More visions of space from Gene Roddenberry are coming. © DPS.

Roddenberry, Film Roman, Vanguard and Beyond
But perhaps the most intriguing endeavors currently on DPS’ table mark another step forward in the studio’s ambitions. Starpoint Academy and Char — created by Star Trek legend Gene Roddenberry, are intended to give the studio franchise properties that will open up even larger opportunities. The two projects – Roddenberry’s only works targeted specifically to children — will be fully CGI-animated and fully owned by DPS. Based on its title alone, Starpoint Academy promises plenty of spaceships, zero-gravity action and energetic teen heroes. Char, the Starpoint Academy follow-up, tells the story of a normal, 22nd century all-American girl who is actually “an intergalactic princess robbed of her birthright.” As befits projects that are aimed at an older-kids/sci-fi fan demographic (rather than a cartoony style more suited to the Cabbage Patch Kids), Berger anticipates both Starpoint and Char will make extensive use of motion capture.

The Roddenberry projects, impressive as they were, were only the prelude to two major announcements, one of which was the Film Roman acquisition; suddenly DPS could boast of both traditional 2D and CGI 3D production facilities. Company sources promise that little if anything will change at Film Roman, with the 2D company retaining its management team and its independence. However, it’s probably not unreasonable to assume that DPS will be working closely with Forum Visual Effects, Film Roman’s in-house visual effects house guided by Kevin VanHook.

Looming just as large is the deal with Vanguard Animation to co-produce and co-own all Vanguard properties including feature film releases, direct-to-DVD and broadcast. “Digital Production Solutions’ strategy of building a library of impressive content is in high gear,” said Jim Courter, IDT’s ceo. “DPS now has credibility in the television industry through our new venture DPS-Film Roman, and we will find the same in feature film releases with this partnership with Vanguard. We have built credible studios for multi-platform releases.”

Hip Hop & Hamilton is one of the many unproduced projects DPS has waiting in the wings. © DPS.

“We’re excited to be working with Vanguard, a company headed up by management associated with so many important and groundbreaking films,” said Morris Berger, president of DPS. “Vanguard and DPS complement each other. Vanguard is an entertainment industry powerhouse and DPS is continuing to build its intellectual property using innovative technology. Together, we intend to pursue animation projects with broad entertainment appeal.”

DPS will work closely with Vanguard ceo and Shrek producer Williams and president Braun, who has held numerous senior executive positions with NBC, Viacom, Imagine Entertainment and HBO. Berger sums up DPS’ ambitions by pointing out that “we’ve only been in business a year and a half, and we’re rolling on two projects of our own with a lot more in the pipeline; that’s pretty good for a new company.”

[Animators and facilities interested in joining GAS can learn more at www.globalanimationstudio.com; Information about the DPS studio can be found at www.digitalproductionsolutions.com, and potential Starpoint Academy fans can join the show’s E-mailing list at www.starpointacademy.net]

Joe Strike is a New York City television writer/producer with a lifelong interest in animation, and who remembers watching Astro Boy when it first aired in the U.S. His work includes numerous promotional campaigns and special events programming for cable outlets including Bravo and the SCI FI Channel. He interviewed Disney animation director Mark Dindal in the November 2000 Animation World Magazine.