As the streaming giants cut back on spending and Hollywood recovers from the strikes of 2023, one sector of the industry has continued to thrive: animation. And nowhere is this more evident than in Canada, which offers a fully established industry and a wealth of talent — all at an affordable price.
Animation insiders north of the border say they’ve seen an uptick in activity thanks to cost-conscious producers looking for more bang for their buck — not to mention other advantages like currency savings (the Canadian dollar is currently 74 cents to the U.S. dollar), speed and efficiency, experienced local talent and cross-border proximity to Los Angeles.
“Now that budgets have come down, we need to go back into our creative approaches of how we achieve a look and a result onscreen that works within a particular budget,” Michael Hefferon, president and COO at Vancouver-based Mainframe Studios, tells THR.
After years...
Animation insiders north of the border say they’ve seen an uptick in activity thanks to cost-conscious producers looking for more bang for their buck — not to mention other advantages like currency savings (the Canadian dollar is currently 74 cents to the U.S. dollar), speed and efficiency, experienced local talent and cross-border proximity to Los Angeles.
“Now that budgets have come down, we need to go back into our creative approaches of how we achieve a look and a result onscreen that works within a particular budget,” Michael Hefferon, president and COO at Vancouver-based Mainframe Studios, tells THR.
After years...
- 2/10/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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
Scholastic Entertainment is developing an animated kids horror series called “JumpScare” based on popular Scholastic novels and will team with Mainframe Studios and the American writing collective behind the popular “Ben 10” series, TheWrap has learned exclusively.
“JumpScare” will be aimed at viewers between 8-12 and will adapt four stand-alone books all published by Scholastic, as well as one original story from Man of Action, which will write and develop the series.
Though the series is based on five different stories, each episode will be part of a shared universe of teenage protagonists who are forced to reckon with spirits trapped between worlds at haunted houses, asylums and graveyards, and one episode that grapples with race when a character stumbles across an old segregated, “Blacks Only” cemetery in her backyard. And each individual episode will also have its own unique animation style to match the story and tone.
The four...
“JumpScare” will be aimed at viewers between 8-12 and will adapt four stand-alone books all published by Scholastic, as well as one original story from Man of Action, which will write and develop the series.
Though the series is based on five different stories, each episode will be part of a shared universe of teenage protagonists who are forced to reckon with spirits trapped between worlds at haunted houses, asylums and graveyards, and one episode that grapples with race when a character stumbles across an old segregated, “Blacks Only” cemetery in her backyard. And each individual episode will also have its own unique animation style to match the story and tone.
The four...
- 9/29/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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
De Winter will oversee the 2D animation division at Rainmaker Studios.
Wow! Unlimited Media Inc., comprised of its core companies Rainmaker and Mainframe Studios, as well as Frederator Networks, has announced the appointment of Greg De Winter as director of production and planning of Rainmaker Studios.
De Winter will oversee the studio’s new 2D animation projects and bring in 2D talent as a part of Rainmaker’s strategic expansion plan.
He will report directly to Kim Dent Wilder, senior vice-president of production/operations, and will handle production on work-for-hire projects, bid on CG and 2D projects and oversee the production of development materials for original IP projects.
De Winter joins Rainmaker rom Bardel where he was director of production finance. His credits include the animated series Puss ’N Boots, Teen Titans Go, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Rick And Morty.
“We are happy to have Greg join us as we continue to develop new programming and expand...
Wow! Unlimited Media Inc., comprised of its core companies Rainmaker and Mainframe Studios, as well as Frederator Networks, has announced the appointment of Greg De Winter as director of production and planning of Rainmaker Studios.
De Winter will oversee the studio’s new 2D animation projects and bring in 2D talent as a part of Rainmaker’s strategic expansion plan.
He will report directly to Kim Dent Wilder, senior vice-president of production/operations, and will handle production on work-for-hire projects, bid on CG and 2D projects and oversee the production of development materials for original IP projects.
De Winter joins Rainmaker rom Bardel where he was director of production finance. His credits include the animated series Puss ’N Boots, Teen Titans Go, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Rick And Morty.
“We are happy to have Greg join us as we continue to develop new programming and expand...
- 6/27/2017
- ScreenDaily
Thanks to VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for April 2017, including "Game Over Man", "Hardpowder", "Love Machine" and a whole lot more:
Anthem
Feature
Local Production Company: Gandy's Rock Productions Inc
Director: Robin Hays
Producer: Tina Pehme, Kim Roberts
Mar 27/17 - Apr 15/17
Game Over, Man
Feature
Local Production Company: Lumberjackson Productions Inc.
Director: Kyle Newcheck
Exec. Producer(s): Ted Gidlow
Producer: Seth Rogan, Scott Rudin
Line Producer: Ted Gidlow
Apr 12/17 - Jun 05/17
Hardpowder
Feature
Local Production Company: Hardpowder Canada Inc
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Exec. Producer(s): Ameet Shukla, Michael Dreyer
Mar 20/17 - May 24/17
Love Machine
Feature
Local Production Company: Tcf Vancouve Productions Ltd
Director: David Leitch
Exec. Producer(s): Ethan Smith, Kelly McCormick
Jun 19/17 - Sep 18/17
Ollie (aka The Predator)
Feature
Local Production Company: Tcf Vancouver Productions Ltd.
Director: Shane Black
Exec. Producer(s): Bill Bannerman, John Davis
Sep 30/16 - May 15/17
Stingray...
Anthem
Feature
Local Production Company: Gandy's Rock Productions Inc
Director: Robin Hays
Producer: Tina Pehme, Kim Roberts
Mar 27/17 - Apr 15/17
Game Over, Man
Feature
Local Production Company: Lumberjackson Productions Inc.
Director: Kyle Newcheck
Exec. Producer(s): Ted Gidlow
Producer: Seth Rogan, Scott Rudin
Line Producer: Ted Gidlow
Apr 12/17 - Jun 05/17
Hardpowder
Feature
Local Production Company: Hardpowder Canada Inc
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Exec. Producer(s): Ameet Shukla, Michael Dreyer
Mar 20/17 - May 24/17
Love Machine
Feature
Local Production Company: Tcf Vancouve Productions Ltd
Director: David Leitch
Exec. Producer(s): Ethan Smith, Kelly McCormick
Jun 19/17 - Sep 18/17
Ollie (aka The Predator)
Feature
Local Production Company: Tcf Vancouver Productions Ltd.
Director: Shane Black
Exec. Producer(s): Bill Bannerman, John Davis
Sep 30/16 - May 15/17
Stingray...
- 3/28/2017
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Thanks to VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for March 2017, including "Ollie" (aka "The Predator"), "Arrow", "Supergirl" and a whole lot more:
Game Over, Man
Feature
Local Production Company: Lumberjackson Productions Inc.
Director: Kyle Newcheck
Producer: Seth Rogan, Scott Rudin
Mar 30/17 - May 12/17
Hardpowder
Feature
Local Production Company: Hardpowder Canada Inc
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Exec. Producer(s): Ameet Shukla, Michael Dreyer
Mar 20/17 - May 24/17
Light Of My Life
Feature
Local Production Company: Light of My Life Film Inc.
Director: Casey Affleck
Producer: Geoffrey Quan
Feb 08/17 - Mar 30/17
Meditation Park
Feature
Local Production Company: Meditation Park Film Ltd.
Director: Mina Shum
Producer: Stephen Hegyes, Raymond Massey
Feb 27/17 - Mar 23/17
Ollie (aka "The Predator")
Feature
Local Production Company: Tcf Vancouver Productions Ltd.
Director: Shane Black
Exec. Producer(s): John Davis, Bill Bannerman
Sep 30/16 - May 15/17
Doomsday
TV Pilot
Local Production Company: Pico Productions Ltd
Director: Joachim Ronning
Exec.
Game Over, Man
Feature
Local Production Company: Lumberjackson Productions Inc.
Director: Kyle Newcheck
Producer: Seth Rogan, Scott Rudin
Mar 30/17 - May 12/17
Hardpowder
Feature
Local Production Company: Hardpowder Canada Inc
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Exec. Producer(s): Ameet Shukla, Michael Dreyer
Mar 20/17 - May 24/17
Light Of My Life
Feature
Local Production Company: Light of My Life Film Inc.
Director: Casey Affleck
Producer: Geoffrey Quan
Feb 08/17 - Mar 30/17
Meditation Park
Feature
Local Production Company: Meditation Park Film Ltd.
Director: Mina Shum
Producer: Stephen Hegyes, Raymond Massey
Feb 27/17 - Mar 23/17
Ollie (aka "The Predator")
Feature
Local Production Company: Tcf Vancouver Productions Ltd.
Director: Shane Black
Exec. Producer(s): John Davis, Bill Bannerman
Sep 30/16 - May 15/17
Doomsday
TV Pilot
Local Production Company: Pico Productions Ltd
Director: Joachim Ronning
Exec.
- 3/1/2017
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Details have emerged of the international roll-out of Rainmaker Entertainment’s animated feature that opens this weekend in North America and several key international markets.
Ratchet & Clank, based on the PlayStation video game franchise and developed by Insomniac Games, stars the voice talents of Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, Bella Thorne, Rosario Dawson and Sylvester Stallone.
It opens across 2,890 screens in North America and is distributed in the Us via Gramercy Pictures and in Canada through Universal Pictures Canada.
Cinema Management Group licensed international deals and the film debuts on Thursday in Germany (Constantin Film), Argentina (Sun Distribution), Brazil (PlayArte Films), Cis (All Media Company), former-Yugoslavia (Blitz Film), and Greece (Tanweer Films).
On Friday it ventures into the UK (Vertigo Releasing), Spain (Precision Comunicacion), Bulgaria (A Plus Films), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Indigo Films), Iceland (Sena), Middle East (Eagle Films), and Vietnam (Phuong Nam Cc).
The film opened earlier in the month in France (Labelle Company), Netherlands (eOne Benelux...
Ratchet & Clank, based on the PlayStation video game franchise and developed by Insomniac Games, stars the voice talents of Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, Bella Thorne, Rosario Dawson and Sylvester Stallone.
It opens across 2,890 screens in North America and is distributed in the Us via Gramercy Pictures and in Canada through Universal Pictures Canada.
Cinema Management Group licensed international deals and the film debuts on Thursday in Germany (Constantin Film), Argentina (Sun Distribution), Brazil (PlayArte Films), Cis (All Media Company), former-Yugoslavia (Blitz Film), and Greece (Tanweer Films).
On Friday it ventures into the UK (Vertigo Releasing), Spain (Precision Comunicacion), Bulgaria (A Plus Films), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Indigo Films), Iceland (Sena), Middle East (Eagle Films), and Vietnam (Phuong Nam Cc).
The film opened earlier in the month in France (Labelle Company), Netherlands (eOne Benelux...
- 4/28/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Edward Noeltner’s international sales company has reported strong business on the animation titles after showing footage in Berlin.
Rainmaker Entertainment and Blockade Entertainment’s stereoscopic CG-animated features Ratchet & Clank (pictured) and Sly Cooper are based on the PlayStation video game franchises from Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Cinema Management Group (Cmg) has closed all rights deals on Sly Cooper in Latin America (Imagem Filmes), Cis (Volga Films), South Korea (Korea Screen), Poland (Kino Swiat), Middle East (Front Row Filmed), Turkey (Mg Beyond), Israel (FilmHouse), Portugal (Outsider Films), Hungary (Ads Service), Romania (Programs4Media) and Vietnam (Rain Film Sdn).
Ratchet & Clank has also been licensed for all rights to Cis (All Media Company), Poland (Kino Swiat), Portugal (Outsider Films), Hungary (Ads Service) and Romania (Programs4Media) with previous sales on the feature having been done for Latin America (Playarte), South Korea (Joy n’ Contents Group), the Middle East (Eagle Films), Israel (United King), Ex-Yugoslavia (Blitz Film), Bulgaria...
Rainmaker Entertainment and Blockade Entertainment’s stereoscopic CG-animated features Ratchet & Clank (pictured) and Sly Cooper are based on the PlayStation video game franchises from Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Cinema Management Group (Cmg) has closed all rights deals on Sly Cooper in Latin America (Imagem Filmes), Cis (Volga Films), South Korea (Korea Screen), Poland (Kino Swiat), Middle East (Front Row Filmed), Turkey (Mg Beyond), Israel (FilmHouse), Portugal (Outsider Films), Hungary (Ads Service), Romania (Programs4Media) and Vietnam (Rain Film Sdn).
Ratchet & Clank has also been licensed for all rights to Cis (All Media Company), Poland (Kino Swiat), Portugal (Outsider Films), Hungary (Ads Service) and Romania (Programs4Media) with previous sales on the feature having been done for Latin America (Playarte), South Korea (Joy n’ Contents Group), the Middle East (Eagle Films), Israel (United King), Ex-Yugoslavia (Blitz Film), Bulgaria...
- 3/20/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The project marks the second theatrical collaboration between animation studio Rainmaker Entertainment and producer Blockade Entertainment following Ratchet & Clank.
Sly Cooper is based on the PlayStation game about an orphaned raccoon thief and his childhood friends Bentley Turtle and Murray Hippo who plan a heist.
The film is scheduled to release in early 2016. Kevin Munroe directs from his screenplay and the producers are Blockade CEO Brad Foxhoven and vp of development David Wohl alongside Rainmaker’s Kim Dent Wilder.
Rainmaker president Michael Hefferon serves as executive producer.
Edward Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group handles sales at Efm on Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clank and will be showing footage from both titles.
Sly Cooper is based on the PlayStation game about an orphaned raccoon thief and his childhood friends Bentley Turtle and Murray Hippo who plan a heist.
The film is scheduled to release in early 2016. Kevin Munroe directs from his screenplay and the producers are Blockade CEO Brad Foxhoven and vp of development David Wohl alongside Rainmaker’s Kim Dent Wilder.
Rainmaker president Michael Hefferon serves as executive producer.
Edward Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group handles sales at Efm on Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clank and will be showing footage from both titles.
- 1/28/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Sly Cooper, the popular video game series about an orphaned raccoon thief, is getting the film treatment. Animation studio Rainmaker Entertainment and indie production company Blockade Entertainment are teaming up to create a 3D CG-animated feature based on the popular video game. They're looking toward an early 2016 release. The film is written and directed by Kevin Munroe (Tmnt) and produced by Blockade’s CEO Brad Foxhoven and vp development David Wohl, along with Rainmaker’s Kim Dent Wilder. Rainmaker president Michael Hefferon is serving as executive producer. The story will follows the titular character, who, along with his childhood best friends
read more...
read more...
- 1/28/2014
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Ratchet & Clank video game franchise is going to get the big screen treatment! THR reports that Rainmaker Entertainment has teamed up with Blockade Entertainment to develop a 3D animated movie adventure.
The characters were introduced to the world in 2002, and they've become quite popular over the years. The most recent game is called Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, which was released last year.
I've never played these games, but they "focus on two unlikely heroes as they struggle to stop a vile alien named Chairman Drek from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy. Ratchet is the last of his kind, a foolhardy 'lombax' who has grown up alone on a backwater planet with no family of his own, while Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn."
The movie will be directed by Jericca Cleland from a script written by Tj Fixman, who is also a senior writer for Insomniac Games.
The characters were introduced to the world in 2002, and they've become quite popular over the years. The most recent game is called Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, which was released last year.
I've never played these games, but they "focus on two unlikely heroes as they struggle to stop a vile alien named Chairman Drek from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy. Ratchet is the last of his kind, a foolhardy 'lombax' who has grown up alone on a backwater planet with no family of his own, while Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn."
The movie will be directed by Jericca Cleland from a script written by Tj Fixman, who is also a senior writer for Insomniac Games.
- 4/23/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Feature film and TV exec Michael Hefferon has joined CGI animation studio Rainmaker Entertainment as president and executive producer. The announcement by Rainmaker Chairman and CEO Craig Graham reflects the Vancouver-based company’s growth in animation services and original productions such as its partnership with The Weinstein Company on Escape From Planet Earth. As head of Rainmaker, Hefferon joins Kim Dent Wilder, Svp production and operations. Hefferon joins Rainmaker Entertainment from Bardel Entertainment where he oversaw numerous productions and associations with broadcasters worldwide. Separately, Bardel Entertainment CEO Delna Bhesania was appointed to Rainmaker’s board of directors. Hefferon previously held executive positions at Australian CGI animator Flying Bark Productions and Germany’s Bfc Berliner Film Companie Productions where he also was co-producer on the animated feature Happily N’ever After. Hefferon was also founder and president of Phoenix Animation which produced Fern Gully The Last Rainforest, Thumbelina, A Goofy Movie...
- 11/15/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
CANNES -- Australian kids TV producer Michael Hefferon is staying on as head of Flying Bark Prods.
Flying Bark's parent, German media group EM.Sport Media (formerly EM.TV), extended Hefferon's contract as managing director Monday. He will continue to report to Susanne Schosser, managing director of EM.Sport Media's children's TV division EM.Entertainment.
Hefferon first joined Flying Bark ("Blinky Bill", "Dot and the Kangaroo") in February on a provisional six-month contract with the remit to oversee EM.Entertainment's ongoing kids shows and reposition the company strategically. One of his main successes was the creation in April of Avril Stark Entertainment, a production joint venture with Australian kids group A Stark Production.
EM.Entertainment is prettying itself up for an expected sale this year. EM.Sport Media wants to focus on the higher-growth sports-rights business and its German all-sports channel DSF.
Flying Bark's parent, German media group EM.Sport Media (formerly EM.TV), extended Hefferon's contract as managing director Monday. He will continue to report to Susanne Schosser, managing director of EM.Sport Media's children's TV division EM.Entertainment.
Hefferon first joined Flying Bark ("Blinky Bill", "Dot and the Kangaroo") in February on a provisional six-month contract with the remit to oversee EM.Entertainment's ongoing kids shows and reposition the company strategically. One of his main successes was the creation in April of Avril Stark Entertainment, a production joint venture with Australian kids group A Stark Production.
EM.Entertainment is prettying itself up for an expected sale this year. EM.Sport Media wants to focus on the higher-growth sports-rights business and its German all-sports channel DSF.
- 10/9/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SYDNEY -- Australian animation house Flying Bark Prods., formerly Yoram Gross EMTV, announced Tuesday that managing director Geoff Watson is stepping aside after 10 years with the company.
Watson will be replaced by a provisional managing director, Canadian producer Michael Hefferon.
The company rebranded and restructured last year following the acquisition of founder Yoram Gross' 50% stake in the company by Germany's EM.Entertainment GmbH, taking the German company to full ownership.
That restructuring will continue under Hefferon, a statement from EM.Entertainment said.
Flying Bark comprises animation production unit Greenpatch Prods., multimedia business unit Forest Interactive, and 51% of film and TV audio production division Trackdown Digital.
Hefferon, most recently senior vp production at Berlin production company BFC Berliner Film Companie Prods. and head of animation, co-productions and animation packaging at Toronto-based Gullane Entertainment, will "oversee all current productions and the restructuring of the production group in respect of EM.Entertainment's strategic positioning," the statement said.
Hefferon has also been charged with finding a permanent managing director.
Watson will be replaced by a provisional managing director, Canadian producer Michael Hefferon.
The company rebranded and restructured last year following the acquisition of founder Yoram Gross' 50% stake in the company by Germany's EM.Entertainment GmbH, taking the German company to full ownership.
That restructuring will continue under Hefferon, a statement from EM.Entertainment said.
Flying Bark comprises animation production unit Greenpatch Prods., multimedia business unit Forest Interactive, and 51% of film and TV audio production division Trackdown Digital.
Hefferon, most recently senior vp production at Berlin production company BFC Berliner Film Companie Prods. and head of animation, co-productions and animation packaging at Toronto-based Gullane Entertainment, will "oversee all current productions and the restructuring of the production group in respect of EM.Entertainment's strategic positioning," the statement said.
Hefferon has also been charged with finding a permanent managing director.
- 2/14/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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