Marvel’s Animated ‘What If…?’ Already Wowing Critics
The multiversal, hypothetical scenario exploration series rolls out August 11 on Disney+ with nine mind-bending episodes, including a super soldier Peggy Carter, T’Challa as Star-Lord, Marvel zombies, and more.
‘South Park’ Creators Sign Massive 14 Movie, 5 Season Renewal Deal
$900 million agreement with MTV Entertainment Studios calls for new movie on Paramount+ every two years starting this year, plus Comedy Central series commitment through Season 30.
Disney+ Reveals ‘LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales’ Cast and Key Art
Halloween is going to be scary this year when Vaderʼs loyal servant shares three creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of ‘Star Wars;’ starring Tony Hale and Christian Slater, the new animated special premieres exclusively on the streamer October 1.
Disney Launching New Animation Studio in Vancouver
Set to open next January, facility will focus on long-form shows and projects for Disney+, starting with the ‘Moana’ musical series; Burbank studio plans to increase staff and remain exclusive home of feature film projects and shorter form series such as recently announced ‘Zootopia+.’
Disney’s Experimental Shorts Return in ‘Short Circuit’ Season 2
The studio’s innovative program is back on Disney+ with five new animated films from five first-time directors, expertly guided from pitch to post by production manager Jennifer Newfield.
HBO Max Drops ‘Furry Friends Forever: Elmo Gets a Puppy’ Teaser Trailer
Debuting August 5, the animated half-hour special produced by Sesame Street Workshop follows Elmo as he learns to care for his new puppy.
Adult Swim Greenlights ‘Tuca & Bertie’ Season 3
With a third season pickup, the enormously popular show continues to shine in its successful resurrection from Netflix cancelation; catch Season 2’s final episodes August 8 and 15 - the millennial bird women continue with more of the same crazy antics as they each deal with their ghosts, each in a very different way.
Real-Time Innovations Receives Epic MegaGrant
Award will facilitate the advanced development and integration of RTI’s Connext DDS simulation platform with Unreal Engine, expanding the breadth of visualizing real-time systems in action.
Two New Xilam Original Animated Series Land on Global Platforms
Big streamers pick up studio’s 2D and CGI series; ‘Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life’ now streaming on Disney+, ‘Oggy Oggy’ debuts on Netflix August 24.
ANIMAFEST ZAGREB 7- &12 June2021 Zagreb, Croatia
Animafest is always a special treat because I enjoy the programming and Zagreb is one of my favorite cities.
CII SummitFX 2021 Coming August 25-29
The animation, VFX, gaming, and comics virtual event will focus on ‘The Reset - Growth & Opportunity in New Era’ with multiple tracks including interactive meetings and sessions with industry leader, keynotes, and masterclasses; full program coming soon.
Unity Acquires SpeedTree Creator Interactive Data Visualization
Software platform for vegetation modeling and environment creation to become more deeply integrated within the Unity ecosystem; future benefits will include faster and better artist authoring workflows and creation capabilities.
ASWF Adds Maxon and Tangent Animation, Reveals Open Source Days Event Lineup
Academy Software Foundation adds two new general members as it heads into annual conference, a free virtual event running August 4-5 featuring the latest in open source tools and standards.
First Smile of the Day: ‘Archer’ Season 12 Trailer Released
While remembering with sadness the recent passing of actress Jessica Walter, we nevertheless manage a smile hearing her tough-as-nails Malory once more barking the inappropriate; series returns for a new season of spycrafting foolishness August 25 on FXX.
PBS Greenlights ‘Nature Cat’ Seasons 4 and 5
The award-winning kid’s series, produced by Spiffy Pictures, features an all-star comedic cast including Taran Killam, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Moynihan, and Kate Micucci; new episodes, plus two new movie specials, are set to debut in 2022.
Crunchyroll and Zoe Saldana Developing ‘Dark Star Squadron’
Actress’ Cinestar Pictures partners with the global anime brand to develop epic space opera; deal coincides with platform’s announcement they’ve surpassed 5 million subscribers and 120 million registered users worldwide.
'Courage the Cowardly Dog's Thea White Passes at 81
Voice of beloved Muriel Bagge from John Dilworth's Cartoon Network series succombs to complications from cancer.
Autodesk Update Overhauls User Onboarding
Quicker artist onboarding includes personalized startup, new search feature, and an in-app interactive tutorials; update helps artists get up and running quicker and more easily.
Entry Deadline Extended for SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 Computer Animation Festival
Submissions now being accepted through August 15, 2021; coming to Tokyo December 14-17, festival showcases innovative shorts, commercials, VFX reels, simulations, visualizations, cinematics and other exciting, CG animated work.
HBO Max's ‘The Prince’ Premieres to Major Backlash
Audiences claim the crude depiction of the British royal family’s children goes too far, and not even the voice actors are safe from their ire.
Polygon Pictures Expands to India
Leading Japanese animation studio known for ‘Star Wars Tesistance’ and ‘BLAME!’ launches wholly owned subsidiary, Polygon India, in Thane to specialize in rigging and serve as new business hub.
An Epic Fantasy Franchise Concludes with ‘Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans’
After 88 action-packed episodes spread across Guillermo del Toro and DreamWorks Animation’s Emmy Award-winning ‘Trollhunters,’ ‘3Below,’ and ‘Wizards’ series trilogy, a collection of heroes from all three team-up in a final 3DCG feature to fight the Arcane Order for control over the magic that binds them all.
Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2021 Coming August 5-7
Online event brings together the anime community to celebrate the best and brightest in Japanese animation; program features special guests, world premieres, panels, Crunchyroll Games showcase and special musical performances.
Chaos Czech Releases Corona Renderer 7 for 3ds Max
Update features 35 new presets for glass, metal, and fabric, and new Physical Material for deeper control; newly optimized features boost render times up to 50%.
Phil Tippett’s ‘Mad God’ Finally Arrives
With a new teaser trailer and August 5 Locarno Film Festival premiere, the legendary Oscar-winning VFX and stop-motion master shares his 30-year passion project with eager audiences.
