A Closer Look: Fox's Tribulations in the Feature Production World
Two years ago, following the theatrical release of "Anastasia," Fox was
expanding its commitment to animation. Fox Family Films, one of Twentieth
Century Fox's four film divisions, was being renamed Fox Animation Studios,
to reflect the division's new plan to focus solely on animated feature
films, including stop-motion, mixed media (live-action mix) and digital
production. Several animated projects were on the development slate then,
including "Dark Town" with Henry Selick, "Santa Calls" with Blue Sky|VIFX,
Quiet Man Soups Up Campbell's Soup Spots
New York-based QUIET MAN souped up two spots commemorating the labels on
Campbell's Soup cans. In "Mega Noodle," nautical noodles amaze a young girl
with a synchronized swimming routine in her bowl. In "Video Game," two boys
pause their video game keeping a knight and dragon in limbo. As the boys
enjoy their soup the two game characters wonder aloud when the boys will
return. The 30-second commercials were directed by David Shirk and produced
Ring Of Fire Roasts Washington Apples Ads
RING OF FIRE roasts with two new spots for the Washington Apple Commission.
Produced for Seattle-based agency McCann Erickson, the 30-second
commercials highlight the heroic deeds of Apple Guy. In "Car Trip," Apple
Guy revives a family of four with apples before they drive their car off
the road. In "Hikers," Apple Guy rescues two campers from a crumbling rope
bridge. To keep the fast pace of the spots up, Ring of Fire used a blurring
technique they call "snap zoom morph" to transition from various shots
Passion Pictures Pops Giant Button Spots
London-based PASSION PICTURES pops open four 10-second spots for Cadbury's
Giant Button chocolates. Director Chris Hauge brought to life the animated
little girl Giant Button, voiced by Noddy Holder. In "Boy Bands," she
advises young fans that if a favorite boy band breaks up just "find a new
one." In "Parents," she advises youngsters to emigrate to a desert island
if their parents become too embarrassing. In "Boys," Giant Buttons avoids a
Lucas Licensing Lands Phelan As Director Of Licensing
LUCAS LICENSING has appointed KERRY PHELAN in the new executive position of
director of domestic licensing & marketing. In her new role, Phelan will
oversee all aspects of the Star Wars licensing business for the U.S. Before
coming to Lucas Licensing, she was a long time marketing executive at LEGO
toys, where she was responsible for developing the LEGO brand among young
families. "The Star Wars licensing program has always been about creating
The Acrobat Issue of Animation World Magazine Is Now On-line!
February is our annual motion-capture and stop-motion issue, and we have
plenty in store as usual. Sharon Schatz interviews Brian Nilles of leading
motion-capture technology firm, Vicon Motion Systems. Gregory Singer goes
behind the scenes on one of the many projects which uses Vicon's
technology, while Laura Schiff introduces us to Webbie Tookay, a new
motion-capture personality. On the stop-motion side of things, Wendy
Jackson covers Aardman Animations' current high flying times as they work
New Jobs: Professor of Computer Art & Stop-motion Animation
The SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, located in historic Savannah,
Georgia, USA, is seeking candidates with college-level teaching experience
for the position of PROFESSOR OF COMPUTER ART to teach beginning and
advanced level courses in Stop-Motion and Clay Animation. The successful
candidate should have professional experience as an
animator/director/designer, and familiarity with a wide range of
fabrication materials, techniques and styles, including armatures and
New Jobs: Terraglyph seeks Animators and Illustrators
Chicago suburbs-based TERRAGLYPH INTERACTIVE STUDIOS is expanding its
game development team...
AWN's Third Annual Oscar Showcase and Un-official Oscar Race!
When the day broke on Tuesday, an old man wasn't humdrum about joining a
list of Oscar nominees that included three misses and my grandmother who
irons shirts...
Roy Disney goes to Annecy
For the 40th anniversary of the Annecy festival and ASIFA, Annecy is
welcoming an exceptional guest, Mr. Roy E. Disney, as Honorary President of
this 24th edition...
Animha Calls for Children's Drawings
Animha Productions, a unique association of professionals dedicated to
independent film production and animation workshops, is working on a peace
film project created by Prakash Moorthy in India and Animha's Dave
Brunskill in England. The film will include single drawings and paintings
done by 5-7 year-old children from around the world, and all children are
invited to participate. The subject is "a mother sending her child to
school." Drawings should reflect the national identity of the child, using
AtomFilms Broadcasts USC Alumus' Films
On Tuesday, February 15, 2000, AtomFilms, a leader in next-generation
entertainment, announced that it has locked the first-ever, exclusive,
on-line distribution deal with the USC School of Cinema-Television to
broadcast student films from the illustrious film school's catalog. As part
of the deal, for the next 18 months, USC will provide AtomFilms with
exclusive on-line distribution rights to 100 student titles which includes
shorts from famed alumnus George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis. On February 15,
New at Visual Magic Magazine
Check out the latest "behind the scenes" features and tutorials from Visual
Magic Magazine...
Former Time Inc. Pres., Marcom New VP At AtomFilms
ATOMFILMS, a leader in next-generation entertainment, announced that JOHN
MARCOM, former President of Time Inc. International, will join as the new
senior VP of worldwide revenue and media strategies. In his new role,
Marcom will coordinate worldwide on-line and off-line sales of AtomFilms'
growing library of short-form entertainment. During his stint at Time Inc.,
Marcom oversaw a catalog of more than a dozen national and international
news, business and lifestyle publications. Joining Time Inc. in 1993,
Fourteen Additions to AWN's Calendar of Events
This week's updates to the Calendar of Events includes fourteen new events,
from animation, short film and visual arts events to business conferences...
Toy Story 2: The Buzz In The UK
Opening the weekend of February 11, 2000 in the U.K., TOY STORY 2 has
already broken box office records. Playing on 495 screens, the sequel
grossed US$12.8 million in its first three days. The feat even beat out
bohemeth-grossing STAR WARS EPISODE 1, which made only $12.5 million in its
first U.K. weekend. So far Buena Vista International, which is distributing
the film outside the U.S., said the movie has already grossed $332 million
worldwide. Playing on 3,334 screens outside the U.S. this past weekend, TOY
Plympton's Comic of the Week
Plympton's new series of comics extracted from the comic book, "Sleazy
Cartoons of Bill Plympton," is for ADULTS ONLY...
Fox's Brain New VP Of Production At Stan Lee Media
STEPHEN L. BRAIN, former senior VP and general manager at Fox Animation
Studios has joined STAN LEE MEDIA, INC. as their new executive VP of
Production. In his new post, Brain will create Stan Lee Media's new digital
animation studio dedicated to developing Internet entertainment. Brain will
supervise the production team of storyboard artists, digital artists and
Flash animators as well as increasing Stan Lee's roster of 50 artists to
100 artists within the next 90 days. Beginning his career in 1977, Brain
This Week's Animation Trivia Quiz
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz...
Women In Animation, Inc.'s Annual Meeting
* Saturday, February 26, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Women In Animation, Inc. will be holding their annual meeting with guest
speaker Lynda Weinman of lynda.com. The meeting introduces members and
anyone interest in WIA with what has happened in the past year and what
exciting events and activities are on the way in 2000. Weinman, a pioneer
of graphic and animation on the MAC, will bring to the event her knowledge
Futurama at the AFI's Writers' POV
* Tuesday, February 22, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Come hear from the team of Fox's FUTURAMA at the AFI's Writers' POV. In
past years, AFI has featured the writing teams from THE SIMPSONS and KING
OF THE HILL, who gave a Writers POV on the making of an animated series.
Continuing this popular topic, AFI has invited the FUTURAMA team to
participate in this question & answer event. Guests will include: executive
producer David X. Cohen, and writers Ken Keeler, Eric Horsted, Lewis
Fox Cuts 70% Of Its Animation Staff
After five years in existence, Fox Animation Studios is laying off nearly
70% of its Phoenix-based toon factory's staff. The restructuring of the
animation department will include more contract work outside the studio.
President of animation at Fox, Chris Meledandri said a foundation of 65-100
of the now 320 employees will remain, including, of course, studio staples
Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. Fox will continue to perform pre-production
work including storyboarding, character design, production design and
Mondo Media Musters Up $20M In Financing
Mondo Media, a leading creator and distributor of serial-based animated
content, announced Monday, February 14, 2000 that it has secured $20
million in its second round of financing. The newest round was led by
Macromedia and Foundation Capital. Additional funding partners in the round
included Sofinnova Ventures, Red Rock Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank and
Phoenix Growth Capital. Mondo Media also added new syndication partners
that include Excite@Home, AltaVista, AtomFilms and washingtonpost.com.
Voice Of Slinky Dog, Jim Varney, Dies
Jim Varney, the comic who most recently provided the voice of Slinky Dog in
TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2, died on Thursday, February 10, 2000 at his
Tennessee home of lung cancer. He was 50 years old. Best known for his
Ernest character in commercials, television and films, Varney also provided
voice over work for characters on the THE SIMPSONS. Varney was the star of
several Disney Ernest films, most notably ERNEST GOES TO CAMP and ERNEST
SAVES CHRISTMAS. Doctors diagnosed Varney with cancer in August 1998, and
The Tigger Movie Bounces Into 4th
Bouncing into U.S. theatres this past weekend was Disney's newest animated
flick THE TIGGER MOVIE. The throw-back to classic Disney flicks finished
the weekend in fourth place in the U.S. box office, making US$9.43 million.
THE GREEN MILE, with primary visual effects by ILM, Rhythm & Hues, POP and
Matte World Digital, is still bringing in green bills for Warner Bros.,
making another $3.09 million and bringing its total gross to $124.4
million. With other kid fare like THE TIGGER MOVIE and SNOW DAY hitting the
