Fathom Events and Sunrise Inc. are marking a major mecha milestone with a one-night only theatrical release of the re-mastered 1988 feature Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack. The one-night-only special screening is set for Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. local time, in select theaters nationwide.
Set in the Universal Century timeline of the celebrated franchise, Char’s Counterattack was the first original Gundam theatrical release and marks the culmination of the original saga started in Mobile Suit Gundam and continued in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ.
In addition to the feature presentation, Gundam 40th Anniversary Celebration: Char’s Counterattack event audiences will also be treated to an exclusive interview with the creator of Gundam, Yoshiyuki Tomino, as well as newly-captured content from Anime NYC 2019.
Synopsis: Amuro and Char, two best mobile suit pilots who fought together against the Titans after the Jion’s war of independence, must face each other in a fateful duel where the Char-led Neo-Jion, attempt to drop a gigantic meteor and nuclear weapons on Earth in order to cause Nuclear Winter to wipe out its inhabitants.
Tickets for Gundam 40th Anniversary Celebration: Char’s Counterattack can be purchased online at www.FathomEvents.com and at participating theater box offices. Moviegoers throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy this event in approximately 400 select movie theaters. A complete list of theater locations will be available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
LAIKA, the award-winning animation studio whose five films — Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) and Missing Link (2019) — have delighted fans and wowed critics, will present a day-long retrospective of its films at The Landmark in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 27. Admission is free.
In addition, an exhibition of LAIKA puppets and dioramas will delight fans in the Landmark lobby. The Landmark is located at 10850 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064.
LAIKA President & CEO Travis Knight, who directed Kubo and the Two Strings, will introduce the screening and participate in a Q&A after the film, while writer/director Chris Butler will do a Q&A after the screening of Missing Link.
10:30 a.m. Kubo and the Two Strings (Introduction by and Post Screening Q&A with LAIKA President & CEO Travis Knight, director of Kubo and Bumblebee.) Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Art Parkinson and George Takei lead an international voice cast in this story of a young boy named Kubo who must locate a magical suit of armor worn by his late father in order to defeat a vengeful spirit from the past. Won the BAFTA Award and was nominated for the Golden Globe and two Oscars: Animated Film and VFX, the first time in 25 years that an animated film had broken through in the VFX category. LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar for its innovation in Rapid Prototyping after the release of Kubo and the Two Strings.
1:15 p.m. Missing Link (Q&A to Follow with Chris Butler, writer/director of Missing Link and ParaNorman). Mr. Link (a.k.a. “Bigfoot) recruits explorer Sir Lionel Frost to help find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight, this trio of explorers travels the world to help their new friend. Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana and Zach Galifianakis head an international voice cast.
4:00 p.m. ParaNorman. A misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse. Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck and Leslie Mann lead the voice cast. Nominated for the Oscar and BAFTA as well as a GLAAD Media Award.
6:15 p.m. Coraline. An adventurous 11-year-old girl finds another world that is a strangely idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets. Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane lead the voice cast. AFI’s Movie of the Year, Coraline was nominated for the Oscar®, the Golden Globe, the BAFTA and won “Best Feature” at the BAFTA Children’s Awards.
8:45 p.m. The Boxtrolls. A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Elle Fanning, Ben Kingsley, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost lead the cast. Nominated for an Academy Award, the BAFTA and Golden Globe.
DreamWorks Animation has announced that Jacob Tobia has joined the cast of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power for the highly anticipated fourth season. The Emmy and GLAAD Media Award-nominated series returns to Netflix November 5.
Tobia voices Double Trouble, a non-binary shape-shifting mercenary from the Crimson Waste, who joins forces with Catra and the Horde. Able to magically transform themselves into any person they see, Double Trouble has the soul of a thespian, spending hours in “character study” trying to perfectly mimic their target, and always looking for feedback on their “performance” – just don’t ever give them a negative critique.
“Fantasy has always been vital to me, because as a non-binary person, it’s a way of escaping the confines of the world we live in,” Tobia shared in Netflix’s Instagram video announcement.
Tobia is a gender nonconforming writer, producer, and performer based in Los Angeles, most recently publishing their bestselling debut memoir Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story. A member of both the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the OUT 100, Tobia’s writing and advocacy have been featured by MSNBC, The New York Times, Time, The Guardian and Teen Vogue, among others. A Point Foundation Scholar and Truman Scholar, Tobia has worn high heels in the White House twice.
Executive produced by Noelle Stevenson, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power season 4 begins with the respective rises of Queen Glimmer as leader of the Rebellion and Catra as co-leader of the Horde. As the Horde makes advances on the Rebellion under the looming threat of Horde Prime’s arrival, the Princess Alliance makes heroic strides but begins to disagree on the best way to defend Etheria. Ultimately, a shocking discovery about Etheria itself causes Adora to reconsider everything she thought she knew. (Watch the teaser.)
Tobia joins the ensemble voice cast that features the talents of Aimee Carrero (Young and Hungry) as Adora/She-Ra, Karen Fukuhara (The Boys) as Glimmer, AJ Michalka (The Goldbergs) as Catra, Marcus Scribner (black-ish) as Bow, Lauren Ash (Superstore) as Scorpia, Reshma Shetty (Royal Pains) as Angella, Lorraine Toussaint (Orange Is the New Black) as Shadow Weaver, Keston John (The Good Place) as Hordak, Christine Woods (Hello Ladies) as Entrapta, Genesis Rodriguez (Time After Time) as Perfuma, Jordan Fisher (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 2) as Seahawk, Vella Lovell (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) as Mermista, Merit Leighton (Alexa and Katie) as Frosta, Krystal Joy Brown (Motown: The Musical) as Netossa, Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) as Castaspella and guest stars including Geena Davis (Thelma and Louise) as Huntara.
Tobia is represented by Paradigm and Peikoff Mahan.
Chinese animation leader Fantawild and international rights owner Coolabi Group, have announced a new partnership to bring the much-loved preschool brand Clangers to the Chinese market. The award-winning stop-motion animation follows a family of lovable, pink, mouse-like creatures who communicate in whistles and live on the Little Blue Planet.
Originally broadcast in the UK on BBC One between 1969 and 1972, Clangers received hugely successful viewing figures and had a cult following in the U.K. Since the new series aired in 2015, it has won a series of major international honours including BAFTA, Pulcinella Awards and Kidscreen awards. Now, local animation leaders Fantawild will localize the show and develop merchandise more attuned to the taste of a modern preschooler in China.
“I knew that we had to work with Fantawild in China on this property the first time I met with them and heard their vision for Clangers in China,” Jeremy Banks, CEO of Coolabi Group, said at the Expo. “They are very well-established and respected and we trust that Clangers is in the best of hands with them.”
“We are very happy to be partnering with our friends at Coolabi,” said Daisy Shang, Executive President of Fantawild Group and President of Fantawild Animation. “We believe that Clangers will instil something new into the Chinese preschool animation industry. The enlightening program will stimulate children’s imagination and become a unique presence in the Chinese market.”
Coolabi Group is a leading independent international media group and rights owner specialising in the creation, development and brand management of high quality children’s and family intellectual property rights. The company owns the rights to over 200 book series and 20 TV series. Its shows have aired in more than 140 territories on channels including ABC, Cartoon Network, CBeebies, CBBC, Disney, Netflix, and Nickelodeon. Key brands include Beast Quest, Scream Street, Poppy Cat, Giraffes Can’t Dance and Warriors, one of the group’s most successful book series, which has sold in excess of 40 million books to date, including more than 3 million in China.
Fantawild Animation is a top animation studio in China, famous for its Boonie Bears brand. Its projects have been aired on over 200 channels domestically with top ratings and over 300 billion views on digital platforms.The company generates annual sales of over $440 million in merchandising. Globally, its works have been distributed to over 100 territories and aired on major international platforms like Disney, Nickelodeon, Discovery Kids, Netflix and DirecTV. Its parent company Fantawild Holdings Inc. is also renowned for its theme park business. Ranking No.5 globally in number of admissions, it owns 29 theme parks in operation and over 10 in construction, which further benefits its brand operation in an all-round way.
Manimation, Manchester’s unmissable annual gathering for the U.K. animation community, gathers key industry players together to offer creative and business opportunities, information and inspiration for the U.K. animation sector, in a one day event on Monday, November 11, packed with one-to-one meetings, keynotes and conference panels.
Now in its seventh year, Manimation will take place at Social 7 in MediaCityUK and will bring together production companies, producers, animators, writers and creative service providers with potential buyers from broadcasters, advertisers, creative agencies, corporate and distribution in a friendly and open market setting. The event will also take place the day before the Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), which runs November 12-14.
Manimation delegates will once again have the opportunity to pre-book meetings with experts using Meeting Mojo, a unique advance booking system which gives conference goers the chance to profile themselves and their company in advance of the day, putting them in touch with clients in advance to schedule meetings.
Experts available for one-to-one meetings will be:
Jo Allen, Producer, Acquisitions and Independent Animation, BBC Children’s
Lori Camm, Senior Producer, CBeebies (0-6 years) Independent productions
Mario DuBois, Executive Producer, Independent Productions, Interactive, Children’s 6 – 16, BBC Children’s
Dominic Gardiner, CEO, Jetpack Distribution
Josie Grierson, Director of Creative Affairs, Family & Brands, eOne
Nick Hall, Senior Programme Executive, CBeebies Animation & Acquisitions
Bruce Jones, Partner, Intellectual Property, Kuit Steinart Levy LLP
Richard Kinning, Creative Director, Northern Europe, Turner
Louise Maloney, Programme and Acquisitions Manager, Milkshake! Channel 5
Elliott Palmer, Animation Production and Development Manager, Nickelodeon International
Alex Thornton, Commercial Creative Manager, Turner
The Young Audiences Content Fund Team
Along with the one-to-one meetings, a program of business-focused conference sessions will aim to develop skills and provide new intelligence on potential clients and what they will be looking for in the future.
On the agenda will be ‘The Shock of the New’ – exploring innovation in the animation market; the ‘Animation Skills Council and ScreenSkills Forum’ will seek out delegates’ views on training priorities, ‘Global Opps – Case studies in successful international financing’, ‘Ads and Animators’ – exploring relationships between animation and creative agencies, and ‘Diversity – Good for Business’ – examining what‘s ahead for inclusion after the recent UK Screen Alliance report on diversity and access to work in animation.
There will also be keynote speeches from Peter Lord, Co-founder and Creative Director of Aardman Animations, and Sarah Muller, Head of BBC Children’s Acquisitions and Independent Animation.
“Manimation is an invaluable day of conference content that focuses on the business of animation and developing business opportunities and skills,” said Greg Childs, Editorial Director, The Children’s Media Conference. “When you add to that the fantastic one-to-one meetings available so those skills can be put to good use with potential clients and partners, it’s a really vital day!”The Children’s Media Conference website, priced at £80 + VAT.
Despite its recent troubles with China, Comedy Central’s tentpole adult toon South Park has sparked a half-billion-dollar bidding war as it tests the waters in the streaming marketplace, according to Deadline. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the show is now in its 23rd season.
Netflix has reportedly dropped out of the bid action as offers approach $500 million. Hulu, which has held streaming rights to South Park since 2014, is still in the mix, as is CBS — which is on the verge of merging with Comedy Central parent company Viacom.
Last month, South Park was renewed by Comedy Central for three more seasons, which will take it through to a record-breaking S26 and at least 327 episodes for the longest-running scripted cable series. Parker and Stone will continue to write, direct and edit every episode, as they have since this crazy ride began in 1997.
It’s commonly believed that award season voters have a short memory, and they need to be reminded of the great movies that were released earlier in the calendar year. That’s why Portland’s acclaimed animation studio LAIKA has launched a smart campaign to remind everyone of its beautifully crafted spring release Missing Link. This past weekend, the studio brought a pop-up exhibit exhibit of puppets, sets and props featured in Chris Butler’s charming global adventure movie to The Landmark theater in West Los Angeles.
LAIKA brought its all-star team of creatives down from Portland for a series of Q&As explaining just how the Oscar, BAFTA and Annie Award-winning studio blends traditional stop-motion techniques with the latest technologies to create utterly unique films. All of LAIKA’s previous films — Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman, and Coraline — have been nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Film. Kubo also garnered a VFX nomination, the first time in 25 years that an animated film had been so honored and won the BAFTA. Fielding questions at the special screenings this weekend were writer/director Chris Butler; producer and head of production Arianne Sutner; production designer Nelson Lowry; puppet fabrication supervisor John Craney; director of practical effects Oliver Jones; VFX supervisor Steve Emerson; facial animation supervisor Benoit Dubuc, and director of rapid prototyping Brian McLean.
Photos: Courtesy of Eric Charbonneau / Le Studio Photography.
You can read Animation Magazine’s behind-the-scenes story about the colorful adventure here.
The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) presents the eighth edition of the Children, Youth & Media conference on November 6-8 in Toronto. Youth media production professionals will be exploring some very special topics such as discoverability, the 6-12 age group target, co-viewing hit-shows, a workshop on diversity and inclusion as well as meetings with international guests and broadcasters.
Highlights of the conference schedule include:
Discoverability 2.0. With even more choice online and on air than ever before, how do content creators make sure kids are discovering their shows? Is there a “secret sauce”? Experts explore and discuss how creators and producers are getting their content “found” and “followed.” Panel discussion moderated by Michelle Melanson (Headspinner Productions) with guests Carlos Pacheco (Truly Inc.), Lori Mather (Co-Creator/Showrunner, Find Me in Paris) and Brandon Lane (Producer/Director, Miss Persona).
Ruling the Middle Kingdom. Six- to 12-year olds have aged out of preschool content, but there’s little made just for them. They’re hard to target with content because at this age, interests and passions diverge and fragment. They’re outgrowing tablets but only just getting a smartphone. They often lose the TV remote to little siblings during the day and parents at night. So, it’s a challenge for video, game, app and product makers to connect with them at scale. There’s a gap to be filled, but one must understand the age group’s changing needs, beliefs and passions. The payoff: The “middle kingdom” is establishing long-term brand and content preferences, and love to share their favorites with their peers. Special presentation by Adam Woodgate (Senior Research Manager) and David Kleeman (SVP Global Trends) both from Dubit International.
The Goldfish Bowl. Youth & kids’ content creators are invited to take part in this pitching session in front of international buyers who will ask questions and offer feedback. Guests from Amazon, PBS Kids and Disney will join Peter Moss, who will be the host of this special presentation.
Additional guest speakers and topics will include: Marie McCann (CBC Kids), Marney Malabar (TVOKids), Monika Ille (APTN), Hélène Archambault (Télé-Québec) and TFO. Frank Falcone (Guru Studio) will host a discussion about the rapidly-evolving market and how to enter the content space in Canada. CYMC will talk about co-viewing hit-shows with Sarah Haasz and discover what kids like in exclusive kids interview clips captured from Newfoundland to Vancouver.
Dates to Remember:
Day 1, Wednesday Nov. 6: Diversity and Inclusion Workshop (Venue: TFO)
Day 2, Thursday Nov. 7: General Conference (Venue: Corus Quay)
Day 3, Friday Nov 8: Prix Jeunesse International Screening (Venue: Corus Quay)
Early bird rate (-15%) ends on October 25. Tickets will be on sale until Friday, Nov. 1. Register using the YMA intranet.
The International Documentary Association invited Disney+ to give the documentary filmmaking community an inside look at the highly-anticipated streaming service’s nonfiction content strategy on Friday. Among the announcements were a new exploration of iconic character Mickey Mouse, a pick-up for Don Hahn’s doc on acclaimed song lyricist Howard Ashman, and director reveals for the previously announced anthology Marvel’s 616.
Disney+ has acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the critically acclaimed documentary Howard. Directed by Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast), Howard is the untold story of Howard Ashman, the brilliant lyricist behind Disney classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and creator of musicals including Little Shop of Horrors. The film will stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2020.
Academy Award, Grammy Award and Emmy Award-winning documentarian Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, 20 Feet From Stardom) is producing an untitled Mickey Mouse Documentary for the service. Directed by Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol, Shangri-La), the film will work to decode Mickey’s deeper significance, getting to the core of what his cultural impact says about each of us, and about our world. From Tremolo Productions and Lincoln Square Productions, the film will strive to be the definitive analysis of Mickey as a cultural icon.
As part of its overall deal with production company Supper Club, Disney+ announced a trio of new projects for the service, including profile anthology series People & Places (various directors) and David Gelb’s (JIro Dreams of Sushi) portrait of another celebrity chef, Wolfgang.
The deal will also see multi-talented artist Gillian Jacobs (Love, Community) direct the first episode in Marvel’s 616. From the perspective of what it means to be a woman in what’s perceived to be a male-driven industry, “Higher, Further, Faster” will shine a light on the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics and explores how they found ways to tell stories of representation and inclusion. Jacobs will be joined by Paul Scheer, David Gelb and Andrew Rossi, among others, to helm additional episodes of the series. The episodes will focus on a range of topics including an intimate look at the cosplay community, Marvel’s influence and relationship with hip-hop, illustrators who live and work internationally, and following a high school theater production of Marvel and Disney’s “Spotlight” program. Exclusively on Disney+ in 2020.
Producers from projects set to launch with the streamer Nov. 12 joined Simon Kilmurry, Executive Director of the IDA, and Lynette Rice, Editor at Large for Entertainment Weekly, for a series of behind-the-scenes conversations. In addition to Kristen Bell sharing a first-look at unscripted high school musical reunion series Encore! and Jeff Goldblum’s debut of the “Tattoos” episode of The World According to Jeff Goldblum, attendees heard from:
Sarah Amos, Vice President, Development & Production, Marvel New Media; Supper Club’s Jason Sterman and Gillian Jacobs shared insight into original nonfiction stories that complement and explore the 80-year legacy of Marvel including “Marvel’s Hero Project,” which premieres on Disney+ November 12. Produced by Supper Club and directed by Jacobs, Marvel’s 616 will stream on Disney+ in 2020.
Prolific documentarian and Academy Award and Emmy Award-nominated director and producer Leslie Iwerks (The Pixar Story, Citizen Hearst) gave a look inside the production process of her documentary series The Imagineering Story. The six-hour saga chronicles the 67-year history of Walt Disney Imagineering, a place best described as equal parts artist studio, design center, think tank and innovation laboratory. Exclusively on Disney+ November 12.
The nonfiction Disney+ Originals will join the previously announced slate of scripted live-action and animated series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Lucasfilm, and more, in addition to Disney+ vast library of nearly 500 films and 7,500 television episodes including 30 seasons of The Simpsons in the U.S. Disney+ is now available for pre-order in the U.S. for $6.99/month or $69.99/year.
A feature-length documentary project inspired by the life story of rapper, producer and Ph.D. candidate Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo — a.k.a. Sammus — is seeking support for the production of original, hand-drawn animation sequences. Enongo – The Sammus Documentary has set a $20,000 flexible goal on its IndieGoGo campaign to fund the work, which will be completed by a team of six talented Black women animators.
Enongo/Sammus (sammusmusic.com) is known for tackling a range of topics through her compelling and honest music, from issues around race, feminism and mental health to video games. (Her stage persona is inspired by the feminist bounty hunter hero of Nintendo’s Metroid games.) The documentary project will chronicle Sammus as she tours across North America and crafts her latest album, as well as delving into her origins and upbringing as a first-generation American of West African descent.
Over 10 minutes of hand-drawn animation will be used to illustrate anecdotes and experiences from Enongo’s life. These sequences — conceived, designed and storyboarded by six young, Black women animators located across the U.S. — will illuminate the polymath performer’s complicated upbringing in mostly-white upstate New York, her battles with mental health and how the video game heroine Samus Aran inspired her, among other key elements of her story.
The animation will have a hand-drawn “pencil test” aesthetic, allowing each artist’s craft and personal vision to shine through in each frame. Enongo marks the first feature-length project of any genre to recruit a team of animators who are all Black women: L.A.-based Pratt Institute graduate Christa Carr; Ohio State University Master’s in Animation student Leah Coleman; Queens NY-based School of Visual Arts grad Jessica Honore (Ballmasterz 9009, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh); Baltimore-based animator/illustrator Brooklyn Lee; associate producer, animator and artist Shammah McVay in Cleveland; and Savannah College of Art & Design animation Master’s student Ariel Paxton.
Dan Haskett serves as senior character designer on the project. An animation veteran of more than 40 years and a pioneer of African-American artists in the industry, Haskett designed two of Disney’s classic princesses: Ariel (The Little Mermaid, 1989) and Belle (Beauty and the Beast, 1991). He also designed key characters for The Simpsons, including Moe the Bartender and Barney the drunk, and various characters in Toy Story (1995).
[enongo sketches – cap: Initial character sketches by Dan Haskett, Dec. 2018]
One of the campaign’s donation rewards, at the $40 level, is a PDF eBook of The Art of Enongo — a curated collection of behind-the-scenes artwork and notes from the film’s animation team and creative talent. For the truly generous, the $4,000 donation will get your animated avatar an appearance in the film!
India’s Green Gold Animation Pvt. Ltd. and ADK Emotions Inc. of Japan have formalized a partnership to co-produce and distribute the new 3D animated title, Nebula and the Big Blue Couch. In this adventure-edutainment series for preschool audiences, a group of adorable toddlers and their compulsively texting babysitter go on extraordinary adventures in science to discover the secrets of nature, space, history, the human body and much more. The two companies plan to bring the show bible and brand plan to market in 2020.
“We are so excited to introduce kids and their families to this show where the bond of friendship takes a curious group of youngsters on a journey to answer some of the most perplexing — and yet, everyday — questions about the world around them,” said Rajiv Chilaka, Founder & CEO of Green Gold Animation. “And we couldn’t have a better partner than ADK Emotions – their innovate approach and deep understanding of children’s toys will help inspire kids across the globe to ask similar questions and fall in love with science as they search for answers.”
“We are so thrilled and delighted to start our partnership with Green Gold Animation, a wonderful studio committed to producing world-class animation with purpose and depth,” said Takahiro Noda, Representative Director of ADK Emotions. “With two decades of experience in the industry, we know that there is so much knowledge that they have to offer. This will be an incredibly fruitful endeavor for both parties and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.”
Green Gold Animation is the creator of popular Netflix pre-k original Mighty Little Bheem, inspired by its Chhota Bheem adventures — the biggest animated franchise in India. The group’s portfolio spans 2D and 3D animation studios, gaming, AR/VR, feature film production, licensing and merchandising.
ADK Emotions, established in January 2019 as part of ADK Holdings, plays an independent and specialized role in original IP creation, overseas development and new digital ventures. It has been involved in productions such as Doreamon and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, as well as providing services for numerous titles such as One Piece and Gundam. The studio acquired d-rights, bringing the popular Beyblade and B-Daman properties under its purview.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored 16 student winners from colleges and universities around the world at the 46th Student Academy Awards ceremony, held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal awards were announced and presented by filmmakers Rory Kennedy, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Melina Matsoukas and Gregory Nava.
You can read more about the incredible animation contenders in the December Oscar focus issue of Animation Magazine, coming soon!
Animation (Domestic Film Schools)
Gold: Kalee McCollaum, “Grendel,” Brigham Young University
Silver: Aviv Mano, “Game Changer,” Ringling College of Art and Design
Bronze: Emre Okten, “Two,” University of Southern California
Animation (International Film Schools)
Gold: Daria Kashcheeva, “Daughter,” Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU)
A scene in DreamWorks Animation’s music-filled yeti adventure Abominable is striking the wrong chord with Southeast Asian countries. On the heels of South Park’s episode criticizing Hollywood’s appeasement of Chinese censors which lead to a nationwide purge, the country’s neighbors are pulling the feature from theaters and ordering edits over a scene involving a map with Beijing’s version of its South China Sea border. Abominable is co-produced with China’s Pearl Studio (formerly Oriental DreamWorks).
The government of Vietnam took serious objection to the depiction of China’s “nine-dash line” and claim to more than 80% of the potentially resource-rich South China Sea. Hanoi has ordered all cinemas to pull the movie and cease all promotion for Abominable, with Culture Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien ordering a probe into who OKed the picture for play in the country.
Vietnam, which had a brief border war with China in 1979 (with both sides claiming victory), has given the most forceful push-back to Beijing’s claims on the South China Sea. U.S. experts have estimated there may be trillions of dollars worth of untapped hydrocarbons in the disputed waters.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s government is ordering cuts to the film ahead of its scheduled November 7 release. Mohamed Zamberi Abdul Aziz, chairman of the Lembaga Penapis Filem (censorship board), stated: “The animated film titled Abominable has been given approval for screening in Malaysia under the condition that the controversial map is removed from the film.”
Regional disputes also lead the Philippines’ foreign minister, Teodoro Locsin, to call for a boycott of the film this week, but official action was not taken.
Abominable has performed much better in the U.S. than in its co-production country, earning nearly $50 million at the American box office since September 27, but failing to surpass No. 3 in the Middle Kingdom since its National Day opening on October 1 — its total sits at $14.6 million.
China’s “nine-dash line” boundary is contested by Taiwan and Brunei as well as Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which make overlapping maritime border claims.
Award winners of the Computer Animation Festival (CAF) at SIGGRAPH Asia 2019 have been revealed, with the illustrious Best in Show honors going to interactive crowd dynamics meditation KIDS — the second collaboration between filmmaker Michael Frei and game designer Mario Von Rickenbach. CAF celebrates how computer graphics have become a medium for storytelling in animation, visual effects, games, and other applications.
“I can’t wait for you to see this year’s SIGGRAPH Asia Computer Animation Festival. The jury selected amazing works from all over the world that truly represents how computer graphics are being used by students and professionals to create short films, advertising, visual effects, and visualization,” said Pol Jeremias-Vila, SIGGRAPH Asia 2019 Computer Animation Festival Chair.
Across four days in November, CAF will showcase 41 short films and presentations, selected from 524 submissions. With works created by students to professionals, three prizes will be awarded at the festival.
The 12th edition of SIGGRAPH Asia, the region’s premier event for computer graphics and interactive techniques, takes place November 17-20 in Brisbane, Australia.
This year’s winners are:
BEST IN SHOW: KIDS Co-Created by Michael Frei & Mario von Rickenbach, Playables, Switzerland | Distributor: Wouter Jansen, Some Shorts, The Netherlands
An animated short film that explores group dynamics, and how we define ourselves when we are all equal, asks who is steering the crowd, and what if it is heading in the wrong direction? Along with where does the individual end and the group begin? What is done by choice, and what under duress?
JURY PRIZE: Spring Director: Andy Goralczyk, Blender Foundation, The Netherlands | Producer: Francesco Siddi, Blender Foundation, The Netherlands
Spring is the story of a shepherd girl and her dog, who face ancient spirits in order to continue the cycle of life. This poetic and visually stunning short film was written and directed by Andy Goralczyk, inspired by his childhood in the mountains of Germany.
BEST STUDENT PROJECT: The Ostrich Politic Director: Mohammad Houhou, Miyu Distribution, France | Producer: Moira Marguin, Miyu Distribution, France
Ostriches carry on their daily activities burying their heads, believing that it is an Instinctive behavior. However, research by phylogeneticist Dr. Kays proves otherwise.
The Electronic Theater is an overview of the best animations, visual effects, and scientific visualizations produced in the last year. 22 must-see works in computer graphics are presented, handpicked by the CAF 2019 jury. Highlights of the Electronic Theater in 2019 include:
Maestro Directed by ILLOGIC Collectif, Miyu Distribution, France | Deep into a forest, a gathering of wild animals start a nocturnal opera, conducted by a squirrel.
Hedgehog Directed by Vaibhav Keswani, Jeanne Laureau, Colombine Majou, Morgane Mattard, Kaisa Pirttinen, Jong-Ha Yoon Vaibhav Keswani, Jeanne Laureau, Colombine Majou, Morgane Mattard, Kaisa Pirttinen, Jong-Ha Yoon, Gobelins, France | A little boy speaks about hedgehogs all the time to everybody.
Mascot Directed by Leeha Kim, Aniseed, South Korea | The fox who wants to be a mascot for the city goes to a mascot training academy. He lives in a very tiny house and works many part-time jobs. He is still getting many Mascot auditions with taking loans at a high-interest rates for undergoing plastic surgery.
The Animation Theater is an in-depth exploration of the year’s highlights in animation and visual effects. All-day shows will feature 17 outstanding works from across the world. Highlights of the Animation Theater in 2019 include:
Samsara Directed by Hyunjoon Joo, Korea National University of Arts, South Korea | There was a boy who took care of a fig tree which did not bear any fruit for a long time. One day, he went to another world through his dream and got the fruit he wanted so much. Before long, however, he got tired of the world where everything he wanted was possible. In the end, he came back to the real world to take care of the fig tree.
Mice, a small story Directed by Jade Baillargeault, Nazli Doale, Dimitri James, Quang Daniel La, Morgane Lau, Mélanie Pango et Manon Pringault, Isart Digital School, France | In a dark subway tunnel, a group of mice find a gold ring-pull that seems to have a mysterious effect on one of them. Not so far from them, an owl and his enslaved rats are watching. The owl sends his rats to get ahold of this strange object…
Iam Twisq Directed by Red Wong, Ray Mok, School of Creative Media City University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong is known as a concrete jungle and we seek for a different angle to review Hong Kong’s city landscape from the sight of a bird. The music video of “Iam Twisq” re-creates an urban playground by animating shapes, forms and colors extracted from the original buildings.
SIGGRAPH Asia 2019 will offer numerous in-depth, informative and compelling panels, presentations, showcases and experiences. For more information, visit https://sa2019.siggraph.org.
FOX Entertainment has ordered a second season of the new animated series Bless the Harts, to air during the 2020-2021 season. With animation serving as a cornerstone of FOX programming, the network expanded its Sunday night brand this fall with the introduction of a new original voice and concept in Bless the Harts.
Created and executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Emily Spivey (The Last Man on Earth, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live) and featuring a voice cast of comedy all-stars, including Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jillian Bell, Ike Barinholtz and Kumail Nanjiani, the half-hour animated comedy follows the Harts, a Southern family that is always broke, and forever struggling to make ends meet. They one day hope to achieve the American dream, but they’re already rich – in friends, family and laughter.
“Bless the Harts is an incredibly sharp, yet sweet, series that complements the FOX Animation Domination block perfectly,” said Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, FOX Entertainment. “It simply doesn’t get much better than having a comedy anchored by talent like Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, Jillian Bell and Kumail Nanjiani. We want to thank creator and executive producer Emily Spivey, whose unique voice and personal experience brought this family to life, as well as executive producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and our partners at 20th Century Fox Television. We are thrilled to watch the Hart family experience more adventures, mishaps and boxed wine for another amazing season.”
In the series, Jenny Hart (Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids, SNL) is a single mother supporting her family working as a waitress in the small town of Greenpoint, NC. While Jenny’s the head of her family, she’s often at odds with, or scheming with, her lottery scratcher-obsessed mother, Betty (Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Maya Rudolph, The Good Place, Bridesmaids), and her witty, creative daughter, Violet (Emmy nominee Jillian Bell, Workaholics, Fist Fight). Jenny’s doting, eternal optimist boyfriend of 10 years, Wayne Edwards (Ike Barinholtz, Neighbors, Blockers), is the love of her life and a surrogate father to Violet. He’s a charming dreamer who may never hit the big time, but he’s not going to give up the fight. Jenny’s even got a bit of divine power in her corner, as Jesus (Oscar nominee Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick, Silicon Valley) regularly appears to her while she waits tables at neighborhood restaurant The Last Supper. In the end, the Harts may not have much, but they may just have everything they need.
Bless the Harts is averaging 3.3 million viewers across all platforms and a 1.0/4 L7 rating. In week two, Bless the Harts built +63% from its premiere with a 1.3/5 L7 rating, ranking as the second-highest rated telecast for a new comedy this season (tie).
In the all-new Halloween-themed “Cremains of the Day” episode airing Sunday, Oct. 20 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX, Violet, David and Leonard find out that Wayne is afraid of ghosts, so they decide to take him on a ghost hunt to cure his fear. Meanwhile, Jenny and Betty try to honor Jenny’s late father on his favorite holiday.
Bless the Harts is a co-production of FOX Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television. Animation is produced by Titmouse. Emily Spivey created the series and wrote the pilot. The series is executive-produced by Spivey, Academy Award winning and Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominated duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The LEGO Movie), Kristen Wiig, Seth Cohen (The Last Man on Earth, Drunk History) and Andy Bobrow are executive producers. Spivey and Bobrow serve together as showrunners.
Masha and the Bear continues its worldwide adventures, having recently launched on WarnerMedia’s Cartoon Network Turkey. The series centers on Masha, a little Russian girl who lives in the forest with her goat and dog. When she follows a pretty butterfly one morning, she stumbles upon the home of an absent Bear — where she plays and makes a big mess. When the Bear returns, he tries to get rid of the mischievous girl, but the kind-hearted creature becomes her best friend and constant companion instead!
Atem Entertainment (Sweden) is sending its board game-inspired, CG alien comedy Space Yoghurt to the skies with leading airline Virgin Australia. The series will be available in-flight starting in November. The studio commented that it is “is thrilled to see Space Yoghurt achieve new heights with a company which we have long admired and it is a proud milestone for us to be able to collaborate with them and have our title featured on their inflight entertainment.”
Maramedia (Scotland, U.K.) is expanding its Marakids brand by acquiring the rights to develop the amusing, adorable Olga da Polga children’s book series by Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond. Olga da Polga is a lovable and highly imaginative guinea pig who loves boasting about her wild adventures to her animal friends, who find that life with Olga is certainly not dull!
“We are thrilled for Marakids to take on this new children’s project to bring Michael Bond’s lively and humorous stories of Olga da Polga to life on the screen.” — Jackie Savery, co-founder & Creative Director, Maramedia
Cartoon Network’s most-awarded Asia-Pacific original Lamput is having a stellar week! The slapstick chase-comedy, produced by Mumbai’s Vaibhav Studios, has been nominated for an https://www.dev.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/events/2019-intl-emmy-kids-award-nominees-announced/”>International Emmy Kids Award and scooped up two Asian Academy Creative Awards — for India’s Best Animated Program and Best Short Form Content. The show will represent India at the AACA Gala Finals during the Singapore Media Festival, Dec. 5-6. These honors join prior recognition from FICCI Frames and the 2018 AACAs. Lamput S3 is set to premiere early next year on Cartoon Network in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, and Boomerang in EMEA.
“To be the flagbearer for India makes me enormously proud. Our orange gooey blob can’t help but make you smile, and we are very pleased that it has also caught the eye of the judges.” — Vaibhav Kumaresh, series creator and founder, Vaibhav Studios
“Lamput deserves to be among the best in children’s programming from around the world. It does exactly what a great cartoon should do – it surprises you and it makes you laugh out loud. Congratulations to Vaibhav and his awesome team, who together with our original production and development team, have created something quite special.” — Leslie Lee, VP Cartoon Network, Boomerang & POGO Asia Pacific
Record-breaking Tove Jansson adaptation Moominvalley (13 x 22’) has been named Best Animated Kids’ Program at the fifth annual Content Innovation Awards in Cannes. So far, the show has sold to over 25 countries, with new broadcast partners including NPO ZAPP (Netherlands), Czech TV and Puls TV (Poland). PPW has acquired all rights to the first two seasons for Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, and sublicensed to HK Television for ViuTV channel/VOD/Mobile for a December launch. Dazzler Media has snagged DVD and DTO rights in U.K. & Eire for the first two seasons, with a Nov. 4 launch. And, through Global Eagle, the first episodes screen in three languages on all Finnair flights between Asia and the U.S., and select European flights. Moominvalley is also getting new localizations for indigenous Finlanders (in Northern Sámi, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi) and Scottish Gaelic with BBC ALBA.
Produced by Gutsy Animations (Finland), the series is distributed globally be PGS Entertainment.
“The Gutsy Animations team approached this project with the ambition to create a world-class prime-time family drama which captured the spirit of Tove Jansson’s beautiful and complex stories. The first season of Moominvalley has been, and continues to be, immensely well received by audiences worldwide, and we’re thrilled to receive this acknowledgement from the industry … The importance of inclusivity and of welcoming difference is made very clear in the Moomin stories, so it is of course important to us to be reflecting this in our production. We’re so pleased that the Sámi people and Gaelic speakers will be able to enjoy the series in their own mother tongue.” — Marika Makaroff, CEO, Gutsy Animations
Mike Mignola, creator of acclaimed comic-book and film favorite Hellboy, is teaming up with Ben and Max Berkowitz (Not a Billionaire) and Rick and Morty studio Starburns Industries to create The Forever House, a “high-concept anthology series inspired by international folklore.” The multi-technique showcase will branch off of the titular residence, home to eerie and ill-omened artifacts from around the world:
“Existing somewhere between reality and nightmares, The Forever House will encapsulate the feeling of an ancient tale told by the fire as we explore the disturbing and the macabre from the mind and sketchbook of Mike Mignola.”
Mike Mignola [Photo: Christine Mignola]
The concept is a natural continuation of Mignola’s elaborate Hellboy world, which pulls in fairytale and folklore-inspired oddities.
The producers told Deadline they intend to build on the revival wave of anthology series like Twilight Zone and American Horror Story with bold aesthetic diversity, which is being developed with the help of partner Industrial Light & Magic — Forever House will aim for a blend of new and old-school techniques and a highly stylized range of animation — as well as an element of narrative/character spillover between tales.
The project’s synopsis brings to mind Hellboy director Guillermo Del Toro’s notoriously macabre household collections of art, artifacts and Hollywood memorabilia — which the public got a peek at in the 2016 “At Home with Monsters” LACMA exhibit.
Guillermo Del Toro’s At Home with Monsters
Mignola was recently inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame. In addition to executive producing the Hellboy live-action features and consulting on the Hellboy Animated trilogy, he lent his artistic skills to the films Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Blade II and Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Mignola is also known for creating The Amazing Screw-On Head comic and animated pilot, and created character designs for Bruce Timm’s Batman: The Animated Series.
As well as producing Adult Swim super hit Rick and Morty, Starburns Industries (co-founded by Dan Harmon, Dino Stamatopoulos, Duke Johnson and James A. Fino) produced Charlie Kaufman’s Oscar-nominated stop-motion feature Anomalisa and created Adult Swim’s Moral Orel and Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole.
Sony Pictures is on the hop with a new trailer for live-action/CG hybrid sequel Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. Hitting theaters April 3, the Easter release will follow Peter (voiced again by James Corden) on a wild journey of self discovery, embracing his naughty side.
Synopsis: Bea (Rose Byrne), Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson) and the rabbits have created a makeshift family, but despite his best efforts, Peter can’t seem to shake his mischievous reputation. Adventuring out of the garden, Peter finds himself in a world where his mischief is appreciated, but when his family risks everything to come looking for him, Peter must figure out what kind of bunny he wants to be.
Directed by Will Gluck, who also wrote the pic (with Patrick Burleigh) and produces (with Zareh Nalbandian), the film also stars David Oyelowo and Elizabeth Debicki (voice of Mopsy), with Margot Robbie (voice of Flopsy).
shopDisney.com|Disney store revealed its 2019 Top Holiday Toys. This marks the second year the retailer is sharing a list of holiday must-haves for Disney fans and gift-givers alike. The top items include toys inspired by fan-favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters, including the Toy Story Mini Figure Set, Mickey Kids Kitchen, Disney Train and Station Playset by The LEGO Group and Marvel Thanos Talking Action Figure, along with items inspired by key holiday movies including a Disney Frozen 2 Anna and Elsa Doll set and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Deluxe Figure Play Set.
You can browse the shopDisney.com|Disney store Top Holiday Toys here and peruse the full Holiday Gift Guide here.
The 2019 Top Holiday Toys from the Mouse House are:
Toy Story Woody Interactive Talking Action Figure ($32.95) Available online and in store now. Straight from the wild west and Toy Story 4, comes Sheriff Woody as an interactive talking action figure. Woody features more than 10 phrases and starts speaking when he detects another Toy Story interactive figure nearby.
Disney Animators’ Collection 5 Inch Mini Doll Gift Set – 5” ($99.95) Available online and in store now. Walt Disney Studios animators have reimagined 14 of their most beloved characters as toddlers in this 5” luxury gift set.
Disney Animators’ Collection 5 Inch Mini Doll Gift Set
Minnie Pet Bath Set ($24.95) Available online and in store now. Even Fifi enjoys a bath day with Minnie’s pet bath play set. A real, working sprayer and faucet makes the most of this tub time opportunity. Watch what happens when Fifi changes color in warm water!
Minnie Flower Cart ($49.95) Available online and in store now. Playtime will always be full of spring time fun with Minnie’s child-size Flower Cart Play set. This cart is full of play-planting products making every imaginary market trip a delight.
Classic Simba Plush ($19.95) Available online and in store now. Can you feel the love? You’ll roar with pride when cuddling up to this royal lion cub. Simba just can’t wait to be part of your plush collection!
Marvel Thanos Talking Action Figure ($32.99) Available online and in store now. Heed his warnings or deal with the consequences when the Avengers’ most awesome antagonist speaks up as this Thanos Talking Action Figure. Speaking 15 phrases, the menace to the universe also has a light-up gauntlet, so beware!
Cinderella and Carriage Deluxe Gift Play Set ($79.95)Available online now and in store Nov. 4. They’ll say, “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-ooh!” when they see this deluxe set. Cinderella’s carriage is infused with glitter, has a light-up feature and fits two 12” dolls. Cinderella is dressed in her classic ball gown, complete with choker, gloves, headband and “glass” slippers. Taking it all on a fairytale journey is a handsome steed with flowing mane and tail.
Mickey Kids Kitchen ($99.95)Available online now, in store Nov. 29. Junior chefs will be ready to cook up plenty of fun with this Mickey Mouse Kitchen Play Set. Little ones hungry for playtime excitement will love the light-up stove, color-changing pizza, whistling teapot and pot of spaghetti and meatballs. The oven mitt and apron are all part of the kitchen fantasy.
Mickey Kids Kitchen
Cars Lightning McQueen Remote Control Vehicle ($19.95) Available online and in store now. Ka-Chow! Hit the speedway with Lightning McQueen and this radio-controlled vehicle from the world of Cars. Features full function control and “steering wheel” handset.
Toy Story 4 Mega Figure Play Set ($49.95)Available online now, in store Nov. 4. Bring the stars of Toy Story 4 home to play with this mega 10-figure set featuring Woody, Buzz, Jessie and more. Recreate favorite movie scenes or imagine your own with these timeless characters.
Ariel Tabletop Vanity Play Set ($49.95) Available online and in store now. Under the sea is the place to be seen after a freshen-up at Ariel’s clamshell vanity. Open the case as Sebastian rises to conduct music and sound effects. A pull-out drawer holds a treasury of play accessories inspired by The Little Mermaid.
Disney Train and Playset Station by The LEGO Group ($329.99) Available online and in store now. Gather the family for a rewarding build and play experience with the LEGO ǀ Disney Train and Station. Kids will love to join Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale and Goofy for magical adventures with this awesome LEGO train set, featuring a motorized steam-style locomotive with tender, passenger car and a luxurious parlor car, plus an oval track and an iconic Disney Parks-style station building.
Frozen 2 Arendelle Castle
Frozen 2 Arendelle Castle ($139.95) Available online now, in store Oct. 21. You will feel like you’ve stepped into the wintry world of Frozen 2 with this Arendelle Castle play set. Now you can make all of your Frozen dreams come true!
Frozen 2 Anna and Elsa Doll Set ($34.95) Available online and in store now. Arendelle’s devoted sisters come dressed in their finest attire as this Frozen 2 doll set. Elsa’s dazzling purple gown is accented with the coordinating necklace, belt and shoes, while Anna’s gold gown is complemented by her sash, shoes and fascinator.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Deluxe Figure Play Set –First Order ($26.99) Available online and in store now. Choose the dark side of the Force with this deluxe set of highly detailed figures of the First Order’s most powerful members. Inspired by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, it includes Kylo Ren and a Sith Trooper among the set of 10 figures that are sure to enhance your epic collection.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Deluxe Figure Play Set – First Order
On Saturday, November 2, Guests may attend the “Disney store’s Magical Wishes” event for Disney store’s big reveal of special holiday décor and interactive theater activities featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on the media wall. To get everyone in the holiday spirit, Magical Wishes is taking place every evening at 7 p.m. local time from November 2 through December 24. For more information visit www.shopdisney.com/events.
Following a critically lauded run on Broadway, members of the original award-winning Broadway company of The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! will reunite to film the show for television in front of a live theater audience. The live television production will capture all-new depths of theatrical innovation, where the power of optimism really can save the world! The show will air on Nickelodeon this December.
“What better way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants than to bring this wildly imaginative Broadway musical to Nickelodeon for a wider audience?” said Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President of Nickelodeon Live Action Unscripted and Live Events. “We could not be more excited that fans and families of all ages will now have the opportunity to experience live actors portraying these beloved characters in a whole new way with The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”
Stakes are higher than ever before as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage.
Based on Stephen Hillenburg’s global hit toon, the show has a book by Kyle Jarrow; orchestrations, arrangements & music supervision by Tom Kitt; choreography by Christopher Gattelli; produced for television by Austin Shaw with television direction by Glenn Weiss. The musical is conceived and directed for the stage by Tina Landau.
“I’m so thrilled to be able to revisit the show in a new light and with our original cast members. The whole creative and I are excited to go back into the world of Bikini Bottom and discover its new life in TV broadcast form,” said Landau. “But above all, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the joy and spirit of our show with a wider audience. That’s what matters most to me – the joy.”
The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! cast will include Ethan Slater as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gavin Lee as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Danny Skinner as Patrick Star, Brian Ray Norris as Eugene Krabs, Wesley Taylor as Sheldon Plankton, and Christina Sajous as Sandy Cheeks. The ensemble will include Kyle Matthew Hamilton, Katie Lee Hill, Curtis Holbrook, L’ogan J’ones, Jai’len Josey, Kelvin Moon Loh, Lauralyn McClelland, Vasthy Mompoint, Bryonha Parham, Oneika Phillips, Jon Rua, JC Schuster, Abby C. Smith, Robert Taylor Jr., Allan Washington.
Hailed by The New York Times as “brilliant” and “effervescent candy-for-the-spirit” by New York Magazine, this new musical earned its place on 2017’s “Best of Broadway” lists including Broadway.com, BuzzFeed, Chicago Tribune, The Daily Beast, Deadline, ET Online, Forbes, Time Out New York and Variety. Named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle and earned 12 Tony Award nominations – the most nominated musical of the 2017-2018 theatre season – winning for Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Zinn).
Acclaimed Steppenwolf director Landau and the groundbreaking designers behind Fun Home, Hedwig and Spring Awakening have brilliantly reimagined Bikini Bottom for the Broadway stage, with an original score from some of the biggest names in pop and rock.
The TV musical event feature original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At The Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I. (Clifford Harris, Jr.), Domani Harris and Darwin Quinn, and a song by David Bowie and by Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music by Tom Kitt.
The design team includes scenic and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Kevin Adams, projection design by Peter Nigrini, sound design by Walter Trarbach, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe and casting by Telsey + Company/Patrick Goodwin, CSA.
Nickelodeon’s Vice Presidents Paul J. Medford and Susan Vargo serve as Executive Producers, alongside Senior Vice President of Music & Talent Doug Cohn, and is executive produced and overseen by Executive Vice President of Unscripted and Live Events Rob Bagshaw.
The Original Cast Recording is available now from Masterworks Broadway wherever music is sold and streamed.
The SpongeBob Musical is now on tour across North America.
Airdate, additional programming plus further casting will be announced at a later date.
![Animation film winners Emre Okten, Daria Kashcheeva, Kalee McCollaum and Aviv Mano prior to the 46th Annual Student Academy Awards on Thursday, October 17, in Beverly Hills. [Photo: Valerie Durant / © A.M.P.A.S.]](https://www.dev.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/student-oscars.jpg)
![Mike Mignola [Photo: Christine Mignola]](https://www.dev.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Mike-Mignola.jpg)
