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Monday, September 18, 2000
Bad Year for Disney Animation
According to the Orlando Weekly:
"It's been a bad year for Disney Feature Animation.
Dinosaur underperformed at the box office. Fantasia 2000
had some success in IMAX theaters, but died a dog's death in
regular release. And Eisner is said to hate the company's problem-plagued
Christmas release, The Emperor's New Groove.
And then there's the movie that no one dares talk
about: John Henry. This is a short subject the Mouse has
had in the can for more than a year now. Produced at Disney's Florida
animation studio, the film celebrates an American folk hero, 'that
steel-driving man' who wages an epic battle with a steam engine
to prove man's superiority over machine. Given the quality of the
completed cartoon, many within the company feel it's sure to snag
an Oscar nomination.
Yet John Henry remains locked away, its release
date uncertain.
Click
here for the full story then click
here to discuss it.
* * *
Getting "Jiggy" With It (Jiggy Bug)
 What
do you get when you take a few profession animators from Los Angeles
and New York and team them up on a three minute project? The answer
is "Jiggy Bug," a nine month labor of love that is directed
and produced by David J. Sung and created by Chaiporn Panichrutiwong.
Overseen by UBO Network's Animation Division, "Jiggy Bug"
is making its rounds at film festivals and will soon be premiering
on the Web. The short already took first place for "Best 3D
Animation" in the "World Internet Animation Competition."
Among the judges for the competition were Stan Lee and Brad Bird.
For the modeling, the "Jiggy Bug" team used Maya. For
the animation and rendering, the "Jiggy Bug" team used
Character Studio and 3D Studio Max. The project was the first from
the newly formed UBO 3D Department.
Click here to see an initial concept
clip (Quicktime
required) from "Jiggy Bug" that was animated by Chaiporn
Panichrutiwong and Daizo Kinoshita. There's also a "Jiggy Bug"
45 second teaser that will soon be making the rounds online.
Here are some images from "Jiggy Bug":
Tuesday, September 19, 2000
More Nelvana Merger Details Emerge
The merger between Corus and Nelvana, where Nelvana will be acquired,
is going forward. On Monday, both companies announced that a $374
million deal had been reached. In addition, the Board of Directors
of both compananies have officially approved the merger. Once the
acquisition is complete, Corus may turn its eyes towards Cinar.
To read past Animation Artist news reports on the
Corus and Nelvana merger, visit the following links:
Nelvana
Stock Raises on Buyout Speculation (Tuesday, September 5, 2000)
Cinar
May be Target of Acquisition Attempt (Monday, September 11,
2000)
* * *
Box Office Results for Animated Movies
Here are the Box Office results for last weekend's animated
films:
Chicken
Run
$276,101 ($465 per screen average - 19% drop)
28th at the Box Office (also #28 last weekend)
Total to Date: $104.9 Million
Pokemon
2000
$135,907 ($256 per screen average - 25% drop)
39th at the Box Office (down from #37 last weekend)
Total to Date: $43.5 Million
Dinosaur
$107,012 ($572 per screen average - 58% decrease)
40th at the Box Office (down from #30 last weekend)
Total to Date: $136.3 Million
* * *
New to DVD
The following animated movies and shows were released to DVD
Today:
The
Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea
Maze
Mobile
Suit Gundam Wing - Operation 3
Pokemon
- The Po-Ke Corral (Vol. 21)
The
Slayers - DVD Collection (Vols. 1-8)
Wednesday, September 20,
2000
Chicken Run DVD and VHS Details Emerge 
Chicken Run will be released to DVD
and VHS
on November 21, 2000. The first full-length feature film from Aardman,
the Academy Award-winning creators of "Wallace & Gromit," Chicken
Run brought in nearly $105 million in the U.S. Box Office to
become the number 1 grossing non-Disney animated film of all time.
While the Chicken Run VHS will only contain
the movie, DreamWorks is putting a lot of effort into the Chicken
Run DVD with numerous bonus features.
Here is a list of the DVD features:
Widescreen Anamorphic
Closed-captioned
Commentary by directors Nick Park and Peter Lord
Production notes
Theatrical trailer(s)
NBC's "Making Of Chicken Run"
HBO's "Hatching of Chicken Run"
Screaming Chicken Panic Button
Trailers
Cast and Crew Bios
Production Notes
"Escape the Pie Machine" Game
"Whack a Tweedy" Game
To play the games you'll need to run the DVD on a
PC or on Sony's new upcoming Playstation 2 consoles.
You can preorder
the Chicken Run DVD at Amazon.com by clicking here.
* * *
Russian Studio Creates The New Bremen Musicians
Russian-based Tema has finished work on The New Bremen Musicals
52-minute animated feature. Considered a sequel from a 2D Bremen
Musicals animation in the 70's, centers around Troubadour Jr., the
son of Troubadour and Princess, characters from the earlier story.
Troubadour Jr. is a troublemaker whose devil-may-care attitude has
earned the disapproval of his grandfather, the King. But the King
has bigger problems to worry about a deviant gang leader is plotting
to trick the elderly, decrepit King into marrying her. She will
stop at nothing to get her hands on his power and the kingdom, even
kidnapping Troubadour Jr., the King’s grandson.
Tema used Cambridge Animation Systems’ Animo software as its central
animation tool for the production.
Thursday, September 21, 2000
Anime Fever Spreads at Major Toy Launch
Japanese sci-fi animation property, Gundam Wing, was officially
launched in Canada on September 16, by Bandai America Incorporated.
The Gundam anime series, which follows five teenage
pilots who each operate Gundam mobile suits (robot-like machines)
to save the universe from the evil OZ empire, is a cultural phenomenon
that has achieved legacy status in Japan. It has entertained audiences
for two decades with seven television series, eight feature films,
novels, comics, videos and toys. It has grossed over $5 billion
in retail sales and one year after its introduction to the U.S.
market, sales are reaching unprecedented levels.
At a celebration event at a downtown-Toronto Toys
"R" US store, Canadians lined up for the official unveiling of Gundam
Wing action figure and model kit toy line as well as the television
series. A dramatic confrontation between main character Heero Yuy
and the evil Oz commander Treize Khushrenada, was staged and gave
audiences a glimpse of what the popular series is all about.
In the same afternoon, Canadians cheered on the top
local university anime clubs at a Gundam Wing model kit building
challenge. In less than three hours, anime clubs Anime Extreme (University
of Toronto, YAMA (York University), URanime (Ryerson) and UTARPA
(University of Toronto) created masterpieces with incredible attention
to detail. After a tough decision, University of Toronto's Anime
Extreme took first prize, which included a donation from Bandai
and an exclusive Gundam Wing prize pack.
With Gundam Wing, Bandai hopes to expand the growing
anime category. Anime, the distinctive style of Japanese animation,
goes beyond the mere realm of entertainment as it can bring up philosophical
questions and deals with thought-provoking themes. Typically, a
series provides a lesson or moral that challenges the viewer to
think about life. Anime was first introduced to North American audiences
in the late 1960s with Speed Racer and Astro Boy. However, the popular
hits Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, Pokémon and Digimon have adopted
a much wider and mainstream audience than their predecessors.
"For years, Gundam has been a favourite among kids
and adults in Japan and we are proud to bring this popular phenomenon
to Canada," says Shin Ueno, vice president of marketing, Bandai
America Incorporated. "We are especially excited that YTV is airing
the series this fall."
Gundam Wing premiered on YTV on September 11, 2000
and can be seen Monday through Thursday at 11:30 p.m. Since its
debut on the U.S. Cartoon Network this past March, the series has
consistently placed first or second in the popular Toonami block.
* * *
Stan Lee Lets 19 Go to Outsource Animation Work
Stan Lee Media has fired 19 employees as a result of outsourcing
animation work to companies overseas. Stan Lee Media says the move
will reduce overhead costs.
"This is an opportunity to maintain the highest quality animation,
while reducing internal overhead costs. Outsourcing portions of
the production process to overseas animation production companies
will also allow us to direct added creative resources and focus
more attention on creating additional branded content and developing
the type of strategic partnerships and licensing agreements that
will culminate in revenue generation. Our slate of current production,
as well as our moving into production on our recently announced
franchises such as `Conan the Barbarian' and Gene Roddenberry's
`Starship,' gives us the critical volume necessary to establish
international production partnerships," stated Kenneth Williams,
Stan Lee Media President and CEO.
* * *
Electric Image Now Independent From Play, Inc.
Play Incorporated has announced its 3D animation subsidiary, Electric
Image, completed an amicable management buyout agreement and is
now an independent corporation. The new company will focus on developing
and marketing advanced digital animation solutions.
Play acquired Electric Image in April 1998 with the stated goal
of merging Electric Image's powerful 3D technology with Play's real-time
video technologies. With the completion of Trinity 2.0 and Personal
FX 2.0, the resulting integration of Electric Image's rendering
technology now allows video professionals to create fully customizable
real-time 3D video effects unlike any other system on the market.
The Play acquisition of Electric Image also resulted in the release
of Amorphium and supported development efforts for the upcoming
Electric Image: Universe 3D animation system.
Play's customers will continue to reap the benefits of EI's advanced
3D engine under a licensing agreement between the two companies.
Play will also continue to sell and support Amorphium 1.0 during
a transitional period.
Dwight Parscale will lead the newly independent Electric Image
as Chairman and CEO. Mr. Parscale led Play's 3D subsidiary since
he joined Electric Image in November 1998. Original Electric Image
founders Jay Roth and Markus Huoy will also remain with the company.
"Over the last two years, Play redefined the sophistication of
real-time visual effects by integrating Electric Image technology
into Trinity," explains Mr. Parscale. "Now the 3D team is looking
forward to focusing its energies on newly emerging opportunities
in the 3D marketplace. We have expended a large amount of time and
effort developing a new architecture that will greatly enhance our
development process and speed to market with new features on all
platforms for the Universe product. In addition to putting the finishing
touches on Universe we will continue to develop, sell and support
future versions of our award-winning and highly regarded Amorphium
product."
Friday, September 22, 2000
Digimon Given PG Rating! Emperor Gets a "G"
According to both Variety and Reuters, Digimon: The Movie
has been given a PG rating by the Motion Picture Association of
America. As a film aimed at younger children the PG rating could
sink Digimon at the Box Office. The reason for the rating
is "for action violence". FOX, which is distributing the
film, will have the opportunity to edit the film for a "G"
rating, if desired. But that will have to be done before October
6, 2000, when it is scheduled to hit theaters. Earlier this year,
FOX released another PG animated film, Titan A.E., which
bombed at the Box Office, leading to the downfall of Fox Film's
CEO.
In other ratings news, Disney's The Emperor's New
Groove has been given a G rating by the Motion Picture Association
of America.
* * *
Curious Labs Ships Poser 4.03
Curious Labs, Inc. today announced it has begun shipping Poser(R)
v 4.0.3, the award-winning 3D-character animation and design tool
for digital artists and animators. Poser 4.0.3 is the latest version
of the former MetaCreations, Corp. software, purchased by egi.sys
AG in March 2000. Upgrades to Poser v 4.0.3 are available as free
downloads (www.curiouslabs.com)
for current Poser 4 customers. Owners of earlier versions of Poser
(formerly Fractal Design and MetaCreations) can upgrade to Poser
4.0.3 for US $99.00--valid serial number required.
"Poser 4.0.3 represents the next generation of Poser under its
new corporate name and brand--Curious Labs," said Steve Cooper,
president of Curious Labs. "When we announced Poser's return to
the market at SIGGRAPH 2000 this past July in New Orleans, we were
overwhelmed by e-mail requests from new and existing Poser enthusiasts.
We are now proud to be shipping Poser 4 again, continuing the legacy
of this powerful 3D-character posing and animation tool," said Cooper.
Poser's creator, Larry Weinberg, CEO of Curious Labs--and many
of the original engineering, marketing, research and development
and sales team from MetaCreations, Inc. joined together to form
Curious Labs in Santa Cruz, California in April 2000 with equity
partner egi.sys AG in Germany
Saturday, September 23, 2000
Noddy Revamped for 21st Century
According to BBC News:
"Enduring children's favourite Noddy is to make a
£10m TV comeback in a brand-new series.
In contrast to the familiar puppet-based animated
programmes made in the 1960s and 1970s, the new series of 100 episodes
will feature hi-tech computer graphics.
The 21st century version of the mischievous rosy-cheeked
character, created by children's author Enid Blyton in 1949, may
appear on British TV screens as early as June next year…"
Click
here for the full story.
* * *
Mainframe Prepares for Gatecrasher
Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. and Black Bull Entertainment,
L.L.C. have signed a development agreement to bring the new monthly
comic series Gatecrasher to television.
The agreement calls for Mainframe Entertainment to develop a computer
animated half-hour television series for the youth market from the
sci-fi comic series. Gatecrasher is designed and written by the
team of Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Connor and Mark Waid.
Gatecrasher is the story of Alec Wagner, a college student who
is half-human, half-alien and a full-time member of the Split-Second
Squad, a secret alien army that protects Earth from alien attacks
through interdimensional `gates.' Using its liquid supercomputer
ThinkTank, the Squad was able to locate these gates before damage
could be done -- until it was destroyed and its contents splashed
all over Alec's body. Although the youngest and least experienced
of the team, Alec is the only Squadder with the power to sense when
and where the invaders will strike, so he is always on call.
Sunday, September 24, 2000
Assets of Lacewood Group Acquired
Sheldon S. Wiseman, President of Amberwood Entertainment Corporation,
and actor Leslie Nielsen have announced that an Agreement has been
entered into with PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. to acquire a number
of the assets of the Lacewood Group, subject to Court approval.
The assets being acquired include over 85 half-hours of animated
television production, including 39 episodes of "Katie & Orbie",
an extremely successful pre-school series, narrated by Leslie Nielsen
and based upon characters created by Ben Wicks and Susan Wicks.
Amberwood has commenced production on 26 new half-hour episodes
of "Katie & Orbie" for Family Channel in Canada and will immediately
begin worldwide marketing of the new episodes.
Amberwood Entertainment will be given rights to develop spin-off
and sequel productions based upon the various underlying properties
being acquired. Worldwide distribution will be handled by Amberwood
International.
Amberwood is a film and television production company engaged primarily
in the production and distribution of animated programming.
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