Animation Scoop

TRAILER: Netflix Announces Fall Lineup

Netflix has announced an exciting Fall Lineup, releasing exclusive stills from Spellbound, dates for Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Season 2, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory: Season 2, Mighty MonsterWheelies, and more. As students prepare to head back to school, the streaming platform is offering a variety of family-centered entertainment that ranges from series’ to feature-length films. […]

Ketchup Entertainment Acquires “THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE”

Ketchup Entertainment has officially acquired the North American rights to The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie from Warner Bros. Animation. GFM Animation is overseeing the process of worldwide distribution sales of this enthusiastically well-regarded film that premiered this year at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France. The CEO of […]

TRAILER: DreamWorks’ “The Wild Robot”

DreamWorks Animation has released a new trailer for the studio’s upcoming feature, The Wild Robot. Based on Peter Brown’s #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot is an epic story of “a bond like no other”.

INTERVIEW: Cartoon Curator Bill from MeTV’s “Toon In With ME”

Since January 4th, the cable network (and over-the-air broadcast sub-channel) MeTV has been running a weekday hour of classic cartoons from the MGM, Warner Bros. and Paramount Popeye and Betty Boop libraries. Telecast at 7am and formatted as a vintage kids show, hosted by “cartoon curator” Bill Leff and his puppet companion “Toony, the Tuna”, […]

INTERVIEW With “Avatar: Braving The Elements Podcast” Hosts

October 17th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Janet Varney (the voice of Korra on “The Legend of Korra”) and Dante Basco (who voiced Zuko on “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and General Iroh on “Korra”) host Avatar: Braving the Elements Podcast. It’s Nickelodeon’s official podcast about everything in the Avatarverse. “Braving the Elements” (available wherever you get your podcasts) is now in its second season, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. I recently chatted with Varney and Basco at New York Comic-Con about “BTE”, the lasting impact of “Avatar” and a connection with the voice actor of a famous animated feline. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: So “Avatar”‘s been around for 17 years? That’s insane!

Dante Basco: Don’t say that, Jackson!

Janet Varney: I know. Let the illusion of timelessness exist for the actors.

DB: We just did our podcast this morning and you said the date and I was like, “Whoa.”

INTERVIEW: Previewing “Pinocchio” Puppets With Georgina Hayns

October 14th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is one of the most anticipated animated movies of the rest of 2022. The Academy Award-winning director of The Shape of Water presents a new stop-motion feature film version of the classic story with an all-star voice cast and breathtaking visuals. It opens in select theaters this November and debuts on Netflix December 9th. I recently spoke with Georgina Hayns, Director of Character Fabrication, on bringing the puppets to life, working with del Toro, and some of her other stop-motion career highlights. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: When did you first learn of the Pinocchio story?

Georgina Hayns: I’ve known about Pinocchio as long as I can remember. I think I saw the Disney animated version when I was about three years old. And growing up in Europe, because Pinocchio is such a known image in Italy, you get a lot of wooden carved dolls of Pinocchio. There’s even Christmas decorations that are inspired by Pinocchio. Pinocchio’s always been around me, but it’s funny because… I still didn’t really know the story until I started working on this Pinocchio.

Dragon Ball Blasts Its Way Into Heritage Auctions’ First Ever Anime Showcase

October 13th, 2022

Lauren Ashton

Heritage Auctions plans to offer the very best lots from the renowned Dragon Ball franchise in its Anime Showcase sale, The Art of Dragon Ball. On November 17th, there will be more than 200 rare and essential pieces crossing the auction block. Expect to see highly graded trading cards, original production cels from Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT, original printings of major Weekly Shonen Jump issues, and more.

INTERVIEW: The “Batwheels” Arrive In Gotham City (And On TV)

October 13th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

The Dark Knight has some new help fighting crime. Family animated series Batwheels premieres this Monday Oct. 17 at 9am on Cartoonito and Cartoon Network, with episodes streaming Tuesday Oct. 18 on HBO Max. Co-Executive Producer Michael G. Stern and Supervising Producer Simon Smith suit up to discuss the vehicles, the style and the multi-generational appeal of Batwheels. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: This show is really fun. As you were getting underway with this, what was the earliest memory you could think of involving Batman?

Michael G. Stern: I grew-up with the Adam West 1966 show in reruns. So my earliest memory is tying a bath towel around my neck and running around going, “ZAM! POW!”

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse Anounced by Apple TV+

October 12th, 2022

Lauren Ashton

Apple Original Films has just announced that the animated short The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, based on the global best-selling book of the same title by Charlie Mackesy, will be coming to Apple TV+ on Christmas Day this year. The film, featuring Mackesy’s characteristic illustrations brought to life in color with stunning hand-drawn animation, features BAFTA Award winner Tom Hollander (The Night Manager) as The Mole, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Idris Elba (Luther) as The Fox, Golden Globe Award winner Gabriel Byrne (All Things Bright and Beautiful) as The Horse, and introduces Jude Coward Nicoll as The Boy.

Mindy Kaling Introduces New “VELMA” To NYCC

October 12th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Coming to HBO Max in 2023 is the hand-drawn adult animated series VELMA. It’s a new origin story of Velma Dinkley and her Mystery Inc. pals, starring and co-executive produced by Mindy Kaling. “The Office” and “The Mindy Project” actress, who also co-wrote and co-starred in the 2019 film “Late Night”, has lent her voice to a number of animated projects over the years — from “Inside Out” and “Despicable Me” to “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Monsters at Work”.

I recently attended a New York Comic-Con press conference with Kaling and VELMA showrunner and co-EP Charlie Grandy. “The possibilities of animation are so big. Why not make the character Indian?,” Kaling said to a room of two to three dozen reporters. She hopes to “honor the character” and looks to Sony’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” for representation inspiration.

Brian Levant Talks About His Book “My Life and Toys”

October 11th, 2022

Jerry Beck

Brian Levant is the director of the live action Flintstones movies, and has directed movies with Scooby Doo and Beethovan, written for Happy Days and the new Leave It To Beaver. But his greatest joy in life is his toy collection… and he’s now found a way to share it with the world. Just published by G Editions, Levant’s My Life and Toys is a treasure chest of memories and visual candy guaranteed to dial your mind to you eight year old inner self. I spoke to Levant about it – and we ended up geeking out on our mutual love of 50s and 650s pop culture.

Brian Levant: It took a long time to find a publisher, because I wanted to design the book. And I initially talked to friends of mine who are designers, and they always came back to the same conclusion: ”you need to do it.” And of course, I was totally untrained in this, and it’s been a steep learning curve. I’d never made a book before. I’d never dealt with their industry. It took 11 years- from the time we took our first photographs until September 13th when the book came out. I was very lucky. My brother-in-law, Joe Pellegrini, is one of the top food photographers in the country, in product photography. For instance, every Subway sandwich… you see in a magazine ad, on a billboard, in store displays, in advertising, he shot.

Hulu’s Trio Of Fun At NYCC

October 9th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

As part of New York Comic-Con 2022, I participated in roundtable interviews with the makers of three of Hulu’s big adult animated projects — the popular series “Solar Opposites”, upcoming series “Koala Man” and new special “The Paloni Show! Halloween Special!”

“Koala Man” premieres early next year. It’s about a dad named Kevin in an Australian suburb with a superhero alter ego — Koala Man. Creator Michael Cusack voices this character, and his son Liam. Hugh Jackman lends his voice to Kevin’s outgoing and outspoken boss, Big Greg.

INTERVIEW: “Spirit Rangers” Shows We Are All Connected

October 5th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Karissa Valencia is the creator, showrunner and EP of new Netflix family animated series Spirit Rangers, which premieres this Monday October 10th (Indigeneous Peoples’ Day). Three special kids become junior park rangers. Valencia is a Chumash tribal member. She celebrates Native American storytelling through the delightful characters, gorgeous visuals and effective themes of Spirit Rangers. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: You’ve been a part of a number of animated series, including Dora, The Chicken Squad and Vampirina. But Spirit Rangers is YOURS. It is your show. When did that opportunity open up for you to share this passion project with the world?

Karissa Valencia: It’s so funny looking back at my career and it’s all pre-school because I never expected to land in preschool. I really had my nose in the air about it, just thinking “That’s just for babies. That’s not good stuff.” I feel so fortunate for the career that I’ve had because it has definitely made me a stronger writer — approaching the preschool space and learning how to tap into the more emotional side and earnest side of preschoolers. It’s been really fun. Once I got over my nose in the air about it was when I first started with Chris [Nee], working on Doc McStuffins. One of the first scripts I read was called “Hannah the Brave”, and it was about this little girl who had cancer. I was floored that we could tell these types of stories to this audience. I was ravenous to learn more from Chris and how she approaches her preschoolers.

CLIP: “Bugs Bunny’s Howl-O-Skreem Spooktacula”

October 2nd, 2022

Lauren Ashton

Warner Bros. just sent us a fun new spooky “Looney Tunes Cartoons” clip from their upcoming half-hour special, Bugs Bunny’s Howl-O-Skreem Spooktacula which began streaming Thursday, 9/29 on HBO Max. The clip is from the short “Graveyard Goofs”. Directed by David Gemmill and written by Michael Ruocco and Andy Gonsalves – take a look:

INTERVIEW: Uncovering The Magic Of “Abominable And The Invisible City”

September 30th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Ruolin Li is the director of new DreamWorks series Abominable and the Invisible City, the sequel show to the studio’s hit 2019 movie. It premieres this Wednesday October 5th on Hulu and Peacock. Li discusses what the characters are up to, her goals for the series and the movie that inspired her to get into the world of animation. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: What do you love so much about the 2019 Abominable movie?

Ruolin Li: The fantastical adventure of the kids and how they fly around on the cloud with Everest. That’s so cool. And all the magical elements. And not to mention: of course, it takes place in China. That’s not very often seen in animation.

The 24 HOURS Animation Contest for Students is open for entries

September 29th, 2022

Jerry Beck

This year’s 24 HOURS: Animation Contest for Students will be hosted online, from Friday October 14th to Saturday October 15th. This free event challenges students around the world to compete in teams of five to produce a 30-second animated film in under 24 hours. Now celebrating its 20th year, this international competition is hosted by animation professor, Aubry Mintz, at California State University, Long Beach.

Still image from 2021’s top-placed entry Awkward Greetings, from Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP) in Brazil.

Animation Educators Forum Announces the Inaugural Members of its Hall Of Fame

September 26th, 2022

Jerry Beck

The Animation Educators Forum (AEF), a non-profit association of teachers and scholars whose focus is the art of animated film, announce the inaugural group selected to its new Hall of Fame. Dedicated to the artists and scholars whose teaching influenced the history of animation, the AEF will announce a new group of recipients each January. AEF’s Hall of Fame is accessible on the Animation Educator’s Forum website – animationeducatorsforum.com.

INTERVIEW: “Entergalactic” Soars Into Uncharted Animation Territory

September 26th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Entergalactic is a new 90-minute adult animated special event coming to Netflix this Friday September 30th. Popular music artist Kid Cudi and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris team-up with director Fletcher Moules to present a classic love story in contemporary ways, set in modern day — and to Cudi’s music. The result is one of the coolest animated presentations I’ve seen in a long time. Moules and I discuss all aspects of Entergalactic in this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: I love this. It’s so cool. When did YOU know this was so unique?

Fletcher Moules: The concept was always unique: Cudi and Kenya had this idea and it was wild from the start. When I came on board, there were writers and I heard three of the songs, and I was like, “Okay, we’re gonna do this animated?” And instantly it was something [I knew] had never been made before. That feeling was what really propelled everyone throughout. For all of our crew… we all had that same feeling you had when you said that.

INTERVIEW: Heading Up To “The Great North” For Season 3 Preview

September 21st, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin are the co-creators of FOX’s hit animated comedy series The Great North. Season 3 premieres this Sunday Sept. 25 at 8:30pm with the fun and heartfelt episode “A Knife to Remember Adventure”. Wendy and Lizzie discuss how they kick-off the new season, their plans for the show’s future and if they’d be open to a Great North movie. Plus we pick our favorite Julianne Moore performances! (There’s a reason.) This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.

Jackson Murphy: We’re kicking off Season 3, but the show has already been renewed for Season 4! Congratulations. How does it feel?

Wendy Molyneux: It feels incredible. And that’s the wild thing about animation: you are always working a year ahead. It feels great to know we now have this great year ahead of us to make 22 more episodes of The Great North. It’s a tremendous relief and a big challenge, and we’re really excited for the writers’ room to be back.

Photos courtesy of Fox