PixCap Launches Browser-Based 3D Design Platform Update
More intuitive interface, extensive 3D template library, and collaboration tools make content creation faster and easier for use across social media, games, graphic design, and the metaverse.
Apple TV+ Drops ‘Shape Island’ Trailer
The stop-motion animated series teaches kids that people and friendships take many different shapes; based on the best-selling trilogy of ‘Shapes’ picture books by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, the show kicks off January 20.
First Poster Revealed for ‘Agent Elvis’ Animated Series
Originally called ‘Agent King,’ Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix’s adult animated action-comedy follows the infamous rock and roller, now re-imagined as an undercover spy.
Animated Sci-Fi Series ‘Pantheon’ Cancelled by AMC
Despite a fully produced second season, the promising show and first traditionally 2D animated venture for the network was axed due to corporate cost-cutting.
Tim Miller to Direct Reshoots for ‘Borderlands’ Feature
The ‘Deadpool’ director takes over directorial duties on video game adaptation, as previous director Eli Roth focuses on ‘Thanksgiving’ feature.
Toonz Media Group and ELE Animations Create ‘Drac and Skeletons’
The animated kids’ comedy series follows two netherworld rivals, three prankster skeletons, and Drac the vegan vampire as they all try to outwit and outrun one another in Count Dracula Junior’s Castle.
‘Retour à Hairy Hill’ Short Showcases Stop-Motion-Styled CG
Inspired by a ‘Frozen’ documentary, director Daniel Gies digitally created the film’s folded paper styled stop-motion-like animation with tools such as Maya, Houdini, and Unreal Engine; his animated short debuts later this year.
YouTube Originals Drops ‘Jam Van’ Trailer
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Brandi Carlile among the guest stars in the all-new animated / live-action preschool series that features best friends Lamb and Alligator, who meet up with musical talents each week; the first two episodes debut January 19.
Chris Williams Reveals ‘The Sea Beast’ Sequel is Happening at Netflix
Oscar-winning ‘Big Hero 6’ director signs overall deal with the streamer that includes both a follow-up to his 2022 seafaring tale, the streamer’s most successful animated feature ever, and an original fantasy in the vein of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Princess Bride.’
A Look at ‘My Year of Dicks’
Created and written by Pamela Ribon, and directed by Sara Gunnarsdóttir, the Annecy Cristal winner and Oscar-shortlisted animated short, a refreshing tale of a 15-year-old girl’s discovery of sexuality and her fearless rite of passage, is now a Staff Pick on Vimeo.
From Villainous Masterminds to Rubbish Bin Miscreants, Koala Man Is on the Job
Writers and showrunners Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez provide the low-down on ‘Koala Man,’ the new Down Under animated series, a Hulu Original from Michael Cusack, Justin Roiland, and 20th Television Animation, premieres January 9.
HBO Max Cuts Hundreds of ‘Looney Tunes,’ ‘The Flintstones’ Shorts, Episodes
Due to an expired licensing agreement with Warner Bros., the mega streamer has axed Seasons 16-31 of ‘Looney Tunes,’ and Seasons 4-6 of ‘The Flintstones.’
Superprod Dreams Big with Angoulême Studio Expansion
Co-founders Clément Calvet and Jérémie Fajner went from 2 artists working in their living room to 600 artists working in Paris, Milan, and as of next month, a brand-new location – with USD pipeline - in France’s growing animation hub.
Kartoon Channel! Expands to Vizio Smart TVs and New Airline Partners
Genius Brands’ family-friendly channel includes kids animated series ‘Baby Genius,’ ‘Angry Birds,’ and Stan Lee’s ‘Superhero Kindergarten.’
Watch: Annecy Cristal Winner and Oscar Shortlisted ‘My Year of Dicks’
Based on animator Pamela Ribon’s memoir, the film - an innovative mix of collage, rotoscope, archival footage, and drawings - chronicles a young girl’s determination to lose her virginity in the early 90s in the outskirts of Houston.
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’: So Much More Than Just a Sequel
Producer Mark Swift talks about the development of DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster adventure-comedy now in theaters, and why the long-awaited swashbuckling feline’s return is his favorite of all the films he’s worked on.
Toho Acquires 50% Stake in Key Frederator Network Shows
The Japanese media company makes multi-million-dollar investment in the animated series ‘Bee and PuppyCat’ and Frederator’s ‘Bravest Warriors;’ companies to co-produce new series’ content and develop global consumer products campaign.
Todd Brian, WildBrain Director of Development, Animation, Dies at 59
The creative executive served in various positions in animation and live-action, honing his skills at Corus Entertainment prior to joining the WildBrain family; he passed away on December 28 after a short illness.
Animated Characters: Sequence 2 – My New York Times Part 2
Animator, director, character designer, teacher, and writer Nancy Beiman concludes her 2-part story – complete with dead body - on her introduction to 'commercial' animation, when she snagged her first job, at Jack Zander’s Animation Parlour in NYC, while still managing to graduate Cal Arts, in the third of an ongoing series of articles - and eventual blog - she’s penning for AWN.
Apple TV+ Announces ‘Shape Island’ Stop-Motion Kids’ Series
Coming January 20, the new animated show, based on the best-selling picture books by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, follows the silly adventures of Square, Circle, and Triangle; also announced, ‘Helpsters’ Season 3 returns this Friday with all-new episodes.
‘ARK: The Animated Series” Season One Trailer Drops
Based on the popular dinosaur survival adventure video game ‘ARK: Survival Evolved,’ the series features an all-star cast including Gerard Butler, Russell Crowe, Michelle Yeoh, and Vin Diesel, set to release on a yet-to-be-named platform later this year.
‘Harry & Bunnie’ and ‘Chuck Chicken’ Heading to MENA
Animasia Studio inks deal with MBC Group, bringing 2 original animated series to the Middle East and North Africa; shows feature the slapstick adventures of a wannabe magician, and Chuck and the Kung Fu master with his magical egg.
FMX 2023 Shares ‘The Beauty’ Conference Trailer
Returning in April as ‘climate-friendly’ certified, the event will feature discussions on sustainability in film and media production; programming announcements include a look at animated shorts ‘A Flammable Planet’ and ‘Can’t Negotiate the Melting Point of Ice,’ and advancements of AI Rotoscoping.
NVIDIA Launches ‘Omniverse Avatar Cloud Engine’ Early-Access
New suite of cloud-native AI microservices helps developers build and deploy intelligent virtual assistants and digital humans at scale, including adding animation to any avatar built on virtually any platform – such as Unreal’s MetaHuman tech and cross-platform game avatar development tools - and deployed on any cloud.
Build-A-Bear Producing ‘Glisten and the Merry Mission’ Animated Feature
The ‘stuff it yourself’ teddy bear toy company is teaming with Foundation Media Partners on its first animated Christmas feature, complete with an all-star cast, based on the real-life Holiday plush collection star Glisten the snow deer.
