“Animation Fascination” Episode 65: Jason Schleifer – Head of Character Animation at DreamWorks Animation

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Jon Hueber and Stanford Clark join Marc to interview Jason Schleifer, the head of character animation at DreamWorks Animation about his career as well as Mr. Peabody and Sherman.

We talk about his work at Weta Digital on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, moving up the ranks at DreamWorks, and receiving philosophical wisdom from a random guy on a sand dune.

Also Discussed: trailers for The BoxTrolls and Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return, the DreamWorks short Almost Home, Frozen on Blu-ray, breaking news about Cartoon Network, and so much more…

(Recorded on 03/10/14)

Watch This: New Trailer for ‘Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return’

A new trailer is now available for the upcoming animated feature film Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return. As we’ve previously reported, the CG-animated film is based on the writings of L. Frank Baum’s great grandson Roger Stanton Baum. Check out the trailer after the jump…

Spring 2014 Animated Feature Film Preview

2014 is off to a great start with the huge success of Warner Bros.’ hilarious and extremely clever hit The LEGO Movie. The animated feature films scheduled to open in the U.S. over the next few months will offer filmgoers a variety of stories, styles, and experiences that all look “awesome” to us. Marc Vibbert and Tom Fonss discuss the spring features in episode 62 of the Animation Fascination podcast. Here’s my take on what to expect with the animated features coming to theaters this spring.

“Animation Fascination” Episode 62: Spring Movie Preview ’14

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Tom Fonss is back as our recurring monthly co-host! During the episode Marc and Tom discuss the four films being released during the late winter and spring. Among them; Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises, Dreamworks Animation’s Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Blue Sky’s Rio 2, and Summertime Entertainment’s Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return.

Also Discussed: Star Wars: The Clone Wars is coming to Netflix Instant, Game of Thrones, and tangents galore.

(Recorded on 02/17/14)

2014 Animated Feature Film Guide

Coming to a theater near you in 2014—lots of animated films! 2014 looks to be a great year for animated motion pictures. Here is Animation Fascination’s guide to all of the new animated movies scheduled to be released in theaters this year.

New Artwork and Details for ‘Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return’ Animated Feature

More details are coming forward about Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return, a new CG animated feature from Summertime Entertainment. The film is screening privately at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and is also an official selection of the 2013 Annecy Festival. It opens in the U.S. on May 2, 2014.

Official Selections Announced for 2013 Annecy Festival

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival has announced the festival’s official selection of films. Under the direction of Marcel Jean, Annecy Artistic Director, 2,460 films were reviewed from 45 different countries around the world to be included in the festival. 236 films were selected in the following categories:  Feature Films (9 in competition, 14 out of competition), Short Films (52 in competition, 37 out of competition), TV and Commissioned Films (73 total), and Graduation Films (51 total). Each category has a jury which selects their favorites to win the festival’s coveted Annecy Cristal award along with other prizes and honors. Jury members are listed on the Annecy website.

“Animation Fascination” Episode 41: Cal Brunker – Writer/Director of ‘Escape from Planet Earth’

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Scorch me, baby! Straight from Planet Baab all the way to the Dark Planet itself, we’re back with another episode.

Marc and Matt interview Cal Brunker the writer/director of Rainmaker Entertainment’s Escape from Planet Earth. They discuss Cal’s introduction into the world of animation, what it’s like working at different animation studios, and the zombie version of Gary Supernova.

Also discussed: review of Dreamworks’ The Croods, new trailers for Despicable Me 2 and Turbo, and whole slew of animation news.

Dorothy of Oz Renamed, Release Date Shuffled

It seems that the world can’t get enough Oz thanks to the recent live-action Disney
hit, and Summertime Entertainment is bringing us more as their new film, Dorothy
of Oz has now been renamed, a new distributor has stepped in, and its 2013 release
date has been pushed back to early 2014.