Binocular Briefs - January 2025
AWN’s latest survey highlights under-the-radar animated shorts currently making their way through the festival circuit or newly available for online viewing.
Category: 3D
Crayola, Pipeline Studios Team for ‘School of WhichCraft’
The original 3DCG kids’ series, which aims to illustrate that creativity is magic, is now in development.
Bringing ‘Dog Man’ to Life: A Conversation with Peter Hastings and Karen Foster
The director and producer discuss DreamWorks’ latest cinematic gem, adapted from NYT bestselling author Dav Pilkey’s kids’ book series about a dog who becomes much more than a police officer’s ‘best friend’ after they are both hurt on the job and fused together in a harebrained but live-saving surgery; hits theaters January 31.
Nelvana’s ‘Millie Magnificent’ Animated Series Goes International
Based on the book series by Ashley Spires, the project will roll out on ABC in Australia, DR in Denmark, and Télé-Québec in French Canada throughout 2025.
In 3D, Books, Business, CG, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
FX Drops New ‘Alien: Earth’ Teaser Trailer and Key Art
From executive producer Noah Hawley, the original sci-fi/horror series set in the ‘Alien’ universe hits Hulu this Summer.
In 3D, Acting, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Crafting the Bittersweet Stop-Motion in Adam Elliot’s ‘Memoir of a Snail’
The Oscar-winning ‘Harvie Krumpet’ director discusses how he’s failed as a filmmaker if audiences aren’t left emotionally wrecked by his latest film about the difficult lives of once inseparable twins forced to live with different families after their father dies; just nominated for an Oscar and two Annie Awards.
In 3D, CG, Films, People, Technology, Visual Effects, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Academy Awards, Annie Awards | Geographic Region: All
Mindshow Unveils Real-Time Virtual Production Platform
Technology merges real-time rendering with asset ingest and character animation tools accessible across the entire production pipeline, from storyboarding to final pass; streaming veteran David Baron joins leadership team as COO.
Chaos Releases V-Ray 7 for Maya and Houdini
New features include accelerated Gaussian Splat support, new shading tools, a new firefly removal algorithm, interoperability, and an updated Open Image Denoiser.
In 3D, Business, CG, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Blocking Out the Laughs for ‘LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy’
Lucasfilm’s Annie Award-nominated series turns the entire empire inside out and upside down in fun, playful ‘What If…?’ fashion, complete with Darth Jar Jar, good guy / bad guy role reversals, and lots of insider jokes; now streaming on Disney+.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
Blinkink, Coldplay Team for ‘ALiEN HiTS/ALiEN RADiO’ Music Video
Isabel Garrett directs 28 global collaborators, including Sam Gainsborough, Will Wightman, and Studio Gruff, to create a mixed-media mosaic of life and love that premiered as part of the band’s ‘A Film for The Future’ project.
Jef Kaminsky Talks ‘Eva the Owlet’ Season 2
The executive producer discusses the ‘flaptastic’ production of Scholastic Entertainment’s 3DCG series about Eva, a creative, cheeky owlet with big ideas and an even bigger personality, who goes on high-flying adventures while expressing herself in her diary; debuts January 24 on Apple TV+
The 97th Academy Awards: VFX Nominees React
Oscar nominees named this morning for Best Visual Effects share their reactions.
In 3D, Awards, CG, Films, Guilds/Unions/Organizations, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All
The 97th Academy Awards: Animation Nominees React
Oscar nominees named this morning for Best Animated Feature and Best Animated Short share their reactions to the great news.
In 2D, 3D, Awards, Digital Media, Films, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All
OAK9 Entertainment, Boat Rocker Strike 3-Season Global Distribution Deal
The preschool series ‘Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!’ has become the first Lithuanian animated franchise to achieve worldwide distribution.
Nominations Announced for the 97th Academy Awards
‘Flow,’ ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Memoir of a Snail,’ ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,’ and ‘The Wild Robot’ nab noms for Best Animated Feature, while ‘Alien: Romulus,’ ‘Better Man,’ ‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,’ and ‘Wicked’ take the top spots for Best Visual Effects.
In 2D, 3D, Acting, Awards, Event, Films, Guilds/Unions/Organizations, Music and Sound, Short Films, Visual Effects, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All
Unveiling ‘Arcane’: A Conversation with Pascal Charrue and Alexis Wanneroy
The co-executive producer/director and co-supervisor of animation discuss the challenges, inspirations, and innovative techniques that pushed visual and storytelling boundaries and helped shape Netflix’s award-winning series’ second and final season.
Apple TV+ Drops ‘Eva the Owlet’ Season 2 Clip
Catch a glimpse of Treetopington… new episodes of the animated kids’ series center on a night in the life of Eva, premiering globally January 24.
In 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Anima 2025 Announces Feature Films in Competition
Films selected include ‘Ghost Cat Anzu,’ ‘Pelikan Blue,’ ‘Rule Of The Heart,’ ‘A Boat In The Garden,’ and ‘The Colors Within;’ festival runs February 28 - March 9.
In 2D, 3D, Event, Festival, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe
Crafting Magic: Simon Otto Talks ‘That Christmas’
The animation veteran and first-time feature film director opens up about working with famed author and producer Richard Curtis on adapting his three Christmas kids' books into a heartfelt animated tale about the often complex, never simple dynamics that bring friends and families together during the holidays; now streaming on Netflix.
In 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Technology, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
Xilam, Sony Pictures Networks India Renew ‘Oggy and the Cockroaches’ Partnership
Covering 423 episodes from the legacy IP, the extension also includes a L&M deal with Navneet, an extensive marketing campaign, and a mobile app.
Brazilian Animated Series ‘Lulumos’ Hits YouTube
The 3DCG show, which centers on a friendly trio with a penchant for singing educational songs that invite kids to join in, dance and have fun, is now streaming.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: South America
Disney+ Drops Trailer for Pixar’s ‘Win or Lose’
No pressure… just don’t blow it! Launching February 19, the studio’s first original series takes the perspective of eight different characters as they prepare for a championship softball game.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Lead 2025 WGA Awards Nominations for Animation
Two of FOX’s iconic series once again nabs multiple noms, with ‘Blood of Zeus’ rounding out the list; ‘Shōgun,’ ‘Fallout’ among non-animated shows also garnering multiple noms; ceremony set for February 15.
In 2D, 3D, Awards, Event, Films, Guilds/Unions/Organizations, People, Television, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: WGA | Geographic Region: All
Call For Entries: Anibar Animation Festival 2025
The festival’s 16th edition will be held July 14-20 in Peja, Kosovo, showcasing animated short films from around the globe.
In 2D, 3D, Call for Entries, Event, Festival, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
One of Us Helps Capture a Stop-Motion Aesthetic in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
Led by VFX supervisor James Brennan-Craddock, the studio delivered postvis and 317 visual effects shots on Tim Burton’s hit ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel, including digital versions of a miniature plane, simulated oceans, stretched faces, and sequences featuring the famed sandworm.
