Studio Ponoc’s latest feature, The Imaginary, debuts next Friday July 5th on Netflix. It’s based on A.F. Harrold’s novel about Rudger, the imaginary friend of Amanda, who must find a way to save her life and not disappear forever. Here’s my Animation Scoop Q&A with writer and producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, two-time Academy Award nominee for […]
Archive for June, 2024
INTERVIEW: Shrek, Po, Poppy And More At DreamWorks Land
June 24th, 2024 
Jackson Murphy Now Open at Universal Orlando Resort is the much anticipated DreamWorks Land, with rides and experiences featuring some of the most beloved animated characters of the past 25 years from one of the industry’s most successful studios. What can DreamWorks Animation fans look forward to? The Resort’s Dean Orion (Creative Director, Universal Creative) and Jason […]
CBS Studios Releases Official Trailer and Key Art For “Star Trek: Prodigy”
June 20th, 2024 Lauren Ashton Today, CBS Studios released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming season of their original series, STAR TREK: PRODIGY. On Monday, July 1st, the successful project will premiere 20 episodes on Netflix in select countries worldwide. The streaming platform currently offers the entirety of the first season.
Asifa-Hollywood’s Animation Educator’s Forum Debuts “Animation Book Database”
June 20th, 2024 Jerry Beck ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Educator’s Forum (AEF) recently announced the debut of the Animation Book Database. Begun by noted animation historian Charles Solomon and developed by several AEF scholars including Michael Bonitatis of CSUN, Dori Littel-Herrick of Woodbury University (retired), and Tom Sito of USC, the Animation Book Database provides animation educators an easily accessible, online resource […]
INTERVIEW: Sea What Disney Junior’s “Ariel” Is Up To
June 20th, 2024 Jackson Murphy It’s been 35 years since Disney released the game-changing The Little Mermaid. Disney Junior’s Ariel, premiering June 27th on Disney Junior and June 28th on Disney+, is a new CG family music series that spotlights the title character’s youth ‘under the sea’. Executive Producer Lynne Southerland and Art Director Chrystin Garland join me for this […]
INTERVIEW: “Despicable Me 4” Director Chris Renaud On Franchise Legacy, Sequels, And The Animation Industry
June 19th, 2024 Lauren Ashton Illumination’s Despicable Me is extraordinarily successful- aside from being one of the highest-grossing animated film franchises of all time. 14 years after the original film became an immediate hit, director Chris Renaud talks with Animation Scoop on the upcoming installment, reflecting on the global appeal, legacy of the characters, and the franchise’s lasting impact over […]
Posted in Illumination 
Tags: despicable me, Disney, Illumination, Toy Story, Universal 
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INTERVIEW: DreamWorks’ “The Wild Robot” And Distinctive Storytelling
June 18th, 2024 Lauren Ashton DreamWorks’ upcoming film, The Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, Lilo & Stitch) and led by Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Turbo, The Croods: A New Age), takes Peter Brown’s book from the page and onto the screen. During the Annecy […]
TRAILER: Studio Ponoc’s “The Imaginary”
June 13th, 2024 Jerry Beck The groundbreaking hand-drawn animation of Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary is heightened by first-of-their-kind techniques of light and shadow. The Imaginary is based on the beloved and award-winning novel of the same name by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Emily Gravett (Bloomsbury Publishing). Netflix will debut the film on July 5th. Here’s our first look:
INTERVIEW: The Wonder Of “WondLa”
June 13th, 2024 Jackson Murphy AppleTV+ and showrunner/EP Bobs Gannaway (of Monsters at Work) have adapted author Tony DiTerlizzi’s popular books for the new animated adventure series WondLa, premiering Friday June 28th. Gannaway previews the exciting first season and more. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: Congratulations on this. It is incredibly immersive. Bobs […]
The Passion Behind The 2024 Tribeca Animated Shorts
June 8th, 2024 Jackson Murphy Seven shorts comprise the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival “Animated Shorts Curated by Whoopi G” presentation. This excellent, diverse group, selected by Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg, screened for the first time in-person earlier today and will play again on June 13th and 15th. The filmmakers of all seven shorts have shared Exclusive Statements with Animation […]
INTERVIEW: Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond on Ending a Saga—and Beyond
June 7th, 2024 W.R. Miller “When is Season Six showing?” That’s what The Dragon Prince fans want to know. They clamor for it in podcasts, social media and conventions. And no wonder: Season Five ended with many compelling questions. What’s to be done about the sinister Startouch Elf, Aaravos? Will he possess Prince Callum again? Will Callum sacrifice himself to […]
INTERVIEW: The Heroes Of “Ultraman: Rising”
June 6th, 2024 Jackson Murphy Animated action dramedy feature Ultraman: Rising is going to be one of the biggest at-home hits of the summer. You can watch it starting next Friday June 14th on Netflix. Emmy-winning director Shannon Tindle (of Lost Ollie and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends) and Emmy & Annie-nominated co-director John Aoshima (of DuckTales and Gravity Falls) […]
ASIFA ‘Global Meet and Greet’ Mixer set for June 12 in Annecy
June 5th, 2024 Jerry Beck ASIFA-Hollywood will be co-sponsoring the ‘ASIFA Global Meet and Greet’ mixer on Wednesday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. CST at Espace Détente in MIFA during the weeklong annual Annecy International Animation Film Festival, June 9-15. This mixer is co-sponsored with ASIFA Hellas and ASIFA China. Attending this year’s festival on behalf of ASIFA-Hollywood are Interim […]
INTERVIEWS: The Joy And Excitement Of “Inside Out 2”
June 5th, 2024 Jackson Murphy I’m giving Animation Scoop one final look “inside” Pixar before their latest movie is “out” in theaters next week. Here are my conversations with four more makers of Inside Out 2. (These interviews were combined and edited for length and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: What do you want to say to the teens of 2015 and […]
INTERVIEW: Blast Off With “Big City Greens The Movie: Spacecation”
June 4th, 2024 Jackson Murphy Chris and Shane Houghton celebrate six years of Big City Greens success for The Mouse House with a new feature-length film. Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation premieres this Thursday June 6th at 8pm on Disney Channel and is available on Disney+ starting this Friday June 7th. In this new Animation Scoop Q&A, the Houghtons […]
