DNEG Acquires Unity’s Ziva Toolset
Leading visual entertainment company nabs exclusive license for the powerful character-simulation software and will onboard a large portion of the tech team; real-time character creation, assisted by machine learning, enables artists to craft accurate and scalable digital characters efficiently.
AWS Deadline Cloud Rendering Service Now Available
The customizable and scalable cloud-based system boasts built-in customization tools and popular DCC integrations, offering accelerated production timelines without capacity limitations and no upfront costs.
Apple TV+ Drops ‘Jane’ Season 2 Trailer
The live-action/3DCG animated hybrid series, inspired by the life and work of Dr. Jane Goodall, returns with a new five-episode season on April 19.
Podcast EP 248: Catino World & Animating Cat Memes as A Career
The creator of Catino World’s bouncy, orange meme cats shares how COVID lockdown unemployment led him to social media success, allowing him to be a self-supporting full-time artist.
Superprod Group Acquires Studio 352 and Mélusine Productions
Acquisition of the two Luxembourg-based studios bolsters the company’s development, production and financing capabilities for premium feature and TV animation.
Steamroller Animation Names Shawn Dunn CTO
Hailing from Epic Games, Original Force and Wētā FX, the 28-year industry veteran will oversee and guide the studio’s technological vision and exploration of real-time workflows to produce feature-quality animation.
Xu Yao Sentenced to Death for 2020 Fatal Poisoning of ‘3 Body Problem’ Producer Lin Qi
The former Yoozoo Group senior executive also poisoned four other colleagues, including his replacement, although the other victims recovered.
Japan’s Yomiuri TV to Launch YTV Animation
The new brand will leverage Yomiuri’s long history in animation while also undertaking more challenging titles.
‘The Neverending Story’ Returning to Screens in New Multi-Film Series
See-Saw and Michael Ende Productions have teamed to adapt the beloved 1979 fantasy novel, which follows a child, Bastian Balthasar Bux, who discovers a mysterious book that leads him on a journey through the realm of Fantastica; story last hit cinemas in 1984.
Chance Perdomo Dies Tragically at 27, ‘Gen V’ Season 2 Postponed
‘The Boys’ spinoff and ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ actor passed away over the weekend following a motorcycle accident.
Aaron Pierre No Longer Attached to Marvel’s ‘Blade Reboot’
‘The Underground Railroad’ actor parts ways with the Marvel Studios film, starring Mahershala Ali, Mia Goth, and Delroy Lindo, about the half-human, half-vampire Eric Brooks as he seeks revenge for the death of his mother; the movies slices into theaters November 7, 2025.
Watch ‘Disney Junior’s Ariel’ Teaser
To celebrate this past Friday’s International Mermaid Day,’ Disney Branded Television shared a new video of its all-new preschool animated musical series inspired by ‘The Little Mermaid’s timeless tale follows the young mermaid princess on fun-filled, action-packed mermaid adventures; coming Summer 2024.
WBD Drops First Acme Fools Celebration ‘ACME Bootcamp’ Video
The company’s 1-month celebration of iconic ‘Looney Tunes’ features videos with elite athletes getting ‘Looney,’ defying laws of gravity and physics to get fit, with a special TikTok social filter that takes fans through a game-ified experiences like ‘Catch the Anvils.’
UCLA Festival of Preservation Runs April 5-7
UCLA Film & Television Archive’s free biannual event showcases the latest restoration projects, featuring a line-up of films reflecting the breadth of moving image history; April 6 screening of restored animated classics includes ‘French Fried,’ ‘Musical Memories,’ ‘Japanese Lanterns,’ and ‘Red Riding Hood.’
Adult Swim Releases ‘April Fools 2024: Smiling Friends’
The network dropped three unexpected episodes, each recreated in various styles of puppetry, of Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel’s animated comedy about a company tasked with bringing happiness to a bizarre yet colorful world.
Oscar-Winning VFX Supervisor Tim McGovern Passes at 68
Known for his work on ‘Total Recall,’ the visual effects artist, filmmaker, and VES 2023 Founders Award recipient passed away peacefully in his sleep.
New York Yankee Captain Aaron Judge Joins ‘Rubble & Crew’
The American League MVP voices himself in the special episode ‘The Crew Builds a Ballpark’ coming this summer to Nickelodeon, Corus’ Treehouse and STACKTV.
USC School of Cinematic Arts’ Ganek Immersive Studio Inaugural Showcase Set
The program review, featuring projects in production and development at the state-of-the-art studio, will be held on the SCA campus this coming Thursday, April 4.
TNBFC XPO Debuts FLAMIN Animation Artist Projects
The shorts premiered at TNBFC’s XPO in London, showcasing Black creatives; applications now open through May 27 for program’s 4th round.
UNESCO Screens ‘The Refuge of Audrey’ at Biodiversity Talks
New animated series from Watch Next Media features the adventures of a 7-year-old girl and her best friends, living in a refuge for endangered species, that entertain, educate, and encourage kids to care more about our planet; now on Okoo, the series is coming to France Télévisions.
Netflix Teases ‘Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp’
Streaming April 12, the live-action/animated hybrid film sees the modern iteration of the legendary character, created by Walter Lantz, find what he thinks will be his forever home at Camp Woo Hoo.
Apple TV+ Launches ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’ Season 2
Watch an exclusive clip, ‘A New Look,’ featuring guest star Adam Lambert voicing The Great Glitterini! and get into the 80’s groove! 13 all-new episodes stream today, March 29.
Joanna Priestley’s ‘The Art of Burning Man’ Returns to Oregon
The encore presentation at the Museum of Science and Industry features sculptures, architecture, installations, mutant vehicles, and screenings of the animated shorts ‘Fleeting Marvels’ and ‘Jung & Restless,’ followed by a Q&A; tickets are now on sale for the April 20 event.
Aardman Greenlights New Seasons for ‘Shaun the Sheep’ and ‘Very Small Creatures’
The award-winning animation studio announces a new 20-episode Season 7 and Season 3, respectively, for its 2 most popular stop-motion shows.
Technicolor Group Announces Launch and Strategic Framework
The new holding company housing MPC, Mikros Animation, The Mill, and Technicolor Games plans a gradual transformation from VFX and animation businesses to a singular ‘visual experiences’ company delivering cutting-edge technology in visual storytelling.
