Article Type: Interview

Tiny Bubbles… Not! VFXWorld

Wētā Forever: The Esteemed VFX Studio Dives Deep on ‘Black Panther 2’

In an extensive Q & A, Senior Animation Supervisor Sidney Kombo-Kintombo and VFX Supervisor Chris White talk about water, swimming, beards, and bubbles – all part of their work on Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ now in theaters.

A Unique Descent into Madness ANIMATIONWorld

Phil Tippett’s Tortured Pursuit of ‘Mad God,’ His Dystopic Stop-Motion Epic

The Oscar-winning special effects and animation legend discusses his 30-year hero’s journey to finally finish a very personal and awesomely dark descent into cinematic madness.

Justice is Served! VFXWorld

The Fiery Magic of Wētā FX Helps ‘Black Adam’ Keep It Real

In an extensive Q&A, VFX Supervisor Sheldon Stopsack talks about the studio’s multifaceted contributions to the Warner Bros. DCEU action-adventure, starring Dwayne Johnson in the titular role, now screening in theaters and available on Blu-ray + DVD.

Fate Intervenes ANIMATIONWorld

‘An Unexpected Ray of Hope’: William Joyce’s New Short, ‘Mr. Spam Gets a New Hat’

By Dan Sarto | Friday, December 2, 2022 at 8:54am

The Oscar and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, author, and illustrator shares how a series of tragic losses – first his young daughter, then his wife – led to a prolonged period of creative withdrawal that he eventually emerged from, due to a simple twist of fate, to produce some of his career’s strongest and most innovative work.

Mysteries of the Unknown ANIMATIONWorld

The Latest Strange World of Roy Conli

The Academy Award-winning producer of Disney's all-new animated feature, ‘Strange World,’ opening in theaters November 23, talks about the studio's retro-futuristic, subterranean adventure and his almost 30-year career at the legendary company.

Technology ANIMATIONWorld

Animal Logic Gets ‘Unhinged’ with ALab Phase 2, Unreal Engine, and a Sock Puppet Scientist

Art director Grant Freckelton and director David Peers talk about the studio’s groundbreaking open-source USD ALab, its expansion into ALab Phase 2, and the Unreal Engine-created short film that grew out of their R&D efforts.

Get Your Hulk-Smash On! VFXWorld

Wētā FX Works Their Smashingly Good Magic on ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’

In an extensive Q & A, Senior Animation Supervisor Sidney Kombo-Kintombo and Senior VFX Supervisor Guy Williams talk about their gargantuan contributions to Marvel Studios’ 'She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,' streaming exclusively on Disney+.

Another Cartoon Saloon Gem ANIMATIONWorld

Getting to the Heart of ‘My Father’s Dragon’

At the recent VIEW Conference 2022, director Nora Twomey talked to AWN about what moved her to chose Ruth Stiles Gannett’s 1948 children’s book for her new film, Cartoon Saloon’s first non-co-produced feature, a delightful 2D animated fantasy dropping on Netflix November 11.

We Want Fast Food Items as Neighbors ANIMATIONWorld

Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro Talk ‘Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm’

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 2:18pm

The creative geniuses (for want of a more colorful plural noun) behind one of Adult Swim’s longest running series are back, along with favorite fast food item rascals Frylock, Master Shake, and Meatwad (plus perverted neighbor Carl), in a brand-new animated feature, out today on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray.

It’s Tough Being a Kid… of a Famous Monster ANIMATIONWorld

Shea Fontana Talks a Revamped ‘Monster High’

The producer on Nickelodeon and Mattel’s new CG-animated series discusses the rebirth of the storied franchise, which began as a hugely successful toy line in 2010, quickly expanding into games, a web series, and animated YouTube shorts; the show premieres today, October 28, on Nickelodeon.

The Joys of Adolescence ANIMATIONWorld

Andrew Goldberg Talks Nick Kroll and ‘Big Mouth’ Season 6

The co-creator, co-writer, and co-executive producer of the hit animated comedy series, whose sixth season drops October 28 on Netflix, tells all, from the introduction of a new asexual character to the premiere of the three-dads musical, ‘Dada Dia.’

Move over Jack Skellington! ANIMATIONWorld

Constructing ‘Wendell & Wild’: A Conversation with the Legendary Henry Selick

The director talks about collaborating with Jordan Peele on his latest stop-motion epic, a scary – but not too scary – fantasy adventure, hitting select theaters October 21 before streaming October 28 on Netflix.

Mysteries of the Unknown ANIMATIONWorld

Disney’s ‘Strange World’: An Epic Adventure in the Grand Style

Director Don Hall, co-director/writer Qui Nguyen, and producer Roy Conli talk about the making of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lush, expansive, and action-packed CG animated sci-fi film hitting theaters November 23.

Animated Political Satire Returns! ANIMATIONWorld

‘Tooning Out the News’ Continues to Find the Right Political/Comedic Balance

Creator and Executive Producer R.J. Fried talks about the Emmy-nominated animated series, whose third season debuts tonight, October 5, on Comedy Central.

The Flying Sailor ANIMATIONWorld

Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis Talk ‘The Flying Sailor’

The Oscar-nominated ‘When the Day Breaks’ and ‘Wild Life’ filmmakers use a mashup of 2D, 3D, and live-action techniques to contemplate the nature of existence in their new animated short, based on a horrific, true-life disaster.

To Rarely Go Where No One Has Gone Before ANIMATIONWorld

‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Bravely – and Hilariously – Beams into Season 3

Creator Mike McMahan offers an in-depth look at the creative impulses and collaborative effort behind his hit Paramount+ animated sci-fi comedy, whose third season debuts today.

LANA!!! ANIMATIONWorld

Get Out Your Cocktail Shaker: ‘Archer’ Rolls Out Season 13

Art Director Justin Wagner and Animation Director Megan Johnson size up the new season - complete with lots of pre-production art - of the acclaimed series, which premiered last night on FXX and today on Hulu.

Fun with Animated Chipmunks! VFXWorld

MPC and the 2D/3D/CG Stylings of ‘Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers’

VFX supervisor Axel Bonami talks making, mixing, matching, and maneuvering the many visual styles in Akiva Schaffer’s hybrid live-action/CG animated action-comedy, now streaming on Disney+.

Super Giant Sibling Rivalry ANIMATIONWorld

‘Super Giant Robot Brothers’: A Milestone in Virtual Animation Production

Director Mark Andrews and producers Paul Fleschner and Adam Maier chronicle their trailblazing journey to create - entirely in Unreal Engine - the 3DCG animated comedy series premiering today on Netflix.

Good Luck is Good! ANIMATIONWorld

The Whimsical and Grounded Dance of ‘Luck’

Director Peggy Holmes talks about the importance of family, the challenges of working with characters of wildly divergent sizes, and how her background in choreography helped her nail the physical nuances in Apple Original Films’ and Skydance Animation’s CG fantasy comedy ‘Luck,’ dropping August 5 on Apple TV+.

Rescue Rangers Return! VFXWorld

Pre, Tech, and Post: The Many ‘Vizings’ of ‘Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers’

Visualization supervisor Tefft Smith talks previs, techvis, and postvis on the production of Akiva Schaffer’s hybrid live-action/CG animated action-comedy, starring John Mulaney and Andy Samberg, now streaming on Disney+.

Waititi and Hemsworth Return! VFXWorld

Hammering Out the VFX in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

Production VFX supervisor and cat enthusiast Jake Morrison talks lighting breakthroughs, VR magic, how to differentiate your shadow creatures, and how to make a dumpling god – all in a day’s work on Marvel Studios’ fourth outing in the Norse god franchise, now playing in theaters.

Business ANIMATIONWorld

Zareh Nalbandian Talks Animal Logic’s Sale to Netflix

By Dan Sarto | Friday, July 22, 2022 at 2:49pm

The animation production company’s CEO and co-founder discusses the ‘Why now?’ and ‘What’s next?’ of the streaming giant’s surprise acquisition earlier this week of the studio he started more than 30 years ago.

Grrrrrrr! ANIMATIONWorld

Genndy Tartakovsky Talks the ‘Primal’ Pleasures of Animation

The acclaimed creator of ‘Dexter’s Laboratory’ and ‘Samurai Jack’ reflects on the unique format and surprise success of ‘Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal,’ his Emmy Award-winning animated series about the friendship between a caveman and a T-Rex, whose second season debuts today on Adult Swim.

We Like Spooky! ANIMATIONWorld

WildBrain’s ‘Lake Erie’ Breaks New Ground in Family-Friendly Horror

Writer/director John Vassallo and studio SVP, Creative Logan McPherson talk about their award-winning 2D animated short film, a ghostly tale of a boy who loses his dog and must face terrifying forces to get her back.

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