Hulu Orders 20 Episodes of a Revived ‘Futurama’
Production on the series begins this month, with many original cast members in tow and a 2023 premiere date on the horizon.
Scaling the Visual Heights of ‘Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans’
Visual Effects Supervisor Greg Lev and Additional VFX Supervisor Brandon Tyra talk about the challenges and triumphs of working on the Annie Award-nominated concluding chapter of Guillermo del Toro’s epic ‘Tales of Arcadia’ franchise and reflect on the end of a five-year adventure.
LOBO Tapped for ‘If I Had A Satellite’ Digital Spot
BYJU’S FutureSchool online platform collaborates with creative studio to create charming CG animated short to inspire budding young space explorers and promote its Code A Satellite educational program.
Crunchyroll Announces Sixth Annual Anime Awards Winners
‘Attack on Titan Final’ takes top award as Anime of the Year as well as honors for Best Antagonist, and Best VA Performance in Japanese; ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Cour 2 garnered 4 awards including Best Girl, Best Fight Scene, Best Character Design, Best Action.
Adult Swim Renews ‘Birdgirl’ and ‘Smiling Friends’
The Birdteam is coming back this summer for an all-new season… and its still clueless; also coming soon, more episodes of Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel’s enormously popular series about a small company bringing happiness to a bizarre yet colorful world.
Walt Disney Studios Drops ‘Lightyear’ Trailer and Poster
Disney and Pixar’s spinoff of the iconic ‘Toy Story’ franchise follows Buzz Lightyear’s origin story, with Chris Evans voicing the legendary Space Ranger, joined by Keke Palmer, Dale Soules and Taika Waititi; the movie blasts off June 17, 2022.
Finding Humor in Fruit/Bird Intimacy Snags ‘The Mighty Ones’ an Annie Nom
DreamWorks Animation’s 2D kids’ series, about the hilarious hijinks of a twig, strawberry, rock, and leaf living in the chaos of an unkept group of humans’ unkept backyard, has been nominated for Best Writing – TV/Media… with good reason.
Shout! Factory's ‘Gintama: The Very Final’ Now Out On Blu-Ray and DVD
The concluding chapter of creator Hideaki Sorachi’s celebrated series hits home video in a package with both versions of the film and some enticing exclusive features.
Netflix Greenlights 2 New DreamWorks Animation Preschool Series
New shows ‘Not Quite Narwhal’ and ‘Dew Drop Diaries’ join the streamer’s expanding preschool line-up that includes the studio’s hugely popular ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse,’ which just launched Season 4.
FOX Snags All Rights to ‘Gumby’
To think he was once a little green slab of clay! The iconic green star kicks off a new career, with the studio planning to showcase his classic series, movies, and specials across its linear, AVOD, blockchain-based and other platforms.
Nominations Announced for the 94th Academy Awards
‘Dune’ receives 10 nominations including Best Visual Effects and Best Picture; ‘Encanto,’ ‘Flee,’ ‘Luca,’ ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines,’ and ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ are nominated for Best Animated Feature; ‘Affairs of the Art,’ ‘Bestia,’ ‘Boxballet,’ ‘Robin Robin,’ and ‘The Windshield Wiper’ are nominated for Best Animated Short.
Conductor Technologies Names Julie McDonald Head of Business Development
VFX and animation industry veteran brings vast experience from biz dev at cloud-based animation platform Nimble Collective to editorial and post-supervision at Pixar Animation; in her new role she will assist studios and artists in quick and easy transitions to pop-up render capacity.
Kevin Hart’s Adult Animated Comedy ‘Storytown’ in Development at HBO Max
Series comes from actor’s production company, HartBeat, and will feature original music from ‘Hamilton’ alum Khiyon Hurse.
Pixar Conjures Up a 2002 Tween Heaven in Domee Shi’s ‘Turning Red’
Helmed by the Oscar-winning ‘Bao’ director, the studio’s new animated comedy, filled with teenage pop idols, jean skirts, and pastel hues, is a quirky, funny, anime-influenced ode to dorky kids everywhere; film hits Disney+ March 11.
Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Pictures Ink ‘The Smurfs’ Multi-Movie Deal
First feature project with LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, an animated musical, is set to release December 2024; 26-episode second season pickup of CG-animated ‘The Smurfs’ series also announced.
SPARK FX 2022 Online Set for March 17-27
The visual effects conference highlights artistic and technology advances in VFX; programs will include a look at artificial intelligence, sessions focused on the industry’s business and people, production sessions, and presentations of concept art.
TWO EXCELLENT WINTER BOOKS TO READ
After the last couple of years where the news seemed to get worse every day, we can all use “A Year of Good News”. Slovakian animator Martin Smatana, who made the award-winning film The Kite has created a book that is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Netflix and Alain Chabat's ‘Asterix’ Animated Series Moving Forward
The streamer teams up with Les Éditions Albert René, tapping TAT animation studio to create a new show based on the icon comic; the Toulouse-based studio has just launched a recruitment campaign to gear up for production on the series, scheduled to be released in 2024.
Academy Museum Launches Isao Takahata Film Series
The two-week showcase features such treasured classics as ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ and ‘The Tale of Princess Kaguya,’ as well as rarities, including the director’s first and only documentary.
‘Alice’s Wonderland Bakery’: Whimsy and Fun That’s Sweet as Pie
Chelsea Beyl’s new animated preschool series, inspired by the 1951 animated classic, centers on Alice, great-granddaughter of the original heroine and a budding baker, whose magical treats help bring a new generation of friends and families together; series launches February 9 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
HBO Max Calls Off ‘The Boondocks’ Reboot
The planned 24-episode revival of Aaron McGruder’s brilliant, animated satire is no longer moving forward.
DreamWorks Drops ‘Trolls: TrollsTopia’ Season 6 Trailer
Get ready to dance and sing! as the trolls are back with all-new episodes and an abundance of hugs, fun and cupcakes to share; new season hits Peacock and Hulu February 17.
Lion Forge Announces ‘Marley and the Band’ Animated Series
Animation studio teams with Cedella Marley to develop show based on her recently published children’s book; the story is inspired by growing up with musician Bob Marley as a father and celebrates music, love and family.
VoiceQ 6.0 Package for Dialogue Replacement Now Available
The voice dubbing system’s new enhanced technology adds streaming capabilities, synchronization, and new script formats; added VoiceQ Actor app now available to MacOS users free for one year.
Disney Television Animation Names Sarah Finn Senior Vice President
The longtime Disney executive has been promoted to ‘second-in-command,’ after serving as VP of Production and Executive Director; in her new role she will lead all physical production of the studio’s content for Disney+, Disney Junior, and Disney Channel.