Aardman creates world record-breaking film for Nokia

Aardman Animations has set a Guinness world record for "smallest stop-motion animation character in a film", with its new short film Dot.

Shot entirely on the new Nokia N8, the Dot film showcases the smartphone's 12-megapixel photography capabilities, and also celebrates the CellScope' an invention created by Professor Daniel Fletcher. The CellScope is a microscopic device attached to a Nokia handset, which the Professor used to produce life-saving technology. With his invention, he has helped diagnose fatal diseases in remote areas of third world countries.

The film features Dot, a tiny 9mm girl who wakes up in a magical, magnified world, to discover her surroundings are caving in around her. She escapes the encroaching wave of destruction as her world unravels, via a path made up of tiny, familiar objects, such as coins, pins, pencil shavings, nuts, and bolts, until she finds peace by knitting herself a blanket from the very matter that pursues her.

Aardman used innovative rapid prototyping 3D printing technology that uses a computer-generated model of an object or character, and then prints it in full 3D using a plastic resin material. The entire set was no more than a meter and a half long, all elements of which were used to help sell the scale of the project to the viewer. The film was painted under a microscope by expert modelmakers, and animated using tweezers; "It became a real test of working at such a small scale, and in having the patience to push on through 'till the end" said Aardman director, Ed Patterson. "The final film has come out better than we could have hoped for. It was great collaborating with Wieden and Kennedy, and to gel so well creatively. The Nokia N8 stood up to the challenge, and produced some outstanding images".

First Indo-Latin American animation film tops in Argentina

Gaturro, the first Indo-Latin American 3D animation film that was completely produced at Toonz Animation studio, has topped the box office in Argentina. The film was released both in the normal 3D and stereoscopic formats, and premiered in Argentina September 9.

The Spanish version of the movie received widespread appreciation from all quarters of the industry.

The 90-minute film, a product of Indian creativity and technology, combined with Argentinean humor and imagination, has been co-produced with Illusions Studios, Argentina, at a cost of US$ 7 million.

Based on the famous Argentinean cartoon strip, the 3D animated film brings to screen, the life of Gaturro, the cat whose love for his neighboring cat, Agatha, constantly gets him into trouble.

Created by cartoonist Cristian Dzwonik ("Nik"), the comic has been published in more than 30 books, magazines, and comic volumes, and has become a phenomenal success across Latin America.

Gaturro includes not only the love story between the two cats, but also an entire universe of fellow pets and humans that expands the franchise of characters.

The worldwide distribution of the movie is being done by the Oscar-winning Voltage Pictures.

Rainmaker Entertainment signs film maker Wilson Tang to first-look producing deal

Rainmaker Entertainment has signed Wilson Tang'whose credits include Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, Steven Spielberg's A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, and Ang Lee's The Hulk–to a first-look producing deal for developing and directing animated digital features and content. Tang's agreement marks the beginning of a new effort to establish a team of top animation directors, producers, and storytellers; as Rainmaker expands from its work-for-hire business to the creation, development, and production of its own proprietary properties.

Tang comes to Rainmaker from Electronic Arts Canada, where he served as Senior Art Director and Franchise Creative Director. During his time with the studio, Tang oversaw the creative direction on the art, story, branding, and marketing of the AAA franchise, Need For Speed, as well as the development of new content and IPs.

Prior to Electronic Arts, he was the Visual Effects Art Director for George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) for seven years. At ILM, Tang's work on The Hulk was nominated for Best Visual Effects by the Visual Effects Society in 2003. During preproduction on A.I. Artificial Intelligence in 2001, Tang pioneered the use of game engines for use in real-time pre-visualization for films. The technique was used by Steven Spielberg.

Tang was also one of the original founders of The Embassy VFX in Vancouver, Canada, where he co-directed and production designed two commercials for Toyota Scion.

DHX Media acquires W!ldbrain Entertainment

DHX Media has acquired 100 percent of W!ld Brain Entertainment, the LA-based, award-winning entertainment company that produces and animates, The Ricky Gervais Show for HBO and turned Yo Gabba Gabba! (the live touring show and hit television series that launched on Nickelodeon in August 2007) into a durable franchise.

The acquisition further strengthens DHX Media's position to become one of the top independent libraries of quality family entertainment in the world, with an eye towards developing content with hit potential across current and emerging broadcast channels. The deal also combines DHX Media's efficient and acclaimed production capabilities, and international television broadcast relationships, with W!ld Brain Entertainment's in-house creative team and relationships with U.S. broadcasters, to fuel future growth across both businesses.

Michael Polis will continue to lead W!ld Brain Entertainment as President. He will also serve as EVP, Branded Entertainment & Consumer Products, DHX Media, where he will lead DHX Media's international licensing activities.

W!ld Brain has produced an exceptional slate of programming, including the critically acclaimed television series Yo Gabba Gabba!, which currently airs on Nickelodeon in the US, and on leading broadcasters around the world. International television sales for Yo Gabba Gabba! are handled by RDF Rights. Further current television productions include The Ricky Gervais Show for HBO. W!ld Brain also handles consumer products rights for the series, while MRC handles television, online, and video distribution rights.

Strawberry Shortcake teams up with McDonald's again

Cookie Jar Entertainment, global licensing agent for Strawberry Shortcake and American Greetings Properties (the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation) has launched the new Strawberry Shortcake McDonald's Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal. Beginning September 17, 2010 and going through October 14, 2010, young girls will enjoy one of six berry fun Strawberry Shortcake characters with the purchase of a Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal, while supplies last, at participating McDonald's.

The "Strawberry Shortcake" Happy Meal toy collection includes six 3", sweet-smelling, and poseable plastic dolls, plus a very special accessory that reflects each character's role within Berry Bitty City.

A timely addition to Strawberry Shortcake's berry sweet 30th anniversary, this Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal promotion is just one in a series of new initiatives and exclusive products debuting this fall. The celebration includes an all-new animated television series Berry Bitty Adventures, launching on The Hub; a new Strawberry Shortcake movie, The Glimmerberry Ball, released by Fox Home Entertainment and premiering at Kidtoons in over 140 theaters nationwide; a new Berry Happy Birthday theme, and online activities featured on StrawberryShortcake.com; as well as a special edition collector's doll set that includes replicas of three original characters - Strawberry Shortcake, Raspberry Tart and Orange Blossom - exactly as they appeared in 1980.

PRA joins Exit Films

The People's Republic of Animation will be represented throughout Australia and New Zealand by one of Australia's most highly awarded production companies, Exit Films.

Based in Melbourne and Sydney, Exit Films have been responsible for some of Australia's most prominent TVC's, including the Labyrinth (aka. 'big ball of yarn'), TVC for Tourism Victoria, and the Burst TVC for Schweppes.

Exit Films will represent PRA for all TV commercial production services throughout Australia and New Zealand.

NFB appoints Paul McNeill in Halifax

The National Film Board has appointed filmmaker Paul McNeill to the position of Producer at its Atlantic Center in Halifax. In his new role, Paul McNeill will be responsible for producing documentaries and animation, as well as interactive projects with directors, producers, and digital media makers in the Maritime provinces.