Animation Insider News http://www.animationinsider.net/ en-us Copyright 2009 Animation Insider http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2534 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2534 Noted new hires and promotions in the business of producing and distributing animation, visual effects, and/or children's entertainment; for the month of August 2010. News from the past month ranges from National Geographic Kids and Family (U.S.) to Mango Distribution (Southeast Asia). There are a few key hires in the field of audience research as well. More vfx studios bringing in experienced hands. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:13:50 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2533 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2533 Cartoon Network is adding two new comedy titles to select evenings in primetime -- 'Regular Show' and 'MAD.' 'Regular Show,' created by J.G. Quintel, tracks a pair of slacker friends in search of amusement of any kind, anywhere. 'MAD' is an adaptation of the rapid-fire parody magazine of the same name. Cheeky humor, abusive physical comedy, and the outright bizarre have a part in the narrative of both. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:12:55 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2532 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2532 Giant robot action animation from the minds of Genndy Tartakovsky, Bryan Andrews, and Paul Rudish. 'Sym-Bionic Titan' will premiere on Carton Network mid-September 2010, and with it come the adventures of a trio on the run from a rebel general from a faraway planet. Ilana, Lance, and Octus have incredible power, and so choose to defend the Earth in defending themselves from evil. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:13:38 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2531 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2531 m4e Group (Germany) continues building license and merchandise support for the KiKANiNCHEN preschool brand, while children's broadcaster Ki.Ka looks to add the new CG series 'Babar and the Adventures of Badou.' For the preschool brand, book and audio publishing deals are in the works, with new products by Holiday 2010. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:12:38 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2530 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2530 Animation highlights from the 2010 Thai Short Film & Video Festival. The festival and competition enters its 14th year, focusing on short-form animation and documentaries, and an additional tribute to the late Payut Ngaokrachang. Animation screenings scheduled include: Ngaokrachang's "The Adventure of Hanuman" (1957), Ken Kaizu's 'Yotaka' (Japan; 2009), Anita Killi's "Angry Man" (Norway; 2009), and Alvaro Leon's adorable short film "The Girl Who Had Only One Ear" (Spain; 2009). Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:13:57 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2529 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2529 Clive Smith's feature animation 'Rock & Rule' (1983) combines all sorts of youthful fervor and experimental curiosity. The animated film tracks a wild rock musician's effort to summon a demon to the timeless tunes of Iggy Pop, Cheap Trick, and Earth, Wind & Fire. 'Rock & Rule' is a rough film, whose production hurdles and grim imagery did their best to fill a void in the medium. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:13:12 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2528 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2528 Review the anime 'Casshern Sins' (DVD Set #1). The sci-fi series works double-time to create a dreary and melancholic wasteland wrought with old school robot ultraviolence and an amnesiac lead character. However, 'Casshern Sins' is poorly written and struggles to focus on anything, much less adequately substantiate the suffering of its mopey protagonist. 'Casshern Sins' is a beautiful but very clumsy animation. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:13:04 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2527 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2527 Disney Studios' 'The Black Cauldron' (1985) originally released to theaters some two and a half decades ago. The film was the most-expensive feature of its time, languished in story development for several years, and managed to earn a PG rating for its dark imagery. The film is now up for a digitally-remastered re-release, to the answered prayers of its quiet and almost forgotten fan base. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:13:07 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2526 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2526 TELETOON Retro, home to animation ranging from decade-old to over-the-hill, will add 'Casper & Friends' to the line-up this autumn season. Returning/continuing animated series include 'Thundercats,' 'Batman: The Animated Series,' and 'The Yogi Bear Show' among others. Series synopses and schedule dates inside. Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:13:31 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2525 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2525 'Magic Hanja' is the story of a young adventurer who uses Chinese ideograms to cast magnificent spells over ill-intentioned beasts and demon-folk. The feature animation 'Magic Hanja' is based on a popular series of educational comics published throughout South Korea. The film is directed by Yoon Yeong-gi ('Avatar: the Last Airbender,' 'Dae Janggeum,' 'Wonderful Days'). Video trailer inside. Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:14:23 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2524 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2524 VIZ Media's 'Bleach' returns to late night cable television with new episodes later in the month. After rescuing a dear friend from the clutches of the espada, Ichigo returns to Karakura Town to serve as guardian for the daughter of a royal family of the Soul Society. In other news, VIZ will distribute all of Season Six as a DVD Set in a few weeks. Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:13:27 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2523 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2523 Maurice is old, really old. He's 99-years-old. Fortunately, after an eighty-something year Mediterranean siesta, he still has the spirit of a kid aged only ten. In the animated series 'Mau,' from Genoma Animation (Granada, Spain), an amusing old guy strikes out with a bunch of his aging cronies to live life to the fullest. Accompanying Mau is his grand niece Sofia, whose young patience and maturity he finds rather boring. Video preview inside. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:13:56 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2522 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2522 Dublin, Ireland's Brown Bag Films is early into a long-term plan to co-produce their first computer animated feature film. The animation studio's managing director, recently interviewed by Irish media, unveils the company's patient tip-toe into the land of features. In the meantime, Brown Bag Films continues work on CG preschool programs 'The Octonauts' and 'Doc McStuffins.' Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:13:07 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2521 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2521 Hasbro and Discovery's kid's cable channel The Hub nears launch. Animation scheduled to air include 'Dennis & Gnasher' (2009), 'The Transformers' (1984), and more, in addition to the previously announced 'G.I. Joe: Renegades' and 'The 99.' In the realm of live-action, The Hub has acquired the thoughtful classic 'The Wonder Years' (1988) as well. Partial cast lists of new programs are also available. Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:13:53 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2520 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2520 Sponsored by the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts, a pair of Pixar's veteran character animator/storyboard artists will be lecturing on everything from acting in animation to storyboard composition. The event just sold out, and will be taking place in late September 2010. VanArts (Vancouver, BC) is home to degree programs in 2D character animation, digital photography, and game art. Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:17:17 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2519 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2519 In the return of a classically-modeled space opera, 'Tytania' is about a wealthy and influential family of interstellar rulers upended by a small rebel uprising. 'Tytania,' distributed by Section23 Films, focuses on the political scheming and intergalactic manhunt deep at the heart of the Tytania empire's greatest struggles. Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:17:12 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2518 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2518 A new children's TV animation, 'Keymon Ache,' is entering production soon at DQ Entertainment (India). Nickelodeon India promises to find the new program a home on its international networks in the distant future, but until then DQE adds another important, co-financed title to its burgeoning schedule of projects in production. Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:13:45 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2508 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2508 A comprehensive review of a new anime classic, 'Princess Tutu,' which breaks boundaries as a beautiful presentation of animation, music, and story. Inspired by popular European fairy tales and classical ballet, 'Princess Tutu' is the ballad about a duck who becomes a human girl in order to help a sad prince. A must-see for any fan of Japanese animation, traditional storytelling, and classical music. Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:19:08 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2517 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2517 The new 'Angelina Ballerina' animated series, produced in CG, makes its Stateside debut on DVD later this month with 'Angelina Ballerina: Love to Dance.' The DVD contains five episodes, and introduces Angelina to a new dance academy, and other styles of music and dance. HIT Ent. and Lions Gate have already planned a second DVD release, scheduled for October 2010. Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:12:19 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2516 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2516 A contest geared toward getting kids to flex their multimedia skills has concluded; winners selected from roughly twenty-five thousand entries. The PBS Kids Go! Writing Contest emphasized storytelling through public media. Winning submissions, judged by a panel of published author/illustrators, are now viewable online. Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:12:26 EST