Press Release by Aniboom
New York, NY (August 24, 2009) – Aniboom, the world’s first virtual animation studio, announced today the official launch of its motion comic competition in partnership with Marvel Entertainment, one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Beginning today animators registered with the Aniboom community, which currently consists of nearly 8,000 professional-level animators from across the globe, can enter the competition in which they are charged with creating unique motion comics based on comic book stories starring such renowned Superheroes as Wolverine, the Incredible Hulk, and Nova. The winning Aniboom animator – as determined by a blue ribbon panel of Marvel Comics creative talent will have their work showcased across Marvel’s digital network, including Marvel.com, as well as receive a $10,000 grand prize. Aniboom will be accepting submissions now until October 5.
In addition to showcasing the Incredible Hulk, Wolverine and Nova characters, this motion comics creation project also provides Marvel a high profile promotion for its newest digital initiative. Now one of Marvel’s hottest new entertainment categories, Motion Comics refashion the world’s most popular comic book content into brand-new entertainment that remains true to the heritage of panel-by-panel graphic storytelling. With groundbreaking graphics, top-rate voice talent, and sensational soundscapes all set within the explosive Marvel Universe, Marvel Motion Comics inject new life into favorite comics, authors and artists in a never-before-seen way.
“Aniboom’s community of 8,000 animators in 72 countries identify Marvel’s characters as being among their all-time favorites,” said Uri Shinar, founder and CEO of Aniboom. “Motion Comics are a great example of how animation can create new products and new formats suitable for all platforms.”
Throughout the contest, members of Aniboom’s community will submit their unique motion comic interpretations based upon classic Marvel Universe stories, Hulk vs. Wolverine, written by acclaimed film, television and comic book writer Jeph Loeb (HEROES, LOST and SMALLVILLE plus Marvel’s The Ultimates and Captain America) with eye-popping art by fan-favorite artist Ed McGuinness (Hulk, The Ultimates, Deadpool). Fan-favorite series Nova, Aniboom users’ other Motion Comic option, was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (War of Kings, Annihilation) with art by Kev Walker (Marvel Zombies, Exiles, The Eternal).
So that Aniboom artists can put these stories in motion and showcase their best creativity in execution, Marvel has provided Aniboom.com high resolution original comic book art and custom voiceovers and soundtracks. On November 2, five finalists chosen by a panel of Marvel judges will each receive $2,000 to expand their motion comic into a full-length story. These five, plus one additional “Wildcard” finalist, will compete for the grand prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to showcase their work on Marvel.com. The Winner is announced November 16, after a one-week viewing and voting period on Aniboom.
The Top 50 motion comic submissions – as voted on by the Aniboom community – will each receive a free one-year subscription to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, which features online versions of your favorite Marvel Comics that are created from the original artwork used to print them. This easily accessible online library has over 6,000 comics, and new comics are being added each month.
Aniboom’s content creation competition with Marvel comes off the heels of the HISTORY competition announced earlier this month, where Aniboom’s community of animators were invited to create short form animations for the highly anticipated THE PEOPLE SPEAK film airing on HISTORY later this year. Additionally, Aniboom has partnered with Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century FOX Television in a search of a new signature holiday special with their FOX-Aniboom Holiday Animation Challenge. The contest is generating substantial buzz and as of July 15, entries from up-and-coming animators around the world can now be seen and commented on at www.Aniboom.com. The winner will be chosen later this year.
About Aniboom:Aniboom (www.aniboom.com) is the premier virtual animation studio that partners with untapped talent around the world to create, produce and distribute high-quality animation. Aniboom utilizes the web as a tool for mass collaboration and inspiration in an effort to seek out the best global talent. Aniboom’s vibrant community of world class animators and animation enthusiasts cultivates and develops content intended for commercial application across the realms of TV, Film, Advertising, Gaming, Web, and Mobile. With investors such as Draper Fisher Jurvetson, DFJ Tamir Fishman Ventures, and Evergreen Venture Partners, experienced entertainment and new media executives, and a global community of professional animators, Aniboom’s unique virtual studio model has set a new standard on how animated content is created, fostered, and distributed. Aniboom is based in Israel and has offices in New York and San Francisco.
About Marvel Entertainment:Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online.
