Posts from category "People"

Paramount Plucks King of the Hill Penners

March 3, 2005 by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

In a bid to beef up its series development efforts, Viacom’s Paramount is reportedly turning to the world of animation. Daily Variety reports that the studio has signed King of the Hill writers Aron Abrams and Greg Thompson to a two-year, seven-figure deal to write and produce new shows. Paramount [...]

Peter Jackson Takes New Line to Court

March 2, 2005 by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

The Fellowship of the Ring isn’t looking so chummy these days as director Peter Jackson files suit against distributor New Line Cinema over home entertainment profits for the first film in the blockbuster Lord of the Rings trilogy. The breach of contract and profit participation suit was filed Monday with [...]

Offutt Named SVP of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products

February 15, 2005 by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

New York-based Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products has appointed Brian Offutt senior VP in charge of Paramount properties. Offutt will be responsible for overseeing licensing and merchandising activities for Paramount’s consumer products business, which is now part of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. He will report to Nickelodeon & Viacom [...]

Animal Logic: Tigar Hare’s Michael Tigar and Dave Hare are Game for Animation

by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

As video games dominate the entertainment industry in terms of revenues generated and the sheer volume of product being brought to the market, many animation professionals have found lucrative and satisfying careers in feeding the constant demand for great visuals in the interactive arena. Such is the case with Dave [...]

HP CEO Fiorina Ousted

February 11, 2005 by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

Hewlett-Packard chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina has been relieved of her duties by the company’s board of directors. After five and a half years with HP, Fiorina was asked to resign, reportedly over her failure to make the company’s $21 billion purchase of Compaq Computers pay off. CFO Robert P. [...]

HP CEO Fiorina Ousted

February 10, 2005 by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

Miyazaki Golden at Venice

by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

With his latest animated feature, Howl’s Moving Castle, in release, critically acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is set to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 62nd Venice Int’l Film Festival (Aug. 31-Sept.10). This will be the first time the honor has gone to a director of animated [...]

Nancy Fowler Moving On Up at DIC

February 9, 2005 by Sarah Gurman No Comments divider image

DIC Ent. has promoted Nancy Fowler (formerly Bassett) to the newly created position of president, worldwide consumer products. Fowler joined DIC’s ranks in 2002 and most recently served as senior VP of worldwide consumer products. In her new role, Fowler will actively participate in the acquisition of new children’s properties [...]

Lucas Digital’s Morris Moves to Pixar

February 7, 2005 by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

In November, we reported that Lucas Digital president Jim Morris stepped down to pursue a career as a creative producer for computer-animated movies. Now Daily Variety reports that he has set up shop at Pixar. He will reportedly punch in on Feb. 14 and begin producing an animated feature for [...]

Finding Nemo Artist Lost at 35

February 3, 2005 by Ryan Ball No Comments divider image

Pixar character designer Dan Lee passed away Jan. 15 following 17-month battle with lung cancer. The 35-year-old had been with Emeryville, Calif.-based animation house since 1996, working on such enduring favorites as A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc. He recently contributed to the CG hit, Finding Nemo [...]