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.
‘Rocky & Bullwinkle’ Owner Jay Ward Productions Partners with WildBrain
The new agreement includes the famed moose and squirrel, ‘George of the Jungle,’ ‘Dudley Do-Right,’ and other Ward properties, with brand new IP-based content to follow.
Art Spiegelman Says He Won’t Adapt ‘Maus’ for the Screen
The acclaimed writer-illustrator believes his magnum opus is best left as a book, despite renewed interest from Hollywood in adapting it.
Podcast EP147: Rachel Gitlevich Shares How Titmouse New York Unionized In 2022
The 2D character animation veteran discusses the unionization of the New York-based animation studio, the history of animation studio unions, and resources for others interested in the unionization of their animation workplace.
Next PreView Set: A Conversation with the Filmmakers Behind ‘Namoo’
Join a virtual live screening, presentation, and conversation with the creative team behind Erick Oh's Annie Award-nominated animated short film; the free February 11 event is offered in partnership with Baobab Studios and OGR.
Nominations Announced for 2022 BAFTA Awards
‘Encanto,’ ‘Flee,’ ‘Luca,’ and ‘The Mitchells vs The Machines’ get nods in the Animated Film category; ‘Dune,’ ‘Free Guy,’ ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife,’ ‘The Matrix Resurrections,’ and ‘No Time To Die’ nominated for Special Visual Effects.
Netflix Reveals 2022 Animated Feature Slate
The streaming giant shares a film lineup filled with adventure, fantasy, fun… and a healthy dose of anime.
Anibar Animation Festival opens Call for Entries for the 13th edition!
After having an amazing 12th edition, Anibar International Animation Festival has started preparations for the upcoming event in July 2022, and that means only one thing: The Call for Entries is once again open!
Cult Classic ‘Swat-Kats’ Returns
Show creator Tremblay Bros. teams up with Toonz Media Group to revive the popular 1990’s animated series in its new incarnation, 'Swat-Kats Revolution;' show will feature characters both old and new along with a futuristic arsenal for its anthropomorphic feline fighters.
HBCU 20x20 and DreamWorks Animation Launch Talent Development Initiative
‘LAUNCH: HBCU Fellowship Program’ to offer select students from HBCUs a chance to participate in 8-week program of workshops, courses, and speaker series aimed at opening career path opportunities in the animation industry; applications now open through March 1, 2022.
WarnerMedia Kids & Family and Mo Willems Ink Multi-Year Deal
HBO Max extends licensing rights on the popular animated series ‘Mo Willems Story Time Shorts!;’ new projects in the pipeline include CGI animated special ‘Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience’ coming summer 2022 with ‘Unlimited Squirrels’ arriving in 2023.
‘Automaton’: The Beauty and Fury of the Elements Explored
Led by director Krzysztof Rost, a team of Pixar effects artists worked on their own time to produce an abstract, experimental CG short film depicting a field of grass destroyed by a brushfire, only to be reborn.
