Canada’s Metro News profiles the creation of one of this year’s Oscar-nominated animated shorts, Ryan. “The project began when director Chris Landreth, lacking studio and crew, stumbled upon Seneca to fill both voids in 2002. Producer Steve Hoban and program co-ordinator Larry DeFlorio agreed Seneca would provide the labour and location — including a production […]

An interesting article from The Business Standard covers the growing trend of performing voicework for animated characters in India. “Ronnie Screwvala, chief executive officer (CEO) of UTV Software Communications, which has so far created 300 episodes of animations, said, ‘Of late voice-over has become a hot part-time profession for so many people as it helps […]

Though it’s dated at February 3rd, this article about the tech of Valiant has just appeared at HDTV Buyer Online. “Vanguard Animation was founded in 2002 by John H. Williams – the producer of Shrek, Shrek 2 and Valiant – with Valiant being the first of ten full-length animated features it has planned. Once financing […]

Reuters, via CNN Money, reports on the unit sales of the new Shark Tale home video release, according to DreamWorks. “Shark Tale [has] sold more than 6 million units in its first week in domestic home video and DVD release. The sales generated an estimated $80 million-plus in retail sales since its Feb. 8 release, […]

Kristin writes in to point out that the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film Flushed Away has changed its title to Ratropolis.

While other animation blogs are turning their attention to rather trivial matters such as news of adults watching cartoons and what might be in Popeye’s pipe, we here at Animated News prefer to focus on important issues, such as the recent release by Kellogg’s of new Lilo & Stitch cereal.

‘Ichabod’ has posted some all new large screen captures from Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest at the Ultimate Disney forums.

For those in the mood today for some amorous animation Animation World Magazine has all the info on a 24-hour Pepé Le Pew marathon showing on Cartoon Network’s Boomerang channel. The marathon promises to be a complete chronological retrospective of the sentimental skunk.

\\Pooh’s Heffalump Movie\\ opened a little below expectations in 5th place with $6 million according to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/ Box Office Mojo}}. The film is getting good reviews however, with a 75% freshness rating on the {{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/poohs_heffalump_movie/ Rotten Tomatoes}} Tomatometer.

According to \\{{link http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-pixar11feb11,1,7547317.story The L.A. Times}}\\, Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Pixar CEO Steve Jobs have been publicly sparring with each other this week. When asked about Disney’s computer animation efforts during an investor conference last week Eisner “described as ‘pretty pathetic’ the computerized human characters created by Pixar, compared with the ones Disney […]

Mark your calendars for April 22 and get ready for a magic carpet ride. ASIFA-Hollywood has just announced an Aladdin cast and crew reunion to be held at the Glendale Central Library. Confirmed guests include Andreas Deja, Eric Goldberg, Will Finn, John Musker and Ron Clements, and Tom Sito. As with last year’s Lion King […]

The Latino Review points to a new international trailer for Madagascar, opening May 27th.

JAM! Music has an article up about French-Canadian composer Ben Charest, who wrote the unique and catchy music to last year’s Les Triplettes de Bellville. “Other than being up for a Grammy on Sunday night — Charest’s in the running for best song written for a motion picture for Belleville Rendez-Vous — he was previously […]

Ain’t It Cool News has posted another early review of DreamWorks’ next CG film, Madagascar. The reviewer summarizes that one should “go see it expecting to be entertained and to get a few laughs, but not much else. I found myself thinking about what they could have done with such a great premise, so try […]

Asia Pulse, via Yahoo! Australia, reports the stunning numbers that Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film Howl’s Moving Castle has drawn in South Korea. “The film’s national audience reached the 3 million mark 50 days after its opening, rising to 3,005,200 as of Thursday, Laughing Boa said. It is now the most popular Japanese movie in South […]

“The Off-Broadway hit Blue Man Group adds film scoring to the team’s growing, multi-faceted resume as the team collaborate on the upcoming animated feature Robots,” writes Yahoo! Arts and Stage News. “Blue Man Group joined acclaimed composer John Powell on the score for the upcoming 20th Century Fox film.”

The Globe and Mail lists a few planned projects coming up for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary. “A celebration kicks off on May 5 with festivities there and at the other Disney parks in Florida, France and Japan. From a roaming animatronic dinosaur at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in Florida to new rides and an on-line […]

Leading up to the March 1 release of the 2-disc Bambi Platinum Edition Disney has released some “Fun Facts” about the movie:

The Internet Movie Poster Awards has the newest poster for Madagascar, coming to theaters on May 27, 2005.

With Minneapolis chosen as the destination for the annual Disney shareholder meeting, where better to make the U.S. premiere for a film like Dream On, Silly Dreamer? Another sharply critical look at “Corporate Disney,” shareholders were urged to attend its free screenings the day before the annual meet took place. Native director Dan Lund “came […]

No word on when it’s coming to DVD but The Philadelphia Daily News has announced some screenings of the Disney/Dali surreal collaboration Destino at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from February 16 to May 15 (link via Laughing Place).

Variety reports that DisneyWar, James B. Stewart’s expose of Michael Eisner’s 20-year tenure at Disney, hit bookstores on Wednesday, making its release three weeks ahead of schedule. In fact, some Los Angeles bookstores sold their entire stock, roughly 80 copies, of DisneyWar in one day, including Dutton’s locations in Brentwood and Beverly Hills, along with […]

Jim Hill Media quickly reports about his attending a public screening of Tony West & Dan Lund’s Dream On Silly Dreamer, which spotlights the demise of traditional animation at Walt Disney Studios. According to the site, it appears that Roy Disney himself was also in attendance at the “well-recieved” screening. Thanks to Cory Mitchell at […]

Animation Insider interviews voice actor Charlie Schlatter, voice actress Candi Milo, and animation producer Bill Schultz of Mike Young Productions’ CGI television series Pet Alien. The comedy focuses on the adventures of pre-teen Tommy Cadle, who must cater to a group of aliens that are extending their visit to earth in order to learn more […]

National Public Radio investigates the growing interest of anime in the USA. One needs Real Media Player or Windows Media Player to listen to the reports. Thanks to ‘GeorgeC’ at the Animated-News Forum for the info.

Yomiuri On-Line reports that Studio Ghibli will leave major publishing company Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co. by the end of March, in order to become an independent corporation. Establishing in Koganei, Tokyo, the company will have director Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki serving as two of its board members. Established in 1985 as a subsidiary […]

Yahoo! Movies has the newest trailer for Madagascar, with the lemurs being in the spotlight this time around. Madagascar opens in theaters May 27, 2005.

The Disney Database has posted more info concerning the upcoming Tarzan II. George Carlin, Randy Savage, and Dallas Page have been added to the cast of the anticipated “midquel”. In addition, the site has a larger version of the film’s logo. Tarzan II is scheduled to be released on June 14, 2005.

Yahoo! Finance has posted some photos from Tuesday’s book signing with Incredibles director Brad Bird.