Binocular Briefs - November 2024
AWN’s latest survey highlights under-the-radar animated shorts currently making their way through the festival circuit or newly available for online viewing.
Tagged With: cg animation
‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’: Weaving Captivating Music into a Hand-Drawn Visual Feast
Composer Stuart Hancock discusses how he created the evocative soundtrack that so beautifully meshed with Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry’s poignant 2D animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, spotlighting the power of connection and the beauty of nature; releases November 26 on VOD.
Watch De-Aging Featurette on Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Here’
Releasing today on Digital and January 21 on Blu-ray and DVD, the film reunites the ‘Forrest Gump’ director, writer, and stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, who through AI-enabled VFX tools from Metaphysic, travel through several generations of family love, laughter and loss.
In 3D, Acting, AI, CG, Digital Media, Films, Home Entertainment, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
FX Drops Teaser, Key Art for ‘Alien: Earth’ Series
The original sci-fi/horror series set in the ‘Alien’ universe from executive producer Noah Hawley hits Hulu in Summer 2025.
In 3D, Acting, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Paramount Drops ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Trailer #2
A superpowered villain - Keanu Reeves’ Shadow - appears, forcing Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails to reunite… with an all new, highly unlikely alliance - dare we say the name, Dr. Robotnik!; the animated/live-action feature hits theaters December 20.
In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Visual Effects, Voice Acting | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Featurettes and Character Posters Released
Keanu Reeves stars as ‘Shadow the Hedgehog,’ a mysterious villain that Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails must reunite against… with an all new, highly unlikely alliance – dare we say the name, Dr. Robotnik!; the animated/live-action feature hits theaters December 20.
In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Visual Effects, Voice Acting | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
The Felons Return in ‘The Bad Guys 2’ Trailer
Everyone’s favorite bad guys kind of gone good are back in DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming animated comedy about a crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, now-reformed, who get hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals: The Bad Girls; coming summer 2025.
In 3D, Books, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Metaphysic De-Ages Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Here’ Via Generative AI
The AI-powered visual effects studio built neural network models to portray actors Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany and Kelly Riley through time at different ages.
In Acting, AI, CG, Films, People, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Al Jean Talks ‘The Simpsons’ Short ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’
The iconic show’s long-time executive producer and showrunner shares his thoughts on his team’s latest short film - featuring Sideshow Bob, famous Disney+ villains, and so-called Halloween spirit - as well as his love of the format, and the important role shorts play in the franchise’s universe since the move to Disney.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
Watch: VTuber BearTrice Kumano’s ‘Nibi-iro Kirameki’ Music Video
Bandai Namco Music Live releases the video, animated by Akio Takami, which features a mix of cell animation, 3DCG, and live performance.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Music and Sound, Music Videos, People, Short Films, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Rounds Out Season 2 Cast
Chin Han, Hoa Xuande, Justin Chien, Amanda Zhou, Crystal Yu, Kelemete Misipeka, Lourdes Faberes and Rekha Sharma join the Netflix show currently in production in partnership with Nickelodeon.
In Acting, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
‘Ice Age 6’ Replaces ‘Star Wars’ on Disney’s 2026 Theatrical Slate
An untitled film in the long running sci-fi fantasy franchise, set for a December 18, 2026 release, was just replaced by the 3DCG film that resurrects the ‘Ice Age’ theatrical franchise.
Paul Lambert Returns to Arrakis for ‘Dune: Part Two’ VFX
The Oscar-winning VFX supervisor once again teams up with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve for the second of three adaptations of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi tome, shooting practical wherever possible to capture the right desert light, shadow and tone.
In 3D, CG, Films, People, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
‘Lyla in the Loop’ New Years Special Heads to PBS Kids
From Mighty Picnic and Pipeline Studios, the special episode, ‘Happy New Year, Lyla!’ follows Lyla and Everett as they figure out how to make the pins for all their friends and family in time for the New Year’s Eve party; episode airs December 2.
Explore Disney’s ‘Fa-La-La-Lidays’ and ‘Magical Holidays’ Programming Slate
Starting November 15, Disney Branded Television will deck the halls with joyful shows for the whole family, airing on Disney Channel and Disney Jr. and streaming on Disney+ through January 18, 2025.
Adult Swim SMALLS Announces New Shorts Series
The program aimed at discovering up-and-coming animators will air four new shorts in an hour-long linear block on November 15 at midnight ET.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
FMX 2025 Shares First Program Updates
Paul Debevic named chair of the 4-day conference on animation, VFX, interactive and immersive, which runs May 6-9, 2025 in Stuttgart.
In AI, AR/VR/XR, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, Games, Immersive, People, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Television, Transmedia, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: FMX Conference Spotlight | Special Events: FMX | Geographic Region: Europe
Reflecting on 30 years of DreamWorks Animation
Chris Sanders, Raymond and Christopher Zibach, Rebecca Huntley, Joel Crawford, and Jason Mayer share their thoughts on the studio’s first three decades, how it nurtured and supported their lives and careers, and how that ‘family’ atmosphere in turn spurred the visionary storytelling and beloved characters created within its walls.
Christopher Batty Talks the Cinematography of ‘Transformers One’
From the innovative use of mocap for fast prototyping with virtual story reels to choosing the right cameras to ensure a proper sense of scale on massive sets and environments, the cinematographer discusses how he handled layout and composition on Josh Cooley and Paramount’s 3DCG origin story of how two best friends became the sworn enemies Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Animaj Introduces ‘Sketch-to-Motion’ AI Tool
Tailored for high-end projects like the upcoming 'Pocoyo Season 6,' the software turns rough sketches, even rough storyboards, into fully-rendered 3D animations with one click.
In 2D, 3D, AI, CG, Films, People, Technology, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Of Love, Loss and Music: How Scot Stafford’s Daughter Influenced ‘Ultraman: Rising’s Score
The Emmy Award-winning composer shares for the first time how his daughter’s serious accident, in the middle of production, brought him even closer to his role as a parent while influencing his work writing music for a film with so many uncomfortable parallels about trying – and sometimes failing - to protect one’s family.
Prime Video Drops ‘Secret Level’ Official Trailer
The all-new animated anthology from Tim Miller, which features original stories set within the worlds of some of the most beloved video games, premieres December 10.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Games, People, Short Films, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Taika Waititi’s ‘A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus’ Debuts
Now streaming on YouTube, the film follows the journey of a child who discovers a curious octopus attached to his head during a family vacation.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Marvel Drops ‘What If…?’ Third and Final Season Trailer
The Watcher returns to Disney+ with the last 8 new episodes of the studio’s first ever animated series, inspired by their 1977 comic anthology, that tantalizes fans with alternate, hypothetical new versions of favorite stories, all observed and discussed in ‘Twilight Zone’ style; coming December 22.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Marvel Reveals ‘Thunderbolts*’ Special Look Trailer
Florence Pugh stars as the ‘down in the dumps’ assassin leader of the MCU’s most unlikely band of misfits in the Jake Schreier film, hitting theaters May 2, 2025.
