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ANIMATIONWorld Magazine

Business Headline News

Pearl Studio Launches Dream Frame Program

The Chinese animation studio has announced new animated features in development, in conjunction with newly launched initiatives to exploring new genres, promote Chinese culture and authentic storytelling while seeking, cultivating and supporting emerging industry talent.

Grrrrrr! Headline News

Disney Drops ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ Teaser

Trailer features executive producer and cast member Laurence Fishburne introducing the highly anticipated 2D series, based on the Marvel comic books, about the adventures of young super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex; the series is set for release Summer 2022.

Technology Headline News

Adobe Releases Video and Audio Tools Updates Across Creative Cloud

New features and tool updates improve performance and enhance productivity with Premiere Pro and Character Animator, including faster ProRes on Apple M1 Pro and M1 Max, title graphics upgrades for improved search and replace tool, and puppet maker to give animators new ways to create, customize and animate characters

In-Passing Headline News

Famed Historian Giannalberto Bendazzi Passes at 75

The prolific author of more than 30 books, including must-haves ‘Cartoons: One Hundred Years of Cinema Animation’ and the three-volume ‘Animation – A World History’ passed away on Monday, December 13.

Technology Headline News

Autodesk Releases Unreal Live Link Maya Plugin

Developed in collaboration with Epic Games, the new plugin supports seamless animation data exchange between Maya and Unreal Engine to expedite virtual production and game development workflows.

Can Bad Guys Go Good? Headline News

DreamWorks Drops ‘The Bad Guys’ Trailer Because… It’s Good to be Bad!

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 4:10pm

Studio’s new action comedy about a crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws attempting to become model citizens, starring Sam Rockwell, Craig Robinson, and Awkwafina, hits theaters April 22, 2022.

Smile! Headline News

Adult Swim’s ‘Smiling Friends’ Turns Frowns Upside Down

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 3:23pm

Co-creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel’s new adult animated comedy features a company tasked with bringing happiness to a bizarre yet colorful world; start 2022 with a smile - series debuts January 9.

Finding Strength in Simplicity ANIMATIONWorld

‘Freebird’: Changing Hearts and Minds on the Realities of Down Syndrome

Writer/director Michael McDonald talks about the breakthrough animated short film that uses simple means for a powerful purpose.

Home Entertainment Headline News

‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ Now on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD

A family road trip evolves into a quest to save the world from a machine apocalypse in the hit CG animated comedy adventure; bonus features include Katie Mitchell’s hilarious sock puppet parody short, ‘Dog Cop 7: The Final Chapter,’ a look into her filmmaking process, a look behind the making of the movie, as well as tutorials on how to make sock puppets and Katie face cupcakes.

Machines Rule! ANIMATIONWorld

Katie Mitchell Hits Her Stride in ‘Dog Cop 7: The Final Chapter’

In the parody short directed by Caitlin VanArsdale, ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ filmmaker heroine creates a sock-puppet action film featuring a redoubtable canine; short releases today as an exclusive bonus feature on the film’s Blu-ray release.

Navigating 6th Grade in Style Headline News

Paramount+ Announces ‘Big Nate’ Voice Cast

The all-new animated series, based on the kids’ books and comics by Lincoln Peirce, will hit the streamer in 2022; voice actors include Rob Delaney, Dove Cameron, and Bryce Charles.

People Headline News

Genius Brands Adds Zrinka Dekic as CFO, Head of Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions

Entertainment industry and financial markets exec bolsters brands’ international operations following acquisitions of Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media Inc and stake in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment AG; previous CFO Bob Denton named executive vice president of finance and accounting.

Technology Headline News

Foundry Releases Katana 5.0

Latest update focuses on artist collaboration and interoperability with render upgrades, workflow improvements, and support of render partners with a new render delegate ‘AVP.’

Awards Headline News

‘Dune,’ ‘Flee,’ and ‘Big Mouth’ Lead Critics Choice Award Nominations

Denis Villenueve’s sci-fi epic nabs 10 nominations, followed by Guillermo del Toro’s neo-noir thriller with 8, and both ‘Encanto’ and ‘Flee with two each for the upcoming 27th annual awards.

Awards Headline News

Nominations Announced for 79th Golden Globe Awards

Disney’s ‘Encanto,’ Neon’s ‘Flee,’ Pixar’s ‘Luca,’ Totem Films’ ‘My Sunny Maad,’ and Disney’s ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ snag best animated feature nominations.

Reptile Jail Break! ANIMATIONWorld

‘Back to the Outback’ Offers Redemption for the Demonized

For co-directors Harry Cripps and Clare Knight, their new 3D/CG animated comedy shows that the deadliest and most feared Australian creatures are highly misunderstood, and just because something is different, doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful; film premieres today on Netflix.

Indie Shorts ANIMATIONWorld

‘Night Bus’: An Exploration of Betrayal and Redemption

Taiwanese animator Joe (Wen-Ming) Hsieh’s 2D short follows 6 bus passengers harboring intense secrets whose lives unravel after a string of unfortunate events, wrongful accusations, and attempts at revenge.

A Best Friend Out of the Box! Headline News

‘Ron’s Gone Wrong’ Hits Digital December 15

Unwrap your new best friend from 20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animation as the goofy animated robot comes home; now available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.

Methinks This Quite Naughty! ANIMATIONWorld

The Fabulously Fun and Filthy ‘Crossing Swords’ Returns for Season 2

Back for another go are the Emmy Award-winning ‘Robot Chicken’ executive producers and their brilliantly raunchy, violent, and rapid-fire gag-driven stop-motion comedy about a royal squire dealing with the reality his beloved kingdom is a hornet’s nest of horny monarchs, crooks, and charlatans… and now it’s broke; new season debuts December 10 on Hulu.

Animation Festivals Headline News

‘Bad Seeds’ and ‘Affairs of the Art’ Lead LAAF 2021 Winners

Claude Cloutier takes home awards for Best of the Fest and Best Comedy Short, while Best Director and Best Character-Based Short honors go to Joanna Quinn; live awards ceremony honored both 2020 and 2021 winners.

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