Thanksgiving weekend featured an animation face-off between a titan of the industry, the 100-year-old Walt Disney Animation Studios, and a relative upstart, Netflix, which only started releasing its own animated features in 2019.
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
- 12/11/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Netflix on Tuesday announced the new animated films In Your Dreams and Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, coming to the platform in 2024, also setting new voice cast for the fantasy adventure Nimona and offering new first-look stills from each of its animated titles debuting over the next 18 months, which you can view above and below.
The streamer’s first new film, In Your Dreams, is billed as a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot, who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. The kids are total opposites, making them an unlikely duo to navigate the absurdity of their own subconscious. Along their journey, they discover that as long as they have each other, they can face anything, even their worst nightmare. Alex Woo is directing, with Erik Benson as co-director,...
The streamer’s first new film, In Your Dreams, is billed as a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot, who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. The kids are total opposites, making them an unlikely duo to navigate the absurdity of their own subconscious. Along their journey, they discover that as long as they have each other, they can face anything, even their worst nightmare. Alex Woo is directing, with Erik Benson as co-director,...
- 4/25/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is laying off 30 staffers from its film animation team in the wake of a restructuring to its leadership for that department.
The team, led by Karen Toliver (VP Animation Film Content) and Traci Balthazor (VP Animation Film Production), aims for better collaboration closer to traditional animation film studios, resulting in 30 different roles that are no longer needed, an individual with knowledge of the decision said.
The move is not expected to lead to a downturn in the overall amount of content that Netflix puts out from its film animation unit.
Netflix had no comment.
Also Read:
Warner Bros. Discovery Begins to Lay Off Hundreds of Workers
Back in July, Toliver was promoted to lead the film animation team and report directly to global film head Scott Stuber. It led to Melissa Cobb and Gregg Taylor shifting to becoming creative producing partners and removing layers from the leadership structure, while...
The team, led by Karen Toliver (VP Animation Film Content) and Traci Balthazor (VP Animation Film Production), aims for better collaboration closer to traditional animation film studios, resulting in 30 different roles that are no longer needed, an individual with knowledge of the decision said.
The move is not expected to lead to a downturn in the overall amount of content that Netflix puts out from its film animation unit.
Netflix had no comment.
Also Read:
Warner Bros. Discovery Begins to Lay Off Hundreds of Workers
Back in July, Toliver was promoted to lead the film animation team and report directly to global film head Scott Stuber. It led to Melissa Cobb and Gregg Taylor shifting to becoming creative producing partners and removing layers from the leadership structure, while...
- 9/14/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: We are hearing from sources that Cattywumpus, the Gore Verbinski-directed animated movie about outer space felines, will be getting shopped around town to other studios.
Verbinski, whose films have grossed 3.76 billion and who won an Oscar in 2012 for the Paramount animated movie Rango, had been working on his latest film at Netflix.
Such is the complex nature of animated film production, where quite often halfway through, stories and plans can pivot. There’s a history of that from movies such as Pixar’s Soul and Dinosaur and DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
Cattywumpus repped Verbinski’s second animated movie after the Johnny Depp-voiced Western Rango, which grossed 246 million at the worldwide box office.
Netflix, we understand, gave the creative team the option to go shop the movie elsewhere.
Netflix has seen promotions and changeovers in its animation executive suite over the summer.
Verbinski, whose films have grossed 3.76 billion and who won an Oscar in 2012 for the Paramount animated movie Rango, had been working on his latest film at Netflix.
Such is the complex nature of animated film production, where quite often halfway through, stories and plans can pivot. There’s a history of that from movies such as Pixar’s Soul and Dinosaur and DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
Cattywumpus repped Verbinski’s second animated movie after the Johnny Depp-voiced Western Rango, which grossed 246 million at the worldwide box office.
Netflix, we understand, gave the creative team the option to go shop the movie elsewhere.
Netflix has seen promotions and changeovers in its animation executive suite over the summer.
- 9/1/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After announcing its acquisition of the Australian animation studio Animal Logic during yesterday’s earnings call, Deadline has learned that Netflix is making internal moves that will streamline its coterie of executives who’ll steer the Film Animation division.
Karen Toliver, VP Animation Film, is being promoted to lead the Animation Film team. With that change, Melissa Cobb will move from her role as VP Animation Film but will stay on with Netflix as a producer. Cobb joined the company four years ago and to led the animation team and since then has built the studio from the ground up, attracting filmmakers and delivering a diverse slate of ani films so far.
Also transitioning is Gregg Taylor, the VP Animation Film who’ll also become a producer. He too has been there four years, helping to build the creative team and oversee and shepherd the film slates, most recently The Sea Beast.
Karen Toliver, VP Animation Film, is being promoted to lead the Animation Film team. With that change, Melissa Cobb will move from her role as VP Animation Film but will stay on with Netflix as a producer. Cobb joined the company four years ago and to led the animation team and since then has built the studio from the ground up, attracting filmmakers and delivering a diverse slate of ani films so far.
Also transitioning is Gregg Taylor, the VP Animation Film who’ll also become a producer. He too has been there four years, helping to build the creative team and oversee and shepherd the film slates, most recently The Sea Beast.
- 7/20/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Karen Toliver has joined Netflix as vice president of animated film, Variety has learned exclusively.
The former Sony Pictures Animation senior vice president will join the streamer in March reporting to Melissa Cobb, VP of the kids and family division. She’ll be responsible for two to three animated features annually and will work alongside fellow animation VP Gregg Taylor.
“It has been an absolute dream working with Kristine Belson and her game-changing team at Sony Pictures Animation. The experience has been instrumental in shaping how I approach producing. Storytelling in animation continues to evolve and expand, and I am excited to join the team at Netflix to continue to break new ground,” Toliver told Variety.
Toliver is credited with the development of the Oscar-nominated “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” as well as a producer on the Oscar-winning short “Hair Love.” Prior to Spa, she had a long run at...
The former Sony Pictures Animation senior vice president will join the streamer in March reporting to Melissa Cobb, VP of the kids and family division. She’ll be responsible for two to three animated features annually and will work alongside fellow animation VP Gregg Taylor.
“It has been an absolute dream working with Kristine Belson and her game-changing team at Sony Pictures Animation. The experience has been instrumental in shaping how I approach producing. Storytelling in animation continues to evolve and expand, and I am excited to join the team at Netflix to continue to break new ground,” Toliver told Variety.
Toliver is credited with the development of the Oscar-nominated “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” as well as a producer on the Oscar-winning short “Hair Love.” Prior to Spa, she had a long run at...
- 2/10/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has acquired its first animated shorts for Oscar consideration. There are three: “If Anything Happens I Love You,” an elegy about grief following a school shooting, directed by Will McCormack (who wrote the original “Toy Story 4” script with Rashida Jones) and Michael Govier (“Conan”); “Canvas,” about a Black painter who seeks to rekindle his artistic passion after the passing of his wife, directed by former Pixar animator Frank E. Abney III (“Soul”); and “Cops and Robbers,” directed by Arnon Manor (indie web series “Mondays”) and Timothy Ware-Hill (“Kinky Boots” national tour), inspired by Ware-Hill’s poem about the racially motivated murder of Ahmaud Arbery earlier this year in Georgia.
“Our goal is to bring our members best-in-class animation in all types of formats — features, series, adult animation, anime, and short form,” said Gregg Taylor, Netflix’s director of animated features. “Animated storytelling is most compelling when it can transport,...
“Our goal is to bring our members best-in-class animation in all types of formats — features, series, adult animation, anime, and short form,” said Gregg Taylor, Netflix’s director of animated features. “Animated storytelling is most compelling when it can transport,...
- 10/14/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
McCartney created original songs and music for film based on children’s adventure novel he co-wrote.
Netflix has boarded Gaumont’s animated feature adaptation of Paul McCartney’s children novel High In The Clouds revolving around the woodland adventures of a young squirrel.
McCartney co-wrote the 2005 adventure novel with Philip Ardagh and it was illustrated by Geoff Dunbar.
”I’ve always loved animated films and this is a hugely important passion project for me. I can’t wait for the world to see it,” said McCartney, who has created and produced all the original songs and music for the film.
Netflix has boarded Gaumont’s animated feature adaptation of Paul McCartney’s children novel High In The Clouds revolving around the woodland adventures of a young squirrel.
McCartney co-wrote the 2005 adventure novel with Philip Ardagh and it was illustrated by Geoff Dunbar.
”I’ve always loved animated films and this is a hugely important passion project for me. I can’t wait for the world to see it,” said McCartney, who has created and produced all the original songs and music for the film.
- 12/10/2019
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Netflix is going to get high high high with its adaptation of “High in the Clouds,” a children’s book written by Paul McCartney, Netflix announced Tuesday.
Netflix is producing an animated feature film based on McCartney’s book “High in the Clouds” first published in 2005. Netflix will produce along with Gaumont, which originally optioned the book back in 2017.
Timothy Reckart is directing from a screenplay by Jon Croker, who wrote both of the “Paddington” films. McCartney himself will also produce and provide original songs and music for the movie.
Also Read: Watch Rihanna and Paul McCartney's 'How Are You on My Flight?' Midair Reunion (Video)
“High in the Clouds” is the story of an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who finds himself pulled into a ramshackle gang of teenage rebels who live high in the clouds after he accidentally antagonizes Gretsch the owl, the tyrannical leader (and fabulous singer!
Netflix is producing an animated feature film based on McCartney’s book “High in the Clouds” first published in 2005. Netflix will produce along with Gaumont, which originally optioned the book back in 2017.
Timothy Reckart is directing from a screenplay by Jon Croker, who wrote both of the “Paddington” films. McCartney himself will also produce and provide original songs and music for the movie.
Also Read: Watch Rihanna and Paul McCartney's 'How Are You on My Flight?' Midair Reunion (Video)
“High in the Clouds” is the story of an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who finds himself pulled into a ramshackle gang of teenage rebels who live high in the clouds after he accidentally antagonizes Gretsch the owl, the tyrannical leader (and fabulous singer!
- 12/10/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Paul McCartney is collaborating with Netflix and Gaumont on the animated feature “High in the Clouds,” based on the children’s novel he wrote with Geoff Dunbar, and Philip Ardagh.
McCartney is producing and contributing songs to the film, which centers on an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who find himself pulled into a ramshackle gang of teenage rebels who live high in the clouds. He accidentally antagonizes Gretsch the owl, the tyrannical leader who steals the voice of anyone who upstages her.
Timothy Reckart is directing from a script by Jon Croker, who has credits on the Paddington movies and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Besides McCartney, the producers include Bob Shaye (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy), the late Michael Lynne, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan and Terry Kalagian (Gaumont).
“High in the Clouds” was published in 2005. McCartney set the project up with Shaye and Lynne...
McCartney is producing and contributing songs to the film, which centers on an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who find himself pulled into a ramshackle gang of teenage rebels who live high in the clouds. He accidentally antagonizes Gretsch the owl, the tyrannical leader who steals the voice of anyone who upstages her.
Timothy Reckart is directing from a script by Jon Croker, who has credits on the Paddington movies and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Besides McCartney, the producers include Bob Shaye (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy), the late Michael Lynne, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan and Terry Kalagian (Gaumont).
“High in the Clouds” was published in 2005. McCartney set the project up with Shaye and Lynne...
- 12/10/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has entered into an overall deal with Kuku Studios to produce a host of animated films and TV shows for the streaming titan.
Under the new pact, Alex Woo, Stanley Moore, Tim Hahn, and Erik Benson will serve as executive producers on exclusive cartooned projects. The creative animation team previously worked on hits including “Ratatouille,” “Toy Story 3,” Monster’s University,” and “Finding Dory.”
The first project is “Go! Go! Cory Carson,” a preschool series based on the hit toy line Go! Go! Smart Wheels from VTech Electronics, is slated to launch on Netflix early in 2020. The streamer also greenlit a still-untitled animated feature film, which will be produced in Kuku’s California-based studio. The movie will explore the power and magic of dreams.
“With ‘Go! Go! Cory Carson,’ the creative team at Kuku proved that they can bring their vast cinematic experience into the preschool realm, and the...
Under the new pact, Alex Woo, Stanley Moore, Tim Hahn, and Erik Benson will serve as executive producers on exclusive cartooned projects. The creative animation team previously worked on hits including “Ratatouille,” “Toy Story 3,” Monster’s University,” and “Finding Dory.”
The first project is “Go! Go! Cory Carson,” a preschool series based on the hit toy line Go! Go! Smart Wheels from VTech Electronics, is slated to launch on Netflix early in 2020. The streamer also greenlit a still-untitled animated feature film, which will be produced in Kuku’s California-based studio. The movie will explore the power and magic of dreams.
“With ‘Go! Go! Cory Carson,’ the creative team at Kuku proved that they can bring their vast cinematic experience into the preschool realm, and the...
- 9/12/2019
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
HollywoodNews.com: DreamWorks Animation Skg, Inc. today announced that Gregg Taylor has been named head of development for the studio, a role previously held by Alex Schwartz. Schwartz will serve as a producer on the studio’s upcoming feature film, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, which is scheduled to be released onMarch 14, 2014. Taylor will oversee the development of all projects at DreamWorks Animation.
“Gregg is an exceptional executive with a wide range of creative experience that will positively influence our future slate. I am confident that he will thrive as the new leader of DreamWorks Animation’s development team,” said DreamWorks Animation Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke. “Alex’s exemplary work in development over the years makes her an ideal choice to assume the role of producer on Mr. Peabody & Sherman and I look forward to her continued creative input and leadership. On behalf of the entire studio, I offer heartfelt congratulations...
“Gregg is an exceptional executive with a wide range of creative experience that will positively influence our future slate. I am confident that he will thrive as the new leader of DreamWorks Animation’s development team,” said DreamWorks Animation Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke. “Alex’s exemplary work in development over the years makes her an ideal choice to assume the role of producer on Mr. Peabody & Sherman and I look forward to her continued creative input and leadership. On behalf of the entire studio, I offer heartfelt congratulations...
- 1/24/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
See the trailer for "Crossing Over," produced by C.O. Films, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Road Rebel as well as distributors The Weinstein Company. No confirmed release date on this one as yet. South African born Wayne Kramer helms and writes the film. Kramer is a highly talented director and writer of films such as "Crossing Over," "The Cooler" and "Running Scared." We loved all of those except for the "Mindhunters" effort which was lacklustre for the most part. In any case, the multi-talented cast alone makes this worthy of a visit. Check out the trailer here! Immigrants from around the world enter Los Angeles every day, with hopeful visions of a better life, but little notion of what that life may cost. Their desperate scenarios test the humanity of immigration enforcement officers. In Crossing Over, writer-director Wayne Kramer explores the allure of the American dream, and the reality that...
- 11/17/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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