Search form

Jon Hofferman's Recent Posts

Arthur Returns! ANIMATIONWorld

‘Arthur,’ PBS’s Beloved Aardvark-Centric Series, Gets a New Digital Life

Dan Flynn, associate creative director of Hero4Hire Creative and lead animator on ‘Arthur’ digital productions, talks about the future of the long-running children’s animated series.

Gotta love stealthy do-gooders! ANIMATIONWorld

‘Team Zenko Go’ Celebrates Inclusiveness and the Transforming Power of Altruism

Showrunner Jack Thomas and Supervising Producer Tanya Green discuss DreamWorks Animation’s new preschool series, about a secret squad of young do-gooders determined to make their town the happiest place to live, now streaming on Netflix.

The Boys Will Be The Boys ANIMATIONWorld

‘Add More Blood’: How to Create a Diabolical Animated Anthology Series

Supervising Director Giancarlo Volpe talks about the fun and challenges of wrangling a multiplicity of styles in ‘The Boys’ animated spinoff series 'The Boys Presents: Diabolical,' now streaming on Amazon Prime.

I Never Want to Grow Up! ANIMATIONWorld

In ‘Dicktown,’ Solving Mysteries is Overgrown Child’s Play

Creators John Hodgman and David Rees spill the beans about their adult animated sitcom, whose second season is now streaming on FX and Hulu.

The Drac Pack is Back! ANIMATIONWorld

Checking in with the Creative Team Behind ‘Hotel Transylvania: Transformania’

Directors Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska, VFX Supervisor Seth Maury, and Head of Character Animation Alan Hawkins discuss the making of the valedictory installment of Sony Pictures Animation’s beloved monster comedy franchise.

TV Animation ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’: A Groundbreaking Disney Series Gets an Update

20 years after it first ran on Disney Channel, Bruce W. Smith’s acclaimed animated series ‘The Proud Family’ gets a reboot, premiering today on Disney+.

Your Attention Please ANIMATIONWorld

Black Women Animate Helps Hulu Celebrate Two Inspirational Women of Color

Taylor K. Shaw, CEO and founder of the visionary studio dedicated to providing opportunities for women of color, and Arts & Animation Director Buki Bodunrin talk about their contributions to the Black History Month series ‘Your Attention Please,’ now streaming on Hulu.

game adaptations ANIMATIONWorld

From Games to Series: How Entertainment Agency MOCEAN Helps Makes It Happen

Executive Creative Director Elaine Cantwell, EVP Strategy Allan Gungormez, and Creative Director Norn Jordan talk about the marketing campaigns for ‘Arcane’ and ‘Halo’ and the strategies that turn gamers into viewers.

Where Exactly is Arcadia? ANIMATIONWorld

Scaling the Visual Heights of ‘Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans’

Visual Effects Supervisor Greg Lev and Additional VFX Supervisor Brandon Tyra talk about the challenges and triumphs of working on the Annie Award-nominated concluding chapter of Guillermo del Toro’s epic ‘Tales of Arcadia’ franchise and reflect on the end of a five-year adventure. 

animated short films ANIMATIONWorld

‘Only a Child’: Powerful Reflections on Three Decades of Environmental Inaction

Director Simone Giampaolo discusses how 12-year-old Severn Cullis-Suzuki’s 1992 UN Summit speech, almost 3 decades later, led to the creation of a compelling animated short film involving more than 20 artists employing a dozen techniques, which has been shortlisted for an Oscar.

A Mammoth Franchise Returns ANIMATIONWorld

A One-Eyed Weasel and a Couple of Possums Walk into a Dino Den…

Director John C. Donkin and Executive Producer Lori Forte talk ‘The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild,’ the latest zany installment in the literally ‘mammoth’ ‘Ice Age’ franchise, premiering Friday, January 28 on Disney+.

Home Sweet Home! ANIMATIONWorld

The Surreal, Stop-Motion World of ‘The House,’ Part 2

In the second of three linked articles, director Niki Lindroth von Bahr talks about her affinity for rodents and experience creating her chapter of Nexus Studios’ animated anthology, now streaming on Netflix.

Dept. of Had to Be Done ANIMATIONWorld

The Absurd, Surreal, Metaphysical Creation of a No-Budget Animated Feature

Over 15 years, more than 200 volunteers, and several brave firemen, assisted in the production of Oliver Simonsen’s CG animated film, ‘The Absurd, Surreal, Metaphysical and Fractured Destiny of Cerebus the Aardvark,’ based on Dave Sim’s celebrated comic series.

The Future of Dragons is Here! ANIMATIONWorld

How to Modernize Your Dragon

Supervising Producer Beth Sleven talks about the creation of DreamWorks Animation’s new CG series ‘Dragons: The Nine Realms,’ set 1,300 years after Hiccup and Toothless’ last adventures in the land of Berk; now streaming on Peacock and Hulu.

Technology ANIMATIONWorld

Amazon Nimble Studio Offers Animators a Home in the Cloud

Nimble Collective co-founder Rex Grignon and Kyle Roche, Head of Immersive Technology for Amazon Web Services, talk about their recently-launched cloud-based production service.

Finding Strength in Simplicity ANIMATIONWorld

‘Freebird’: Changing Hearts and Minds on the Realities of Down Syndrome

Writer/director Michael McDonald talks about the breakthrough animated short film that uses simple means for a powerful purpose.

Machines Rule! ANIMATIONWorld

Katie Mitchell Hits Her Stride in ‘Dog Cop 7: The Final Chapter’

In the parody short directed by Caitlin VanArsdale, ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ filmmaker heroine creates a sock-puppet action film featuring a redoubtable canine; short releases today as an exclusive bonus feature on the film’s Blu-ray release.

Animated Features ANIMATIONWorld

‘Encanto’ Pushes Animation Boundaries While Celebrating the Fundamentals of Family

Director Byron Howard, director/co-writer Jared Bush, co-director/co-writer Charise Castro Smith, and producers Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer offer their filmmaking insights on Disney’s new computer-animated musical, now in theaters.

The Oscar-qualified ‘I Am a Pebble (Je suis un Caillou) ANIMATIONWorld

A Lonely Otter Finds Unusual Companionship in ‘I am a Pebble’

Maxime Le Chapelain, one of six creators of the multi-award-winning 3D/CG student short, discusses the genesis of the project and the collaborative process that brought it to fruition.

Pages