Don’t Miss Unreal Engine’s ‘The Pulse’ Ep 7: Real-Time Animation
All-new ‘Unlocking Story and Style’ episode of innovative series on interactive technology features DNEG’s David Prescott, BRON Digital’s Jason Chen, Chromosphere’s Kevin Dart, and Epic Games’ Karen Dufilho, hosted by AWN publisher Dan Sarto, coming Wednesday, September 29.
Science Channel’s ‘Killers of the Cosmos’ Premieres September 19
'Game of Thrones' star Aidan Gillen takes the audience through the awe-inspiring and sometimes frightening mysteries of space; using animated drama with input from top experts in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, biology, cosmology, and planetary science, show presents viewers with an evidence-based investigation of some of science’s most unbelievable wonders.
SCAD AnimationFest Announces Full Program Lineup
Talks on ‘Star Trek: Prodigy,’ ‘The Harper House,’ and ‘Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.’ are just a few of the highlights from the upcoming September 23-25 virtual festival, which also includes exclusive screenings and panels with industry professionals from Nickelodeon, Fox Animation, Paramount+, Bento Box, and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.
Dome Fest West Coming to Costa Mesa October 8-10
Inaugural 360-degree film festival and conference will feature 32 immersive films screened in a ‘fulldome’ venue; event features new technology presentations, industry panels, and interactive workshops.
HBO Max Acquires Award-Winning Short ‘Anacronte’
The 3DCG animated film, licensed from RMVISTAR, tells the story of the Anacronte and Sorcerers of Evil’s tragic cost to humanity, with only death and grief bringing people together; watch it now on HBO Max.
Cap’n Crunch Gets a ‘Sweet’ 3D Makeover
Creative studio ATKPLN gives the Cap’n new 3D persona and digs, balancing nostalgia with a modern vibe; new look will be used across all brand visuals, including broadcast and social media assets.
Unlisted Produces New Gogo-No-Kocha Sweet Tea Spot
Creative studio collaborates with AIO Pro and Japanese ad agency Hakkuhoddo on nostalgic, classic 2D animated commercial to promote the Japanese beverage, with Hornet animation director Yves Geleyn at the helm.
HBO Max Releases ‘Ten Year Old Tom’ Trailer
New adult animated comedy from Steve Dildarian and Nick Weidenfeld, about a kid’s misadventures contending with questionable guidance from well-meaning adults, premieres September 30.
Brad Neely Channels his Arkansas Childhood in ‘The Harper House’
The ‘China, IL’ creator’s new 2D animated adult comedy, about a fun, wacky mom who loses her job, forcing a family move from riches to rags, fondly reflects his own upbringing in the razorback state; show premieres today on Paramount+.
DreamWorks Animation and Stephen Curry Team on Kids and Family Content
First-ever Comcast NBCUniversal ‘Global Talent Partnership’ deal extends content opportunities with NBA MVP’s media company across media giant’s entire portfolio, including first look deals with Universal Studio Group and DWA.
Zynga Drops ‘Star Wars: Hunters’ Game Trailer
The action-packed cinematic provides gamers a glimpse into the planet Vespaara where Hunters gather to battle in ‘The Arena;’ the team-based game, created in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, comes to Nintendo Switch and mobile devices in 2022.
Netflix Drops ‘Bright: Samurai Soul’ First Look Trailer and Art
New reimagined animated feature and spinoff of the live-action movie ‘Bright’ is directed by Kyohei Ishiguro, who fused the characteristics of Japanese woodblock print art with 3DCG technology; movie streams October 12 on Netflix.
Tencent Video’s ‘Rainbow Bubblegem’ Fantasy Series Launching Early 2022
The Chinese streamer teams up with Live Fun by Campfire Aniworks on 3DCG series that teaches kids about friendship, cooperation, and teamwork; currently in production, the show has already been picked-up by EBS Korea.
Playing a Deadly Board Game of War in Iron Maiden’s ‘Stratego’ Music Video
Blinkink director Gustaf Holtenäs, inspired by Kentaro Miura’s ‘Berserk’ manga and the battlefield strategy game Stratego, mixes hand painted 2D backgrounds with 3D elements and Houdini simulations to take Maiden fans inside a stylized, fantastical Japanese-themed gaming world.
Dandelooo Inks ‘Billy the Cowboy Hamster’ Distribution Deals
The 2D animated series follows a little hamster who dreams of becoming a cowboy in the Wild West; currently in production, the show has been presold to Super RTL in Germany, Denmark’s DR, Sweden’s SVT, RTS in Switzerland, Norway’s NRK, Arte Editions, and KMBO and TV5 Monde in France.
Rooster Teeth Inks Animation Production Deal with Albert Whitman Media
Drawing on the children’s book publisher’s extensive library, the companies will co-develop and produce a slate of original animated series; literary works ‘Zapato Power’ and ‘The Wish Library’ are currently in development and will be introduced at MIPCOM 2021.
‘TUDUM: A Netflix Global Fan Event’ Trailer and Line-up Revealed
The streamer’s inaugural epic virtual fan event, coming September 25, will host 145 of its biggest stars and creators, with first looks and exclusives from over 70 series, films, and specials.
GLAS Animation Announces Latest Grant Recipients
Festival also issues Call for Entries for next year’s event, running April 7-10, 2022; submission deadline is December 1, 2021.
EXCLUSIVE: Listen to the Theme from ‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’
Premiering September 16 on Netflix, the new CG animated series from Mattel Television offers a fresh, stylized take on the world of Eternia; composed by Michael Kramer, the original soundtrack, with 37 tracks from the series, debuts September 17.
LAIKA Announces ‘Wildwood’ as Next Animated Feature
Currently in production with studio CEO Travis Knight directing, film tells a tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets set in an enchanted forest beyond Portland’s city limits.
Patrick Osborne Takes Billie Eilish on a Dreamy Iconic LA Tour
Given only three months, the Oscar-winning animation director worked quickly to capture the Grammy-winning artist’s signature moves, weaving a hazy, noirish 80s journey through her hometown into ‘Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,’ her cinematic concert experience performed on stage at the Hollywood Bowl, now streaming on Disney+.
Spooky Animated Treats Coming to Disney Channel and Disney Junior
Network’s October line-up of Halloween-themed animation includes a brand-new short-form series inspired by Disney's popular ZOMBIES franchise, and special episodes of ‘Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends,’ ‘Big City Greens,’ ‘The Chicken Squad,’ ‘Puppy Dog Pals,’ ‘Muppet Babies’ and the new supernatural animated series ‘The Ghost and Molly McGee.’
Nickelodeon’s ‘Tooned In’ Season 2 Premieres September 17
The ultimate trivia gameshow challenges kids to prove their knowledge of Nick cartoons; the slime-filled competition is co-hosted by Jerry Trainor and Nicky, the A.I. supercomputer voiced by Rama Vallury.
Netflix Drops New ‘Maya and the Three’ Clip and Trading Cards
Watch Maya and Acat, the goddess of Tattoos, battle it out on the way to the magical land of wizards in a sneak peek from Jorge R. Gutiérrez’s highly anticipated 9-chapter tale of a Mesoamerican-inspired warrior princess on an epic quest to save humanity from the vengeful gods of the underworld; series premieres October 22.
‘The Boss Baby: Family Business’ Now Available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray and DVD
Hit sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s 2017 blockbuster, ‘The Boss Baby,’ reunites the now adult Templeton brothers, who uncover the dark secrets of a prestigious grade school while rediscovering the meaning of family; bonus materials include all new ‘Precious Templeton: A Pony TALE’ short.
