Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Imagi Today

I trucked over to the Imagi studios at the Sherman Oaks Galleria for the first time in weeks and weeks. The place is quiet, with only a few artists on the premises, but a staffer gave me the low-down about what's happening with Imagi ...

"The studio's had management changes, but the decision is in to go ahead with Gatchaman, and production will start ramping up near the end of the year. The producers for it are set, but Imagi is still interviewing candidates for director.

"The studio is kind of empty right now, but that will change as we get into the next show. There will probably be another Astro Boy. There's been a lot of good feedback on the trailer, and Imagi is going to hold a launch party when the picture is near release in October.

"We had a rough patch at the start of the year, and it's been a challenge to get past, that but the new management wants to move forward and do a picture every eighteen months. That's the plan ..."

If Astro Boy performs, I think the studio plunges into development with a sizable slate of films. And if the picture doesn't do much? ... Welll ...

7 comments:

P. Docter said...

I was going to say, "I hope Astroboy does well for Imagi's sake" but I'm going to be more proactive. I'm going to watch the movie and tell all my family and friends to watch the movie.
We animation artists should support each other.

Anonymous said...

Steve, do you know where Adelaide is nowadays? I called the Apple warehouse and they were saying it's not there anymore. They're working on an Adult Swim pilot and I was curious to see how it was being done. For all I know it's another show they're sending entirely to Korea, which seems to be their method nowadays.

Anonymous said...

I am really looking forward to Astro Boy. The newest trailer kicks butt. I'm a Tezuka fan and it looks to me like Imagi did a good job translating the original manga to CGI. I'm more eager to see this than Princess and the Frog, to be honest. GO GO GO ASTRO BOY.

Anonymous said...

This voice casting seems sooo wrong in this movie. All of them. yikes.

rufus said...

Voice casting should NOT be much of a problem for the kids. I think it looks like a fun movie.

I'm sold!

Rufus.

Anonymous said...

I concur with Pete.

We really should support each other in this business (and no, that doesn't mean "pretend you love a film that you don't").
One's success-or failure-affects all of us and there's no way to pretend otherwise.

We all need these films to do well-and, I believe, wish our brethren in the business to do well also.
Besides, Astroboy has great potential to be such a blast!

Anonymous said...

Two words: Butt-guns!

Site Meter