Stan Lee's POW! Ent. has forged a joint venture partnership with Ringo Starr to create and launch an original entertainment franchise. Financed, produced and distributed by IDT Ent., the new animation will transform Starr into an evil-battling, earth-saving (though reluctant) superhero with a great sense of rhythm.
On Jan. 26, 2005, a Los Angeles judge denied a new trial to Stephen Slesinger Inc. -- owners of the U.S. marketing rights for WINNIE THE POOH in their lawsuit against The Walt Disney Co., reports REUTERS. Superior Court Judge Charles McCoy threw out the initial suit last March, ruling that Stephen Slesinger Inc. had stolen evidence and tainted the case.
Namco Hometek Inc. announced that Prema Toy Co. Inc. has awarded it the exclusive interactive entertainment publishing rights to the classic children's entertainment property, GUMBY. The deal allows Namco to create videogames for all game systems, featuring Gumby and all related characters, such as Pokey, Prickle, Goo and the infamous Blockheads. Namco also has the opportunity for Gumby to make cameo appearances in other upcoming Namco games.
On May 10, 2005, Warner Home Video (WHV) will premiere on DVD the all-new animated feature GOLDEN BLAZE. Featuring the vocal talents of Blair Underwood (TVs LAX, SEX IN THE CITY), Michael Clarke Duncan (THE GREEN MILE, DAREDEVIL), Sanaa Lathan (ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, OUT OF TIME), Neil Patrick Harris (TV's DOOGIE HOWSER, MD) and Khleo Thomas (WALKING TALL, HOLES), GOLDEN BLAZE will debut exclusively on DVD, priced at $19.98. GOLDEN BLAZE was produced by Urban Ent.'s Michael Jenkinson (UNDERCOVER BROTHER) and Nichelle Protho and directed by Bryon E. Carson.
Taffy Ent. announced that it has entered into a representation agreement with Hola Ent. to support Taffys distribution efforts in Latin America. Taffy already has a strong presence in the Latin American market with recent deals that include PET ALIEN for Cartoon Network Latin America, and TODDWORLD and JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS for Discovery Kids Latin America.
Pipelinefx, a leading provider of enterprise renderfarm management software for 3D animation and interactive entertainment, has closed its Series A investment round led by Hawaii venture capital firm PacifiCap Group Llc. Several members of the UH Angel investment network also participated in the transaction.
Avid Technology Inc. announced the worldwide availability of Avid Alienbrain Studio 7.1 asset management software, offering increased support for creative teams developing complex CG games, 3D simulation programs and animated film projects.
Congratulations to the three Best Visual Effects Oscar nominees: Warner Bros. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, Foxs I, ROBOT and Sonys SPIDER-MAN 2 along with all of the vfx companies and digital artists that worked on these impressive works, headed respectively by ILM, Digital Domain and Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Paramount Pictures and Nick Movies have hired Robin Williams to star in a screen adaptation of the preschool book THE KRAZEES, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Sam Swope wrote and Eric Brace illustrated the book, which follows a young girl who encounters on polka-dotted krazees that emerge on gloomy days. Derek Guiley and David Schneiderman (CHASING LIBERTY) have the task of adapting the screenplay, which will include a new character for Williams to play.
Marvels MAN-THING feature will skip theaters and debut on Sci Fi Channel in April, reports FANGORIA. The Lions Gate Films and Marvel Studios flick was schedule to hit the big screen in August. Lions Gate will then release the film on DVD June 14, 2005. The horror story chronicles a man who is transformed into a swamp creature and wrecks havoc on humans. Brett Leonard directed the film.
TV-Loonland head Peter Voelkle has left the company as shadows of tax evasion charges loom over him from the Munich district attorney's office, reports VARIETY. However, Voelkle will remain as a strategic and planning consultant. Head of finance and controller Selma Behlueloglu will take Voelkles place.
For the first time, Disney content will be available in Thailand via a distribution deal with P. Southern Network (PSN), reports VARIETY. PSN is working with Thailand's Cable TV Assn., a group of 500 cable TV operators, to include the Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney in their basic programming package. Animated programs will be dubbed into Thai and live-action programs will have subtitles. Disney plans to provide local content in the near future.
MTV Networks announced its first-ever global program acquisition, securing the worldwide broadcast rights to Animation Collective's property KAPPA MIKEY, for Nicktoons in the U.S. and Nickelodeon's international channels. The deal comprises 26 half-hour episodes of the animated action comedy that will premiere on the channels in 2006. Also part of the agreement, MTV Networks International secures international distribution rights for third-party broadcast sales.
TOKYOPOP has recruited two of the animation worlds most celebrated scribesCraig Bartlett and Mark Seidenbergto develop television scripts inspired by two of its hot youth properties, STRAY SHEEP and KARMA CLUB.
First on deck, veteran screenwriter Bartlett, creator and writer of HEY ARNOLD! and JOHNNY BRAVO, has just wrapped development on a kids comedy series based on the beloved characters in Tatsutoshi Nomuras international sensation STRAY SHEEP. The series debuted in 1994 as a series of animated shorts on Japanese television.
Breakthrough Animation has appointed HOLA Ent. as the agent selected to represent the companys animated comedy-adventure series ATOMIC BETTY in Latin America. Following on the heels of the Cartoon Network Latin America deal, HOLA will concentrate on the broadcast rights for Free Television for the animated series.
Twelve TV France International member-companies, distributors of French television productions, will be represented at the TV France International stand at this years NATPE, held at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel.
Avid Technology Inc. announced that the Los Angeles Film School has equipped its media labs with 21 Avid Xpress Studio systems. The school is the latest in a growing number of education institutions to install the all-in-one production system, which seamlessly integrates video editing, audio production, 3D animation, compositing and titling and DVD authoring software with professional video and audio production hardware -- all on a single computer.
Videogame publisher Ubisoft has signed a deal with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to publish games based on the first two 3D animated films from Sony Pictures Animation, OPEN SEASON and SURFS UP. It marks the first in a long-term interactive collaboration, as well as Ubisofts first foray into adapting CGI films. Terms were not disclosed.
Both games will be developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studio, with OPEN SEASON scheduled for a September 2006 release and SURF'S UP slated for summer 2007.
Mainframe Ent. ceo Rick Mischel will discuss "The Resurgence Of Animation: Working to B.C.'s Advantage" at the Vancouver Board of Trade's Distinguished Speaker Program on Feb. 3 in the Waterfront Ballroom of the Fairmont Waterfront located at 900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Disney/Pixars THE INCREDIBLES is up for four Oscars in the list of nominees just released by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 77th Annual Academy Awards, starting with Best Animated Feature, where it is pitted against DreamWorks SHREK 2 and SHARK TALE. Festival favorites in the Animated Shorts category are Chris Landreths RYAN (CFB), Sejong Parks BIRTHDAY BOY, Mike Gabriels LORENZO (Disney), Bill Plymptons GUARD DOG and Paul Jeff Fowlers GOPHER BROKE (Blur Studios).
Animation director Andy Jones leaves Digital Domain for Sony Pictures Imageworks, where he will serve a similar capacity for the robust animation team. Jones last supervised I, ROBOT, which was nominated today for a Best Visual Effects Oscar.
A precursor for where television is going, on the first day of NATPE, DIC Entertainment and SmartVideo Technologies Inc. announced they are joining forces to create DIC Kids Network, the worlds first animation channel for cell phones.
Corus Entertainment is shuffling around its television division, as Peter Moss, evp of programming takes on the role of creative consultant; Joanna Webb becomes vp, programming, W Network; and Phil Piazza joins Corus as vp, programming, childrens television.
Moss will now help guide Corus original productions and advise the senior programming team on scheduling and buying strategies, while he spends more time on directing and producing.
On Jan. 25, 2005, ADV Films will release on DVD MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO: ESSENTIAL ANIME COLLECTION, VOLUME 3, the final volume of the animation series.
ASIFA-Hollywoods 32nd Annual Annie Awards announced its lineup of star presenters. This years black-tie ceremony is hosted by Annie-nominated comic actor and prolific voice artist Tom Kenny, recently best known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants.
