Mayerson on Animation
- Animation's Lack of ConsequencesI recently read Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-In Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American '70s by Charles Taylor. The following quote from the introduction struck me for how it relates to animated features, though Taylor ignores animation entirely."The best genre movies, no matter how rooted in the conventions of Westerns, detective […]
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CROWDFUNDING: A World Without End, by Pasquale La Montagna
Toronto Animator Pasquale La Montagna is trying to raise a few bucks to produce a cartoon. You know how this works. A World Without End – Episode One, A Beginning A Mad man. A King. The pursuit of truth. An evil intention. And a world which never seems to end! It looks great, and it’s… »
Kyle Marshall’s 3 Amigonauts, FULL EPISODE
Is the best cartoon to come out of Canada in eons? Maybe. Is the creator, Kyle Marshall, currently living in Los Angeles and working for Nickelodeon? Darn right he is! Did this get made at 9Story? Yes indeed. Watch it. We can discuss… »
TAIS 2017 Artist in Residence Call for Proposals
Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) announces its CALL FOR PROPOSALS for Year Four of its Artist in Residence program This program supports the production of new animated work by artists through a combination of funding and in-kind resources. After the success of the first three years of TAIS’ artists in residence, anticipation is high for… »
from the internets: NFB’s Michael Fukushima Answers Questions, and the Breadwinner is Coming to TIFF
Over on AWN, OIAF Creative Director Chris Robinson asks NFB Animation Executive Producer Michael Fukushima a handful of questions. Michael was good enough to answer them. And Animation Magazine, among other outlets, is reporting that Cartoon Saloon’s latest feature film, the Breadwinner, will be premiering at TIFF. The Breadwinner is directed by Nora Twomey, and… »
press release: Brown Bag Films announces production of animated holiday special ANGELA’S CHRISTMAS
Based on the popular children’s story from Pulitzer Prize winning author FRANK McCOURT. Oscar Nominated RUTH NEGGA and Lucy O’Connell set to star. Oscar nominated Brown Bag Films, a subsidiary of 9 Story Media Group, is pleased to announce that it is in production on the animated holiday special, ANGELA’S CHRISTMAS. The half hour CG… »
press release: NFB announces three-year plan to redefine its relationship with Indigenous peoples
Key commitments include: 4 percent of NFB workforce to identify as Indigenous by 2025; Indigenous-led production to represent a minimum of 15 percent of overall production spending; and the creation of protocols/guidelines for production and distribution and use of archives The National Film Board of Canada has announced a three-year plan outlining a series… »
press release: Wow Unlimited Media and Bell Media Teaming for Kids and Youth Channel
Wow Unlimited Media and Bell Media Announce Strategic Partnership in Kids and Youth Entertainment TORONTO, ON and VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – June 07, 2017) – Wow Unlimited Media Inc. (“Wow“) (TSX VENTURE: WOW.A) (TSX VENTURE: WOW.B) and Bell Media (“Bell Media”) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a term sheet (the “Term Sheet“)… »
press release: Youth Media Alliance 2017 Awards of Excellence – Winners Announced
Winners of the 2017 Awards of Excellence Montréal, May 31, 2017 – This year’s Youth Media Alliance gala unfolded before an enthusiastic audience on May 31 at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. The evening was hosted by the vibrant Studio K trio of Tony Kim, Janaye Upshaw and Victor Verbitsky under this year’s… »
from the internets: DHX Buys Peanuts and Strawberry Shortcake for 345 Million Dollars.
This is all over the internet today. Canadian media giant, DHX Media just made a deal to buy Iconix Brand Group for $345 000 000.00 (I’m assuming USD). Iconix owns 80% of Peanuts, and 100% of Strawberry Shortcake. Here’s Deadline Hollywood on it: http://deadline.com/2017/05/peanuts-strawberry-shortcake-acquired-dhx-media-1202088595/ Here’s Variety with the same info: http://variety.com/2017/tv/global/dhx-media-acquires-peanuts-in-345-million-purchase-of-iconix-1202422001/ CBC with more of… »
press release: Matthew Rankin’s THE TESLA WORLD LIGHT (NFB) selected to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s International Critics’ Week
So this is pretty cool. The Tesla World Light, Matthew Rankin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada Here’s the press release. Matthew Rankin’s THE TESLA WORLD LIGHT (NFB) selected to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s International Critics’ Week Matthew Rankin’s animated filmTHE TESLA WORLD LIGHT, produced at the National Film Board of Canada… »
STARTOON is BACK! Submissions are open!
Alright. It’s time to talk about Startoon. I always struggle a bit when it comes to cross-promotion. Startoon is my day job these days, so I get a little wobbly about promoting it here. But then I have to step back and tell myself to stop being a dummy and share what we’re doing. Because… »
events: VANIMATIC! April 18th, Grahaeme Cowie Talking About the Impotents, and how they ran a SUCESSFULL KICKSTARTER!
If I were in Vancouver on April 18th, I’d be here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1892151544392891/ Last year, Grahaeme Cowie and his partner Jeff Cooper set out to get their idea for an adult comedy animated series funded via Kickstarter. They pulled it off. They also made a funny cartoon. I supported it. I got a t-shirt. All this… »
from the internets: APOLLO GAUNTLET ON ADULT SWIM!!!!!!
YEAH! Adult Swim Greenlights New Animated Series From ‘Robot Chicken’ Producers & Mondo Canadian Myles Langois’s awesome show, Apollo Gauntlet, which I love, is going to be on Adult Swim. Good fit. Congrats to Myles. Keep being awesome…. »
OIAF 2017 Poster!
I think it’s lovely. Here’s the info provided by Kelly Neal via Facebook: The 2017 poster is here! The stunning new poster was created by Montreal-based animator Elise Simard, a film director who has contributed visual signatures and handmade special effects for documentary features and animated shorts. For the past 10 years she has been… »
press release:BOAT ROCKER/INDUSTRIAL BROTHERS ANNOUNCE NEW SERIES MASTER TOY PARTNERSHIP WITH FISHER-PRICE
New Original Series Kingdom Force solidifies early-stage partnership with Fisher-Price as part of an innovative strategy for funding multiplatform IP TORONTO – March 21, 2017 – Boat Rocker and Industrial Brothers today announced a master toy partnership with Fisher Price as part of a unique development strategy for their ambitious new original series, Kingdom Force…. »
press release: Youth Media Alliance Announces Nominees for English Language Awards of Excellence
Montreal, March 21, 2017 – Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is pleased to announce the television series as well as digital and interactive productions in the running for an Awards of Excellence. The winners will be revealed at the awards gala to be held on May 31, at the CBC Glenn-Gould Studio, in Toronto. Based on… »
press release: peopleWatching on Cracked.com
TORONTO, Feb 22, 2017 – For the second week in a row, Cracked.com, the popular humour and satire website viewed by millions of people each week has aired the latest episode of peopleWatching, an anthology-styled animated webseries based on author Winston Rowntree’s hit web comic Subnormality. People Watching deals with the lives of various 20… »
Press Release: Cinesite Studios acquires Vancouver animation studio Nitrogen
Cinesite Studios is pleased to announce that it has acquired the full service animation facility Nitrogen Studios Canada Inc., based in Vancouver. The studio employs 70 creative and production staff and is known for animating many episodes of the iconic children’s show Thomas and Friends, and more recently Seth Rogen’s ground breaking R-rated Sausage Party…. »
OIAF 2017 Submissions OPEN!!
ALL-OUT CALL-OUT: OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL OPENS SUBMISSIONS FOR 2017 OTTAWA, ON, CANADA (February 21, 2017) – The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), North America’s leading animation film festival, is now accepting entries for competition in 2017! Entries are due May 26, and there is no entry fee. From September 20-24, Ottawa will become the… »
2017 Animated Oscar Winners
Zootopia and Piper. Both good films, both very safe, mainstream picks. No huge suprises. Piper’s got a Canadian director, Alan Barillaro, Sheridan grad from Chippawa, Ontario. Here’s the Toronto Star coverage: https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2017/02/26/ontario-animator-alan-barillaro-wins-best-animated-short-oscar-for-piper.html Congrats to the winners, and big congrats to all the nominees. We had a really strong group of Canadians representing this year. And… »
from the internets: CBC Kids Makes It Official, Marie McCann In Top Job.
Kidscreen is reporting that acting Director Marie McCann is taking over the position permanently. Marie’s a great pick, she’s been with CBC for years, off and on, and really has a sense for the brand, including how it’s moving forward. Here’s the article. Congrats to… »
press release:9 Story Media Group Secures a Raft of Digital Sales for Animated Shorts Series SWEET TWEETS
I like this press release. Sweet Tweets is a series of shorts produced in BC at Yeti Farm. They produced it themselves, with Jon Izen providing the creative chops. And now they’re selling it. Congrats! -mike Toronto, Canada – February 6, 2017 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that it has secured… »
Len Cochrane Passes Away at 71
The Hollywood Reporter is sharing the news that legendary Canadian kids broadcast executive, Len Cochrane, has passed away at the age of 71. Len was a pioneer of the kids broadcast sector, founding Teletoon and presiding over Family Channel from 1990 to 2001. He retired in 2014. cartt.ca has an obituary that touches on how… »
press release: Theodore Ushev Receives Oscar Nomination for Blind Vaysha
NFB receives 74th Academy Award nomination Theodore Ushev’s Blind Vaysha is headed to the Oscars with a nomination for Best Animated Short Film January 24, 2017 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB) Theodore Ushev’s multi-award-winning Blind Vaysha (NFB) has been honoured with an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film. It’s… »
from the internets: Dierdre Brennan Leaves CORUS For Sprout
This is a tough one. It happened last week and was shared around a lot, but we should post it too, for good measure. Deirdre Brennan joined CORUS less than a year ago, so her departure is somewhat troubling. Here’s a link to Kidscreen’s sharing of the press release. Deirdre is a world class exec,… »
Youth Media Alliance 2017 English-Language Awards of Excellence: Jury Members Wanted!
2017 English-Language Awards of Excellence: Jury Members Wanted! Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is looking for youth media professional to sit on the nomination jury for its 2017 English-Language Awards of Excellence. The involvement of the industry would be invaluable to us, and it’s also essential that our industry take part in the selection process. Nomination… »
press release: Guru Studio’s Big Blue in Development at Kids’ CBC
GURU STUDIO DIVES INTO THE BIG BLUE WITH CBC Toronto, ON., Oct 12, 2016 – Guru Studio’s latest project Big Blue is now in development with Kids’ CBC. This fresh original show follows sibling underwater adventurers Lettie and Lemo and their quirky submarine crew as they explore and protect a vast ocean covered planet from… »
press release: 9Story Makes a Deal For Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter
9 Story Media Group to produce new LITTLE CRITTER® animated series based on Mercer Mayer’s beloved book series Toronto, Canada –November 1, 2016 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Little Critter, LLC to produce a new animated series based on Mercer Mayer’s beloved Little Critter… »
press release: New Content Focus At Nelvana
We got this press release a little late, but I thought it would be important to share it. Honestly, I’ve never been very excited about what happens at Nelvana, but this news is interesting. I firmly believe that the real change in our industry towards creator driven production will only occur in a place that… »
from the internets: VICE on NOVA SEED
I finally saw Nova Seed at OIAF about a month ago. I missed it at TAAFI back in the spring, and have had a post in the drafts folder of the site half-written ever since. It’s amazing. The movie, not the post. The post starts by saying that Nova Seed is an important movie. And… »
from the internets: BRON Studios Expands to London Ontario, Director Kris Pearn at the Helm
CTV News out of London, Ontario shared a short story featuring Feature Director Kris Pearn, who’s currently working with BC-based BRON Studios on their upcoming feature release, the Willoughbys. Pearn’s a graduate of Sheridan’s animation program, an accomplished story artist with credits like Arthur Christmas, Hotel Transylvania, and the upcoming Han Solo movie for Lucasfilm…. »
press release: Counterfeit Cat Goes Global On Disney XD and Disney Channel
Toronto, Canada – September 19, 2016 – Tricon Kids & Family’s award-winning original animated comedy series Counterfeit Cat (52×11′ and 11×2′ shorts) pounces onto Disney XD and Disney Channel in multiple territories including France, South East Asia, Japan, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America. Counterfeit Cat received its world premiere in May on Disney XD UK… »
press release: 9 Story Media Group appoints ALIX WISEMAN to Vice President, Business Development & Acquisitions
Toronto, Canada – August 30, 2016 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Alix Wiseman to the newly created position of Vice President, Business Development & Acquisitions. Reporting to Chief Strategy Officer Natalie Osborne, Wiseman will be responsible for leading distribution and acquisitions efforts in EMEA with a focus on… »
What now? Martin Markle out at KIDS CBC after less than a year. UPDATED: Marie McCann named Interim Senior Director.
I don’t even know what’s going on anymore. Kidscreen’s got the news, but that’s really all there is. http://kidscreen.com/2016/08/12/martin-markle-out-at-kids-cbc/ Updated with news from Kidscreen again: Marie McCann, who’s been at CBC and TVO off and on for years, is stepping in as interim senior director…. »
ARC update: Jam Filled To The Rescue?
Both Kidscreen and Playback are reporting on some very interesting news that is developing following two of last week’s big animation stories. After the shocking story of Toronto CG studio, Arc Productions’ sudden collapse into bankruptcy, it was announced that Jam Filled Entertainment, a thriving mid-size 2D shop from Ottawa, known for being a very… »
press release: Corus Entertainment Appoints Athena Georgaklis New Head of Development for Nelvana
Toronto, Canada – Corus Entertainment announced today the appointment of Athena Georgaklis to the role of Head of Development for Nelvana. Georgaklis, a highly respected animation executive, will lead the acquisition of rights and the development of all original content for Nelvana, working with the studio’s producers, creators, and talent around the world. Georgaklis assumes her… »
Good News Department: BOAT ROCKER BUYS JAM FILLED ENTERTAINMENT!!!! WHAT!?!?!
Could not happen to nicer people. Congrats to Jamie and Phil and Kyle, and congrats to Boat Rocker for having the smarts to see how great a studio they’ve built. BOAT ROCKER MEDIA ACQUIRES JAM FILLED ENTERTAINMENT Animation Studio Behind Multiple Hit US and Canadian Shows Strengthens Media Company’s Animation & Family Content Capabilities August… »
BREAKING NEWS: Arc Productions Files for Bankruptcy (updated)
This is one of those tough ones. Toronto’s Arc Productions is closed. We were sent a photo just now of a notice taped up to the front door, courtesy of www.torontovfxjobs.com UPDATE (August 5, 2016): The Globe and Mail has the most comprehensive coverage so far of the facts leading up to Arc’s closure. It’s… »
Press Release: Okanagan International Animation Festival to Launch in 2017
International animation festival set for October 2017 in BC’s spectacular Okanagan The Okanagan International Festival of Animation is on! Kelowna, B.C. The Okanagan International Festival of Animation (OkIFA) is an annual five-day animation and digital media festival, market and conference set to launch from October 2 6, 2017, in Kelowna, British Columbia. This… »
showcase: IMPOTENTS PILOT IS ONLINE! from Vancouver’s Smoking Doors
Independent animation production wins again! After a successful crowd-funding campaign, Vancouver studio Smoking Doors has just completed and released their adult-animated comedy pilot for the Impotents! Check it out!… »
press release: VIFF announces $20,000 award for Call-To-Action Films re: Refugee Crisis
$20,000 Prize to be Awarded in Refugee Crisis Film Competition Frank Giustra, Founder of the Radcliffe Foundation, and the Vancouver International Film Festival, urge film-makers to participate Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Sarah McLachlan, Louise Arbour, Craig Kielburger, Ivan Fecan, Atom Egoyan among others lend their voices to the crisis as part of the competitions jury… »
press release: Thunderbird (Atomic Cartoons) Showcases All Star Musical Lineup for Beatles-Inspired Beat Bugs
Thunderbird’s Netflix Original Beat Bugs Brings Reimagined Beatles Songs to a New Generation Vancouver (July 27, 2016) – Thunderbird, Grace: A Storytelling Company and Beyond Screen Productions are pleased to bring the highly anticipated animated children’s series Beat Bugs to Netflix on August 3. Inspired by the songs of The Beatles, the show will feature musical… »
OIAF 2016 Official Selection
This year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival has announced both their feature and short film official selections. Here are the press releases: FEATURE COMPETITION This is a ground breaking year for Canada at OIAF with three feature films competing for the grand prize. Jean-François Laguionie, who won at OIAF 1978 with his film La Traversée de… »
Theodore Ushev and Moïa Jobin-Paré Win at Annecy 2016
As awards go, picking up a prize at Annecy is just about as big as it gets. The French festival has just announced its winners and congratulations are due to the 2 Canadian picks: Blind Vaysha by Theodore Ushev (Jury Award), and 4min15 in the Developer (Off Limits Award), by Moïa Jobin-Paré. Jury Award Vaysha,… »
Startoon Character Development Initiative Launches in Canada
For those readers who don’t know me, when I’m not maintaining this site I also work as an animation producer and director in Toronto. Occasionally what I do in that identity overlaps with what I do here, and I try my best to be really transparent about it. This is one of those times. I’m… »
gradfilm showcase: Jack the Rabbit, by Steven Woolley (Algonquin)
A few months back I was visiting my hometown, Ottawa, and booked in a few hours to go and pay a visit to my pals over at Algonquin College. I taught there for a while, about 6 or 7 years ago. I had a strange cross section of classes. Acting for Animation, and Business of… »
Democracy in Action? Canadian Heritage Ministry Contemplates Overhaul to Content Industry Incentives
It’s been a crazy busy couple of weeks, TAAFI happened, now there’s gradfilms to share and, as usual, we can barely keep up with the job posts. But while all this has been going on, all wonderful symptoms of a very healthy and thriving animation industry, which is part of a larger cultural industry, our… »
press release: BOAT ROCKER MEDIA ACQUIRES RADICAL SHEEP
This is kinda huge. First they bring Industrial Brothers under their umbrella, now this. Congrats to John and Michelle and congrats to the team at Boatrocker for knowing a good thing when they see it. BOAT ROCKER MEDIA ACQUIRES RADICAL SHEEP Boat Rocker Studios original kids and family content division consolidated under Radical Sheep March… »
Tim Burton Tribute Show, March 31st at the Gladstone, Toronto
Check it out! Tammy’s having another art show! This year we’ve got an all female list of contributing artists, and there’s some pretty impressive talent in the bunch. It’s a tribute to Tim Burton, so that opens the door to a lot of creativity. Thursday March 31st at the Gladstone. Be there, dummies. It’s the… »
Earlybird Rate Extended for TAAFI Passes! Additional Discount for CAR Readers! For Reals! Read this Post Far Cheap TAAFI Tickets!
TAAFI has extended early bird sales until Friday March 25. The full program is almost completely locked in and can be viewed on TAAFI’s new website: taafi.com/festival-2016/program-overview. There’s a ton going on at the festival this year, as usual. They’ve got 6 Workshops, 2 Canadian World Premiere features, SPARK (Toonbox) and Nova Seed (House of… »
The Big News: Toonz Software Goes Open Source
This is everywhere, and it seems to be pretty great. Toonz software, the animation software used by only the greatest animation studio of all time, Studio Ghibli, will be made available for free via an open source version beginning on March 26th. The version is called TOONZ Studio Ghibli Version, and it will include features… »
The Little Prince’s Bumpy Ride, or: Distribution’s a Bitch.
Some of you went out to your local theatre last weekend and treated yourself to a screening of the latest retelling of the classic Antoine de Saint-Exupéry story, the Little Prince. It’s a great looking movie, a CG/2D/Stop-Motion Animated Feature Film directed by Mark Osborne (Kung Fu Panda) with Production Design by Lou Romano (The… »
TIFF KIDS Industry Registration Opens
Industry registration for TIFF Kids 2016 now open! TIFF Kids celebrates great children’s screen content with a programme of terrific new films, a three-day Industry Conference, networking opportunities, workshops, roundtable discussions and our award winning digiPlaySpace. Industry passes offer fluid access to festival screenings and conference events. We offer two industry pass types to help… »
press release: Acclaimed NFB Film Maker Colin Low Passes, 1926-2016
COLIN LOW DIES AT THE AGE OF 89, The National Film Board and Canada lose a true pioneer of cinema February 25, 2016 – Montreal, Quebec – National Film Board of Canada Canada has lost a giant of cinema with the passing of Colin Low, who died in Montreal on February 24 at the age… »
CINESITE Opening Feature Studio in Montreal
This is fairly significant news. It’s being reported around various outlets today (VARIETY) that European visual effects and animation studio Cinesite will be opening a feature animation division based in Montreal, with backing from the Quebec government. The studio will have a 9 picture production slate, beginning with KLAUS, based on the fan-favourite teaser released… »
TAAFI 2016 Poster, by Nneka Myers
Here’s this year’s TAAFI poster, by Nneka Myers. And a “making of” video! Designing the TAAFI 2016 Poster – Nneka Myers from Toronto Animation Arts Festival on… »
press release: Radical Sheep and Teletoon Team up For SPRINKLE and the SWEET SUGAR MAGICS
Toronto, Canada – February 4, 2016 – Corus Entertainment’s TELETOON and RADICAL SHEEP PRODUCTIONS have entered into a development deal for animated comedy SPRINKLE and the SWEET SUGAR MAGICS from Comedian, Writer and Creator Stephanie Kaliner. SPRINKLE and the SWEET SUGAR MAGICS is an 11-minute comedy for kids 6-9 about a character named Cara who… »
from the internets: Nickelodeon Announces This Year’s Shorts… CANADIANS!
Here’s the link: http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/nickelodeon-2016-animated-shorts-program-2015-finalists-1201695536/ Here’s the excitement: Ramblers Created by Brett Jubenville and Morghan Fortier Norville, Mr. Gobbles and Opee are Ramblers: intergalactic scouts on a mission to explore the universe and earn badges. THAT’S TINMAN!!! You know? The SUPER SCIENCE FRIENDS guys!!!!!! Awesomesauce. But WAIT! THERE’S MORE!!!!! Myth of Robo Wonder Kid Created by… »
from the internets: Toon Boom and Guru Announce Collaboration
This is cool. Unlike Flash, Harmony is a tool that was designed for film makers. Here’s an example of how Toon Boom is working with a top Canadian studio to improve its product and how it impacts the people using it…. »
press release: KIDS’ CBC WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVES MARIE MCCANN AND DREW MULLIN
January 25, 2016– Kids’ CBC announced today the hiring of Marie McCann and Drew Mullin as executives in charge of production for Children’s Content. In their new roles, McCann and Mullin will report directly to Martin Markle, senior director of Children’s Content for CBC Television. “Marie and Drew have a lot of heart and creativity, and I’m… »
Robert Valley Kickstarter Live: Pear Cider and Cigarettes
In crowdfunding news, Robert Valley has launched a campaign to complete his long-in-progress film Pear Cider and Cigarettes. It’s based on a true story, one he’s told in graphic novel format before, and this is the inevitable final version. Robert’s a Canadian animation rockstar who’s best known for his work on Gorillaz, Wonder Woman shorts… »
press release: TAAFI ANNOUNCES 2016 GUEST SPEAKERS
Walt Disney Studios, Hanna-Barbera, and many recognized animators TORONTO, ON — The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) has announced six guest speakers for its 2016 program. Recognized for their work on various award-winning animated films and popular television series, the industry leaders will speak at George Brown College – Waterfront Campus during the festival… »
press release: Nerds and Monsters Season 2 on YTV
SLAP HAPPY CARTOONS’ NERDS AND MONSTERS SEASON TWO PREMIERES SATURDAY JANUARY 9th at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT ON YTV (Jan. 6, 2016 – Vancouver, Canada) – Vancouver-based animation studio Slap Happy Cartoons Inc. is pleased to announce the premiere of the second season of their animated series Nerds and Monsters on Corus Entertainment’s YTV, debuting Saturday,… »
Call For Entries: 2016 Fest Anca
The 9th Fest Anča International Animation Festival has launched a call for entries that will end on March 15, 2016. Only films made after January 1, 2014 can be considered for the 9ᵗʰ Fest Anča 2016. Only those submitters whose digital copies or DVD/Blu-Ray screeners are sent before March 15, 2016 will be considered for… »
press release: NFB’s Carface directed by Claude Cloutier wins at 2015 Sommets du cinéma d’animation
Carface (Autos Portraits) by Claude Cloutier, a short produced by Julie Roy for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), won the International Competition Prize at the 2015 Sommets du cinéma d’animation earlier this evening. The Festival ran from November 25 to 29 in Montreal. The film has made the shortlist of 10 works… »
press release: NFB’s Hothouse Program Back for 11th Season
Want to make an animated film? Apply by December 11 for the chance to be part of the NFB’s Hothouse program for emerging Canadian animators November 26, 2015 – Toronto – National Film Board of Canada (NFB) The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is seeking submissions for its Hothouse apprenticeship program for emerging Canadian… »
press release: Smiley Guys unleashing the CURSE OF CLARA, just in time for the holidays, on CBC!
Full disclosure, I’ve got a personal stake in this one. In my other life, I’m the director of development at Smiley Guy Studios in Toronto. I’m also an in house producer and director. In that capacity, I’m immensely proud to share the press release for the Curse of Clara: a Holiday Tale. The Smiley crew… »
press release: YMA Conference presents Lion Guard Supervising Director Howy Parkins, November 18-20, Toronto
Montreal, October 19, 2015 – You have until this Friday, October 23, to take advantage of the early-bird rate for the 2015 Children, Youth & Media (CYM) Conference – the must-attend event for youth TV and digital production professionals, November 18–20 in Toronto. Among the notable guests, Youth Media Alliance (YMA) will host an exclusive… »
from the internets: Bento Box Canada is Actually Happening
In other news, the Hollywood Reporter is sharing news that Primetime/Adult animation powerhouse Bento Box is making good on last year’s announcement about some kind of deal with Corus to open a shop in Canada that will produce animation for the adult market using Canadian talent and funding structures. Here’s the article…. »
Press Release: Portfolio Entertainment Announces Launch of Toronto Production Studio
(September 21, 2015 – Toronto, Canada) – Producer and distributor Portfolio Entertainment is pleased to announce the launch of Portfolio Animation, a creative-driven animation studio equipped with top-tier talent, cutting-edge technology and commitment to excellence. The studio is part of Portfolio’s multi-faceted expansion plan that commenced in 2014 with the installation of a new senior… »
Super Hip Indie Game Kickstarter: the Wizards of Trinity Bellwoods, from Chris de Castro
I try to be fairly upfront on here when it comes to personal bias. Just search Nick Cross on here and that should be fairly clear. So when I share this latest Kickstarter for Chris de Castro’s new game Wizards of Trinity Bellwoods, I really should mention that I live 1 city block away from… »
press release: 9 Story Media Group Acquires Award Winning Animation Studio Brown Bag Films
Ok, this one’s interesting. m Toronto, Canada – August 18th, 2015 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that it has acquired award winning animation studio Brown Bag Films. With headquarters in Dublin, a studio in Manchester and an office in Los Angeles, Brown Bag Films employ 170 creative and production staff and… »
Call For Entries: Northwest Animation Fest, Deadline September 1
NW Animation Fest: deadline Sept 1 – submit for FREE The Northwest Animation Festival is now accepting submissions for 2016. Entry is FREE if you get your film in by Sept 1. Complete the online entry form in under five minutes. Send your film using Vimeo, Dropbox, or whatever service you like best. Submit here:… »
made in Canada: Netflix/Dreamworks’ Mr Peabody and Sherman
The press release for the new Mr Peabody and Sherman series made the rounds yesterday(Variety), getting picked up by all kinds of outlets. The promotional image looks great, there’s some real cartoony goodness happening there. Amidst all the talk of poor box office for the film, love for Jay Ward, and multi-year deals, there’s a… »
press release: Atomic Announces Development on Mariachi Zombie
ATOMIC AND THE UNDEAD TEAM UP:STUDIO PICKS UP MEXICAN ZOMBIE FESTIVAL WINNER FOR NEW SERIES (Vancouver, BC) – Atomic Cartoons announced today an agreement to develop Mariachi Zombie, a new animated comedy series for kids seven to 11. Plans are in the works for 52 x 11′ episodes integrating the best of zombie and mariachi… »
from the internets: Nelvana and Sony Team Up For Hotel Transylvania TV Adaptation
In more Sony-related animation news, Variety is reporting that Toronto-based (and Corus subsidiary) Nelvana is developing a television series based on the Hotel Transylvania feature film from Sony Pictures Animation. There’s not much more to say, other than they’re aiming for a 2017 airdate. It’s anyone’s guess right now as to where the series will… »
from the internets: Sony Pictures Imageworks opens Vancouver Studio
The Georgia Straight has coverage of the latest addition to the Vancouver FX and animation landscape. According to the piece, the new facility will also serve as the global headquarters for the company, and it’s presence in BC gives Vancouver bragging rights as the “largest cluster of visual effects and animation studios in the world”…. »
press release: THUNDERBIRD ACQUIRES ATOMIC CARTOONS
JULY 8, 2015 (VANCOUVER/TORONTO) – International producer and distributor of television and film content Thunderbird Films announced today that they have acquired Vancouver-based Atomic Cartoons. The latest addition to the growing Thunderbird portfolio is a full service, award winning company that is recognized internationally as one of the leading animation studios in North America. Since… »
COMIX: Troy Little’s Hunter Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the comic.
Yes. This is a thing. PEI comics artist/animator Troy Little, well known in cartoon circles for the Angora Napkin pilot produced for Teletoon a few years back, has been hard at work adapting Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as a 176-page graphic novel from Top Shelf Productions. When Troy told me… »
Mike Geiger Honoured by the Youth Media Alliance
This guy was just so aw shucks at last night’s awards show. It was adorable. Mike’s the best, and it’s nice to see him get some attention. And boy did he get it! Radical Sheep put together a little tribute video that we can share here. Mike Geiger – YMA Music Video from Radical Sheep… »
from the internets: Talking ‘Bout Shorts
Some love for short films this week it seems. First up is a piece on examiner.com about James Stewart’s Foxed: http://www.examiner.com/article/the-short-path-of-foxed Foxed is a great example of a quality short finding second life as a feature. James put everything into his film, and it’s a story he’s clearly not done telling. Examiner sheds some light… »
from the internets: Animal Logic Opening in Vancouver
Score another one for Vancouver, and give the credit to a very healthy tax credit system. Nova Scotia, are y0u paying attention? According to this article in The Hollywood Reporter, Animal Logic, the studio that produced The Lego Movie, will have a shop up and running in Vancouver, BC as early as September. They expect… »
from the internets: REBOOT Reboot finally on it’s way from the Weinsteins
Back in 2013 we shared a press release that demanded to be titled Reboot reboot. (it’s here) Fast forward a few years and now we’re hearing that it’s finally going to happen courtesy of Bob and Harvey Weinstein and the Weinstein Company. It’s part of a slate of animated properties that includes a Spy Kids… »
Nova Scotia Tax Credit update: NS Gov Caught Changing Deal Terms Without Consultation, Appears to Give Zero F@#ks
From our pal Ron Doucet: SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE. So we were told that the announcement of the Animation “deal” was made public yesterday, but that it was simply to steal the attention from the PC Filibuster. The language in that release looked okay to us. The document was posted online for all to see…. »
Press Release: Arctic Justice Announces Star Studded Cast
JOHN CLEESE, ALEC BALDWIN, JAMES FRANCO, ANJELICA HUSTON, HEIDI KLUM, AND OMAR SY BOARD AMBI PICTURES’ 3D CGI ANIMATED FAMILY FILM “ARCTIC JUSTICE: THUNDER SQUAD” May 5, 2015 — Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Bacardi’s AMBI Pictures has begun securing its voice cast for the epic 3D, CGI animated family film “Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad.” Alec… »
from the internets: Kim Wilson Out at Kids’ CBC
Kidscreen received confirmation that longtime creative head of children’s content at the CBC,Kim Wilson, is no longer with the Canadian pubcaster. No other info about her sudden departure has been made public. A search for replacement is underway. Read more:… »
Animatic TO brings lecture series to the internets!
Animatic T.O. the animation lecture series and social event that has been bringing education, inspiration and community building to Toronto’s animation scene for two seasons is taking those lectures online! Starting today with Designing with Genevieve FT online now! New lectures will go up every two weeks on the Canadian Animation YouTube channel. Just follow… »
Meanwhile, in Toronto: SO MANY JOBS!!!!!! TAAFI Job Fair coming up fast!
Canadian and US Studios Battle for Talent at Toronto Animation Job Fair TAAFI helps the booming Canadian animation industry connect with much needed talent TORONTO, Ontario (April 20, 2015) – The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) is pleased to announce the Animation Job Fair will be held on May 2 at George Brown… »
Faces of Film Nova Scotia: MK Harris
Hi – my name is MK Harris! I’m 25 years old, and I just moved to Halifax in January to be a Key Poser at Copernicus Studios, in Halifax. I graduated from Sheridan College in Oakville around this time last year, but when I got the offer to work at Copernicus, I jumped at the… »
Faces of Film Nova Scotia: Jordan Shereck
Hello! My name is Jordan Shereck. I’m 22 years old and I’m an animator at Copernicus Studios, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I love my job and I don’t want to lose it. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work at a studio where the people are so warm and friendly, and where I… »
Nova Scotia Film Rally: Right Now.
Screen Nova Scotia has organized a rally today in Halifax outside of Province House. It’s set to start at noon, and CBC is reporting that supporters are assembling now. Yesterday saw a confusing and disappointing series of events after representatives of the film industry met for two hours with Finance Minister Diane Whalen. Both sides… »
Nova Scotia Tax Credit Update: Cautious Optimism DOUBLE UPDATE: WE’RE STILL SCREWED
UPDATE: I take it all back. Nova Scotia Finance Minister Whalen apparently was having a whole different conversation and is basically sticking to her guns. She agrees that the new system doesn’t work for the film industry, but it still works for the government. So nothing. Her mouth is moving, and words are falling out… »
press release: Dave Cooper’s Bagel and Becky Lands at Teletoon
April 13, 2015 – Toronto, Ontario – Corus Entertainment’s TELETOON has commissioned the animated comedy series, The Bagel and Becky Show from Radical Sheep Productions for their 2016/2017 slate. Production has started on 52×11 minute episodes of the animated series, based on the book “Bagel’s Lucky Hat” by Dave Cooper, co-creator of Nickelodeon’s PIGGOATBANANACRICKET. … »
Faces of Film Nova Scotia: Cartoon Conrad
Monday morning shout out to my pals at Cartoon Conrad in Nova… »
RIP: Nova Scotia TV and Film Industry “There is no tomorrow.”
A reaction piece from the Chronicle Herald featuring Marc Almon, Chair of Screen Nova Scotia. And just like that, things are looking dire. I’ve been speaking to friends on the east coast, asking whether this is a death knell or something that can me managed. It’s going to be tough, and the sentiment is that… »
Nova Scotia Film Tax Credit at Risk
We haven’t been covering this, and that’s inexcusable. Today, Nova Scotia will be presenting it’s new provincial budget, and as is often the case, the film tax credit is being eyed as a target for belt-tightening. Yes, the credit is responsible for a spend of 24 million dollars, a savings that any government would like… »
Emmy Nominations Galore! (Especially Jess Borutski)
The Daytime Emmy nominations were announced yesterday, and that’s a good day to be a Canadian with Emmy aspirations. 9Story’s got 9, fittingly. Sinking Ship’s got a bunch, primarily for live action, but Annedroid’s got a buttload of animation, so I’m counting it. The Kratt brothers are nominated. It’s a big list, and takes a… »
press release: Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video Goes to Chad VanGaalen, Animation Wins!
CHAD VANGAALEN, Director of Beat The Drum Slowly by Timber Timbre, WINS 2015 PRISM PRIZE For Best Canadian Music Video On Sunday, March 29, director Chad VanGaalen was announced as the winner of the 2015 Prism Prize for Timber Timbre’s Beat The Drum Slowly music video at the Prism Prize Top Ten Screening and Awards… »
from the internets: Esquire’s talking about DHX’s new Inspector Gadget
It’s great when “mainstream media” covers cartoons. We feel so privileged and honoured. It’s happening all the time these days in comics, and every story reads like they discovered comic books. So now here’s Esquire, doing a little piece on the relaunch of Inspector Gadget, which is airing in the US on Netflix: http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a33462/inspector-gadget/ Clearly,… »
This Year’s YMA Emerging Talent Award is Going to Mike Geiger. Yep, THAT Mike Geiger
The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is proud to give its Outstanding Achievement Award to Andra Sheffer and its Emerging Talent Award to Mike Geiger. These distinguished professionals will be honoured at a gala to be held on May 27th at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio, in Toronto. Regular reader’s are no stranger to Mike’s work,… »
Canadian Animaton Blog
- Winners from the 11th Annual TAIS Animation Showcase!Toronto Animated Image Society is pleased to announce the award winners from the 11th Annual TAIS Animation Showcase! The Showcase Jury Awards - Grand Prize and Best Anijam, and the Audience Awards for Best Short Film and Best Anijam ON SATURDAY, JULY 29th, the Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) announced the award recipients for the […]