December 11- 17, 2000 News

Monday, December 11, 2000

New Animated/Anime Titles Coming to DVD
Here is a list of animated and anime titles being released to DVD tomorrow:

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Ohh Nooo!!! Mr. Bill Classics (1975)
The Road to El Dorado (2000)
Superman: Menace of Metallo (Multipath Adventure)
Cutey Honey - Collection 2

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New Will Vinton TV Series
A new TV series from Will Vinton Studios, called "Gary and Mike," is set to soon begin airing on UPN Friday's at 8PM. Gary and Mike are two guys in their 20's who decide to take a road trip across America. Thus begins their stop motion animated advetures.

"No one has attempted to produce an animated series of this scope before," says Larry Lyttle, president of Big Ticket Television, which joined forces with Will Vinton to create the series. "The impressive writing credentials of Adam and Fax paired with Will Vinton Studios' ability to realize a vision in dimensional animation and to produce large, complex shows creates one powerhouse of a team."

Gary (Chris Moynihan) is an asthmatic hypochondriac terrified and deeply under the thumb of his die-hard Marine Corps dad. He's got the car and the gear. Mike (Harland Williams), a grungy undisciplined dreamer who unfortunately considers himself a ladies man, is along for the ride. Gary and Mike follows these two hapless American youths on the road, in search of America at the dawn of the new millennium, from a cult in rural Kansas to a close encounter in Roswell, New Mexico to a surprise appearance on the Jerry Springer Show.

The executive producers for the show are Fax Bahr, Adam Small and Will Vinton, Tom Turpin. The writers are Fax Bahr and Adam Small.

The premiere for the series will occur on Thursday, January 11, 2001 then will move to its regular time slot on Friday, January 12, 2001 at 8PM.

Tuesday, December 12, 2000

Box Office Results for Animated Films
Here are the Box Office results for last weekend's animated films:

Rugrats in Paris
$3.95 Million ($1,392 per screen average - 39% decrease)
7th at the Box Office (down from #4 last weekend)
Total to Date: $60.4 Million

CyberWorld 3D
$173,593 ($4,692 per screen average - 5% decrease)
21st at the Box Office (down from #18 last weekend)
Total to Date: $3.4 Million

Digimon
$10,346 ($192 per screen average - 47% decrease)
58th at the Box Office (down from #53 last weekend)
Total to Date: $9.6 Million

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
$10,297 ($368 per screen average - huge 617% increase)
59th at the Box Office (up from #87 last weekend)
Total to Date (includes original release): $50.36 Million
Rerelease total: only $259,586

Dinosaur
$9,504 ($144 per screen average - 43% decrease)
62nd at the Box Office (down from #54 last weekend)
Total to Date: $137.7 Million

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"The Simpson's" Monopoly
USAopoly has struck a deal with Fox Merchandising that will allow the release of a new Monopoly game - "The Simpson's Monopoly". According to Daily Variety, "Instead of a top hat or a thimble, players will now move around the board with pewter images of Homer and Bart; instead of passing Atlantic City landmarks, a roll of the dice will land folks at Burns Manor or the Krusty Burger."

Wednesday, December 13, 2000

Cartoon Network Has Record 2000 Numbers
The Cartoon Network will close 2000 with the strongest annual performance in rating and delivery in its eight-year history. Driven by its expansion of original programming, the Cartoon Network will finish the year with a 1.8 prime time household rating (13 percent increase vs. 1999), which will make it the third-highest-rated, ad-supported cable network. In total day, Cartoon Network's 1.1 household rating (8 percent increase) will rank in second place for the year (tied with TBS Superstation and Lifetime). Cartoon Network also will report the largest prime time (1,122,000) and total day (706,000) household delivery in its history, gains of 13 and 19 percent respectively.

Among kids 6-11, Cartoon Network will set annual rating and delivery records in both total day (1.9/286,000) and prime time (3.5/532,000). These levels represent 19 percent (total day) and 21 percent (prime) increases in ratings, and 24 percent (total day) and 29 percent (prime) increases in delivery. Kids 2-11 also experienced new record gains, charting ratings increases of 10 percent (2.2, total day) and 15 percent (3.9, prime), and delivery increases of 19 percent (542,000, total day) and 25 percent (986,000, prime).

The network's largest audience increases this year, however, came from tweens (kids 9-14), which averaged a 2.2 rating in prime and a 1.2 in total day. Compared to 1999, these figures represent a 38 percent increase in prime (1.6) and a 20 percent increase in total day (1.0).

Cartoon Network's record-setting year was driven by the performance of its original Cartoon Cartoons series. In prime time, Cartoon Network originals grew by 19 percent in household ratings, from an average 1.6 in 1999 to 1.9 in 2000. Household delivery made an even larger jump, from 937,000 in 1999 to 1,192,000 in 2000, an increase of 27 percent. Teens showed dramatic increases with originals this year, gaining 57 percent in ratings (1.1) and 66 percent in delivery (153,000) compared to 1999. Kids 6-11 ratings grew a full point, from a 3.0 in 1999 to a 4.0 in 2000, providing a 33 percent increase. Delivery for kids 6-11 also showed impressive gains, growing 41 percent in 2000, from 430,000 to 608,000.

Dexter's Laboratory and Courage the Cowardly Dog, both Cartoon Cartoon originals, will finish the year as the network's first and second-highest-rated programs, respectively, with households. Dexter's Laboratory averaged a 2.3 household rating, while Courage the Cowardly Dog posted a 2.1 household rating. Perennial favorite Tom and Jerry earned the third-place position with an average 2.0 household rating. The Powerpuff Girls and I Am Weasel were not far behind, with a 1.9 and a 1.8 average household rating, respectively.

Among special event programming, The Powerpuff Girls Powerstuff Marathon (Aug. 12, 12-7 p.m.) was the highest-rated originals stunt for the year, earning a 2.1 household rating and delivering an average of 1,367,000 viewers. Household rating jumped 24 percent vs. the same time period last year and delivery grew by 37 percent. Teen rating for the marathon increased 86 percent over last year to a 1.3, and teen delivery grew by 129 percent. Kids 6-11 also drew a 3.7 rating and delivery of 561,000 viewers, up 23 percent and 29 percent, respectively, over last year. A total of 7,540,000 different persons tuned in over the course of the seven-hour marathon.

Cartoon Network's "Toonami," the weekday-afternoon action-adventure block featuring Japanese and computer-generated animation (4-7 p.m.), maintained household ratings from 1999 (1.4), but grew ratings with tweens. Tween ratings increased 14 percent, from a 2.8 in '99 to a 3.2 in '00, and delivery grew by nearly 100,000 viewers 9-14 (up 31 percent).

Cartoon Network, currently seen in 68.3 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as Courage the Cowardly Dog, Mike, Lu & Og, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Dexter's Laboratory and Cartoon Cartoons.

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Pictures From Emperor's Movie Premiere
Here are some pictures from the World Premiere of Disney's The Emperor's New Groove at the El Capitan Theater on Sunday. The pictures are by Chris Pizzello:

From left, Sting, David Spade, Eartha Kitt and Patrick Warburton pose together at the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' new animated film "The Emperor's New Groove," at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000. Sting co-wrote and sang songs for the film and the other three performers pictured provide voices for the animated characters.

Sting gets a hug from Eartha Kitt.

Sting performs at the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' new film "The Emperor's New Groove"

Another picture of Sting performing at the premiere

David Spade, who provides the voice of Kuzco in "The Emperor's New Groove"

Eartha Kitt, who provides the voice of Yzma in Walt Disney Pictures' new animated film "The Emperor's New Groove," poses with the character at the post-premiere party

Thursday, December 14, 2000

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Next Big Nickelodean Project
Production is set to start on the motion picture "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," the first Nickelodeon property in the company's history to be launched as a multi-platform franchise. Nickelodeon Movies' computer animated movie will feature film, television and stage actors Patrick Stewart and Martin Short, who have signed on to voice two of the film's central characters. The family movie will be produced by Steve Oedekerk and his O Entertainment, directed by John Davis and animated at DNA Productions Inc., the Texas-based computer animation studio Davis owns with partner Keith Alcorn. Albie Hecht, President of Film and TV Entertainment for Nickelodeon and Julia Pistor, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Movies, will serve as executive producers, along with Alcorn. Paul Marshal and Gina Shay are co-producers. "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" is slated for a holiday 2001 release through Paramount Pictures.

"Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" tells the simple story of a 10 year-old boy, his robot dog, battling evil, rescuing his parents, saving the Earth, and returning home in time for dinner. As a kid who just happens to be a genius, Jimmy is always creating gadgets to make his life more interesting. Jimmy has a great sense of fun and adventure, but his inventions get him into trouble more often than not. When the parents of Jimmy's hometown are kidnapped by invading aliens (the dreaded "Yokians" -- a group of gross, green, gooey egg- yoke creatures with eyes that sit in glass shells), he quickly discovers that things aren't so great when moms and dads are gone. Armed with his cool inventions, Jimmy and his buddies -- trusty robotic dog, Goddard, best friend Carl Wheezer, and rival Cindy Vortex -- soar to the stars and back in one incredible and zany adventure.

Patrick Stewart will voice King Goobot, the leader of the Yokians.

"I have certainly done more than my fair share of acting in space," notes Stewart. "But voicing a malignant, if not bumbling and comedic leader of an invading alien race will certainly be a new experience."

Stewart most recently was seen on the big-screen as Professor Xavier in the hit film adaptation of the "X-Men" comic books and in numerous critically acclaimed television movies including "A Christmas Carol" and "Moby Dick." Stewart recently appeared on Broadway in Arthur Miller's "The Ride Down Mount Morgan." He is also known for playing Captain Jean-Luc from the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" TV series from 1987 through 1994 and the films based on that series. His next movie project will be "Boss Lear" for TNT, which he is co- producing with Hallmark Entertainment and in which he plays the title role.

"Jimmy Neutron marks another first for Nickelodeon and Nick Movies, and we're really excited to bring this character to life," said Albie Hecht in explaining the appeal of the property. "Jimmy provides the ultimate fantasy for kids, how they would change the world. I know I always wanted to bring cool things to Show and Tell, but Jimmy amazes his friends with his inventions, like an automatic toothbrusher, a super-powered baseball glove, and a time machine that enables him to enjoy countless cookies before dinner!"

The multi-platformed Jimmy Neutron property will start on Nickelodeon in January 2001 as a series of one-and two-minute comedic TV shorts, introducing Nick viewers to Jimmy and his friends. In addition, each interstitial will have a corresponding Jimmy Neutron online game that viewers can play at Nick.com. A full website dedicated to the movie, "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," will launch in July 2001, giving fans a truly interactive experience by providing an "inside look" into Jimmy's world - including a "lab cam" that takes kids into Jimmy's backyard laboratory. A multi-player video game will also follow closer to the film's release. In addition, a "Jimmy Neutron" television series is set to premiere on Nickelodeon in the Fall 2002.

Nickelodeon Movies is the feature film development and production division of Nickelodeon which produces movies for kids and their families in association with its sister Viacom company, Paramount Pictures.

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Sting Stung by Disney Cartoon
According to the Washington Post:

"When Sting started writing songs for a dramatic cartoon musical from Disney, he envisioned generations of children enjoying the music. Instead, most of his tunes got cut when studio executives, unhappy with the film’s script, turned the epic musical into a not-so-musical buddy farce, The Emperor’s New Groove.

'At first, I was angry and perturbed. Then I wanted some vengeance,' the Grammy-winning musician said. 'We couldn’t use the songs in this new film because the characters they were written for didn’t exist anymore'..."

Click here for the full story.

Friday, December 15, 2000

Emperor's New Groove Receiving Mostly Positive Reviews
Reviews of The Emperors New Groove are mixed, but mostly positive, as many critics are showering Disney's newest animated adventure with tons of praise. Disney's animated feature, which faced years of production problems and criticism over its final title choice, opened today in theaters nationwide. It is expected to be the first film to seriously challenge The Grinch at the Box Office. Here are what some reviewers are saying about the film:

"The humor may be a step forward for Disney, but the look of the film is a step back. One of the filmmakers’ inspirations was the simplistic style of classic Disney films of the 1950s, particularly Peter Pan and Lady and the Tramp." - Evansville Courier & Press.

"Whatever the reasons for the change of story, it has really worked. David Spade is hilarious as the voice of the emperor Kuzco, the brattiest of brats that ever ruled a cartoon people. And Patrick Warburton is a scene stealer as a bungling lug named Kronk." - Washington Post.

"The Emperor's New Groove, another kiddie entry in the holiday-season rush, won't exactly be remembered as one of Disney's more inspired animated releases. The visuals just aren't up to the company's blue-chip standards. The colors aren't nearly as rich and deep as those expected from the studio; and the design, look and overall impact of the movie pale in comparison with last year's Tarzan. It's an underwhelming effort." - Orlando Weekly.

"Disney's new generation of animators has quietly staged a palace revolt with "The Emperor's New Groove." The holiday release may not match the groovy business of many of the studio's other kidpix, but it will be remembered as the film that established a new attitude in the halls of Disney's animation unit." - Daily Variety.

Today, Animation Artist opened its Emperor's New Groove Movie Site, which is still limited in content due to Disney's inability to provide Animation Artist Magazine with a press kit in time for the opening of the film. The site will continue to be updated throughout the weekend and into next week.

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More on Sting and the Emperor
More information is coming out about Sting's working relationship with Disney and the trouble he went through when changes were made to the film. According to the Entertainment News Wire:

"If there were an Oscar handed out at next year's Academy Awards for most patient music artist involved in a Disney project, Sting would be the odds-on favorite. The former Police frontman and successful solo artist went through the wringer in collaborating with the studio on its newest animated feature, The Emperor's New Groove.

Despite its title, the film isn't a musical -- at least not in the vein of other animated features to come out of the Mouse House over the past decade. Characters don't break out into song. There's no love story or big production number as in almost every previous Disney animated classic since Snow White.

That wasn't the plan when the 14-time Grammy winner signed on to the project roughly five years ago..."

Click here for the full story.

Saturday, December 16, 2000

The Emperor's New Groove Opens Fifth!
Despite mostly positive reviews and the Disney name, The Emperor's New Groove opened a disappointing fifth at the Box Office on Friday, bringing in $2.3 million. In comparison, last year's major Disney animated production, Tarzan, brought in $11.4 million on its opening day.

The Emperor's New Groove was plagued by production problems (and a bad title), however critics who viewed the film mostly agree that it is a very entertaining film and much better than anticipated.

Disney marketing for The Emperor's New Groove appeared lighter than its regular marketing of major animated productions. Even as of today, Animation Artist Magazine has not received The Emperor's New Groove press kit from Disney, which is a key for movie studios to get information out to the public.

The four films that opened ahead of The Emperor's New Groove are:

1) What Women Want ($11.1 Million)
2) Dude, Where's My Car? ($5.2 Million)
3) The Grinch ($3.1 Million and over $200 Million to date)
4) Vertical Limit ($2.6 Million)

If you have seen The Emperor's New Groove, please email your review of the film to Editor for inclusion in the Animation Artist Emperor's New Groove Movie Site.

Sunday, December 17, 2000

Animator Wins Prestigious Award
Animation artist, illustrator and singer Amy E. Reich, a Buffalo, New York native, was awarded the prestigious Jeanie Golden Angel Trophy and the Bronze Star Halo Award earlier this month. The awards were presented in honor of her outstanding contribution and high achievement in the entertainment industry. The Southern California Motion Picture Council presented the awards to Reich.

Reich has been working in the television animation industry as a background painter and color stylist for the past 4 1/2 years. She has worked with Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Universal and Film Roman Animation. She is also an Illustrator and singer.

Currently, Reich is combining all of her creative talents into one package. An illustrated book is in the works for a healing song, which she has recorded and distributed. The music is being taught to children and adults with a form of movement called "celestial communication". Amy will publish the book and include the song with the package. An animated version will follow at some point.

The Southern California Motion Picture Council is a non-profit organization whose goals are to promote high standards in film, television and the arts; as well as stressing civic-minded, educational and cultural standards.

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Sting Versus Disney - The Documentary
The Emperor's New Groove is about to hit the spotlight again when the wife of Sting releases a documentary of the battles between her husband and Disney after Disney threw out most of his songs as part of changes to the animated film. The documentary is called "The Sweatbox".

According to Billboard, "The documentary will include some songs Sting originally wrote for the film, along with footage of a phone call from filmmakers informing the musician that songs he'd written were being cut from the production."

While none of Stings original songs made it into the production, he did create two new songs at the request of Disney that did make it into the film.

The documentary is expected to be released in Spring 2001.

(special thanks to "Faris" for bringing this story to our attention)

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