Fox Orders Kevin Hart Presentation ‘Lil Kev’ As Part Of Big Animated Series Push

Based on the hilarious comedy of Kevin Hart, “LIL KEV” is the story of a 12-year-old, pint-sized, optimistic, highly imaginative kid who navigates growing up in the crime filled inner-city of North Philly with the help and sometimes hindrance of his strong, quick-tempered mother, drug addicted father, pessimistic older brother, ex-con uncle and wise-ass talking dog.

 Fox has picked up Lil Kev, an animated pilot presentation based on the comedy of Kevin Hart, which he will be voicing alongside Wanda Sykes, Keith Robertson, Gerald “Slink” Johnson and Deon Cole.

The 20th Century Fox TV/Lionsgate TV project, written by Michael Price (The Simpsons) and Matt Claybrooks (Everybody Hates Chris), is one of several animated series in the works at Fox, including another pilot presentation for a half-hour comedy from Amy Poehler, The Simpsons‘ veteran Mike Scully and his wife, former Simpsons writer-producer Julie Scully, which was ordered by the network last summer.

They are part of a ramp-up in animated development at Fox spearheaded by the network’s new entertainment president Michael Thorn.

“I really want a new animated series, that’s a huge priority,” Thorn told Deadline. “It’s a such a strong part of our brand. I think what many people think of Fox is they think of our animated shows, and it would be great to add another original animated series to go with the three series we have on right now, The Simpsons, Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers. (Primetime animation) is so specific to Fox, we re the only ones who do it in broadcast, and I think we should continue to own that space.”

Written by Price and Claybrooks, Lil Kev is the story of a 12-year-old, pint-sized, optimistic, highly imaginative kid who navigates growing up in the crime filled inner-city of North Philly with the help and sometimes hindrance of his strong, quick-tempered mother, drug addicted father, pessimistic older brother, ex-con uncle and wise-ass talking dog.

“It’s About Kevin Hart’s experiences growing up and how his relationship with his mother and his community led to his optimistic, positive outlook despite some of the challenges and circumstances that he grew up with,” Thorn said.

The last two animated series launched by Fox were the Seth MacFarlane-produced Bordertown and the animated/live-action hybrid Son Of Zorn. Both premiered in 2016 and did not go beyond their original orders. MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy and co-creator of American Dad!, which airs on TBS, is busy with them, his Fox space dramedyThe Orville, which he writes, executive produces and stars in, and a new season of Cosmos, so he is not currently working on a new animated projects.

The Simpsons, Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers all have been success stories, with The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers also winning 10 and 2 best animated program Emmys, respectively.

Lil Kev hails from 20th TV and Lionsgate TV where Hart has a deal. Hart executive produces with Price and Jeff Clanagan; Claybrooks co-executive produces.

Price, whose credits also include Netflix’s F Is for Family, is repped by CAA and Attorney David Matlof. Claybrooks is with WME and MetaMorphic Entertainment. Hart is with UTA and 3 Arts.

LEGENDARY ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED ANIMATOR  GLEN KEANE TO DIRECT  “OVER THE MOON” FOR  PEARL STUDIO AND NETFLIX

Animated Musical Adventure Film to Debut on Netflix and
In Theaters in China in 2020
(Los Angeles, Feb. 6 at 1:00 PM/Shanghai, China, Feb. 7) — Legendary Academy Award® nominated animator Glen Keane will direct Pearl Studio’s OVER THE MOON as a world premiere animated film exclusively for Netflix, it was jointly announced today by Peilin Chou, Chief Creative Officer of Pearl Studio and Melissa Cobb, Vice President of Kids & Family for Netflix. 
OVER THE MOON is an animated musical adventure feature film about a girl who builds a rocket ship and blasts off to the moon in hopes of meeting a legendary Moon Goddess. The film will be released in 2020, theatrically in China, and to Netflix members around the world.
Keane most recently directed the acclaimed Academy Award® nominated animated short film DEAR BASKETBALL, which won Best Animated Short this past weekend at the 45th Annual Annie Awards honoring the best in Animation. He is a multi-award winning distinguished veteran of Walt Disney Feature Animation who trained under Walt Disney’s legendary 9 Old Men. He is considered one of the most important creative forces in contemporary animation and was the lead animator who brought to life many of the most beloved modern classic Disney characters, such as Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID, the title characters in POCAHONTAS, ALADDIN, and TARZAN, as well as the Beast in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, along with RAPUNZEL and countless others. His debut work as an animator was featured in THE RESCUERS for the characters of Bernard and Penny, alongside the famed Ollie Johnston. He animated Elliott the Dragon in PETE’S DRAGON and was responsible for the climactic bear showdown in THE FOX AND THE HOUND. His career has been both profound and prestigious. In 2012, he left Disney to form Glen Keane Productions as a way to further his artistic explorations in animation, design, and film.
For OVER THE MOON, he will bring his considerable talent, artistry and experience to this modern-day retelling of the classic Chinese myth. The film is written by Audrey Wells (SHALL WE DANCE, UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN), produced by Gennie Rim (DEAR BASKETBALL, DUET) and executive produced by Janet Yang (JOY LUCK CLUB, PEOPLE VS LARRY FLYNT). Songs will be written by Christopher Curtis (CHAPLIN: The Musical), Marjorie Duffield, and Helen Park (KPOP).
“I am powerfully drawn to characters who believe the impossible is possible,” said Keane. “OVER THE MOON has just such a heroine as its centerpiece. The compelling script by Audrey Wells has tremendous heart and humor that called to me and I had to respond. I’m honored to bring this story to life alongside my producer Gennie Rim. We are both looking forward to creating a wonderful film and partnership with Melissa Cobb at Netflix and Peilin Chou at Pearl Studio.”
“Glen Keane is one of the most beloved and respected animation talents in the world,” said Peilin Chou, Chief Creative Officer for Pearl Studio. “His contributions to the art form are legendary and as Pearl Studio launches our operations, I can not imagine a more exciting or important director to bring the enormous scope, truth and soul of OVER THE MOON to life. We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Glen and Netflix on the creation of this beautiful and enchanting film.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the brilliant Glen Keane, one of the most creative and visionary directors working in animation, and the team at Pearl Studio on the magical OVER THE MOON,” said Cobb. “Full of imagination and adventure, and set against a visually stunning backdrop that only Keane and writer Audrey Wells and their teams could create, we know OVER THE MOON will fascinate and inspire our Netflix members around the world.”
About Pearl Studio
Pearl Studio is one of the world’s leading creators of animated entertainment for the global family market and is currently in production on EVEREST, to be released worldwide through Universal Pictures in 2019. Within China, it will be distributed by Pearl Studio. Headquartered in Shanghai with branches in New York and Los Angeles, the studio is backed by CMC Capital Partners-led consortium. Pearl Studio is focused on Animation Film Production, Copyright Operations, Ancillary Businesses (Merchandising, Joint Promotion, Interactive Entertainment and Location Based Entertainment) and Digital Content. The company was previously operated as a Joint Venture known as Oriental DreamWorks, which co-produced the first American-Chinese animated co-production KUNG FU PANDA 3, which generated more than $500M in Worldwide Box Office revenues and was one of the most successful animated films ever released in China.
About Netflix
Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with over 117 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 140 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Tabook- NSFW

After winning the Best Animated Short at CineKink 2017, director Dario van Vree and producer Tünde Vollenbroek’s comical animation Tabook has now been released online. Tabook looks at the subject of sex in a fun loving way, highlighting the taboo that exists in society around embracing sexuality. 

While browsing the bookstore 19-year-old Gwen is unexpectedly drawn to a volume of kinky erotica, earning her disapproving glares from the other customers.

Director Dario van Vree has been directing animation since graduating from his studies at the prestigious KASK academy in Belgium. Having a specific eye for the weird, the inventive and the power of character performance, his work is characterized by clarity, humor and a love for paradoxes. Besides directing, Dario teaches animation at the Willem de Kooning Academy and is co-founder of the KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival. 

Producer Tünde Vollenbroek is an animation graduate from the HKU and Animation Sans Frontieres, and is a producer at Studio Pupil, the production company that created Tabook. She is a chief European correspondent at Cartoon Brew and chief programmer of the KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival.

Reineke Jonker helps the humour come alive with the priceless vocal performance we hear from lead character Gwen while animators Michael Sewnarian, Bonnie Mier and Tom Mourik created the colourful animated world Gwen inhabits. 

This film has been has been sweeping the boards at film festivals throughout the world, having been selected for 32 film festivals including in the Manchester Animation Festival 2016
, Athens Animfest 2017, KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival 2016 and Anima Brussels Animation Film Festival 2017. Tabook was also included in the Selected Dutch Shorts 2017 and the Korte Film Poule 2017.

Tabook is now available online. 

Vimeo: vimeo.com/studiopupil/tabook

YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=JKqg9JWRZUU

Facebook: facebook.com/studiopupilanimation/

 

MONKEY BUSINESS: THE ADVENTURES OF CURIOUS GEORGE’S CREATORS | Official Trailer

Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators
Documentary
Release:  August 15, 2017
Directed by: Ema Ryan Yamazaki
Animation by: Jacob Kafka
Narrated by: Sam Waterston
Produced by: Ema Ryan Yamazaki, Emily Harrold
Executive Produced by: Marc Levin, Eric Nyari, Paul Davidson, Danielle DiGiacomo, Brad Navin
SYNOPSIS
Curious George is the most popular monkey in the world. Since his introduction in the first publication in 1941, the beloved series has sold over 75 million books in more than 25 languages. MONKEY BUSINESS explores the lesser-known tale of George’s creators, Hans and Margret Rey. Originally from Hamburg, Germany, the Reys first met when Hans was dating Margret’s older sister. Years later, having heard that Hans was wasting his artistic talents as a bookkeeper in Rio, Margret traveled to Brazil to persuade him to marry her and do something creative together. After their four-week honeymoon to Paris turned into a four-year residency, they accidentally became children’s book authors when a publisher suggested they create a book out of a cartoon Hans had drawn. Being German Jews, however, their life in Paris abruptly came to an end in June 1940 when the Reys were forced to escape from the Nazis by riding makeshift bicycles-a manuscript of the first Curious George book was one of the few possessions they could smuggle out with them. Arriving in New York as refugees, they started their life anew and over the next three decades they created a classic that continues to touch the hearts and minds of children around the world.

STORYBOARD ARTIST – THE LOUD HOUSE

STORYBOARD ARTIST – THE LOUD HOUSE

Apply HERE

# of Openings
1
Job Locations
US-CA-Burbank

Overview and Responsibilities

SUMMARY:

  • Nickelodeon Animation Studio is looking for a full-time Storyboard Artist for its hit animated series The Loud House! This positions is looking to start as quickly as possible (summer 2017). We are looking for someone who can easily grasp The Loud House’s style – cartoony, comic strip-inspired. Great staging. This show is script-driven. A brief test will be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Meet with creative supervisors to discuss objectives of storyboard; what is desired or to be achieved.
  • Create storyboards by implementing storytelling objectives.
  • Follow instructions of creative supervisors.
  • Address any problems with creative supervisors; ask necessary questions.
  • Communicate progress of work to creative supervisors and to appropriate production staff.
  • Ensure quality and style of show is consistently achieved in storyboard work.
  • Follow proper document management requirements (i.e., file naming and storage) according to the production’s guidelines.
  • Meet all deadlines as determined by Line Producer or Production Manager.
  • Attend and contribute to relevant meetings and pitches as needed.
  • Will required to pitch Storyboards.
  • Ensure all storyboard notes are added.

Basic Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Must demonstrate proficiency in style of show.
  • Strong staging and composition skills.
  • Understanding of subtext in character performance. Portfolio samples must demonstrate that all characters in a sequence do not behave the same. They are unique. Think about which character in a scene is dominant, which is submissive. What are the undercurrents? Whose scene is it?
  • Strong drawing and mechanical skills.
  • Knowledge of  applicable design software (Photoshop, Storyboard Pro) and hardware (Wacom Cintiq monitor and/or tablet).
  • Strong time-management skills.
  • Work well under pressure.
  • Ability to multitask a plus.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Relevant drawing experience necessary.
  • BA preferred.
  • Minimum of 1 year storyboard experience and/or training on a similar show; or equivalent combination of education and experience.