Paramount, Nickelodeon, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Filmmakers Debut Animated Short ‘Tree’s Blood’ with Reel Start, Exceptional Minds at Nickelodeon Animation Studio – Film News in Brief
Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Animation and the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” filmmakers partnered with non-profit Reel Start and animation/visual effects academy Exceptional Minds to debut the animated short “Tree’s Blood.” The premiere took place at Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” writer-producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg attended the screening, as did producer James Weaver and cinematographer Kent Seki. Rose Byrne and Ayo Edebiri, who star together in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” also voice characters in “Tree’s Blood.”
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“Tree’s Blood” was produced from a partnership between Reel Start and Exceptional Minds. The initiative allows Reel Start’s students to create shorts with animation services provided by Exceptional Minds.
Indeed, Hillman Grad, 271 Films Announce Ten Rising Voices Filmmakers for Season Four
Hiring platform Indeed, Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad and Doménica and Constanza Castro’s 271 Films have announced the ten filmmakers selected for the fourth season of Indeed’s Rising Voices program. Rising Voices aims to spotlight BIPOC filmmakers and their work by providing them funding and mentorship.
As per the press release, the ten filmmakers this year will produce short films about the future of work with a $100,000 production budget. These short films will then be exhibited at the Tribeca Festival in New York in June 2024. This year’s participants are Anndi Jinelle Liggett; Jean Liu; Kelly Yu; Kevin Luu & Kelly Luu; Manuel Del Valle; Mercedes Arturo; Omar Kamara; Robin D’Oench; Wesley Goodrich; and Winter Dunn.
“We’re so excited to announce the next class of incredible Rising Voices filmmakers,” said Waithe and Rishi Rajani, CEO of Hillman Grad. “It’s been a tumultuous year in Hollywood, which makes supporting the next generation of underrepresented storytellers even more crucial. These brilliant artists are the future of our industry and we’re proud to be part of their journey.”
Jenna Ortega, Martin Freeman Feel the Tension in First ‘Miller’s Girl’ Trailer
Psychological thriller “Miller’s Girl,” which stars Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman, has released a trailer.
Written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett, the film follows a precocious female student, Cairo Sweet (Ortega), who develops a dark, complex relationship with her teacher, Jonathan Miller (Freeman), after he assigns her to write a short story inspired by her favorite author. The tension between admiring teacher and talented student starts off simmering, but the trailer hints that it’s going to explode.
“You’re my student. And I’m your teacher. That’s all,” says an unconvincing Jonathan to Cairo in the trailer.
Producers are Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Josh Fagen and Mary-Margaret Kunze.“Miller’s Girl” premieres exclusively in theaters Jan. 26, 2024.
Watch the trailer below.
“Oppenheimer: Live in Concert” To Be Held at Royce Hall
Universal Pictures and Syncopy have announced the event “Oppenheimer: Live in Concert,” an experience featuring a 53-piece orchestra under the direction of composer Ludwig Göransson, and conducted by Anthony Parnther. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. PT on Jan. 10 at Royce Hall theater on UCLA’s Westwood campus.
Writer-director-producer Christopher Nolan will make a special introduction to “Oppenheimer: Live in Concert.” His latest film has been nominated for eight Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. Göransson’s instrumental theme “Can You Hear the Music” became a sensation after the release of the film.
“Oppenheimer” stars Cillian Murphy as the physicist behind the creation of the atomic bomb. It has earned nearly $1 billion worldwide.
Tickets for “Oppenheimer: Live in Concert” cost $13 and can be found here.
‘Yellowstone’ Actor Rob Kirkland to Direct Thriller ‘Uroboros’
Rob Kirkland, an actor who has appeared in shows including “Yellowstone” and “Mayor of Kingstown,” will direct the feature film “Uroboros,” which tells the present-day story of a veteran detective who is in a race against time to save the lone survivor of a ritualistic killer connected to a provocative past case.
Kirkland’s Oxking Productions will produce the ensemble neo-noir thriller with Cinterra Entertainment. It’s one of the first narrative features to be produced through Cinterra by new head of business development and literary Mark Sonoda (“We Still Say Grace,” “Darkhouse.”)
“I’m drawn to nuanced storytelling in genres like this that shine light on the grim parts of our psyche, and the ways we find our way from out of those places,” Kirkland said.
Jennifer Fox to Produce 14th Governors Awards
Jennifer Fox will return to produce the 14th Governors Awards for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy president Janet Yang announced. This will be the Oscar-nominated producer’s fifth time producing the event, which takes place on Jan. 9 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood.
“Producing the Academy’s Governors Awards for the fifth time and helping kick off another Oscar season is an absolute honor. I’m looking forward to a memorable night paying tribute to this year’s exceptional honorees,” Fox said in a statement.
Fox has produced or executive produced several films over the last 15 years, including “Michael Clayton,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Syriana” and “Nightcrawler.”
Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks and editor Carol Littleton will receive Honorary Awards at the event, while the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award will be presented to the Sundance Institute’s Michelle Satter. The Honorary Award recognizes “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy,” and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is given to “an individual in the motion picture arts and sciences whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.”
Millie Bobby Brown Netflix Film ‘Damsel’ Gets Release Date
Upcoming Netflix dark fantasy film “Damsel” starring Millie Bobby Brown has secured a release date of March 8.
As per the logline, the film follows a damsel (Brown) who agrees to marry a prince (Nick Robinson). She soon finds that the prince’s family, specifically Queen Isabelle (Robin Wright), has tricked her into becoming a human sacrifice. The damsel is thrown into a fiery cave with a dragon and must do everything she can to survive.
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo serves as director, with Dan Mazeau as writer. Executive producers on the film are Sue Baden-Powel, Zack Roth, Millie Bobby Brown, Robert Brown, Dan Mazeau and Mark Bomback. Producers are Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Chris Castaldi, with co-producer Emily Wolfe.
Watch the teaser below.
Motion Picture Sound Editors Elects David Barber as President
The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) have elected David Barber, MPSE, as president for a two-year term. Barber takes the place of Mark Lanza, MPSE, who has reached his term limit as president.
Miguel Araujo has been reelected as secretary while Eric Marks has been appointed to Barber’s previous position of vice president in an interim capacity until the next board election in October. Chris Reeves continues to serve as Treasurer and Solange Schwalbe remains Sergeant at Arms.
Timothy Muirhead and Brian Armstrong were elected general board members, rounding out a group consisting of returning board members Eric Marks, Stuart Morton, Baylon Fonseca, Christina Horgan, Korey Pereira, Kevin Howard and Mark Lanza.
“Stepping into Mark’s shoes presents a considerable challenge given his exceptional leadership through the trying times of COVID,” Barber said. “Under his guidance, and the oversight of the Board of Directors, we not only persevered, we experienced unprecedented expansion. My goal is to keep MPSE on that trajectory, championing the arts of sound editing, design and foley to our community, the industry, and the public at large.”
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