Michael Barrier’s {{link http://www.michaelbarrier.com/index.html Funnyworld}} site updates this week with a number of {{link http://www.michaelbarrier.com/links.htm new added links}} to some great animation-related websites (including us – thanks Michael)! There’s also…

…Film Registry}} according to the head of Library of Congress, James Billington. Each year the Librarian of Congress, advised by the National Film Preservation Board, selects up to 25 films…

{{link http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=9856 AWN}} reports that actor Christopher Reeve (former star of the \\Superman\\ franchise) is set to direct an as of yet untitled original feature length animated film “described as…

…at: the challenges of overcoming the “hegemony of North American animation in the Spanish screens”, technical aspects of creating the mostly traditionally animated film, the film’s “innovative graphic design”, and…

…clearly building respect for animated work outside of the community and allowing the films we love step out of the shadows of beginning considered cheap distractions for toddlers and adolescents”….

The always enjoyable {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm Jim Hill Media}} shuts down today until the 29th, with a final three posts. {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/articles/guest/wsampson.12242003.1.htm Walt Disney Christmas Stories}} has Wade Sampson recounting “a…

Though the future of classically animated films in the US hangs in the balance, the medium is flourishing in Europe, thanks to technology and a boom in talented artists able…

{{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/01052004.2.htm~contentFrame Jim Hill Media}} will spotlight the situation at Disney Feature Animation – Florida this week, and is hoping to “embarrass Mouse House management into backing down” from shuttering…

…nominees include: \\Kill Bill: Vol. 1\\, \\The Last Samurai\\, \\The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King\\, \\Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World\\, \\Pirates Of…

Walt Disney Feature Animation-Florida will today officially close its doors, putting over 250 talented artists, technicians and animators out of work, as well as depriving the public of a chance…

{{link http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/critics.choice.awards.reut/index.html CNN Online}} just posted a story on Saturday’s Annual Critics’ Choice Awards, where Peter Jackson’s The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King was named best…

AWN has posted an {{link http://mag.awn.com/index.php?article_no=1965 Annie Award Voting Reference Guide}}. The “reference and resource list for all the nominated properties” has links to official websites, trailers, clips, pictures, and…

{{link http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/01/15/robot.actor.ap/index.html CNN Online}} reports that Astro Boy got the help of a real life little boy robot recently, when Sony’s humanoid Qrio entered a voice booth to record lines…

{{link http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=1971 AWN}} and Jerry Beck take a look back at “the surprises and failures of the 2003 animated features in the US”. He also takes a look at what…

…odds of a primetime animation hit, if there were, the networks would be wall to wall in them. Maybe it’s more of a secret formula, one that isn’t really all…

Also at {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/11242003.1.htm~contentFrame Jim Hill Media}} today are a few tidbits on \\The Emperor’s New Groove\\. “Disney is currently producing a direct-to-video sequel to the film – tentatively titled…

Several prestigious children’s book awards were announced earlier this week by the American Library Association, {{link http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/books/01/12/newbery.caldecott.ap/index.html CNN reports}}. Some of the winners included: \\The Tale of Despereaux\\ by Kate…

Wade Sampson joins {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/guest/wsampson.10282003.1.htm~contentFrame Jim Hill Media}} toady with the first part of a two part look back at Disney animator Ken Anderson’s contributions to the Studio’s history and…

…spots. The film is “notable for its colorful animation, particularly of the scenic backgrounds, reasonably catchy Phil Collins songs, and a bit of stylistic adventurousness”. [paid subscription required for \\Variety\\]…

{{link http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=upsell_article&articleID=VR1117894180&cs=1 Variety}} reports that plans for the stage musical \\Mary Poppins\\ are firming up, and the show is on track for its premiere 14 months from now. Veteran broadway…

{{link http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=9411 AWN}} reports that Disney has named it’s 2003 Disney Legends honorees, a recognition that began in 1987 to honor individuals for their “creativity and imagination”. This year’s honorees…

{{link http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=9423 Animation World Network}} has reported that Shrek producer John H Williams, who has a four picture CG deal set up with Disney in the US under his Vanguard…

{{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm Jim Hill}} gets the scoop once again in a great article on \\George of the Jungle 2.\\ Brendan Fraser, the actor portraying the title character in the original…

Although many may want to wipe this from their minds, today sees the release of {{link http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005JMAY/ref=ase_thehomeimprovemz/102-3502886-9685707?v=glance&s=dvd George Of The Jungle 2}} on DVD. Based on the Jay Ward characters…

…December as part of the Walt Disney Treasures: On The Front Lines DVD. Check out his {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=42#post42 post}} for details. There is more at the {{link http://www.oscars.org/events/aaw/index.html AMPAS Official…

…his classic films also just out on disc, {{link http://www.dvdfile.com/news/special_report/ten_questions/harryhausen_ray/index.html DVD File}} today has Ten Questions with the creator of many of the most memorable special effects films in history….

Sony Pictures Entertainment has confirmed that its six-minute, Oscar-winning short The ChubbChubbs is being readied as one of the first feature film offerings from their CG animation department, with the…

FOX TV has four new animated shows planned for the 2004-2005 season, and \\{{link http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=upsell_article&articleID=VR1117894386&cs=1 Variety}}\\ reports that one is based on radio host Phil Hendrie, the “critically-hailed KFI-AM gabber…

…at the battle between DisneyLand’s A Bug’s World and Caterpillar Inc, and how the merchandise department “helped” shape the look of the prehistoric beasts in Disney’s 2000 animated film Dinosaur….

…it has a lot of little known trivia including: – part of Michael Eisner’s inspiration in pushing this project forward was “an original landscape he’d bought by Albert Bierstadt” –…