In the latest sign that The Weather Channel has original programming in its forecast, the network has hired Scripps Networks exec Mary Ellen Iwata for the newly created position of VP Original Content and Development. She will be based in New York and tasked with developing, commissioning and acquiring original programming. Iwata was brought aboard by Michael Dingley, who recently joined as Svp Content and Development; the pair worked together at Hgtv. Those moves follow the appointment of The Weather Channel Evp and Gm Bob Walker, who was brought aboard last month to help spearhead the original programming lineup.
- 8/15/2011
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Bob Walker has been upped to Evp and Gm of networks and content at the Weather Channel Companies, where he will be responsible for all live and original programming, including on-air and digital content as well as on the TWC Radio Network. “Bob’s leadership will enable our cross-platform content team to continue their successful effort to evolve our live programming, which has excelled with incredibly comprehensive coverage of the recent tornado outbreaks,” Weather Channel president and CEO Mike Kelly said. “His additional focus on the expansion of our original programming lineup will be an integral part of the future growth of our company."...
- 7/12/2011
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The Weather Channel Companies has promoted Bob Walker to executive vice president and general manager of networks and content. Walker, who was previously Evp of marketing and cross-platform development, will continue to report to president and CEO Mike Kelly. He will be responsible for Twcc’s live and original programming, including on-air and digital content and the TWC Radio Network. "Bob’s leadership will enable our cross platform content team to continue their successful effort to evolve our live programming, which has excelled with incredibly comprehensive coverage of the recent tornado outbreaks," Kelly said. Before...
- 7/11/2011
- by Tim Molloy
- The Wrap
Walt Disney Animation Studios has breathed new life into King of the Elves and has hired Michael Markowitz (Horrible Bosses) to pen the newest version of the script. The film is an adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story about "a band of elves and one dwarf living in the Mississippi Delta who tap a human as their king after he saves them from an evil troll." The project is being overseen by Chris Williams, co-director and writer of Bolt.
Elves was initially set for a 2012 release with Brother Bear's Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker, but when Pixar's John Lasseter took over animation in 2006 it went back into development. This project has been around since 2008, and was even unveiled alongside Wall-e as an upcoming film on the Disney schedule. This should be the next big film on the horizon for 2013 after Monsters University opens next summer.
Markowitz has also written for TV,...
Elves was initially set for a 2012 release with Brother Bear's Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker, but when Pixar's John Lasseter took over animation in 2006 it went back into development. This project has been around since 2008, and was even unveiled alongside Wall-e as an upcoming film on the Disney schedule. This should be the next big film on the horizon for 2013 after Monsters University opens next summer.
Markowitz has also written for TV,...
- 6/30/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Some movies are born easily: they represent a whole bunch of factors like script, talent and money that happen to be in the same place at the same time. Others aren't born so easily, and lurch towards screens in fits and starts. Case in point: Disney's animated adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story, King of the Elves, and Sony's attempt to make a new movie out of the '80s toy line and cartoon Masters of the Universe. Both films might be picking up steam again, however, after falling off the radar for a while. First up is King of the Elves, which was originally announced in 2008. A year ago it was looking like it might be bobbing dead in the water alongside Pixar's Newt, but then we got word [1] that Chris Williams (Bolt) might've taken over directing duties from original co-directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker (Brother Bear...
- 6/30/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Back when Pixar chief John Lasseter swept into Hawaiian-shirted power at Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2006, a variety of animation projects, including Tangled and what would end up as Bolt were shoved back into development and re-worked before release. Another project in a similar situation is King of the Elves, which has been dragged out, dusted off and aimed at a late 2013 release.Elves adapts a Philip K Dick short story about a group of elves (obviously) and one dwarf living in the Mississippi Delta. They’re constantly at war with a nasty bunch of trolls, but when a down-on-his-luck human helps them one night, they crown him their king.Originally, the Brother Bear team of Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker were working on the concept, with the Mouse House looking to get it out by 2012. But Lasseter decided it needed more work, and had it briefly shelved.Now Horrible Bosses...
- 6/30/2011
- EmpireOnline
Back in April of 2008, Disney revealed their line-up of animated movies through 2012. One of them listed for release at Christmas in 2012 (three full years from now) was a project called King of the Elves based on Philip K. Dick's short story. Disney hired Brother Bear co-directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker to direct this and we thought it was moving along smoothly. However, SlashFilm is reporting that Disney has "permanently shelved" King of the Elves, meaning we'll never see it. In fact, word from inside Disney is that no one's sure when we'll see another CG animated movie (which this would've been) instead of hand-drawn. King of the Elves is a fantasy story about an average man living in the Mississippi Delta, whose reluctant actions to help a desperate band of elves leads them to name him their new king. Joining the innocent and endangered elves as they ...
- 12/24/2009
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
There's absolutely no official confirmation of this yet, but several rumours and a clear change to an official website suggest that Disney have ditched their long in the works adaptation of Philip K. Dick's short story, King of the Elves. The film was being directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker. When I was out at the animation studios in Burbank earlier this month there was a lot of great-looking Elves artwork dotted about the place. What looked like CG tests for the elf characters showed a great deal of detail and texture, more akin to something like Avatar than a more stylised Pixar picture. As the only images I saw of human characters were sketches or hand drawn concept art I'm not sure what the ultimate aesthetic plan actually added up to. Interesting note: you can see from the storyboard sketch above that this would have been another...
- 12/24/2009
- by Brendon Connelly
- Slash Film
Fresh off the release of animated feature Brother Bear, the Walt Disney Co. has signed an exclusive deal with the creative team behind the film to partner on their next animated film. Bear directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker, along with producer Chuck Williams, signed the deal assuring that their next project -- which has yet to be determined -- will roll out under the Disney banner. "Chuck, Aaron and Bob have done a remarkable job with Brother Bear and have created an exceptional and richly rewarding motion picture experience for moviegoers of all ages," Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group chairman Richard Cook said. "With their combined knowledge and experience in animation, they have brought a unique vision and perspective to the art and storytelling process. Brother Bear has a spirit and excitement that reflects the sensibilities of these three talented filmmakers. We are looking forward to working with them on their next film." While Brother Bear marks the directorial debut for Blaise and Walker and the producing bow for Williams, all three have been key contributors to Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida since its first day of operation in 1989. Blaise has worked as a supervising animator on characters in such films as Aladdin, The Lion King and Mulan, while Walker supervised the layout department on Mulan and Lilo & Stitch. Williams previously worked in Disney's Feature Animation Special Projects unit and in 1998 took on the role of developing feature projects for Disney's Florida Animation studio.
- 11/3/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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