2 Golden Reel Wins!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend this year's MPSE Golden Reel Awards, and much thanks to God it wasn't one of those "you must be present to win" type things.

"The Batman" and "Superman: Doomsday" came away winners Saturday. And oddly enough, they both tied with other shows in their categories. Here's a section of the Hollywood Reporter article:

"The Batman" and "SpongeBob SquarePants" tied in the category for TV animation, "Starcraft" was honored for computer entertainment, and "Return to House on Haunted Hill" and "Superman Doomsday" tied for direct to video.

It's an honor to finally win one of these, as they are voted on by other sound editors. For more on MPSE, go HERE.

Oscar Sound 2-fer

The Bourne Ultimatum pulled off a double Academy Award win in the sound categories tonight, "Best Sound Editing" and "Best Sound Mixing". It's a great movie, great sound effects, and great mixing. Check it out.

The last films to win in both categories: King Kong (2006), and before that, Master and Commander (2004).

MPSE Golden Reel Awards Nominations

The sound team I'm a part of at WB Animation has been nominated thrice for the MPSE Golden Reels this year. I have eight previous Golden Reel noms, but no wins, so it'd be very cool to finally leave with a win this time.

"Superman: Doomsday" is in the "Best Sound Editing – Direct to Video" category, and "The Batman" and "Loonatics Unleashed" are in another category, "Best Sound Editing in Television: Animated".

Wish us luck next Saturday!

Ding - Dong, The Strike is Dead!

After something like $20 million a day, and something like $3 billion (yes, that's a "B") total revenues lost, the quarter-long strike is finally over.

The trickle-down effect has been substantial, and the recovery won't be immediate, but the film/TV industry here in LA seems to be breathing air with an element of hope in it again.

The unfortunate reality is that much of production slated for now, was pushed through earlier last fall (pre-strike), or canned indefinitely. The shows that are still alive on paper, will take a few weeks to rev back up to production speed again, and then there's post-production, and so on etc, before it can be aired. The very unfortunate reality, is that we will feel the effects of this 3 month strike for at least another season.

So speaking of "reality", let's hope you enjoy your reality TV shows, because for the next several weeks, they are still what's for dinner in prime-time!

Proof That Smart People Like Cartoons & Stuff

Boy, was I surprised to rate at this reading level! I think it means that smart people like cartoons, drums and motorcycles. What else could it be?

WB's Academy Awards Animation Collection

This is one I worked on last summer. It's a collection of Oscar winners and nominees for animation since the early days. It's being released February 12th.

One great thing about it, is that it represents different worlds of classic animation, by including all the libraries under the WB umbrella. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies are here, but Popeye, Tom & Jerry, Droopy and Superman are among the winners and nominees as well. This is considered the best of the best.

Check it out.
The Academy Awards Collection

Peter Jackson Officially Attached to the Hobbit!

Anyone who is a "Lord of the Rings" fan has been wishing for this: That Peter Jackson would make up with New line Cinema, and both realize that there is another mountain of money just waiting to pour into their pockets, if they made a film based on LOTR's prequel novel, "The Hobbit".

It's based on hobbit Bilbo Baggins' adventures and the finding of the "one ring". The ring plays a key role, but the true story is about the transformation of Bilbo from comfortable hobbit to gutsy pseudo-outlaw.

Here are some excerpts from the press release:
* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy.

Said Peter Jackson, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.”

“Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’” said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film.”

Click on this map for a larger view:
You can read about it in full at "The Hobbit Blog".