October 9- 15, 2000 News

Columbus Day, October 9, 2000

The Road to El Dorado Suffers Overseas
DreamWorks The Road to El Dorado continued to hit rough waters overseas. Opening in Austria, the animated film managed to bring in only $36,245.

Despite a strong marketing campaign in the U.S., The Road to El Dorado only managed to bring in $50.8 million at the U.S. Box Office.

DreamWorks most successful film to date is one they distributed for Aardman Studios -- Chicken Run. Chicken Run has been a hit both in the U.S. and overseas. It continues to perform strong in the UK consistently making it in the top 10 list week after week. In the U.S., Chicken Run made $105.5 million.

In other overseas news, Disney's Dinosaur is preparing to make its bow in the UK where it should do well. It opens on October 13. The UK premiere of Dinosaur was held over the weekend at Odeon, Leicester Square in London. A handful of celebrities were in attendance.

In other Box Office news, Digimon opened to a very poor estimated $4.1 million. Final numbers will be released later today and posted tomorrow, along with the opening numbers of IMAX 3D's CyberWorld.

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Animated/Anime DVDs Being Released Tomorrow
The following animated and anime DVDs will be released tomorrow:

(special effects) Jurassic Park & Lost World Collection (lots of bonuses)
Samurai X - Trust (Rurouni Kenshin)
A Cute Cavalcade of Classic Christmas Cartoons
The Cartoons of Halas & Batchelor

Tuesday, October 10, 2000

Box Office Results
Digimon did very poor in its opening weekend. Without any competition from other kids movies, the Fox distributed film managed only a weak $4.2 million and may end up under $20 million. The number is especially poor considering that Fox was giving away free opening weekend Digimon trading cards for everyone who purchased tickets for the movie.

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

Digimon
$4.2 million ($2,322 per screen average - opening weekend)
5th at the Box Office
Total to Date: $4.2 Million

Chicken Run
$318,799 ($486 per screen average - 59% increase)
27th at the Box Office (up from #32 last weekend)
Total to Date: $105.9 Million

CyberWorld 3D
$278,199 ($13,248 per screen average - opening weekend)
29th at the Box Office
Total to Date: $278,199

Dinosaur
$211,950 ($556 per screen average - 247% increase)
32nd at the Box Office (down from #51 last weekend)
Total to Date: $136.8 Million

Pokemon 2000
$31,585 ($277 per screen average - 51% drop)
63rd at the Box Office (down from #50 last weekend)
Total to Date: $43.7 Million

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Mr. Bean - The Animated Series
Are you ready for "Mr Bean - The Animated Series"? The London Express, in yesterday's print editions, reported that the majority of original creators are on board to make Mr. Bean animated. The original production company, Tiger Aspect, will produce the animated series along with the original writer, Robin Driscoll. The animated series will be aimed at adults.

Wednesday, October 11, 2000

Lilo and Stich Information
According to an article in The Honolulu Advertiser in a summer article:

"Disney has an animated film in the works with an island story line, though much of the project is still in the works and under close wraps. What is known is that Honolulu actors and other stars with Hawaii ties were hired to provide vocals, and some authentic island flavor, for what some say will be one of the weirdest Disney features in years.

While no Disney contacts would provide more than a confirmation that an animated film is being produced, the word is out that it takes place in Hawai‘i and incorporates cultural themes..."

Click here for the full story, including some plot details
(Thanks to ELurio for the tip - send us your news tip)

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Dinosaur Coming to DVD on January 30, 2001
Disney is releasing Dinosaur to VHS and DVD on January 30, 2001. In addition, there will be a special Collector's Edition DVD.

The Collector's Edition DVD will include the following features:

-- History and Development of Dinosaur
-- Original Story Treatment
-- 3D Workbook to Final Film Comparison
-- Dinosaur Designs Featurette
-- Location Featurette
-- Visual Development
-- Character Design
-- Computer Animation Tests
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Voice Cast Featurette
-- Publicity Materials (Trailers/TV Spots)
-- Hidden "Easter Egg" extras
-- Audio Commentary No. 1 by Directors Ralph Zondag and Eric Leighton, Special Effects Supervisor Neil Krepela and Digital Effects Supervisor Neil Eskuri
-- Audio Commentary No. 2 hosted by Producer Pam Marsden, highlighting members of the production team
-- Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes
-- Aladar's Adventure: A virtual reality game with three levels. Viewers help Aladar on his quest to find water, his friends and to free himself from a maze of caves.
-- DinoSearch Game: Find the hidden pieces and assemble three Dinosaurs from the film.
-- Dinopedia: Learn fun and interesting facts about the Dinosaurs seen in the film.
-- French Language Track

Disney has set the suggested retail prices for Dinosaur as follows:
$26.99 for VHS
$29.99 for the DVD Standard Edition
$39.99 for the Deluxe Collector's DVD Edition

Dinosaur is rated PG, runs for 82 minutes, and grossed $136.8 million at the U.S. Box Office, which is lower than what the film cost to produce. With overseas profits and the upcoming VHS and DVD release, the film should end up making a hefty profit.

Thursday, October 12, 2000

Disney Animators to be Honored
Disney is honoring several animators in its 2000 Disney Legends Awards. The ceremony is taking place this morning at 11AM at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. The following people are being honored:

Grace Bailey (Animation), a 40-year Disney veteran who served as head of the Ink and Paint department.

Joyce Carlson (Imagineering and Animation), a Studio inker who went on to build prototypes of "It's a Small World" and other theme park attractions.

Cliff Edwards (Animation-voice: Jiminy Cricket), the ukelele-playing crooner who is heard as Pinocchio's conscience and who immortalized the song, "When You Wish Upon a Star."

Becky Fallberg (Animation), a 45-year Studio veteran who served as manager of the Ink and Paint department and worked in various animation capacities.

Dick Jones (Animation-voice: Pinocchio) began his career as a child actor and went on to appear opposite such legendary cowboy stars as Buck Jones and Hoot Gibson.

Dodie Roberts (Animation), a 45-year Disney veteran who created colors and mixed paints for the Studio and served as supervisor of the paint lab.

Retta Scott (Animation), the Studio's first woman animator whose credits include "Bambi," "Wind in the Willows" and "The Reluctant Dragon."

Ruthie Tompson (Animation), the former supervisor of scene planning and a technical wizard who helped to establish camera mechanics for animation.

* * *

LA Times: New Oscar Category will Change Animation
According to the LA Times:

"Finally. One Sunday evening in March 2002, a mere 64 years after Shirley Temple presented Walt Disney with a special Oscar for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"--advising him, "Don't be nervous, Mr. Disney"--the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will give its first award ever for best animated feature. Or at least it might.

The new award, the first to be added since the makeup category in 1981, comes after more than a decade of lobbying and debating within the academy. And a caveat: There would have to be at least eight feature animated films released during the year (starting in 2001) for the award to be given. If eight to 15 feature animated films are released, a maximum of three films can be nominated; if 16 or more are released, five films are eligible.

Announcement of the award last month lifted spirits in the animation industry, which has suffered through some setbacks during the past year, including the failure of Titan A.E. and the closing of Fox's animation unit. But it also raises concerns that could fuel controversies and all-out competition in the future..."

Click here for the full story.

Click here to discuss the story.

Friday, October 13, 2000

Burbank International Children's Film Festival Begins Tonight
The Burbank International Children's Film Festival begins tonight and one of the featured presentations is "The Evolution of Animation from Baby Boomers to Gen X." The festival features 75 events, premieres and screenings of new and never-seen children's films from around the world. The festival, located in the heart of the children's film industry, will provide a forum for discussing, screening, supporting and celebrating the present and future of quality children's entertainment. The address for the festival is:

Burbank's Media City Center
AMC Theatres
201 E. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA

The opening ceremonies are tonight from 6-8PM and the festival will continue for eight days. For more information, email info@envisionpr.com.

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Blur Studios Adds Four Artists to Creative Staff
Blur Studio has added four artists to its creative staff. They include character animator Noel McGinn, formerly with Pacific Data Images, Ed Lee, a visual effects designer and 3D animator formerly with Rhythm & Hues and Sony Pictures Family Entertainment, animator Paul Taylor, former principal of Spankhole Productions, and animator Asier Hernaez, formerly with game specialist Phantagram Entertainment.

McGinn spent the past nine years at PDI, most recently serving as a character animator on Shrek, a computer-animated film being co-produced by PDI and DreamWorks. The film will be released next year. He was also a character animator on Antz, another PDI/DreamWorks co-production. In addition, he worked as a character animator and visual effects animator on a variety of other film, television and commercial projects.

"I wanted to join a company where I would have an opportunity to be involved in all facets of computer animation and work on a variety of projects," said McGinn of his move to Blur Studio. "I wanted to work in a small company, so I looked up animation companies and I was blow away by Blur's website. When I met them, I thought they were very straightforward and honest, and I really liked that."

A native of Boston, McGinn attended the Massachusetts College of Art and began his career with Mondo Media, San Francisco. His credits there included animations for the Internet service Prodigy, Compaq Computers and other corporate accounts.

Lee has been freelancing for the past two years, primarily at Sony Pictures Family Entertainment, after a five year stint at Rhythm & Hues. His credits at Sony include the animated television series Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, Heavy Gear and Max Steel. Separately, he served as visual effects designer under visual effects supervisor Charles Gibson on the film The Green Mile. At Rhythm & Hues, Lee designed visual effects for motion pictures, ride film and commercials. Among the former are Mouse Hunt, Spawn and Batman and Robin. His credits also include Race for Atlantis, a 3D animated IMAX film that is a featured attraction at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas, and EFX, a 3D film that is part of a stage show at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. Lee's background includes a post with Marvel Films where he worked on the animated series Spiderman. A native of Seoul, South Korea, Lee grew up in New York and is a graduate of the Pratt Institute of Art and Design. He began his career with Transcom Media, New York.

In discussing his move to Blur Studio, Lee said he was attracted by the company's dynamic creative philosophy. "At Blur, I will be able to apply my skills as both a designer and 3D animator, and that is a rare opportunity," he explained. "There aren't any creative restrictions here."

Taylor has been an animator for more than 10 years with credits primarily in interactive games. He founded Spankhole Productions in 1998 and its credits included the action/strategy game Wheel of Time. He was previously a partner in BigWig Productions which produced animation both for games and corporate clients, the latter including Canon and Kodak. As a freelancer, he has worked on games for 3DO, Time/Warner Interactive, Mindscape and Microsoft. He has also held staff positions with Amazing Media and Storyboard Express.

Hernaez served as a 3D animator in the Phoenix office of Phantagram Entertainment, developer of the games Kingdom Under Fire, Blade Warrior and Shining Lore. He was previously an animator with Acclaim Studios in Croydon Surrey, England on several game titles for the PlayStation2 platform. He has also worked at Cinematix Studios, Tempe, AZ, on the game Revenant and at PyroStudios in Madrid, Spain on the games Commandos and Mission Packs. A native of Lujua, Spain, he began his career with JLC, Madrid, a producer of television commercials and promos.

Saturday, October 14, 2000

From Ren and Stimpy to The Ripping Friends
Annette Frymer, Executive Producer for Cambium and Ken Katsumoto, Head of CinéGroupe's U.S. Operations announced this week that they have entered into a production and distribution deal on a spirited new half-hour animated series called "The Ripping Friends." The series is a CinéGroupe presentation of a Spumco Canada/Cambium Entertainment production.

Thirteen episodes of "The Ripping Friends" are currently in production at Cambium in Toronto, for broadcast on Fox Kids in the U.S. and on TELETOON in Canada. CinéGroupe will distribute the series worldwide excluding North America and Asia. In the U.S, it is being distributed by Spumco, Inc., in Canada by Cambium Releasing and in Asia, by Bitek Chiems Inc.

The series is the brainchild of John Kricfalusi and his production company, Spumco Canada. Kricfalusi also created the acclaimed, Emmy-nominated animated series "Ren and Stimpy" for Nickelodeon.

When crime hits, The Ripping Friends kick into action to save the world from arch-criminals, hideous monsters and all other enemies of freedom. Using their sharply honed gifts of strength, agility and guile, this group of manly men are on a mission to `RIP' anything that stands in the way of freedom and goodness, making the world a safe place in which to be manly. While they are the most powerful crime fighters in the known universe, The Ripping Friends are really just a bunch of kids in hulky adult bodies. When they're not out fighting arch criminal masterminds, The Ripping Friends are usually arguing about such world-shattering issues as who gets to sleep on the top bunk. But, as soon as duty calls, The Ripping Friends jump into action, slamming their rings together and screaming ``it's ripping time!'.

"Cambium and CinéGroupe enjoyed working together on the series Kit & Kaboodle, and we are excited about furthering our partnership with this new endeavor," says Annette Frymer, Executive Producer for Cambium. "This is John's first series since the hugely successful series Ren and Stimpy, and Cambium is delighted to be working with him and his production company, Spumco, on this wild and wonderful property.''

The Executive Producers of "The Ripping Friends" are Annette Frymer, Arnie Zipursky, Kevin Kolde, and Jacques Pettigrew; Ken Katsumoto is the Production Executive. Hasmi Giakoumis is the series' Producer and Michel Lemire is the Co-Producer.

* * *

Dinosaur Lands in the UK
Disney's Dinosaur opened in the UK yesterday and is expected to do quite well. It won't be the only animated film doing well, though. Ever since Chicken Run was released in the UK earlier in the summer, it has consistently remained in the top 10 of the Box Office in the UK.

BBC News discussed reviews of Dinosaur stating, "Unlike the BBC's hit series Walking with Dinosaurs, Disney has talking characters... Critical reactions to the film have been mixed, with some reviewers saying spectacular effects cannot make up for the poor script... Another concern raised is the film's violence given its young target audience."

Dinosaur was originally released in the U.S. last May.

Sunday, October 15, 2000

CyberWorld Opens in UK Next Week - May Help IMAX
According to The Observer:

"Champions of the world's largest film format, IMAX, are confident that next week's UK release of CyberWorld, a 3D animation extravaganza with stars from Antz and The Simpsons, will further place the medium on a viable commercial footing.

Despite this and the opening of three new British IMAX cinemas in coming months, the acceptance of IMAX into the movie mainstream still has some way to go. IMAX has been around since 1970, when the company behind it, Imax Corporation, developed a new, giant-screen feature film format. It uses film 10 times larger than a conventional 35mm frame and three times bigger than standard 70mm. This, combined with unique Imax projection technology, delivers images of unsurpassed size, clarity and, aficionados insist, impact..."

Click here for the full story.

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Digimon Has Terrible Second Week Start
Digimon continued to falter at theaters this weekend and may take home the record for the lowest Box Office take of any animated film this year. On Friday, which marked the beginning of the second week of Digimon's release, the PG-rated anime film (distributed in the U.S. by FOX) failed to make the top 10. During the weekdays it was barely bringing in an average of only $140,000. At this rate, Digimon is likely to end up making less than $10 million at the U.S. Box Office.

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