Surf's Up is another example of the kind of all-family films SPDP will continue to make. © Sony Pictures Digital Inc.

BO: But there's no question that our focus is with the animation community because, frankly, they're the ones that love it, understand it and are willing to push the boundaries beyond what's been done in the past. Talent is attracted to us specifically because we are creatively open.

BD: Let's talk more specifically about Cloudy, which opens Sept. 18, 2009, and Hotel Transylvania, which opens fall 2011. I take it both projects, which were long in development, benefitted from a fresh set of eyes.

HM: Absolutely. It was a priority for us when we joined the studio six months ago to sit down and do really intensive story work with the directors, with our story team and with our producers. We were committed to resolving outstanding story questions and I think doing that due diligence at that point has paid off dividends.

We have wonderful writers, The Hageman brothers, Dan & Kevin, writing on Hotel Transylvania [directed by Open Season's Jill Culton] and they've formed a very collaborative, creative relationship with the story team and the vis dev team as well and it's been reaping real reward. It's the perfect example of how that process should work.

BO: Again, that was a film where we came in six months ago and took a real hard look where we were going creatively. There's been tremendous studio support with Jill's and producer Michelle Murdocca's vision. We all wanted to move in the same direction and hired the Hagemans and now the film's on a fast track.

BD: Also in 3-D, like Cloudy?

HM: We really believe in animated movies in 3-D and support that initiative, but we also want to judge each movie case by case to see if it enhances the creative content of the film, and not just for the sake of it.

BD: Speaking of stereoscopic, what will be the studio policy moving forward?

BO: If 3-D adds to the experience, we're ready and capable to make it so. We have advantages of being sister companies with Imageworks, so it's an easy thing. But what you have to determine, and Hannah is right, is it helpful to the film or does it detract from the film? Again, it's a little early in the process to make a decision about Hotel T, but we'll most likely go stereoscopic. In the case of Cloudy, frankly, with food falling from the sky, the possibilities for stereoscopic were phenomenal. And the look developed by the team is something you've never seen before. It's going to look spectacular in 3-D.

BD: And what about The Smurfs?

HM: It's very infectious -- they've brought this blue cheer to the studio. David Stem & David Weiss, who were among the writers on Shrek, came on to the project a few months ago and are writing a first draft, and our vis dev team here in Animation, in conjunction with Imageworks, have begun modeling what our little blue guys will look like in CG. It's the beginning of a process, and we're feeling very excited about our first glimpse of a CG Smurf against a live-action plate.

BD: The Smurfs opens when?

BO: Christmas season 2010.

BD: That's your first hybrid along the lines of Stuart Little?

HM: Yes. Imageworks was a pioneer in CG character animation with Stuart Little, and we will be applying what they learned on that movie, and since then, to really deliver Smurfs in an entertaining and life-like way.

BD: And will you be combining the human world with the Smurf world?

HM: Yes [hesitatingly, followed by laughter]. Ask the tough questions, Bill: go on. It's a live-action world with CG Smurfs.

BD: And what about the Aardman distribution deal?