ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 3.8 - November 1998
VideoCol Tristar Debuts Buster & Chauncey. On October 13, Columbia TriStar Home Video released Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night, a direct-to-video animated musical based on the true story of "Silent Night." The 48-minute film was produced by Buzz Potamkin and is Columbia TriStar's first in-house direct-to-video animated feature. Voice talent, directed by Susan Blu, includes the late Phil Hartman, Tom Arnold and Marie Osmond. Two of the three original songs were written by Lynn Ahrens and Michael Flaherty, the music writing team that wrote the Academy Award-nominated songs for Fox's animated feature, Anastasia. Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night is rated "G" and available for U.S. $12.95.
Antz II Marching On. DreamWorks' animated feature film, Antz grossed over $36 million in the first 10 days since its U.S. theatrical release, topping two weeks' box office charts. Reeling from this success, DreamWorks is developing a direct-to-video sequel to Antz. The film would, like its predecessor, be produced by computer animation studio Pacific Data Images (PDI). It is also being considered for theatrical release. Either way, a studio spokesperson confirmed that if the production is green lit, it would be 18-24 months before its release. But after the "surprise" early release of Antz, who knows what this crafty studio has up its sleeve....
Read Jerry Beck's review of Antz in the October 1998 issue of Animation World Magazine.
Ronald McDonald and friends in Scared Silly. Photo courtesy of Klasky Csupo. Klasky Creates McAnimation. On October 8, McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. will start distributing a new animated video series starring the company spokes-clown, Ronald McDonald. All three of the productions were produced by Los Angeles-based animation studio, Klasky Csupo. Just in time for Halloween, the first release is a 40-minute video titled Scared Silly (directed by John Holmquist), featuring Ronald and friends on a camping trip to a haunted house. It will be available for $3.49 with any purchase. Additional videos will be released in 1999: The Legend of Grimace Island and The Visitors From Outer Space. Klasky Csupo CEO Terry Thoren enthused, "We were thrilled to be challenged with this latest evolution and think Ronald as an animated hero is a natural next step for one of the world's best-known live characters." R.J. Milano, McDonald's vice president of U.S. marketing, said, "Klasky Csupo's cutting edge animation presents Ronald and the McDonaldland characters in a whole new way--one that is entertaining and appealing for kids and a great value for our family market." McDonald's claims that Ronald McDonald is recognized by 96 percent of American children.
Varga TVC Going Golden. Golden Books Family Entertainment has signed a deal with animation production company Varga tvc Ltd. (formed last year between Hungarian Varga Studios and TVC London) to produce animated video specials based on the Golden Books titles: The Poky Little Puppy, Saggy Baggy Elephant and Scuffy the Tugboat. The three videos will be available by Spring 1999. All animation production will take place at Varga tvc's London studio, with a production team that includes writer Bruce Talkington, creative director Dave Unwin and director Ramon Modiano. Varga producer Andras Erkel said, "Since Varga tvc launched in 1997 we have worked with American partners including Miramax and we are thrilled to be co-developing and producing this slice of American culture with Golden Books." Lauren Levine, Golden Books' vice president of creative affairs said, "It's a challenge taking these classic characters and making them fun and relevant to kids, some 40 years after they first came out. Working with John Coates and Varga tvc, who brought Peter Rabbit and The Snowman to life, ensures that our legacy is in the best possible hands."
Newbie Scooby Movie. Warner Bros. Family Entertainment has released a new, direct-to-video animated title, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. The production was done at Hanna-Barbera (now a part of the Warner Bros. family), executive produced by Jean MacCurdy, produced by Cos Anzilotti with supervising producer Davis Doi, directed by Jim Stenstrum and written by Glenn Leopold. The video was released today and is priced at U.S. $19.96. A huge promotional push for the video includes tie-ins with 1-800-COLLECT, Wendy's Restaurants, Cartoon Network, LEGO and Nascar. "The marketing support is the biggest company-wide promotional campaign for a direct-to-video title in Warner Bros. Family Entertainment history," said Brian Moreno, vice president of marketing for the division, "The strength of our sponsors' investments exemplifies their belief that a beloved animated character like Scooby-Doo debuting on home video has equal visibility to a theatrical release and can stimulate as strong consumer sales for home video and licensed merchandise." On September 15, Rhino Records released Scooby-Doo's Snack Tracks: The Ultimate Collection, an audio CD of Scooby-Doo music. Clips from the animated video are being showcased on the Warner Bros. web site (www.warnerbros.com), and on Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m. (ET)/ 4 p.m. (PT), Scooby and Shaggy, with help from supervising producer Davis Doi, will participate in a live chat on AOL (keyword: LIVE).
Note: Readers may contact any Animation World Magazine contributor by sending an e-mail to editor@awn.com.
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