Commentary &Daily post 15 May 2009 08:04 am
Totally TV – I mean, 3D
- A couple of news events have passed by the Arts pages of the New York Times.
Up had its premiere screening last night as it opened the Cannes Film Festival. It’s the first animated film to have had that honor – of opening the Festival. A lot of critics seem to be guessing that it’s because so many of the films in the competition screenings (Up is not in competition) are severe downers, and they needed something positive to open the Festival.
Lasseter is quoted as saying that he is “looking forward to seeing that great image of all these people tonight in their tuxedos, bow ties and gowns, wearing 3-D glasses in that big theater,” he said. “That’s going to be a good picture.” This according to the NYDaily News
The Sydney Morning Herald featured this review:
THE most opulent film festival in the world showed it was up to the technological minute on Wednesday when it opened with Up, the new 3D animation from Pixar Studios. As an audience studded with stars walked the red carpet, they were invited to accessorise their tuxedos and ball gowns with a pair of polarised plastic glasses.
It was the first time the festival had opened with an animated film, which caused ripples of horror among the faithful when the program was announced. Judging by the sounds of sniffing that preceded fierce applause, however, Up won them over.
“Walt Disney always said for every laugh there should be a tear,” said the creative head of Pixar, John Lasseter, at a press conference during the day. Walt’s formula is still working.
In case you want a few clues about what Toy Story 3 will be about, read this article in the NYTimes.
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The animated series Sit Down, Shut Up is down and out. According to the NYTimes and Variety, Fox has decided to cancel this animated sitcom which recently made its debut. They’ve chosen even to passing on airing the last episode produced. Apparently, sandwiched between The Simpsons and Family Guy, it was losing audience for both of those shows.
I recently saw Jason Bateman and David Cross together on the subway and wondered if they were recording anything for this show in NY. Of course, that’s ridiculous; it would’ve been done months ago..
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Finally, the Times had an article about the new show Dreamworks is preparing for Nickelodeon. Kung Fu Panda will now join the Madagascar Penguins on the Nick schedule.
This is probably good news for those working at Dreamworks. Many considered the film the best of the cg films out of that studio, and now it can go on forever. Hopefully, Jack Black will remain involved with it. It might have been nice if they had gone with the 2D style of the credit sequences. At least, do something to keep the movie special.
on 15 May 2009 at 1:16 pm 1.Charles Brubaker said …
Can’t say no one was surprised at Sit Down’s demise.
I’ll admit, I’m one of the few who liked the designs in the show. But man, the writing needed work.
Oh well. The odds are Adult Swim will pick it up and the show will gain cult following there.
on 16 May 2009 at 5:34 am 2.Jenny said …
I think the TV series derived from “Panda” will all be done at an outside studio–Nick-by the artists employed there-definitely good news for them. The feature staff have their hands full with a big slate of projects in all stages of work-development, middle, beginning and (almost) finished. Story work on the next Kung Fu Panda film was begun a year ago.
Given the talents on the film sequel, it will remain special, absolutely. A lot of examples are in the “art of” book and speak to that.
on 17 May 2009 at 11:23 pm 3.Mac said …
Kung Fu Panda, while not perfect, definitely was an enjoyable film for me to watch. It had the all-star voice actors like all of the Dreamworks movies but it also had some really nice animation and writing. I don’t think there will be a problem with the TV show equaling the quality of animation and writing in the film, but I do hope they produce something worth watching.