Author Archives: Mike

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SunTrust buys DreamWorks Animation property

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The L.A. Times is reporting that an investment arm of SunTrust Banks Inc. has acquired DreamWorks Animation’s plush, Tuscany-style campus in Glendale.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, DreamWorks Animation disclosed that SunTrust Equity Funding had signed an agreement earlier this week to purchase the DreamWorks campus for $185 million.

The sale includes 10 buildings on about 15 acres of land, which was developed two decades ago and is dotted with olive trees, oaks and a koi pond.

DreamWorks isn’t exiting the property, however. Instead, the studio behind the “Shrek” movies will lease the property from SunTrust Equity Funding, a subsidiary of the bank holding company based in Atlanta.

You can read the full story at LA times.com.

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Animation Credits Demystified

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The Artiface has an interesting article by Lauren Carr, about the credits of an animated film (thanks Lisa!) and interviews some animators in the process.  As one of those lingerers who watches the entire credits of a film,  I feel it’s important to respect the hard work of others if only to see if I know anyone who worked on the film (I always do). Besides they usually have entertaining bits of animation throughout and sometimes they even have a little button at the end which is always a great finisher.

From the site:

The movie ends; the crowd wants out as if tear gas was released. Nevertheless, there are a few lingerers sitting through the credits keeping extreme focus on the screen, not willing to risk looking down while grasping for a piece of popcorn. How do they still have popcorn? Regardless, those last few keep a profound stare at tiny names racing down the screen. Perhaps the majority who glimpse at the credits might wonder how those names became crew members on an animated film. Some envision the crew thoroughly savor their employment. What in the name of all that’s holy can be cooler than working on a feature?

 

Check it out the entire article on their site The Artiface.

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Cartoon Network’s ‘Adventure Time’ Heads To Big Screen At Warner Bros.

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Deadline.com is reporting that Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time is heading to the big screen as it goes into development at Warner Bros. to produce a feature film which will be helmed by the winning combo of Chris McKay and Roy Lee.

"The Lego Movie" Los Angeles PremiereMcKay (one of the exec producers of The Lego Movie) was recently hired to direct The Lego Batman Movie at Warner Bros. and also was the genius behind Robot Chicken. Lee is producing The Lego Batman Movie and also produced Warner Bros.’ groundbreaking animated The Lego Movie along with Dan Lin. That film broke box office records when it bowed last year to $69M for the studio; it has since grossed a whopping $468.7M Pendleton_Wardworldwide. Cartoon Networks Studios will be involved in the production as will Pendleton Ward, the show’s creator who will have some involvement in writing and producing the feature version.

 

You can read the entire article by clicking this link.

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Director and Flash animator Nicolas Fong animates Belgian band BRNS latest single, ‘Many Chances’,

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*PRESS RELEASE*

“Many Chances” channels alt-J at their most menacing, and Wild Beasts at their poppiest. It’s a beguiling blend of textures and harmonies from BRNS.’ – The Line of Best Fit

Belgium-based band BRNS are proud to announce the U.K. release of their latest single, ‘Many Chances’, taken from their new sophomore album, ‘Patine’.

Having played over 200 shows in less than two years, BRNS have proven themselves as one of the most progressive and truly independent bands of this time. Playing across Europe with acts like Yeasayer, WHY?, Cloud Nothings andSUUNS, as well as performing at major European festivals such as Dour, Rock En Seine and Appletree Garden, the talented quartet have energized crowds everywhere with their sincere and exhilarating performances. NME cited them as one of the most exciting new bands of 2013, and their latest full length, ‘Patine’, promises to only confirm their hard work and dedication to expanding pop music. 　

Hailing from Brussels, BRNS members Tim “Clijsters” Philippe, Antoine Meersseman, Diego Leyder and César Laloux gain inspiration from various thriving music scenes scoping from the US to Europe. A four-piece of multi-instrumentalists who weave tunes that are all at once mystical, moody and infectious, their visceral sound will appeal to lovers of Animal Collective and Fugazi.

In addition to crafting a delicious cocktail of lulling vocals, instrumental layering, synths and percussion, BRNS’ accompanying music video for ‘Many Chances’ provokes thought and creative inspiration through its impressive animated visuals. As director Nicolas Fong describes, “The video attempts to echo that casualness, the constant internal struggle and vanity of a personal quest. It’s about fighting your inner dark demons.”

 Having just completed their five-day U.K. tour, BRNS look set to continue to impress with their unwavering ability to move from haunting ambience into chest-pounding beats and then back again.

 

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Jobs: LA Previs Animator at Zoic Studios in Culver City, CA.

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You can apply for the job here…

About Zoic Studios
Zoic Studios is a multiple Emmy and VES award winning VFX company, comprised of accomplished artists, supervisors, and producers, who understand all aspects of visual effects and the creative story process.

We are currently looking for a previs animator for our episodic division!  We are currently looking for artists with immediate availability.

Summary of Position
The previs animator works closely with the creative director, creating original animation based on project storyboards

Responsibilities

  • Skill in generating creative and engaging camera movements
  • A sense of drama, scale, and timing
  • A familiarity with creatively animating cameras for intense action filled sequences
  • Ability to take direction from the creative director
  • Ability to work in an extremely fast paced environment

Qualifications

  • 3+ years experience working as a Previs animator for commercials, film, or episodics
  • Advanced knowledge of Maya animation and cameras
  • Highly creative and flexible
  • Must be comfortable taking direction
  • A strong reel demonstrating animated cameras for action sequences
  • Ability to work on-site in our Culver City studio

You can apply for the job here…

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NETFLIX EXPANDS ITS PORTFOLIO OF ORIGINAL AND EXCLUSIVE TV SERIES WITH FIVE NEW SHOWS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

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NETFLIX EXPANDS ITS PORTFOLIO OF ORIGINAL AND EXCLUSIVE TV SERIES WITH FIVE NEW SHOWS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
Beginning in 2015, Netflix Will Premiere Danger Mouse, Inspector Gadget, Some Assembly Required, Bottersnikes & Gumbles and SUPER 4
Feb 25, 2015
Beverly Hills, Calif., February 25, 2015 – A secret agent mouse, a cyborg detective, crazy outback animals, and a group of kids who run a toy company, are just a few of the adventurous and funny characters joining the world’s leading Internet TV network beginning this year. Working with award-winning global partners, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is adding five new animated and live-action comedy series to its already broad selection of high-quality kids and family entertainment.

“We’ve seen great characters and rich storytelling work for a global audience time and time again,” said Erik Barmack, Vice President of Global Independent Content. “That’s why we’re proud to be working with some of the industry’s best producers and animators on these shows and we can’t wait for kids and families all over the world to get to know these stories.”

Left Penfold Right Danger Mouse ©2014 FremantleMedia Limited

Danger Mouse – Spring 2016
The world’s greatest superspy, Danger Mouse, returns in dashing, globe-spanning style with a new animated series that features all the classic characters, catchphrases and comedy that made it an 80’s cult favorite. With the world once more teetering on the edge of disaster, the small but heroic secret agent is back to thrill a whole new generation of fans as he attempts to overthrow a host of villainous rivals with the help of hapless hamster Penfold and a collection of state-of-the-art gadgetry and vehicles. Originally a loose parody of British spy fiction, this new Danger Mouse series will feature British actor and comedian, Stephen Fry, as Colonel K. Netflix will premiere the show in North America, Latin America, Nordics, Benelux and Japan with all other Netflix territories launching at a later date.

Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget – March 2015
Everyone’s favorite bumbling bionic detective, Inspector Gadget, is back in an all new CGI animated series. Dr. Claw has reactivated his global crime syndicate MAD and Inspector Gadget must stop him! Backed up by his niece, Penny, her dog Brain, and an arsenal of high-tech gadgetry, the lovable Gadget fights crime as only he can. The 26-episode series, produced by DHX Media (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), premieres exclusively in the U.S. on Netflix this March and will join the service at a later date in Latin America, the U.K., Ireland, Benelux, France and the Nordics – after the initial broadcast in each country.

Some Assembly Required

Some Assembly Required – Summer 2015
As the new owner of Knickknack Toys, fourteen-year old Jarvis Raines hires a group of friends from school to help him create awesome new toys. Following the teensÂ’ comedic day-to-day adventures, this live-action series created by Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) and produced by Thunderbird Films, stars Young Artist Awards nominee, Kolton Stewart, and 2015 Canadian Screen Awards nominee, Charlie Storwick. Netflix will premiere the series in all Netflix territories this year, except in Canada, where it is currently the #1 show on YTV.

Bottersnikes

Bottersnikes & Gumbles – Spring 2016

Bottersnikes & Gumbles is a fast-paced community comedy series that follows the adventures of three young Gumbles -Tink, Bounce and Willi – as they bounce about and play while avoiding getting tin-canned by their lazy and grumpy neighbors, the Bottersnikes. Developed and adapted from the much loved Bottersnikes & Gumbles books, this new CGI-animated series is created by Cheeky Little, Mighty Nice and CAKE and co-commissioned by Netflix, BBC and Channel 7 Australia. The first 13 episode season will debut exclusively on Netflix around the world in 2016, with the UK and Australia launching at a later date.

SUPER4

In addition, SUPER 4, a brand new CGI animated series inspired by PLAYMOBIL®, makes its U.S. premiere in April exclusively on Netflix. SUPER 4 follows four main characters—Alex the Knight, Ruby the Pirate, Agent Gene, and Twinkle the Fairy— as they explore the distinct islands of their planet, fight bad guys, and have fun along the way.

In 2011, Netflix launched a dedicated section for kids under 12 years old featuring TV shows and movies from great partners like PBS, Disney Channel, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Mattel, Hasbro, Lego and Scholastic, all in a commercial free environment. In 2012, Netflix and the Walt Disney Company signed an industry-first agreement making Netflix the Pay TV home of all live action and animated feature films released by Disney theatrically beginning in 2016. Additionally, all DreamWorks feature films are now available on Netflix in the Pay TV window. And DreamWorks is creating 300 hours of original kids shows exclusively for Netflix, including Turbo F.A.S.T., All Hail King Julien, Puss In Boots, Dragons and DinoTrux.

The dedicated section for kids is available across a broad range of devices including PCs and Macs, iPads, game consoles, streaming devices and smart TVs. Members are provided a kids profile upon sign up and can customize additional profiles for their kids. The kids experience features a character bar where you can find a deep selection of great TV shows and movies featuring that character. Kids, parents and caregivers will also be able to scan through row after row of movies and TV shows organized by easy-to-understand genres like superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs and girl power, featuring clear and simple descriptions of the plot of each title.

For more information visit pr.netflix.com.

About Netflix
Netflix is the World’s leading Internet television network with over 57 million members in nearly 50 countries enjoying more than two billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series, documentaries, and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause, and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Contacts:
Jenny McCabe
pr@netflix.com
pr.netflix.com
408.540.2090