
\\Garfield 2\\ release date change, contest info
20th Century Fox has moved the release of \\{{link http://www.garfieldmovie.com/ Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties}}\\ from June 23rd to June 16th. In other \\Garfield\\ news, {{link http://www.catster.com/garfield/?PHPSESSID=e98f66701e2e707f9800295e263258ed Catster}} (the networking community for cats) is holding a Royal Treatment Sweepstakes where 10 lucky cats, and their human, can win a Hagen Living World Cat Spa. |
O-meon CARS video podcasts
A new series of four video podcasts, which can be viewed on the o-meon.com site, with iTunes or a video iPod or listened to like a regular podcast, feature behind the scenes insights and interview with CARS director John Lasseter, producer Darla K. Anderson, character team manager Jay Ward and many of the film and […] |
Hollywood Heritage presents early Disney history
On Thursday, June 22, at 7:30pm, Hollywood Heritage will host an “Evening @ the Barn” (the Lasky-DeMille Barn across from the Hollywood Bowl) with special guests Virginia Davis (Walt Disney’s original Alice), Michael Broggie (author of Walt Disney’s Railroad Story), and Marc Wanamaker who will be presenting slides of early Disney sites. They will also […] |
ReFrederator offers animated shorts from the great directors
{{link http://refrederator.com/ ReFrederator}}, which posts free classic cartoon podcasts daily, has announced that this week’s downloads will feature some of the great animation shorts directors from the golden age of cartoons. You can see ReFrederator by downloading the episodes at their website or by subscribing through iTunes. According to ReFrederator, Great Director Week will include: […] |
TAIS presents \\Dream On Silly Dreamer\\
The Toronto Animated Image Society is presenting the documentary \\Dream On Silly Dreamer\\ on June 8th, followed by a panel of former Disney artists including Scott Caple from the California studio, Andrew Hickson from Disney Florida, Rob Bekuhrs from the California and Florida studios, and Shawn Seles from the Toronto studio will discuss their own […] |
LA ACM SIGGRAPH holds IMAX visual effects discussion
The Los Angeles Professional Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is hosting a discussion on the design and execution of visual effects in IMAX films. The event will include a screening of the film \\Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon\\ followed by a panel discussion. Tim Sassoon and Johnathan Banta of Sassoon Film Design will present some […] |
Pixar documentary airing tonight on ABC
Tonight from 8 – 11pm, The Wonderful World of Disney will once more present Toy Story. However, what makes this showing especially special is that included in the three-hour block will be a brand-new documentary of Pixar, in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Directed and produced by Leslie Iwerks, the granddaughter of animation legend Ub […] |
Speed Racer to be driven by Wachowski brothers?
The classic Japanese cartoon Speed Racer may be about to hit theaters in live-action form, courtesy of Larry and Andy Wachowski, the brothers behind the Matrix trilogy. According to IGN FilmForce, the duo might write and direct the project. Interestingly, one of the last mentions of a live-action Speed Racer movie occurred in June 2004, […] |
Katzenberg considers animation in India
While promoting Over the Hedge at the Cannes Film Festival, DreamWorks SKG cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg confirmed to Animation ‘Xpress that the company might find help in some of its animated projects through India. Specfically, he commented, “India is a very exciting place and has potential for great animation. We’ve been very impressed with the Indian […] |
New one sheet for Open Season
The Internet Movie Poster Awards has a low quality version of the latest one sheet for Open Season. Featuring the tag line “One fur all, all fur one,” the poster possesses a group shot of the film’s major characters. |
Affleck's Ark
According to Coming Soon, courtesy of Variety, Warner Bros. has picked up Aardvark Art’s Ark. Described simply as an “animated family film,” the project was written and will be produced by Casey Affleck. |
Interview: Larry the Cable Guy
Dark Horizons interviews the voice behind Mater the tow truck in Disney/Pixar’s Cars, Larry the Cable Guy. The conversation refers to Larry’s winning and working with the role. Likewise, the real name of the Cable Guy is revealed and discussed. |
Universal to do something with Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
Variety, via Coming Soon, indicates that Universal Pictures will distribute Big Idea’s follow-up to Jonah – A VeggieTales Movie, The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. The film focuses on the exploits of the “squashbuckling” group of misfits from Jonah. Directed by Mike Nawrocki and written by Phil Vischer, Pirates will now enjoy a theatrical run […] |
Superman: Braniac Attacks to premiere on Cartoon Network
Before its June 20th premiere on DVD, Supmerman: Braniac Attacks is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network, reports Superman Homepage. The showing will take place Saturday, June 17th, at 7:30pm (ET/PT). |
Transformers: The Movie DVD release announced
DVDtoons has the press release for Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s DVD debuting of Transformers: The Movie. The title will arrive in stores this November, with a “20th Anniversary Special Edition” banner. In the meantime, a teaser site for the release has already opened. |
Laura's Star to shine on DVD
Posted at Yahoo! News is Warner Home Video’s press release for the DVD arrival of the award-winning Laura’s Star. Dorinda Marticorena, WHV Vice President, Kids and Sports Marketing, commented, “German directors Thilo Gruf Rothkirch and Piet de Rycker… did a remarkable job turning this widely popular German picture book into an accessible film for children […] |
Behind the Hedge
An in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at DreamWorks Animation’s recent animated feature Over the Hedge has just been unveiled here. It includes: * Story Boards * Visual Development * End credits character animation * Colorful pop art graphic animation used in the ’60’s tradition * Video interviews * Full Cast and Crew information |
The long and the short of it: animated shorts revival
A recent article at VFX World looks at the steadily reviving animated shorts program at Disney, the never-dormant shorts program at Pixar, the new short First Flight from DreamWorks Animation, as well as animated shorts from other companies. The article mentions a short feature directed by John Lasseter to be included on the DVD for […] |
Garfield 2 international trailer
Contained at Coming Soon, the latest international trailer for Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties has been released by Twentieth Century Fox. The sequel will enter domestic theaters on July 16th. |
Ant Bully coming sooner; Barnyard opening later
Once scheduled for July 28th, Paramount Pictures’ computer animated comedy Barnyard has been “moo-ved” to August 4th. As a result, Warner Bros.’ The Ant Bully, previously set for the August 4th date, will now occupy the July 28th slot. The news comes courtesy of Coming Soon. |
Tarzan play gets into the swing of things
Last week’s Disney Insider features the upcoming stage production based on Disney’s animated feature Tarzan, especially highlighting the work that went into fleshing out the script to make it more appropriate for a Broadway stage. Thanks to Kristin for the heads up. |
New X-Men shatters box office
Barring its many computer generated effects and character animation, the newly opened X-Men is largely, and intended as, a live-action movie, but it’s still just within our genre of reporting and its opening weekend numbers are such a staggering amount that it well warrants a mention! Proving that audiences will still make the trip to […] |
Cars roundup
A group of new Cars compositions has hit the web, providing an under-the-hood look at the film. First up, director John Lasseter speaks to Coming Soon about creatve decisions employed in Cars and at Pixar. The Age likewise serves an interesting four-page piece about the movie’s making and Lasseter, who confirms that hand-drawn animated films […] |
Disney Fairies, Tinkerbell Movie update
The popularity already taking place regarding the Disney Fairies line is covered by Jim Hill Media. The site notes that due to the new line’s success and bright future, other themed lines are now being considered by Disney Consumer Products. For instance, Disney Bunnies might focus on the family of Thumper from Bambi, while Disney […] |
Eisner shares Conversation with Iger
The Los Angeles Times summarizes current Disney CEO Robert Iger’s appearance on a former Disney CEO’s talk show, Conversations with Michael Eisner. Topics raised during the talk included Disney’s acquisition of Pixar and the process of Iger’s being chosen for the CEO position. |
Release date unveiled for Star Trek: The Animated Series
To the delight of Trekkies everywhere, TV Shows on DVD, courtesy of Paramount Home Entertainment, finally has the release date for the DVD premiere of Star Trek: The Animated Series: November 21st. |
Crest Animation Studios Ltd. runs Marathon
Reuters reports that with an $18 million deal, Crest Animation Studios Ltd. is teaming with French production house Marathon for the production of a new television series aimed at children. Specifically, 52 half-hour episodes will be computer animated in the next two years, set for ages 6 – 11 years old. Details have yet to […] |
Preview The Little Matchgirl
VFX World discusses Disney’s The Little Matchgirl, the fourth and final short to be completed that was originally intended for the now aborted Fantasia 2006 project. The Little Matchgirl, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, will be making the rounds on the festival circuit then premiere for home viewing on The Little Mermaid (another Andersen […] |
El Capitan Dumbo Report
Last Thursday evening Disney’s El Capitan Theatre held a special panel discussion to kick off a two week engagement of the 1941 classic film Dumbo and its pending 65th Anniversary DVD release on June 6. Animator Eric Goldberg led the panel and was joined by famed Disney musician Richard Sherman and film music historian Miles […] |
\\Clone Wars\\ available on iTunes
{{link http://www.starwars.com/clonewars/about/news/news20060525.html Apple and Lucasfilm have announced}} the availability of the first twenty chapters of \\Star Wars: Clone Wars\\ on the iTunes Music Store. The Emmy-award winning animated series directed by Genndy Tartakovsky will be available for download individually at $1.99 or at $10.99 for the entire first volume. Volume 2 will soon follow. If […] |