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Items of interest to Christian animators plus animation-related requests from Christians |
If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and have animation-related NEWS or NEEDS you want to post here, please send them to us at
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Whitestone Plans Fall Launch
An idea conceived 33 years ago by animator Mike Joens of Whitestone Media is now being realized through the launch of a new animated series about a "cartoon theologian." The Theo series will be "dedicated to teaching children God’s Word through a pulpit of cartoon animation" using "high quality animated stories that entertain, educate, and inspire." The first 3-episode DVD is entitled God's Love and has a 13 September street date. Video curriculum of this animated kid's property is being released now to churches nationwide. There will be a Theo app to "provide a unique opportunity to present the Gospel to kids of all ages." Joens was the producer/director of McGee & Me and Adventures in Odyssey. It is his hope that God will use this cartoon series "to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children and adults in every country of the world."
Source: ECPA's Rush to Press e-newsletter
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New Advert by Aussie Animators
Australian animator Phil Watson of One Whale and former DisneyToon Studios employee Matt Baker have collaborated on a new cartoon promoting the Christian Super Superannuation fund. Christian Super is a not-for-profit Industry Fund, based in the Sydney area, that applies "Christian stewardship principles to retirement savings" and "invests all assets with a Christian ethical focus." All their staff members are committed Christians. Watson and Baker were both presenters at the Christian animation conference in Sydney in 2007. Watson's animated shorts for the Bible Society of New South Wales can be seen on the Cartoon Bible YouTube Channel. His One Whale studio specializes in YouTube marketing.
Sources: Matt Baker on FB, Christian Super and One Whale websites
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Characters Help Kids with Missions, Asian Culture
The Caravan website is a free resource to develop children's interest in Jesus, missions and Asian culture. The Caravan's 16 characters teach truths from the Bible and "expand kids’ views of how Christianity is vastly different from all world religions." Currently the site contains one downloadable animation in which the characters sing the Parable of the Sower in the Hindi language. The site developers report that they "are working on some more" animations and will also have "traditional video with animated intros" that will be posted later this year. The Caravan was developed by International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries and media volunteers living mostly in Asia. "We see the vast lostness of Asia and the emptiness of the billions seeking hope in everything but Jesus," they write. "Our passion for the lost drives our desire for all followers of Christ – no matter their age — to share God’s heart for the nations." IMB is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, the USA's largest evangelical denomination.
Sources: Brigada, The Caravan website
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Animated Film in Theaters, on DVD
A "laugh-filled, heart-warming" 3D animated Christian tale, The Lion of Judah, will premiere on 3 June in theaters across the USA. The Lion of Judah is a "re-imagining" of the story of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection as seen through the eyes of a cast of stable animals. The main character is a lamb named Judah who has been selected as the sacrifice for the Passover feast. This forces his stablemates to "leave their cozy barn, embarking on an action-packed series of exploits to free their friend." Recognized by The Dove Foundation with the Dove Seal for Family Friendly Entertainment, The Lion of Judah won the award for Best Animated Film at the 2011 Sabaoth International Film Festival in Milan, Italy. The film features the voice talents of several well-known actors and is rated PG. It will be released on DVD in the fall.
Source: CBA Industry Brief
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Super Vision for SuperBook - UPDATE
The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Virginia USA, is launching "a massive media campaign to bring the Bible back into the lives and hearts of children in America and around the world through the new SuperBook." The 3D animation series, created by CBN's team of Emmy-winning writers and directors, "will be broadcast worldwide, reaching the next generation with the truth of God’s Word." CBN is encouraging people to support the project and receive the newest episode: "Let My People Go!" Currently Superbook is available for distribution in the USA only. Episodes 2 and 3 include both English and Spanish audio tracks and subtitles.
Sources: SuperBook FB page, website
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Toons Teach PC-Free History
Former Arkansas USA governor and ordained Southern Baptist minister Mike Huckabee is involved in a new Learn Our History: Time Travel Academy animated series. The American history cartoons feature "a group of friends who go back in time to relive the most influential stories of our nation." The cartoon series will "provide fun and entertaining fact-based content that's free from bias or political correctness." Huckabee's cofounding partner is Bradley Saft, who is also CEO of Learn Our History LLC. "At Learn Our History we recognize and celebrate faith, religion and the role of God in America's founding and making our country the greatest place on Earth," writes Saft. "Our videos are non-denominational in nature and can be enjoyed by families with diverse religious beliefs." The series is for children of all ages in public, private or home school environments.
Source: Learn Our History LLC
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Time Traveler Pig Educates, Entertains
US animator Michael K. Foster of Salty Graphic Studio has developed a new cartoon entitled Marvin the Time Traveling Pig as a Bible educational series. "It's meant to entertain as well as teach kids about God's history," writes Foster. Marvin transports his niece and nephew back into Bible times "to learn first-hand what God told key figures, such as Noah, Moses and Jonah." Foster says his approach is a bit different "not because the main character is a pig, but how these Bible characters are portrayed." For example, in the first episode, Noah is depicted as a construction site foreman with a tool belt, hard hat, and New York accent. Currently Foster is "testing the waters ... to gauge acceptance or attitudes about the toon." Foster and Ryan Hostetler of Yes& Entertainment are developing a variety of cartoons for their new FLAC Network.
Source: Salty Graphic Studio
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Please e-mail us at
to submit News & Needs items. Thank you!
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OneHope Offerings Include Animation
The international children and youth outreach ministry OneHope, creators of The Book of Hope and The GodMan film, have commissioned new animation components for several current projects. A Joseph animation, visualized by Steelehouse Productions, has been "designed as part of an initiative to explore communicating Scripture content through different types of short film" and is being used as part of a program by OneHope's team in Latin America. Steelehouse is also working with OneHope on their "Decide Inside" program for juvenile offenders. A series of short films have been created that are "live action with segments of motion graphics and animation." The program is designed for the local church and will include training materials for volunteers, a Book of Hope for incarcerated youth, along with a year-long Bible study course. The turnkey program is "designed for churches to easily implement and do ministry with juvenile offenders."
Sources: OneHope, Steelehouse website
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Vischer Wins Retailer Award
Phil Vischer's In the Beginning: What's in the Bible? #1 DVD from Tyndale House Publishers has won the 2011 Retailers Choice Award in the category "Children's Media." Thomas Nelson's Read and Share: The Ultimate DVD Bible, Volume 1 had been a contender in this category as well. Tyndale and Nelson tied for the most wins this year, with 8 each. Tyndale had 10 finalists in the running compared to Nelson's 25. Most previous "Children's Media" winners have been animated DVDs featuring the VeggieTales characters, which were also created by Vischer.
Source: Christian Retailing website
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From Missions to Animations
After 30+ years as a missionary in Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Brazil and Mexico, the artist known only as "Zeb" has moved into animation work, producing a series of 3 parables – The Sower, The Two Builders, and The Unmerciful Servant – using Toon Boom Animate Pro. "I do pretty much everything for them – script, art, animation, compositing, audio, etc.," says Zeb, who has been creating these cartoons "principally for the sake of learning and communicating a Christian message to others." He hopes to continue with his Parable series, "however at this point I have begun to get requests from others to do animation work." Zeb also offers freelance cartooning, logos, and graphic design services from his studio in Texas USA.
Sources: Cedric Hohnstadt on Twitter, ZebToonz website
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VOM Producing New Animated Jesus Movie
The Voice of the Martyrs, a non-profit, interdenominational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide, is developing Jesus: He Lived Among Us, a 90-minute animated film that "will focus on the suffering Jesus faced – to help those in the persecuted church identify with the story of Christ." The film, told through the eyes of the apostle John, is written by Robert Fernandez and Steve Cleary. There will be a companion storybook with illustrations taken directly from the film. Jesus: He Lived Among Us is expected to be completed this summer.
Source: ECPA's Rush to Press
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Notable Video Animated
The official music video for contemporary Christian musician TobyMac's song City On Our Knees features "an animated kid, in a boat by himself just sailing across the sea," according to the artist, who notes the video is his personal favorite. After its original release, City on Our Knees reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs and won a Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. In early April 2011 TobyMac was named Songwriter of the Year at BMI's Annual Christian Awards ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee USA, his 4th win in this category. Additionally, City On Our Knees was recognized as one of the Top 25 most performed songs on Christian radio over the past year.
Sources: Twitter, TobyMac website
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Cartoon Recreates Crucifixion, Resurrection
A 3-part cartoon adaptation of the "Easter" Story by Australian animator Phil Watson is now available for free download from the Bible Society of New South Wales. The animations are also accessible through Max7. The text of the story is taken "straight from the Bible (CEV)." Part 1, The Crucifixion, has already been viewed over 12,000 times on YouTube. Watson produced a 3-part Christmas Story animation in 2010.
Source: Phil Watson
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JESUS Film Now Available in "Anime"
As part of the JESUS Film Project's strategy to "create and translate media tools to communicate the story of Jesus in heart languages of the world," a Japanese anime-inspired version has been produced "to tell the story ... in a visual presentation familiar to Internet-savvy cultures." The official worldwide online premiere date for the new short film, entitled My Last Day, is 21 April 2011. Seven years in the making, the nine-minute movie "frames the story of the crucifixion through the eyes of the thief crucified next to Jesus of Nazareth." Because all of the dialogue from My Last Day is taken from the original JESUS film, the animation makes its debut with 1,100 language options. Produced by Disney animator Barry Cook and STUDIO4°C, in association with Brethren Entertainment, My Last Day is freely available at the Global Short Film Network website.
Source: The JESUS Film Project / Campus Crusade for Christ
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Please e-mail us at
to submit News & Needs items. Thank you!
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Ignite 2011 Theme is "Life"
The Ignite Film Festival, Australia's premier Christian Short Film event, is running 2 competitions simultaneously this year. Ignite 2011: 1 Event, 2 Competitions will include their "normal competition for 5-minute films based on a Bible passage that contains this year's key word" which is "Life." There will also be an extra competition for films on the theme "The Sanctity of Life ... that tackle the issue of abortion." Ignite's top honor is the "Gold Sparky for Best Film," and an award for Best Animation has been given in some years. Aussie animator Tim Andrews was the Gold Sparky winner for his cartoon The Great Feast in 2004. Andrews also won a Best Animation award in 2008 for a 3-minute cartoon entitled The Heart of Stone. The Ignite Film Festival is open to entries from anywhere in the world. All films for the 2011 competition must be received at the Ignite office in Sydney by 29 July.
Source: Ignite Film Festival website
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New Christian Cartoon Network
Over the last several months a group of business people and animators around the USA – including Ryan Hostetler of Yes& Entertainment and Michael K. Foster of Salty Graphic Studio – have been working to create a network to host Christian cartoon shows and other faith-based content for children. The result is The FLAC Network, a "new multi-platform network featuring hilarious cartoon series for 8-12 year old kids." The network can be accessed on mobile phones, laptops, tablet computers, and on television through streaming devices such as Roku, Apple TV, Boxee, and Google TV. "These are not your typical Christian shows with puppets and flannel boards," reports Hostetler. "The shows on FLAC Network rival what is seen on mainstream networks such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network."
Sources: Ryan Hostetler on Twitter, FLAC website
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Animator Discusses Film & Faith
Long-time Disney animator Glen Keane has been interviewed by Christianity Today about his work and his faith. Keane, who has been with Disney since 1974, says he shares his Christian faith in subtle ways through in his work on animated films. He points to the Beast's transformation in Beauty and the Beast as being "very much a reflection of Christ's transforming power" and the longing of The Little Mermaid to live in another world as "true of a spiritual longing." Keane states that he has "always tried to animate in a way that reflects my own spiritual life," and that his faith affects "absolutely every part of my life" as a father, a husband, and an employee at Disney. "I'm just so thankful for God's grace and blessings, and it affects everything I do."
Source: ChristianityToday.com
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Animation to Air in April
A full-length 3D animated film, The Ten Commandments, will air on the Trinity Broadcasting Network in the USA over the Resurrection Day weekend. The movie, which features the voices of several well-known actors, was produced and distributed originally by Promenade Pictures. Reportedly it is meant to be the first of 12 films in an Epic Stories of the Bible series that "brings the Bible classic to life and uncovers the true meaning of faith and God's message of love to humankind – known as The Ten Commandments."
Source: CBA Industry Brief
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Davey & Goliath's Golden Anniversary
Over 50 years ago the Lutheran Church set aside $1 million to fund production of a new children's show created by Art ("Gumby") Clokey. In 1960 the first Davey and Goliath television program debuted, and the series has been an international fan-favorite ever since. Bridgestone Media Group is continuing last year's 50th anniversary celebration of this classic claymation series with the release of Davey and Goliath: Volume 5. Restored for DVD, this latest 90-minute volume includes the previously lost episode "Down on the Farm" plus 5 other 15-minute episodes. The series is "Dove Approved for all ages" but is particularly recommended for 3- to 8-year-olds.
Sources: Bridgestone and Davey & Goliath websites
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Big Idea Launches New Kids Site
Big Idea Entertainment has launched an all-new VeggieTales-themed website for children and VeggieTales fans "that incorporates many fun and engaging features based on the popular VeggieTales characters, stories and lessons." In addition to "games, video clips, silly songs, interactive story books, (and) character pages," the site has a lower-left-corner button that accesses The Daily Word, "a new Bible verse and short devotional for kids posted each day and voiced by a different VeggieTales character." There is also a special resource section for parents, churches, and schools. Site content will be refreshed monthly.
Sources: CBA Industry Brief, VeggieTales website
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SoCAM Animations Posted
During the course of the 2010 School of Cartooning and Animation for Missions (SoCAM) in Chiang Mai, class attendees began creating short animated videos for the people of Northern Thailand. Although the school ended in December, the former students have continued their work on these films, and two are now viewable online. My Name is Pon, created by Myra DeFord with English subtitles, is the story of "a young boy (who) discovers his worth in the eyes of his father and his creator." Jono Lucerne's no-dialogue cartoon The Debt asks the question "Who would pay for someone else's 'bad kharma'?" Also, Create International, the ministry behind SoCAM, has just released an excerpt of an evangelistic animation for the Shan people of Burma/Thailand, created with Illustrator, Photoshop and Flash. The next SoCAM begins in July, and the application deadline for the school is 31 May.
Source: Dave Hudson
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New Bridgestone Titles Out
Bridgestone Multimedia Group (BMG) is releasing several new DVDs in time for Easter. Hoop Dogz (Episode #3): God is #1 focuses on the 1st commandment and teaches children to put God first. The DVD also includes "over an hour of bonus features" and is "Dove-approved for all ages." In Junior's Giants (Episode #3): Nothing But The Truth, Junior Anderson meets a giant crocodile lawyer named Lyle Little, Esquire, who advises Junior "the best way out of a lie is to lie a little more." In this third episode of the best-selling children's series, Junior "conquers his giants with the help of family, friends, and Scripture." BMG is a Christian media provider offering "family and faith-based entertainment products that inspire and spread the message of hope."
Sources: Apr '11 Christian Retailing magazine, Bridgestone website
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Super Vision for SuperBook
Progress continues on the new SuperBook 3D animation series from the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) with both Season 1 and Season 2 episodes currently in production at the same time. Both seasons will have 13 episodes of 22 minutes each. All production on Season 1 episodes is expected to be complete by September. Scripts for Season 2 are being written now with animation production slated to begin in June. CBN's ultimate goal is to release 104 SuperBook episodes in 22 languages. However their vision for SuperBook is "not just an animation series" but also "a way to get kids engaged in the Bible ... and for parents to interact with their kids." Finished DVDs are not available in stores, but 2 of the titles – "In the Beginning" and "A Giant Adventure" – can be requested now through CBN to help support the project financially. Regular project updates can be viewed on the SuperBook Facebook page.
Source: John J. Schafer, Series Producer
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IE Day Encourages Online Outreach
Since 2005, Internet Evangelism (IE) Day has been promoting the potential of digital media evangelism through an annual worldwide focus day for Christians and a year-round online resource guide covering all aspects of web and mobile evangelism – including video, animation and cartooning. In 2011, IE Day is set for 15 May with an added emphasis on May being designated "Digital Outreach Month." The IE Day team hopes that individual Christians, churches, mission agencies and other groups "will examine the growing opportunities to share the good news online."
Source: IE Day team
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Chicken Served with Veggies
Big Idea Entertainment has recently inked a deal for a kids meal promotion with Chick-fil-A set for August 2011. It will include 5 different audio adventures on CD available as premiums with each Kids Meal, plus VeggieTales-themed "Family Night Events" held in select markets. Chick-fil-A, a Christian-owned business, is one of the largest privately held restaurant chains – with more than 1,500 locations in 39 states. Founder S. Truett Cathy built Chick-fil-A on his "personal and business philosophy based on Biblical principles." Part of their stated corporate purpose is: "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us." Recently, Chick-fil-A has been in the news for its strong support of marriages, and American Family Association (AFA) is encouraging Christians to send an e-mail to Mr. Cathy to "let him know you appreciate his Christian company and his stand for family values."
Sources: CBA Industry Brief E-newsletter, AFA
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Animation Ministry Bids Farewell
After 10 years Dynamic Animations, founded by Tom Biechlin, will cease operations and take down their website as of 9 March "due to lack of interest and funds." The Pennsylvania USA-based ministry was established to provide "a student missions platform for creating media that promotes Biblical principles and family values in the relevant language of the young adult subculture." Biechlin reports that he has met students who told him the Lord used Dynamic Animations to inspire them to work in the Christian animation world, but he concludes "it's time to pass the torch and move on."
Source: Tom Biechlin
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Aussie Adapts Easter Events
Following up on his short cartoon of the Christmas story released last year, Australian animator Phil Watson is working on an Easter story animation for the Bible Society of New South Wales. The cartoon is adapted "straight from the Gospel of Mark (CEV)." A free download will be coming in April, but a teaser/trailer of the cartoon can be viewed now on the Cartoon Bible YouTube channel.
Source: Phil Watson
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Animated DVD Updates
Big Idea's Happy Together! Stories about Family, Friendship, and Faith arrived in stores last month. The 80-minute program features 3 favorites in the VeggieTales collection: Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler, Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen and The Grapes of Wrath. Also included are three Silly Songs tunes. Illinois USA-based publisher Tyndale House debuted a new children's series from Chuck Swindoll this month. God Cares for You and Overcoming Fears are the first 2 animated programs in the "Paws & Tales" collection based on the popular radio series of the same name.
Source: 'DVD Beat' section of Feb '11 Christian Retailing magazine
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to submit News & Needs items. Thank you!
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Sign Up for Second SoCAM
Create International Thailand will host another School of Cartooning and Animation for Missions (SoCAM) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 4 July to 16 December 2011. The application deadline is 31 May. "If you plan to take the school, it's good to start the application process early," writes Dave Hudson, the School Leader. SoCAM is a second-level YWAM school, so all students must have successfully completed a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS). The 2010 SoCAM covered Digital Animation Basics and Advanced Techniques using Adobe Flash and other animation applications, an Introduction to 3D Design and Animation, and Sound Effects, Audio, and Video Integration for animation.
Sources: Dave Hudson, SoCAM website
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Tracts Turned into Toons
After obtaining permission from Chick Publications to make video animations of their tracts, Steve and Claudia West of Littleshots Productions have now finished The Sissy and Tiny Shoes. Their vision is "to deliver these Gospel messages to a generation that is reading less and less." Chick notes that "West does not have a fifty million dollar budget (he paid for it all himself), so the result may not be Pixar-quality, but the Gospel message is emotional and uncompromised." The 2 stories are available on DVD from Chick in English, German, Spanish. After purchasing a copy buyers can duplicate and give out as many additional copies as they wish.
Sources: Chick Publications newsletter, Littleshots website
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Free Online Cartoon Series
Channel 16, the "Christian Children's Network" on DoersTV.com, is featuring an animated series entitled The Adventures of Donkey Ollie created by Brian Stewart. DoersTV operates as a free online TV network with "family entertainment values for families, communities, and Christians worldwide." Pastor David Wright is CEO of the Maryland USA based network whose slogan is "Doing TV God's Way."
Sources: DoersTV on Twitter, DoersTV website
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