Ever get a big fish on the line only to have it get away before you could pull it into the boat? You probably didn’t set the hook. Rule #1 in fishing: set the hook. The same is true in screenwriting, only you’re not trying to hook a fish, you’re trying to hook the audience. You don’t need a fishing rod, you need ten great pages.

EAMprofessional – The European Training Programme for Animation Professionals – will be continued after the successful premiere last year.

Few FFAF episodes have challenged the potent potential of what a jam-packed powder-keg of animation multilarities can elicit in the burgeoning minds of those seeking more lore and eternal wisdom of this frame-by-frame La Bamba than number 24. This show is huge. Ron Diamond + Dan Sarto = how to invent and maintain an international animation archive and animation short distribution empire while enjoying the best of Scotch and olive canning. The Animation Room + The Animation Room = how to create an animation studio boyband right out of college. And finally, Billy + Bill + William Frenzer = how to develop treasured American comedy songs into animated music videos that change the course of human history. Perfection, sometimes, does not take time.

Director Robert Zemeckis and L.A. CONFIDENTIAL writer Brian Helgeland are sailing to the history/fantasy mash-up HERE THERE BE MONSTERS, reports The Wrap.

DreamWorks Animation was the victor in a Los Angeles jury case where the studio was accused of stealing the idea for KUNG FU PANDA, writes The Hollywood Reporter.

Universal Pictures has picked up revamped version of THE NUTCRACKER from Jon Gunn and John Mann, reports Variety.

Universal Pictures has tapped Rawson Thurber (DODGEBALL) to pen a new draft of its adaptation of the award-winning Dark Horse comic THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, reports Deadline.com.

20th Century Fox is developing an animated feature version of the comic strip MUTTS, reports Heat Vision.

Simon Hunter (MUTANT CHRONICLES) will direct an adaptation of the online graphic novel LAST BLOOD, reports Deadline.com.

Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has signed on to star and produce an adaptation of Radical Publishing's SHRAPNEL, reports Variety.

CBS Films has purchased William Penick and Chris Sey's script HELLFEST, reports ComingSoon.net.

Disney has hired David Elliot and Paul Lovett (G.I. JOE: RISE OF COBRA) to pen the script for a fantasy film centering on gargoyles, reports Variety.

Warner Bros. has acquired Justin Rhodes' sci-fi spec script SECOND SON, reports Heat Vision.

Universal has tapped Blake Masters, the creator of the TV series BROTHERHOOD, to do a redux on its COLOSSUS remake, reports Variety.

Triggerfish Animation Studios’ second feature, Khumba, received the royal treatment from one of The Lion King’s screenplay writers, Jonathan Roberts.

Fox is in talks to acquire Archaia's forthcoming graphic novel RUST, reports Heat Vision.

Alloy Ent., 24 showrunner Howard Gordon and FINAL DESTINATION creator James Wong are developing a feature film and YA book series titled 2084, reports Heat Vision.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominations for the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards this morning.

Fede Alvarez (PANIC ATTACK short) is set to direct a remake of THE EVIL DEAD, reports Heat Vision.

Warner Bros. has purchased two projects from playwright Chris Boal, reports Variety.