How ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ Crafts its Message Through the Power of Narration
Narration in film doesn't need to be a context dump; LAIKA’s hit film exemplifies how narration can elevate storytelling in animation and beyond.
Lighthouse Promotes Gilly Fogg to Head Creative
Studio’s new ‘creative guardian’ will oversee all original IP development and service project slates; credits include series director on Amazon Prime Original ‘Bug Diaries,’ ‘Wishenpoof,’ and ‘Space Ranger Roger.’
HBO Max and WarnerMedia Launch Animated Shorts Program
New mentorship and training program seeks to discover artists in underrepresented communities whose style and voice push boundaries in storytelling and animation; up to 7 artists will be selected to participate; applications due by October 24.
See Exclusive Images from ‘The Simpsons’ ‘Treehouse of Horror XXXII’
In the ‘Dead Ringer’ segment from the October 10 episode, Lisa finds out about a party she wasn’t invited to attend, where all the kids who watched a video on their phones die in seven days; also Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite,’ Bambi’s revenge and more in the first of four all-new Halloween-themed episodes.
Blinkink Signs Directors Andy Biddle and Adeena Grub
The directorial duo joins the agency’s stop-motion team; a collaboration born out of the COVID shutdown in March 2020, the pair has created several amusing animated shorts featuring loveable characters with handcrafted techniques.
‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ Story Arc and Movie NOW Streaming
Crunchyroll surprises subscribers with today’s release of the highly anticipated anime series ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc’ and ‘Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train.’
Nexus Studios Signs Encyclopedia Pictura
Leading indie animation studio inks deal with LA-based directorial collective to expand its work in creative branded content; the group's credits include the ‘Wanderlust’ promo for Björk, the animated short ‘Earth Crisis,’ and ‘Fly Robot Fly’ for Ikea.
HP Finalizes Teradici Acquisition
By year's end, technology giant will offer innovative hybrid computing options featuring enhanced remote services and solutions through integrated subscriptions of Teradici Cloud Access Software and ZCentral Remote Boost.
Warner Drops DC’s ‘Injustice’ Trailer and Images
Releasing October 19 on 4K Ultra HD Combo pack, Blu-Ray and Digital, the 2D animated action-packed adventure follows the Justice League in a dark alternate reality where the man of steel is driven mad and the heroes must pick sides.
See Clips and Images from All-New ‘Rugrats’ Episodes
Charlet Chung, Raini Rodriguez, Henry Winkler, Swoosie Kurtz, and Ben Schwartz guest star in upcoming episodes dropping October 7 on Paramount+.
Puppetworks Blows it Up Good in ‘Destroy All Humans! 2 - Reprobed’ Trailer
The studio collaborates with THQ Nordic on a comically destructive CG animated piece to promote the new game, a parody of Cold War-era alien invasion films; featuring the musical backdrop of Rammstein’s ‘Amerika,’ Crypto wreaks havoc on San Francisco, Tokyo, London, Russia and the Moon.
‘Alma’s Way’ Debuts on PBS Kids
The new 2D animated series, created by Sonia Manzano, features a 6-year-old proud, confident Puerto Rican girl who lives in the Bronx; launching October 4, the show is part of a revamped daytime PBS KIDS SoCal schedule that allows fans more viewing options for series including ‘Arthur,’ ‘Molly of Denali,’ and ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.’
‘Honekami,’ ‘Bob Spit-We Do Not Like People’ Take Top OIAF 2021 Honors
Honami Yano awarded the Grand Prize for animated short; Cesar Cabral awarded Grand Prize for animated feature as the 45th annual Ottawa International Animation Festival concludes.
‘Amphibia’: A Hero’s Journey to a Lesser-Known Los Angeles - with Frogs
Series creator and executive producer Matt Braly talks about the show’s third season, debuting Saturday, Oct. 2, on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.
Cue the Finger Snaps! ‘The Addams Family 2’ Debuts
Directors Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan return to helm MGM’s CG animated sequel that sees the famously mysterious and spooky family set out on a miserable road trip across the U.S. in an attempt to reclaim its oddly special bond, released today in theaters and via PVOD.
Exclusive Clips: ‘Killers of The Cosmos - The Case of the Death Ray’
“Game of Thrones' star Aidan Gillen takes the audience through the awe-inspiring and sometimes frightening mysteries of space; in the new episode viewers are asked ‘do you feel lucky?’ as the show explores an ominous threat from above – the death of a star likened to a blindfolded sniper with Earth as its target.
‘Rick and Morty’ Season 5 Blu-Ray Coming December 7
The just concluded season of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon’s Emmy Award-winning animated comedy gets its home entertainment release, complete with a bunch of special features.
‘The Ghost and Molly McGee’: A Supernatural Take on Real Friendship
Bill Motz and Bob Roth’s new 2D kids’ series, about an energetic young girl and a grouchy ghost, brings heart, humor, and a bit of horror in the grand Disney tradition; series premieres today on Disney Channel and next week on Disney+.
Manchester Animation Festival Reveals Program Line-Up
The 7th edition returns as a hybrid event offering content online and in person November 14-30; new events include a keynote by the BBC’s Patricia Hidalgo and a feature film competition showcasing 4 international filmmakers.
The Touching, Personal Journey of Joe Mateo’s ‘Blush’
Written and directed by the Emmy Award winning artist, the CG film, based on a tragic loss, follows a horticulturist-astronaut trying to survive after crash landing on a desolate dwarf planet; it debuts today on Apple TV+
Exclusive Clip: ‘The Great North – The Great Punkin’ Adventure’
In the new episode airing October 3 on Fox, Ham is invited to audition for a punk band after they hear him scream, while Honeybee and Wolf get their first directing gig.
The Creative Harmony Behind Disney’s ‘Encanto’
Director Byron Howard, director/co-writer Jared Bush, and co-director/co-writer Charise Castro Smith discuss their collaborative process and the making of a magical musical, opening in theaters November 24.
WarnerMedia Ups Brian Robillard for its Adult Swim and Kids & Family Business Operations
Newly promoted assistant GM and VP of business operations will also lead new music strategy arm for kids, Young Adults and Classics group; he is joined by new hire Michael Akiko who will run the new unit.
‘Swan Boy’ Serves a Hilarious New Slice of FXX’s ‘Cake’
For Augenblick Studios’ Aaron Augenblick, Branson Reese’s new series of animated shorts, about a twenty-something swan of low station and medium intelligence, is one of the funniest shows of his 20+ year career; Season 5 of the short film anthology premieres today on FXX.
Netflix Renews ‘Ridley Jones’ and ‘Ada Twist, Scientist’
Both new shows get Season 2 pickup: streamer also adds 4 new fun and educational animated shows to its 2022 preschool line-up.
