Seven European animation companies have joined to form a company called the
European Animation Group, although its name is likely to change. The group
hopes to produce a minimum of one animated feature or series per year,
beginning in 2001 with its first feature, the $15 million ELFQUEST, set to
go into production in January 2000. The announcement was made at MIPCOM
held October 4 - 8 in Cannes, France. European Animation Group brings
together seven companies. From France, the partners are
Joinville-le-Pont-based GTC, one Europe's leading labs and a specialist in
digital technology; Grenoble and Paris-based Project Images Films, a
multimedia production company, which has already produced the animated
feature AARON'S MAGIC VILLAGE; and Paris-based Sceneries Europe, a film
production company. German input comes from Munich-based Das Werk, which
does high-end commercial and film post-production; and Munich-based Trixter
Film, founded by animation director Michael Coldewey, which produced the 3D
effects for the recently completed HEAVY METAL F.A.K.K.2. The Spanish
partners are Indice Multimedia, multimedia specialists, and Storyboard,
which has experience in TV production and 3D computer graphics. European
Animation Group will be headquartered in Dusseldorf, with the company
jointly headed and managed by Philippe Lenglet (Sceneries), Joachim Sturmes
(Das Werk) and Jorge M. Reverte (Storyboard). The group has twelve projects
in development. Half of the production financing will be raised in Europe,
with the rest coming from the US and international sales. Sceneries Intl.
will sell the films and series internationally, and the partners will be
responsible for raising investment and handling rights in their own
territories. The first project, ELFQUEST, is based on the graphic novels of
Wendy and Richard Pini, and is being executive produced by Los
Angeles-based Wolfmill Entertainment, headed by Craig Miller and Marv
Wolfman, which has also produced Bohbot Entertainment's POCKET DRAGON
ADVENTURES.