Tag Archives: Animation

Three New Awards Highlight Chocolate Moose Media’s Innovative Approach

OTTAWA, Canada, 2021-Sep-16 — /REAL TIME PRESS RELEASE/ — Awards are given at the international, national and local levels.

I am pleased to receive these recognitions because of their emphasis on innovation to create progressive social change.” — CMM Founder Firdaus Kharas

Chocolate Moose Media (CMM) has been named:

  • Most Innovative Animated Shorts Production Company 2021
  • Most Outstanding Innovative Short Film Producer – Canada
  • Top Social Startups and Companies in Ottawa (2021)

The naming by The Global 100 Awards, Corporate Vision Magazine, and Best Startup Ca respectively all cited innovation and societal impact in their criteria. The three awards add to the 115 other awards CMM and its founder have received.

About Chocolate Moose Media

Founded in Ottawa, Canada in 1995, Chocolate Moose Media (CMM) is the world’s leading producer of animated behaviour-change communications aimed at alleviating health, human rights and social issues around the world. Led by renowned social innovator, director and humanitarian Firdaus Kharas, CMM produces animation, documentaries, videos and television series designed to educate, entertain and change societal and individual behaviour in order to better the human condition. More than 3,600 animated videos in 245 language versions are available online without charge in a Vimeo channel.

Media contact:
Firdaus Kharas
www.chocmoose.com
(613) 820-6121

Logo:

Chocolate Moose Media logo

Parallax Media Ventures Announces B.C. – BACK TO CIVILIZATION, the first feature film adaptation of the Perennial Classic Comic Strip ‘B.C.’ [Product]

Parallax Animation Story Team – Including Veterans from Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, and Illumination – Adapt Classic Comic Strip

Redwood City, California, USA, 2018-May-09 — /REAL TIME PRESS RELEASE/ — Parallax Media Ventures, a leading animation storytelling production company, today announced that it is developing the classic American comic strip, ‘B.C.’ by John Hart Studios as an animated feature film. The team’s pitch reel, featuring storyboard images and concept paintings, will be available for private viewing in May. The feature is a 4-quadrant title Parallax is shoring up for early 2021 release, and currently meeting with potential partners and financiers.

Parallax and Hart Studios will attend the Licensing Expo May 22-24 in Las Vegas to discuss this project with interested parties. To schedule a time to meet and view the pitch reel, please email Kevin Richardson at kevin_richardson@parallaxmedia.ventures

Founded in 2015, Parallax Media Ventures is led by Kevin Richardson, a former executive and senior producer at Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts and Mattel Interactive, and on feature films for leading domestic firms as LucasFilms, Hyperion, Colossal; and abroad at Wang Films Taiwan, MS Films Germany, KingKey Animation China, and most recently Studio Climb Malaysia. Kevin initially became interested in ‘B.C.’ in high school when he produced an animated short on the building of Stonehenge with characters inspired by the strip.

“Today, Johnny Hart’s grandsons Mason and Mick are the wizards behind the daily comic strip,” said Patti Hart of John Hart Studios. “Using their grandfather’s playbook, they take inspiration from trends, headlines, and the politics du-jour and spin them into timeless commentaries and general silliness. We are super excited about seeing B.C. continue its journey onto the big screen. It’s been a great pleasure working with Parallax Media Ventures. Kevin has put together an amazing team and their level of professionalism continues to impress us.”

“B.C. is an American classic like apple pie and baseball,” said Richardson. “60 years strong, the daily strip runs in over 800 North American newspapers – newspapers with a reach of 64.4 million readers. This gives us a tremendous connection to the fans, and allows us to expand B.C. to an on-screen and off-screen experience. Mason, Mick, and Patti at Hart Studios have helped us understand and blow out the characters – right down to what they eat for breakfast! Thanks to the time-tested and quirky ensemble, there’s no shortage of fun material to work with.”

The Parallax ‘B.C.’ team has collectively worked on 18 animated features, with an aggregate $10 billion USD box office.

The Parallax ‘B.C.’ team includes:

  • Julia Lundman – Julia Lundman is a concept illustrator with over twenty years of experience in the entertainment business. Classically trained, she started her career in commercial animation, art directing commercials and animated shorts, one of which, “Stubble Trubble” was nominated for an Academy Award in 1999. After moving to San Francisco in 2000, she moved into concept art and illustration for games, concept art for Lego, and served as Art Director on Disney’s animated series, “Whisker Haven Tales”, produced at Ghostbot. She was honored to be a finalist in the ILM Art Station worldwide contest in 2015 for key frame concept art.
  • Claus Dzalakowski, art direction/look development – based in Australia Claus recently opened a facility in India for animation and FX work. Claus has worked on animated features and TV in over 10 countries and has held key positions on several Nickelodeon productions such as Bubbleguppies.
  • Dave Fulp – Story Artist – 35 years of animation, story, and design experience for projects such as Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Disney, Pixar, Universal, Warner Bros., Laika, and more.
  • Mike Cachuela – Story Artist – 30 years of story development experience including classics Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille. Instrumental in setting up animation feature studios like LAIKA where he co-directed Coraline.
  • Jim Beihold – story consultant – more than 16 features in 30 years, including work on Tarzan; The Little Mermaid, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
  • Jaikumar Balasubramanian – animation pipe and pre-viz – one of India’s best animation directors and CG pipeline and FX masters, he has worked for Technicolor, Nickelodeon, Disney, and Sony Imageworks.

ABOUT PARALLAX MEDIA VENTURES
Parallax Media Ventures is a boutique global animation storytelling production studio that focuses on early-stage independent feature film properties. Parallax currently has several properties in development, and is comprised of some of the leading animation experts in the industry. Based in Redwood City, California, the company operates using a distributed, virtual, team model. Parallax Media Ventures can be found on the Web at www.parallaxmedia.ventures and on Twitter at @ParallaxMV

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EDITOR’S NOTE: If you would like a photograph of Kevin Richardson, founder of Parallax Media Ventures; Parallax Media Ventures team members, or concept art images from ‘B.C. – BACK TO CIVILIZATION’ please contact Kevin Richardson at kevin_richardson@parallaxmedia.ventures or +1-510-366-8562.
Parallax Media Ventures is a trademark of Parallax Media Ventures.
B.C. Copyright and Trademark: © & TM Ida Hart Trust. All Rights Reserved.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact-Details: Kevin Richardson
+1-510-366-8562
kevin_richardson@parallaxmedia.ventures

Lucky Kat TV and Retro Bill to Release Live Action/Animation DVD to Help Prevent Bullying: The 7 RIGHT ONs of Good Character

Lucky Kat TV and North America’s leading Kindergarten – 12th grade motivational speaker, Retro Bill, have recently partnered to release a combination live action/animation DVD The 7 RIGHT ONs of Good Character.

Los Angeles, CA, October 23, 2012 – Lucky Kat TV and North America’s leading Kindergarten – 12th grade motivational speaker, Retro Bill, have recently partnered to release a combination live action/animation DVD The 7 RIGHT ONs of Good Character. This highly anticipated video is available for purchase at award winning children’s “edutainment” site luckykattv.com.

Lucky Kat TV’s plucky characters, Lucky Kat and Lexie Kat, shine alongside Retro Bill in the high-energy, attention-grabbing video that blends Retro Bill’s signature fast paced live action with animation. Together, the team illustrates the seven elements of good character; how to use these traits to navigate everyday situations and the importance of a positive attitude, owning their actions and never giving up! Practicing these traits help kids to refrain from bullying, respond to bullying, and make positive life choices:

Respect

Integrity

Golden Rule

Honesty

Tolerance

Own It!

Never Give Up!

In his trademark upbeat and high-energy style, Retro Bill moves between the worlds of live action and animation with Lucky & Lexie. Together, they bring to life The 7 RIGHT ONs of Good Character.

According to Retro Bill, “When I met the team at Lucky Kat TV it was creative kismet. We each deliver the same message of self-empowerment to children, and it’s always been my dream to blend live action with animation. I think parents, teachers, coaches and mentors alike will find the tools we offer to be helpful in their continued effort to promote self-esteem, safety and cooperation in kids!”

Retro Bill – the alter ego of writer, producer and director Bill Russ – delivers a powerful message to children across the nation – dreams do come true. Taking his high-energy anthem on the road some 300 days each year across the U.S. and Canada, Retro Bill speaks to millions of children and parents about physical and online safety, bullying, and self-esteem.

“The epidemic of bullying across our communities and schools has rightfully garnered national attention. We believe building strong character in our children is the first step in prevention, and Retro Bill’s unique style connects with kids in a meaningful way. He never patronizes them, and instead illustrates how to enlist help and embrace their own better instincts to stay safe and healthy,” said Lucky Kat TV’s Tammy Schroeder.

Lucky Kat TV.com is an edutainment gaming and video website designed to entertain children in a safe and creative environment. Reinforcing fundamental academics based on educational Standards, the activities and games featured on Lucky Kat TV.com empower critical thinking skills in children ages 5 – 11. Kids are encouraged to unleash the power of their imaginations and create video content to share with other Lucky Kat TV.com fans. In 2012, Lucky Kat TV.com was awarded the coveted Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) seal of approval and Mom’s Choice Award. Visit Lucky Kat TV online at http://www.luckykattv.com.

Contact:
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions
9920 S. Rural Rd., Ste 108
Tempe, AZ 85284
480-206-3435
scott@blackdogpromotions.com
http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

ClausKids.com Makes Christmas Magic with Hours of Online Fun

As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fully upon us, families are in search of an alternative to the chaotic department store crowds, and have found one in the form of the loveable, magical, wintry-wonderland world of ClausKids.com.

Atlanta, GA (USA), Friday – December 23, 2011 — As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fully upon us, families are in search of an alternative to the chaotic department store crowds, and have found one in the form of the loveable, magical, wintry-wonderland world of ClausKids.com.

With worldwide economic uncertainties distracting us from the true meaning of the season, people everywhere look for relief from the high-priced holidays of the past. Realizing this, John Kurtz, co-founder and co-producer for ClausKids.com, and his colleagues have worked a tireless two years to bring you a colorful cast of characters accompanied by original music, animation, games, and more.

Like lightning in a bottle, Kurtz and his team captured the true essence of the Christmas season. With an annual subscription to ClausKids.com costing just $5, available instantly through online purchase via PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, kids and their families can spend countless hours alongside their favorite North Pole pals. Offering something for everyone, they also boast dozens of free activities, puzzles, mazes, and holiday recipes.

To take a peak at their extensive Christmas content, visit ClausKids.com ( http://www.clauskids.com )

Sebastian Kurtz, co-writer and co-producer for the project, stated, “The collection of talent on this project is unprecedented for a young company like ours. But we all had the same goal, and we stuck to it. We wanted to give families a budget-friendly way to spend the holidays together, and for $5, we do that. ClausKids.com has become what we always envisioned it would be, and I think people are starting to recognize that.”

As it turns out, Kurtz is right. Already receiving critical accolades, ClausKids.com believes it is only a matter of time before they are widely recognized.

Collaborating with Kurtz on the ClausKids.com project, among others, is Jay Rodgers (JayRo Design), who provided art and layout design, has worked for Turner Broadcasting as the Art Director for Cartoon Network and has 14 years of industry experience, including art direction, marketing, advertising, and digital gaming). Rick Hinkle, Gold Record artists for his work on Pac Man Fever, and who has played with Chuck Berry, Joe South, Percy Sledge, Jackie Wilson, and The Platters, recorded and mixed all of the music, voices, and sound effects for The North Pole. Susan Bennet, who has performed with many world-class artists, including Burt Bacharach and Roy Orbison, lent her vocal talents to the voices of a number of characters, as well as the ClausKids.com theme song, “The Magic Door.” Animation direction was performed by Jon Henshaw (Toonalooney Studios), who has worked for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Game Tap, TNT, and TBS.

Ever expanding, ClausKids.com offers a variety of products, including coloring, sticker, and activity books, published by Dover Publications, clothing featuring their original characters, “Don’t Wake Up Grumpy” (an app developed for Apple and Android platforms, featuring our own original character, “Narwhal”), and “Christmas Belles” (an application developed for the iPad, featuring our own original characters, “The Christmas Belles”).

New content will be added each day until Christmas, with “Letters from Santa,” running from November 26th through December 25th, and the “Ornament of the Day,” running from December 1st through December 25th.

Press & Media Contact:
John Kurtz
ClausKids
Atlanta, GA – USA
404-435-3647
kurtzart@numail.org
http://www.clauskids.com