Nobody’s Buying, So Stop Begging
The death of the independent animation deal, and what to do about it.
In Business, Event, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Blog Post | Blogs: Reality Bites | Geographic Region: All
Tagged With: IP
Kasagi Labo Secures US$12 Million Investment to Grow Anime Platform
Funding will allow expanding the company’s ecosystem where content creators can connect, partner and shape anime IP development; company set as a Pitch Partner at upcoming Annecy MIFA event running June 9-16.
In Anime, Business, Digital Media, Event, Festival, Films, Licensing, People, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Ask a Bot About the Biz
My ‘interview with the vampire’ on the uncertainty and upheaval in Hollywood.
In AI, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Television, Virtual Production, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, VFXWorld | Blogs: Reality Bites | Geographic Region: All
Steamroller Studios Expands to British Columbia
The studio’s move further supports its Canadian clients in VFX, feature animation, and games while tapping local talent.
Aardman Greenlights New Seasons for ‘Shaun the Sheep’ and ‘Very Small Creatures’
The award-winning animation studio announces a new 20-episode Season 7 and Season 3, respectively, for its 2 most popular stop-motion shows.
Guru Studio Options ‘Spot’ TV Rights
The studio’s animated series adaptation of author Eric Hill’s bestselling children’s book series will follow Spot, the beloved, rambunctious, and curious puppy; former Amazon Kids+ exec Sarah Maizes comes on board to helm the project.
Scholastic Buys 9 Story Media Group
The USD $186 million agreement significantly expands the publishing company’s opportunities for production and global licensing of its IP across print, screens, and merchandising.
In Business, Digital Media, Films, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Lionsgate Inks ‘Naruto’ Live-Action Film Deal
Studio taps director Destin Daniel Cretton to write and direct the adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s hugely popular manga.
In Business, Comics/Manga/Webcomics, Films, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Blue Zoo to Create ‘Fugglers’ Entertainment Universe
A 5-year deal with Libertas Brands tasks the animation studio with launching the popular plush characters into the entertainment realm via multiple digital platforms: online, on-screen, and in-game.
In Business, CG, Digital Media, Games, Licensing, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
9 Story Media Group Acquires Portfolio Entertainment
The deal includes its library, production slate, and development projects, with founder Lisa Olfman joining the media group to drive existing projects and expand 9 Story’s business opportunities.
In 2D, Business, Digital Media, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Baobab Studios Announces ‘Momoguro’ TV Series
The multiple Emmy Award-winning interactive animation studio teams up with 9 Story Media Group to co-produce and launch a kids’ series based on its hugely popular game-based IP; the franchise features a magical universe with contrasting creatures who use the magical power of ‘Momoguro.’
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Comics/Manga/Webcomics, Digital Media, Games, Licensing, NFTs - Blockchain, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Nelvana Greenlights ‘Piñata Smashlings’
The 2D animated kids’ series, based on the Roblox game, follows 4 friends who form a team to save the Piñataverse while involved in game-like shenanigans; available for international sale, the previously released ‘Smashling’ shorts are available on Nelvana’s ‘Keep It Weird’ YouTube channel.
Podcast EP 236: Danny Robashkin & Creating ‘MAKE’ Originals Micro Shorts
The Minnesota-based animation studio founder discusses his company’s success with commercial projects and its new path creating original micro short series for social media.
2nd Animar_BCN Concludes, Announces EU Animation Industry Recommendations
EU animation players from 25+ countries identified five critical subjects pivotal for the future as they gathered in Barcelona to identify, debate, and make recommendations on key industry growth issues, including needed funding strategies, standards for co-production, and retention of talent and original independent IP.
A Productions Adds Disney Alum Katie Barba
Animation studio taps development executive to help foster growing slate of kids and family entertainment and original IP-driven content.
In Business, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Europe
Claynosaurz Releases ‘Claynos’ Teaser Trailer
The 3DCG short tells the origin story of the colorful stylized dinosaurs inhabiting the studio’s IP; following 2 months of concept development, the team tapped Autodesk Maya and Arnold, using the Conductor cloud-based rendering service, to complete the film.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Studio Meala Announces ‘What the Fluffoverse’
The Irish studio has partnered with animation studio Funny Tales and creative collective Cosmonaut on a new sci-fi animated kids’ series based on the artwork of Phillip Kaeser; the show follows Neto, who traverses the galaxy while trying to regain his memory.
9 Story Media Group Launches YouTube Channel
Now live, the new channel features some of the company’s most popular programming; FAST channel in partnership with Cineverse coming in 2024.
In Business, Digital Media, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘Fireman Sam’ and ‘Polly Pocket’ Get New Season Greenlights from WildBrain and Mattel
International distribution deals were also announced for new and previous seasons of the popular animated series as well as ‘Bob the Builder’ and ‘Little People;’ WildBrain is heading to MIPCOM, which runs October 16-19.
Retinize Ltd Launches Animotive VR Tool for 3D Animation
The immersive, real-time solution is compatible with Unity, Unreal and other industry standard software – allows remote creative collaboration through VR.
Lion Forge Entertainment Hires Trio of Key Executives
Kirsten Newlands joins the company as EVP Production & Partnerships; Koyalee Chanda as SVP Animation; and Jonathan Abraham as Director of Distribution.
In 2D, Business, Digital Media, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Podcast EP 224: How Nathan Pyle Turned ‘Strange Planet’ Into a Show on Apple TV+
The webcomic creator shares how he teamed up with Dan Harmon to make his viral Instagram IP into a streaming sensation, which he monetized via merchandise such as t-shirts, plushies and a book.
Crayola Getting Drawn into Animation - Launches Crayola Studios
The venerable Crayon purveyor’s new kids and family-dedicated studio announces its first animated series, ‘The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian,’ a co-development with Mimo Studios based on the award-winning kid’s podcast.
U.K. Government Extends Animation Production Rebate
Animation UK campaigned for the increase in tax incentives and for the inclusion of animated theatrical release films, in addition to animated television programs.
Chad Nelson Talks ‘Critterz’ and the Future Role of AI
The writer and director of the first animated short whose imagery was entirely generated with OpenAI’s DALL-E takes a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of AI production and what this hard charging, disruptive technology could mean for M&E.
In 3D, AI, Art, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
