Animation Scoop

52nd Annie Award Nominations Announced

ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations today for its 52nd Annie Awards recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. For a complete list of nominations, please visit www.annieawards.org/nominations. The 52nd Annie Awards is set for Saturday, February 8, 2025 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Pre-reception and Red Carpet begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony at […]

INTERVIEW: David Lowery Presents “An Almost Christmas Story”

David Lowery (director of Pete’s Dragon and Peter Pan & Wendy for Disney) helms the new animated holiday short film An Almost Christmas Story, which premieres this Friday Nov. 15 on Disney+. It’s about an owl named Moon who forms a unique friendship with a girl named Luna in The Big Apple. Lowery shares what […]

INTERVIEW: Looney Lowdown On “The Day The Earth Blew Up”

Long-awaited, fully animated The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie will receive an awards-qualifying run before the end of 2024, ahead of its official theatrical release on February 28th, 2025. I’ve screened the film and spoke with director Peter Browngardt about this sci-fi action comedy starring beloved characters who are true to […]

TRAILER: “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”

Netflix debut the first trailer and announced the release date for the new Aardman new stop-motion animated feature film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl today. The film will be released on Netflix globally (except in the UK/IE) on January 3rd, 2025 (it will have a limited theatrical run in December to qualify for this […]

TOHO To Acquire GKIDS

Japanese entertainment leader Toho Co., Ltd. announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire a 100% equity share of GKIDS, Inc., the Academy Award-winning North American animation producer and distributor. Financial terms were not disclosed. GKIDS, which maintains offices in New York and Los Angeles, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Los […]

INTERVIEW: Discovering “They Shot The Piano Player”

November 13th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Academy Award nominated Chico & Rita directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal have made a new animated feature for grown-ups — a unique, moving investigation documentary drama. They Shot the Piano Player, starring Jeff Goldblum as the narrator and voice of journalist / author Jeff Harris, opens in New York City and Los Angeles for an awards qualifying run on November 24th. Sony Pictures Classics will then release it nationwide in early 2024. Trueba and Mariscal joined me from Spain on Zoom for this fascinating Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: I love the power this movie has and what it has to say about so much. Francisco Tenorio Jr. was a [real] Brazilian pianist who went missing in 1976, and this movie investigates what happened. Fernando, how did you want to approach this topic and, as a storyteller, share this story in the very unique ways that you do?

Fernando Trueba: In the very beginning… many years ago when I discovered Tenorio’s music and tragic end, I started to investigate and search for people who knew him. I spent a lot of time doing lots of interviews. I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do with it. I just wanted to know more about him. Once I stopped doing the interviews — I did a lot of them in Brazil and the United States (L.A., New York, Boston and Arizona), and some in Argentina — I was overwhelmed by all this material. It took me years, and also the experience of doing “Chico and Rita”, to realize there was an ideal language for telling this story, and it was animation. It took me years to make that decision and then when I finally had no doubts about it, I called my friend [Javier] Mariscal about the project, and that’s how it started.

INTERVIEW: Pump Up The Party For “Trolls Band Together”

November 6th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Following a shift to VOD at the start of the COVID pandemic with Trolls World Tour, DreamWorks is bringing Poppy and Branch back to the big screen with the new third feature in the popular pop music franchise. Trolls Band Together is already a hit overseas, and held preview screenings nationwide in North America this past weekend, with an official release date of November 17th. Director Walt Dohrn shares info on the *NSYNC reunion, the visual splendor and if the “Trolls” brand will keep on rolling. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: The last time we spoke was in April 2020 for “Trolls World Tour”. Whoa — those were weird times, weren’t they?

Walt Dohrn: (laughs) Definitely weird times. I’m glad I’m here now with you in this way.

REVIEW: “Pencils Vs. Pixels”

November 6th, 2023

Greg Ehrbar

To anyone who knows the enchantment of animation, many of the people in this new documentary are superheroes. Among the generous abundance of studio clips and nearly a dozen on-camera interviews, all have something of value to add: animation artists, historians, and celebrities, including Mulan’s Ming-Na Wen, who narrates.

But in chronicling the saga of hand-drawn/traditional/2-D animation and computer-generated graphics, the impact is most keenly expressed through those who lived through it. There is no shortage of conjecture and conflict online that compare the two techniques. This film offers artists who were on the beach when the various waves hit. They experienced successes, setbacks, and endless rhetoric about why the change was happening.

INTERVIEW: “The Simpsons” Co-EP Brian Kelley On “Treehouse Of Horror XXXIV”

November 2nd, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Fox’s Animation Domination is giving us a post-Halloween treat with the latest “Treehouse of Horror” episode of The Simpsons airing this Sunday November 5th at 8pm. Writer and Co-EP Brian Kelley, who’s been with the iconic series for nearly two and a half decades, shares insights on this year’s stories, some Simpsons secrets, and how a movie sequel will be decided. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: I’ve loved watching this show for most of my life and I look forward to the “Treehouse of Horror” episode every year. This one delivers the goods.

Brian Kelley: That’s a relief to hear. (laughs) You say you’ve been a fan of the show your whole life. So have I. I started working there in the year 2000. I was like, “I have to get on this show that taught me so much about comedy, just because I want to be part of the last season or two.” (laughs) And now it’s many years later and we’re still going.

INTERVIEW: Usher In The Holidays With “Glisten And The Merry Mission”

October 31st, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Build-A-Bear Entertainment is bringing popular Glisten and the Merry Mission to the big screen with a new animated feature for the whole family to kick-off the holiday season. It opens exclusively in Cinemark theaters nationwide this Friday November 3rd. Director Cory Morrison explains the magic of the movie and what Clark Griswold and Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick have in common. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: So before we get into the story and many of the great aspects of this, I want to know a little bit about the origins of you and Build-A-Bear coming together to make an animated movie. How did it all happen?

Cory Morrison: It started with Foundation Media. They’re the producers on it. Patrick Hughes called up a mutual friend and recommended us, Big Jump Entertainment. There originally wasn’t really any sort of development phase. It was sort of carte blanche. A great story that had all these wonderful characters and part of the ethos of Build-A-Bear for quite some time. Glisten and the Merry Mission have been around in Build-A-Bear stores for at least eight years or so. A lot of stories have built up over a period of time, and we decided to make a feature out of it.

INTERVIEW: The Masters Of “Blue Eye Samurai”

October 30th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Let’s go to Japan in the 1600’s and meet an incredibly skilled swordmaster who’s hiding her true identity while also being a badass. It’s the new adult animated series Blue Eye Samurai, premiering Friday November 3rd on Netflix. Creators, writers and EPs Amber Noizumi and Michael Green (who are also wife and husband) join me for this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Amber, how did you want main character Mizu to shine? She is quite a lead.

Amber Noizumi: She’s half-Japanese. I’m half-Japanese. It’s a little bit of my fantasy of cutting down some a–holes. Ultimately it’s a great character — somebody who’s internalized a lot of self-loathing, dehumanization and is on a journey to get her revenge but also find some healing in the process.

GKids Acquires French sci-fi “Mars Express”

October 26th, 2023

Jerry Beck

GKIDS, celebrating its 15th anniversary as a distributor of artist-driven animation from around the world, announced today it has acquired the North American distribution rights for the highly anticipated French feature Mars Express. The debut film from Jérémie Perin was an official selection at this year’s Cannes and Annecy film festivals, and has its US Premiere at the upcoming Animation is Film Festival in Los Angeles. Combining 2D and 3D animation, the film is an adrenaline-fueled stylish, smart and futuristic film noir.

INTERVIEW: Prepare For Scares With “Curses!”

October 24th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

New DreamWorks Animation family adventure series Curses! premieres this Friday October 27th on AppleTV+. Creators Jim Cooper & Jeff Dixon and director Leo Riley share visual and storytelling inspirations and insights on working with some classic and modern-day horror icons. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: This family is cursed. It must be reversed. This is a big adventure show. Tell me about the origins of “Curses!”

Jim Cooper: Jeff and I were not always a writing team. Our kids went to the same elementary school. We would drop the kids off and walk back home. Along the way we would talk about the writers’ life. Jeff has mostly worked in horror. I’ve mostly worked in family and animation. Over the years we’d be like, “We really should do something with horror and family”, like something we totally would have loved as kids and would’ve watched with our kids. My family has joked that we’ve always had a family curse. My dad’s generation — every male, whether they got married or into the family or were born into it — died before they were 50. And it’s always like, “It’s the curse!”

INTERVIEW: “Inspector Sun” Director On Family Film Noir

October 23rd, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Julio Soto Gurpide has directed Viva Kids’ latest theatrical animated feature release Inspector Sun, opening this Friday October 27th. It’s about a detective spider in the mid-1930s trying to solve a murder mystery on a flight. Gurpide unravels the web of intricacies that went into making this comedy adventure. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Your lead character looks great — a seven-legged spider. He’s a cross between Hercule Poirot and Jacques Cleaseau. What do you love about Inspector Sun?

Julio Soto Gurpide: What didn’t I love?! The first time I read the script by Rocco Pucillo, I knew the script had won the Samuel Goldwyn Award. It was the first time that an animation script won this award. I knew there was something fascinating about it. What I loved about it was the whole universe: the insects that have built a world parallel to the humans, the mystery case / the murder. It had all the elements to be original, super special and very attractive.

Highlights of the New York Comic Con 2023

October 20th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

It’s been a little over a week since I went to New York Comic Con 2023. This was my fourth in-person NYCC — and one of the most star-studded and entertaining visits yet.

My excitement was high heading into opening day at NYC’s Javits Center. First stop: Disney’s family fun activity showcase they called their “EnterTOONment HQ”. This place was THE destination for parents and kids at NYCC, from a giant “Kiff” display, to coloring sheets, to a “SuperKitties” activity board and face painting station and a “Spidey and His Amazing Friends” photo activation.

Disney displays at the NYCC

INTERVIEW: Taking Chances With New “Peter & The Wolf”

October 19th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

A new half-hour version of Peter & the Wolf, which combines animated characters with live-action backgrounds (and features a special appearance by superstar Bono) is now available on Max. Directors Elliot Dear and Stephen McNally give me a peek behind the curtain at their bold, updated take on a classic. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: How do you feel about the power of this short mostly being in black and white, and with select other colors chosen.

Elliot Dear: It was kind of a brave choice but kind of an easy one because we had the source material from Bono’s illustrations, which are monochromatic. Black ink on white paper, with some red spots throughout. We were keen to maintain fidelity to that original artwork so that he would recognize it and people who had seen the original book would recognize it too. Ultimately we ended-up with something unique.

INTERVIEWS: “Scavengers Reign” Ready To Launch

October 18th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Max’s new adult animated series Scavengers Reign premieres this Thursday October 19th. It’s based on a 2016 short. Over the 12-episode season, you’ll witness what happens when the crew of the Demeter ship that has crash landed on a unique, distant planet tries to survive and escape. It’s a thorough, deep, gorgeous and emotionally effective series that shakes-up the ‘marooned’ genre. I recently spoke with its makers at New York Comic Con. (These interviews were combined and edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: I love the wide shots and the devotion you give to each set of characters. Timing is so key. How did you want to focus on that — that the timing felt right?

Sean Buckelew (Executive Producer): To me it was useful because I felt like in writing it, you could have these natural in and out points. You’ve got three disparate storylines you’re dealing with at any given moment. It allowed for… each arc to be simple, but then when you try to think about maybe all three climax at the same time, we tried to be like, “How could that thematically relate?” in what we want to build up to.

INTERVIEW: A Slice Of “Five Nights At Freddy’s”

October 17th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Universal will release the highly anticipated feature film adaptation of the popular video game franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s in theaters and on Peacock next Friday October 27th. At New York Comic Con last week, I spoke with director Emma Tammi about the horror movie starring whacked out animatronic characters at an old family entertainment pizza parlor. Tammi brought them to the screen with the skilled folks at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and through the determination of heavyweight Hollywood producer Jason Blum. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: So what do you love about the look of these characters — of Freddy and his pals?

Emma Tammi: So much. (laughs) I love every single detail. We really wanted to make sure we were making something that we’ve loved completely. We really do. We took the original animatronic designs from the game and really wanted to make sure we were servicing those iconic designs in our 3D renders of making them practical, moving, alive characters. We worked with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to do that. Couldn’t have been a better partnership for making creatures that are unique, weird, lovable at times and totally frightening at other times. These characters are multitudes and they needed to be. The attention to detail and craftsmanship that they put into bringing these characters to life is unparalleled. It was a great experience. I love every detail of them.

INTERVIEW: “The Canterville Ghost” Adapts A Classic Into Animation

October 16th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Oscar Wilde’s legendary short story The Canterville Ghost becomes an animated feature, with a couple of surprises up its sleeves. It opens in theaters this Friday October 20th. Co-Director Robert Chandler joins me for this spooky good Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Oscar Wilde is an icon. What do you love about his writing — and incorporating that into this movie?

Robert Chandler: Oscar Wilde is a favorite writer, I have to say. There’s so much warmth and wit. He understands people. He mocks people without ever being truly cruel about it. When you read him, you can tell he loves his characters. In “The Canterville Ghost”, he puts an American family into this big, old English house at the turn of the century, in 1900. It would be quite easy for an English person, or an Irish person, to mock the Americans in quite a hard way. But he doesn’t. He loves the Americans. And similarly with the aristocracy, he understood fundamentally the desires and the heartbreaks of being an aristocrat. He was able to put these two cultures and values together. The American family representing modernity and the English aristocratic people and the house representing the values of old. And he made them collide… in a ghost story for children. How cool is that?

INTERVIEWS: “Once Upon A Studio” Celebrates 100 Years of Disney

October 15th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Wonder what it’d be like to see all your favorite Disney animated characters come together in one, magical way? Well, your dreams are about to come true. New short Once Upon a Studio will air tonight at 8pm on ABC as part of a special “Wonderful World of Disney” evening honoring a century of The Mouse House and also featuring the broadcast premiere of Encanto. “Once Upon a Studio”, which sees beloved characters leaping out of paintings and coming to life at Walt Disney Animation Studios, is directed by Dan Abraham and Trent Correy (of 2020 Olaf short “Once Upon a Snowman”) and produced by Yvett Merino (Oscar winner for “Encanto”) and Brett Simonsen (“Us Again”). I met them in Hollywood to talk about the groundbreaking short, including a key piece of music highlighted at an emotional point. (These interviews were combined and edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Why “Feed the Birds”?

Dan Abraham (Director): According to the Sherman Brothers, that was Walt’s favorite song. On Friday afternoons they would go to his office and talk about what’s happening at the studio that week. Eventually Walt would say, “Play it.” Richard knew what to do. He went over to the piano, sat down and played “Feed the Birds” for Walt. When we were putting together our Walt and Mickey moment, I said, “It’s gotta be Feed the Birds”. And the head of our music department, Matt Walker, said, “Why don’t we get Richard Sherman to play it?” And I’m like, “What?!” And he said, “Let’s record it in Walt’s office.”