Tagged With: Covid-19
VFX Legion Amps Up the Terror in Lionsgate’s ‘Cobweb‘
The visual effects boutique delivers 225+ shots for the psychological thriller, adding to the tale’s horror with invisible effects, which included a 3D animated spider, digital limb replacements, and CG environments and set extensions.
Wētā FX Supercharges the Visuals in ‘The Rings of Power’
In its latest contribution to the prodigious ‘The Lord of the Rings’ franchise, Prime Video’s expansive series now nominated for 6 Emmy’s including Outstanding Special Visual Effects, pioneering visual effects company Wētā FX, led by VFX Supervisor Ken McGaugh, makes subterranean kingdoms pulse with life and creatures like Balrogs, Snow Trolls, and Wargs be the nastiest they can be.
‘Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, the Movie’: A Showcase of Girl Empowerment
For Jeremy Zag, the film’s writer, producer, and director, his aspirational origin story about finding the courage to believe in yourself and trust your friends, set in the beautiful city of Paris with cinematic-quality, action-packed animation and 10 new songs, makes a winning combination for new audiences and ‘Miraculer’ superfans alike; now streaming on Netflix.
MELS’ President Martin Carrier to Step Down
TVA Group announced that the company leader, who expanded the business while launching a virtual production platform service during the pandemic, is leaving his position to pursue new challenges; existing executive team will establish a leadership transition plan and ensure continuity in company’s business activities.
‘The Dragon Prince’ Director Villads Spangsberg Talks Toonlines and Tough Challenges
Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning series boasts colorful and emotive CG characters, forgoing the soft, rounded look of cell-shading that’s much easier to produce but not nearly as sharp, snappy, or stylized.
Cinesite Shares ‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank’ Breakdown Reel
The studio took over the troubled production that began life as ‘Blazing Samurai,’ and with directors Rob Minkoff (‘The Lion King’) and Mark Koetsier (‘Minions’), working from only an animatic, concept art, and some 3D models, brought the 3DCG film to a rich and colorful completion.
Podcast EP 181: Mo Davoudian's Formula for A Successful Animation Studio
Brain Zoo’s founder and CEO discuss how he’s stayed ahead of the game since starting the animation studio 27 years ago; he also reflects on the studio’s evolution during COVID and how he keeps landing big brand clients.
Nancy Beiman’s ‘How I Finally Got to Live a Cat's Life: A Cartoon Diary 2020-2021’ On Sale Now
Dreaming of a cat’s life? The famed animator, author, and professor chronicles her pandemic-imposed feline staycation with humor and illustrations in her newest book, now available from major booksellers.
DNEG: Championing Employee Diversity, Inclusion, and Mental Wellbeing
For the leading VFX and animation company, senior management is all in with a new set of EDI initiatives and resources to support their talented, diverse, and expanding staff across 9 international studios.
The Stunning New Horizons of ‘The Orville: New Horizons’
VFX producer Brooke Noska helped 14 vendors deliver more than 7,000 shots in the long awaited third season of Seth MacFarlane’s sci-fi comedy adventure, streaming exclusively on Hulu.
Podcast EP 168: ‘Cantastoria’ - How 11 Students Created a StopMo Film Remotely During the Pandemic
Animators Stephen Belford, Anna Harestad, Heather Little, and Tawny Therrien discuss the challenges they overcame creating a stop-motion animated film during the pandemic while working remotely.
Will We Fail? Absolutely: A Conversation with ‘Birdgirl’s Erik Richter
The ‘Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law’ creator talks about his latest off-the-wall Adult Swim animated comedy – which begins its second season on June 19 – as well as the earliest days at Cartoon Network, the birth of ‘Harvey,’ and the creation of a new series for a new era.
Netflix Drops ‘Stranger Things 4' Vol 1 Trailer and Seasons 1-3 Recaps
If the world is indeed turning upside down, viewers best be prepared; brush up on Seasons 1-3, because all new episodes are coming this Friday, May 27 and you need to be ready!
Metaverse = Multiverse
Has China Jumped the Shark?
Release Dates Set for Illumination’s ‘Migration’ and ‘Despicable Me 4’
New animated comedies from Universal, directed by Benjamin Renner and Chris Renaud, are slated for worldwide theatrical releases in 2023 and 2024, respectively; 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' finally hits theaters July 1.
‘The Cuphead Show!’ Celebrates the Golden Age of Animation
The creative team behind Netflix’s new animated slapstick comedy, based on Studio MDHR’s award-winning ‘Cuphead’ video game, talks about keeping it real, retro, and funny; series premieres February 18.
MIPCOM 2022 is Coming to Cannes
49th Annie Awards Moving to Virtual Format
ASIFA-Hollywood cancels its live ceremony due to the spread of Omicron; event will instead stream live March 12.
COVID-19 Sends Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’ to Disney+
With cinema attendance still threatened by the ongoing pandemic, the studio’s highly anticipated new 3D/CG animated feature will skip theaters and head directly to the streamer on March 11.
Warner Bros. Drops ‘The Batman’ Trailer
Billed as ‘vengeance equals justice for both the Bat and the Cat,’ the Dark Knight – and Catwoman - return in the latest DC version of its famed Gotham City vigilante detective, with Robert Pattinson as the caped and rather moody crusader, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle, and ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise director Matt Reeves at the helm; film hits theaters March 4, 2022.
‘Tamo Junto’: Coming to Terms with COVID Through Art
In his just premiered 3D/CG short film, Brazilian animator Pedro Conti confronts his fears and celebrates his culture in the midst of a pandemic.
‘Demi’s Panic’ Encourages Moving Past PTSD… Even in a Pandemic
For Daniel and Lorena Hernández Leonard, braving the terrifying ordeal of taking their sick daughter to the hospital during the height of COVID-19 led to their first animated short about dealing with traumatic anxiety; legendary indie animator Bill Plympton directs, providing just the right pencil sketch style to illustrate such distress.
Guereza Animation Working to Educate Kids Across Africa About COVID
Watch the trailer for ‘Umoja,’ the Nigerian-based studio’s animated miniseries about a group of kids working to keep two villains from spreading misinformation about the virus.