Each week, Animation World Magazine offers new articles, special features and theme-based coverage of the art, craft and industry of animation. New this week:
- Animation - What The Heck Is It?Gene Deitch tackles the shifting definition of animation in this excerpt from his book, How To Succeed In Animation, (Don't Let A Little Thing Like Failure Stop You!), published exclusively on AWN.com.
JAKKS Pacific's Flying Colors division has signed a licensing agreement with 4Kids Entertainment to manufacture and market a line of toys based on the new CGI-animated television series, CUBIX - ROBOTS FOR EVERYONE. CUBIX features a world of colorful robots equipped with an emotion processing unit (EPU) that gives each robot a personality of its own. The Flying Colors line of CUBIX merchandise will include activity kits, sleeping bags and back to school items. The line is scheduled to hit shelves nationwide in spring 2002. The CUBIX series will premiere to global broadcasters at MIPCOM 2001.
Egmont Imagination is planning to bring its stop-frame animation special HAMILTON MATTRESS to MIPCOM 2001. HAMILTON MATTRESS tells the story of Sludger, a slovenly aardvark who longs for a more exciting life. With the help of his caterpillar friend Feldwick, he becomes the titular famous drummer and is thrust into the limelight. However, Sludger learns that some people dont believe that talent is everything and he must discover his own inner beauty and substance. The half-hour family special is already scheduled to be broadcast on the BBC over the Christmas programming period.
BKN Internationals holiday film RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS is coming to MIPCOM. Featuring the voice talent of Rick Moranis and Jamie Lee Curtis and seven new holiday songs, the 3D animated sequel capitalizes on one of the favorite scenes from the classic RUDOLPH animated special. The 90-minute film is already scheduled to air during the 2001 holiday season on CBS in the U.S. and has video and DVD distribution in the U.K., Scandinavia and Spain.
4Kids Entertainment's YU-GI-OH!, which has already begun airing in the U.S. on Kids' WB!, will be introduced to international broadcasters at this year's MIPCOM. The Japanese anime series follows the adventures of a young boy named Yugi, who morphs into a monster-fighting hero after piecing together the "millennium puzzle" given to him by his grandfather. Additional 4Kids series that will be presented at MIPCOM 2001 include 52 new POKEMON episodes featuring all new POKEMON characters.
Decode Entertainment has acquired worldwide distribution rights to OLLIE, a digitally animated 13 x 21 series targeted at kids aged 7 to 11. The show has already been sold to Teletoon in Canada and is set to premiere on that channel in fall 2002. Episodes will be available for the international market at MIPCOM 2001.
Reed Midem Organisation has named MTV Networks' chairman and chief executive officer, Tom Freston, the personality of the year for the 18th MIPCOM, the International Film and Program Market for TV, Video, Cable and Satellite. The award celebrates MTV Networks' outstanding leadership and creative contributions to the global entertainment marketplace among the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon brands as MTV celebrates its 20th anniversary. MIPCOM hits Cannes, France on October 8 - 12, 2001.
Nickelodeon has licensed the international distribution rights to the Nick series, THE FAIRLY ODD PARENTS to Nelvana. In addition, Nick has renewed Nelvana-produced shows, MAGGIE AND THE FEROCIOUS BEAST and PELSWICK. In addition, Nickelodeon has agreed to co-produce a minimum of one new series with Nelvana. THE FAIRLY ODD PARENTS follows Timmy Turner and his two bungling fairy godparents. Michael Hirsh, co-chief executive officer of Nelvana, said, "Nickelodeon's programming has terrific youth appeal around the world.
Brisbane, Australia's Blue Rocket Productions has started pre-production on their new 3D animated television series entitled HOOTA & SNOZ. The interstitial series of 26 episodes are being co-produced with RTV Family Entertainment and Pacific Film and Television Commission. The show follows the antics of two creatures that constantly bicker about everything. The characters speak in squeaks and grunts, which breaks down the culture barrier and has allowed the series to be sold into nearly 40 countries since its release at MIPCOM last October.
This week's updates to the Calendar of Events includes: CalArtsCharacter Animation Student Screenings, Valencia, California USA,April 27 - May 12, 2001; Cartoon Network A Racket In Mexico, MexicoCity, Mexico, April 28 - May 13, 2001; Direct Animation Workshops AndScreenings, Seattle, Washington USA, May 04 - 12, 2001; AmericanCinematheque Presents: 2001 Skyy Vodka Short Film Award Winners &Finalists Marathon, Los Angeles California USA, May 16, 2001; RMCADand ASIFA-Colorado Present Edward Bakst, Denver Colorado, USA, May
Animagic Entertainment has begun production on BALLOONATIKS, a new comic-action adventure CGI series being produced by The Krislin Company. The first episode is slated to show in October 2001 at MIPCOM. According to series producer Walk Kubiak (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, THE SMURFS), We have successfully developed a 3D look that challenges in quality and richness any high-end CGI-produced feature film, while working within the constraints of a typical Saturday morning budget. Grammy award-winner Ray Parker Jr. composed the theme song and will provide music for the series.
TV-Loonland's CONNIE THE COW (52 x 7, produced by Spains Neptuno) has been sold to Disney U.K. for a spring 2002 delivery. After creating quite a buzz at MIPCOM Junior 2000, Munich's TV-Loonland announced at MIP TV that it had sold the pre-school animated series relating the experiences of a curious calf named Connie to Disney's U.K. arm. TV-Loonland has also had Disney success with their live-action series IN A HEARTBEAT.
This month we are talking about everyone's pal - television. We are featuring a profile of veteran animation director and producer Eric Radomski. We are also taking a long hard look at primetime animation and trying to figure out what went wrong this year. In addition, we will showcase five shows that are extra special for many reasons. They include France's "Belphégor," Oxygen's "X-Chromosome," the U.K.'s "Butt-Ugly Martians," Tom Snyder Productions and Disney's "Teacher's Pet."
This month we are talking about everyone's pal - television. We are featuring a profile of veteran animation director and producer Eric Radomski. We are also taking a long hard look at primetime animation and trying to figure out what went wrong this year. In addition, we will showcase five shows that are extra special for many reasons. They include France's "Belphégor," Oxygen's "X-Chromosome," the U.K.'s "Butt-Ugly Martians," Tom Snyder Productions and Disney's "Teacher's Pet."
At MIPCOM, Cosgrove Hall Films has launched their new pre-school series FETCH THE VET. Based on an original concept by childrens author Stephen Thraves, FETCH THE VET tells the story of the day-to-day life of veterinarian Tom Fetch. The series was commissioned by CITV and is co-produced by Flextech Rights Ltd. and ITEL. Currently, 26 11-minute installments have been completed. In promotion of the series, Cosgrove Hall Digital has created a FETCH Website at www.fetchthevet.com.
At MIPCOM, Cosgrove Hall Films has christened its new media division, Cosgrove Hall Digital (CHD) with the launch of its new Website: www.chd.uk.com. CHD will be run by managing director Iain Pelling and day-to-day operations will be overseen by Jon Rashid. The new division will create digital content for Websites, broadcast transmissions and CD-Roms. Currently, CHD is working on a pre-school series entitled WILD AND WONDERFUL, and a childrens series for ITEL entitled ALBIE.
MIPCOM, the International Film and Programme Market for TV, Video, Cable and Satellite, hits Cannes, France on October 2 6, 2000. MIPCOM facilitates programme sales, deals, new contacts and joint ventures on a global basis. MIPCOM includes a five-day TV industry tradeshow, including a conference progamme on Television in the New Economy called MIPCOM: The International Trading Floor. MIPCOM brings together producers, distributors, broadcasters, Webcasters, worldwide cable and satellite operators, buyers, co-producers and investors from around the globe.
MIPCOM, the International Film and Programme Market for TV, Video, Cable and Satellite, hits Cannes, France on October 2 - 6, 2000. MIPCOM facilitates programme sales, deals, new contacts and joint ventures on a global basis. MIPCOM includes a five-day TV industry tradeshow, including a conference progamme on Television in the New Economy called MIPCOM: The International Trading Floor. MIPCOM brings together producers, distributors, broadcasters, Webcasters, worldwide cable and satellite operators, buyers, co-producers and investors from around the globe.
According to the new issue of the trade magazine ANIMATION UK, a range of new TV productions are in preparation in Britain. HAMILTON MATTRESS is a "stop-frame comedy drama" about an Aardvark and his caterpillar companion. The director is Barry Purves, celebrated director of films including NEXT and SCREENPLAY, while the writers are John Webster and Anna Farthing. The film will be made by Harvest Animation, commissioned by BBC1, with global TV/video rights handled by Link and Egmont Animation.
* Tuesday, October 3, 2000. Cannes, France.
Entry Deadline: September 15, 2000.
* Saturday, September 30 Friday, October 6, 2000. Cannes, France.
11,111 participants representing 2,776 companies from 100 countries
gathered in Cannes for the 37th edition of MIP TV which closed on
Friday April 14, 2000. The countries most represented in terms of
stands were: France (191), US (188), UK (177), Canada (85) and
Germany (76). In terms of participating companies the countries most
represented were: UK (443), France (422), US (372), Germany (173) and
Canada (139); more than 500 of them came from media and Internet
November is another packed, globe trotting issue as Animation World takes alook at the exciting arena of animated feature films. Heikki Jokinenreveals the health of the European feature market and its high hopes forthe future. Ilene Gannaway takes us inside the production of SonyImageworks' next wower, "Stuart Little." From story to technicalinnovations, Ilene gives us the inside scoop on how Imageworks is turning aCGI mouse, into one of the family. Andrew Osmond debates whether or not
November is another packed, globe trotting issue as Animation World takes alook at the exciting arena of animated feature films. Heikki Jokinenreveals the health of the European feature market and its high hopes forthe future. Ilene Gannaway takes us inside the production of SonyImageworks' next wower, "Stuart Little." From story to technicalinnovations, Ilene gives us the inside scoop on how Imageworks is turning aCGI mouse, into one of the family. Andrew Osmond debates whether or not
Seven European animation companies have joined to form a company called theEuropean Animation Group, although its name is likely to change. The grouphopes to produce a minimum of one animated feature or series per year,beginning in 2001 with its first feature, the $15 million ELFQUEST, set togo into production in January 2000. The announcement was made at MIPCOMheld October 4 - 8 in Cannes, France. European Animation Group bringstogether seven companies. From France, the partners are
