Animation Insider News http://www.animationinsider.net/ en-us Copyright 2009 Animation Insider http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2281 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2281 Honorees announced for this season's Annie Award ceremony. The domestic animation community once again aims to spotlight and call attention to the most successful, artistic, and creator-driven cartoons produced for television, home video, or theater. The complete list of award winners for this year's Annie Awards are available inside. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:13:47 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2336 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2336 A United Kingdom/China co-production, the animated film 'Sokator442' (and its browser-based game counterpart) are at the heart of two new distribution deals inked by Galleon Entertainment. The animation, about two kids who join an intergalactic, alien soccer/futbol league, is scheduled to rollout in the coming months near the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:13:54 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2335 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2335 Select programming highlights for Nickelodeon in January 2010. Nickelodeon has recorded its highest-rated month during its thirty-year history, meanwhile, 'SpongeBob SquarePants' remains the top television property for key kid audiences. Nick's live-action comedies -- 'iCarly' and 'Big Time Rush' -- doubtlessly served as key growth factors. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:13:54 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2334 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2334 Aggregation of ratings highlights for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim throughout the month of January 2010. The network is buoyed by strong performances by 'Ben 10: Alien Force' and 'Johnny Test.' Adult Swim, meanwhile, remains a top rated network for young adult viewers in late night. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:13:06 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2333 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2333 Thirteen-episode anime series 'The Skull Man' hit retailers this week. Distributed by Section23 Films ('Glass Mask'), 'The Skull Man' is a horror-action series about a corrupt city besieged by a mysterious or mythological demon-man. In the anime series, a journalist journeys to Otomo City to investigate, and once there gains more than he first bargained. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:13:22 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2332 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2332 Adam Hargreaves has pulled a new Mr. Men/Little Miss character from the archives: Mr. Nobody. One of the first new personalities published under the character banner in roughly six years, Mr. Nobody is a sad little guy in search of becoming somebody someday, perhaps a conversation with other Mr. Men will help solve his problem. The 'Mr. Nobody' book retails this March. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:13:23 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2331 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2331 Licensing news for Aardman's stop-motion animated properties 'Timmy Time,' 'Shaun the Sheep,' and others. New toys, games, puzzles, and outdoor play items are on the way for these key preschool properties. Aardman Rights has also reached an agreement on story audio CDs, although a publishing date has not yet been set. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:13:17 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2330 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2330 David Mackintosh, whose book covers and design work populates various successful publications for Random House, Reed, and others, has reached a two-book agreement with HarperCollins Publishers. Mackintosh will write and illustrate two picture books, the first of which is slated to drop March 2011. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:13:36 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2329 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2329 Highlight of a animation video that made its way around the 'net in January 2010. Five items are profiled here, the opening animation to the Korean video series 'Ghost Messenger,' a hand-drawn short film from animation student Marisa Smit, and a few clever new domestic TV spots. An incomplete but variegated sampling of local, foreign, and commercial animation in the news. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:14:37 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2328 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2328 Collection of executive appointments and promotions among companies in the business of producing, and distribution animation and children's entertainment; for the month of January 2010. News here ranges from Turner/Cartoon Network UK to Flying Bark Studio, in Australia; from Comedy Central to Nick Jr. France. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:13:44 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2312 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2312 Review of the first DVD Set release of the mecha anime 'Linebarrels of Iron.' Kouichi Hayase is a weakling junior high school student who dreams of being an Ally of Justice. When the power to follow his dream literally falls on him, he soon learns that such power also comes with knowing when and how to use it. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:13:57 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2327 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2327 Anime series 'Heroic Age' will be available for purchase on Blu-ray come mid-February. In the middle of galaxy-wide mecha warfare, humanity is but one meek entity among the chaos. One lone ship, the Argonaut, continues its search for the promised child, whose beastly powers lay dormant, but must deliver humankind from the hands of oppression. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:13:18 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2326 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2326 Preschool computer animated series 'The Octonauts' will premiere later this year. Now, co-production partner Chorion has inked an agreement with toymaker Fisher-Price for a line of bath toys, role-play items, toy vehicles and more based on the new CG series. Created by talented children's book illustration duo MEOMI, 'The Octonauts' is a promising new property. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:14:23 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2325 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2325 January 2010 saw a few interesting events take place in southern China with regards to local options in pursuit of progress. The first China International Animation Copyright Fair (Dongguan, China) and prior, the Annual Animation Meeting (Hainan island), hope to open up ties among China animation producers, providing the impetus of filling the void left by international rights-holders due to a lackluster global economy. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:14:01 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2323 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2323 Green and Senreich's stop-motion animation 'Robot Chicken' has been given the greenlight for another two seasons. The late night pop culture enema will return for a fifth and sixth season, eager to maintain its place as Adult Swim's highest rated original series. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:13:43 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2324 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2324 Comic book rights-holder Platinum Studios, Inc. -- an independent company in the business of publishing then adapting comic book properties -- has obtained a five million dollar equity line of investment to pursue growth. Platinum Studios is currently developing film and television adaptations with Sony Pictures Animation, Walt Disney Pictures, and Aurora Productions. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:13:51 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2322 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2322 Cable channel Disney XD has finished prepping an original TV animation, 'Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil.' Following a stunt-performing kid always in search of action, danger, and everything else extreme, 'Kick Buttowski' hits the airwaves for the first time mid-February 2010. The original animation will also air online, following it's on-air premiere. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:14:55 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2321 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2321 MIPTV (Cannes, France) has a little less than a month left to receive applications for its Content 360 pitch competition. Submission categories seek to use brand integration and multi-platform, digital media projects. The National Film Board of Canada and the Korea Communications Commission, among other international media groups are contributing sponsors. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:14:50 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2315 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2315 Review for season one of the anime 'Spice and Wolf.' The series is an economic love story between a traveling peddler and a centuries-old wolf-deity. As the two unlikely souls come together, they realize they have more in common than first believed. Moreover, throw in some stock market intrigue, and you have 'Spice and Wolf.' Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:14:12 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2320 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2320 Nickelodeon at Sea, the Nick-branded cruise experience, has entered into a long-term agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line. Two massive cruise ships will carry Nickelodeon programming all year-round, while additional, Nick-exclusive specialty cruises set sail every year. Nickelodeon at Sea sets sail as soon as April and July 2010. Additional details inside. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:14:06 EST