Sydney, Australia-based animation studio Mad Cow Pictures announced it is providing pre-production and production design, effects and support for the upcoming feature version of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG. The film is being produced by Scholastic Entertainment, Big Red Dog Productions and Starburst Studios. Mad Cows co-owner Steve Trenbirth will serve as the unit director. His firm will provide the film's effects style guide, 3D CGI modeling, texture painting, layout concepts and ongoing storyboard sequence creation and revisions. Mad Cows priorities include adding body tones on all the characters to give them more depth, as well as adding shadows, light and special effects to help bring a more 'cinematic' quality. The film is scheduled to be released in 2004.
"The look we're going for here is rich, deep and vibrant," said Trenbirth. "A nicely saturated, cartoon-type world -- something that would stay true to the TV series kids know and love, but which is also more evolved. A brighter, more three-dimensional look and feel for the film. We put self color lines on the characters and modified the designs, while always working to stay true to the series as an important reference point. Ultimately, our goal has been to stay true to Scholastic's CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG franchise which is loved by children around the globe."
Deborah Forte is producing the feature with Robert Ramirez directing and Chris Henderson serving as line producer. Henderson worked with Trenbirth previously on JUNGLE BOOK II.
Trenbirth is a former Disney director, and new co-owner of Mad Cow, along with founder Steve Sagovac. Trenbirth's previous credits include director of the animated feature JUNGLE BOOK II, and animation director on Disney's Annie Award-nominated LADY & THE TRAMP II, Annie Award-winner LION KING 2 and the ALADDIN sequel, THE RETURN OF JAFAR.
Founded in 2002, Mad Cow Pictures provides animation pre-production and production for both television and film, as well as additional Flash animation services. For more information on Mad Cow Pictures, visit its Website at www.madcowpictures.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
