SO with Paramount getting into the animation game on its own, where does that leave Jeffrey K.?
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.'s chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg played down a decision by Paramount Pictures to launch a rival animation division—a move by its partner that adds to other new challenges for the animation powerhouse.
In an interview Thursday, Mr. Katzenberg said that since Paramount is expected to move into the "lower end of the animation business," its new unit "isn't going to impact DreamWorks at all." ...
But of course it will impact DWA, since a move in one part of Cartoonland effects all the other parts. (Remember when Pixar thumped its chest about "All original! No sequels!" Then DreamWorks and Blue Sky made sequels pay off in major ways, and the Emeryville studio morphed its earlier stance to "No bad sequels!" As everyone knows, that's worked out fine.)
Bloomberg reports that Jeffrey -- contrary to what the Nikkster's site says -- isn't interested in selling the company. But I've always thought that J.K. would be delighted to sell ... for the right price.
The hardest business model out there is creating a hit every time you produce a film. And that's what DWA has to do to remain vibrant.
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I hope Jeffrey doesn't sell and DreamWorks Animation remains independent.
No stakeholder in DWA wants to see it sold at today's bargain-basement price.
"Mr. Katzenberg said that since Paramount is expected to move into the "lower end of the animation business,"
That would make sense since Jeff knows all about making the lowest form of animation. His comment should bring Paramount's stock up a bit. :)
Does this mean Paramount will be venturing into 2D animation, as well as CG? I really believe 2D is about to experience another resurgence, especially after Princess and the Frog and the upcoming Winnie the Pooh. I wish Dreamworks would be brave like Disney and get back into the 2D game.
No, it does not mean that at all.
Paramount will not do hand drawn features. Unless they're direct to video. No one cares whether it's hand drawn or CG---and I'm not suggesting anyone prefers one over the other. People just want to care--and that doesn't come from hand drawn or cg. It comes from characters people can care about, and storytelling that captivates their imagination.
The only major animation studio equipped to do a feature hand drawn would be Disney.
"...The only major animation studio equipped to do a feature hand drawn would be Disney...."
Ironically, the ads for the new Winnie The Pooh feature look like it was animated for television.
"The only major animation studio equipped to do a feature hand drawn would be Disney. "
Nonsense. Dreamworks Animation has some of the best traditional animators in the world. If J.K. wanted to do it they could gear up for it.
(in fact, isn't one of the current Dreamworks features , "Me and My Shadow" a combination of hand-drawn and cg ? )
I wasn't talking about dw animation talent. They have a few good animators.
Disney's geared up for it. And like you said, dw COULD gear up for it. And it sounds like they've done so--at least for fx animation.
Any word if Paramount will be a union shop?
"isn't going to impact DreamWorks at all." ...
I believe Jeffrey....
Just like I believed him when he said, "Dreamworks will always do 2D Animation....its what we cut our teeth on... You have nothing to worry about"
What? Whats that? Dreamworks hasn't done a 2D movie since Sinbad?
Hmmm.....
Paramount on the one side... Dreamworks sending more and more work to India, Canada and New Zealand....
Dreamworks Animators.....you have *nothing* to worry about. Jeffrey says so.
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