Ilion Animation Studios is hiring in Madrid  for a full CGi production of Paramount Animation to be released in 2016. MANY positions open!
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Monthly Archives: September 2014
News: A few more featurettes for The Boxtrolls!
A few more featurettes for The Boxtrolls!
Tour of Laika with Elle and Isaac:
Halloween How To:
http://youtu.be/qjjAGIo496I
THE BOXTROLLSÂ opened in theaters on September 26!
DOWNLOAD the Official Poster Here:http://www.42west.biz/BOXTROLLS/THEBOXTROLLS_OfficialPoster.zip
For additional information please visit:Â http://www.focusfeatures.com/the_boxtrolls
To view the official trailer please visit:Â http://youtu.be/z3eHd87dx6M
Get social with the Boxtrolls:
https://www.facebook.com/theboxtrolls
http://instagram.com/theboxtrolls#
https://twitter.com/TheBoxtrolls
#TheBoxtrolls
THE BOXTROLLSÂ opened in theaters on September 26!
Story: A family event movie from the creators of “Coraline†and “ParaNorman†that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,†where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.
Directors:Â Anthony Staachi and Graham Annable
Writer: Based on the novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow
Voice Cast: Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, Jared Harris, Toni Collette, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan
MPAA Rating: PG
News: THE JIM HENSON COMPANY’S DINOSAUR TRAIN ROARS ACROSS EUROPE AND RUSSIA!
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY’S DINOSAUR TRAIN ROARS ACROSS EUROPE AND RUSSIA!
Los Angeles, CA (September 29, 2014) The Jim Henson Company’s critically acclaimed and Emmy® nominated animated children’s series Dinosaur Train continues to gain momentum across Europe, with the company signing new licensees in key European territories ahead of this year’s Brand Licensing Europe.
“We have an incredibly strong licensing program across Europe, where Dinosaur Train airs on major TV networks such as Nickelodeon UK, Disney Channel Germany, France TV, and RTVE Clan in Spain,†commented Richard Goldsmith, Executive VP, Global Distribution and International Consumer Products. “We work with exceptional licensing agents in these countries who have done an great job delivering top quality products, and with over 35 licensees in Western Europe alone, and new toy products from TOMY and educational learning titles from VTech debuting in key markets for the holiday season, we anticipate a strong holiday season at retail for the brand.â€
Newly signed agreements and new products to market for Dinosaur Train include:
In Russia, two Dinosaur Train licensees—C-Trade Ltd. (publishing and toys) and Gruppa Tovarischey LLC (back to school)—are set to debut over 200 new products in the market, including outdoor seasonal toys and plush, back-to-school items including backpacks and stationary, and a wide array of published goods. To cater to local interests, Dinosaur Train is to be featured on a YouTube branded channel, due to launch this year, with Russia being the first country that it will be available.
In Germany, the company has signed a new agreement with Kosmos for travel games, and new products launching this fall include magazines from Panini, partyware from Papstar, housewares from Herding and plush from Huenec. Other key partners in the territory include Universal Music (audio books) and Nelson Verlag (sticker books).
In the UK, new agreements have been signed with Gemma International for greetings cards and party ware and with Play by Play for plush, joining other partners that include Aykroyds (nightwear), Character World (bedding), Smith & Brooks (outerwear) and Redan (publishing).
In Spain, new products are under development with Educa (puzzles), Montichelvo (back to school), Hot Shots (candy and cookies) and United Labels (apparel and accessories), joining other partners that include Panini (publishing), Saica Toys (outdoor), Musicales Reig (musical toys) and Play by Play (plush).
Representing The Jim Henson Company’s Dinosaur Train across the region are Nickelodeon UK for the UK market; Studio Canal for France; LizenzWerft for Germany; SelectaVision for Spain; Alicom for the Nordic Region; and Megalicense for Russia.
About Dinosaur Train
Dinosaur Train is produced by the Jim Henson Company and co-produced with Singapore animation company Sparky Animation with the participation and assistance of the Singapore Development Authority. PBS handles distribution in all media in the domestic territory. The Jim Henson Company handles international distribution, licensing and merchandising other than in Asia and select other foreign territories, which are handled by Sparky Animation.
About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals as well as the new series Doozers, a CG animated preschool series. Features include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and the upcoming Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, and television productions include Fraggle Rock the sci-fi cult series Farscape, and the reality competition Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shopâ„¢, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring “Puppet-Up! – Uncensored,†a live puppet improvisational show. http://www.henson.com   www.facebook.com/hensoncompany  www.twitter.com/hensonparents
# # #
For media inquiries:
Michelle Orsi / Carol Holdsworth
Three.Sixty Marketing & Communications
michelle@360-comm.com / carol@360-comm.com
9 Story Ent. secures multiple deals for award-winning preschool series PEG + CAT
9 Story Entertainment secures multiple deals for award-winning preschool series PEG + CAT                    Â
Toronto, Canada – September 28, 2014 – 9 Story Entertainment is pleased to announce that it has secured multiple sales of the award-winning animated preschool series, Peg + Cat (80 x 12’). The show has been acquired by TFO (French-speaking Ontario), Télé-Québec (Quebec), RTP (Portugal) and MBC Kids (UAE). The series originally debuted on PBS Kids in the fall of 2013 and recently won 3 Emmy® awards, including Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Animation Program.
The series was previously licensed to Treehouse (Canada), SVT (Sweden), YLE (Finland), TVNZ (New Zealand), Â Canal+ Family together (France and French-speaking territories), CSC (UK), TG4 (Ireland) Super RTL (Germany and German-speaking Europe), ABC TV Australia, Disney (Korea), HOP (Israel), Mini-Mini (Poland), E-Junior (UAE) and Zee Learn (India).
Created by Emmy® award-winning creative director, animator and children’s writer Jennifer Oxley (Little Bill, The Wonder Pets!) and Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster), Peg + Cat is co-produced by 9 Story Entertainment and The Fred Rogers Company for PBS Kids. 9 Story has international distribution rights to the series.
The series follows an adorable spirited little girl, Peg, and her sidekick, Cat, as they encounter unexpected problems that require fun and creative solutions. In order to solve the problems, Peg and her cat must add, subtract and apply basic arithmetic. Their adventures take them to historical far-away lands, art centers in bustling metropolises and the colourful cosmos, all the while demonstrating that it’s never too early to start learning the magic of numbers.
9 Story Entertainment is one of the industry’s leading creators, producers and distributors of award-winning animated and live-action content for young audiences around the world. With one of North America’s largest animation studios based in Toronto, 9 Story has over 220 creative and production staff, and has produced over 900 half hours of quality children’s and family programming, seen on some of the most respected children’s channels around the world across multiple platforms. The company’s distribution affiliate represents a growing catalogue which includes several beloved brands such as Arthur, Wibbly Pig, Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars, Wild Kratts and Almost Naked Animals in addition to exciting new series such as Numb Chucks, Camp Lakebottom, Cache Craze, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood and Nerds and Monsters. Last year the company acquired CCI Kids, the family content division of CCI Entertainment, increasing 9 Story’s portfolio to over 1600 half hours of content with popular shows such as Guess How Much I Love You, Joe & Jack, Artzooka! and Extreme Babysitting.  www.9story.com
For further information:Â
Jennifer Ansley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 9 Story Entertainment
+1 416 530-9900 ext 230, jennifera@9story.com
News: Animation Vets honored at Animation Magazine Summit in Marina Del Ray
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Film Roman founder Phil Roman, DreamWorks producer Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon 2), director David Silverman (The Simpsons, The Longest Daycare), veteran voice actor Richard Cummings (Winnie the Pooh), Gotham Group founder Donna Goldsmith-Vein, and RGH (Rubicon Group Holding) Studio to be honored at the Animation Magazine’s Summit in November.
LOS ANGELES — Animation Magazine is pleased to announce its 2014 award recipients, which will be presented at The World Animation & VFX Summit’s Opening Night Party, on November 2 at the Marina del Rey Yacht Club. This year’s six honorees selected for their contributions to the art, technology and business of animation and visual effects are:
*Â Phil Roman (Iconic animator and founder of Film Roman):Â Lifetime Achievement Award.
* DreamWorks Animation’s Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon 2):  Feature Producer of the Year Award.
*Â Â RGH (Rubicon Group Holding):Â Breakout Studio of the Year Award.
*Â Jim Cummings(Â Winnie the Pooh) :Â Voice Talent of the Year Award.
*Â Â David Silverman (The Simpsons):Â Director of the Year Award.
* Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (Gotham Group’s Founder): Industry Angel of the Year Award
“We are thrilled to have such a distinguished group of thought leaders and visionaries at our Summit this year and glad to have them share their priceless insights about the global art and business of animation and visual effects with our attendees,” said Jean Thoren, president and publisher of Animation Magazine and founder of Animation Magazine’s Summit.
The 2014 World Animation and VFX Summit’s keynote speakers include acclaimed Producer and Director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little, Mr. Peabody and Sherman), David Steinberg, Senior Vice President of Production at Nickelodeon, and Paul Babb, CEO of Maxon.
Feature Film Case Studies panels include presentations by members of Disney’s Big Hero 6 animation and VFX team. The Summit will welcome award-winning directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), animation Co-Director/Editor Chris McKay and Cinematographer Pablo Plaisted who will be discussing the making of the beloved franchise hit, Warner Bros.’ The LEGO Movie.
On Monday (Nov. 3) some of the top-tier feature film and legal panelists will be director Tony Bancroft (Mulan, Bunyan & Babe), David Silverman (The Simpsons, The Road to El Dorado) and veteran legal professionals Jody Simon, Nancy Newhouse Porter and Gotham Agency’s Talent Manager Julie Kane-Ritsch. Director Dean DeBlois (DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon 2), Paul Young, Co-Founder of Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon (Producer of Song of the Sea) and LAIKA’s Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi (directors of The Boxtrolls) are among the luminaries of this year’s Oscar Contenders panel. Attendees can also take away tips on how to make an international film get wider exposure in the U.S. Panelists include David Jesteadt, Director of Distribution at GKIDS; Melissa Boag, Vice President of Kids and Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory; and Simon Crow, Founder and President of SC Films.
The Tuesday (Nov. 4) lineup includes a focus on television and Canadian talent and theme park entertainment. Our Innovators of the Great White North panel are Mary Bredin (Guru Studios), Rob Davies (Atomic Cartoons), Shabnam Rezai (Big Bad Boo) and Vince Commisso (9 Story Entertainment). We then move to Mattel’s Julia Pistor, Rough Draft’s Claudia Katz and Family Guy producer Kara Vallow who will discuss their everyday challenges, victories and strategies for success. The Summit’s 21st Century Tools of the Trade panelists include: CelAction President Andy Blazdell, Proof Inc.’s Founder and Chief Creative Officer Ron Frankel, Pixeldust’s Founder and President Ricardo Andrade, Ghost Town Media’s Creative Director Brandon Parvini and Flickerlab Founder and Creative Director Harold Moss. Acclaimed former Disney animator Glen Keane (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tangled), Production Designer Max Keane and Technical Project Lead Rachid E Guerrab discuss the making of Google’s beautiful new 2D animated short Duet.
Tuesday’s lineup also features a timely look at some of this year’s exciting new theme park technologies. Panelists are Richard Taylor (Media Director of Themed Entertainment at RGH), Daren Ulmer (President and Chief Creative at Mousetrappe) and Frank Drucker (Head of Broadcast Production at All Things Media).
Tickets are now available for purchase at www.animationmagazine.net/summit. Members of Animation Guild, ASIFA, OBS, VES, WGA and WIA will receive a 10% discount on tickets. Full package VIP badge includes admission to :
• Opening night Gala party and Awards Ceremony with a catered buffet
• Full Yacht Club buffet breakfast, catered buffet luncheon in the private dining area with VIP guests for both days.
• Access to all seminars
• Networking Cocktail reception for both days.
For more information, contact Nancy Bates, Nancy@animationmagazine.net
Jeff Parrott
What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Jeff Parrott. Currently I am a Course Director at Full Sail University teaching the Game Art Degree Program as well as a full-time freelance prop and environment Artist in the video game industry. I recently finished www.retrogradegame.com as an Art Director. I have also worked on a couple of Ratchet & Clank games, a Jak and Daxter title, a Silent Hill game, and a bunch of freelance projects. www.environmentartist.com is my online art portfolio.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Probably the craziest job I’ve had before working in the video game industry was working in a arcade. One of those ticket redemption arcades. Absolutely have appreciation for people that work in those places. It’s also another place where I learned to love games as an interactive medium.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Finishing Retro/Grade as an Art Director is probably my most proud moment so far. I have had the opportunity to work with insanely talented people and great people on every project I’ve contributed too. I’m very excited for what the next project around the corner is.
How did you become interested in animation?
I became interested in games after an instructor at Full Sail, Chad Kendall, got me excited about video games. He really opened my eyes to Continue reading
