Animation Magazine

Tag: featured

  • Katie Wilson Appointed WildBrain TV VP Channels & Curation

    WildBrain Television announces the appointment of respected industry executive Katie Wilson to the role of Vice President, Channels and Curation. In this newly created position, Wilson will be responsible for curating content and providing editorial direction across WildBrain Television’s Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr. and Télémagino and their multiplatform/VOD extensions.

    Wilson joins WildBrain Television following six years as Director of Programming, Kids, at Corus Entertainment. Based in Toronto, the new VP reports to Deirdre Brennan, Executive Vice President of Content Partnerships at WildBrain Ltd.

    “Katie has a remarkable track record in delivering successful content and platform strategies and this expertise, combined with her talent for building strong teams and partnerships, will make her a vital part of the content management team at WildBrain Television,” said Brennan. “I look forward to working closely with Katie to drive viewer engagement for our channels as we continue delivering best-in-class programming for Canadian families.”

    Central to her role, Wilson will spearhead WildBrain Television’s content acquisition and original production program. Working closely with WildBrain’s global content, distribution and brand teams, Wilson will also provide critical strategic insights for the company’s core business of creating engaging entertainment for kids and families worldwide.

    Wilson said, “I am thrilled to join WildBrain Television and excited to work with such an internationally respected team. As someone deeply committed to engaging and entertaining kids and families, I look forward to connecting with Canadian audiences and to also helping drive global opportunities for outstanding local content.”

    Previously, as Director of Programming, Kids, at Corus, Wilson’s remit included commissioning original content and overseeing programming strategy across the company’s flagship kids’ networks, YTV, Treehouse and TELETOON. She also oversaw the management and scheduling across partnership channels, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Disney Channel in Canada. Wilson was elevated to the Director role at Corus in 2014, after serving as Manager of Programing for TELETOON from 2010, where she managed programming across TELETOON, Télétoon, Teletoon Retro and was integral in launching Cartoon Network Canada.

    WildBrain Television is composed of Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr. and Télémagino. Dedicated to celebrating family fun, WildBrain Television delivers best-in-class programming that appeals to Canadian families, and is home to world-renowned series including America Ninja Warrior Jr., Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, Just Add Magic and Chip and Potato.

    Katie Wilson
    Katie Wilson
  • ‘Re:ZERO’ OVA, ‘Shadowverse’ Series Join Crunchyroll Spring Slate

    ‘Re:ZERO’ OVA, ‘Shadowverse’ Series Join Crunchyroll Spring Slate

    Crunchyroll has added two more anime delicacies to its spring menu: A new OVA from the dimension-hopping dark fantasy Re:ZERO, and the brand-new Shadowverse series from studio Zexcs, inspired by the hugely popular digital card game from Cygames.

    Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- The Frozen Bond will launch April 30 with English subtitles. Crunchyroll will also produce an English dub of the OVA, with release TBA. Season 2 of the series — which follows an ordinary high school student stumbling through a quest to help a kindly, mysterious silver-haired girl in the strange other world falls into — is set to debut on the platform in July.

    Shadowverse launches day-and-date with its Japanese premiere on April 7 at 3 a.m. PT. While attending Tensei Academy, Hiiro Ryugasaki ends up acquiring a mysterious smartphone. It comes installed with the popular card game, Shadowverse! Meeting new rivals, facing major tournaments, forging bonds with friends… Shadowverse leads Hiiro to all sorts of new experiences, all that serve to “evolve” him…

    Shadowverse
    Shadowverse
    Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- The Frozen Bond
    Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- The Frozen Bond
  • ‘LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters’ Appears April 28

    ‘LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters’ Appears April 28

    Youth, truth and trust are central to the latest brick-tastic adventure when DC’s Justice League welcomes its newest – and youngest – member in LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters, an all-new, full-length animated feature film in the LEGO DC series.

    Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and the LEGO Group, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting April 28, and on Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98 US / $29.98 CA SRP) and DVD ($19.98 US / $24.98 CA SRP) on June 16. The Blu-ray and DVD releases feature an exclusive LEGO Minifigure of Shazam (while supplies last).

    In LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters, 10-year-old Billy Batson shouts a single word and, with lightning bolts flashing, he transforms into Shazam!, a full-fledged adult Super Hero. It doesn’t take long for Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League to take notice and invite the earnest do-gooder to join the team. But to become a member, Billy must reveal his true identity. While fighting off the evil Mr. Mind and Black Adam, Billy learns that he must trust others – and that nothing creates trust like helping those in need. Join the good fight with this giant-sized LEGO DC adventure!

    Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings franchise, The Goonies) leads a stellar cast as the voice of Shazam. Astin is joined by:

    • Troy Baker (Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman: Arkham Origins) as Batman/Bruce Wayne
    • Nolan North (Young Justice, Pretty Little Liars) as Superman/Clark Kent & Alfred
    • Grey Griffin (Scooby-Doo franchise, DC Super Hero Girls) as Wonder Woman & Lois Lane
    • Christina Milizia (Bunsen Is a Beast) as Green Lantern Jessica Cruz
    • James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as The Flash & Dummy
    • Imari Williams (Transformers: Rescue Bots) as Black Adam & Teth Adam
    • Fred Tatasciore (Batman Ninja) as Lobo & Oom
    • Ralph Garman (Family Guy) as the Wizard
    • Zach Callison (Steven Universe) as Billy Batson & Jimmy Olsen
    • Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad) as Jeepers, Dr. Sivana & Crocodile Man
    • Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect franchise) as Mary Batson & L.N. Ambassador
    • Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as The Penguin & Perry White
    • Jonny Rees (The Lion Guard) as Mr. Mind
    • Erica Lindbeck (DC Super Hero Girls) as Greeter & Farmer
    • Josh Keaton (The Spectacular Spider-Man) as Executive & Terrance.

    The movie is produced by Rick Morales (LEGO Scooby-Doo!: Haunted Hollywood) and directed by Matt Peters (LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis) from a script by Jeremy Adams (Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans). Liz Marshall (Unikitty!) is producer and Jim Krieg (Batman: Gotham By Gaslight) is co-producer. Sam Register and Jason Cosler & Jill Wilfert are executive producers.

    “LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters brings another beloved Super Hero into the Justice League fold, perfectly spotlighting his magical abilities and strength with his kid-empowering attitude to create a terrific match for action-packed LEGO fun,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Senior Vice President, Originals, Animation and Family Marketing.

    Special features from the Warner Bros. Animation vault include TV episodes Teen Titans Go! “Little Elvis,” Unikitty! “Spoooooky Game” and Unikitty! “Pool Duel.”

  • PBS KIDS Celebrates Earth Day with Molly, Kratts, Nature Cat & Cybersquad

    PBS KIDS Celebrates Earth Day with Molly, Kratts, Nature Cat & Cybersquad

    Families stuck at home will find a breath of fresh air, as PBS KIDS blooms with new episodes and engaging learning opportunities in honor of Earth Day (April 22). Kids can explore some of the most amazing wonders of the natural world from their own homes, from creature-powered adventures in the Amazon with Wild Kratts to a whirlwind of natural landmarks across the U.S, with Nature Cats, fun-filled escapades in Alaska with Molly of Denali and more, with episodes debuting April 20 to May 29.

    Wild Kratts
    Wild Kratts

    Wild Kratts: Amazin’ Amazon Adventure – Premieres April 20 with re-airings through April 26, including Earth Day, April 22, and streams on PBS KIDS digital platforms.

    In this new hour-long special, Aviva experiences an invention slump and the Wild Kratts team is determined to help! They take her down the mysterious Amazon River in search of inspiration from the amazing creatures that live there. But Aviva must reclaim her invention prowess fast, because Zach, Donita, Gourmand and Paisley are seeking to mine the area’s biodiversity for their own nefarious schemes.

    To extend the Amazon-themed adventure, two new Wild Kratts activities, My Creature Adventure and Adventure Passport, are now available on the PBS KIDS for Parents website.

    Nature Cat
    Nature Cat

    Nature Cat: Natural Wonders Week – New episodes premiere May 11 to May 15 and stream on PBS KIDS digital platforms.

    Fans can join Nature Cat, Squeeks, Daisy and Hal as they explore national wonders such as The Grand Canyon, Old Faithful, The Great Salt Lake … and … Niagara Falls? (Water! Why does it have to be water?) In this week of themed episodes, kids will learn about photosynthesis, geysers, volcanic activity, even the impressive hunting and survival skills of the praying mantis – and more.

    Air Dates:

    5/11 Great Salt Lake/Praying Mantis Hunters

    5/12 Tally Ho, A Volcano!/No Rest for the Squeeky

    5/13 Niagara Falls/Nature Plant

    5/14 The Grand Mystery of the Grand Canyon/The Strongest Show on Earth

    5/15 Under Pressure/Rainy Day

    Molly of Denali
    Molly of Denali

    Molly of Denali – New episodes premiere May 25 to May 29 and stream on PBS KIDS digital platforms.

    Young explorers will join Molly, Tooey and Trini on a week of exciting outdoor adventures throughout Alaska! New explorations and lessons will include using reasoning and observation skills to track turkeys through the mud as well as learning how honoring your elders and working together can lead to wonderful things – like a very special cloudberry pie! – and how quick thinking and noticing changes in your environment can keep a wayward canoe trip on track. Each episode emphasizes informational text-based learning and Alaskan Native values, so there will be plenty of fun and educational moments for families to share!

    Air Dates:

    5/25 Froggy of Denali/Molly Mabray and the Mystery Stones

    5/26 Reading the Mud/Unsinkable Molly Mabray

    5/27 Busy Beavers/The Night Watchers

    5/28 Picking Cloudberries/Puzzled

    5/29 Rocky Rescue/Canoe Journey

    Cyberchase
    Cyberchase

    In addition, a line-up of new Earth Day-themed Cyberchase episodes will debut April 17-19. Kids can tag along with the Cybersquad as they learn about bat pollination, water conservation, underground ecosystems, and protecting forests – all with a mathematical twist!

    New episodes:

    Missing Bats in Sensible Flats (Topics: pollinators; maps; using map coordinates to determine a location; directionality; spatial sense; data collection, representation & interpretation using a chart; using tally marks; counting 1-100)

    Water Woes (Topics: watersheds; maps; directionality; spatial awareness; data collection, representation & interpretation using a map)

    Soil Turmoil (Topics: soil; data collection, representation & interpretation using tables; counting 1-20; sampling data; non-standard linear measurement)

    Hacker Hugs a Tree (Topics: deforestation; data collection, representation & interpretation using pictographs; counting 1-100; skip counting)

    To extend the learning for kids, parents and teachers at home, engaging free resources for each of the new April episodes will be available on PBS Learning Media, including discussion questions, vocabulary, worksheets and hands-on activities. The site also features lots of additional amazing Cyberchase STEM-powered things for parents and kids to do at home, like making rock candy, exploring numbers and operations with Mission Magenite, completing a series of shape, number and color patterns to Crack Hacker’s Safe – and a ton more.

    Parents and caregivers can also sign up for the free new Cyberchase: Mobile Adventures in STEM pilot program, available in English and Spanish, designed to help them engage with their children through easy and awesome hands-on environmental and math activities using their smartphones. Families join the six-week program by texting “eco” to 30644 and get a new set of activities via text every week.

    And, fans of the series can play some great STEM games, which will begin rolling out on the Cyberchase site beginning this April, including:

    Bugs in the System (April 9) – Play with data and make a graph by catching bugs.

    Buzz & Delete Save the Day (April 16) – Help everyone’s favorite bumbling henchbots, Buzz and Delete, save their hometown, Botopolis.

    Can You Fill It? (April 23) – Play a measurement game by picking pots with the fewest pours.

    Cyber Pattern Player (April 30) – Make cool cyber-tunes in this musical math game.

  • Cloudco Launches Digital Camp Care Bears for All Ages

    Cloudco Launches Digital Camp Care Bears for All Ages

    Camp Care Bears launched Monday, April 6 on IG Live with a mission to create a positive, uplifting digital “place” for campers of all ages. The Care Bears will use their belly badge powers to spread messages of sharing, caring and courage to all.

    Camp Care Bears was created as a direct response to COVID-19 and imposed quarantines. Through livestreams, downloadable activities and group sharing, Camp Care Bears will be a meeting place for a global community, unified by their acts of “sharing and caring”. Weekly activities such as arts and crafts, journaling, reading, games, cooking and nature walks will be presented by the beloved Care Bears and surprise guest camp counselors.

    A weekly camp schedule will be posted across all Care Bears social channels Monday mornings (10 a.m. ET); campers can tune in on IG Live, IGTV and YouTube. Downloadable activities will be available on www.carebears.com. 

    “Camp Care Bears is our answer to navigating this ‘new normal’ together and we are looking forward to sharing it with you today. Our team, along with guest camp counselors, has risen to the occasion, creating original content aimed to engage with campers of all ages,” said Kristeen Tibbits, VP of Marketing and Social Media, Cloudco Entertainment. “We hope to inspire creativity and wellness, and encourage a sense of togetherness and community when the world needs it most.”

    Camp Care Bears
    Camp Care Bears
  • Distributor ZED Takes on First Toon with ‘Lina’s World’

    Distributor ZED Takes on First Toon with ‘Lina’s World’

    Paris-based productor and distributor ZED will handle worldwide distribution of Lina’s World (French title: Les Voyages d’Ismaël), an original 2D-animated series that explores — with a bit of humor — the origins of Islam, Christianity and Judaism through three characters: Ismaël, Lina and Némo. Co-produced by Les Batelières Productions, Foliascope Studios and Cinemon Entertainment, this educational series questions the stereotypes linked to religion and inspires reflection on its place in today’s society.

    Created by Ismaël Saidi (Djihad, In the end what is really in the Koran?), directed by Hanan Kaminski and illustrated by François-Marc Baillet, Lina’s World is the first animation distributed by ZED, a specialist in documentary programming. The 20 x 3’30” series is aimed at a wide audience, with a target demographic of kids 10-15 years old.

    “We are incredibly enthusiastic about presenting this show worldwide. We see Lina’s World as a stand-out series that promotes awareness of the common history of peoples and the importance of living together,” said Chloé Persyn-Preljocaj, Head of Sales and Distribution at ZED. “We are convinced that our broadcasters clients around the world will embrace its humorous, kid-friendly tone.”

    The first episode will allow the viewers to discover the various streams within the three religions, along with their similarities and shared hopes. The nine other episodes will be divided into three cycles of three episodes, and will explore the place of women in this different religions, interreligious relationships, and the question of violence within these religions.

    Produced for France Télévisions Éducation, production is underway and the first season is slated for delivery in December 2020.

    More information and a French-language (English subtitled) trailer available here.

  • Hyrum Osmond, Josh Gad WFH for Free Series ‘At Home with Olaf’

    Hyrum Osmond, Josh Gad WFH for Free Series ‘At Home with Olaf’

    Walt Disney Animation Studios has built a brand-new, digital-first animated miniseries starring one of its coolest characters: Olaf the snowman, from the megahit Frozen franchise. Animated by Olaf’s supervising animator on Frozen, Hyrum Osmond, and voiced once again by Josh Gad — both working from their homes — At Home with Olaf is free to watch online through Disney’s social channels, including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

    The first installment, “Fun With Snow,” is a giggly little exercise in snowball tossing.

    On his Twitter account, Gad (@joshgad) explained that WDAS Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee — who directed both Frozen flicks with Chris Buck — and Osmond asked him to “record some dialogue & sounds as Olaf from home” and added that the short-shorts are “so charming & hopefully provide a smile during these scary times.” Gad also shared a quick BTS snap of himself recording, signing off with “Also, guys, I’m now a sound engineer too!!”

    Gad, who can be seen in HBO’s space sitcom Avenue 5 (launched in January) and in upcoming Disney+ feature Artemis Fowl, had been receiving a “flood” of requests to create a short-form Olaf series after one fan on Twitter asked just last week if he could “talk to the big wigs” at Disney to develop more of the character’s fun bite-sized recaps as seen in Frozen 2 (available to watch on Disney+).

    In addition to serving as animation supervisor on Frozen, Osmond was head of animation for Moana and an animator on many other beloved Disney shorts and features: Paperman, Wreck-It Ralph, Tangled and Tangled Ever After, Prep & Landing, Super Rhino and Bolt, for which he shared a nomination for the Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature.

    [Source: Yahoo]

  • Stuttgart Animation Fest Details Online 2020 Edition

    Stuttgart Animation Fest Details Online 2020 Edition

    Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the 2020 Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) cannot take place in its usual Stuttgart Schlossplatz cinemas or other cultural venues. So, finding a creative solution to bring that Festival feeling to stay-at-homes in Stuttgart and around the world, ITFS invites animation lovers to the OnlineFestival.ITFS.de from May 5 to 10 — true to the motto, “Stay Animated – Go Online with ITFS.”

    “The new, digital format will be a brand new, virtual experience for our guests and us alike,” said Ulrich Wegenast, ITFS Artistic Managing Director. “With many video statements and live interviews as well as talks and panels we want to create a completely new kind of Festival feeling. This and our exclusive programme of films, some of them previously unreleased, is what makes the OnlineFestival.ITFS.de with its various sections so special, and what distinguishes it from the usual streaming platforms.”

    OnlineFestival.ITFS.de consists of three sections: OnlineFestival Free (free of charge), OnlineFestival+ (fee-based) and OnlineFestival Pro (fee-based and for professionals only).

    OnlineFestival Free: Free Festival Streaming for All

    Every year, the Festival’s large open-air area on Stuttgart Schlossplatz is the center of ITFS. The OnlineFestival offers a digital alternative through free live streaming; a daily mix of moderated interviews, live panels and short films. Highlights include the Festival opening on Tuesday evening (May 5) and the film competition awards ceremony on Sunday evening (May 10). Certain parts of the Festival program, such as the curated Animated Music Video program, will also be available on this section’s playlist free of charge, along with editorial texts including comments and guest editorials.

    The free GameZone offers a selection of game options and related tips for children and adults as well as digital educational games; it also presents game academies and studios as well as the nominees for the Animated Games Award Germany 2020. In addition, workshops and lectures are available for live streaming.

    Costume for Nicolas
    Costume for Nicolas

    OnlineFestival+: On-Demand Streaming of Current Films in Competition OnlineFestival+ is the platform for all fans of animated film, offering a selection of films from the current Festival competitions — International Competition for short films, Young Animation, Tricks for Kids, Trickstar Nature — as well as feature films chosen from the AniMovie competition, along with some of the best animated films from the past few ITFS editions (a total of more than 250 shorts and features). Filmmakers will provide viewers with an insight into their work and further info on the films in video statements. Selected Tricks for Kids films will be available along with media-educational material for children.

    “At this specific time, it is of particular importance to establish a platform for the filmmakers, so as to provide visibility of and audiences for their creative and artistic works,” Dieter Krauß, Commercial Managing Director of Festival organizer Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH, pointed out. “At the same time, our fans can enjoy many artistic, animated films, if only at home this year for once. However, it is still important to us to organize a Festival for joint cinema experiences and opportunities for personal exchange again next year.”

    The feature films include one premiere: The touching film A Costume for Nicolas by Eduardo Rivero (Mexico, 2019), about a 10-year-old boy with Down syndrome. Every year, his mother made him a costume for his birthday – until she died.

    In addition, Zero Impunity by Nicolas Blies and Stéphane Hueber-Blies (France / Luxembourg, 2018) from the current AniMovie Competition will be shown: An animated, artistic documentary that gives victims of war crimes, social workers and activists a voice — from Syria to Ukraine, the African continent and the U.S.A. A real cult film is the feature-length Mary & Max by Adam Elliot (Australia, 2008) — a mixture of Wallace & Gromit and Harold & Maude, this warmly received clay animation will also stream at OnlineFestival+. With wit and warm-heartedness as well as a sharp eye for detail, the story of two deeply sad characters who find joy in life through their friendship with each other unfolds.

    The Beauty
    The Beauty

    The international spectrum of the films and the variety of their topics reflect the usual high quality of ITFS programs: From VES Award winner The Beauty (Pascal Schebli, Filmakademie Ludwigsburg, Germany, 2019) and Tomek Popakul’s ACID RAIN (Poland, 2019) as well as the Illlogic collective with Maestro (France, 2019) to renowned studios such as Tumblehead Animation with Tales from the Multiverse (Magnus Møller, Mette Tange, Peter Smith; Denmark, 2019) and well-known filmmakers such as Konstantin Bronzit with He Can’t Live without Cosmos (Russia, 2019) – the International Competition impresses with entertaining animated shorts of high artistic quality.

    Films like Ron Dyens’ Melting Heart Cake (France, 2019) and Verena Fels’ Tobi and the Turbobus (Germany, 2019) in the Tricks For Kids competition section will also make the hearts of animation fans leap.

    The new Trickstar Nature competition category presents films dealing with nature and the environment and includes works by well-known studios such as Folimage with Northern Lights (France, Switzerland, 2019) and the short film POLARBARRY – LET’S BREAK THE ICE!! VLOG#207 by Wouter Dijkstra (Netherlands / U.K., 2019).

    The one-off charge to access the OnlineFestival+ is 9.99€.

    OnlineFestival Pro: Insights, Master Classes & Exclusive Access to the Animated Video Market

    OnlineFestival Pro provides industry members and professionals with access to master classes including one held by Benjamin Renner, and to professional talks and links to the Animation Production Days (APD), Germany’s most important co-production and financing market for animation. In addition, OnlineFestival Pro gives professionals (buyers, TV representatives, curators, etc.) the opportunity to access the Animated Video Market and view the major part of films submitted to this year’s ITFS (around 1,900 films), and thus a unique overview of current animation productions.

    The one-off charge to access the OnlineFestival Pro is 19.99€ and includes access to the OnlineFestival+.

    http://onlinefestival.itfs.de

    Northern Lights
    Northern Lights
  • Skydance Media Acquires Ilion Studios’ Animation Unit

    Skydance Media Acquires Ilion Studios’ Animation Unit

    Skydance Media, the diversified global media company founded by CEO David Ellison in 2010, has acquired the animation unit of Madrid-based Ilion Studios, a world leader in state-of-the-art animation production, to form Skydance Animation Madrid. This strategic acquisition combines the creative capital of Skydance with Ilion’s best-in-class talent, ensuring Skydance Animation’s full oversight of all production aspects guaranteeing quality control throughout the life cycle of every project.

    With a combined workforce of almost 500 employees across two continents, Skydance Animation now has the expanded creative capability, scale and leverage to deliver on its goal of becoming an industry-leading producer of high-end animated films and television series for audiences around the world.

    Led by former head of Pixar John Lasseter and industry veteran Holly Edwards, Skydance Animation has rapidly grown to support a robust development and expanded production slate. The studio’s roster of creatives has grown to include an array of award-winning talent, including Vicky Jenson, director of the first-ever Academy Award-winner for Best Animated Feature, Shrek; Peggy Holmes; Nathan Greno; Kiel Murray; Lauren Hynek; Elizabeth Martin; and Tony Award-nominee and Writers Guild of America West’s Animation Writers Caucus lifetime achievement honoree Linda Woolverton.

    “The world is going through an unprecedented and uncertain time. Today’s acquisition marks the culmination of many months of work to build one studio across two continents, with the goal of creating the highest-quality animation, led by best-in-class talent from around the world,” said Ellison. “The addition of Skydance Animation Madrid to our portfolio of businesses underlines my passion and commitment to bringing iconic animated stories and characters to life from some of the most talented artists and voices in the industry.”

    “We are excited to expand our partnership with Skydance Animation and to further collaborate with Skydance founder David Ellison and elite talent like John Lasseter and Holly Edwards,” said Ignacio Pérez Dolset, Founder, President & Chief Creative Officer of Ilion. “This is a phenomenal growth opportunity for our team in Spain and we’re proud to be an integral part of Skydance’s exciting future.”

    Skydance Animation’s upcoming feature slate includes:

    • Luck | Directed by Peggy Holmes (The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning) and written by Kiel Murray (Cars, Cars 3) and Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger (Kung Fu Panda movies). When the unluckiest girl alive stumbles upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck, she must join together with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.
    • Spellbound (working title) | Directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek, Shark Tale) and written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin (Mulan [2020]) and Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King). A musical fantasy set in a world of magic where a young girl sets out to break the spell that has split her kingdom in two.
    • Pookoo (working title/currently in development) | Written and directed by Nathan Greno (Tangled) and produced by Jennifer Magee-Cook (The Princess and the Frog).

    In addition, Skydance Animation has a slate of soon-to-be-announced high-end television series in various stages of development.

    Ilion Animation Studios creates state-of-the-art computer animated feature films of the highest level, combining cutting-edge technology with top artistic quality. Ilion’s animation unit has become a model studio on a global basis, capable of attracting talented individuals who create best-in-class animation production. Feature film credits include Planet 51, Mortadelo and Filemon: Mission Implausible and Wonder Park.

    Latham & Watkins LLP (Los Angeles and Madrid) acted as legal adviser to Skydance Media and Loyra Abogados (Madrid) provided counsel to Ilion in this transaction.

    David Ellison
    David Ellison
  • FOX Renews Amy Poehler Animated Comedy ‘Duncanville’ for S2

    FOX Renews Amy Poehler Animated Comedy ‘Duncanville’ for S2

    FOX Entertainment has ordered a second season of the recently debuted animated series Duncanville, to air during the 2021-2022 season. From Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Amy Poehler and Emmy Award winners Mike and Julie Scully, Duncanville follows a spectacularly average 15-year-old boy with a rich fantasy life, and the people in his world. The network also revealed that an encore episode featuring SNL alum Ana Gasteyer is set to air Sunday.

    “Duncanville is another great addition to our Sunday Animation Domination block,” said Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment, FOX Ent. “Amy, Mike and Julie have been fantastic partners, as have the teams at 20th and Universal Television. Our thanks also go out to the entire voice cast, including Ty, Riki, Betsy, Yassir, Zach, Joy, Rashida and Wiz. Duncan may be an average teen. However, the show is anything but, and we can’t wait for a brand-new season of Harris family adventures.”

    In the series, Duncan (voiced by Poehler) can see adulthood on the horizon: money, freedom, cars, girls … but the reality is more like: always being broke, driving with your mom sitting shotgun and babysitting your little sister. He’s not exceptional, but he has a wild imagination in which he’s never anything less than amazing. Poehler also voices Duncan’s mother, Annie, and Emmy Award winner Ty Burrell voices Duncan’s father, Jack. The series also features the voices of Emmy Award nominee Riki Lindhome, Betsy Sodaro, Yassir Lester and Zach Cherry, as well as guest voices Rashida Jones, Wiz Khalifa and Joy Osmanski.

    Season-to-date, Duncanville averages 2.3 million multiplatform viewers and is FOX’s most-streamed new comedy this season, while its premiere is FOX’s most-streamed animated debut on record (seven-day average).

    In the encore episode “Fridgy,” airing Sunday, April 12 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX, the family gets a new smart fridge that turns out to be too smart for Annie’s liking and she feels replaced. Jack and the kids see no harm in the fridge’s increasing invasions of their privacy, until they realize that the appliance company that sold them the refrigerator has questionable motives. Ana Gasteyer makes a guest-voice appearance.

    Duncanville is produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Universal Television and FOX Entertainment. Mike Scully, Julie Scully and Amy Poehler co-created and executive-produce the series with executive producer Dave Becky. The series is animated by Bento Box Entertainment.

  • Drop into a Cosmic Trip with ‘Midnight Gospel’ Trailer

    Drop into a Cosmic Trip with ‘Midnight Gospel’ Trailer

    If you’ve ever pondered what Timothy Leary’s favorite cartoon would be, Netflix may have found it. In the new official trailer for The Midnight Gospel — created by the brilliantly bananas mind behind Adventure Time, Pendleton Ward, and comedian Duncan Trussell — we travel through incredible, unnerving, blacklight poster-colored worlds of 2D animation as “spacecaster” hero Clancy asks the deep questions.

    Ward’s knack for straddling the line between creepy and cute is well evident (animated by the accomplished artists at Titmouse), and the trailer makes it clear that this adult animation project will be a whole ‘nother level of adventure for grown-up fans of Finn and Jake to embark on.

    Synopsis: The Midnight Gospel is the story of Clancy, a spacecaster with a malfunctioning multiverse simulator who leaves the comfort of his extra-dimensional home on the Chromatic Ribbon to interview beings living in other worlds. Created by Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time) and Duncan Trussell (Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast), and animated by Titmouse.

    www.netflix.com/themidnightgospel

    The Midnight Gospel
    The Midnight Gospel
    The Midnight Gospel
    The Midnight Gospel
    The Midnight Gospel
    The Midnight Gospel
  • Cartoon Network Launches COVID-19 Initiative CNCheckIn

    Cartoon Network Launches COVID-19 Initiative CNCheckIn

    Cartoon Network has further expanded its global response to the coronavirus pandemic with a new initiative – CNCheckIn – that helps kids stay safe, creative and entertained during this uncertain time. The initiative will draw on the network’s unique blend of humor and heart, with characters and stories kids know and love.

    To help kids Stay Safe, new public service announcements (PSAs) and tutorials will be made available featuring hand-washing tips, and how to stay in touch with friends while practicing social distancing.

    To encourage kids to Stay Creative, the network will provide do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, how-to-draw lessons and more.

    To help kids Stay Entertained, families can access:

    • New and unlocked episodes of Apple and Onion, Ben 10, Teen Titans Go! and more, as well as the first seasons of Craig of the Creek and Victor and Valentino, available on Cartoon Network, the CN App and participating distributors platforms.
    • An unlocked collection of 20 Cartoon Network classics that includes Chowder, Courage the Cowardly Dog and Dexter’s Laboratory available now on the CN App and participating distributors platforms.
    • Narrated interstitials updated daily featuring fan-favorite characters from Adventure Time, Teen Titans Go! and We Bare Bears that will encourage kids to laugh and dance.
    • Downloadable new backgrounds from Adventure Time, Steven Universe and others, for digital conference calls, available here!

    “We always strive to meet our audience where they are, and right now we know that many of them are at home, trying to figure out this new normal,” said Jill King, SVP marketing and partnerships, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang. “If we can use our characters to convey simple, yet important safety messages, and keep kids entertained in this difficult time, we are all in.”

    Kids and families can access specialized multi-platform content, tools and resources in a one-stop hub, www.cartoonnetwork.com/checkin, which will be available in respective regions around the world. Fans can also catch this content in a daily afternoon destination on linear, as well as find select offerings through Cartoon Network social, the CN App, and participating distributors platforms.

  • Exclusive BTS Clip: Making the Play for ‘Strike’

    Exclusive BTS Clip: Making the Play for ‘Strike’

    An unlikely animal sports star takes the pitchin Strike, a stop-motion family flick from Gigglefish Animation Studios and Homesick Angel in the U.K. The charming sports-themed comedy adventure makes its Stateside home video debut on Tuesday, April 7 through Indican Pictures, ready to score a goal with animation fans of all ages.

    To get the crowds hyped for the release, we’ve got a special behind-the-scenes clip to share featuring director Trevor Hardy, who shares some of the joys and challenges of making his first stop-motion animated feature. Vuvuzelas not required!

    Synopsis: Mungo (voiced by Lizzie Waterworth of Bob the Builder) is a young mole who is due to begin work by his proud father’s side in their hometown’s legendary gold mine. While his best friends are excited to be in the mine, Mungo secretly dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. However, desperate not to upset his father and facing the challenge of being a small mole unable to play soccer in bright light, Mungo sadly resigns himself to life as a miner. But, when the mine is forced to shut down after a mysterious accident, an evil and gold-obsessed supervillain known only as “The Boss” (Ken Stott of The Hobbit films) attempts to bully the townsfolk into selling him the mine.

    Against all odds and with a little help from his crazy friends, Mungo begins an epic adventure of thrills, laughs, action and danger as he hurtles towards the Wild Cup finals in Russia and has a final showdown with The Boss.

    Strike
    Strike

  • VFX Producer Rebecca Ramsey Dies Age 53

    Visual effects producer Rebecca Ramsey, who lent her skills to blockbuster spectacles including films in the Harry Potter and Hunger Games franchises, died March 7 from complications related to a fall in her home. The news was shared by Ramsey’s longtime friend, Jenny McShane. She was 53 years old.

    Over Ramsey’s nearly three-decade career, she served as a producer and executive producer of VFX, VR/AR/MR, stereography, design and motion graphics for a variety of projects spanning feature film, television, commercials, new media and title design. Her credits include major motion pictures including multi-Oscar-winning The Life of Pi, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, I, Robot, Hellboy, Spider-Man 3, The Matrix Revolution, The Bourne Identity, the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer and animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas.

    Ramsey employed her skills over the years with studios Base FX, Gradient Effects, Hatch, Kaleidoscope Films, Look Effects, Modern Videofilm, RGA/LA, Stargate Studios and Todd AO Digital.

    At the time of her passing, Ramsey had been working as VFX producer on Justin Baldoni’s Clouds (2020), adapted from author Laura Sobiech’s Fly a Little Higher. Fellow VFX supe Jim Owens included a photo of his late colleague in the season 4 finale of This Is Us on March 24 in tribute to Ramsey.

    Ramsey is survived by her husband, Jeff Weber, mother Judith Ramsey, stepfather Jerry Kitz, and brother Michael Fujita Ramsey.

    [Source: Deadline]

    The Life of Pi
    The Life of Pi
  • Netflix Original ‘StarBeam’ Powers Up with Positivity

    Netflix Original ‘StarBeam’ Powers Up with Positivity

    StarBeam, the new Netflix Original series that follows eight-year-old Zoey as she confronts the conflicts of second grade, has arrived to deliver the power of positive screentime. The CG-animated series was created by Kickstart Entertainment in response to a lack of children’s content with female heroines, uplifting inclusive storytelling through a character made unique by superpowers that include flying, strength and shooting bubbles to take down villains and save the day — every day.

    “StarBeam celebrates and empowers young girls onscreen,” said co-creator and executive producer, Loris Kramer Lunsford. “Pint-sized Zoey may be small, but she has the power to make a difference, and when she transforms into StarBeam she’s unstoppable.”

    Kickstart Entertainment co-founder, Heather Puttock, who produced StarBeam added, “We are aware that there isn’t enough diversity in children’s content, and have made it our number one priority to change that. Onscreen characters exert a huge influence on kids’ values and self-esteem, so we’re thrilled to introduce them to Zoey and StarBeam.”

    StarBeam is inclusive behind the camera, too. The show’s production team was staffed by a majority of women, non-binary individuals and people of color. Extra consideration to issues of inclusivity was given by co-creators Loris Kramer Lunsford and Jason Netter, who is also the producer and chief operating officer of the Bentonville Film Festival — which was founded by Geena Davis and strives to address the issue of female underrepresentation in film and television.

    “StarBeam is a testament to the changes happening in animation and the entertainment industry at large, where women are increasingly visible as dynamic heroines, leaders and content creators both on and off screen,” said Netter, also Kickstart Entertainment co-founder.

    Starbeam is produced by Kickstart Entertainment and executive produced by Heather Puttock, Loris Kramer Lunsford and Jason Netter. The series stars Nahanni Mitchell (Gigantosaurus, The Dragon Prince), Dean Petriw (Sonic the Hedgehog, Home Before Dark) and Terry Klassen (Krypto the Superdog, Baby Looney Tunes).

    Watch season 1 of StarBeam on Netflix, available now.

  • TV Bytes: ‘American Dad!’ 15th Birthday Bash; Global Sales News

    TV Bytes: ‘American Dad!’ 15th Birthday Bash; Global Sales News

    American Dad! returns with new episodes on TBS (a WarnerMedia brand) on Monday, April 13 (10 p.m. ET/PT). This year marks the 15th anniversary of Seth MacFarlane’s award-winning adult animated comedy, and the milestone 300th episode is set to air September 14. An upcoming episode (May 4) will feature an original song by Grammy winner The Weeknd, with other guest stars for the season including Jane Lynch, Patton Oswalt, Ron Perlman, Craig Robinson, Criss Angel and Bill Nye. To mark 15 years, TBS will air a curated selection of episodes focusing on a different character each day, handpicked by the producers, Tuesday-Friday from 4-6 p.m., April 14-17 and April 21-24. Following, the official 15th anniversary marathon featuring the series co-creator’s top 15 favorite episodes will take place on April 27 from 2:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Co-created and exec produced by MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Eitzman and exec produced by co-showrunner Brian Boyle, American Dad! is a 20th Century Fox Television production.

    European animation powerhouse Rainbow is celebrating a furry good result for the U.K. launch of its latest hit, 44 Cats, reaching millions of viewers and attracting top-notch licensing partners through local agents Lisle Licensing. Aimed at children 3-7, the first season launched on POP TV, Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. Too in 2019 and is already enjoying tremendous popularity across the world. The 52 x 13’ animated series is an explosive mix of music and cuteness telling the daily adventures of four kittens — Lampo, Milady, Pilou, and Meatball — who form a band called the Buffycats. CP partnerships include TDP Textile Aykroyds (nightwear), Simba Dickie’s Siso Toys (U.K. toy partner), John Toys, Amscan, Sony Music, Dreamtex, Redan Publishing, Fashion UK, Ravensburger, Celemntoni and Chicco & Bip.

    Headstart International (Australia) and leading Chinese digital platform YouKu have partnered to bring upper-preschool CGI series Best Furry Friends to young viewers across the country. Under the deal, inked via Playalogy Int’l and Seny Int’l, the series inspired by the popular collectibles and toys brand launched on YouKu in late February, ranking 12th for all animated series (3rd for overseas animated property) and reaching 20,000 views in the first month. Best Furry Friends focuses on the six core friends and their BFFs. In comedy-based stories, the characters are placed in modern social scenarios that encourage personal growth and development of soft social emotional skills. The unique personalities of each Bestie offer kids the opportunity to relate to their favorite character and appreciate different types of personalities.

    Viacom International Studios announces three brand-new distribution deals for Nickelodeon’s U.K.-originated hit, It’s Pony. The first season (20 x 30′) of the interspecies buddy comedy created by Ant Blades and animated by Blue Zoo Prod. is galloping off to free-to-air networks YLE2 (Finland), Televisa’s Canal 5 (Mexico) and Teleamazonas (Ecuador), to launch this fall. Inspired by an entry submitted to Nickelodeon’s 2015 International Animated Shorts Program, It’s Pony follows the adventures of Annie and her best friend, an enthusiastic, unpredictable, and carefree pony. Together, their optimism and enthusiasm turn any situation from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether making an epic quest down the street to mail a letter, heroically saving the local playground with a bake sale, or simply getting a haircut, Pony and Annie always stick together because life is better as a pair.

    ZeptoLab has launched its global preschool animation series Om Nom Stories in Latin America, broadcasting on two Grupo Salinas platforms: TV channel Azteca 7 and VOD platform Totalplay. The charming adventures of the little green monster — debuting seasons 14 and 15 this year — will take flight with Latam Airlines, the largest carrier in the region, starting in May.

    Berlin-based Da Vinci Media has acquired non-exclusive free TV, pay TV and VOD rights for 104 episodes of the animated series Pincode, for its 24/7 TV-channel Da Vinci TV and VOD app Da Vinci Kids, for five years. The deal covers multiple territories, including Russia and CIS, Poland, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Greece and Turkey. The first broadcasts are scheduled for May 16. Pincode is an edutainment spin-off Kikoriki, produced by Riki Group for kids up to 12 years old as well as for the whole family. The science-themed adventures engage kids in exploring the world of innovations, technology and discoveries — which is fully in line with Da Vinci’s aim to help children to develop curiosity and critical thinking.

    Best Furry Friends
    Best Furry Friends
    It's Pony
    It’s Pony
    Pincode
    Pincode
    44 Cats
    44 Cats
    Om Nom Stories
    Om Nom Stories
  • ‘Artemis Fowl’ Debuting Exclusively on Disney+

    ‘Artemis Fowl’ Debuting Exclusively on Disney+

    The Walt Disney Studios announced today that it will debut its new live-action feature film Artemis Fowl exclusively on Disney+. The release date will be announced soon; the film had been originally scheduled for a U.S. theatrical release on May 29.

    Based on the best-selling young adult book by Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl stars newcomer Ferdia Shaw in the title role alongside Lara McDonnell, Josh Gad, Tamara Smart, Nonso Anozie, Josh McGuire, Nikesh Patel and Adrian Scarborough, with Colin Farrell and Judi Dench.

    “With audiences largely unable to attend theaters in the current environment, we are thrilled to offer the premiere of Artemis Fowl on Disney+,” said Ricky Strauss, President, Content & Marketing, Disney+. “Director Kenneth Branagh and his spectacular cast take viewers right into the vibrant, fantasy world of the beloved book, which fans have been waiting to see brought to life onscreen for years. It’s great family entertainment that is the perfect addition to Disney+’s summer lineup.”

    In this fantastical, spellbinding adventure, 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl (Shaw), a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, embarks on a journey to find his father (Farrell), who has mysteriously disappeared. With the help of his loyal protector Butler (Anozie), Artemis sets out to find him, and in doing so uncovers an ancient, underground civilization — the amazingly advanced world of fairies. Deducing that his father’s disappearance is somehow connected to the secretive, reclusive fairy world, cunning Artemis concocts a dangerous plan — so dangerous that he ultimately finds himself in a perilous war of wits with the all-powerful fairies.

    Kenneth Branagh, p.g.a. and Judy Hofflund, p.g.a. are producing with Angus More Gordon and Matthew Jenkins serving as executive producers. Conor McPherson and Hamish McColl wrote the screenplay.

    The “Artemis Fowl” books are currently available in the U.S. from Disney-Hyperion.

    Artemis Fowl
    Artemis Fowl
    Artemis Fowl
    Artemis Fowl
  • Netflix Trailers ‘The Last Kids on Earth’ Season 2

    Netflix Trailers ‘The Last Kids on Earth’ Season 2

    It’s not the end of the world! Netflix and Atomic Cartoons have dropped the Season 2 trailer for The Last Kids on Earth. The family-friendly apocalyptic adventure, based on the New York Times bestselling book series by Max Brailler, returns with 10 new 22-minute episodes on April 17.

    Fun and lighthearted, The Last Kids on Earth follows Jack Sullivan (voiced by Stranger Things star Nick Wolfhard) and a band of suburban middle schoolers living in a decked-out tree house, playing video games, gorging themselves on candy and battling zombies. The second season, called The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade, is based on the second book of the series. S2 also features the voices of Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson, Catherine O’Hara, Bruce Campbell and Keith David.

    The Last Kids on Earth is part of a larger world of IP that includes the book series as well as toys and other consumer products. The latest book installment of the series, The Last Kids on Earth: June’s Wild Flight published by Penguin, will be released on April 7.

    Founded more than 20 years ago, Atomic Cartoons (a Thunderbird Company) is a 500+ artist Vancouver-based award-winning animation studio, recognized internationally as one of the leading animation studios in North America. Working with top animation brands, the studio has produced the Emmy-winning Beat Bugs, Disney’s 1010 Dalmatian Street, Counterfeit Cat, Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, Rocket Monkeys, Max & Ruby and Transformers: Rescue Bots, to name a few. www.atomiccartoons.com.

  • ‘Metabarons’ Artist Juan Giménez Dies of COVID-19 Complications

    ‘Metabarons’ Artist Juan Giménez Dies of COVID-19 Complications

    Legendary artist Juan Giménez, known notably for his work with Alejandro Jodorowsky on The Metabarons (1992), died April 2 in his home province of Mendoza, Argentina from COVID-19 complications. He was 76 years old.The news was shared by Paris-based comics publisher Humanoids.

    “It was the middle of a sunny day of 1991 in Paris,” Humanoids CEO Fabrice Giger recalled, “I remember clearly the sparks that suddenly appeared in Juan’s eyes, while he was listening to Jodorowsky pitching him The Metabarons. I knew then that Alejandro had won him to the cause, but I didn’t fully realize that their combined genius was about to produce the most formidable space opera ever told in comic-book form.”

    Spanning eight books released through 2003, The Metabarons expands the mythos of the titular character from the pages of Jodorowsky and Mœbius’ The Incal, introducing a legacy of near-immortal galactic warriors. Harmonizing with Jodorowsky, Giménez brought a profound weight and emotional realism through his lush, expansive art. No concept — from cybernetic implants to sprawling planets made of marble — fell outside of his master vision. His uncanny talent of contrasting dense machinery and mammoth ships against lost souls navigating immense conflicts cemented Giménez as an internationally beloved figure.

    “I closely collaborated with Juan Giménez for 10 years and together, we created The Metabarons saga,” said Jodorowsky. “What facilitated my task as we offered him to work on the complex world of the Metabarons was that he already embodied the immortal No-Name, the last Metabaron. In my unconscious, Juan Giménez cannot die. He will continue on, drawing like the master warrior that he was.”

    Giménez began his journey in Argentina drawing for comic-book publishers such as Colomba and Record before segueing to Spanish magazines Zona 84 and Comix International. His first French release, 1979’s Leo Roa (also published under the title The Starr Conspiracy), detailed the comedic adventures of a planet-hopping journalist. A year later he served as a creative designer on the film Heavy Metal, working on the segment “Harry Canyon.” He would spend the next decade contributing to the French genre magazine Métal Hurlant as well as the Italian publication L’Eternauta, among others.

    His 1991 work, The Fourth Power, foreshadowed The Metabarons with a teeming, violent universe, following a military pilot as she discovers her identity throughout a cosmic war and betrayal. More recently, Giménez collaborated with authors including Carlos Trillo, Emilio Balcarce and Roberto Dal Prà.

    Giménez is internationally recognized for his work, winning The Yellow Kid Award for Best Foreign Artist at the 1990 Lucca International Comic Fair as well as the Gaudia award at the Feria Internacional del Comics de Barcelone that same year. Other accolades include the 1994 Bulle D’Or.

    “There are many artists who are adored by their fans, but only a select few are equally revered by their peers,” said Humanoids U.S. Publisher Mark Waid. “Juan Giménez was the latter, able to give us not only epic moments of space opera but subtle and moving moments of humanity. Worldwide, the comics community mourns for him.”

    Juan Giménez
    Juan Giménez
    The Metabarons
    The Metabarons
    The Metabarons
    The Metabarons

  • French Studio TeamTO Shares ‘Working From Home’ Video

    We recently asked animation studios around the world to tell us how they are coping with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business and productivity. Our friends at super-busy French animation studio Teamto, which is based in Paris and has a second production studio in Bourg-lès-Valence (as well as offices in L.A. and Beijing) shared an entertaining video about their daily lives during these challenging times.

    Studio founder and president Guillaume Hellouin told Animation Magazine, “We were able to convert 100% of our work force to telecommuting from home within three days — 70% by the second day — because of several logistical advantages. First of all, six months ago our tech team carried out exercises to test how we could work remotely, keeping the data at the studio, in preparation for moving to our new studio in 2021. For security purposes we want to have centralized data servers in the studio. Right now, with this system, our staff has encrypted access to images in their computers in the office, but not the data, which has allowed us to transition to working from home without risking the security of our clients.”

    Hellouin, who founded the company in 2005 with his wife Corinne Kouper and Caroline Souris, added, “Another advantage is that we use HP computers which have a very efficient protocol for working remotely already installed, enabling us to move very quickly. And also, all of our work is done in house, in our own studios with nothing subcontracted to the Far East, removing another layer of coordination and delay from the process.”

    TeamTO is currently working on several animated series, including Presto! School of Magic, Mighty Mike, PJ Masks, and Ricky Zoom, (with eOne), Creature Case, and several projects in development and one imminent greenlight with a U.S. platform to be announced soon.

    For more info, visit www.teamto.com.

    Mighty Mike
    Mighty Mike