October 16 - 22, 2000 News

Monday, October 16, 2000

Animated/Anime DVDs Being Released Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a big day for the DVD world as Toy Story 2 is being released by Disney along with some other top titles, including the DTS version of The Prince of Egypt. Here is a full list of animated and anime DVDs will be released tomorrow:

Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (2 Pack)
Toy Story & Toy Story 2: The Ultimate Toy Box (3 Disc Collector's Set)
Heavy Metal 2000 (Warning to Parents: Rated R)
Heavy Metal 2000/Heavy Metal Set (Warning to Parents: Rated R)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Prince of Egypt - DTS
The Miracle Maker - The Story of Jesus
Annabelle's Wish

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Irish Times Takes an In-Depth Look at Dinosaur
Next Friday, Dinosaur will open in Ireland. As a result, The Irish Times has taken an in-depth look at the movie and at the power of dinosaurs overall. According to The Irish Times:

"Dinosaurs and computers seem to go together these days. After all, it was Steven Spielberg's spectacular, digitally-created T-Rex in Jurassic Park which really kickstarted the dino-boom of the 1990s, and the BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs that has kept the fascination going into the 21st century. Young viewers in particular appear endlessly obsessed with the ultra-realistic recreations of dinosaurs which digital technology makes possible. Reports this week of the demise of Dublin's IMAX cinema made the point that one film, T-Rex, had been showing there for two years. It didn't save IMAX, but clearly dinosaurs were the only thing which kept the cinema open so long.

As Hollywood's pre-eminent creator of animation and fantasy, the Walt Disney Corporation has taken its time jumping on the dinowagon, but Dinosaur, its latest animated blockbuster, has already redressed the balance, proving a huge hit in the US. In fact, it's not quite accurate to describe Dinosaur as an animated movie..."

Click here for the full story.

Tuesday, October 17, 2000

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

Digimon
$1.9 million ($1,061 per screen average - 54% decrease)
11th at the Box Office (down from #5 last weekend)
Total to Date: $7.3 Million

CyberWorld 3D
$323,702 ($11,162 per screen average - 16% increase)
19th at the Box Office (up from #29 last weekend)
Total to Date: $751,880

Chicken Run
$267,412 ($435 per screen average - 16% increase)
21st at the Box Office (up from #27 last weekend)
Total to Date: $106.3 Million

Dinosaur
$160,562 ($482 per screen average - 24% decrease)
34th at the Box Office (down from #32 last weekend)
Total to Date: $137.0 Million

Pokemon 2000
No longer in theaters
Final Take: $43.75 Million

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Scooby Doo Goes Live
It was bound to happen... Daily Variety is reporting Warner Brothers is going full speed ahead with a live action version of the cartoon series "Scooby Doo". Filming will begin February in Australia.

According to Daily Variety, "The film, about a band of ghost-chasing sleuths and the cowardly dog who often stumbles into the pertinent clue, is based on a script by James Gunn, with Chuck Roven producing."

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Dinosaur Opens Big in the UK
Dinosaur opened at the top of the UK Box Office this past weekend, bringing in $3.2 million on only 374 screens. Dinosaur made $137 million in the U.S. and has been very successful overseas to date.

Wednesday, October 18, 2000

Animated Cowgirl Honored by Museum
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame announced today that Jessie, the spunky cowgirl from Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios' Toy Story 2, will receive the Patsy Montana Entertainer Award at the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame's Annual Induction Luncheon. The luncheon will take place on November 10, 2000 in Fort Worth, Texas. Jessie will join Country Western singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris as the second recipient of the award, named after the legendary yodeling cowgirl and 1987 Hall of Fame honoree, Patsy Montana.

Jessie made her screen debut as the endearing toy cowgirl in the 1999 Disney/Pixar film, Toy Story 2. Once the most beloved toy of a little girl, Jessie is heartbroken when she is outgrown and forgotten by her owner. Through the course of the story she overcomes her fear of abandonment and learns to love again. The voice of Jessie is provided by Academy Award-nominee Joan Cusack. Jessie's heartfelt, emotional ballad ``When She Loved Me'' was written and composed by Randy Newman and sung by Grammy Award-winning recording artist Sarah McLachlan. Toy Story 2 was created and produced by Pixar at its Northern California studios.

Pixar has prepared a special animated acceptance speech for Jessie. ``Yee-haw! I am just pleased as punch to be receiving this honor in memory of the original yodeling cowgirl, Patsy Montana,'' said Jessie. John Lasseter, director of Toy Story 2, added, ``We are incredibly honored that Jessie is getting this award. Jessie is a strong female character with spirit and emotion -- a true role model to aspiring cowgirls everywhere.''

The Patsy Montana Entertainer Award was established to pay tribute to female western entertainers.

"As the first woman to have a million selling country record with her hit 'I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart,' Patsy Montana was a real trailblazer in the field of western entertainment,'' said Pat Riley, Executive Director of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. ``We established this award in her honor to pay tribute to a female entertainer who is keeping Patsy's pioneering spirit and love of western music alive. This year who better than Jessie -- she introduced the cowgirl to a whole new generation of moviegoers. Besides, Jessie and Patsy are both terrific yodelers!''

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Toon Disney Prepares for Halloween
In celebration of the scariest night of the year, viewers can watch their favorite animated heroes fight off a whole host of ghosts, goblins and ghouls. Toon Disney offers up a full day of Halloween-themed episodes of its animated series on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 7AM-Midnight. Here is the schedule:

7:00 AM
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
Ghost of a Chance

7:30 AM
DuckTales
Hotel Strangeduck

8:00 AM
New Adventures of Winnie Pooh
Monster Frankenpooh

8:30 AM
Goof Troop
Hallow-Weenies

9:00 AM
TaleSpin
In Search of Ancient Blunders

9:30 AM
DuckTales
Ducky Horror Picture Show

10:00 AM
Darkwing Duck
Dead Duck

10:30 AM
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
Good Times, Bat Times

11:00 AM
Quack Pack
The Boy Who Cried Ghost

11:30 AM
Goof Troop
Frankengoof

12:00 PM
Darkwing Duck
The Haunting of Mr. Banana Brain

12:30 PM
DuckTales
The Curse of Castle McDuck

1:00 PM
New Adventures of Winnie Pooh
Monster Frankenpooh

1:30 PM
Goof Troop
Hallow-Weenies

2:00 PM
Bonkers
The Dimming

2:30 PM
Darkwing Duck
The Ghoul of My Dreams

3:00 PM
TaleSpin
In Search of Ancient Blunders

3:30 PM
Quack Pack
The Boy Who Cried Ghost

4:00 PM
New Adventures of Winnie Pooh
Monster Frankenpooh

4:30 PM
DuckTales
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. McDuck

5:00 PM
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
Ghost of a Chance

5:30 PM
Goof Troop
Midnight Movie Madness

6:00 PM
Bonkers
When the Spirit Moves You

6:30 PM
DuckTales
Hotel Strangeduck

7:00 PM
Screaming Meanies Winner

Thursday, October 19, 2000

Rugrats in Paris Getting Massive In-Theater Campaign
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies herald the November 17, 2000, release of Rugrats in Paris -- The Movie with its largest and most ambitious in-theater promotional campaign ever. Teaming up in the Rugrats promotion are (in alphabetical order): Coca-Cola, Dolby Digital, JBL, Kodak, Landoll's, Mattel, Maverick Recording Company, Nickelodeon, Noggin, Oral-B, Post Cereals, Simon Spotlight Books and THQ/Sony Playstation.

Included in the promotional campaign are lobby displays, media, cross promotions and exciting prizes for theater managers. These include trips to Paris, New Orleans, Las Vegas and Orlando; home entertainment systems; DVD players; digital cameras; large-screen TVs; and cash prizes up to $75,000. The major incentives are being offered by Nickelodeon, Rugrats Passport to Paris Sweepstakes, Hollywood Movie Magic, Maverick Recording Company, JBL, THQ/Sony Playstation, Mattel, Simon Spotlight Books, Dolby Digital, Kodak ScreenCheck and Oral-B.

In addition, exhibitors will be utilizing in-theater displays highlighting the unprecedented "Rugrats in Paris -- The Movie" Passport Promotion. For Rugrats fans, the Passport Promotion journey begins when they see the new film. Moviegoers will receive their very own Rugrats in Paris passport, which has a place for a personal picture, a two-page commemorative comic of the movie's plot, an instant win game and an entry form for a chance to win a Rugrats in Paris family adventure of their own.

To enter for the chance to win the trip, consumers will have to collect at least four of seven different passport star stamps, the first "star" being the theater's Rugrats in Paris ticket stub. Kids and families will have a variety of other ways to get their four stars -- at Burger King; Kids Foot Locker, Toys R Us; on Mattel toy boxes; or on Nick.com -- though the movie ticket stub is required. The grand prize is an all-expenses paid trip to Paris, a Rugrats tour of the city, first class accommodations, and 200,000f ($50,000). Additionally, Burger King will provide a multi-million dollar media campaign that includes adult and kid merchandise.

Over 2,200 theaters will participate in a first of its kind promotional lobby banner contest. The theaters will be provided with a "Rugrats in Paris -- The Movie" 12' x 10' banner to hang in their lobbies. Fun-filled games and prizes will be awarded to customers who find the hidden items in a huge painting of the Rugrats characters.

Rugrats in Paris -- The Movie follows on the success of "The Rugrats Movie," which was released in November 1998 and became the first non-Disney animated film to gross $100 million in North America. Both movies are based on Nickelodeon's series, which is broadcast in over 100 countries and 30 different languages.

* * *

Tube Studios Announces Production of New Animated Series
Tube Studios, Inc., a Montreal-based digital content creation company, announced this week the commencement of production on a new animated series. The production is called NUNAVUT and is a new 26-part, fully digital animated series for 6-8 year olds. Produced in association with CBC Television, Télé-Québec and The Aboriginal People's Television Network in Canada, NUNAVUT is set in an Arctic community and follows the adventures of Inuk, a highly imaginative eight-year-old Inuit boy.

Adrian Mills, Creative Head of Children's, Youth and Daytime Programming for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) said: "CBC TV is pleased to be working with Tube Studios on this outstanding and unique series for kids. I have no doubt that NUNAVUT will become a flagship series for Canadian children."

The announcement coincided with Tube's signing of an international distribution agreement for NUNAVUT with London, UK's ENTERTAINMENT RIGHTS, the global multimedia children's and family entertainment company.

"Télé-Québec has believed in Nunavut since the beginning and we are thrilled to have the show on our network." says Cecile Bellemare, Director of Program Development for Télé-Québec. "This wonderful series based on the unique designs of the artist Marc Tetro, is sure to enlighten and entertain kids."

Friday, October 20, 2000

"R" Rated Clips Found on Toy Story 2 DVDs!
by Joe Tracy

Walt Disney Home Video is in crisis management mode today after learning that some of the Toy Story 2 DVDs released as part of the "3 Disc Ultimate Toy Box Collector's Edition" contained scenes from the "R" rated movie High Fidelity.

One of the first reports of the problem came from an Animation Artist regular reader, Paul Naas, who posted on the Animation Artist Forums some "weirdness" with his copy of the Toy Story 2 DVD on Wednesday.

"None of the supplemental material would play and my DVD player would register a disc error," says Naas. "So we decided to watch the movie, and right after Jessie's song, Toy Story 2 stopped playing and we were dropped into the middle of High Fidelity, just in time to hear some character use the F-word twice in 15 seconds. After one clear scene, High Fidelity continued with so much video noise that the characters looked like they were in the video witness protection program."

The problem has also been confirmed by many people who purchased the collector's 3 disc set at COSTCO stores.

According to ABC News, "A senior executive for Walt Disney Co., which is the parent company of ABC NEWS, declined to comment other than to say the defective DVDs were a 'duplication error.'"

Technicolor, who duplicated the DVDs for Disney, released an official statement saying, "Technicolor has identified and is investigating a manufacturing defect in part of the Disney three-disc DVD set, 'Ultimate Toy Box.' The problem exists in only a small percentage of the three-disc DVD packages and is limited to a specific isolated region of the United States."

Technicolor is the world’s largest independent manufacturer and distributor of videocassettes, CDs and DVDs. It replicates nearly 175,000 DVDs every day.

An investigation is being launched into the cause of the incident. While the 3-disc set has been pulled from most store shelves, including Costco where the problem was most reported, it is still being sold on Amazon.com, which hasn't found any problems with the DVD sets it is selling.

The repercussions over this incident may not only hurt Disney, but also Pixar, which is holding its annual Shareholders meeting next Thursday in San Francisco.

In 1997, Pixar entered into a coproduction agreement with Disney to produce five original animated productions. Under the terms of the agreement, and according to Pixar's 1999 Financial Information booklet sent to Shareholders, "Pixar and Disney agreed to cofinance the production costs of the pictures, co-own the pictures (with Disney having exclusive distribution rights), co-brand the pictures and share equally in the profits of each picture and any related merchandise and other ancillary products, after recovery of all marketing and distribution costs (which Disney finances), a distribution fee paid to Disney and any other fees or costs, including any participations provided to talent and the like."

Any costs associated with the recall, reduplication, and other costs could take away from the amount that both Disney and Pixar make on the film unless all costs are covered by Technicolor.

Stay tuned to Animation Artist Magazine throughout the weekend as we present more information regarding this developing story. Tomorrow we will publish another special report.

Joe Tracy is the publisher of Animation Artist Magazine and the author of the book Web Marketing Applied.

Saturday, October 21, 2000

New Details in Toy Story 2 DVD "R" Rated Glitch Fiasco
Special Report #2 (Click here for the first special report)
by Joe Tracy

The problem with "R" rated clips from High Fidelity appearing on select copies of the Toy Story 2 "3 Disc Ultimate Toy Box Collector's Edition" DVD set is more widespread than Technicolor and Disney have stated to the press.

In an official statement, Technicolor stated that the problem "is limited to a specific isolated region of the United States." According to E! Online, unnamed Disney sources stated that the region was the "Midwest". However, Animation Artist Magazine and ABC News have confirmed several incidents on the West Coast.

Animation Artist reader Paul Naas lives near San Francisco, CA, and was surprised to hear that the problem was only in the "Midwest."

"Well, unless the San Francisco Bay Area is now part of the Midwest, Disney's mistaken as to how widespread the distribution of the defective discs is," Naas states in the Animation Artist Forums.

Animation Artist Magazine staff visited two Costco stores in Southern California on Friday and both stores had already pulled the 3-Disc set, further indicating that the problem spans further than the Midwest.

It is believed that Technicolor is at fault for the problem as it was in charge of the duplication for the 3-disc set.

Technicolor released an official statement, which reads as follows:

"Technicolor has identified and is investigating a manufacturing defect in part of the Disney three-disc DVD set, 'Ultimate Toy Box.' The problem exists in only a small percentage of the three-disc DVD packages and is limited to a specific isolated region of the United States.

There has been NO defect identified with discs contained in the two-disc DVD 'Toy Story Deluxe' sets. The manufacturing defect has been identified as a content mix, affecting some of the Toy Story 2 DVDs from the Ultimate Toy Box'.

Technicolor will continue to investigate the cause of the defect and the magnitude of the problem. Further information will be provided as soon as it becomes available."

Some are calling the problem the "Sonic Death Monkey Bug" because of the High Fidelity clip that cuts into the Toy Story 2 movie. Seattle, WA resident Dave Kramer is another person who purchased a defective copy. He says that "the cut is too smooth to be an unhappy accident, if you ask me."

Kramer adds that the clip from High Fidelity that cuts into Toy Story 2 is from the character Jack Black who says, "And if Laura's bourgeois lawyer friends can't take it, **** them! Let 'em riot, we can take it, we're ****ing Sonic Death Monkey."

"Then the movie glitches out completely," says Kramer. "It appears to be all outtakes and alternate takes from the High Fidelity disc, all strung together like they're NOT on the actual High Fidelity disc. Except the picture is all screwed up and the sound stutters."

Naas, who has had some experience with the process of DVD replication, believes that the problem was simply a replication error and nothing more. He points out that the High Fidelity clip was not the only problem with the DVD. In addition, the supplemental material wouldn't play.

E! Online quoted an unnamed Disney source as saying, "Duplication errors like this happen all the time. It's a tiny problem."

Tell that to Janie Ward, a mother of two in Redmond, WA, whose young kids were watching Toy Story 2 when the clip came on.

"I heard a couple of swear words that I don’t think they’ve ever heard and am not sure they knew what they were, so I just got them out of the room as fast as I could," Ward told KOMO 4 News in Seattle, WA. "There were two of what I consider pretty foul strong words just in that really quick moment and then it went to something else and then it came back to that same scene again... I’m not sure they knew the words they heard, but I didn’t really want them learning them.”

Costco sold several thousand copies of the DVDs before the glitch was caught.

The glitch occurs right after Jessie's "When She Loved Me" song. Interestingly enough, the voice of Jesse is Joan Cusack. High Fidelity is a John Cusack film. They are brother and sister.

Joe Tracy is the publisher of Animation Artist Magazine and the author of the book Web Marketing Applied.

Sunday, October 22, 2000

God, The Devil, and Bob Revived in the UK
Rejected by TV viewers in the US, the animated TV series "God, The Devil, and Bob" is being given new life thanks to UK TV authorities who are praising the series and think it will be a hit. Beginning in early 2001, "God, The Devil, and Bob" will air on BBC Two.

* * *

Aardman Animations "Creature Comforts" Coming to DVD
Aardman Animation Studios Academy Award winning "Creature Comforts" is coming to DVD on November 28th, along with three other Aardman shorts, courtesy of Image Entertainment, Inc.

The $9.99 DVD will contain the following four clay animation shorts:

• Creature Comforts
• Wat's Pig
• Not Without My Handbag
• Adam

"Creature Comforts" will be presented in anamorphic widescreen and the other three shorts will be featured in their original full-frame configurations. The 35-minute program will be in Dolby Digital stereo and close captioned for the deaf and hearing impaired.

"Creature Comforts" won the 1990 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. "Wat's Pig" was nominated for the same award in 1996. "Adam" received an Oscar nomination in 1992.

Preorders for "Creature Comforts" will begin on October 31, 2000

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