Monday, June 28, 2010

So ... Another Animation Studio?

That was the first thing that popped into my brain when I skimmed across this:

Marvel Entertainment has created a small-screen division, Marvel Television, and named Eisner-winning comic and TV writer Jeph Loeb as its head.

Loeb, ... will oversee the translation of Marvel's popular characters and stories to the television medium, in both live-action and animation formats. Loeb will also oversee the development and distribution of live-action, animated and direct-to-DVD series.

Right now, Marvel is doing its animated series at Starz Media-Film Roman in Burbank (where there's a TAG contract). In the recent past, it was producing direct-to-video animated features out of a small studio in North Hollywood. (A few years back, TAG won an NLRB election to represent the artists there, but never achieved a contract.)

Which leaves the question: Is Marvel -- owned by the Mighty Mouse -- going to continue producing animation by jobbing it out? Or will Disney/Marvel ramp up a new cartoon studio? Or perhaps migrate to one of the Mouse's existing animation facilities?

I wish I had a crystal ball and prescient answer, but right now I have no idea what the plans are for Diz Co.'s new army of comic book characters.

14 comments:

Dorseytunes said...

Beware true believers!

Anonymous said...

Wasn't there some rumor about the Pixar heads and the Marvel heads getting together and talking about collaborations?

Then Pixar Canada initially being slated to create the shorts and TV shows based on existing Pixar characters (from what I've seen anyway)...

Sounds like Marvel and Pixar Canada could be a marriage made in heaven if they chose to go that route.

Stitch Kingdom said...

I believe Lasseter has said that Pixar had met with Marvel prior to the merger but they immediately dismissed the Ant-Man rumors which popped up shortly after the merger was announced.

Although Disney has shown signs of moving Ant-Man forward (presumably without Pixar).

Pixar Canada is definitely developing Toy Story Toons amongst others, but I believe Toy Story and Cars will be its most popular products. It's my limited understanding that the annex exists to support already existing Pixar properties, not to create new ones.

Floyd Norman said...

Speaking of Pixar, there's a "Cars2" screening this morning.

However, Like Sargeant Schultz, I know nothing.

Anonymous said...

My prediction:

Floyd will think Cars 2 is GREAT!, but not as GREAT as TS3...

Anonymous said...

I sure wish floyd norman would just SHUT UP.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Disney TVA or Disney Toon Studios will handle the animation? Or will there be a separate Disney owned Marvel labeled studio. I just hope they don't keep farming the stuff out to the lowest bidder, ala Film Roman/Starz>

Anonymous said...

I believe Lasseter has said that Pixar had met with Marvel prior to the merger but they immediately dismissed the Ant-Man rumors which popped up shortly after the merger was announced.

The Pixar/Ant-man was PURE fanboy rumor (and one-note Incredibles fanboy at that)--
Marvel still wants to do AM as live-action, although whether before or after a group-hero movie remains to be seen.

Which leads us back to the animation news, since they want to follow Warner/DC's lead and do either theatrical or DTV short-form toons to introduce their obscurer B-title Avengers heroes, also to save time before the group movie...Which might also ultimately end up being the fate of Ant-man, if the group movie goes ahead without Edgar Wright's version.

Anonymous said...

>>> I sure wish floyd norman would just SHUT UP <<<

I sure wish you would SHUT UP.

Floyd, let us know how it goes please if you find out anything.

Bob and Rob Professional American Writers said...

"I sure wish floyd norman would just SHUT UP"

Floyd, we read this blog (and others) in part, because of the comments by you and other HIGHLY respected animation veterans. Keep 'em coming!

As for the rude, ANONYMOUS comment...oh, not worth the time.

See ya on the lot, Floyd!

Anonymous said...

TAG won an election for MLG Productions? How was that accomplished. That place is was much a freelance factory as Porchlight.

ejaz14357 said...

As for the rude, EJAZA comment...oh, not worth the time.

Anonymous said...

"I just hope they don't keep farming the stuff out to the lowest bidder, ala Film Roman/Starz>"

And you say this why? Do you even know who is working on the shows?

Anonymous said...

"And you say this why? Do you even know who is working on the shows?"

I've worked with many people there. They're extremely talented. It's just that Film Roman cuts the schedule, budget and won't pay overtime. But they expect 80 hours of work in a 40 hour week.

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