animated-news

Vision Film Festival Call for Entries

The following is detailed information on the call for entries for the Vision Film Festival. Take the chance to get your animation noticed.

\\Curious George\\ opens

Universal Pictures’ \\{{link http://www.curiousgeorgemovie.com/ Curious George}}\\ opens today in 2,565 theatres, according to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2006&wk=06&p=.htm Box Office Mojo}}. The film is getting pretty good reviews so far, though most critics note that it is geared towards the younger viewers. The {{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10004008-curious_george/ Rotten Tomatoes}} Tomatometer has the film at 74% fresh. {{link http://www.boxofficereport.com/wbon/forecast.shtml Box Office […]

\\Curious\\ fun

Parents wanting something to entertain the kids with before heading out to the theatre might want to check out these \\Curious George\\ downloads, crafts, and activities!

Don Hahn named temporary Head of Walt Disney Feature Animation

Earlier today, Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, sent studio employees an e-mail notice that producer Don Hahn will act as interim Head of Walt Disney Feature Animation until the Pixar acquisition has been completed. To read the e-mail, be sure to visit CGCHAR.

Oswald bounces back

It looks like new Disney CEO Bob Iger is dipping way, way back into Walt Disney’s past by “trading ‘Monday Night Football’ sportscaster Al Michaels to NBC Universal for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a cartoon character that was the predecessor to Mickey Mouse,” according to MarketWatch.com, a decision that was praised by Diane Disney Miller, […]

\\The Polar Express\\, \\The Incredibles\\ win Grammy Awards

At the {{link http://www.grammy.com/ 48th Annual Grammy Awards}} music from two animated films took home golden gramophones. “Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media” went to \\Believe\\ from \\The Polar Express\\, written by Glen Ballard & Alan Silvestri and performed by Josh Groban. “Best Instrumental Arrangement” went to Gordon Goodwin for […]

Here's to victory: Wallace and Gromit soak up the adulation

It’s big and it’s proud. Harebrained human (sans bunny ears) and his capable canine companion share a champagne toast celebrating their multiple Annie wins last Saturday night:

Disney's first-quarter profit, Pixar's production slate increase

The Walt Disney Company has announced that its first-quarter profit rose 7%, partially thanks to an increase in theme-park revenue. Posted at Bloomberg.com, the report also mentions that Disney CEO Robert Iger has revealed plans for the company to release about two Pixar films per year, with Toy Story 3 now being one of Pixar’s […]

More actors Meet the Robinsons

Wikipedia notes that joining James Issac Conde and Spencer Fox are Gary Oldman, Harland Williams, Steve Zahn, Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett for Walt Disney Feature Animation’s December release, Meet the Robinsons.

Flushed Away teaser site opens with preview

The official teaser site for the DreamWorks Animation/Aardman film Flushed Away is now online. The site comes equipped with a sneak peek of the project, in QuickTime, Windows Media, Real Player, PSP and iPod formats.

Menu screens from Curse of the Were-Rabbit DVD

Twelve menu screens from the Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit DVD have popped up at DVD Active. With a slew of award nominations and victories, 2005’s best reviewed film, according to Rotten Tomatoes, is now available to own on DVD.

RIP, Myron Waldman

At the age of 97, animator and illustrator Myron Waldman died last Saturday, February 4th, at New Island Hospital in Bethpage, New York. His death came as a result of congestive heart failure, his family stated. During his career, Waldman worked on such classic characters as Betty Boop, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Popeye and Superman. […]

DreamWorks Animation recruiting new employees

With “Showtime for DreamWorks,” MSNBC investigates the recent endeavors of DreamWorks Animation’s search for more animators. Over the next 12 months, the studio will be hiring more than 200 workers, in an attempt to maintain its energetic production schedule. Talent is being scouted from such countries as Canada, Europe, and New Zealand. Furthermore, DreamWorks Animation […]

Disney Channel promotes Bonnett and Brustrom, hires Moon

Disney Channel has promoted both Adam Bonnett and Jeff Brustrom, writes the site Broadcasting and Cable. Bonnett will now serve as senior VP, original series, while Brustrom will act as VP, live-action series. Meanwhile, the channel has hired animator Mike Moon, providing him with the title of VP, animated series.

Listen to Curious George soundtrack, read about its inspiration

The “Full Listening Party” section of AOL Music now features the Curious George sountrack, titled Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George. Included in the disc’s lineup is Jack Johnson’s currently popular track “Upside Down,” prominently featured in most of the movie’s television commericials. In related news, The Honolulu Advertiser looks at the Curious […]

Were-Rabbit hops away with ten Annies

Nick Park’s Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit by DreamWorks/Aardman Animation was the clear winner at last night’s {{link http://www.annieawards.com/ 33rd Annual Annie Awards}} ceremony held at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. The stop-motion film won 10 awards, sweeping every feature film category and winning an award in every category it was […]

RIP, Al Lewis

At the age of 95, Al Lewis passed away on Friday night, following years of failing health. From 1961-63, Lewis starred in the popular TV classic Car 54, Where Are You?, as Officer Leo Schnauser. The actor later appeared as Leo “Schnauzer” in the show’s 1994 theatrical remake. However, Lewis’ most famous role came in […]

Cars Super Bowl spot

The Cars television ad set to air this Sunday night during the Super Bowl is now available for one’s veiwing pleasure online. Thanks to “scofo” at the Animated-News Forum for the heads up!

Narnia Extended Edition DVD on the way

Paul Martin of NarniaFans.com points to USA Today, where word comes that in addition to the two upcoming DVD releases of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, fans should expect an extended version of the film in the near future as well. “It’s interesting to note, that the current film […]

Curious poster, history, and premiere

Reuters via Yahoo! News Signapore focuses on the past, present, and future of the Curious George brand. The article also notes that with the inquisitive chimp investigating theaters next weekend and televisions this fall, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is hoping to make Curious George a merchandise giant. “From a merchandising standpoint, we’re aiming at […]

Warren Buffet joins Secret Millionaire's Club

Billionaire investor Warren Buffet, nicknamed “The Oracle of Omaha,” has signed up for PBS’ animated children’s program, The Secret Millionaire’s Club. Produced by DIC Entertainment, the series will teach its young viewers the importance of “financial literacy,” helping them make better money choices when they are older. The news comes courtesy of Forbes.com.

CBS gets Comfort-ed by Creature

After a 13-year absence, animation in television series form will finally return to CBS, as the network has ordered seven half-hour episodes of Aardman Animations’ Creature Comforts. Based on the popular British TV series with the same name, the show, to be produced in Los Angeles and Bristol, England, will air midseason 2006-07. “In Comforts, […]

Disney, Pixar extend distribution agreement to include Ratatouille

Should the merger of the two studios fail to close this summer, the Walt Disney Co. and Pixar Animation Studios Inc. have extended their current distribution deal to include Pixar’s 2007 entry, Ratatouille. “This is a deal that Disney and Pixar negotiated independent of the proposed merger to handle the distribution of Ratatouille until such […]

Disney's upcoming animation lineup being evaluated

CGCHAR indicates that “almost every single [Disney animated] movie in production, pre-production, and development” will be evaluated by John Lasseter and Ed Catmull, who were recenty named Chief Creative Officer and president of the combined Disney and Pixar animation studios. That project lineup includes such films as American Dog, Rapunzel, and Gnomeo & Juliet. However, […]

Adamson returning to Narnia for Prince Caspian

NarniaWeb relays the news that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe director Andrew Adamson will return to tell the second chapter in the Narnia film series, Prince Caspian. “Making The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe couldn’t have been a more rewarding experience, not just in terms of creative achievement […]

Zellweger, McGregor, Watson meet Potter

Cinematical sends word that Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, and Emily Watson are set to star in Miss Potter, an account of Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit. Zellweger will play in the title role, with McGregor acting as publisher Norman Warne. Watson’s role has yet to be announced. Babe helmer Chris Noonan will direct […]

First look at Museum

Showbizz.net has the first look at the T-Rex and elephant fiberglass sculptures created for the live-action/CG comedy Night at the Museum. From the Internet Movie Database, Museum’s plot is defined as, “A bumbling security guard at the Museum of Natural History accidentally lets loose an ancient curse that causes the animals and insects on display […]

DreamWorks Animation drawing Circle?

As the animators currently employed at Disney’s Circle 7 wait to hear the future of their division, CGCHAR writes that DreamWorks Animation recently invited the animators for a campus tour, in an attempt to attract some of the talented artists.

John Lasseter, the next Walt Disney?

Could John Lasseter be this generation’s Walt Disney? A new article from Reuters, via Yahoo! News, proposes the idea, offering info to support the thought. Likewise, the report presents a brief history on Lasseter’s career. On an interesting final note, the piece adds, “Lasseter is seen as so integral to Pixar’s successes that Disney stipulated […]

Doogal poster online

The one sheet for the Weinstein Co. release Doogal, also known as Sprung! The Magic Roundabout, is now online at Latino Review. The film itself will hit theaters on February 24th.