Fewer originals dedicated to kids and more free content on YouTube seem to comprise the current strategy for streamers like Netflix.
YouTube comprises a fascinating piece of the current media puzzle. The video hosting platform is a huge draw for audiences, especially those who are comfortable with streaming video as opposed to watching on linear TV. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal that indicates that YouTube’s share of streaming viewership among kids 2-11 is 33%, while Netflix’s is just 21%.
YouTube has a higher percentage of total TV time among all audience segments than any streaming service. The problem is particularly acute for streamers among kids, who are increasingly preferring YouTube to subscription video services. Streamers are combatting the trend by uploading more content to YouTube to meet customers where they are, and by making fewer originals geared toward kids. Why is YouTube Consistently Beating Top Streamers?...
YouTube comprises a fascinating piece of the current media puzzle. The video hosting platform is a huge draw for audiences, especially those who are comfortable with streaming video as opposed to watching on linear TV. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal that indicates that YouTube’s share of streaming viewership among kids 2-11 is 33%, while Netflix’s is just 21%.
YouTube has a higher percentage of total TV time among all audience segments than any streaming service. The problem is particularly acute for streamers among kids, who are increasingly preferring YouTube to subscription video services. Streamers are combatting the trend by uploading more content to YouTube to meet customers where they are, and by making fewer originals geared toward kids. Why is YouTube Consistently Beating Top Streamers?...
- 12/28/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Exclusive: BuzzFeed’s original digital properties are getting the longform treatment.
Original digital properties from the publisher’s BuzzFeed Animation Labs unit such as The Land of Boggs will be developed as longform series by Frederator Network, the digital channels operator.
Frederator Studios will get an exclusive first right to develop and produce the shows and be their global sales agent, with Director of Development Isabel Schultz leading the operation. The consumer products division of Genius Brands International, which is lead by Chief Brand Officer Kerry Phelan, and BuzzFeed will develop a retail program with BuzzFeed.
Genius Brands owns Frederator’s parent, Wow! Unlimited Media.
The Land of Boggs, a zany buddy comedy that has more than 10 million followers on social media, is the first getting developed.
Properties such as Good Advice Cupcake, which is an aggressively optimistic pastry and has 6 million followers; lowbrow sister comedy Weird Helga (9 million followers...
Original digital properties from the publisher’s BuzzFeed Animation Labs unit such as The Land of Boggs will be developed as longform series by Frederator Network, the digital channels operator.
Frederator Studios will get an exclusive first right to develop and produce the shows and be their global sales agent, with Director of Development Isabel Schultz leading the operation. The consumer products division of Genius Brands International, which is lead by Chief Brand Officer Kerry Phelan, and BuzzFeed will develop a retail program with BuzzFeed.
Genius Brands owns Frederator’s parent, Wow! Unlimited Media.
The Land of Boggs, a zany buddy comedy that has more than 10 million followers on social media, is the first getting developed.
Properties such as Good Advice Cupcake, which is an aggressively optimistic pastry and has 6 million followers; lowbrow sister comedy Weird Helga (9 million followers...
- 2/14/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Toho International, the U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s leading film studio Toho Co., has agreed to buy stakes in three animated productions owned by Frederator Network, part of Genius Brands International’s Wow! Unlimited Media.
The deal gives Toho International 50 ownership of two completed series – “Bee and PuppyCat,” and “Bravest Warriors” – and a similar stake in the “Catbug” series that is currently in development as a spin off from “Bravest Warriors.” Deal terms were not disclosed, though Genius Brands described it as “a multimillion-dollar investment.”
The agreement provides a framework for Frederator Network and Toho International to co-produce new content for the properties and to cooperatively develop a global consumer products campaign.
Genius Brands will oversee global distribution and consumer products development for the properties, excluding Asia, which will be handled by Toho International. A dedicated online store for “Bee and PuppyCat” was launched in September 2022, to coincide with the series’ release on Netflix.
The deal gives Toho International 50 ownership of two completed series – “Bee and PuppyCat,” and “Bravest Warriors” – and a similar stake in the “Catbug” series that is currently in development as a spin off from “Bravest Warriors.” Deal terms were not disclosed, though Genius Brands described it as “a multimillion-dollar investment.”
The agreement provides a framework for Frederator Network and Toho International to co-produce new content for the properties and to cooperatively develop a global consumer products campaign.
Genius Brands will oversee global distribution and consumer products development for the properties, excluding Asia, which will be handled by Toho International. A dedicated online store for “Bee and PuppyCat” was launched in September 2022, to coincide with the series’ release on Netflix.
- 1/5/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Genius Brands, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Smac Productions are developing and producing an animated space adventure series, titled “Blue Origins Space Rangers.”
The children’s series will feature a diverse group of global youth and include appearances by Bezos and “Good Morning America” star Michael Strahan, who completed his 10-minute flight to space aboard Blue Origin Ns-19 on Dec. 11, 2021. Mainframe Studios, an affiliate of Genius Brands, will produce the animation.
“One year ago, I watched my friend and business partner Michael Strahan become an astronaut. This extraordinary experience was the motivation for us to create ‘Blue Origin Space Rangers,’ a series that would inspire future astronauts,” Constance Schwartz-Morini, Smac Entertainment co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. “For our first project in the animated space, we couldn’t imagine two better partners than Blue Origin and Genius Brands to develop and bring this series to a distributor.”
Schwartz-Morini of...
The children’s series will feature a diverse group of global youth and include appearances by Bezos and “Good Morning America” star Michael Strahan, who completed his 10-minute flight to space aboard Blue Origin Ns-19 on Dec. 11, 2021. Mainframe Studios, an affiliate of Genius Brands, will produce the animation.
“One year ago, I watched my friend and business partner Michael Strahan become an astronaut. This extraordinary experience was the motivation for us to create ‘Blue Origin Space Rangers,’ a series that would inspire future astronauts,” Constance Schwartz-Morini, Smac Entertainment co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. “For our first project in the animated space, we couldn’t imagine two better partners than Blue Origin and Genius Brands to develop and bring this series to a distributor.”
Schwartz-Morini of...
- 12/12/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Genius Brands, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, and Smac Productions, the company founded by Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini, have partnered to develop and produce Blue Origin Space Rangers, an animated space adventure series for kids and families. The series will star a diverse group of global youth and include appearances by Strahan and Blue Origin founder Bezos. Mainframe Studios, an affiliate of Genius Brands, will produce the animation.
The announcement was made on the one one year anniversary of Strahan’s trip aboard Blue Origin Ns-19 on December 11, 2021.
In the series. described as a journey to explore the universe, science and new worlds, students will develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to tackle the challenges and opportunities of space for the benefit of Earth.
Schwartz-Morini of Smac Prods. and Andy Heyward of Genius Brands will serve as executive producers of the series. Michael Hirsh (Star Wars...
The announcement was made on the one one year anniversary of Strahan’s trip aboard Blue Origin Ns-19 on December 11, 2021.
In the series. described as a journey to explore the universe, science and new worlds, students will develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to tackle the challenges and opportunities of space for the benefit of Earth.
Schwartz-Morini of Smac Prods. and Andy Heyward of Genius Brands will serve as executive producers of the series. Michael Hirsh (Star Wars...
- 12/12/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Margaret Atwood and Ken Steacy’s historical graphic novel War Bears will come to televison. Wow! Unlimited Media has optioned the 2019 graphic novel for an animated series adaptation.
War Bears is a gloriously unique tale about a young comic book artist during World War 2, who creates a popular series featuring a Nazi-fighting superheroine known as Oursonette. The brave adventures of the female bear-warrior embody the freedom-fighting spirit of the allies.
“Ken Steacy illustrated War Bears given his WW2 interests and high standards of visual accuracy. We collaborated – although the main work on the script is his – and the rest is history. Comics history. How delightful that Ken is now working with Michael Hirsh and Wow! Media to bring our beloved she-bear, Oursonette, to life,” said Atwood.
Added Steacy: “Collaborating with Margaret Atwood on War Bears was a superlative experience as a visual storyteller. In the graphic novel’s afterword...
War Bears is a gloriously unique tale about a young comic book artist during World War 2, who creates a popular series featuring a Nazi-fighting superheroine known as Oursonette. The brave adventures of the female bear-warrior embody the freedom-fighting spirit of the allies.
“Ken Steacy illustrated War Bears given his WW2 interests and high standards of visual accuracy. We collaborated – although the main work on the script is his – and the rest is history. Comics history. How delightful that Ken is now working with Michael Hirsh and Wow! Media to bring our beloved she-bear, Oursonette, to life,” said Atwood.
Added Steacy: “Collaborating with Margaret Atwood on War Bears was a superlative experience as a visual storyteller. In the graphic novel’s afterword...
- 3/4/2022
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Andy Heyward’s Genius Brands has acquired Canadian animation production house Wow! Unlimited Media in a deal valued at $53 million.
Wow! brings to Genius a busy content operation that has produced mostly children’s programming for such outlets as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Peacock and studios such as Sony, Dreamworks, Moonbug and Mattel. Wow! also is home to the Channel Frederator Network, a streaming platform for animation creators. That will pair nicely under the Genius umbrella with its existing Kartoon Channel service.
Wow! said it had earnings of $5.1 million during the 12-month period from July 2020 to June 2021 on revenue of $56.4 million. The deal is a mixture of cash and stock. Genius also emphasized the importance of Wow!’s status as a Canadian firm in making the most of the country’s generous production incentives.
“The acquisition of Wow! substantially accelerates the financial growth of Genius Brands, delivering on our...
Wow! brings to Genius a busy content operation that has produced mostly children’s programming for such outlets as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Peacock and studios such as Sony, Dreamworks, Moonbug and Mattel. Wow! also is home to the Channel Frederator Network, a streaming platform for animation creators. That will pair nicely under the Genius umbrella with its existing Kartoon Channel service.
Wow! said it had earnings of $5.1 million during the 12-month period from July 2020 to June 2021 on revenue of $56.4 million. The deal is a mixture of cash and stock. Genius also emphasized the importance of Wow!’s status as a Canadian firm in making the most of the country’s generous production incentives.
“The acquisition of Wow! substantially accelerates the financial growth of Genius Brands, delivering on our...
- 10/27/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Genius Brands International has agreed to buy Canadian animation production house Wow! Unlimited Media for roughly $53 million in cash and stock.
Beverly Hill-based Genius and Vancouver-based Wow are publicly traded on, respectively, the Nasdaq and Toronto exchanges and shares of both were trending higher Wednesday morning.
Genius Brands CEO Andy Heyward said the merger will substantially accelerate financial growth and expansion in the global children’s entertainment market. The deal provides it access to various Canadian federal and provincial tax credits, which will allow Genius Brands to transfer its current animation production from China at great savings, he said.
Wow productions includes Adventure Time, FairlyOdd Parents, Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Castlevania (Frederator Studios) and Madagascar – a Little Wild, Barbie Dreamhouse (Mainframe Studios). Its CEO Michael Hirsh’s track record includes the first Star Wars animated programs, Magic School Bus, Care Bears, Babar, Johnny Test, and Beetlejuice, among others.
Wow also...
Beverly Hill-based Genius and Vancouver-based Wow are publicly traded on, respectively, the Nasdaq and Toronto exchanges and shares of both were trending higher Wednesday morning.
Genius Brands CEO Andy Heyward said the merger will substantially accelerate financial growth and expansion in the global children’s entertainment market. The deal provides it access to various Canadian federal and provincial tax credits, which will allow Genius Brands to transfer its current animation production from China at great savings, he said.
Wow productions includes Adventure Time, FairlyOdd Parents, Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Castlevania (Frederator Studios) and Madagascar – a Little Wild, Barbie Dreamhouse (Mainframe Studios). Its CEO Michael Hirsh’s track record includes the first Star Wars animated programs, Magic School Bus, Care Bears, Babar, Johnny Test, and Beetlejuice, among others.
Wow also...
- 10/27/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) crowned the winners from its 2020 awards ceremony today, with Babyteeh and Stateless dominating the film and TV categories respectively.
Shannon Murphy’s tragi-comedy Babyteeth was the big winner on the film side, scooping Best Film, Best Direction, Screenplay (Rita Kalnejais), Actor (Toby Wallace), Actress (Eliza Scanlen), Supporting Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) and Supporting Actress (Essie Davis).
On the TV side, Stateless, the series starring and created by Cate Blanchett, won Best Mini Series, Lead Actor (Fayssal Bazzi), Lead Actress (Yvonne Strahovski), Supporting Actor (Darren Gilshenan), Supporting Actress (Blanchett), Screenplay (Elise McCredie), and Direction (Emma Freeman).
Further winners included Rebel Wilson, who took Best Presenter for Lol: Last One Laughing Australia, and Tim Minchin, who won Comedy Performer for Upright.
Elsewhere, Better Days took Best Asian Film, the Bryon Kennedy Award was presented to The Babadook filmmaker Jennifer Kent, and Steve Bedwell, Bryan Cockerill...
Shannon Murphy’s tragi-comedy Babyteeth was the big winner on the film side, scooping Best Film, Best Direction, Screenplay (Rita Kalnejais), Actor (Toby Wallace), Actress (Eliza Scanlen), Supporting Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) and Supporting Actress (Essie Davis).
On the TV side, Stateless, the series starring and created by Cate Blanchett, won Best Mini Series, Lead Actor (Fayssal Bazzi), Lead Actress (Yvonne Strahovski), Supporting Actor (Darren Gilshenan), Supporting Actress (Blanchett), Screenplay (Elise McCredie), and Direction (Emma Freeman).
Further winners included Rebel Wilson, who took Best Presenter for Lol: Last One Laughing Australia, and Tim Minchin, who won Comedy Performer for Upright.
Elsewhere, Better Days took Best Asian Film, the Bryon Kennedy Award was presented to The Babadook filmmaker Jennifer Kent, and Steve Bedwell, Bryan Cockerill...
- 11/30/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
After almost 20 years of ‘X-Men’ films ended with a whimper, thanks to the tragically mediocre “Dark Phoenix,” it’s hard to believe that there was almost a time, decades prior that could have ruined the X-Men brand more than the combined efforts of Bryan Singer, Brett Ratner, and Simon Kinberg. But after reading a new report from Polygon, it’s absolutely true that well before the X-characters donned tight black leather costumes in 2000, the Marvel heroes were almost featured in a terrible film that would have likely been that decade’s “Batman & Robin.”
In a new profile, writers Chris Claremont and Gerry Conway, along with producer Michael Hirsh, detail the series of scripts that were dangerously close to production during the ‘80s, which would have seen the ‘X-Men’ franchise (hopefully) kickstart an era of Marvel films.
Continue reading Writers Talk Aborted ‘80s ‘X-Men’ Films Featuring Kitty Pryde, Proteus, A...
In a new profile, writers Chris Claremont and Gerry Conway, along with producer Michael Hirsh, detail the series of scripts that were dangerously close to production during the ‘80s, which would have seen the ‘X-Men’ franchise (hopefully) kickstart an era of Marvel films.
Continue reading Writers Talk Aborted ‘80s ‘X-Men’ Films Featuring Kitty Pryde, Proteus, A...
- 6/12/2019
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Bob Ezrin, the legendary rock producer who helped shape the sound of Pink Floyd’s The Wall, is partnering with Wow! Unlimited Media to create a slate of music-infused kids programming, including a series inspired by the ingenuity and music of Les Paul, the fret-master whose namesake electric guitar has been a beloved brand in the music world since the Truman administration.
Ezrin is famed for his envelope-pushing studio work alongside the likes of Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Nine Inch Nails, U2, Peter Gabriel, Jane’s Addiction, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Rod Stewart, and Kiss, to name just a few from a career discography that dates back to 1970 and his earliest work with Cooper. That pedigree make the Canadian music maven a unique creative asset as a partner, according to Wow Unlimited CEO Michael Hirsh.
“Wow! Unlimited Media aims to be one of the world’s leading producers of entertaining and educationally empowering kids programming,...
Ezrin is famed for his envelope-pushing studio work alongside the likes of Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Nine Inch Nails, U2, Peter Gabriel, Jane’s Addiction, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Rod Stewart, and Kiss, to name just a few from a career discography that dates back to 1970 and his earliest work with Cooper. That pedigree make the Canadian music maven a unique creative asset as a partner, according to Wow Unlimited CEO Michael Hirsh.
“Wow! Unlimited Media aims to be one of the world’s leading producers of entertaining and educationally empowering kids programming,...
- 4/23/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mark Taylor, a veteran of DreamWorks Television Animation and Nickelodeon, has been tapped by animation company Wow! Unlimited Media to steer studio partnerships.
Taylor will have the title of Consulting Executive Producer, Wow principals Michael Hirsh and Fred Siebert said in the announcement. He will leverage his relationships to benefit Wow’s animation outfits, Vancouver-based Rainmaker/Mainframe and Burbank-based Frederator Studios.
From his base at Frederator, Taylor will focus on identifying and implementing new animation development technologies and attracting top talent and projects. At DreamWorks, Taylor was the founding Evp and spearheaded the company’s expansion of its TV series production pipeline.
Prior to Dreamworks Animation, Taylor was the first General Manager and Svp of Nickelodeon Animation Studios, where he oversaw the production of several hit series. Among the shows he shepherded were Spongebob Squarepants, Nick Jr.’s Go Diego Go, Dora the Explorer, Ni Hao Kai-Lan, and Frederator productions The Fairly OddParents,...
Taylor will have the title of Consulting Executive Producer, Wow principals Michael Hirsh and Fred Siebert said in the announcement. He will leverage his relationships to benefit Wow’s animation outfits, Vancouver-based Rainmaker/Mainframe and Burbank-based Frederator Studios.
From his base at Frederator, Taylor will focus on identifying and implementing new animation development technologies and attracting top talent and projects. At DreamWorks, Taylor was the founding Evp and spearheaded the company’s expansion of its TV series production pipeline.
Prior to Dreamworks Animation, Taylor was the first General Manager and Svp of Nickelodeon Animation Studios, where he oversaw the production of several hit series. Among the shows he shepherded were Spongebob Squarepants, Nick Jr.’s Go Diego Go, Dora the Explorer, Ni Hao Kai-Lan, and Frederator productions The Fairly OddParents,...
- 2/6/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
John D. Lamond.
John D. Lamond, one of the pioneers of Australia’s Ozploitation film industry, died today in a nursing home on the Gold Coast, aged 71.
The producer-writer-director had been battling Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years.
Mark Hartley’s documentary Not Quite Hollywood celebrated Lamond’s idiosyncratic contributions to the Ozploitation genre and featured his tongue-in-cheek quote, “I’m told I treat women like a sex object. I suppose it’s true because I ask for sex – and they object.”
Hartley tells If: “He was a lovely guy, funny, cheeky, warm and irreverent, and so supportive of me. John, Tony Ginnane, Brian Trenchard-Smith and Richard Franklin kept egging me on to make Not Quite Hollywood.
“He was always totally unapologetic about his films and he had no reason to be apologetic. It was only when he tried to make more commercial films that his finger wasn’t on the pulse.
John D. Lamond, one of the pioneers of Australia’s Ozploitation film industry, died today in a nursing home on the Gold Coast, aged 71.
The producer-writer-director had been battling Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years.
Mark Hartley’s documentary Not Quite Hollywood celebrated Lamond’s idiosyncratic contributions to the Ozploitation genre and featured his tongue-in-cheek quote, “I’m told I treat women like a sex object. I suppose it’s true because I ask for sex – and they object.”
Hartley tells If: “He was a lovely guy, funny, cheeky, warm and irreverent, and so supportive of me. John, Tony Ginnane, Brian Trenchard-Smith and Richard Franklin kept egging me on to make Not Quite Hollywood.
“He was always totally unapologetic about his films and he had no reason to be apologetic. It was only when he tried to make more commercial films that his finger wasn’t on the pulse.
- 10/24/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
CBS Studios International has snapped up the global format rights to Network Ten’s quiz show Have You Been Paying Attention?
Created by Working Dog Productions, the show is in its sixth season and ranks as the CBS-owned network’s third-highest rating series behind MasterChef Australia and The Bachelor Australia.
It’s the first Australian format acquired by the sales division of the Us studio, which will sell the format to global broadcasters alongside Wheel of Fortune and America’s Next Top Model.
In the current series host Tom Gleisner and regulars Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang are joined by The Project’s Pete Helliar, Jane Kennedy and stand-up comedian Anne Edmonds.
Last night’s episode won its timeslot, averaging 1.02 million viewers nationally, and was Ten’s most watched show of the night.
“This agreement is a terrific example of the new synergies we have in Australia since acquiring...
Created by Working Dog Productions, the show is in its sixth season and ranks as the CBS-owned network’s third-highest rating series behind MasterChef Australia and The Bachelor Australia.
It’s the first Australian format acquired by the sales division of the Us studio, which will sell the format to global broadcasters alongside Wheel of Fortune and America’s Next Top Model.
In the current series host Tom Gleisner and regulars Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang are joined by The Project’s Pete Helliar, Jane Kennedy and stand-up comedian Anne Edmonds.
Last night’s episode won its timeslot, averaging 1.02 million viewers nationally, and was Ten’s most watched show of the night.
“This agreement is a terrific example of the new synergies we have in Australia since acquiring...
- 10/22/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
CBS Studios International has snapped up the global rights to Australian quiz show Have You Been Paying Attention? The move is a rare international pick up for the sales division of the U.S. studio, which will sell the format to global broadcasters alongside Wheel of Fortune and America’s Next Top Model.
The show airs on CBS-owned Network Ten in Australia and is currently in its sixth season. The quiz show, which is the highest rated in the genre domestically and the channel’s third highest rating show behind Masterchef Australia and The Bachelor Australia, sees a host ask well-known and well-informed guests, made up of comedians, radio presenters and TV stars, questions about the news of the week.
It is produced by Working Dog Productions, the Australian indie behind improvised comedy Thank God You’re Here. It comes after CBS acquired Network Ten last year.
“Hybpa? joins...
The show airs on CBS-owned Network Ten in Australia and is currently in its sixth season. The quiz show, which is the highest rated in the genre domestically and the channel’s third highest rating show behind Masterchef Australia and The Bachelor Australia, sees a host ask well-known and well-informed guests, made up of comedians, radio presenters and TV stars, questions about the news of the week.
It is produced by Working Dog Productions, the Australian indie behind improvised comedy Thank God You’re Here. It comes after CBS acquired Network Ten last year.
“Hybpa? joins...
- 10/22/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
You can get your howl on when Another WolfCop is released in theaters this December, but you can watch the opening scene from the hairy horror film right now.
Watch the official opening scene below (via EW), and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on Another WolfCop, which is slated to come out in Us theaters beginning December 1st and Canadian cinemas on December 8th. In case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's Fantasia interview with writer/director Lowell Dean.
"Synopsis: A month has passed since the eclipse transformed hard-drinking Officer Lou Garou into the crime fighting hellion WolfCop. Although the Shape Shifters controlling the town have been extinguished, Woodhaven is far from returning to normal. Lou’s liquor-fueled antics and full moon outbursts are seriously testing his relationship with Officer Tina Walsh – the new Chief of Police. An old friend has mysteriously reappeared with a truly bizarre secret to share,...
Watch the official opening scene below (via EW), and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on Another WolfCop, which is slated to come out in Us theaters beginning December 1st and Canadian cinemas on December 8th. In case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's Fantasia interview with writer/director Lowell Dean.
"Synopsis: A month has passed since the eclipse transformed hard-drinking Officer Lou Garou into the crime fighting hellion WolfCop. Although the Shape Shifters controlling the town have been extinguished, Woodhaven is far from returning to normal. Lou’s liquor-fueled antics and full moon outbursts are seriously testing his relationship with Officer Tina Walsh – the new Chief of Police. An old friend has mysteriously reappeared with a truly bizarre secret to share,...
- 11/16/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Lycanthrope Cop Lou Garou Returns to Take a Bite Out of Crime in the New Trailer for Another Wolfcop
After taking a bite out of crime (literally) in 2014's WolfCop, alcoholic lycanthrope Lou Garou returns for a second round of hairy misadventures in Another WolfCop, which is teased in a new trailer ahead of its December theatrical release from Parade Deck Films.
Keep your eyes peeled for bullets, liquor donuts, and Kevin Smith in the official trailer below (via EW), and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on Another WolfCop, which is slated to come out in Us theaters beginning December 1st and Canadian cinemas on December 8th. In case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's Fantasia interview with writer/director Lowell Dean.
"Synopsis: A month has passed since the eclipse transformed hard-drinking Officer Lou Garou into the crime fighting hellion WolfCop. Although the Shape Shifters controlling the town have been extinguished, Woodhaven is far from returning to normal. Lou’s liquor-fueled antics and full moon...
Keep your eyes peeled for bullets, liquor donuts, and Kevin Smith in the official trailer below (via EW), and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on Another WolfCop, which is slated to come out in Us theaters beginning December 1st and Canadian cinemas on December 8th. In case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's Fantasia interview with writer/director Lowell Dean.
"Synopsis: A month has passed since the eclipse transformed hard-drinking Officer Lou Garou into the crime fighting hellion WolfCop. Although the Shape Shifters controlling the town have been extinguished, Woodhaven is far from returning to normal. Lou’s liquor-fueled antics and full moon...
- 11/9/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
If you've been howling at the moon with anticipation for the further hairy adventures of lycanthrope Lou Garou and you live north of the Us border, then you're in luck, because Vortex Words + Pictures has teamed up withA71 Entertainment and Black Fawn Distribution to release Another WolfCop (read Heather Wixson's interview with director Lowell Dean here) in Canadian theaters on December 8th before bringing the sequel to Blu-ray, DVD, and digital platforms in 2018:
Press Release: Toronto, Canada (August 30, 2017) – Vortex Words + Pictures have announced a new partnership with A71 Entertainment and Black Fawn Distribution to release the outrageously funny horror sequel, Another WolfCop in Canada. The film is a direct sequel to the 2014 festival cult hit WolfCop. Leo Fafard returns as WolfCop, with Yannick Bisson (TV’s Murdoch Mysteries) starring as super villain Sydney Swallows. The film also features special appearances from Canadian music icon Gowan and legendary filmmaker Kevin Smith.
Press Release: Toronto, Canada (August 30, 2017) – Vortex Words + Pictures have announced a new partnership with A71 Entertainment and Black Fawn Distribution to release the outrageously funny horror sequel, Another WolfCop in Canada. The film is a direct sequel to the 2014 festival cult hit WolfCop. Leo Fafard returns as WolfCop, with Yannick Bisson (TV’s Murdoch Mysteries) starring as super villain Sydney Swallows. The film also features special appearances from Canadian music icon Gowan and legendary filmmaker Kevin Smith.
- 8/30/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
This week, Netflix made of slew of announcements regarding their new and returning shows. Among the original series that are on its 2017 slate is a miniseries based on the Konami video game “Castlevania.”
The streaming service didn’t reveal any specific details, but according to Polygon and Imbd, Warren Ellis, known for writing “Iron Man 3” and “Red,” wrote the first season.
Producing the series is “Dredd” producer Adi Shankar, who wrote on Facebook, “I’m producing a super violent ‘Castlevania’ miniseries with my homies Fred Seibert and Kevin Klonde. It’s going to be dark, satirical, and after a decade of propaganda it will flip the vampire sub-genre on its head.”
Additionally, animator Michael Hirsh, whose studio Wow Unlimited Media is producing the series with Netflix, told the Globe and Mail that “Castlevania” is targeted towards a younger audience and his studio hopes to create “platforms that focus on youth.
The streaming service didn’t reveal any specific details, but according to Polygon and Imbd, Warren Ellis, known for writing “Iron Man 3” and “Red,” wrote the first season.
Producing the series is “Dredd” producer Adi Shankar, who wrote on Facebook, “I’m producing a super violent ‘Castlevania’ miniseries with my homies Fred Seibert and Kevin Klonde. It’s going to be dark, satirical, and after a decade of propaganda it will flip the vampire sub-genre on its head.”
Additionally, animator Michael Hirsh, whose studio Wow Unlimited Media is producing the series with Netflix, told the Globe and Mail that “Castlevania” is targeted towards a younger audience and his studio hopes to create “platforms that focus on youth.
- 2/10/2017
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Politico magazine national editor Michael Hirsh resigned on Tuesday after posting the addresses of an alt-right leader on Facebook. Hirsh published the home addresses of white supremacist Richard Spencer on Tuesday morning, calling on his followers to “exercise your rights as decent Americans.” In a separate post, Hirsh threatened to bring baseball bats to Spencer’s home. Both posts have since been deleted, but were captured by the Daily Caller. Also Read: Here's Why the Election's End is Very Bad News for CNN, MSNBC and Politico “Stop whining about Richard B. Spencer, Nazi, and exercise your rights as decent Americans,...
- 11/23/2016
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
With its latest move, Frederator Studios is saying “Wow!” The animation company, led by veteran TV and digital media exec Fred Seibert, has been acquired by Rainmaker Entertainment. The result of the deal will be a merger that will combine Rainmaker, Frederator, and Ezrin Hirsh Entertainment to form a new venture called Wow! Unlimited Media.
The deal will combine three studios that all work in the animation industry but inhabit very different niches within it. Rainmaker, based in Vancouver, is best known for producing the 90s cult-classic ReBoot, which was the first ever CG-animated TV series. Frederator, which has offices in Burbank in New York, has parlayed Seibert’s success on TV channels like Nickelodeon into a massive digital network that serves animators around the globe and counts hundreds of millions of views per month. Toronto-based Ezrin Hrish is co-founded by the so-called “father of Canadian animation,” Michael Hirsh. Hirsh...
The deal will combine three studios that all work in the animation industry but inhabit very different niches within it. Rainmaker, based in Vancouver, is best known for producing the 90s cult-classic ReBoot, which was the first ever CG-animated TV series. Frederator, which has offices in Burbank in New York, has parlayed Seibert’s success on TV channels like Nickelodeon into a massive digital network that serves animators around the globe and counts hundreds of millions of views per month. Toronto-based Ezrin Hrish is co-founded by the so-called “father of Canadian animation,” Michael Hirsh. Hirsh...
- 10/27/2016
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Pacific Heat.
Pacific Heat, dubbed Australia.s first adult animation, will premiere on the Comedy Channel November 27.
Set on the Gold Coast, Pacific Heat is the brainchild of Working Dog Production.s Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch and Michael Hirsh.
The 13-part comedy series is based on the exploits of an undercover special unit known as 'Pacific Heat', established by police authorities to tackle everyone from petty crooks to international drug cartels. Unconventional, uncompromising and with an arrest rate second to none, the team are not afraid to operate outside the law — provided at least one of them is wearing a fluorescent safety vest.
Characters are voiced by Sitch, Cilauro and Gleisner along with Rebecca Massey and Lucia Mastrantone.
Commissioned for Foxtel, the show has also. been picked up by Netflix for the Us, Canada and Ireland, where it will go online in early December.
.Adult animation has always...
Pacific Heat, dubbed Australia.s first adult animation, will premiere on the Comedy Channel November 27.
Set on the Gold Coast, Pacific Heat is the brainchild of Working Dog Production.s Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch and Michael Hirsh.
The 13-part comedy series is based on the exploits of an undercover special unit known as 'Pacific Heat', established by police authorities to tackle everyone from petty crooks to international drug cartels. Unconventional, uncompromising and with an arrest rate second to none, the team are not afraid to operate outside the law — provided at least one of them is wearing a fluorescent safety vest.
Characters are voiced by Sitch, Cilauro and Gleisner along with Rebecca Massey and Lucia Mastrantone.
Commissioned for Foxtel, the show has also. been picked up by Netflix for the Us, Canada and Ireland, where it will go online in early December.
.Adult animation has always...
- 10/5/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe-Directed Movie Up for Australian Film Award; Crowe Shortlisted Only in Acting Category
Director Russell Crowe Movie up for Best Film: Australian Academy Awards 2015 nominations (photo: Actor-director Russell Crowe in 'The Water Diviner') Aacta Awards: Feature Film Categories Best Film The Babadook Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere Charlie's Country Nils Erik Nielsen, Peter Djigirr and Rolf de Heer Predestination Paddy McDonald, Tim McGahan, Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Railway Man Chris Brown, Andy Paterson and Bill Curbishley Tracks Emile Sherman and Iain Canning The Water Diviner Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum Best Director The Babadook Jennifer Kent Charlie's Country Rolf de Heer Predestination Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Rover David Michôd Best Actress Kate Box The Little Death Essie Davis The Babadook Sarah Snook Predestination Mia Wasikowska Tracks Best Actor Russell Crowe The Water Diviner David Gulpilil Charlie's Country Damon Herriman The Little Death Guy Pearce The Rover Best Supporting Actor Patrick Brammall The Little Death Yilmaz Erdogan...
- 12/3/2014
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Los Angeles (AP) — Roger Corman's campy B movies, children's shows like "Sesame Street" and "Inspector Gadget," and inspirational monologues by celebrities — these are among the offerings on 30 channels that will soon require a paid monthly subscription on YouTube.
Although the world's largest video site has rented and sold movies and TV shows from major studios since late 2008, most people watch videos on YouTube for free.
It's the first time YouTube is introducing all-you-can-watch channels that require a monthly fee. The least expensive of the channels will cost 99 cents a month but the average price is around $2.99.
In the field of paid video content online, YouTube is playing catch up to services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, all of which have millions of paying customers.
But with a billion monthly visitors from around the globe, the Google-owned video service hopes to quickly add subscribers and add to the money it already makes from online advertising.
Although the world's largest video site has rented and sold movies and TV shows from major studios since late 2008, most people watch videos on YouTube for free.
It's the first time YouTube is introducing all-you-can-watch channels that require a monthly fee. The least expensive of the channels will cost 99 cents a month but the average price is around $2.99.
In the field of paid video content online, YouTube is playing catch up to services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, all of which have millions of paying customers.
But with a billion monthly visitors from around the globe, the Google-owned video service hopes to quickly add subscribers and add to the money it already makes from online advertising.
- 5/10/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Toronto – Veteran Canadian cartoon producer Michael Hirsh recalls kids book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, who died early Tuesday, aged 83 years, as an enduring TV industry icon. "To those of us who have worked in children's storytelling all of our lives, Maurice Sendak was the giant--our Tolstoy, our Einstein, our Ghandi, our Mozart,” Hirsh told The Hollywood Reporter. While with Nelvana during the 1990s, Hirsh produced Little Bear, a TV version of books Sendak illustrated early in his career. He recalled Sendak, as an executive producer on the Nickelodeon cartoon series, being very hands on, not
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- 5/8/2012
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There’s a subgenre of modern television that blends the procedural tradition — weekly investigative stories with plots that wrap up in an hour — with the expansive narrative possibilities of a serialized drama. On paper, this mix seems like a can’t-miss formula for success: It’s Lost meets CSI! And the best practitioners of the “serialsodic” style can create great television that feels at once classical and modern: Think Justified, or Fringe, or The Good Wife, which can all serve up a tasty one-and-done episode plot while constantly building their overarching stories. The twist is that serialsodic shows rarely do well in the ratings.
- 3/27/2012
- by Darren Franich
- EW.com - PopWatch
New York City's ban on smoking in public parks goes into effect next week, and the folks at Ripley's Believe It Or Not! thought they'd conjured the perfect stunt to drive home an anti-smoking message -- Richie "The Human Ashtray" Magic would show the world just how gross smoking could be by extinguishing 200 cigarettes on his pain-proof tongue.
But AOL Weird News has learned that the May 23 event was abruptly cancelled after the sideshow performer admitted to AOL that he had fallen off the wagon and started smoking again.
"We admire Richie for his courageous attempt to bring to light the harmful effects of smoking in such an outrageous fashion," said Michael Hirsch, general manager of Ripley's Times Square Odditorium, in a prepared statement.
"We support Richie in his pursuit for a new world record. However, as Richie is still -- like many others -- battling his addiction to smoking,...
But AOL Weird News has learned that the May 23 event was abruptly cancelled after the sideshow performer admitted to AOL that he had fallen off the wagon and started smoking again.
"We admire Richie for his courageous attempt to bring to light the harmful effects of smoking in such an outrageous fashion," said Michael Hirsch, general manager of Ripley's Times Square Odditorium, in a prepared statement.
"We support Richie in his pursuit for a new world record. However, as Richie is still -- like many others -- battling his addiction to smoking,...
- 5/19/2011
- by Michael McLaughlin
- Huffington Post
Toronto -- After the "Cat in the Hat," Portfolio Entertainment has pulled out a rabbit with a flourish by hiring veteran Louis Fournier to take the Canadian indie distributor to the next level.
He has the credentials. Fournier was head of distribution at Cinar Corp., the creator of animated hits like "Arthur," "Caillou" and "Mona the Vampire," before the Canadian animation house, felled by a financial scandal, was sold in 2004 to a consortium led by former Nelvana co-founder Michael Hirsh and renamed the Cookie Jar Entertainment.
After moving from Montreal indie producers Galafilm to Tribal Nova, Fournier now lands in Toronto to fill the newly created post of vp sales and acquisitions at Portfolio Entertainment.
Portfolio, founded and run since 1991 by Joy Rosen and Lisa Olfman, has been a mainstay at the two MIPs and other TV markets but has never stood out with a calling-card series.
That changed when...
He has the credentials. Fournier was head of distribution at Cinar Corp., the creator of animated hits like "Arthur," "Caillou" and "Mona the Vampire," before the Canadian animation house, felled by a financial scandal, was sold in 2004 to a consortium led by former Nelvana co-founder Michael Hirsh and renamed the Cookie Jar Entertainment.
After moving from Montreal indie producers Galafilm to Tribal Nova, Fournier now lands in Toronto to fill the newly created post of vp sales and acquisitions at Portfolio Entertainment.
Portfolio, founded and run since 1991 by Joy Rosen and Lisa Olfman, has been a mainstay at the two MIPs and other TV markets but has never stood out with a calling-card series.
That changed when...
- 9/7/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto -- Canadian animation producer Cookie Jar Entertainment has stepped up its push into live-action comedy with a Cartoon Network pilot from scribe Steven de Souza ("Die Hard," "48 Hours").
The new live-action programming remit also has Cookie Jar developing "Decidedly Debra" for Family Channel Canada, a tween live-action comedy from the veteran Los Angeles comedy writing team of Andrew Nicholls and Darrell Vickers.
The Family Channel pilot, to be directed by Stacey Curtis ("Majority Rules!") with Peter Benison ("The Wild Girl") as director of photography, follows 14-year-old Debra, who sprinkles her magic and special skills to bring out the best in people.
Cookie Jar's live-action development slate also includes a primetime young adult romantic comedy for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. set in a Montreal coffee shop.
While the Canadian producer's lineup is still mostly animation -- Cookie Jar showcased at Miptv the new animated series "Doodlebops Rockin' Road Show" and new seasons of "Caillou,...
The new live-action programming remit also has Cookie Jar developing "Decidedly Debra" for Family Channel Canada, a tween live-action comedy from the veteran Los Angeles comedy writing team of Andrew Nicholls and Darrell Vickers.
The Family Channel pilot, to be directed by Stacey Curtis ("Majority Rules!") with Peter Benison ("The Wild Girl") as director of photography, follows 14-year-old Debra, who sprinkles her magic and special skills to bring out the best in people.
Cookie Jar's live-action development slate also includes a primetime young adult romantic comedy for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. set in a Montreal coffee shop.
While the Canadian producer's lineup is still mostly animation -- Cookie Jar showcased at Miptv the new animated series "Doodlebops Rockin' Road Show" and new seasons of "Caillou,...
- 4/16/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Canada's Cookie Jar Entertainment will eliminate jobs following its recent acquisition of Us-based Dic Entertainment for $87.6 million, per THR. The report cites Cookie Jar CEO Michael Hirsh explaining that a full "integration plan" will be announced on August 26, with most of the cuts expected to hit the Dic offices. A separate deal with Andy Heyward, Dic founder, has already been struck.
http://enews.cynopsis.com/html.asp?XZY1133373UTF60...
http://enews.cynopsis.com/html.asp?XZY1133373UTF60...
- 8/14/2008
- by gwen@cynopsis.com
Toronto -- Canadian cartoon producer Cookie Jar Entertainment is poised to cut jobs at DIC Entertainment soon after it acquired the U.S. global brand management company for $87.6 million.
Cookie Jar CEO Michael Hirsh on Tuesday gave few details on the pending layoffs but did say an "integration plan" will be unveiled by Aug. 26.
"We will treat everyone fairly, and we intend to keep our word," Hirsh said.
Most of the job cuts are expected to come from DIC's corporate office in Burbank, where Cookie Jar already has relocated its Los Angeles-based subsidiary.
Hirsh said the downsizing aims to reduce duplication between Cookie Jar and DIC, the latter of which has about 220 employees, including about 100 at Copyright Promotions, the European-based licensing agency that DIC acquired two years ago.
Hirsh added that DIC founder Andy Heyward will remain with the company under a new contract after he returns from a holiday.
Hirsh argued DIC has strengths that include a "highly talented team." But he insisted DIC employees recognize their "company was not viable in its current state."
Cookie Jar's acquisition of DIC follows the U.S. company retaining Bear Stearns to explore strategic alternatives for the U.S. company.
After several rounds of bidding by potential suitors, DIC and its bankers in mid-May opened exclusive negotiations with Cookie Jar and its team, which included Los Angeles-based president and Coo Toper Taylor and Cfo Scott McCaw.
Kimberly Nordyke in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Cookie Jar CEO Michael Hirsh on Tuesday gave few details on the pending layoffs but did say an "integration plan" will be unveiled by Aug. 26.
"We will treat everyone fairly, and we intend to keep our word," Hirsh said.
Most of the job cuts are expected to come from DIC's corporate office in Burbank, where Cookie Jar already has relocated its Los Angeles-based subsidiary.
Hirsh said the downsizing aims to reduce duplication between Cookie Jar and DIC, the latter of which has about 220 employees, including about 100 at Copyright Promotions, the European-based licensing agency that DIC acquired two years ago.
Hirsh added that DIC founder Andy Heyward will remain with the company under a new contract after he returns from a holiday.
Hirsh argued DIC has strengths that include a "highly talented team." But he insisted DIC employees recognize their "company was not viable in its current state."
Cookie Jar's acquisition of DIC follows the U.S. company retaining Bear Stearns to explore strategic alternatives for the U.S. company.
After several rounds of bidding by potential suitors, DIC and its bankers in mid-May opened exclusive negotiations with Cookie Jar and its team, which included Los Angeles-based president and Coo Toper Taylor and Cfo Scott McCaw.
Kimberly Nordyke in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
- 8/13/2008
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto -- A $193.5 million deal with American Greetings for its Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears properties has cleared the way for animation producer Cookie Jar Entertainment to acquire Dic Entertainment Holdings.
Cookie Jar unveiled the $87.6 million merger with Burbank-based Dic on June 20 but was blocked from concluding the deal after American Greetings secured a temporary injunction. Dic had distributed Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears on behalf of American Greetings, and the properties have generated about $5 billion in retail sales of licensed product the past five years.
The litigation has been dismissed after Cookie Jar's acquisition of the rights to Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. As part of the deal, Toronto-based Cookie Jar also picks up Sushi Pack, a property co-produced by American Greetings and Dic.
The separate Cookie Jar-dic merger will create an indie animation and brand management giant with a library of 6,000 half-hours of programming. Cookie Jar CEO Michael Hirsh said his company will rank among the top three indie animation producers worldwide.
"We're looking to establish worldwide leadership in the kids arenas, and these deals are important steps in achieving that goal," he said.
Cookie Jar must secure financing for the Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bear properties before the American Greetings deal can close at the end of September.
Cookie Jar unveiled the $87.6 million merger with Burbank-based Dic on June 20 but was blocked from concluding the deal after American Greetings secured a temporary injunction. Dic had distributed Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears on behalf of American Greetings, and the properties have generated about $5 billion in retail sales of licensed product the past five years.
The litigation has been dismissed after Cookie Jar's acquisition of the rights to Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. As part of the deal, Toronto-based Cookie Jar also picks up Sushi Pack, a property co-produced by American Greetings and Dic.
The separate Cookie Jar-dic merger will create an indie animation and brand management giant with a library of 6,000 half-hours of programming. Cookie Jar CEO Michael Hirsh said his company will rank among the top three indie animation producers worldwide.
"We're looking to establish worldwide leadership in the kids arenas, and these deals are important steps in achieving that goal," he said.
Cookie Jar must secure financing for the Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bear properties before the American Greetings deal can close at the end of September.
- 7/23/2008
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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