Exclusive: Ever wondered what a zombie Cinderella or Snow White in a Dia de los Muertos universe might look like?
A next-gen transmedia business, Elf Labs, is planning to answer those questions by bringing reimagined versions of dozens of classic characters to life.
The LA-based Elf Labs officially launches today after amassing over 400 copyrights and 140 trademarks for some of the most popular characters in children’s literature, also including Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Sleeping Beauty.
The company was previously known as Toon Studio but has rebranded and refinanced with plans to create new versions of classic characters.
Deadline hears Elf Labs is building an immersive, cloud-based streaming platform for the characters and will also launch content based on the characters directly on YouTube, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. AI animation and digital distribution tools have developed, with content targeted at all age ranges.
Elf Labs counts DreamWorks alumnus and Beavis & Butthead director...
A next-gen transmedia business, Elf Labs, is planning to answer those questions by bringing reimagined versions of dozens of classic characters to life.
The LA-based Elf Labs officially launches today after amassing over 400 copyrights and 140 trademarks for some of the most popular characters in children’s literature, also including Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Sleeping Beauty.
The company was previously known as Toon Studio but has rebranded and refinanced with plans to create new versions of classic characters.
Deadline hears Elf Labs is building an immersive, cloud-based streaming platform for the characters and will also launch content based on the characters directly on YouTube, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. AI animation and digital distribution tools have developed, with content targeted at all age ranges.
Elf Labs counts DreamWorks alumnus and Beavis & Butthead director...
- 4/23/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Baboon Gets Nuts
Baboon Animation and Tokyo and Los Angeles-based indie studio Custom Nuts are joining forces in a toon development pact that pools the companies’ writing and visual talent.
Custom Nuts founder Silas Hickey developed a number of hit Asian animated series, including “Chhota Bheem,” while serving as senior development director at Turner International, Asia Pacific.
Hickey and fellow Custom Nuts exec Matthew Howison signed the deal with Baboon CEO Mike de Seve at Mipcom.
“Silas and Matthew bring absolute top-class expertise, deep, first-hand experience in IPs from countries across Asia, and funny, funny cartoon comedy,” said de Seve.
“There are no better writers anywhere than Baboon,” added Hickey.
Baboon’s credits include more than 20 series that have been distributed globally, including “Angry Birds Toons,” “Gigantosaurus” and “Pocoyo.” The company boasts 31 Emmys collectively.
“Expect some extremely funny cartoons to come out of this partnership,” said Baboon head of series Joe Vitale.
Baboon Animation and Tokyo and Los Angeles-based indie studio Custom Nuts are joining forces in a toon development pact that pools the companies’ writing and visual talent.
Custom Nuts founder Silas Hickey developed a number of hit Asian animated series, including “Chhota Bheem,” while serving as senior development director at Turner International, Asia Pacific.
Hickey and fellow Custom Nuts exec Matthew Howison signed the deal with Baboon CEO Mike de Seve at Mipcom.
“Silas and Matthew bring absolute top-class expertise, deep, first-hand experience in IPs from countries across Asia, and funny, funny cartoon comedy,” said de Seve.
“There are no better writers anywhere than Baboon,” added Hickey.
Baboon’s credits include more than 20 series that have been distributed globally, including “Angry Birds Toons,” “Gigantosaurus” and “Pocoyo.” The company boasts 31 Emmys collectively.
“Expect some extremely funny cartoons to come out of this partnership,” said Baboon head of series Joe Vitale.
- 10/18/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
All heroes deserve an origin story. And all stuffed bears deserve a cultural resurgence. At long last, everyone's favorite honey-loving woodland creature will get both: Winnie the Pooh is returning to theaters in 2024 via a prequel film to A.A. Milne's classic book. The newest iteration of Pooh Bear and pals comes courtesy of Baboon Animation (the multi-Emmy winning studio behind "Angry Birds" and "Gigantosaurus") and Iqi Media, Inc.
DreamWorks alumnus Mike de Seve will direct, and co-write with fellow DreamWorks alum John Reynolds ("The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show"). Yet another DreamWorks alum is getting in on the action too: Charlene Kelly ("Next Gen") will serve as executive producer. "A.A. Milne's bear has aged gracefully in the last hundred years," Kelly said, per the press release, before hinting at the premise of the upcoming film. "But what happened, back-when, that made him and his pals who they are in the book?...
DreamWorks alumnus Mike de Seve will direct, and co-write with fellow DreamWorks alum John Reynolds ("The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show"). Yet another DreamWorks alum is getting in on the action too: Charlene Kelly ("Next Gen") will serve as executive producer. "A.A. Milne's bear has aged gracefully in the last hundred years," Kelly said, per the press release, before hinting at the premise of the upcoming film. "But what happened, back-when, that made him and his pals who they are in the book?...
- 12/14/2022
- by Shania Russell
- Slash Film
A prequel feature and series inspired by British writer A.A. Milnes children’s classic Winnie-the-Pooh is under development, in a joint production between U.S. companies Baboon Animation and Iqi Media.
The productions are being spearheaded by DreamWorks alumnae Mike de Seve, who will direct, and co-write with John Reynolds (The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show).
“We’re telling the surprising origin story of the ‘silly young bear’ and his friends, when they were still kids, in a way designed to connect with 21st-century kids,” said Reynolds.
Their Brooklyn-based company Baboon Animation, whose credits include Angry Birds and Gigantosaurus, is teaming up with Iqi Media,a Los Angeles-based content incubator lab and subsidiary of Winvest Group.
DreamWorks alum Charlene Kelly (Next Gen), now Cio at Winvest, and Khiow Hui Lim, the founder of Iqi and Cso of Winvest, will executive-produce.
“A.A. Milne’s bear has aged...
The productions are being spearheaded by DreamWorks alumnae Mike de Seve, who will direct, and co-write with John Reynolds (The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show).
“We’re telling the surprising origin story of the ‘silly young bear’ and his friends, when they were still kids, in a way designed to connect with 21st-century kids,” said Reynolds.
Their Brooklyn-based company Baboon Animation, whose credits include Angry Birds and Gigantosaurus, is teaming up with Iqi Media,a Los Angeles-based content incubator lab and subsidiary of Winvest Group.
DreamWorks alum Charlene Kelly (Next Gen), now Cio at Winvest, and Khiow Hui Lim, the founder of Iqi and Cso of Winvest, will executive-produce.
“A.A. Milne’s bear has aged...
- 12/14/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
When A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh entered public domain in January earlier this year, the first large-scale use of his beloved comfort characters arrived in a film trailer featuring Pooh on a killing spree that was, well, not so comforting. At least now a group of former DreamWorks creators who still value the sacredness of childhood are stepping in to balance out the playing field with a Paddington-esque Winnie the Pooh prequel.
“We’re telling the surprising origin story of the ‘silly young bear’ and his friends, when they were still kids,...
“We’re telling the surprising origin story of the ‘silly young bear’ and his friends, when they were still kids,...
- 12/14/2022
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
A film prequel and series to A.A. Milne’s beloved book “Winnie-the-Pooh” is in the works at Baboon Animation and Iqi Media, Inc.
DreamWorks alumnus Mike de Seve will direct, and co-write with fellow DreamWorks alum John Reynolds (“The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show”) the newest iteration of the adventures of the cuddly honey-loving bear and his friends.
Baboon a story development and screenwriting company for the global animation industry, which has collectively won 31 Emmys, has teamed with Iqi, a content incubator lab and subsidiary of Winvest Group, to produce the prequel. Baboon is helmed by de Seve.
Another DreamWorks alum Charlene Kelly (“Next Gen”), now Cio at Winvest, and Khiow Hui Lim, the founder of Iqi and Cso of Winvest, will executive produce.
Reynolds said: “We’re telling the surprising origin story of the silly young bear and his friends, when they were still kids, in a way designed to connect with 21st-century kids.
DreamWorks alumnus Mike de Seve will direct, and co-write with fellow DreamWorks alum John Reynolds (“The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show”) the newest iteration of the adventures of the cuddly honey-loving bear and his friends.
Baboon a story development and screenwriting company for the global animation industry, which has collectively won 31 Emmys, has teamed with Iqi, a content incubator lab and subsidiary of Winvest Group, to produce the prequel. Baboon is helmed by de Seve.
Another DreamWorks alum Charlene Kelly (“Next Gen”), now Cio at Winvest, and Khiow Hui Lim, the founder of Iqi and Cso of Winvest, will executive produce.
Reynolds said: “We’re telling the surprising origin story of the silly young bear and his friends, when they were still kids, in a way designed to connect with 21st-century kids.
- 12/14/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
With Paddington Bear and Peter Rabbit having been given hugely successful big-screen reboots, a group of DreamWorks alumni are hoping to do the same for another beloved British children’s creation: Winnie-the-Pooh.
A prequel feature to A.A. Milne’s classic book about the honey-loving teddy bear is in development, with Mike de Seve (Madagascar, Monsters vs. Aliens) lined up to direct and co-write with John Reynolds (The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show). In a similar vein to Paddington, the film — which has a planned release date of 2024 — is set to be immediately followed by a TV series.
“We’re telling the surprising origin story of the ‘silly young bear’ and his friends, when they were still kids, in a way designed to connect with 21st-century kids,” says Reynolds.
De Seve’s animation studio Baboon (Angry Birds, Gigantosaurus) has teamed up with content incubator lab...
With Paddington Bear and Peter Rabbit having been given hugely successful big-screen reboots, a group of DreamWorks alumni are hoping to do the same for another beloved British children’s creation: Winnie-the-Pooh.
A prequel feature to A.A. Milne’s classic book about the honey-loving teddy bear is in development, with Mike de Seve (Madagascar, Monsters vs. Aliens) lined up to direct and co-write with John Reynolds (The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show). In a similar vein to Paddington, the film — which has a planned release date of 2024 — is set to be immediately followed by a TV series.
“We’re telling the surprising origin story of the ‘silly young bear’ and his friends, when they were still kids, in a way designed to connect with 21st-century kids,” says Reynolds.
De Seve’s animation studio Baboon (Angry Birds, Gigantosaurus) has teamed up with content incubator lab...
- 12/14/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: LA-based Brightburn producer The H Collective Films has formed a pact with Saudi Arabia’s Inqisam Studios to co-invest in and co-produce movies and TV with a focus on the Arabic-speaking market.
The co-pro deal is one of the first to be announced between a Saudi and Hollywood production company. Inqisam is a new division of Riyadh-based investment and production company Nowaar Entertainment.
Upcoming projects for the Hollywood and Ksa pair include the family-adventure movie Prince Of The Seas, which is based on the story and legend of Ahmad Ibn Majid, a famous navigator in Arabian Peninsula history.
The English-language live action project will follow a fearless young explorer on his quest to right an ancient wrong. To do so he must first solve the greatest mystery of his time and vanquish forces of uncanny power. Cast is expected to be a combination of U.S. and Middle Eastern actors.
The co-pro deal is one of the first to be announced between a Saudi and Hollywood production company. Inqisam is a new division of Riyadh-based investment and production company Nowaar Entertainment.
Upcoming projects for the Hollywood and Ksa pair include the family-adventure movie Prince Of The Seas, which is based on the story and legend of Ahmad Ibn Majid, a famous navigator in Arabian Peninsula history.
The English-language live action project will follow a fearless young explorer on his quest to right an ancient wrong. To do so he must first solve the greatest mystery of his time and vanquish forces of uncanny power. Cast is expected to be a combination of U.S. and Middle Eastern actors.
- 1/17/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Paris and Los Angeles-based Cyber Group Studios and WarnerMedia’s Boomerang International have given the green light to Season 2 of “Taffy,” an original 2D HD animated comedy made in the spirit of “Looney Tunes” and “Tom & Jerry” but targeting modern audiences.
Based on an original creation by Cyber Group Studios and developed with Boomerang, Season 2’s 78 new seven-minute episodes will be aired by Boomerang in international markets and in France on the M6 Group-owned Gulli channel. The renewal, which expands “Taffy” to a total 156 episodes, comes in the run-up to this year’s 2020 Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival where “Taffy” competes in official selection in the TV-film category.
Drinking deep at the well of classic 2D knockabout comedy of feral rivalry, “Taffy” turns on Bentley, a loyal hound dog living in pampered luxury with billionaire lady owner Mrs Muchmore, and his endless and spectacularly unsuccessful attempts to out and oust raccoon Taffy,...
Based on an original creation by Cyber Group Studios and developed with Boomerang, Season 2’s 78 new seven-minute episodes will be aired by Boomerang in international markets and in France on the M6 Group-owned Gulli channel. The renewal, which expands “Taffy” to a total 156 episodes, comes in the run-up to this year’s 2020 Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival where “Taffy” competes in official selection in the TV-film category.
Drinking deep at the well of classic 2D knockabout comedy of feral rivalry, “Taffy” turns on Bentley, a loyal hound dog living in pampered luxury with billionaire lady owner Mrs Muchmore, and his endless and spectacularly unsuccessful attempts to out and oust raccoon Taffy,...
- 6/11/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Fantawild, the Chinese entertainment group behind the widely popular “Boonie Bears” animated franchise, is for the first time planning to target slightly older viewers with a new IP, “Realm of Terracotta.” Intended for teenagers, the adventure story is expected to hit theaters this summer.
Fantawild has produced six “Boonie Bears” films in just seven years, which have collectively brought in more than $415 million at the Chinese box office. The property is also a popular TV series, on air since 2012, and hauls in about $390 million of merchandising revenue each year.
The new title, “Realm of Terracotta,” tells the tale of a young girl named Jade and a terracotta warrior named Magnus who must team up to fight the creatures that keep attacking their Qin dynasty underground city, and who eventually fall in love. The story was developed with Mike de Seve, a story consultant on “Shrek 2” and “Madagascar,” and Billy Frolick,...
Fantawild has produced six “Boonie Bears” films in just seven years, which have collectively brought in more than $415 million at the Chinese box office. The property is also a popular TV series, on air since 2012, and hauls in about $390 million of merchandising revenue each year.
The new title, “Realm of Terracotta,” tells the tale of a young girl named Jade and a terracotta warrior named Magnus who must team up to fight the creatures that keep attacking their Qin dynasty underground city, and who eventually fall in love. The story was developed with Mike de Seve, a story consultant on “Shrek 2” and “Madagascar,” and Billy Frolick,...
- 3/19/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Cyber Group Studios has partnered up with Turner to create “Taffy,” a new animated series inspired by the classic Hanna Barbera cartoons which will air on Boomerang across international markets.
Also set to be broadcasted on French public broadcaster France Televisions, “Taffy” follows the slapstick adventures of a loyal hound dog Bentley, his billionaire old lady owner Mrs Muchmore and Taffy, a clever imposter posing as wide-eyed angora cat. Bentley try to reveal Taffy who ends up framing the dog for every one of his exploits and messes.
“We were on the look-out for an original series for Boomerang inspired by the great Hannah Barbera classics and that’s how we came to work on a development project, followed by this fantastic co-production with Cyber Group Studios,” said Patricia Hidalgo, chief content officer for Turner Emea and International Kids Strategy.
“Taffy perfectly matches our ambition and we’re confident it...
Also set to be broadcasted on French public broadcaster France Televisions, “Taffy” follows the slapstick adventures of a loyal hound dog Bentley, his billionaire old lady owner Mrs Muchmore and Taffy, a clever imposter posing as wide-eyed angora cat. Bentley try to reveal Taffy who ends up framing the dog for every one of his exploits and messes.
“We were on the look-out for an original series for Boomerang inspired by the great Hannah Barbera classics and that’s how we came to work on a development project, followed by this fantastic co-production with Cyber Group Studios,” said Patricia Hidalgo, chief content officer for Turner Emea and International Kids Strategy.
“Taffy perfectly matches our ambition and we’re confident it...
- 10/15/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Russia’s Riki Group, best known for TV series “Kikoriki,” has teamed with two New York companies, Baboon Animation, founded by DreamWorks alumnus Mike de Seve, and 3 Beep, on animated movie “My Friend Finnick.” De Seve’s credits include “Madagascar” and “Beavis and Butt-Head.”
Adventure comedy “My Friend Finnick” centers on 10-year-old American girl Kristen, who moves with her family to Scotland. Kristen discovers that her new home is occupied by a magical creature called a Finn, which is shy but mischievous. When Kristen goes missing the Finn sets out to rescue her, but in doing so he puts himself in jeopardy.
The movie, which is budgeted at $7 million, is in development, and is due to be released in 2020. It is being directed by Riki’s Denis Chernov, and written by Chernov, Tatyana Belova and 3 Beep’s Tim Werenko, whose credits include “Pokemon,” “The Winx Club” and “Snow Queen 3.”
The producers are Ilya Popov,...
Adventure comedy “My Friend Finnick” centers on 10-year-old American girl Kristen, who moves with her family to Scotland. Kristen discovers that her new home is occupied by a magical creature called a Finn, which is shy but mischievous. When Kristen goes missing the Finn sets out to rescue her, but in doing so he puts himself in jeopardy.
The movie, which is budgeted at $7 million, is in development, and is due to be released in 2020. It is being directed by Riki’s Denis Chernov, and written by Chernov, Tatyana Belova and 3 Beep’s Tim Werenko, whose credits include “Pokemon,” “The Winx Club” and “Snow Queen 3.”
The producers are Ilya Popov,...
- 5/9/2018
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Eight emerging writers and directors have been selected to work on animation projects for Bogan Entertainment Solutions as part of a development initiative funded through Screen Australia.s Enterprise Stories program..
The initiative was designed to build Australian talent in the animation industry and to help gifted Australian writers and directors reach their full potential.
The chosen writers are Shane Luther, Michael Drake, Maik Hempel, Jessica Hopcraft and writing partners Michael Dockery and Tyson Gaunt. The directors are Sasha Mutch and Martin Cormier..
Bruce Kane, Executive Producer at Bes Animation, said were over 100 applicants for the writing and director positions.
"It was amazing to see so much creative potential within Australia," he said..
"We hope to be able to engage with the broader talent pool moving forward..
The goal of partnership is to create content and to develop talent in the Australian animation sector.
The animation writers and directors will...
The initiative was designed to build Australian talent in the animation industry and to help gifted Australian writers and directors reach their full potential.
The chosen writers are Shane Luther, Michael Drake, Maik Hempel, Jessica Hopcraft and writing partners Michael Dockery and Tyson Gaunt. The directors are Sasha Mutch and Martin Cormier..
Bruce Kane, Executive Producer at Bes Animation, said were over 100 applicants for the writing and director positions.
"It was amazing to see so much creative potential within Australia," he said..
"We hope to be able to engage with the broader talent pool moving forward..
The goal of partnership is to create content and to develop talent in the Australian animation sector.
The animation writers and directors will...
- 8/12/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Umedia International has boarded Spanish animation studio The Thinklab’s family feature Deep, a script by former Dreamworks writer-director Mike de Seve of Baboon Animation.
Peter Rogers and his team at Umedia will show a sizzle reel to buyers here.
The film is about an octopus, fish and shrimp in the year 2100 when the oceans have risen.
Julio Soto, whose credits include Disney TV show Fluffs!, directs.
“Deep is an hilarious feature animation that offers us a unique, comical look at the never before animated magical deep-sea world of amazing creatures that live in the world’s deepest ocean trenches,” says Peter Rogers of Umedia International.
“Julio’s extraordinary imagination has delivered a complete magical world reminiscent of some of recent cinema’s best loved animations. Deep is not only expertly animated, it is also populated with characters who will become household names to millions of children on its release.”
Soto adds, “We...
Peter Rogers and his team at Umedia will show a sizzle reel to buyers here.
The film is about an octopus, fish and shrimp in the year 2100 when the oceans have risen.
Julio Soto, whose credits include Disney TV show Fluffs!, directs.
“Deep is an hilarious feature animation that offers us a unique, comical look at the never before animated magical deep-sea world of amazing creatures that live in the world’s deepest ocean trenches,” says Peter Rogers of Umedia International.
“Julio’s extraordinary imagination has delivered a complete magical world reminiscent of some of recent cinema’s best loved animations. Deep is not only expertly animated, it is also populated with characters who will become household names to millions of children on its release.”
Soto adds, “We...
- 2/7/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Dynamic international distribution company Lightning Entertainment has picked up international rights to two new feature films making their market premieres; the comedy Whole Lotta Sole starring Brendan Fraser (The Mummy franchise) and directed by Oscar winner Terry George (Hotel Rwanda) and Kikoriki: Team Invincible, the Russian 3D animated-adventure comedy film from the Riki Group and produced by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment.
The dramatic comedy Whole Lotta Sole world premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival and received rave reviews from critics, whilst Kikoriki comes to the market hot on the heels of its impressive $8.5 million box office run in its native Russia.
.Lightning continues to acquire top-notch material to present to international buyers with Whole Lotta Sole from the talented Terry George and the Russian animated adventure, Kikoriki: Team Invincible from powerhouse producer Timur Bekmambetov,. commented Beaumont. .Both films are highly accessible,...
The dramatic comedy Whole Lotta Sole world premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival and received rave reviews from critics, whilst Kikoriki comes to the market hot on the heels of its impressive $8.5 million box office run in its native Russia.
.Lightning continues to acquire top-notch material to present to international buyers with Whole Lotta Sole from the talented Terry George and the Russian animated adventure, Kikoriki: Team Invincible from powerhouse producer Timur Bekmambetov,. commented Beaumont. .Both films are highly accessible,...
- 5/17/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Occupy Wall Street descended upon Broadway Friday night, commencing a daylong occupation of Times Square. The move to New York's theater district is meant to be a show of creative resistance, with a series of street performances and speeches that symbolize the people "taking back the stage" -- in other words, the public spaces that belong to them.
Occupy Broadway's statement lays out their objective:
Occupy Broadway is a symbolic attempt to regain the space of theatre as an accessible, popular art form, bringing it back to where it all started - in a public space, for the common citizen. We are using public space to create a more colorful image of what our streets could look like, with public performances, art, and music. Through this movement, New York re-imagines itself as a work of art, rather than a retail shopping mall.
Friday night's agenda began at 6 p.m., with...
Occupy Broadway's statement lays out their objective:
Occupy Broadway is a symbolic attempt to regain the space of theatre as an accessible, popular art form, bringing it back to where it all started - in a public space, for the common citizen. We are using public space to create a more colorful image of what our streets could look like, with public performances, art, and music. Through this movement, New York re-imagines itself as a work of art, rather than a retail shopping mall.
Friday night's agenda began at 6 p.m., with...
- 12/3/2011
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
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