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: Bringing Back A Classic With “The Proud Family: Louder And Prouder”

February 17th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Bruce W. Smith created Disney’s iconic animated series The Proud Family, which premiered in 2001. Ralph Farquhar served as executive producer. Now 21 and a half years later, they’re the creators of Disney+ reboot show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. It debuts this Wednesday February 23rd. Smith and Farquhar are proud to give these characters new stories to please millions of families. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Bruce, the last time we spoke was just before Hair Love [which Smith co-directed] won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film…

Bruce W. Smith: Yeah, I thought I remembered you.

JM: Yes. And you won the Winsor McCay Annie Award last year. That was such a cool acceptance speech. I could tell you were so honored by that.

TRAILER: Disney’s “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers”

February 15th, 2022

Jerry Beck

Today, Disney+ released the first trailer and a new poster for the original movie Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. A comeback 30 years in the making, the hybrid live-action/CG animated action-comedy catches up with the former Disney Afternoon television stars in modern-day Los Angeles. Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers premieres May 20th, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.

INTERVIEW: Make Way For “Big Nate” The Great

February 15th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Nickelodeon’s newest animated series is based on a popular comic and book franchise from Lincoln Peirce. Big Nate, about a 6th Grader ready to take on the world… or at least his middle school… premieres this Thursday Feb. 17 on Paramount+. Executive Producers John Cohen and Mitch Watson discuss how the show makes the grade. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: John, we’ve followed each other on Twitter over the years. You’ve been so passionate about the work you’ve done in the world of animation. What got you excited about Big Nate?

John Cohen: This is something that is very, very special to me. I’ve been a huge fan of Lincoln Peirce’s comic strip and books for years — and had reached out to him a while back. We started talking about how to translate Big Nate into an animated series. What we found as we talked to people at the different studios is that a lot of people could really only envision it in live-action. They kind of saw it almost like the original Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. But something that was very important to us was that these are cartoon characters.

INTERVIEW: Raise The Curtain On “The Cuphead Show!”

February 14th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Cuphead creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer are taking their popular old-timey video game characters and giving them a television series. The Cuphead Show! premieres this Friday February 18th on Netflix. The Moldenhauers are joined by series developer Dave Wasson for this Animation Scoop Q&A.

Jackson Murphy: Chad, you and Jared created this phenomenon Cuphead game, which came out in 2017. And then just a short while later, you got a special award from the Annie Awards. What a whirlwind year you guys clearly had!

Chad Moldenhauer: It was crazy. The whole team is still reeling from how this all went down. We started off this journey with this idea of making this tiny little game. That eventually blew up into this slightly bigger game, and we were hoping there would be fans that would latch onto this kind of style and type of game that we were going for. It’s just wild… especially from where it started: the idea and then where it ended-up, and still how it’s going is mind-blowing.

WIA Scholarship Winners Announced at BRIC Summit 2022

February 11th, 2022

Jerry Beck

On Friday, February 11, 2022, as part of the 2022 BRIC Talent and Innovation Summit, via a special video presentation, WIA’s Chair of Education Hsiang Chin Moe proudly announced the 36 recipients from all over the world of this year’s WIA Scholarships — the largest group to receive cash awards and honorable mentions to date. The WIA Scholarship Program is an annual award committed to furthering deserving animation students who demonstrate artistic talent, a passion for animation, a financial need, and a promising future in the field of animation. Student members of WIA were encouraged to apply, no matter in what region of the world they are academically pursuing their animation career interests. The scholarship pool totals $28,000 and also features workshops, tutoring opportunities, animation equipment, and software packages for recipients of the 2022 cycle from industry partners Animation Focus, Animation Mentor, Autodesk, Foundry, Laika, Toon Boom and Wacom.

Nickelodeon Selects 10 Participants For 2022 Writing and Artist Program

February 11th, 2022

Jerry Beck

Nickelodeon has identified 10 participants for its annual Writing and Artist Programs, designed to develop the next generation of creative voices from underrepresented communities. Helmed by the ViacomCBS Office of Global Inclusion and aligned with the company’s Content for Change initiative, for its 22nd annual Writing Program, four aspiring television writers will have the opportunity to hone their skills while working at the Nickelodeon studio and six emerging artists will develop their craft during the 10th annual Artist Program.

The news comes on the heels of the second year of remote programming, which marked the most successful year ever for Nickelodeon’s Creative Talent Development & Outreach team. All five artists from the 2021 Artist Program were staffed on Nickelodeon productions and all four writers were staffed on projects across ViacomCBS.

INTERVIEW: Paws Up For “Pretzel And The Puppies”

February 11th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Another beloved book brand from the creators of Curious George gets the animated TV series treatment. Pretzel and the Puppies premieres today on AppleTV+. Executive Producer Caroline Fraser, head of HarperCollins Productions, hopes families declare this the best [in] show.

Jackson Murphy: Tell me about the impact that the books have had on your life as you were developing this.

Caroline Fraser: These books are by the famous authors of Curious George, Margaret and H.A. Rey. I was a huge fan of Curious George and had grown up with that. And I had seen the Pretzel books. They were published a long time ago. The books were finding a hidden jewel in a treasure chest of something from these incredible authors with a huge history and a huge fanbase. Everyone knows Curious George. Here’s another property that they created that some people know but now is the chance for everyone in the world to know and enjoy it at a very, very large scale.

INTERVIEW: Bob Peterson On Annie Nominated “Dug Days”

February 10th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

Bob Peterson is the Academy Award nominated co-writer and co-director of Pixar classic Up. Last Fall he brought back the film’s iconic characters for five new Disney+ shorts in a special series called Dug Days. The episode “Science” is nominated for Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production for Children at this year’s Annie Awards (to be held March 12th). Peterson shares what he loves about this episode, as well as his fondest memories of late Up cast members Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer. (This Animation Scoop Q&A is edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Congratulations on the Annie nomination. How does it feel?

Bob Peterson: It feels amazing! I love the Annies. I love going. I was so excited to go. I know we’re doing it virtually this year, but it really means a lot. I’m very happy about this.

TRAILER: Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear”

February 8th, 2022

Jerry Beck

A new trailer blasts off this morning for Disney and Pixar’s original sci-fi action-adventure Lightyear. Releasing June 17th, 2022, the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. “Buzz’s world was always something I was excited about,” said director Angus MacLane. “In ‘Toy Story,’ there seemed to be this incredible backstory to him being a Space Ranger that’s only touched upon, and I always wanted to explore that world further. So my Lightyear pitch was, ‘What was the movie that Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy?’ I wanted to see that movie. And now I’m lucky enough to get to make it.” And here’s the official trailer:

Academy Award Nominations 2022

February 8th, 2022

Jerry Beck

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that nominations for its 94th Annual Academy Awards. The 5 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their producers and directors:

Best Animated Feature nominees are:

ENCANTO (Disney) Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer
FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie
LUCA (Pixar) Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren
THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES (Sony/Netflix) Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (Disney) Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho

INTERVIEW: “Turning Red” Duo Preview Pixar’s 25th Feature

February 7th, 2022

Jackson Murphy

In 2019, Domee Shi won the Best Animated Short Film Academy Award for Bao. Now she’s the director of a new feature for Pixar called Turning Red (streaming March 11th on Disney+). It’s a comedy about a girl named Mei who’s going through one of life’s most awkward stages in a big way. I’ve screened 30 minutes of the movie so far and spoke with Shi and producer Lindsey Collins about what to expect. (This Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Take me back to three years ago as you were working on this and… winning an Academy Award… to now. How has the journey been for you?

Domee Shi: It’s been a rollercoaster. I had no idea that when I first pitched Turning Red that I would make most of it from home. I also thought going into it, “Okay. I did a short film. I made Bao. I have a little taste of what it’s like to direct.” But it was definitely… a lot more overwhelming but still awesome at the same time — being responsible for a feature film compared to an 8-minute short. I feel like I learned so much. It’s been a crazy ride. (laughs)

Netflix Releases Their List of Animated Features for 2022

February 3rd, 2022

Jerry Beck

Here it is – the master list of brand new animated features currently scheduled for debut on Netflix on 2022. And what a list – new films by veteran animators Henry Selick (Coraline), Chris Williams (Disney’s Moana) and Nora Twomey (The Breadwinner); live action directors Richard Linklater and Guillermo del Toro, and anime masters Tetsuro Araki (Attack on Titan) and Hiroyasu Ishida (Penguin Highway). Here’s the list:

APOLLO 10 1/2: A SPAGE AGE CHILDHOOD
DIRECTOR: Richard Linklater
WRITER: Richard Linklater
PRODUCERS: Richard Linklater, Mike Blizzard, Tommy Pallotta, Femke Wolting, Bruno Felix
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: John Sloss
CAST: Milo Coy, Lee Eddy, Bill Wise, Natalie L’Amoreaux, Josh Wiggins, Sam Chipman, Jessica Brynn Cohen, Danielle Guilbot with Zachary Levi and Glenn Powell and Jack Black

SYNOPSIS: Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood tells the story of the first moon landing in the summer of 1969 from two interwoven perspectives – the astronaut and mission control view of the triumphant moment, and through the eyes of a kid growing up in Houston, Texas who has intergalactic dreams of his own. Taking inspiration from Academy Award-nominated® filmmaker Richard Linklater’s own life, Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood is a snapshot of American life in the 1960s that is part coming of age, part societal commentary, and part out-of-this-world adventure.

INTERVIEW: Going Down A New Rabbit Hole With “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery”

February 3rd, 2022

Jackson Murphy

The Mouse House is presenting a new twist on the Alice in Wonderland story. CG, family-friendly series Alice’s Wonderland Bakery premieres this Wednesday Feb. 9 at 10:30am on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Executive Producer Chelsea Beyl and Co-EP Frank Montagna invited me to a tea party over Zoom to discuss the delightful show.

Jackson Murphy: What does the 1951 Disney animated classic, that’s now 70 and a half years old, mean to you?

Chelsea Beyl: It means the world to me. Alice in Wonderland is currently our world. When I knew I was going to be doing an Alice in Wonderland show, I watched the movie. Of course, I had seen it as a child and then I revisited it again and really did a deep dive into that movie and really embraced every little quirk that you remember. But how can we bring these characters now to a new generation? The movie is so iconic. It’s so clever and peculiar. It really is a standout from the Disney features and it’s carried on over the years because it’s been so beloved. It’s been fascinating diving into it again for the show.

VIEW Conference Presents a Conversation With the Filmmakers Behind “Namoo”

February 2nd, 2022

Jerry Beck

VIEW Conference, in partnership with Baobab Studios and OGR, is pleased to present a virtual live screening, presentation and conversation with the filmmakers behind the acclaimed Annie Award-nominated animated short film, Namoo, on Friday, February 11th at 10am PST / 6pm GMT / 7pm CET.

The speakers will include writer/director Erick Oh, producer and CEO/co-founder of Baobab Studios Maureen Fan, producer and CCO/co-founder of Baobab Studios Eric Darnell, art director Eusong Lee and lead Quill artist Nick Ladd. The session will be moderated by Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey.

FIRST LOOK: Netflix “Cat Burglar”

February 2nd, 2022

Jerry Beck

Classic cartoon craziness meets interactive trivia quiz in Netflix’ new Tex Avery inspired series Cat Burglar.

This over-the-top interactive cartoon, from the creators of Black Mirror, is being directed by Mike Hollingsworth (Bojack Horseman). The show asks viewers to answer witty trivia questions to help Rowdy Cat get one over on Peanut the Security Pup and break into a museum to steal some prized paintings. Here’s our first look: