there are role models for that in real life, and in shows with authentic characters they really can relate to. We want kids to know that the SeaBelievers are at their side and will always believe in them. For that, Studio 100 is the right partner for us, not only because they have the reputation, but their aspiration and personal commitment convinced us. Thus, to be able to implement the exploitation of the series and L&M with one dedicated team is the ideal partnership for us.”

    “SeaBelievers enthralled us right from the start. A series with such high-quality animation and detailed designs, combined with a strong message and the corresponding cosmos of values and real, informative educational content is exceptional – both from a content and L&M perspective,” commented Martin Krieger,CEO of Studio 100 Media/International. “We are very happy with the trust that has been placed on us not only because SeaBelievers comes from the heart and its important message about the environment, but also because it’s about the future of this planet for our children. The devotion and energy with which the SeaBelievers team works on this important cause continues to impress us — their commitment is outstanding.”

    SeaBelievers is already making a splash without having been on air. The SeaBelievers were guests at the White House for Earth Day 2019, entertaining 36,000 children and they were the only children’s characters to perform at The Super Bowl LIVE leading up to the February 2020 Super Bowl in the U.S. Additionally, they portray real engagement: SeaBelievers has been a proud and active member of “1% for the Planet” and the first children’s character line to be a member of this global organization that connects businesses, individuals, and nonprofits, empowering all to drive positive change.

  • One Animation Sets ‘Oddbods’ Halloween Special, Launches Fan Art Competition

    One Animation Sets ‘Oddbods’ Halloween Special, Launches Fan Art Competition

    Award-winning content creation, distribution and licensing studio One Animation is releasing its fourth seasonal Oddbods special, a pirate themed adventure for Halloween, titled “OddBeard’s Curse” (1 x 22’). The special will debut on YouTube Kids this October, and has also sold to linear broadcasters TV3 Spain and Mediacorp. Singapore.

    The YouTube version will feature fan art from the winner of the “OddBeard’s Curse: Draw A Pirate Ship” competition, which will be running on the Oddbods Official Facebook page in August in the lead up to the show’s premiere. One Animation is calling all young fans to participate by submitting an original drawing of a pirate ship to be in the running for this unique prize.

    Oddbods competition
    Oddbods competition

    “One of our core values is giving back to young fans and we’re excited to be able to offer them this chance to get creative and have their artwork featured in this adventure-packed Oddbods Halloween special,” said Michele Schofield, SVP, Content Distribution at One Animation. “We’re also grateful to our partners at YouTube Kids, TV3 Spain and Mediacorp Singapore; we know this extra special episode of Oddbods will bring some spooky fun to kick off the Halloween season.”

    “OddBeard’s Curse” Synopsis: While out fishing, Fuse snags and hauls from the lake the catch of the decade: a treasure chest! In landing his colossal catch, however, Fuse loses a tooth. Alas, he’s saddened to discover the chest is full of useless pirate junk except for a shiny gold tooth — a perfect replacement for the one he’s lost. The gold tooth belongs to none other than the Dread Pirate OddBeard, and no pirate worth his sea-salt allows stolen treasures to be re-stolen. So, OddBeard and his crew of hearty misfits rise from the depths and march on Oddsville to reclaim what is un-rightfully theirs!

    Oddbods is a globally loved, twice Emmy Award-nominated, non-dialogue comedy featuring seven adorable, highly unique pals. Together, despite their differences, they survive the perils of everyday life, unintentionally turning ordinary situations into unexpected, extraordinary, and always humorous events. The quirky but totally charming Oddbods celebrate individuality in a funny, warm and unexpected way. After all, there’s a little odd in everyone!

    www.oneanimation.com

  • Disney TV Studios Rebranding ABC, Fox 21 & 20th Century This Fall

    Disney TV Studios Rebranding ABC, Fox 21 & 20th Century This Fall

    Nearly 18 months following the 21st Century Fox acquisition which led to the formation of Disney Television Studios, its three studios are undergoing a significant rebrand, as announced Monday by Disney Television Studios President Craig Hunegs. The changes are as follows:

    ABC Studios and its subsidiary ABC Signature, led by President Jonnie Davis, will merge into one studio entitled ABC Signature.

    Fox 21 Television Studios, led by President Bert Salke, will be renamed Touchstone Television.

    20th Century Fox Television, led by President Carolyn Cassidy, will become 20th Television.

    The new graphic logos and “motion end cards” will be rolled out in all-new episodes of Disney Television Studios programming going forward. (Library titles and episodes broadcast before the rebrand will remain unchanged.)

    “Our new studio names and logos mark a new day for ABC Signature, 20th Television and Touchstone Television while honoring their rich histories and the creative power of The Walt Disney Company,” commented Hunegs. “Dana [Walden, Chairwoman] and I could not be more pleased with the first year of our three studios together as part of Disney Television Studios and we believe that with our powerhouse talent roster and exceptional studio teams, the best is yet to come.”

    The three studios recently earned 47 Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Animated Series nods for Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons. Over the last decade, the triumvirate have received 767 Emmy nominations resulting in 134 wins, 99 Golden Globe nods with 16 wins, 25 AFI Awards and 16 Peabody Prize Awards. During this past awards season, Disney Television Studios garnered 178 nominations resulting in 31 wins.

    Disney Television Studios currently produces the No. 1 scripted series on 10 networks/platforms: Grey’s Anatomy / ABC, This Is Us / NBC, 9-1-1 / FOX, American Horror Story / FX, Queen of the South / USA, American Dad! / TBS, Barkskins / Nat Geo, grown-ish / Freeform (Adults 18-49, L7) and Little Fires Everywhere / Hulu (first eight weeks). DTS also holds the No. 1 drama and comedy on ABC and FOX*. [ABC: Grey’s Anatomy (2.6) and Modern Family (2.2); FOX: 911 (2.5) Last Man Standing and Family Guy (1.3)] *Adults 18-49, L35

    The three studios of Disney Television Studios are behind some of the most eagerly anticipated programs of the fall and midseason, including adult animated comedy Hoops for Netflix. Recent successes of the past few months include the launch of new hits that include Solar Opposites for Hulu and Central Park for Apple TV+.

  • Award-Winning Director & Producer Ben Hibon Boards ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’

    Award-Winning Director & Producer Ben Hibon Boards ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’

    Nickelodeon and CBS Television Studios today announced that award-winning director and producer Ben Hibon (Codehunters) will direct, co-executive produce and serve as the creative lead of Nickelodeon’s all-new animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. The CG-animated series expansion of the Star Trek Universe follows a group of lawless teens who discover a derelict Starfleet ship and use it to search for adventure, meaning and salvation.

    Star Trek: Prodigy will debut exclusively on Nickelodeon in 2021 for a new generation of fans.

    “Ben’s contributions to the world of animation are immeasurable, and we are so lucky to have his vision and creative genius on Star Trek: Prodigy.” said Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Animation Production and Development, Nickelodeon Group.

    “As an incredible storyteller and a world builder with a distinct vision, his original approach paired with this beloved property will bring the characters to life in a whole new way.”

    Hibon commented, “Getting the chance to work on an IP like Star Trek has been an incredible opportunity, particularly when partnered with the talented teams at Nickelodeon, CBS and Secret Hideout — who have been pushing the boundaries of what animation and serialized storytelling for younger audiences can deliver.”

    Hibon’s incredible gift as a storyteller parlayed him into directing the animated “Tale of Three Brothers” sequence in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, which was nominated as part of Warner Bros.’ VFX submission to the Academy Awards. Hibon, along with David Yates, also won the British Animation Award for this sequence.

    Star Trek: Prodigy hails from CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Television Studios’ new animation arm; Secret Hideout; and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Katie Krentz, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth will serve as executive producers alongside Kevin and Dan Hageman. Mac Middleton will serve as a producer with Aaron Baiers as co- executive producer.

    Ben Hibon is represented by UTA; Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, LLP; Heitmann Entertainment’s Tarik Heitmann and Sentient’s Renee Tab.

    Ben Hibon
    Ben Hibon
  • Queering the Mouse: Disney’s ‘Owl House’ Confirms Bi Character

    Queering the Mouse: Disney’s ‘Owl House’ Confirms Bi Character

    Family media stalwart Disney Channel has reached a new milestone in LGBTQ+ representation, with The Owl House creator and executive producer Dana Terrace sharing confirmation on Twitter this weekend that the show has introduced the outlet’s first openly bisexual character in Amity, one of main protagonist Luz’s schoolmates in her new magical home in an alternate dimension.

    “I’m bi! I want to write a bi character, dammit!” wrote Terrace, whose credits also include directing for DuckTales and storyboarding for Gravity Falls. “Luckily my stubbornness paid off and now I am VERY supported by current Disney leadership.”

    Terrace added in a second post: “In dev I was very open about my intention to put queer kids in the main cast. I’m a horrible liar, so sneaking it in would’ve been hard … When we were greenlit, I was told by certain Disney leadership that I could NOT represent any form of bi or gay relationship on the Channel.”

    The reveal comes in a storyline where the school is set to celebrate/endure the “Grom” — an ancient monster that must be defeated by the Grom Queen. Amity wins the crown but is replaced by Luz, and it is eventually revealed that she had wanted to ask the girl from another world to be her Grom date.

    The tweet prompted many responses, including from Alex Hirsch, creator of acclaimed Disney Channel series Gravity Falls, who contrasted the channel’s acceptance today with his experience several years ago. Anti-definition media monitor GLAAD also voiced its support for the episode’s portrayal of “an inclusive, fair, accurate, and age-appropriate world through the representation of its characters.”

    Earlier this year, Disney XD drew the ire of anti-LGBTQ+ hate group One Million Moms for a lightning-flash representation of Violet’s dads in an episode of DuckTales. Roughly a month later, the first Pixar project featuring a gay lead character — Steven Hunter’s SparkShorts film Out — debuted on Disney+ to a much more receptive audience.

    The Owl House follows Luz, a self-assured teenage girl who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm where she befriends a rebellious witch, Eda, and a tiny warrior, King. Despite not having magical abilities, Luz pursues her dream of becoming a witch by serving as Eda’s apprentice at the Owl House and ultimately finds a new family in an unlikely setting. The show received a second season order ahead of its January premiere.

    Read more about the show in Ramin Zahed’s interview with Terrace for the February ’20 issue of Animation Magazine here.

    [H/T Gizmodo]

  • AMC Sets Additional Cast Animated Sci-Fi Drama ‘Pantheon’

    AMC Sets Additional Cast Animated Sci-Fi Drama ‘Pantheon’

    AMC has announced the complete cast for its upcoming series Pantheon, the network’s first-ever animated primetime drama, following the early lead voices announcement a couple weeks ago.

    Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-O, Always Be My Maybe), Katie Chang (The Bling Ring), Paul Dano (Escape at Dannemora, Little Miss Sunshine), Rosemarie DeWitt (Little Fires Everywhere, Rachel Getting Married), Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, Thank You For Smoking, Ambush), Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black), Ron Livingston (Loudermilk, A Million Little Things, Search Party), Chris Diamantopoulos (Silicon Valley, American Dad!), Raza Jaffrey (Homeland, Code Black) and Scoot McNairy (Narcos: Mexico, Argo) lead a cast rounded out by Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog, Little Fires Everywhere), Grey Griffin (Star Wars Resistance, Scooby Doo Guess Who), SungWon Cho (Anime Crimes Division, Borderlands 3), Kevin Durand (DC’s Swamp Thing, Ballers), Samuel Roukin (A Call To Spy, TURN: Washington’s Spies) and Krystina Alabado (Broadway’s Mean Girls, God Friended Me).

    Based on a collection of short stories from Ken Liu about “Uploaded Intelligence,” or human consciousness uploaded to the “Cloud,” Pantheon is created and written by showrunner Craig Silverstein (TURN: Washington’s Spies, Nikita, Terra Nova) with Liu serving as consulting producer and Titmouse Inc., animation studio also attached. Produced by AMC Studios, AMC has placed an initial order for two seasons of the speculative fiction series consisting of eight one-hour episodes each.

    “Ken’s engaging and thought-provoking short stories pave the way for a deeply gripping series, and I couldn’t ask for a greater group of talented voices to bring these complex characters to life,” said Silverstein.

    In its first season, Pantheon focuses on Maddie (voiced by Chang), a bullied teen who receives mysterious help from someone online. The stranger is soon revealed to be her recently deceased father, David (Kim), whose consciousness has been uploaded to the Cloud following an experimental destructive brain scan. David is the first of a new kind of being: an “Uploaded Intelligence” or “UI,” but he will not be the last, as a global conspiracy unfolds that threatens to trigger a new kind of world war.

    DeWitt will voice Ellen, Maddie’s mother who attempts to connect with her detached daughter and soon discovers Maddie is communicating with someone on the web whom she believes may be impersonating her deceased husband. Dano will voice Caspian, a brilliant computer science teen who comes to Maddie’s aid as they search for the truth. Eckhart will voice Cary, Caspian’s demanding father with rigid ways and Schilling will voice Renee, Caspian’s doting mother. Jaffrey will voice Chanda, a prized engineer who is considered a prophet in his field. Diamantopoulos joins as Pope; Rose as Nicole; Griffin as Samara; Livingston as Waxman; Cho as teacher; Durand as Anssi; McNairy as Cody; Roukin as Gabe; and Alabado as Hannah.

  • Ed Catmull Joins VIEW Conference 2020 Speakers

    Dr. Ed Catmull, computer graphics pioneer, Pixar co-founder and former president of Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Animation Studios, will speak at Italy’s leading digital media event VIEW Conference. The 21st edition of the curated annual conference runs October 18 to 23 online and on-site in Torino, Italy.

    “We are honored that Ed Catmull is participating in VIEW 2020,” says Conference Director Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez. “He exemplifies the goal of this conference – to bring together scientists and artists who share their knowledge and inspire a new generation of creatives. Dr. Catmull has done that his entire career, from guiding the group of artists and scientists at Pixar Animation Studios to extending that leadership on to Disney Animation. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the VIEW family.”

    Dr. Catmull joins a compelling lineup of artists, filmmakers and tech innovators which also includes:

    • Tomm Moore, Director, Wolfwalkers, Cartoon Saloon
    • Tony Bancroft, Director, Animal Crackers, Netflix
    • Peter Ramsey, Co-Director, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Sony Pictures Animation (Academy Award winner)
    • Kris Pearn, Writer/Director, The Willoughbys, Netflix
    • Jorge Gutierrez, Writer/Director, The Book of Life
    • Jeremy Clapin, Writer/Director, I Lost My Body
    • Sharon Calahan, Director of Photography, Onward (Pixar)
    • Roger Guyett, VFX Supervisor, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
    • Hal Hickel, Animation Director, The Mandalorian, ILM (Academy Award winner)
    • Celine Desrumaux, Production Designer, Over The Moon, Netflix
    • Nate Fox, Director, The Ghost of Tsushima, Suckerpunch
    • Paul Debevec, Senior Engineer, Google VR (Academy Award winner) (Keynote)
    • Glenn Entis, Co-Founder PDI (Academy Award winner)
    • Scott Ross, Founder, Digital Domain and Entrepreneur, Trip Hawkins, Founder EA/3DO and Executive Coach
    • Stefen Fangmeier, VFX Supervisor and Director, Game of Thrones
    • Alison Mann, VP Creative/Strategy, Sony Pictures Animation
    • Don Greenberg, Jacob Gould Schurmann Professor of Computer Graphics, Cornell University (Keynote)
    • Marino Guarnieri, Director, Cinderella the Cat
    • Nikola Damjanov, Nordeus
    • Dylan Sisson, Artist, RenderMan, Pixar
    • Sebastien Hue, Concept Artist
    • Kane Lee, Head of Story, Baobab Studios
    • Angie Wojak, Director of Career Development, School of Visual Arts NYC
    VIEW Conference 2020
    VIEW Conference 2020

    In 2019, Dr. Catmull received the “Nobel Prize of computing,” the $1 million Turing Award, which he shared with Dr. Pat Hanrahan. He’s the author of the book, Creativity, Inc., which was shortlisted for the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award.

    He has also received three Academy scientific and engineering and technical achievement awards, an Academy Award of Merit for significant advances to the field of motion picture rendering, and the Academy’s Gordon E. Sawyer Award for lifetime achievement in the field of computer graphics. He is a Computer History Museum and Visual Effects Society Fellow. Dr. Catmull has further been honored with the IEEE John von Neumann Medal, the VES Georges Méliès Award, the Annie Awards Ub Iwerks Award for Technical Achievement, PGA’s Vanguard Award and induction into the VES Hall of Fame.

    Under Dr. Catmull’s leadership, Pixar’s feature and short animated films received 16 Oscars and Disney Animation’s animated features and shorts won five.

    The international VIEW Conference, Italy’s premiere event for Computer Graphics, Interactive and Immersive Storytelling, Animation, Visual Effects, Games, and VR, AR, and Mixed Reality, brings top professionals from those fields to the beautiful baroque city of Torino, Italy for a week of talks, presentations and workshops.Registration is now open.

    “Because VIEW Conference will be online as well as onsite this year, we are taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity to include remarkable professionals from all over the globe,” Gutierrez added. “VIEW 2020 will be amazing.”

  • Nickelodeon Makes a Splash with ‘Baby Shark’s Big Week’ Aug. 10-14

    Nickelodeon Makes a Splash with ‘Baby Shark’s Big Week’ Aug. 10-14

    Preschoolers can dive into fin-tastic adventures with pop-culture phenomenon Baby Shark next week, when Nickelodeon airs Baby Shark’s Big Week Monday, Aug. 10 to Friday, Aug. 14 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. (ET/PT). In partnership with Discovery, the weeklong celebration will feature Baby Shark shorts, bite-sized shark facts and underwater-themed episodes of Nick’s hit preschool series PAW Patrol, Bubble Guppies and Blaze and the Monster Machines, as well as the premiere of a brand-new Bubble Guppies episode, “Too Bright for Movie Night,” on Friday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. (ET/PT).

    The network recently announced the greenlight of a brand-new animated preschool series, Baby Shark’s Big Show! (working title) set to debut with an all-new original holiday special this December, with premieres rolling out across its preschool platforms in spring 2021. Following the U.S. launch, the series will roll out on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels internationally.

    Co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio and SmartStudy, the global entertainment company behind the beloved children’s brand Pinkfong, the 2D-animated series (26 half-hour episodes) will follow Baby Shark and his best friend William as they journey on fun-filled comedic adventures in their community of Carnivore Cove, meet new friends and sing original catchy tunes along the way.

    In addition to Nickelodeon and SmartStudy’s partnership to produce Baby Shark’s Big Show!, ViacomCBS Consumer Products (VCP) is managing consumer products licensing worldwide, excluding China, Korea and Southeast Asia, for the Baby Shark property.

  • A24 Checks in to VivziePop’s Hellish ‘Hazbin Hotel’

    A24 Checks in to VivziePop’s Hellish ‘Hazbin Hotel’

    New York-based indie distributor/prodco A24 — which has had a part in hit comedy series and specials like 2 Dope Queens, Ramy and Eric Andre: Legalize Everything as well as acclaimed features including Midsommar, The Lighthouse and Uncut Games — is taking an appropriately bold step into animation by picking up Hazbin Hotel, created by artist/animator Vivienne Medrano (VivziePop).

    The company Tweeted on Friday: “We’re going straight to hell with @VivziePop. #HazbinHotel coming to TV soon.”

    Created, directed, written and produced by Medrano, a graduate of the School of Visual Arts (NY), Hazbin Hotel is an adult-targeted black comedy which follows Charlie, the Princess of Hell, as she tries to do the impossible: Turn her demon subjects to the light and humanely fix overpopulation in her violent, chaotic kingdom. With the help of her devoted partner Vaggie, adult film star turned test case Angel Dust and a powerful entity known as the “Radio Demon,” Charlie invites sinister sinners of all descriptions to check in to the Hazbin Hotel and — hopefully — “check out” en route to Heaven.

    Medrano produced and released a pilot episode on YouTube at the end of 2019, which has since wracked up more than 40 million views.

    Check out Medrano’s original trailer below — you can watch the half-hour pilot episode and see more of her animation at www.youtube.com/c/SpindleHorse.

    [H/T BubbleBlabber]

  • ‘Blazing Samurai’ Gains Finance Ally in Align

    ‘Blazing Samurai’ Gains Finance Ally in Align

    L.A.-based Align has enlisted with animated comedy Blazing Samurai, contributing production financing to the $46 million CG project. Currently in production with Aniventure at Cinesite’s (The Addams Family) Montreal and Vancouver studios, the movie is a re-imagining of Mel Brooks’ classic 1974 black comedy Blazing Saddles — transporting the concept from the Wild West to the Far East.

    The picture was supposed to get going in 2015 but was stymied by the bankruptcy troubles at Arc Productions which saw a lockout of 500+ employees. Arc’s assets were purchased by Boat Rocker Media’s Jam Filled Entertainment in 2016. With control of the film assets and rights re-established, Blazing Samurai restarted production in November.

    Blazing Samurai follows a lovable mutt named Hank with dreams of becoming a noble Samurai. When he gets appointed the sheriff of the … evocatively named Kakamucho, the ambitious pup finds he may have bitten off more than he can chew as the town is inhabited only by cats. Animator/story artist Mark Koetsier makes his directorial debut on the film. Rob Minkoff — director of The Lion King, Stuart Little and Mr. Peabody & Sherman — is producing with Adam Nagle.

    “We’ve always been passionate about animation and are thrilled to be taking part in Blazing Samurai. The combination of Rob and Mark as outstanding animation creatives, the industry expertise of Aniventure, GFM Animation and Cinesite delivering amazing production value on screen, assembled around such a hilarious action-packed family script will make Blazing Samurai one of the key animated films of 2021,” Align’s Adrian Politwoski told Deadline. The former Umedia co-CEO founded the prodco with Nadia Khamlichi in 2019, backed by a $200M greenlight fund.

    “With the arrival of COVID-19 across Europe and North America, our team came together to shift our strategy to meet the limitations of the new filmmaking landscape,” he added. “It was a natural step for us to shift our focus to high-end commercial animation projects. Blazing Samurai is the first of more to come.”

    The voice cast, as originally announced five years ago, was to be led by Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, George Takei and Mel Brooks. When production restarted this fall, GFM Animation’s Guy Collins told Screendaily, “Our expectation is that now we have the full funding, we will be able to keep everybody who was previously attached.”

    Blazing Samurai is presented by Align and Aniventure in association with HB Wink Animation and GFM Animation; a Flying Tiger Ent. production in association with Aniventure, and a Blazing Productions Ltd. production in association with HB Wink Animation, GFM Animation and Cinesite Animation.

    [Source: Deadline]

  • Animated ‘It Girl’ Betty Boop Turns 90 on August 9!

    Animated ‘It Girl’ Betty Boop Turns 90 on August 9!

    On August 9, an international celebration of beloved boop-oop-a-dooping star Betty Boop will kick off in a variety of tributes to the toon icon, in honor of the 90th anniversary of her big-screen debut. One of animation’s most enduringly popular characters, Betty Boop is adored by fans of all ages, considered a style icon, trendsetter and symbol of women’s empowerment.

    The character’s owner, Fleischer Studios, and licensing agent King Features, are planning many ways to toast this delightfully sassy toon in August and throughout the rest of 2020, from social media campaigns and online cartoon screenings to a number of major brand collaborations.

    Betty Boop
    Betty Boop (Image Credit: Fleischer Studios)

    Betty Boop got her break August 9, 1930 in the Fleischer Studios cartoon Dizzy Dishes — although her modern-day fans would hardly recognize the singing, dancing dog-like siren Max Fleischer created as a possible love interest for his half-dog, half-human star, Bimbo. As Betty gained a following in her own right, her jowly spaniel looks turned into a babydoll face, and her long floppy dog ears became her signature hoop earrings. (She later got her own pup, Pudgy, introduced in 1934’s Betty Boop’s Little Pal.)

    The character’s flapper looks and baby-voice performance style were inspired by great singers and actresses of the 1920s Jazz Age, notably Helen Kane, “Baby Esther” Jones, Gertrude Saunders, Bessie Smith and Ethel Merman. While many talented women gave her life over the years, Betty Boop’s signature voice actor was Mae Questel, who also spoke for Fleischer’s Olive Oyl and Famous Studios’ Little Audrey. Echoing the growing independence seized by women after the Great War, Fleischer Studios was the first major shop to hire a female animator: Lillian Friedman, whose work is featured in Pudgy and the Lost Kitten (1938).

    Lillian Friedman Astor
    Lillian Friedman Astor

    “One of the most important dynamics that today’s culture shares with the pre-Depression flapper era is that they are both cultures that were/are emerging from repression, especially for women. I think that this through-line is one of the main reasons that Betty Boop continues to resonate through the epochs despite the constant changes around her,” Fleischer Studios President Mark Fleischer (grandson of Max) told Animation Magazine.

    For nine decades, Betty Boop has sung and sashayed past rules and conventions, taking risks and setting trends with wit and charm like a true influencer. As the first female cartoon star, she was dubbed the “Queen of Cartoons”, and her ability to connect with people has endured over 90 years. Betty’s passion, positivity and persistence continue to inspire her fans around the world.

    Betty Boop
    Betty Boop (Image Credit: Fleischer Studios)

    When asked what today’s primetime animation creators could learn from Betty’s enduring success, Mark Fleischer observed: “Being surrealistic is often so much more satisfying, uplifting and fun than being graphically realistic.”

    Brand partners around the globe have joined King Features and Fleischer Studios with collaborations in apparel, accessories, beauty products, collectibles and many more to celebrate the global icon’s major milestone. Recent collaborations have included Nike, a beauty line from IPSY, watches from Invicta, collectibles from MBI, Inc. and collectible vinyl figures from Funko.

    Betty Boop
    Betty Boop (Image Credit: Fleischer Studios)

    A new book, Betty Boop’s Guide to a Bold and Balanced Life – Fun, Fierce, Fabulous Advice Inspired by the Animated Icon (Skyhorse Publishing) was released in January to kick off the 90th year. Written by empowerment advocates Susan Wilking Horan and Kristi Ling Spencer, the book features a foreword by designer Zac Posen and offers readers a glimpse into Betty’s colorful history while also providing timely and timeless tips on topics ranging from love to health to self-empowerment.

    Betty Boop
    Betty Boop (Image Credit: Fleischer Studios)

    In addition, a Betty Boop Broadway musical is currently in development. In a recent special, PBS gave fans a glimpse into the upcoming stage production when the show’s composer, David Foster, previewed one of the songs he wrote for the show (watch on pbs.org). Foster and his wife, performer Katherine McPhee, also recently performed a song from the musical entitled “Something to Shout About” on the Today Show.

    Betty Boop’s 90th anniversary celebration, themed “Forever Fabulous,” will continue throughout August and into the rest of the year, and fans can expect to see a wide array of new collaborations and online events.

    More information and updates on Betty Boop’s 90th can be found at www.bettyboop.com and across her social channels.

  • Hulu Sets November ‘Animaniacs’ Premier, Trailers ‘Woke’

    Hulu Sets November ‘Animaniacs’ Premier, Trailers ‘Woke’

    During the Hulu Press Tour on Friday, the platform presented its lineup of upcoming original programming, including the first trailer for semi-animated comedy series Woke, based on the life and work of Keith Knight and starring Lamorne Morris; and revealing the fall premiere date for the all-new Animaniacs.

    Twenty-two years after its final episode, the long-awaited return of Animaniacs comes to Hulu Friday, November 20. Hulu, Amblin Television and Warner Bros. Animation are proud to unveil a brand-new version of the iconic family friendly cartoon series for the whole family, as the Warner siblings, Yakko and Wakko, and the Warner sister Dot, have a great time wreaking havoc and mayhem in the lives of everyone they meet.

    After returning to their beloved home, the Warner Bros. Water Tower, the Animaniacs waste no time in causing chaos and comic confusion as they run loose through the studio and beyond, turning the world into their personal playground. Joining Yakko, Wakko and Dot, fan-favorite characters Pinky and the Brain will also return to continue their quest for world domination in each of the 13 episodes.

    Steven Spielberg returns as executive producer of the series, with Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Blue Ribbon Content, Amblin Television Co-Presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, and Wellesley Wild also serving as executive producers. Gabe Swarr serves as co-executive producer. Animaniacs is produced by Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Animation. The show will return to Hulu for a second 13-episode season in 2021.

    Written and executive produced by award-winning cartoonist Keith Knight (The K Chronicles, (Th)ink) and Marshall Todd (Barbershop), the new comedy series Woke follows Keef (Lamorne Morris), an African-American cartoonist finally on the verge of mainstream success when an unexpected incident changes everything. Keef must now navigate the new voices and ideas that confront and challenge him — in the form of anthropomorphized objects and animated characters — all without setting aflame everything he’s already built. The full first season premieres Wednesday, September 9.

    Also promising some VFX magic is eight-episode anthology series Monsterland, based on the collection of stories from Nathan Ballingruds’ North American Lake Monsters. Encounters with mermaids, fallen angels and other strange beasts drive broken people to desperate acts in Monsterland. The series stars Kaitlyn Dever, Jonathan Tucker, Charlie Tahan, Nicole Beharie, Hamish Linklater, Marquis Rodriguez, Bill Camp, Michael Hsu Rosen, Taylor Schilling, Roberta Colindrez, Adria Arjona, Trieu Tran, Kelly Marie Tran, Mike Colter and Adepero Oduye. Monsterland is created, written, and executive produced by Mary Laws and executive produced by Babak Anvari, Lucan Toh, Megan Ellison and Sue Naegle. Ali Krug will serve as co-executive producer and the series is produced by Annapurna Television. Premieres Friday, October 2.

    Woke
    Woke