Astro Boy finally bursts onto movie screens this weekend, taking part in an epic box office battle against vampires, serial killers, the world’s most famous female pilot and another 3-D version of an animated classic.
Based on the classic manga and anime by Osamu Tezuka, Imagi Studios’ Astro Boy opens at more than 3,000 screens via distributor Summit Entertainment. The film was directed by David Bowers (Flushed Away) and features the voices of Freddie Highmore, Kristin Bell, Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane and Bill Nighy.
The film has so far earned plaudits from critics. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times writes, “Astro Boy is better than most of its recent competitors, such as Monsters vs. Aliens and Kung Fu Panda.”
“Astro Boy is a marvelously designed piece of cartoon kinetics, with the pleasing soft colors and rounded-metal tactility of an atomic-age daydream,” writes Owen Gleiberman in Entertainment Weekly.
“In its best moments, the film exudes an almost Miyazakian love of flight, notably during the hero’s maiden soar through the clouds,” writes Nick Schager of Time Out New York.
Taking on the mighty atom is the fantasy film Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, which opens in some 2,700 theaters courtesy of Universal, and the horror film Saw VI, which also arrives on just more than 3,000 cinemas.
Rounding out the openings this week is Fox Searchlight’s limited release of Amelia, a biopic of Amelia Earhart starring Hilary Swank, in 818 cinemas.
And lastly, opening in 105 theaters, is a re-release of the 3-D version of the stop-motion animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Titan Maximum Fend Off Hillbillies
Here’s a clip from the upcoming Titan Maximum episode, titled To Eris, Human! (which is also the name of a Billy and Mandy episode). The stop-motion series recently premiered on Adult Swim, and the next episode airs on Sunday, October 25th at 11:30 PM.
Jason Steele’s Animated Job Interview
With so many people out of work these days, Jason Steele’s (Charlie the Unicorn) latest short The Interview offers perhaps the perfect distraction. The short was designed in Flash and animated in After Effects.
Animated "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" Feature Debuts Strong Home Video Sales
The new Superman/Batman: Public Enemies direct-to-video animated feature debuts high on home video, selling nearly 260,000 copies in its first two weeks.
Above is the cover art for all three separate home video releases for the direct-to-video Superman/Batman: Public Enemies animated feature.
According to various home media retailing outlets and independent research, the new Superman/Batman: Public Enemies direct-to-video animated feature made a strong debut on the home video sales charts. The feature hit the DVD sales chart at #5 in its first week, selling an estimated 198,000 copies for the week ending October 4th, 2009. The title then managed to retain the majority of its sales for a second week, selling over 59,000 copies for the week of October 11th, 2009, bringing the cumulative two-week total to nearly 260,000 units sold. Keep in mind the sales numbers above do not take into account rental numbers, OnDemand numbers, legal download numbers, or high-definition release sales.
To compare, the previous "DC Universe Animated Original Movie" title Green Lantern: First Flight debuted with nearly 160,000 in DVD sales during its debut week in July 2009.
Latino Review Talks with "Princess & the Frog" Directors
Latino Review has posted a lengthy interview with Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of the upcoming Disney animated feature film The Princess and the Frog. Among other topics, Clements and Musker discuss the workflow changes that have been instituted at the Disney studio at the suggestion of Disney Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, the influences in the real-world and in the past Disney animated movies that inspired this latest film, and the prospect of doing more hand-drawn animated movies at Disney.
Zucker Signs on to Z Animation
Director Orrin Zucker has signed on with Z Animation, an independent commercial animation and design company.Zucker is best known as the co-creator – along with his brother, Jerry Zucker – of the Emmy-winning web series It’s Jerry Time. The series depicts everyday preposterous events using a paper cutouts, photo collages and CGI animation. The series was produced by Zucker’s Boston-based studio, Ozone, which also has provided animation and motion graphics for USA Studios, CNN, Verizon Mobile and Ooma Free Phone Service.
Z Animation, founded by former agency executive producer Peter Barg, offers “a creative toolbox” to agency art directors, writers and producers. Zucker joins the company’s lineup directors, which includes Caroline Attia, Odd Todd, John Vondracek and Paul Fierlinger.
To check out some of Zucker's award-winning work, visit
http://www.youtube.com/user/itsjerrytime#p/a
To learn more about Z Animation and its roster of talented directors, go to www.zanimation.tv
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
LaMB Takes Golden Bell For Best Animation
Animax’s original animation project LaMB has won the Golden Bell Award — Taiwan’s equivalent of an Emmy Award — for Best Animation Program.The judging panel commended LaMB for being “a breakthrough in the exploration of the science fiction genre, as well as for special effects and spot-on appeal to youth audiences’ tastes on an international level. Style and design, direction methods and production techniques were on a professional level. In its entirety, LaMB is a shining example of how far locally-made original animation productions can go, and is worthy of commendation.”
LaMB premiered in March, based on a script submitted by the Carmelo Juinio of the Philippines, who won a regional script-writing competition. The project was developed as Animax Asia’s first original animation production. Set in the future on a barren planet where criminals are “laminated” in suits as virtual slaves called “LaMBs” that are meant to remain productive but not free members of society.
The TV feature is the centerpiece of a multimedia and multiplatform project that spans TV, online and mobile. It is a regional animation production that brings together a stellar line-up, including celebrity voice-overs, fashion creations by a world-class designer, and songs from international bands.
Made under the $6 million Singapore Economic Development Board and SPE Networks – Asia Joint Production Fund, LaMB is executive produced by Animax Asia. Production is by Singapore studios Peach Blossom Media and Imaginary Friends Studios, directed by Hong Kong-based director Thomas Chou with Japanese project consultant Ryosuke Tei, and storyboards by Yasufumi Soejima.
The awards were presented Oct. 16 in Taipei.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Universal Distributing Geronimo Stilton DVDs in Europe
Universal Studios International Entertainment has won the rights to release hit animated series Geronimo Stilton on DVD in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Benelux.The deal calls for the company to release all 26 22-minute first-season episodes of the series, which is a co-production of Atlantyca Entertainment and Moonscoop.
“This new agreement for home entertainment rights continues the incredible momentum sparked by the new animated series and is the next natural step in sharing the beloved Geronimo Stilton character with children throughout the world,” said Claudia Mazzucco, CEO, Atlantyca Entertainment.
The new fully completed Geronimo Stilton series, produced with the participation of RAI, M6 France and pre-sold to Radio-Canada, had a successful premiere on September 15th on Italy’s Rai 2.
Based on the award-winning Geronimo Stilton international kids’ book series by Edizioni Piemme, the series, centers on the life and adventures of mouse-author Geronimo Stilton who works as a journalist for the fictional newspaper The Rodent’s Gazette.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
3 animated features up for European Film Awards
Three films have been nominated in the Animated Feature Film category for this year's European Film Awards, the European Film Academy announced Thursday.
The nominees are Mia and the Migoo (Mia et le Migou) by Jacques-Rémy Girerd, Niko & the Way to the Stars (Niko - Lentäjän poika) by Kari Juusonen and Michael Hegner, and The Secret of Kells (Brendan et le Secret de Kells) by Tomm Moore.
Mia and the Migoo (France, 2008) tells the story of a young girl's journey in search of her father who is working at the building site of a luxury hotel in the middle of a hidden forest. Deep in the woods, she encounters the mysterious creature Migoo.
Niko & the Way to the Stars (Finland/Germany/Denmark/Ireland, 2008) is the adventure tale about the young reindeer Niko, who is still learning how to fly. He sets out for a quest to find his father, a famous member of the legendary Santa Flying Forces.
In the ninth century, in the remote parts of Ireland, lies the fortified Kells Abbey, which is threatened by the Vikings. In The Secret of Kells (France, 2009), 12-year-old Brendan explores the art of illuminating the darkness and discovers the means of protection against the raids of the barbarians.
The jury consists of EFA board members Per Holst (producer, Denmark) and Antonio Saura (producer, Spain), as well as representatives of CARTOON, the European Association of Animation Film: Agnès Bizzaro (program consultant/editor, France/Germany), Enzo d’Alo (director, Italy) and Joanna Quinn (director, United Kingdom).
The nominated films will now be submitted to EFA members to choose the winner, which will be honored at the European Film Awards ceremony Saturday, December 12 in Bochum, Germany.
"Life's a Zoo.tv" wins at Canada's Gemini Awards
A co-production of Cuppa Coffee Studios and Teletoon, "Life's a Zoo.tv" was named Best Animated Program or Series on Tuesday night at the 24th Annual Gemini Awards.
The Geminis -- Canada's equivalent of the Emmys -- were handed out in Children's and Youth, Comedy, Drama and Variety categories at The Sound Academy in Toronto.
Singled out for his work on Life's a Zoo.tv was writer Adam Shaheen, now an executive producer of Glenn Martin DDS.
The series won out in the category over fellow nominees Jibber Jabber (Jibber Jabber Toons Ltd.), Rick and Steve, The Happiest Gay Couple in all the World (Cuppa Coffee Studios) and Rollbots (Amberwood Entertainment Corp.).
For Best Direction in an Animated Program or Series, the winners were George Elliott and Joey So for the Rollbots episode "Training Day."
The Gemini for Best Original Music Score for an Animated Program or Series went to Michael Richard Plowman for the Jibber Jabber episodes "Race to the Red Planet" and "Pride of Frankenstein."
For Best Individual or Ensemble Performance in an Animated Program or Series, the winners were Tajja Isen, Colin Fox, Dwayne Hill, Bruce Hunter, Rick Miller and Adrian Truss for the Atomic Betty episodes "Elementary, My Dear Minimus" and "Great Eggspectations."
Steven Westren won for Best Writing in a Children's or Youth Program or Series for his work on "Frog On A Log," an episode of Nelvana's cartoon series My Friend Rabbit.
Hosted by Ennis Esmer (CTV's The Listener) and Zoie Palmer (Global's The Guard), Tuesday's gala was a total of 24 awards presented.
The 24th Annual Gemini Awards will conclude with the Broadcast Gala on Saturday, November 14 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Corral in Calgary, Alberta. Hosted by award-winning comedian Ron James, the event will be broadcast on Global and Showcase at 9pm ET/PT.
The Gemini Awards were presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. Established in 1979, the ACCT is a national, non-profit, professional association dedicated to the promotion, recognition, and celebration of exceptional achievements in Canadian film and TV.
Fred Wolf retrospective
Speaking of Ninja Turtles… My next screening at the Cinefamily/Silent Movie Theatre in Hollywood is a tribute to animator Fred Wolf.
Wolf collaborated with Harry Nilsson to create The Point!, with Frank Zappa to produce 200 Motels, and with Peter Yarrow to make Puff The Magic Dragon. He’s the man behind the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series, Marlo Thomas’ TV special Free To Be You And Me, the animated feature The Mouse And His Child, the classic “How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?” commercial (see below) and won an Oscar for his short The Box. He even animated the iconic second season opening sequence to The Flintstones! Yours truly (Jerry Beck) will present rare clips from his movies, TV shows, vintage TV commercials, his award winning shorts and will conduct a live on-stage interview with Wolf himself, discussing his career in film and his relationships with his world famous collaborators.
Join me on Tuesday November 3rd at 8pm. Advance tickets available now… the first 100 admissions will receive a free DVD of The Point!, and every admission will receive a free Tootsie Pop! Buy Tickets Here!
(Thanks cartoon brew)
Interviews Worth Reading and Hearing
Filmmaker Michael Sporn interviews Jennifer and Bert Klein about their ambitious new animated short Pups of Liberty and the lengths they to to finish it:
Jennifer: It is hard to sit down and work after you have worked a full day, but I always remembered something Bert would say, “Even if you just get one drawing done you are one drawing ahead.” So I’d try and get one scene’s worth of layouts done a night, or read a track, or just something, and we’d inch forward until we were done.
The Venture Bros. creator Jackson Publick and voice actor James Urbaniak recently appeared on “The Best Show on WFMU with Tom Scharpling.” The interview lasts a couple hours and there’s a lot of goofiness, but there’s also a lot of good discussion because the host, Scharpling, is a TV writer and producer (Monk, Tom Goes to the Mayor). The interview begins a little after an hour into the September 29 program, which can be listened to at the WFMU website.
(Thanks cartoon brew)
Ottawa Animation ad campaign
The funniest thing I saw in Ottawa last week wasn’t on screen, in a theatre or even cartoons. They were the festival posters plastered on buses, mounted on walls and bannered all over intersections in downtown Ottawa.
HBS Marketing created this clever print ad campaign for the Ottawa International Animation Festival — which perfectly sums up my own philosophy of life. Click on images below and above to view at full size.
(Thanks, Kelly Neall)
(Thanks cartoon brew)
October Studio Roundabout
Today was Sony Pictures Animation day on the Hulett studio tour, where I was told:
"We're working on Hotel Transylvania as the next theatrical feature. We've also got Open Season 3 going, and some other projects in early development. Sony was happy with the money that OS2 has brought in, and they've okayed scripting and boarding on another one ..."
..."We've got six months to get Open Season 3 up on boards and ready. We're working with the writer, who's good about working with the board artists, real collaborative. But we're moving fast ..." "... They are animating the Open Seasons in Texas, and theyre making money because they've kept the costs down on them."
I got to see some of the character development for Hotel Transylvania going on upstairs; the characters look edgy and fun (whether they stay in the picture when story beats are worked out is another story.) ...
Yesterday at Disney Television Animation Sonora, I was happy to see that crew for the new season of Inspector Oso is trickling back to work. And the new show they haven't yet officially announced? Designers and story artists are coming aboard, and Story Booking is proceeding at a high rate of speed.
So while DTVA Sonora has lots of square footage that is empty, at least a few productions are rumbling to life. (There's a lot more artists working upstairs at Disney Toons.)
(Thanks Animation Guild Blog)
A celebration of Derdad Aghmalian: Sunday, October 25
Derdad Aghamalian passed away on September 10th, 2009. He worked in the animation industry for over 20 years as a color stylist for DIC, MGM, Universal, and Marvel. Outside of animation, Derdad was a world-renowned painter, illustrator, and stained-glass artist. He had many dear friends in animation, and will be remembered for his sense of humor, his creative vision, and his transcendent character.-- Leonard Drorian
Please join us for an evening in remembrance of Derdad Aghamalian’s life and art.
This will take place on Sunday, October 25 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, at the Brand Library Recital Hall, 1601 West Mountain St. in Glendale.
For more information, please call Tamara at (818) 209-0030.
(Thanks Animation Guild Blog)
What to know what’s “Up” at Pixar? Then buy a ticket to next month’s Cartoon Art Museum benefit
Jim Hill talks up this annual fundraiser. Which allows a lucky few the chance to wander the halls at this Emeryville-based animation studio
So what are the odds that – all on your own – you’ll ever get to see the inside of Pixar Animation Studios?
To be honest, they’re not good. At an “Up” preview screening that was held in Hartford, CT. back in May of this year, Donald Evans (i.e. the Senior Vice President of Animation Marketing for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios) remarked that – for the 15 intern positions that open up annually at this Emeryville, CA.-based operation – Pixar receives several thousand applications.
Mind you, over the next 20 years, this animation studio does plan on increasing its head count from 900 to 2000 employees. So I guess if you’re really patient (and also happen to be the best of the best of the best when it comes to CG) … Well, that’s one way that you might make past the guard shack at 1200 Park Avenue.
Copyright Pixar. All Rights Reserved
What’s that you say? You don’t want to wait / work hard in order to gain access to Pixar? You just want to be able to waltz through the front door, no questions asked?
Well, there is a way. But you’re going to have to cough up some cash if you want to get past that guy in the guard shack.
No, you’re not going to bribe the security guard. You’re going to buy a ticket to Pixar’s 6th annual Cartoon Art Museum benefit.
Copyright Pixar. All Rights Reserved
For those of who don’t know, the Cartoon Art Museum (which is located at 655 Mission Street in San Francisco) is the only museum in the western United States that is dedicated to all forms of cartoons and comics.
And since the guys at Pixar are such big fans & supporters of the Cartoon Art Museum, every year they hold a fundraiser for this facility. During which – for just a few brief hours – they allow members of the public to enter their Emeryville campus and then explore certain areas at their animation studio.
This year, this benefit is being held on Saturday, November 14th. And depending on how much you’re willing to spend, there are two different ways you can experience this annual fundraiser.
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The Family Fun Track is … Well, just what it sounds like. It’s designed to give families an understanding of how films get made at Pixar. From 1 – 4 p.m., parents & their kids will be able to tour the studio’s second floor gallery space. Which is currently loaded with lots of pre-production art for “Up.”
Folks on the Family Fun Track will also get to see a display of rarely-seen “Toy Story” –related artwork & sculpture that Pixar’s archives just unearthed. And artists from the studio will be on hand to help teach children how to draw their favorite Pixar characters.
As for Mom & Dad … Well, if they’d like, they can participate in a silent auction. Where everyone attending this Cartoon Art Museum benefit can then have the chance to bid on original works that were created by Pixar’s artists & animators.
Copyright Pixar. All Rights Reserved
And speaking of animation … A selection of the Studio’s short films (including “One Man Band,” “Lifted,” “Presto” and “Burn-E”) will be shown continuously in Pixar’s state-of-the-art screening room.
If you’re interested in the Family Fun Track at this year’s Cartoon Art Museum benefit , tickets are $35 for an individual or $100 for a Family Four Pack. Which covers entry for 2 adults and 2 kids under 18 and/or 1 adult and 3 kids.
The only problem with the Family Fun Track is … Well, folks with tickets to that tier of this fundraising event aren’t allowed to enter Pixar Animation Studios ‘til 1 p.m. If – on the other hand – you’d like a little more time to explore the Emeryville campus and maybe have a bit more upscale experience … Then you may want to spring for the VIP Screening Tier.
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“And what is the VIP Screening Tier?,” you ask. Well, you get everything that people who’ve paid for the Family Fun Track get. But then … You also get access to Pixar’s Studio Store. Where you can then purchase all sorts of exclusive items at employee prices.
And did I mention that you’re also allowed into Pixar’s digital theater? Where you’ll then get to see a special 3D screening of “Toy Story 2” and the rarely seen Cars Toon, “Tokyo Mater.” Better yet, this screening will be hosted by Dr. Michael B. Johnson (who works at Pixar Animation Studios as well as being a member of the Cartoon Art Museum’s board of directors). Who will then be happy to answer any of your questions about these two films.
And let’s not forget about those free lunchtime snacks. Or the fact that those who on the VIP Screening Track get to enter Pixar Animations Studios a full two hours ahead (i.e. 11 a.m.) of folks who bought tickets for the Family Fun Tier.
Copyright Cartoon Art Museum. All Rights Reserved
Of course, this sort of additional access does come with a far heftier price tag. A single ticket for the VIP Screening Tier will run you $149 (Though it’s worth noting here that Cartoon Art Museum members can purchase their tickets for this track at the reduced rate of $99). And if you’d like to treat 9 of your friends to an afternoon of behind-the-scenes fun at Pixar Animation Studios, reserved rows of 10 can be purchased for $1,500.
A word of warning, though. Tickets for Pixar’s annual Cartoon Art Museum benefit will NOT be sold at the door. They can ONLY be purchased in advance. And given that this annual fundraiser tends to be very popular and there are only a limited number of tickets … If you really have your heart set on visiting the Emeryville campus this year, NOW would be a very good time to go and purchase those tickets.
For further information on this benefit and/or the Cartoon Art Museum itself, please call 415-227-8666, ext. 300 or click on this link.
EXCLUSIVE: Brian Bendis Explains How Thor And Iron Man Can Mix In The 'Avengers' Movie
Sure, we're all looking forward to Marvel's superhero team-up extravaganza "The Avengers" in 2012, but seeing Iron Man, Captain America and Thor on the screen together isn't the only reason it has fans excited.
"Iron Man 2" director Jon Favreau recently wondered how the supernatural world of Thor would blend on the big screen with the reality-based universe of Iron Man, and he's not alone in questioning how "Avengers" will handle this mix. So, when I had the chance to pose the question to "Avengers" comic book writer and one of the chief architects of the current Marvel Universe, Brian Bendis, I had to ask what advice he's giving the Marvel movie team when it comes to mixing Thor and Iron Man.
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