ITV

Tag: Dreamworks

  • Twenty one animated films vying for Academy honours

    Twenty one animated films vying for Academy honours

    MUMBAI: A record twenty one animated features have been submitted for Oscar consideration.
    Computer-animated films continue to dominate, generating big box office as four of the year‘s top 10 highest-grossing films have been computer generated creations. For the first time, stop-motion animation films also had a big year with more than one of the nominees in the feature animation category, being a stop-motion film. Several small time producers at home and overseas served up traditional, hand-drawn fare.
    CGI

    Since Pixar‘s Toy Story became the first feature-length computer-animated film released way back in 1995, CG has been used to produce a string of animated hits. This year, Disney offered Pixar‘s Brave and Disney Animation‘s Wreck-It Ralph; DreamWorks Animation fielded both Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted and Rise of the Guardians which opened on 21 November; and Fox/Blue Sky Studio‘s Ice Age: Continental Drift, Universal/Illumination‘s Dr. Seuss‘ The Lorax and Sony Pictures Animation‘s Hotel Transylvania all hit it big.
    Stop-Motion

    Among the hopefuls this year are Tim Burton‘s Frankenweenie, which to date has grossed $63.2 million worldwide for Disney. Producer Laika‘s sophomore feature ParaNorman that has collected $97.3 million worldwide is the second film in the category. They are followed by director Peter Lord‘s The Pirates! Band of Misfits.

    Hand drawn

    This year, contenders include three hand-drawn features from GKIDS Films, the New York-based distributor that crashed the Oscar party one year ago with the surprise animated feature nominations for Chico and Rita and A Cat in Paris, grabbing slots that many expected to go to more high-profile contenders such as Steven Spielberg‘s The Adventures of Tintin.

    GKIDS is putting up for consideration From Up on Poppy Hill from Studio Ghibli, The Rabbi‘s Cat, and Zarafa. Rounding up the list of contenders in the category are Walter & Tandoori‘s Christmas and The Mystical Laws.

  • Dominic Cooper to star with Aaron Paul in Need for Speed

    Dominic Cooper to star with Aaron Paul in Need for Speed

    MUMBAI: Dominic Cooper, better known for his role in Mamma Mia, is in talks to star alongside Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots in Dreamworks‘ Need for Speed.
    The 34-year-old star is in negotiations to appear in the forthcoming motoring film based on the Electronic Arts video game of the same name, it is reported.
    Cooper is up to play the role of Dino, a former NASCAR driver, who also modifies supercars for wealthy clients while Paul plays an underground racing driver who has diversified into running a garage which modifies luxury cars to boost their power.
    However, he is framed for the murder of his friend who dies during a race. After coming out of prison, he swears revenge on those responsible for his friend‘s death and his wrongful imprisonment.
    The film will go on the floors next year and will release in February, 2014.

  • Court approves $ 18.5 mn. settlement in accident case while shoot

    Court approves $ 18.5 mn. settlement in accident case while shoot

    MUMBAI: An Illinois Court has approved a $18.5 million settlement for 26-year old Gabriella Cedillo who was critically injured during production of Paramount‘s Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

    Cedillo was among a group of extras driving in an uninhabited portion of Hammond, Ind. in September 2010 during production of the film which went on to gross more than $1 billion in 2011.

    A cable pulling a stunt car apparently snapped and crashed through the windshield of her car. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery for a head injury. But despite the medical attention, the woman still has brain impairment, it is understood.

    Cedillo‘s attorneys blamed Paramount and DreamWorks, filing lawsuits to cover medical bills that were said to have reached $350,000 and seeking punitive damages. But the litigation has settled with an Illinois judge approving.

    Cedillo was among a group of extras driving in an uninhabited portion of Hammond, Ind. in September 2010 during production of the film which went on to gross more than $1 billion in 2011.

    A cable pulling a stunt car apparently snapped and crashed through the windshield of her car. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery for a head injury. But despite the medical attention, the woman still has brain impairment, it is understood.

    Cedillo‘s attorneys blamed Paramount and DreamWorks, filing lawsuits to cover medical bills that were said to have reached $350,000 and seeking punitive damages. But the litigation has settled with an Illinois judge approving.

  • Puss in the Boots drives DreamWorks’ first quarter results

    Puss in the Boots drives DreamWorks’ first quarter results

    MUMBAI: DreamWorks Animation SKG (DWA) has reported total revenue of $136.1 million and net income of $9.1 million for its first quarter ended 31 March, driven primarily by the success of Puss in the Boots.
    The animated action comedy film, which has grossed approximately $554 million in worldwide box office to date, contributed $73.6 million of revenue to the quarter, driven primarily by home entertainment and international box office. The film reached an estimated 3.8 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of the first quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns.
    “DreamWorks Animation‘s first quarter of 2012 was driven primarily by Puss In Boots‘ continued success at the international box office and the solid performance from its home video release to date. We look forward to releasing the third chapter of our blockbuster Madagascar franchise in theaters on June 8th,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.
    Kung Fu Panda 2, the company‘s summer 2011 release, contributed $14.1 million of revenue to the quarter, driven primarily by home entertainment. The film reached an estimated 5.5 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of the first quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns.
    Megamind, the company‘s fall 2010 release, contributed $5.0 million of revenue to the quarter, driven primarily by international pay television and worldwide home entertainment. The film reached an estimated 5.3 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of the first quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns.
    Shrek Forever After, the Company‘s summer 2010 release, contributed $2.5 million of revenue to the quarter, driven primarily by home entertainment. The film reached an estimated 10.0 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of the quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns.
    Library, which now includes How to Train Your Dragon, contributed approximately $27.4 million of revenue to the quarter. Titles are added to the company‘s library during the quarter of the second anniversary of the domestic theatrical release. All other items, including non-feature film businesses, contributed $13.5 million of revenue to the quarter, of which Shrek The Musical was the single largest contributor.
    Costs of revenue for the quarter equaled $96.5 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $27.5 million, including approximately $4.9 million of stock-based compensation expense.
    The company‘s income tax expense for the first quarter was $5.1 million. The company‘s combined effective tax rate – the actual tax rate coupled with the effect of the Company‘s tax sharing agreement with a former stockholder – was approximately 35.5 per cent for the first quarter.
    The company‘s second quarter and full year results are expected to be driven by Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted, which is scheduled to be released on 8 June 2012. Television revenue for Kung Fu Panda 2 and home entertainment revenue for Puss In Boots are also expected to contribute to the company‘s second quarter results.

  • Reliance Entertainment infuses $200 mn in DreamWorks

    Reliance Entertainment infuses $200 mn in DreamWorks

    MUMBAI: Indian billionaire Anil Ambani’s dream of conquering Hollywood continues unabated even after a slate of releases from the joint venture with Steven Spielberg‘s DreamWorks Studios failed to impress the box office.

    Ambani-promoted Reliance Entertainment has agreed to infuse fresh funding of $200 million in a new deal that calls for a slimmer DreamWorks. The ambitious six movies a year announced in 2009 has been scaled back to three to five starting next year.

    The new arrangement, providing a lifeline to the studio, comes after a series of negotiations that began late last year as the global economic crisis hit DreamWorks had. The studio had slashed its spending on development and production.

    When contacted, a Reliance Entertainment spokesperson declined to comment.

    In 2009, DreamWorks had raised $325 million from Reliance Entertainment for a stake. It had got another $325 million in debt.

    The releases of the science-fiction ‘I Am Number Four‘ and the big-budget ‘Cowboys & Aliens‘ bombed. Though Academy Award nominee ‘The Help’ was a hit, but the remake of ‘Fright Night‘ didn’t succeed. ‘Real Steel’ and Spielberg‘s own ‘War Horse‘ put up moderate performances.

  • Journey… stays strong in 4h week too

    Journey… stays strong in 4h week too

    MUMBAI: With no strong competition, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island held on to the top box office spot grossing $14.7 million from 6,600 screens in 52 territories.

    The family adventure co-starring Josh Hutcherson and Dwayne Johnson opened at No. 4 in Germany by roping in $1.7 million from 438 screens. Till now, Journey 2’s total foreign box office stands at $184.5 million, that is 29 per cent more than the overseas tally compiled by Journey To The Center Of The Earth.

    Universal’s 3D animation title, Dr. Seuss’The Lorax, that opened No. 1 domestically, tested international waters on the weekend by way of 43 Middle Eastern dates, grossed $500,000. The distributor plans a big overseas push late this month for Easter holidays. More than 60 territories will play the adaptation of the children’s classic over the next five months.
     
    Opening in eight markets, Twentieth Century Fox’s romantic comedy This Means War drew in $14.1 million in the weekend playing at 3,962 screens in 51 markets and grossing an overseas gross total to $43.2 million.

    Making its debut in five markets, Universal’s Safe House hoisted its foreign gross total to $51.6 million thanks to $10.8 million weekend at 3.500 situations in 50 territories.

    Fourth was DreamWorks/Disney’s young-man-and-horse drama, War Horse, that made $10.6 million in the weekend playing in 52 territories. The total foreign gross total of the film now stands at $79.1 million.

    No 5 was Director Martin Scorsese’s Hugo that grossed $9.6 million in the weekend at 2,091 venues in 34 territories.

  • China-Dreamworks deal creates Oriental Dreamworks

    China-Dreamworks deal creates Oriental Dreamworks

    MUMBAI:In a deal endorsed by China‘s vice-president Xi Jinping, DreamWorks Animation has unveiled a joint venture Oriental DreamWorks with three Chinese companies.


    The deal to create the new outfit will have DWA in partnership with China Media Capital, Shanghai Media Group and Shanghai Alliance Investment Limited to produce films, TV series and other content aimed at the Chinese market.


    Jeffrey Katzenberg, DWA chief executive met Jinping this week at a State Department event held in Washington. “It‘s hard to over estimate how big a deal this is for DreamWorks Animation,” Katzenberg has been quoted to have said.


    “When you look at this in the context of what the world will look like in five to seven years from now, China will be the world‘s number one media market. It will be the largest live entertainment market, the number one consumer products market … so to create a family-branded entertainment company [in China] is an honour for us and a huge opportunity.”
     
    The Chinese groups involved in the venture will hold around 55 per cent of the shares in Oriental DreamWorks while DWA will control the rest. DWA said the that the new company would initially be capitalised with cash and intellectual property valued at $330m. Oriental DreamWorks will launch in Shanghai this year.


    The scale of the deal makes it the most significant tie up yet between a Hollywood studio and a Chinese partner.


    Hollywood studios have been keen to partner with Chinese groups to give them a foothold in China which has been seen upping the number of cinema screens at a rate of about three screens a day.


    China is forecast to be the world‘s biggest cinema market within the next decade and touched $2bn in box-office receipts in 2011, a near $400m increase on 2010.

  • Chinese create $ 800 mn fund for investment in Hollywood

    Chinese create $ 800 mn fund for investment in Hollywood

    MUMBAI: China-based Sun Redrock Investment and Harvest Fund Management have decided to create a whopping $800-million fund to invest in tentpole productions in Hollywood and elsewhere that appeal to Chinese audiences.

    Harvest Seven Stars Media Fund will operate in three distinct areas – mergers and acquitisions, distribution in Asia and movie content either through equity investment in companies or operating capital investment.

    The fund meant for mergers and acquisitions will identify and take positions in niche dominant companies on a worldwide basis, enabling their consolidation and growth, particularly in the Chinese and Asian markets.

    So far as operations go, it will build a comprehensive distribution and marketing platform in all media across China and beyond.

    Announcing the deal, Wu said: “This new partnership emphasises our confidence in the strength and potential of the Chinese media industry and the wealth of talent within it. We look forward to cultivating this new joint venture and seeing it grow into one of the world‘s leading media funds.”

    He said that films like the recent Mission Impossible — Ghost Protocol, a huge hit in China, are the kind of stuff that the fund would seek to invest in. He said it would also be interested in alliances with companies such as DreamWorks.

    Harvest Alternative Investment Group is the alternative investment arm of Harvest Fund Management, marking it out as one of the first 10 fund management institutions authorised by the Chinese government as part of its strategy to open up and develop its financial sector.

    Sun Redrock Investment is part of Sun Media Group founded by Bruno Wu and Yang Lan operating five major divisions including Redrock Capital, Sun Enterprises Group, Sun Publishing Group and Sun Culture Foundation, a charitable foundation which promotes philanthropy and corporate social responsibility in China.

  • Reliance Entertainment to release War Horse on 10 Feb

    Reliance Entertainment to release War Horse on 10 Feb

    MUMBAI: Reliance Entertainment will release Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg‘s War Horse on 10 February.

    Co-produced by DreamWorks and Reliance Entertainment, the film is set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during World War I. A story of friendship and war, the film has been inspired by a book, which was made into a stage play that has now been turned into a big screen adaptation.

    The movie, set in World War I, begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, played by Jeremy Irvine, as he tames and trains Joey.

    When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets – British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter – before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man‘s Land.

    War Horse released in the US on 25 December last year.

  • Disney’s marketing executive Carney on her way out

    Disney’s marketing executive Carney on her way out

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Co marketing executive MT Carney is on her way out, after a mixed performance record.

    Carney has not been in her Burbank office at Disney for several weeks and has expressed a desire to return to New York where her children are based.

    The announcement of Carney‘s exit could come within days.

    Carney, whose previous experience was as a marketing specialst for packaged goods, presided over the worldwide marketing for all Disney films, including those made by Pixar, DreamWorks and Marvel.

    Under her tenure, the studio has had such successes as The Help and The Muppets, but it has also suffered disappointments like Sorcerer‘s Apprentice.