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Category: Writing

Here Kitty Kitty! Headline News

Jellyfish Originals Adapting ‘Toto the Ninja Cat’

Studio to produce animated comedy series, based on author Dermot O’Leary’s book series, about Toto, a partially sighted cat with razor-sharp senses, a nose for danger and a crime-busting spirit of adventure.

The Prodigal Son Returns! Headline News

Chris Sanders Returns to DreamWorks to Write and Direct ‘The Wild Robot’

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 1:08pm

The three-time Oscar nominee is adapting Caldecott Honor winner Peter Brown’s 2016 NY Times bestseller, with Jeff Hermann producing and Dean DeBlois, with whom he wrote and directed both ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ executive producing.

An End in Sight Headline News

WGA Leaders Vote… the 148 Day Strike is Officially Over

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 10:13am

After five consecutive days of negotiations that lead to a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract, guild leaders have voted and the strike is officially over. 

An End in Sight Headline News

WGA, AMPTP Set to End Strike with Historic Contract Agreement

After 146 days on strike and five consecutive days of negotiations, both parties have tentatively agreed on a new three-year contract, with guild leaders expected to vote on the final pact and strike lift on Tuesday.

Cleanup Never Felt So Dirty Headline News

Gigglebug Entertainment Launches ‘In Stitches’ Adult Animation Sub-label

Its first project, the workplace comedy ‘Soap,’ will be written by ‘The Amazing World of Gumball’ writers Tobi Wilson and Paul Rice. 

Celebrating The Best in Animation! Headline News

Call for Entries: 51st Annie Awards

ASIFA-Hollywood’s annual celebration of excellence in animation is set for February 17, 2024 at UCLA’s Royce Hall; the early submission deadline is October 16, with final entries accepted through December 8.

A New Adventure Headline News

Jennifer Lee Dishes on ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Sequel Series ‘Tiana’

Walt Disney Animation Studios' Chief Creative Officer hints at a ‘new direction’ for the beloved character who embarks upon a new adventure as the newly crowned Princess of Maldonia, though a calling to her New Orleans past isn’t far behind; the show arrives on Disney+ in 2024.

A Creative Force for Change ANIMATIONWorld

Saraswathi Buyyala Balgam: An ‘Unreal Engine’ Paving the Way for Women Creators

The former Rhythm & Hues and DreamWorks Animation senior exec switched gears and jumped headfirst into animated film and series development, creating her own shows while mentoring and collaborating with Epic Games and ASIFA India to start the Women Creators Program.

Books Headline News

Kevin Geiger’s Kids’ Book ‘Grandpa Groundhog’ Now Available

The artist, animator, and Disney veteran’s heartwarming story of a gruff grandpa and a grumpy groundhog who compete for territory but find common ground is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.

Innovation in Storytelling Headline News

THU Heads to Japan

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ director Kyle Balda leads a diverse speaker lineup as the storytelling retreat comes to Kaga, Japan, September 20-23, inviting attendees to dive into innovative story creation across various mediums and platforms.

From ‘It’ Girl to Cult Leader ANIMATIONWorld

'Praise Petey' Creator Anna Drezen Unpacks Her Comedic, Depressing Cult Research Dive

The former ‘SNL’ head writer discusses the eye-opening development process behind her new animated series about an accidental leader of a small-town cult, and how a live-action showrunner moving to animation can send shudders down the production team’s spines; now streaming on Freeform and Hulu. 

Together in Solidarity Headline News

In Solidarity: An Open Letter from WIA President Marge Dean

By Dan Sarto | Monday, August 7, 2023 at 12:03pm

Women in Animation’s president announces the ‘Animating Resilience: Surviving and Thriving in an Uncertain Industry’ series to empower and support industry professionals and students during ‘these tough times.’

Actors Helping Actors Headline News

Hollywood Execs, Actors Donate to Support Strikers

Many big-name execs and actors have now contributed to the Entertainment Community Fund, formerly the Actors Fund, to lessen the hardships of the work stoppage on actors and writers, with Seth MacFarlane most recently dropping a $1 million donation.

careers in animation Headline News

Podcast EP 217: Carina Schulze, Chatrone Founder and Writer On ‘O Menino Maluquinho’

The artist reveals what it takes to build a studio from scratch, how to sell and pitch an animated TV show, and how to start a career as a producer.

Goodnight Hollywood Headline News

Hollywood Shuts Down - SAG-AFTRA Members Officially on Strike

Roughly 160,000 film and TV actors will join the more than 11,000 writers currently on strike after negotiations failed with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Business Headline News

Bardel Announces ‘The Immortal’ Animated Feature

By Dan Sarto | Friday, June 9, 2023 at 8:14am

The studio behind ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’ has partnered with screenwriters Amy Higgins and Todd Casey, and ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ executive producer Jason Lust, on a 2D film about a young girl whose family is taken captive by a mystical shepherd who has lost faith in humanity; filmmakers will be attending Annecy 2023.

More GoT on Hold Headline News

WGA Strike Hits ‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoff Series ‘Snow’

Max's head of drama Francesca Orsi reveals not all projects will continue in development due to the strike, and while the series starring Kit Harington could ‘go either way,’ the actor and executive producer is still attached.

Business Headline News

TAOST Entertainment Teams with Bang in Bangkok on ‘Up Chao’ Animated Feature

SoHo-based studio invests in the development and scores exclusive Web3 rights to the film, written by Chris Jenkins (‘Surf’s Up’); team heads to Annecy 2023 and Mifa, running June 11-17.

careers in animation Headline News

Podcast EP 208: How Jake Friedman Became Friends with Art Babbitt's Wife When Writing 'The Disney Revolt'

By Dan Sarto | Monday, May 22, 2023 at 8:28pm

The writer, artist, and current animation history professor at RISD discusses his book, ‘The Disney Revolt: The Great Labor War of Animation's Golden Age.’

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