News Archive for Josh Armstrong

Early word on Frog Princess

The Animation Guild Blog writes that following a story presentation for The Frog Princess, an anonymous Disney animator, described as being on an A-list level, called the traditionally animated project’s plot “fantastic.” Interestingly, a comment in the article’s talkback defined some of Princess’ early pre-production artwork as bearing a style somewhat reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’ […]

Fox catches Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox is setting up shop at Fox Animation, according to Variety. Partnering with Noah Baumbach to adapt the Roald Dahl classic, Wes Anderson will direct and produce the picture. Likewise, Scott Rudin will also act as a producer for the project. “The book tells the story of a fox who uses its wits […]

Over the Hedge enjoys successful DVD debut

Reuters via Yahoo! News reports that the Over the Hedge DVD earned an estimated $65 million last week, coming in at #1 on the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert chart. With approximately $6.9 million, the DVD also took the fourth position on Home Media Retailing’s video rental chart. Meanwhile, the Little Mermaid Platinum Edition DVD continued […]

Nickelodeon places toons on iTunes

Nickelodeon has updated its animated selection at iTunes, writes Mediaweek. Before its network premiere on November 18, Skyland may already be previewed in four episodes now available to own. Following the adventures of a brother and his sister in the year 2251, the series’ first episode may be downloaded for free at the online store. […]

Cornell presents "Conversation" with Katzenberg

The Ithaca Journal notes that “A Conversation with Jeffrey Katzenberg: The Future of Computer Animation” is coming to Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York. This Monday, October 31st, the DreamWorks Animation CEO may be seen at The Statler Hall Auditorium on the Cornell campus at 2 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Faculty of […]

Disney hires Animated American

Coming Soon points to the Variety scoop that Walt Disney Pictures has acquired Animated American, which will blend live-action with animation. Bob Cooper’s Landscape Entertainment and ImageMovers partners Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke will produce the picture. From a screenplay by Peter Ackerman, the film’s premise focuses on “a misfit who’s at sea when his […]

Beowulf to be presented in 3-D

Through Yahoo! Movies, Reuters reports that Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf is expected to open in more than 1,000 Real D theaters, in addition to other 3-D locations, in what the article calls the “largest day-and-date large-format 3-D release ever.” It is speculated that Imax theaters will also be involved in the event. The motion-captured Beowulf will […]

Directors Bowers and Fell talk Away animation

With SCI FI Wire, co-directors David Bowers and Sam Fell explained why they chose computer animation over stop-motion animation for DreamWorks/Aardman’s latest film, Flushed Away. “Our stories took us to a more expansive world. The amount of water and the underground world we would have to build would have been difficult to create [in reality],” […]

Doughboy on list of Topix

Post Magazine explains and screens the most recent television advertisement featuring the Pillsbury Doughboy. The commercial reveals the character braving a frosty mountain in a quest for “biscuits from the freezer that taste like homemade.” The ad’s visual effects were created by Topix, which has been involved in all of the Doughboy’s TV adventures for […]

Late Night to air in "skelevision"

The Associated Press via Yahoo! News reports that on October 31, Late Night with Conan O’Brien will air an episode from last May. The difference is this time, the rerun will appear in “skelevision,” reconstructed with skeleton puppets. Guests for the episode include talk show personality Larry King, House co-star Omar Epps and “pole dancing […]

Goro Miyazaki finds living up to father's legacy challenging

The San Francisco Chronicle focuses on Goro Miyazaki, son of anime master Hayao Miyazaki. While Goro’s first film, Tales from Earthsea, became the biggest hit of the summer in Japan, its reviews failed to equal the acclaim Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpieces have received. “I realized for the first time how difficult it is to be the […]

Madagascar, Panda series coming to Nick

Variety via Coming Soon indicates that Kung Fu Panda and the Madagascar penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private are coming to Nickelodeon in their very own shows. Nick Studios will handle the “day-to-day” duties for the series, with DreamWorks Animation having less involvement in the shows than in the films upon which they are based. […]

Eloise actress Mouser honored with KIDS FIRST! award

On October 14th, Mary Matilyn Mouser, who voices the title role in Starz Kids & Family’s Eloise, was honored with the “Outstanding Performance Award” at the KIDS FIRST! Film and Video Festival at the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival. Mouser earned the award specifically for her performance in the series’ special Me, Eloise, now […]

Menken teams with Slater for Enchanted, Frog Princess?

After collaborating on such Disney projects as Home on the Range and the Broadway adaptation of The Little Mermaid, composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater are possibly combining their talents once more for the movies Enchanted and The Frog Princess. The word arrives from the latest Jim Hill Media article, which sheds some light […]

"Happy Feet Merchandise Giveaway" contest

Latino Review is conducting a contest in celebration of Warner Brothers’ Happy Feet, opening November 17th. The competition offers a tremendous plethora of prizes, ranging from attire to accessories to toys based on the film. With an online form, one has until November 21st to enter the contest. Winners will be randomly drawn the following […]

André 3000 seeks assistance from voice veteran Kenny

In preparation for his animated series Class of 3000, André “André 3000” Benjamin asked Tom Kenny, possibly best known as the voice of Spongebob Squarepants, for advice on vocal acting. “Since it’s animated, you can do so much with your character. I mean, you can jump up in the air and stay there for five […]

Spider-Man 3 producer promises "groundbreaking" visual effects

At the official blog for Spider-Man 3, producer Grant Curtis comments on the film’s post-production, in which visual effects become heavily involved. Specifically, Curtis elaborates on the movie’s blend of computer animation, crafted by Sony Pictures Imageworks, and a miniature, developed by New Deal Studios

Smurf trivia commemorates characters' 48th birthday

To celebrate the Smurf’s 48th birthday, Yahoo! briefly breaks down some of the controversies that have plagued the blue beings in the past. Topics touched include communism and anti-feminism. Concurrently, the summary links to a couple of noteworthy Smurf sites.

Hugh Jackman fears plagiarism revelation

According to Contact Music, Hugh Jackman is nervous that his reputation as a master storyteller will go down the drain as soon as his son sees Flushed Away. In the film, Jackman plays the leading role of Roddy. “I always read to my son at night, but probably every second or third night I’ll actually […]

Shrek to light up Broadway; Third princesses in high-res

A 2008 Broadway musical based on the DreamWorks hit Shrek is readying for a staged reading to be held on February 23, 2007. Rehearsels for the one-day event are scheduled for February 12. Playbill indicates the Dreamworks Animation and Neal Street Productions collaboration will feature music from composer Jeanine Tesori and lyricist David Lindsay-Abaire. Tim […]

Penguin movie media

In QuickTime and Windows Media formats, a couple of new TV spots for Happy Feet have been placed online at The Movie Box, while iKLIPZ contains more of the latest ads. Concurrently, the Internet Movie Poster Awards displays three character banners for Surf’s Up.

TV on DVD: Transformers, He-Man, Scooby-Doo, Little Prince, Charlie and Lola

TV Shows on DVD breaks down the latest news regarding some animated television favorites coming soon to DVD. First of all, it appears fans of Transformers should expect the series to hit store shelves at an unknown date in 2007. In the meantime, The Little Prince fans should be on the lookout for Volume 5 […]

Andy Serkis on Beowulf, motion-capture animation

With SCI FI Wire, Andy Serkis provides his opinion on the technology used to bring next year’s Beowulf to the big screen. For the project, director Robert Zemeckis chose to use the same motion-capture technique employed for his adaptation of The Polar Express. During the conversation, Serkis explained, “I think that more motion capture is […]

The Nightmare Before Christmas roundup

At the Hollywood premiere of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Disney Digital 3-D, IESB.net gathered a slew of video interviews with the cast and crew behind the classic film. The site spoke with such stars as director Henry Selick, producer Don Hahn, composer Danny Elfman, John Lasseter, Industrial Light and Magic’s Colum Slevin […]

Fraggle Rock rolls into production

Coming Soon indicates a film adaptation of Fraggle Rock will hit the big screen in the near future. The movie will take Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red into “outer space,” allowing the Fraggle Rock characters to interact with “aliens,” otherwise known as humans. Author Ahmet Zappa (The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless) will […]

Flushed Away pays homage to sci-fi and fantasy

With SCI FI Wire, Sam Fell and David Bowers share some of inside gags to be found in their latest picture, Flushed Away. Noticing the movie’s cast, which includes such sci-fi and fantasy veterans as Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen, the directors decided to include a parade of sight jokes, riffing on such films as […]

Scooby-Doo celebrated in Boomerang marathon

Ringing in All Hallow’s Eve, the Boomerang network will present “Scooberang,” a seven-day uninterrupted marathon of Scooby-Doo adventures. Taking place October 26 – 31, the event will serve 12 different Scooby-Doo series, seven animated movies and 16 one-hour telefilms. For more details on “Scooberang,” please click:

Preview Hammy's Boomerang Adventure

DreamWorks’ Hammy’s Boomerang Adventure has been added to TurboNick. The short shows the spry squirrel’s discovery of a toy that leaves but – to Hammy’s dismay – always returns. Hammy’s Boomerang Adventure may also be seen on the Over the Hedge DVD, now available to own.

Late Night’s Pale Force unites online!

As seen on Late Night, the 90-second webisodes of Pale Force presents a pair like no other, revealing the semi-heroic exploits of Conan O’Brien and Jim Gaffigan. Together, the melanin-missing duo unites every Friday evening, in a never-ending battle for truth, justice and sunless tanner. As seen on TV, Pale Force may also be viewed […]

Featurette shows Nightmare’s 3-D evolution

Provided by Walt Disney Pictures is a noteworthy featurette for Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Disney Digital 3-D. The company’s description for the video is as follows: “Watch as Tim Burton and Henry Selick discuss why they love The Nightmare Before Christmas and how the beloved classic was transformed using revolutionary Disney Digital […]