SHREK producer John Williams and his company Vanguard Films have partnered with Walt Disney in a deal to provide multiple CG animated projects for the studio. Vanguard will fill the void left by Pixar Animation, which has made no plans to renew its agreement with Disney once the existing production deal is fulfilled with the delivery of Pixar's next three films -- summer 2003's FINDING NEMO, holiday 2004's THE INCREDIBLES and 2005's CARS.
Diana Longarzo has been named vice president of international strategy and business development for the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG). In this role, Longarzo will lead strategic product development and business development for WDIG's mobile and broadband businesses. Longarzo joins WDIG from Longarzo Consulting, a consultancy she founded that specialized in business strategy for entertainment and media companies such as Palm, Inc. and QBEO, Inc., an interactive television company.
The Animation Guild has informed AWN that animator Tom Ferriter has passed away at the age of 74. He started his animation career at Disney in 1955, and went on to work for Filmation, Hanna-Barbera, Krantz and Chuck Jones. He returned to Disney in 1976, where he remained until his retirement in 1990. Ferriter's credits include THE FLINTSTONES TV series and the feature films THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE, THE FOX AND THE HOUND and THE WHITE SEAL.
The law firm of Weiss & Yourman has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of the Walt Disney Company between August 15, 1997 and May 15, 2002. The complaint alleges that Disney and some of its officers and directors violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by failing to disclose to the investing public the existence, details and potential effects of a pending lawsuit over merchandising rights concerning WINNIE THE POOH.
If you live in the Los Angeles-area, you have the opportunity to see Walt Disneys 1959 classic animated feature SLEEPING BEAUTY in its fully restored, original Technirama 70mm format. Screening exclusively at Hollywood's El Capitan theater, this special widescreen print of the film also features a restored audio soundtrack that takes maximum advantage of the films six-track Stereophonic mix highlighting the film's score, which was adapted from the music of Tchaikovsky.
5th Anniversary Disney Institute Animation Event, August 18-23, 2002!
From the folks who brought you some of the world's greatest animation comes a hands-on journey like no other. It's your chance to participate in the making of an original Disney Institute animated short film. Work in a team alongside experienced animation instructors. Learn the stories and techniques behind Disney's greatest films. And see your creation come to life on the big screen.
You won
Buddy Baker, a 29-year Disney veteran who composed the musical scores for nearly 200 Disney feature films, television shows and theme park attractions, passed away from natural causes on Friday, July 26, 2002, at his home in Sherman Oaks, California. He was 84 years old. Baker first came to the Disney Studio in 1954 and went on to compose music for such popular television shows as DAVY CROCKETT and THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB. His theatrical credits include the featurette DONALD IN MATHMAGIC LAND, plus memorable scores for the three original WINNIE THE POOH offerings.
Despite the strong box office performance of recent hits LILO & STITCH and THE ROOKIE, The Walt Disney Company has reported lower than expected earnings for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2002. Referencing the downturn in the international and domestic travel and tourism industry as well as the economy as a whole, Disney cited in particular the drop-off of attendance at its domestic theme parks and resorts, and the lack of television advertising dollars at the ABC television network.
Some rumors regarding Walt Disney have lived on far too long. Was he a Nazi? A super-secret FBI agent? Is he frozen somewhere in a vault? And why does the Christian right hate his company so much? Karl F. Cohen takes on all these myths and more to set the record straight.
Talking animals...why are we so attached to the talking animals? The Pimp, of course, has some ideas.
Bill Matthews, Disney Feature Animation's longtime training and recruitment head, has joined Glendale, California-based Cornerstone Animations Board of Advisors. In his new role, Matthews will advise Cornerstone executives and creative staff on strategies for recruitment, training, production management and creative direction of the studio. Matthews makes available to Cornerstone his wealth of experience as one of the founding instructors of the Sheridan College Animation Program and as a ten-year manager of artist development for Walt Disney Feature Animation.
Interactive software publisher TDK Mediactive, Inc. has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Disney Interactive to create games based on two upcoming Disney films that take their premises from well-known Disneyland theme rides. First up is the HAUNTED MANSION, which will make its way to the big screen in 2003. The theatrical release of HAUNTED MANSION will be supported by TDK Mediactive on most major video game platforms in time for Halloween and the holiday season.
Ward Kimball, one of Disney's legendary Nine Old Men, passed away on July 8, 2002 from natural causes at Arcadia Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, California. He was 88 years old. Ward Kimball's work at Disney began in 1934, when he joined the animation staff at the age of twenty.
Toon Disney,Disney's 24-hour all-animation network, will begin airing its newfall schedule on Tuesday, September 3, 2002, which includes eight newseries for the network. In addition to premiering original episodesof TEAMO SUPREMO, three series from Walt Disney Television Animation-- HOUSE OF MOUSE, LLOYD IN SPACE and THE WEEKENDERS -- will be partof the line up, as well as acquisitions SABRINA, THE ANIMATED SERIESand MARY-KATE & ASHLEY IN ACTION. Toon Disney will also present the
HP is once againproviding technology to another big animation studio. After recentlyannouncing a three-year, multi-million dollar technology strategicalliance with DreamWorks, designed to "revolutionize animationproduction," HP has announced that Walt Disney Feature Animation hasselected HP's Linux-based workstations and servers as components forits next-generation digital animation production pipeline. WaltDisney Feature Animation and HP have been working together for the
June 9, 2002 is Donald Duck's 68th birthday and to celebrate, Toon Disney will air A WHOLE DARN DAY OF DUCKS, nine hours of animated programming starring Disney's famous animated duck and related feathered friends. The marathon, featuring episodes of DUCKTALES, QUACK PACK, MIGHTY DUCKS and DARKWING DUCK, airs Sunday, June 9 (10:00 am-7:00 pm) on Toon Disney.
ABC Cable Networks Group will be launching its Disney Channel Asia service in Korea on June 1, 2002. Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting (KDB), Korea's first direct-to-home service provider, will carry Disney Channel's Asia service on channel 654 under its Skylife brand name. The Korean Broadcasting Commission granted Disney Channel approval as a foreign re-transmission channel early in 2002. Negotiations between KDB and Disney began in the middle of 2001 and culminated in the recent agreement.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will take place this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 21-24, 2002. Highlighting the best in interactive entertainment, E3 plays host to over 62,000 retailers, distributors, developers and investors in the interactive entertainment business. New releases in the gaming world are the order of the day at E3, along with some great game demonstrations, two days of conferences and panels and even an appearance by Lara Croft.
Bill Peet, author and illustrator of 35 children's books and the legendary Disney storyman who is credited with writing 101 DALMATIANS, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at the age of 87. He died at his home in Studio City due to complications from several long-term illnesses. Peet joined Disney Studios in 1937 at the age of 22. He went to work immediately as an apprentice animator on SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS.
Robin Allan paints a vivid picture of Marceline, Missouri, Walt Disney's home town. Walt truly harkened back to his days in this rural American town, which continues to strengthen its bonds with this honored native son.
As the U.S. Copyright Term Extension Act approaches the Supreme Court, Dr. Toon discusses how it will impact toondom. Is corporate America protecting itself or robbing the public?
The Walt Disney Studios has acquired all domestic theatrical, home entertainment and television rights to Hayao Miyazaki's animated blockbuster SPIRITED AWAY, Japan's all-time top grossing film with a total to date of 29.3 billion yen ($234 million). The film, which recently received the coveted Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival, is scheduled to be released theatrically in the U.S. fall 2002. Pixar's John Lasseter will serve as creative consultant for the newly dubbed version.
Disney Feature Animation president Thomas Schumacher confirmed that more cuts are scheduled in the Mouse House Feature Animation division. According to the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Disney plans to lay off up to 265 employees at its Burbank facility over the next year. The cuts will reduce the staff to about 1,000 by May 2003 and are part of Walt Disney's ongoing restructuring of its animation division. When the company-wide cuts were announced in April 2001, approximately 200 animation employees were laid off from the Burbank facility and animation salaries were reportedly cut by 30% to 50%.
Will Ryan interviews Eric Goldberg regarding his non-influences and just who he considers animation's first, true pioneer.
David Stainton has been upped from his current position of executive vice president to president, Walt Disney Television Animation. Stainton's responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations for the division's animated television series and specials, Disney video premieres and February theatrical features (sequels like RETURN TO NEVER LAND). He continues to report to Thomas Schumacher, head of Walt Disney Television Animation and Walt Disney Feature Animation, in his new position.
