Animation World Network

VFX Supervisor Dann Tarmy breaks down his team’s extensive use of water sims, including how they tackled the huge, new challenge of replacing water in plates where the actor was shot in the water, on Netflix’s biographical sports drama of marathon...

For Simon Hughes and his Union VFX team, Yorgos Langthimos’ dark comedy, a stunningly designed visual maelstrom, required something completely different from a typical VFX project...

The director and his VFX Supervisor, Jay Cooper, explain how they completely reversed the standard production process for his sci-fi epic, employing spontaneous live-action shoots...

animated short films ANIMATIONWorld

‘Misaligned’: The Minimalist Observations of an Uncommunicative Couple

Marta Magnuska’s hand-drawn, charcoal on paper short carefully studies the relationship between two characters sharing the same living space and the everyday routines that define the tension in their repetitive lives.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld

animated shorts ANIMATIONWorld

Filmmaker Janice Nadeau and NFB Producer Marc Bertrand Talk ‘HARVEY’

A conversation between the director and National Film Board of Canada producer takes us inside their collaboration on the award-winning NFB/Folimage animated short that examines bereavement and coping with the loss of a parent through the imaginative eyes of a child.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Games Headline News

‘Oh Baby Kart’ Racing Game Launches with SpongeBob Characters

For a limited time, SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward and Mr. Krabs will race for glory across 26 courses, including a special map set in Bikini Bottom, as Oh Baby! Games’ closed beta hit Steam and the Epic Games Store yesterday.

In 3D, Business, CG, Games, Licensing, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

A Brief Partnership Headline News

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ to Premiere on Both Hulu and Disney+

Don’t get too excited… Hulu members can watch the first episode from December 20 through January 31, but still need to head to Disney+ for the second and all subsequent which will air weekly.

In 3D, Acting, Books, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

People Headline News

Aaron Dunkel Joins Alkemy X’s Creative Studio

Creative director and editor brings production and post expertise to the company’s U.S. commercial roster.

In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Commercials, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Post-production | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

The Blue Heeler Rings in the New Year Headline News

New ‘Bluey’ Episodes Coming to Disney+ Next Month

The award-winning preschool series returns with more adventures the follow the loveable, inexhaustible blue heeler pooch who lives with her mum, dad, and little sister, Bingo; also coming in 2024, the first-ever series special, ‘The Sign,’ release date to be announced.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

VFX for features Headline News

VFX Breakdown: BlueBolt Creates 1793 ‘Napoleon’ Battlegrounds

Studio delivered 126 VFX shots to help realize Ridley Scott’s vision of Napoleon’s 1793 Siege of Toulon and his violent suppression of the Paris riots two years later.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

He Animated Tigger! Animated Short Films Headline News

Go Behind-the-Scenes of 'Disney Legend’ Andreas Deja’s ‘Mushka’

9 all-new ‘Making Of’ vignettes showcase the design and production of the animation master’s directorial debut, a beautifully hand-drawn short film about a young Ukrainian girl who discovers an orphaned baby Siberian tiger and realizes she must either raise him or leave him to the perils of the snowy wild.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Business Headline News

Walt Disney Studios’ VFX Workers File to Unionize

Group includes 83 artists working across James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment productions, including ‘Avatar’ films, who are seeking representation by IATSE, marking the first U.S. vendor-side VFX artist filing with the NLRB.

In Business, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Previs, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

People Headline News

Sony Pictures Imageworks Expands Creative Leadership

The award-winning VFX and animation company ups two VFX Supervisors, naming Michael Lasker Creative Director, CG Features and Nicola Lavender Director, CG Supervision.

In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Technology, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

Crunchyroll Announces Winter 2024 Anime Lineup

The streaming platform rings in the new year with an ‘Anime-zing’ slate of January releases; the immense line-up kicks off early with ‘Burn the Witch #0.8’ debuting December 29.

In 2D, 3D, Anime, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Fox Hamms it Up! Headline News

Fox Reveals ‘Grimsburg’ Season 1 Guest Stars

Christina Hendricks, Rosie Perez, and Patton Oswalt join series star and executive producer John Ham in the new animated comedy series about Marvin Flute, a misanthropic detective trying to redeem himself; special preview debuts January 7.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Business Headline News

China Literature to Acquire Tencent Animation and Comics

The leading online Chinese literature and IP incubation platform will acquire Tencent’s APP platform, intellectual property rights, and related rights to its content (animation, film and TV series projects) in a deal worth more than US$83 million.

In Business, Comics, Digital Media, Films, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Asia

What ‘IF’ They Were Real? Headline News

Imaginary Friends ARE Real in ‘IF’ Teaser Trailer

From writer, director, producer and star John Krasinski, the live-action/3DCG hybrid film about a girl whose superpower lets her see everyone’s imaginary friend, and her magical adventure to reconnect forgotten ‘IFs’ with their kids, hit theaters in May 2024.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Visual Effects, Voice Acting | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Indie Shorts ANIMATIONWorld

‘Teacups’ Begs the Question - Can a Simple Act of Kindness Save a Life?

Alec Green and Finbar Watson’s Oscar-qualified 2D short poignantly captures the true story of Don Ritchie, who over the course of almost 50 years approached hundreds of people contemplating suicide on a cliff just 50 feet from his Sydney home.

In 2D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All, Australia

One Block at a Time Headline News

Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen Board ‘Minecraft’

The upcoming live-action adaptation of Mojang’s best-selling video game has yet to secure a title but is set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025; production slated to begin in New Zealand by the end of December.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, Games, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

real-time visualization Headline News

Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Launches ‘ViewScreen’ Visualization Suite

Designed for full-scale productions, the new ProVis tools let filmmakers visualize and animate entire scenes, including digital assets, in real-time, across multiple cameras.

In 3D, Business, CG, People, Previs, Technology, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

The Duracell Bunny Has Rudolf’s Back Headline News

The Mill Shares ‘Bunny Saves Christmas’ Duracell Campaign

Go behind-the-scenes as the iconic mascot saves Santa from a Xmas power outage in the charming, animated advert, directed by Geoffroy Barbet Massin; the spot clearly reminds viewers – and Rudolf - it's best to ALWAYS have a couple spare AA batteries on hand.

In 3D, Art, CG, Commercials, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Awards Headline News

Nominations Revealed for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards

‘Barbie’ nabs 18 nominations, including Best Production Design, while ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Poor Things’ each scored 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Visual Effects, and ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ earned 3 nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects; winners will be announced January 14 at a gala broadcast live on The CW.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: Critics Choice Awards | Geographic Region: All

Save the Human World Headline News

Netflix Drops Trailer for Live-Action ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ Series

The five-part adaptation of the legendary smash-hit manga from Weekly Shonen Jump takes place across three worlds and follows a dead teen detective tasked with investigating demonic and spiritual cases in the Human World; the series begins streaming December 14.

In Acting, CG, Comics, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Inspiring Change by Being Yourself ANIMATIONWorld

‘Pete’ Unpacks 1970’s Gender Norms and a Mother’s Unwavering Love

Long-time Pixar artist Bret Parker discusses her award-winning animated short based on the true story of her wife, Pete Barma, who as an 8-year-old in 1975 Florida, just wanted to play Little League baseball, and whose mom Denise was determined to let her child be themselves regardless of a world that wasn’t quite ready.

In 2D, 3D, Art, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Technology ANIMATIONWorld

Crowd Sim and Motion Director Editor for iClone 8.4 Launch as Free Upgrades

After two years of development, Reallusion has updated its 3D animation program with an integrated crowd simulation engine as well as the Motion Director Editor that lets users precisely steer characters in scenes and trigger motion sequences.

In 3D, AI, Business, CG, Digital Media, Previs, Technology, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Business Headline News

Je Suis Bien Content Launches ‘Silex & The City’ Feature Production

Based on the popular comic book series by Juls, the 2D live-action hybrid prehistoric operetta follows the Dotcom family in a tragi-comic time-travel escapade that kicks off evolution; coming to theaters in Q4 2024.

In 2D, Acting, Business, CG, Comics, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Europe

Who’s the Doctor? Headline News

Disney+ Teases ‘Doctor Who - The Church on Ruby Road’ Xmas Special

The upcoming holiday episode, streaming globally on Christmas day, introduces Ncuti Gatwa as the newest Doctor Who and Millie Gibson as the Doctor’s newest companion.

In Acting, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

I Want a Pet T-Rex! Headline News

Disney Branded TV Teases ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ Season 2

Jonathan Banks, Giancarlo Esposito, Parker Posey, and Ann Harada lead an all-star guest cast in the upcoming season of the hugely popular series that follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur; new episodes debut in February 2024 on Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney+.