Intergalactic asked about that would-be animation studio in LA. You know, the one I have mentioned here and there over the (how long has it been now? A year?) months. I don't have a lot of new information that I can share on the blog, however, I will say a few things.
I've spoken with a friend about this in the last few weeks. The latest information that I can mention openly is that they are still in negotiations with the people supplying the first major monies in. Word is, the papers could be signed anyday now. Unfortunately, when those papers go through, that will only signal the beginning of operations for a very small core group of people. Any development on an animated film will be quite a ways in the future.
These things can move incredibly slow. However, I honestly expected something to happen already, but it has not. When you are talking hundreds of millions of dollars, everyone has to be on the same page. The business guys have a lot of juggling to keep track of.
I'm hoping it does come to pass. The people behind it are smart and talented. It could make things very interesting.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Apologies
My apologies on the last post. I started writing this really long entry, and then decided three quarters of the way through to bail. Unfortunately, I forgot to delete one of the paragraphs.
So, if anyone read the entire "Cars" post, it probably didn't make much sense at the end. You were actually reading part of a larger post that I somehow forgot to get rid of. :o
I guess that is what happens when you try to write something when you are in a hurry.
So, if anyone read the entire "Cars" post, it probably didn't make much sense at the end. You were actually reading part of a larger post that I somehow forgot to get rid of. :o
I guess that is what happens when you try to write something when you are in a hurry.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Pixar - Cars
A friend of mine had the chance to see Cars. He said it was a good movie. But, in his opinion it is definately his least favorite Pixar film. He just couldn't get connected with the characters. However, he did say that the worst Pixar film is still better than most other animated films out there. He praised the animation, the environments, the art direction, the everything - EXCEPT the story. In his opinion, it was just average.
None of this really matters. The film will be big and draw a nice BO here in the States. I'm not so sure about overseas, but Pixar/Disney has nothing to worry about (unless they are expecting Nemo numbers).
THIS POST WAS EDITED. I MADE A MISTAKE AND FORGOT TO DELETE A PARAGRAPH FROM A MUCH LARGER ENTRY I WAS PLANNING TO ADD. I DECIDED NOT TO MAKE THE INFORMATION PUBLIC, BUT ACCIDENTALLY LEFT SOME OF IT BEHIND.
ANYONE THAT READ IT, IT PROBABLY DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE ON ITS OWN ANYWAY.
SORRY.
None of this really matters. The film will be big and draw a nice BO here in the States. I'm not so sure about overseas, but Pixar/Disney has nothing to worry about (unless they are expecting Nemo numbers).
THIS POST WAS EDITED. I MADE A MISTAKE AND FORGOT TO DELETE A PARAGRAPH FROM A MUCH LARGER ENTRY I WAS PLANNING TO ADD. I DECIDED NOT TO MAKE THE INFORMATION PUBLIC, BUT ACCIDENTALLY LEFT SOME OF IT BEHIND.
ANYONE THAT READ IT, IT PROBABLY DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE ON ITS OWN ANYWAY.
SORRY.
IDT - Everyone's Hero - Throw Enough Shit
I was looking at a poster for IDT's coming film: Everyone's Hero. In big bold letters at the top it says "From The Producers of Shark Tale and Robots". This kind of misleading boasting has become so rampant lately...
I guess all of these studios putting out films have nothing else to rest on but advertising what some lacky worked on previously. I mean, who really cares if one of 100 producers that were involved with Shrek ended up going to Valiant to Exec Produce. Do you really need to advertise it? I guess the answer is obviously "Yes". Cause the story certainly isn't enough. They have to be banking that 99% of the world doesn't understand, and will automatically believe that Valiant is being made by the same studio that made Shrek. That is so wrong - on so many levels.
"Everyone's Hero" is doing it too. As we all know, DreamWorks (Shark Tale) and Blue Sky (Robots) have nothing to do with this movie. Yet, they throw those headlines around. Come on. Give us all a break. Either rely on your own merits or leave it out of the advertising (and wait till you have something legit to advertise) you scum.
While we are on the topic of Everyone's Hero. This is another one of those movies that are being pushed out in record time. Judging by the distro deal with Fox, I guess they prefer the shotgun method of doing animated films instead of the sniper-like-precision of Pixar, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky. It didn't work for Valiant, it didn't work for that expensive mess known as The Wild, it just doesn't work. If you aren't going to spend the time to fine tune these stories, then why bother? I guess the idea is to diversify and spread the risk. Maybe it is because Fox has Blue Sky and this other deal is their multi-million gamble that if you throw enough shit against a fan, something will stick.
I guess all of these studios putting out films have nothing else to rest on but advertising what some lacky worked on previously. I mean, who really cares if one of 100 producers that were involved with Shrek ended up going to Valiant to Exec Produce. Do you really need to advertise it? I guess the answer is obviously "Yes". Cause the story certainly isn't enough. They have to be banking that 99% of the world doesn't understand, and will automatically believe that Valiant is being made by the same studio that made Shrek. That is so wrong - on so many levels.
"Everyone's Hero" is doing it too. As we all know, DreamWorks (Shark Tale) and Blue Sky (Robots) have nothing to do with this movie. Yet, they throw those headlines around. Come on. Give us all a break. Either rely on your own merits or leave it out of the advertising (and wait till you have something legit to advertise) you scum.
While we are on the topic of Everyone's Hero. This is another one of those movies that are being pushed out in record time. Judging by the distro deal with Fox, I guess they prefer the shotgun method of doing animated films instead of the sniper-like-precision of Pixar, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky. It didn't work for Valiant, it didn't work for that expensive mess known as The Wild, it just doesn't work. If you aren't going to spend the time to fine tune these stories, then why bother? I guess the idea is to diversify and spread the risk. Maybe it is because Fox has Blue Sky and this other deal is their multi-million gamble that if you throw enough shit against a fan, something will stick.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Saved By The Bell
With the marketing machine beginning to churn, we are starting to see more and more from “The Wild”. A story that started at Disney and then production ended up at CORE, what has been said to be the lowest bidder for the CG work.
The original budget for this film was rumored to be under $50 million. As production problems persisted and people clearly must of got in over their wallet (err, umm, I mean "head"), the costs quickly rocketed quite a bit north of that figure. I’ve heard everything from $70-$100 million. Somehow, I bet it is in the lower end of that scale. Despite the difficulties, they were able to work through it and they will finish the thing. That in itself is a big accomplishment. So congratulations are in order.
Unfortunately, (here it comes) the visuals look horrible. Awkward poses and animation, bad character design, uninspiring and plain environments, and dirty lighting. I’ve heard everyone and their mother up in Canada crowing about this film. My question is… What film are you talking about? They must not be showing us the good parts. Yeah. That’s it.
Additionally. I don't care if The Wild actually began development prior to Madagascar. The simple fact that Madagascar was released first and this film has similar characters doing similar things - it is going to look like a copy-cat production.
Maybe those rumors are true that John Lasseter looked at this film and hated it. I was told he would of shut it down if it weren’t so far along. Saved by the bell.
The original budget for this film was rumored to be under $50 million. As production problems persisted and people clearly must of got in over their wallet (err, umm, I mean "head"), the costs quickly rocketed quite a bit north of that figure. I’ve heard everything from $70-$100 million. Somehow, I bet it is in the lower end of that scale. Despite the difficulties, they were able to work through it and they will finish the thing. That in itself is a big accomplishment. So congratulations are in order.
Unfortunately, (here it comes) the visuals look horrible. Awkward poses and animation, bad character design, uninspiring and plain environments, and dirty lighting. I’ve heard everyone and their mother up in Canada crowing about this film. My question is… What film are you talking about? They must not be showing us the good parts. Yeah. That’s it.
Additionally. I don't care if The Wild actually began development prior to Madagascar. The simple fact that Madagascar was released first and this film has similar characters doing similar things - it is going to look like a copy-cat production.
Maybe those rumors are true that John Lasseter looked at this film and hated it. I was told he would of shut it down if it weren’t so far along. Saved by the bell.
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