Animation Scoop

INTERVIEW: Time To Meet “The Smeds And The Smoos”

December 5th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Magic Light Pictures has adapted many of author Julia Donaldson’s books for the screen, in delightful 20-plus minute animated short films. The latest is The Smeds and The Smoos, about red and blue creatures who vow not to interact with each other. Two younger members of these families want to change that. Directors Samantha Cutler and Daniel Snaddon join me for this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was conducted as an Email Q&A and was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: What keeps surprising you about adapting Julia Donaldon’s stories?

Samantha Cutler: Julia’s stories seem simple but are actually very complex with finding the most perfect words to fit each moment. She always manages to get a delightful rhythm to her writing and is amazingly inventive and playful. I think that draws the children in and the fact that they’re such a joy to read that’s why parents love it too.

Celebrating 100 Years of Disney: PART II Signature Auction

December 4th, 2023

Jerry Beck

The long-range impact of Walt Disney’s vision has shaped history. From technological breakthroughs in sight and sound to how we tell and understand stories, from care in the smallest detail to the pleasure of grand spectacle, one of the most popular and enduring of all American institutions is responsible for the modern world’s relationship with entertainment.

Throughout 2023 the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary has been underway the world over. In June, Heritage celebrated this centennial, as well as its successful ongoing relationship with Disney’s glorious history, with a generous and wide-ranging auction that brought in nearly $5 million. Now it follows that record-setting event with a long-awaited follow-up: Celebrating 100 Years of Disney! (1923 – 2023) PART II Signature Auction, which takes place Dec. 8-11. The auction is packed with more than 1500 lots that showcase Disney’s spectacular run thus far, particularly via its most potent cultural touchstone: its animation.

INTERVIEW: Singing The Praises Of “Baby Shark’s Big Movie”

December 4th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Nickelodeon’s popular Baby Shark’s Big Show expands to feature-length format for the hilarious and heartwarming Baby Shark’s Big Movie. It premieres this Friday December 8th on Paramount+. Writer Whitney Ralls and director Alan Foreman join me for this Animation Scoop Q&A to talk about the film they hope earns wave reviews from families this holiday season. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Whitney, did you watch the Thanksgiving Parade with the Baby Shark float and balloon and [K-Pop group] ENHYPEN in it?

Whitney Ralls: Obviously! I’m full blown ENGENE. Gotta support the boys, ENHYPEN. Very stoked we got to collaborate with them on this.

INTERVIEW: A Personal Journey For “Rosemary A.D. (After Dad)”

November 30th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Awards season is in full swing, with the Best Animated Short Film Oscars shortlist announcement coming in December, as well as the official Academy and Annie Awards nominations in January. One short hoping to make an impact this year is Rosemary A.D. (After Dad), from director Ethan Barrett. He narrates an exploration into his thoughts — about what his young daughter’s future might be like if he committed suicide. Barrett animated the short using crayons, and he shares insights on that process and the complexities of the story in this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was conducted as an Email Q&A and was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: How did you want to balance the humor and the legitimate drama?

Ethan Barrett: I like to say it’s not a coincidence that many of the world’s greatest comedians struggle with mental health: they’ve learned to see humor in everything. No one will voluntarily watch a film about “some guy’s problems.” So I thought if people laughed for a few minutes first, it would ease them into the heavier subject matter. Depression and suicide are weighty and universal, so I took every opportunity to add in some levity. It came quite naturally and in fact, by the final edit I had taken out at least half of the original jokes.

The Los Angeles Animation Festival – December 9 and 10

November 29th, 2023

Jerry Beck

The Los Angeles Animation Festival (Dec. 9-10) announces a NIGHT OF CARTOON VOICES as part of this year’s LAAF 2023 at the Jaxx Theater in Hollywood. The event on Saturday night Dec 9th will feature voice actors ERIC BAUZA, known for the voice of BUGS, DAFFY, PORKY and WILE E. COYOTE as well as voice work on TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES; CHERYL CHASE, the long-running voice of Angelica in all of the RUGRATS seasons, spinoffs and features; and, in a rare personal appearance, TRACY GRANDSTAFF, the memorable voice of DARIA on MTV’s long-running series. In addition there will be a special appearances by director/animator MAX WINSTON of Rat Bat Studios whose recent stop-motion animated LOONEY TUNES short DAFFY IN WACKYLAND has been charming audiences in recent festival screenings and TikTok actor/impressionist sensation Jeremy Olenski who is partnering with Cheryl Chase on a new podcast series. The actors will be performing an array of live skits, including scenes from well-known movies. The panel is hosted by John Andrews, LAAF co-founder and the lead producer, as well as a supporting actor, for Beavis & Butt-Head in its original run on MTV.

INTERVIEW: Makoto Shinkai on “Suzume”

November 27th, 2023

Charles Solomon

Over the last 15 years, Makoto Shinkai has emerged as one of the leaders of a new generation of anime directors who are pushing storytelling in interesting new directions.

In Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari—literally, “Suzume’s Closing or Locking,” 2022), the title character begins as a normal high school girl, living with her aunt. Her mother was killed in the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Fukushima region of Japan in 2011. On her way to school, a handsome young man asks her if there are any ruins in the vicinity. Suzume follows him to an abandoned amusement park where she helps him shut a door that seems to be a supernatural portal. Shouta explains that he has been charged with closing doors that would enable worm-like monsters to cause earthquakes. Suzume has to continue his mission after Shouta is transformed into a three-legged chair by the mischievous cat spirit Daijin.

The film should be strong candidate for for Annie Award nominations and the Oscar for Animated Feature. Shinkai talked about Suzume on a recent visit to LA, speaking through translator Mikey McNamara.

51st Annie Award Tickets Now On Sale

November 21st, 2023

Jerry Beck

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced today that VIP tickets for the 51st Annual Annie Awards are now on sale at THIS link. VIP tickets are $300 each and admit guests to the pre- and post- receptions, beginning at 4:30 p.m., and to the ceremony at 7 p.m. All events will be held at Royce Hall. The last day to purchase tickets online is Friday, February 9th, 2024. After this, if tickets are still available, they can be purchased through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310.825.2101.

INTERVIEW: “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday” Brings Good Tidings

November 20th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

DreamWorks presents a feisty, heisty new prequel special to one of their most recent hit movies. The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday premieres Thursday November 30th on Netflix. Director (and seven-time Emmy-winner) Bret Haaland and Executive Producer Katherine Nolfi join me for this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Congrats on this special. Bret, let me first ask you about the impact of the movie — what those characters and that film has had on you since it was released, and in the development of this fun holiday special?

Bret Haaland: Kudos to those guys making such appealing characters. We’re talking about apex predators who would normally scare the pants off me, and I’m actually finding them charming, like a tarantula or a snake. That’s not easy to do. They really sing. They’re funny. They’re great to be with. That comes from what they did on that movie. Hats off to them.

INTERVIEW: “Leo” Directors On Sandler Lizard Inspired By Poppins

November 16th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim direct the new Netflix animated family feature Leo, starring the voice of Adam Sandler in the title role. It debuts this Tuesday November 21st. In this Animation Scoop Q&A, learn what makes Leo one of the holiday season’s must-see comedies. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Adam Sandler voices a 74 year old lizard named Leo in a Florida 5th Grade classroom. Robert, how did you want to get involved in telling this very unique story and quite a journey?

Robert Marianetti: We’ve worked with our other director, Robert Smigel on “Saturday Night Live”‘s TV Funhouse back in the late ’90s. Robert introduced us to Adam on “Hotel Transylvania 2”, where David and I were heads of story. It was a great experience working with Adam. He kept on saying, “I’m gonna do a film with you guys one day! One day!” And sure enough, that day, five years later, Adam, a man of his word, called us up and showed us this script. We fell in love with it immediately. We couldn’t keep our big mouths shut. We started giving him ideas. A nice relationship. We share similar sensibilities. We don’t try and change people’s jokes. What we try to do is elevate them. Add the animation angle to it and do something fun with it. This is our first feature. A fantastic opportunity.

TRAILER: Aardman’s “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget”

November 15th, 2023

Jerry Beck

The cat – or should we say chicken – is finally out of the bag. Sure to ruffle feathers once more is the return of Melisha Tweedy, better known as Mrs. Tweedy and Ginger’s arch nemesis in the stop-motion animated sequel, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Catch a first glimpse of Mrs. Tweedy, voiced by accomplished stage, film and television actress Miranda Richardson, who has refashioned herself for a new era of fowl-play in the teaser trailer out today. Also joining the cast is British actor, comedian, director and screenwriter, Peter Serafinowicz who voices Reginald Smith. Serafinowicz voices a humorless businessman and along with Tweedy poses a new and bigger threat to chicken-kind.

TRAILER: Nickelodeon’s “Baby Shark’s Big Movie”

November 14th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Nickelodeon, Paramount+ and The Pinkfong Company today released the official trailer and key art for Baby Shark’s Big Movie, the first-ever feature-length original animated movie based on the globally beloved preschool property. The upcoming musical adventure is set to debut Friday, December 8, at 12 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada, and the following day in the UK and Australia.

TRAILER: Sony Pictures Animation “The Garfield Movie”

November 13th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure on the big screen. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist. Directed by Mark Dindal (Cats Don’t Dance) with a screenplay by: Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove and David Reynolds. The Garfield Movie opens next Summer – here’s our first look:

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.