Thursday, August 02, 2018

Mondo Gallery to Host 'Heroes in a Half Shell: A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Celebration' Art Show in August 2018

Mondo Gallery, the pop culture haven based out of Austin, Texas, has announced that it will be hosting a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles art show later this month, and naturally, they’re throwing a pizza party to celebrate. Cowabunga, dudes!


Keep reading to see a few of the pieces that will be on display, from artists like Dave Perillo, Matt Ryan Tobin, and more.

Via mondotees.com:

Mondo Gallery Presents - Heroes in a Half Shell: A TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Celebration

Genius Brands Partners With Spirit Halloween on DTR Program for New Preschool Brand 'Rainbow Rangers'

Original Genius Brands International, Inc. Press Release via GlobeNewswire:

Genius Brands International Partners With Spirit Halloween on Direct-to-retail Program for New Preschool Brand, Rainbow Rangers, Based on the Series Debuting in Fall 2018 in the U.S. on Nick Jr.


New Rainbow Rangers Costume and Accessories Will Be Available in Over 1,300 Stores in the U.S. and Canada and Online



Genius Brands International (NASDAQ:GNUS) continues to build the North American retail program for its all-new preschool brand, Rainbow Rangers, with a partnership with Spirit Halloween on a direct-to-retail program. Spirit Halloween joins joins an expanding roster of retail partners as it gears up for the retail debut in 2019--supporting the series debut in fall 2018 on Nick Jr.--of a broad array of new Rainbow Rangers merchandise from apparel, accessories, beauty products and electronics to room décor, books, music and home entertainment, available for the first time.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Brands International, Inc. "Genius Brands" (NASDAQ:GNUS), a global media company that creates and licenses animated multimedia entertainment content for children, continues to build on the momentum of key licensing partners supporting the 2019 retail launch of its new original preschool brand, Rainbow Rangers, which debuts in fall 2018 on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. As announced today by Genius Brands’ SVP Global Licensing Lloyd Mintz, Spirit Halloween has signed on for North American licensing rights in the character costumes and accessories category.

Spirit Halloween will design and manufacture an exclusive line of Rainbow Rangers character costumes and accessories, which will debut at over 1,300 retail locations across the U.S. and Canada beginning August 2019. Spirit Halloween joins an expanding roster of retail partners as it gears up for the retail debut in 2019 of a broad array of new Rainbow Rangers merchandise from apparel, accessories, beauty products and electronics to room décor, books, music and home entertainment, available for the first time. Led by global master toy partner Mattel, Inc., and global master publisher Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for its Imprint label, some of the licensing partners for Rainbow Rangers include Bentex (master apparel), Global Brand Group (sleepwear and hosiery), Berkshire Fashions (cold weather accessories), BioWorld (bags, backpacks), H.E.R. Accessories (hair and jewelry accessories), Jay Franco Mfg. (bedding and bath), Dynacraft (bikes, trikes, scooters and wagons), and Kiddieland (foot-to-floor ride-on toys), along with many others.

Rainbow Rangers are the super heroes for the preschool set, and we are very happy to entrust our partners at Spirit Halloween with translating the imaginative and unique personalities of the Rainbow Rangers to costumes and accessories that will delight our young fans and engage them in inventive play,” said Mintz in making the announcement. “We’re eager to see little Rainbow Rangers out saving and healing the planet in support of the brand.”

Rainbow Rangers continues to build on the solid partnership between Genius Brands and Spirit Halloween as we devise a robust program that capitalizes on current market trends while piquing the interests of the brand’s anticipated fan base,” added Rick Goralnick, Divisional Vice President, Licensing for Spirit Halloween. “Rainbow Rangers has broad appeal with preschoolers and offers a unique opportunity to express their creativity and imagination through the distinct personalities of the characters. We’re very enthusiastic about our role in introducing this fun and imaginative brand through an array of colorful, creative costumes and accessories.”

About Rainbow Rangers
The Rainbow Rangers series follows the thrilling rescue-based adventures of seven 9-year-old girls who are Earth’s first responders, protecting people, animals, resources, and the natural beauty of our world. The Rainbow Rangers, who live in the magical land of Kaleidoscopia at the other side of the rainbow, have their own distinctive personalities and superpowers. Whenever there’s trouble for the people or animals of Earth, our seven heroines zoom into action and ride their Spectra Scooters across the rainbow to save the day. Viewers will join them on exciting adventures, but also see them at home having the same daily dramas and hilarities as every preschooler watching the show. And at its heart, Rainbow Rangers is about empowering and encouraging girls to take action and make a difference in their own homes and neighborhoods to improve and safeguard the planet. Every viewer—boys and girls alike—will see themselves in at least one of these strong, unique and empowered Rangers!

Boasting a unique and highly-accomplished team of creators from the animated motion picture world, Rainbow Rangers’ creative development and production team includes Rob Minkoff (Disney’s The Lion King director), Shane Morris (Disney’s Frozen co-writer), Tim Mansfield and New York Times Bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard, Barbie specials) who is serving as head writer and co-creator. Genius Brands’ Chairman and CEO and multiple Emmy-winning producer of more than 5,000 episodes of children's programming Andy Heyward serves as executive producer, with legendary Disney alum Ruben Aquino creating key designs. Aquino is responsible for the design and animation of many of Disney’s most iconic characters from award-winning films including “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Mulan” and “Frozen.”

About Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween (spirithalloween.com) is the largest Halloween specialty retailer in the country with over 1,325 locations in strip centers and malls across North America. Celebrating 35 years of business, Spirit is the authority on all things Halloween, offering one-stop shopping for everything from costumes to decor and party goods to accessories. In addition to being a fun and interactive event for shoppers, Spirit stores offer complete selections of costumes and accessories for infants/toddlers, children, 'tweens, teens, and adults along with exclusive décor you won’t find anywhere else.
For more information, please visit: http://www.SpiritHalloween.com

At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children (spiritofchildren.com), a program which focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since its inception in 2006, Spirit of Children has raised over $45 million for the Child Life department at hospitals across the country. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100% of funds going toward a child’s life. For the 2018 Halloween season, Spirit of Children will be supporting 140 hospitals across the country, with a goal to raise $9.0 million. Spirit encourages customers to help make a difference in a child's life this Halloween season by donating at their local Spirit Halloween or spreading awareness via Facebook and Instagram by using #SpiritofChildren in their photos.

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, Genius Brands International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNUS) is a leading global media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media distribution and retail channels. Led by award-winning creators and producers, Genius Brands distributes its content worldwide in all formats, as well as a broad range of consumer products based on its characters. In the children's media sector, its portfolio of “content with a purpose” includes new preschool properties Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr. and Llama Llama for Netflix; tween music-driven, YouTube brand SpacePOP; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy series Thomas Edison's Secret Lab, and Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring iconic investor Warren Buffett. The Company is also co-producing an all-new adult animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter. Genius Brands’ Kid Genius Cartoon Channel is currently available in approximately 60 million households via Comcast and OTT platforms and Kid Genius Cartoons Plus!, which is now available to Amazon Prime subscribers. For additional information please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Forward Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

###

Rainbow Rangers is slated to premiere on Nick Jr. USA on Monday 5th November 2018.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Renews Four Hit Series from Top-Ranked Preschool Portfolio!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Rainbow Rangers News and Highlights!

Nicktoons USA to Premiere Final Three Episodes of 'Pig Goat Banana Cricket' on Friday 10th August 2018

Nicktoons USA will premiere the final three episodes of the Nickelodeon's original animated comedy series Pig Goat Banana Cricket on Friday 10th August 2018 from 4:20 a.m ET/PT.


Pig Goat Banana Cricket follows four friends nature never intended - a pickle-obsessed Pig, a Goat with musical dreams, a Banana who loves video games and a Cricket with a crazy science lab - in Boopelite City, a gigantic, fantastical metropolis unlike anything you've seen before; where fruit can walk, animals can talk, the sidewalks are crammed with animals, robots and sea creatures, and you can find all your pickle needs at the downtown Picklemart! The quad are roommates in a treehouse, which sits in the middle of the city, surrounded by the forest, seas and everywhere else the foursome could possibly go. From surviving a fudge-pocalypse to challenging Prince Mermeow in the underwater city of Catlantis, Pig, Goat, Banana, and Cricket often find themselves in sticky situations... but wherever these four friends go, they always know where they'll end up: TOGETHER!

Below is Nicktoons' premiere schedule for the last three episodes of Pig Goat Banana Cricket:

4:20 a.m - Love Boat: The gang takes a cruise vacation; Cricket shows off his discount ticket; Pig wants more room in his body to eat pickles; Banana plays matchmaker; Goat has to cover for her mistake. (#204)

4:45 a.m - It's on Like Con-Con: At Convention Con, Pig's movie is debuting; Banana finds a way to make money on comics; Cricket wants an elusive toy; Goat seeks help to with the costume contest. (#206)

5:10 a.m. - Jimmy Ron Cricket: Pig goes on a tour of the Picklemart; Banana finds his old ranger friend; Cricket's brother escapes from prison; Goat's idol pays her a visit. (#207; series finale)

Pig Goat Banana Cricket is created by Dave Cooper and Johnny Ryan, established comic artists who worked on several issues of Nickelodeon Magazine, and executive produced by David Sacks (The Simpsons, Regular Show) who co-writes with J. Ryan. Dave Cooper also art directs the series. The pilot, Pig Goat Banana Mantis, was directed by independent animator Nick Cross.

More Nick: Netflix to Debut 'Pinky Malinky' on Friday 17th August 2018!

Original source: Nickandmore!; H/T: ToonZone Forums /@SweetShop209, /@jaylop97, @kanc; Additional sources: Zap2it TV Listings, TheFutonCritic.com.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon, NickToons and Pig Goat Banana Cricket News and Highlights!

Nickelodeon Russia to Premiere 'Becca's Bunch' on Saturday 4th August 2018

Nickelodeon Russia (Россия) will premiere Becca's Bunch, a brand-new animated preschool series that follows the adventures of a unique little bird who has a big heart on Saturday 4th August 2018 at 06:50 МСК! Locally titled Отряд Бекки, Becca's Bunch will continue to air every Saturday and Sunday at 06:50 МСК on Nick Россия.


In Wagtail Woods a little bird called Becca and her bunch of friends are always ready for action! Becca has a innate curiosity and a wonderful way of looking at things. She sees adventure in every situation and as a result often bites off more than she can chew, landing herself and the bunch - Russell, Sylvia and Pedro - in some sticky situations. Thinking on her feet, Becca will urge a generation of kids never to give up, aim high and have big ideas, because once they do every day will be an adventure!

From her quirky dress sense to her hobbies, Becca is a bird like no other and chirps to her own tune. Her can-do attitude allows her big ideas to take flight on the most fantastical adventures with her three best friends. Becca’s infectious enthusiasm encourages her besties, aka The Wild Bunch, to seek out adventure in Wagtail Woods and boldly go where no bird, worm, squirrel and fox have gone before. The Wild Bunch haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on Becca’s list! With unique ideas, heart and positive thinking, the gang always manage to overcome any challenge they encounter in Wagtail Woods.

Becca's Bunch is an exciting, new entertainment show for preschoolers which merges live action, puppetry and 2D and 3D animation to create a textured world that the audience will want to reach out and touch!


Fans can like the official Nick Jr. Россия Facebook page for the latest Nick Jr. news, highlights, video clips, competitions and more.

Listen to the Отряд Бекки theme song (in Russian) below!:


Отряд Бекки | Заглавная песня | Nick Jr. Россия
В Живописном лесу живёт птичка Бекка и её друзья, которые всегда готовы к приключениям!

Becca's Bunch (52 x 11') is produced by Dublin-based creative production, distribution and licensing company JAM Media. Nickelodeon acquired the exclusive broadcast rights to the series in the US and Pay TV rights for the rest of the world in October 2016. Becca's Bunch made its debut on Nick Jr. UK & Ireland on Monday 2nd July 2018, and will roll out the series onto Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels around the world in the coming months. The show has also been picked up by ABC KIDS in Australia, France Télévisions in France and CBC in Canada.

Talking about the series, Nickelodeon Senior Vice President (SVP) of International Production and Development Nina Hahn says the project was introduced to her and Nick’s Vice President (VP) of Content Acquisitions, Layla Lewis, at a very early stage. And it was love at first sight.


“[JAM Media] showed us the short even before they did the formal pitch into our larger group, which allowed us to give them feedback from multiple different filters on what we wanted to see,” Hahn says. “The content itself had a lot of the DNA of Nickelodeon, from the visual quirkiness, to the way the characters were developed and its strong female lead at the center. It really tapped into the kind of broad, emotional and simple ideas that we like to work with.”

Jam Media, which has studios in both Dublin and Belfast in Northern Ireland, pitched the series at Cartoon Forum in 2013 under the title Early Bird.


About JAM Media:

JAM Media, with operations in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, is one of the leading creators and producers of multi-award winning animated and live action content for the children’s and pre-school audience. The company pride themselves on delivering high quality, innovative, story-driven brands across multiple platforms based around engaging characters with humour at its heart. Shows include Becca's Bunch, PICME, Roy, The Slimefoots, Jessy and Nessy and Zig & Zag. The company was founded in 2002 by animator friends John Rice, Alan Shannon and Mark Cumberton. Visit http://www.jammedia.com to find out more about the company.

About Nickelodeon:

Nickelodeon – один из всемирно известных мультимедийных развлекательных брендов для детей и всей семьи. Мировую популярность, признание и любовь зрителей телеканал приобрел благодаря девизу "Дети – на первом месте!", который в полной мере отражает проекты Nickelodeon для детей: ежегодное мероприятие для всей семьи "День, когда пора играть", детская премия Kids’ ChoiceAwards, развлекательное шоу собственного производства "Быть блогером" и уникальные для России социальные инициативы, такие как "Правила интернет-безопасности" и "День самоуправления". Программная сетка Nickelodeon Россия формируется с учетом национальных праздников, школьных каникул, предпочтений российских детей и предоставляет зрителям широкий выбор телепрограмм: от игровых сериалов, например, "Грозная семейка", "Никки, Рикки, Дикки и Дон", "Хантер Стрит" до анимационных хитов, среди которых "Губка Боб Квадратные Штаны", "Мой шумный дом", а также развивающие программы для дошкольников: "Вспыш и чудо-машинки", "Щенячий патруль", "Нелла, отважная принцесса" и другие. Nickelodeon 8 раз был признан "Лучшим детским каналом" в России по итогам премии "Большая Цифра" в 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 (по мнению детей и жюри), 2017 и 2018 годах. Сегодня Nickelodeon – № 1 по доле телесмотрения аудиторией от 4 до 17 лет среди тематических каналов и входит в первую пятерку среди всех детских телеканалов в России*. Ежедневно дети по всей стране смотрят Nickelodeon 91 минуту**.

* Mediascope; Россия, TV Index Plus (города 100 000+), 0500-2900; доля просмотра % (TTV); аудитория от 4 до 17 лет, июнь 2018.

** Mediascope; TV Index Plus; города с населением 100.000+; 0500-2900; среднее время просмотра (мин.), аудитория от 4 до 17 лет, июнь 2018.

Below is Nickelodeon Россия's official press release announcing the exciting news:

Опубликовано 03.08.2018

«ОТРЯД БЕККИ» — КУКОЛЬНАЯ ПРЕМЬЕРА ТЕЛЕКАНАЛА NICKELODEON РОССИЯ

В августе телеканал Nickelodeon Россия покажет юным зрителям и их родителям новый кукольный мультсериал «Отряд Бекки». Шоу расскажет о маленькой птичке Бекке, которая вместе со своими друзьями – бельчонком Расселом, лисичкой Сильвией и червячком Педро – всегда готова к новым приключениям и реализует самые смелые задумки.

Для производства мультсериала, спродюсированного компанией Jam Media, создатели шоу вручную изготовили не только куклы главных героев, но и более 4 тысяч элементов декораций, деталей реквизита и персонажей. В сочетании с визуальными эффектами они оживают на экране и переносят малышей в волшебный мир кукольной анимации.

Главные герои мультсериала «Отряд Бекки» – лесные зверята, которые живут в Живописном лесу и помогают друг другу. Рассел – уверенный в себе и энергичный бельчонок, он любит грызть орешки и весело проводить время. Иногда Рассел совершает необдуманные поступки, но всегда руководствуется добрыми намерениями. Педро – храбрый и рациональный червячок, он полагается исключительно на свои знания. Педро c радостью ввязывается в приключения, но при этом не забывает и о безопасности. Лисёнок Сильвия, самая маленькая участница команды, мечтает стать такой же предприимчивой, как и Бекка. Дружелюбная и изобретательная, Сильвия собирает многочисленные предметы на любой случай жизни и носит их в рюкзаке.

Вместе с забавной и любопытной Беккой, харизматичным лидером отряда, персонажи часто попадают в непростые ситуации. Герои выходят из них благодаря своей доброте и оптимизму. Например, в одном из эпизодов Бекка и ее друзья призывают жителей Живописного леса объединиться и спасти самое большое и старое дерево от засухи.

Герои мультсериала «Отряд Бекки» на своем примере покажут детям, как правильно ставить цели и достигать их, не сдаваясь в середине пути. Вместе с Беккой, Педро, Расселом и Сильвией юные зрители смогут в игровой форме развить свой эмоциональный интеллект, в том числе научатся сопереживать окружающим.

Смотрите мультсериал «Отряд Бекки» в эфире Nickelodeon Россия с 4 августа по выходным в 6:50 по московскому времени.

###

More Nick: August 2018 on Nickelodeon Russia | Star Falls | NRDD S4 | Knight Squad | Kid Danger | Zoofari | Mysticons S2 | WWDoP 2018!

Additional sources: TVSET.TUT.BY, Newslab.Ru, Google Translate.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nick Jr. Russia, Nickelodeon Preschool and Becca's Bunch News and Highlights!

HRVY Joins Nickelodeon SLIMEFEST 2018 UK Line Up

HRVY Joins the SLIMEFEST Line-Up



UK - Teen pop sensation HRVY is the next act confirmed to play during Nickelodeon SLIMEFEST in partnership with VisitBlackpool on Monday 22nd October at The Arena, Blackpool Pleasure Beach! He joins hosts Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, performers Jonas Blue, M.O, Max and Harvey, JoJo Siwa and Diversity and special guest Kira Kosarin of the The Thundermans.

HRVY said “Blackpool is going to be amazing, I can’t wait to perform at SLIMEFEST and get slimey!”

HRVY is set to be the next global teen pop sensation. A 19-year-old singer from Kent, HRVY (Harvey Leigh Cantwell) has been building his social media profile since he was 12, when he began sharing covers of One Direction and Trey Songz hits. With 1 million followers on Facebook, 3.5 million Instagram followers and over 208 million views on YouTube, HRVY recently became a UK Ambassador for Musical.ly. In February 2017, he signed a major recording deal with Virgin EMI. His single 'Personal' has had over 90 million streams, whilst the follow up 'Hasta Luego' has had 15 million streams so far.


Please note: Due to overwhelming demand, SLIMEFEST is now completely sold out. Competitions will be running across the summer on Nickelodeon UK’s official social channels, website as well as on VisitBlackpool’s website – so please check the platforms for more information on how to enter.

Last year’s slime-filled music shows were a huge success with parents and kids alike. JoJo Siwa and Diversity are both returning to the SLIMEFEST stage this October as well as hosts Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely. Further headlining and supporting acts to be announced in the coming months.

Families can visit nick.co.uk/slimefest for more information on the music and slime-filled events.

Over 12,000 people attended the six sold out shows in 2017 with performances from Diversity along with 7 chart topping acts: Pixie Lott, The Vamps, Professor Green, Matt Terry, New Hope Club, 5 After Midnight and M.O. JoJo Siwa also made her UK performance debut. School of Rock stars Breanna Yde and Ricardo Hurtado featured as special guests.

Here are the highlights from 2017 http://bit.ly/2DMFqQo

Click out the highlights from SLIMEFEST 2017 below!:


Nickelodeon

The home of SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol and Nella the Princess Knight, Nickelodeon UK & Ireland Network is available in over 13 million cable and satellite homes and now reaches more than 10 million viewers a month. Launched in 1993, the top-performing Nickelodeon network comprises seven dedicated entertainment channels for kids aged 4-15 and their families: Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon HD, Nickelodeon +1, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Nick Jr. +1 and Nick Jr. Too. The entertainment company has built a diverse multi-platform business by putting kids first in everything it does – Kids Rule! Content is at the core of the business with critically-acclaimed and hugely-popular television programming from the UK and around the world. In addition to the quality television programmes, Nickelodeon also produces bespoke content available online and on Nick Play, as well as consumer product and recreation opportunities such as the UK’s first-ever Nick theme park, Nickelodeon Land and the slimiest music festival for kids, SLIMEFEST UK.

VisitBlackpool

VisitBlackpool is the tourism arm of Blackpool Council and is tasked with promoting the UK's most popular holiday destination to leisure and business visitors, both domestically and internationally.

More Nick: 'Find Me in Paris' to Twirl onto Nickelodeon UK!

Additional source: Wikipedia.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon UK and SLIMEFEST UK 2018 News and Highlights!

Madeleine Madden Cast in Paramount Players' Live-Action 'Dora the Explorer' Movie

Paramount Players has announced that up and coming Australian actor Madeleine Madden has been cast in the studio's live-action Dora the Explorer movie! Madden will play Dora's friend, whom the beloved Nickelodeon character meets in high school in the film. Madden's character's name is being kept under wraps for the time being.


Isabela Moner (100 Things to Do Before High School, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Transformers: The Last Knight) will star as the titular teen, who heads out on an adventure with her best friend, Boots the monkey, and her cousin Diego when she moves to the city. Joining Moner and Madden on the flick is: Mexican superstar Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included, Overboard), who is playing a roguish explorer named Alejandro Gutierrez; Micke Moreno (El Capo, Escobar: Paradise Lost), who will portray Dora's cousin Diego; and Oscar-nominated actor Adriana Barraza (Babel, The Strain), who is playing Dora’s grandmother, Abuela Valerie.

Madden recently co-starred as Marion Quade opposite Natalie Dormer and Samara Weaving in Amazon’s acclaimed miniseries, Picnic at Hanging Rock. Next up, Madden will be seen starring in Netflix’s Pine Gaps and Tidelands, where she stars opposite Parker Sawyers and Elsa Pataky respectively.


James Bobin (The Muppets, Alice Through The Looking Glass) is directing and co-writing Dora the Explorer from a script by Nick Stoller (Neighbors) and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel. Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes production company, and his partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, will be producing, and Walden Media is co-financing and co-producing the project with Paramount.

Dora the Explorer is slated to release the film on Friday, August 2, 2019. The film will face stiff box office competition on that date, as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham‘s Fast and Furious spin-off will hit theaters that day along with Fox’s New Mutants and an untitled event film from Warner Bros., though Dora obviously appeals to a much younger audience.

Dora the Explorer will be filmed on location in Queensland, Australia, including at Sound Stage 9 at Village Roadshow Studios. Cameras due to begin rolling on Monday, August 6.

“We could not be more thrilled to be bringing Dora to Queensland and to be able to deliver Queensland for our film,” Lee Rosenthal, President of Physical Production for Paramount Pictures, said earlier this year. “In Queensland, we are able to get outstanding crew, stages and a variety of jungle topography and city backdrops in essentially one place.”


Dora the Explorer is based on Nickelodeon's beloved animated preschool series, and Paramount Players has a mandate to leverage Viacom-owned properties for the big screen treatment. The studio is also developing a feature adaptation of the beloved Nick series Are You Afraid of the Dark? and a CG-animated/live-action hybrid Rugrats movie.

Madden is repped by Grandview, Sue Barnett & Associates and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson.

Are you excited to see the cast of Dora the Explorer take shape? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

More Nick: Live-Action 'Dora The Explorer' Movie Will Be Everything Fans Want Says Star Isabela Moner!

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline; H/T: Business Standard News.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Movies and Dora the Explorer News and Highlights!

Free & Easy – Peter Andre Music Video 🎵 | Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie | Thomas & Friends UK

Free & Easy – Peter Andre Music Video🎵| Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie | Thomas & Friends UK



Check out the Free & Easy music video featuring Peter Andre from the Thomas & Friends Movie Big World! Big Adventures!🎵

Thomas & Friends: "Big World! Big Adventures!" opens in cinemas across the UK NOW and will premiere on Nickelodeon USA later this year!

Thomas & Friends | Edward, Trevor & The Really Useful Party Compilation | Classic Thomas & Friends



Edward and Trevor might be old, but they are Really Useful. Their contribution to the vicar's garden party makes everything a success.

Philip's Number | Thomas & Friends



When Philip gets teased for his number, he sets out to find exactly why he's number 68. After no one's able to tell him, Philip finds himself in a precarious situation but discovers his own meaning to his dreaded number.

Catch Thomas & Friends episodes on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. in the USA and on Milkshake! in the UK! Check your local listings for the latest information.

More Thomas: Peter Andre Voices Mischievous Australian Rally Car 'Ace' in 'Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie'!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. News and Highlights!

Nickelodeon to Debut New Animated Digital Series 'Space Kid and Cat' on Sunday 5th August 2018

Space Kid and Cat are headed to Earth -- and Nickelodeon! Prepare for an out of this world show starting Sunday, August 5 on the official Nickelodeon USA YouTube channel!


Created by Greg Nix and David Kantrowitz (Buzzfeed, @Midnight), Space Kid and Cat, is a brand-new animated motion comic that follows the adventures of a blustery 11-year old and his talking cat, as they travel the universe in their cardboard box rocketship -- trying to find a way back to Earth!


Update (8/14) - A post by co-creator Greg Nix via Animation Magazine:

First Person: Three Things You Learn Creating A Digital Series


Imagine you’re creating a show. You’ve come up with a fun idea held together by an interesting visual concept. Good start.

You get a greenlight and you staff two writers, one director, one animator, one composer, two voice actors, and one producer. It’s a bit of a skeleton crew, but you can make do for four episodes. You’re excited! There is one catch, though: the whole crew actually consists of two people. Doing all those jobs.

That’s how my partner David Kantrowitz and I made a series of animated shorts called Space Kid and Cat, out now on Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel. And it was a blast! We pitched the series knowing we could make it ourselves, giving us maximum influence over the process and final product. But that doesn’t mean it was without its challenges.

Should you ever find yourself facing a similar job, here are three lessons I took away from the experience.

Trust Your Collaborators

Collaborating without trust is always difficult. But on a quick schedule with a small budget, it’s damn near impossible.

Trusting each other was the only way to make it through the daily sprint that was Space Kid and Cat’s production process. That meant believing in one another’s artistic instincts, and counting on each other to effectively manage our individual responsibilities. In other words, having confidence that we each knew what we were doing.

Having worked in creative environments of all shapes and sizes, from big animation studios to tiny theatre companies, I can safely say that trust is not a given. Especially when, like me, your instincts sometimes shout “GRAB THE WHEEL, CONTROL FREAK!” It has to be actively fostered, and it’s perilously easy to lose. But in the case of Space Kid and Cat, trust was also indispensable.

Cut to the Chase

This lesson applies to both process and storytelling. First, we learned to embrace simplicity in idea generation. Is it fun? Is it produceable? Let’s do it. While I love exploration as much as the next writer, I’ve been involved in processes that felt TOO flexible and TOO open-ended — to the point that we stopped making things better and just made them different. When creating on a compressed timeline, look to the razor (Occam’s, not the scooter): a simpler process can yield better results.

Simplicity was helpful in crafting our stories, as well. With 3-4 minutes episodes, rather than the standard 22, 11, or even 7 minutes, brevity was the soul of Space Kid and Cat (if you’ll allow me to butcher the Bard). We killed fun idea after fun idea because they weren’t worth spending half of our allotted runtime or production resources on.

But it wasn’t sad – it was liberating! Cutting a long chase sequence allowed us to skip to the funny destination; replacing an animation-heavy scene with a line of dialogue allowed us to reallocate that pen-time elsewhere. You don’t need every scene you think you do, I promise.

Don’t Worry About Things You Can’t Control

For me, this is a hard lesson to put into practice. My whole life, personality, and psyche are constructed on top of a solid foundation of worry. What if I never get another job? What if the animation industry itself collapses? What if the Space Force goes rogue and traps humanity on a rapidly warming planet? These are the things that keep me up at night.

But worry is not productive. And when you’re building an episode in a matter of weeks, you don’t have time to not be productive. So let go of questions that are out of your hands: Will people like this? Will the network promote it? Will we get another order? Instead, focus on things you can control: Is this the best I can do in this particular moment? Can I make it better, funnier, more touching? Can I make life easier for my partner or myself?

These lessons are not be-all, end-all prescriptions for success. But going into a creative process with trust, simplicity, and focus on your mind is likely to make your life easier and your final product better.

Of course, I could be wrong about all this… Judge for yourself by watching the first two episodes of Space Kid and Cat below!





--Ends--

More Nick: 'Mr. Sheep and Sleepy Bear' | All Episodes | Nickelodeon!

Originally published: Thursday, August 02, 2018 at 5:06pm BST.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Space Kid and Cat News and Highlights!

Best Henry Danger Crossover Moments ft. The Thundermans & Game Shakers! | Nickelodeon

Take a walk down memory lane with the best crossover moments in Henry Danger history. Remember when the Thundermans fought on top of a moving train with Henry? Or remember when Babe and Henry shared a special Valentine’s moment? Let me know which crossover moment was #1 on your list! Catch more Henry Danger, The Thundermans and Game Shakers on Nickelodeon!



More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's August 2018 Premiere Highlights!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon, Henry Danger, The Thundermans and Game Shakers News and Highlights!

Lizzy Greene's TOP Moments as Dawn Harper!! | Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn | Nickelodeon

Some of Dawn Harper’s (Lizzy Greene) greatest moments from NRDD. Which one is your favorite? Comment below! Make sure to catch the final two episodes of Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, "Quadspiracy Theory" and "Lasties With Firsties", premiering Saturday, August 4 starting at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), only on Nickelodeon USA!



Are you JUST LIKE DAWN?! Let me know why in the comments below!

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's August 2018 Premiere Highlights!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn News and Highlights!

The Thundermans Finale's BEST 'Awww' Moments! 🤗 | #TBT | Nickelodeon

Did you catch the final episode of The Thundermans? Watch as Nick counts down the final Awww Moments from the last episode of the Thundermans and be sure to catch more of your favorite shows on Nickelodeon!



What is your favorite AWWW moment from the finale of The Thundermans?!

More Nick: Nickelodeon Renews 'Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'Henry Danger', 'Hunter Street', 'Knight Squad' and 'The Dude Perfect Show' for New Seasons!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and The Thundermans News and Highlights!

Blaze and the Monster Machines | Meet: AJ! | Nick Jr. UK

Learn more about AJ, Blaze's best friend who travels with him on every adventure they go on!



Watch all your favourite Nick Jr. friends everyday on Nick Jr.! For more magical Nick Jr. activities and games visit NickJr.co.uk and download the Nick Jr. Play app!

More Nick: Nick Jr. Adventure Centre Set To Tour The UK This Summer!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nick Jr. UK, Nickelodeon Preschool and Blaze and the Monster Machines News and Highlights!

Ronnie Flex krijgt een speciaal cadeau 😍 | Nienke's Festival Update | TubeTube | Nickelodeon Nederlands

Nienke gaat langs bij Ronnie Flex om hem leuke cadeautjes te geven en te kletsen over het festival! Ben jij er ook bij op 26 augustus? Laat Nickelodeon weten in de comments op YouTube!



Meer Nick: Nickelodeon Netherlands Announces 'Nickelodeon Familie Festival', a Brand-New Festival for Kids and Families!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Netherlands and Nickelodeon Familie Festival News and Highlights!

On This Day | My Life as a Teenage Robot Premiered | Nickelodeon

On this day 15 YEARS AGO, My Life as a Teenage Robot premiered on Nickelodeon! 🤖



Nicktoons Facts: My Life As A Teenage Robot was created by Rob Renzetti and premiered on August 1st, 2003. It ran for 62 episodes over three seasons, winning two Emmy awards and garnering an additional nomination for Outstanding Animated Program.

BRB gotta go prevent some hostile aliens from annihilating us all 🤖

Check out Nickelodeon's On This Day and Remember When Facebook pages to find out awesome Nick moments from every era throughout Nickelodeon history!

More Nick: Nickelodeon and Paramount to Bring Rugrats Back for the Next Generation of Kids with an All-New TV Series and Feature Film!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and NickSplat News and Highlights!

Can You Ace the SpongeBob Superfan Megaquiz Part 2⁉️ | #KnowYourNick | Nickelodeon

Did you ace the first SpongeBob Superfan Megaquiz? Then get ready for some more porous questions in this sequel SpongeBob Superfan Megaquiz! Comment below with how much you know and be sure to catch more SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon! 🙌



Have you taken Part 1 yet?! http://nickalive.blogspot.com/2018/06/test-your-spongebob-knowledge-with.html Let me know your total score below!

Watch SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons, and get your tickets for Nickelodeon's critically acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical at SpongeBobBroadway.com!

More Nick: Are You Ready Kids? The TONY-AWARD Winning SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Musical Is On Broadway!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and SpongeBob SquarePants News and Highlights!

The *REAL* Reason WHY Chester and AJ Left Fairly OddParents | Butch Hartman

Why did Timmy Turner's best friends leave Fairly OddParents at the end of its run on Nickelodeon?



Yes, he's the real guy. Butch Hartman created your childhood AKA Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, TUFF Puppy, and now...the NOOG NETWORK and Bunsen Is a Beast!

Butch Hartman Sketchbook #1: https://www.amazon.com/Butch-Hartman-Sketchbook-Stuff-drawn/dp/1975613392

Check out Butch's brand-new comic The 3 O'Clock Club from Lion Forge Comics, and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow everything of Butch's below:

Butch Hartman - Facebook | Instagram | Butch's Sketchpad On Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: @realhartman | YouTube | Speech Bubble | Tumblr | Pinterest

The Noog Network - www.noognetwork.com | Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: @noognetwork | Tumblr | Pinterest

More Nick: Butch Hartman Kickstarting Oaxis Online Platform!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Fairly OddParents News and Highlights!

NOGGIN Latin America Adds 'Blaze and the Monster Machines' Season One

First Season of Blaze and the Monster Machines Races onto Noggin Latinoamérica!


The first season of the hit Nick Jr. series Blaze and the Monster Machines (Blaze y los Monster Machines) is now available through Nickelodeon’s top-ranked video subscription service for preschoolers, NOGGIN in Latin America!

Blaze and the Monster Machines | Latinoamérica | Trailer 1 | Noggin



¡Enciende tu motor porque las aventuras de Blaze y los Monster Machines llegaron a Claro Video! Disfruta episodios de ciencia, ingeniería y mecánica en Noggin por Claro Video
https://www.clarovideo.com/mexico/playngo

Blaze and the Monster Machines is an interactive show for preschoolers that introduces the worlds of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Viewers join an eight-year-old boy named AJ and his incredible monster truck Blaze on super-sized adventures. AJ and the viewer help Blaze as they explore the physics of how things move, master mathematics and discover how everyday technologies work. Created by Jeff Borkin (Team Umizoomi, Blue's Clues) and Ellen Martin (Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans), Blaze and the Monster Machines launched in October 2014 as the first preschool show that features a curriculum dedicated to all areas of STEM. Currently in its fourth season, Nickelodeon recently renewed the series for a fifth season.

The One Part Of The Drake Bell And Josh Peck Origin Story You May Not Have Known [Updated]

Although Drake Bell and Josh Peck have endured a series of public ups and downs in the last few years, no one can deny that Nickelodeon's Drake & Josh is still iconic in its own right. Last month, fans were sad to learn the two on-screen stepbrothers weren't that close anymore in real life when Bell wasn't invited to Peck's wedding. But from 2004 to 2007, the pair was inseparable and their hilarious on-screen antics provided the ultimate friendship goals. Although the two sadly haven't remained as close as fans would've hoped, this small detail of the Drake & Josh origin story will immediately bring fans back to a happier and much simpler time.


Source: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Turns out, Bell and Peck's union all started with, literally, one really big shrimp. Before the start of Drake & Josh, both actors appeared on The Amanda Show — Bell was a regular and Peck joined as a guest in Season 2. During their first performance together, their on-screen chemistry was undeniable in a skit with Bell and Peck fighting over a shrimp.

In an undated interview on YouTube, Bell reminisced about meeting Peck and how organic their partnership was. "We really clicked together," the actor said in the video, taken at Tampa Bay Comic Con. They were immediately forced to work as a team, as Bell explained how little direction they were given to actually fight over the shrimp.



"The shrimp comes down and all it said in the script was, 'Drake and Josh fight over a shrimp,'" he recalled. "That's all it said. There was no dialogue, no anything... We just went at it."

Re-watching the skit explains it all. The two use slapstick, physical comedy and throw out lines like, "I enjoy shellfish!" The behind-the-scenes team immediately took notice. "One of the writers leaned over to Dan Schneider, the executive producer, and said, 'You know that's your next show, right? That's your next show,'" Bell said in the video. The next thing they knew, the same producers of The Amanda Show would go on to create a new Nickelodeon hit: Drake & Josh.



And for these two, it all came full circle. At the end of Drake & Josh's run, the show paid tribute to the one and only shrimp. "We start by fighting over a shrimp and end by fighting over a shrimp. That was an homage to how we got started," Bell explained. The original shrimp scene was recreated in the final episode, which was titled, "Really Big Shrimp."

Although Bell, now 31, and Peck, 30, have gone their separate ways, the innocence and nostalgia of their amazing origin story provides a little hope. There may not always be a Drake & Josh friendship, but there will always be shrimp.


Source: Vince Bucci/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

More Nick: Drake Bell Talks Josh Peck Wedding Drama, Says He's Open to "Drake & Josh" Reunion!

Original source: Bustle; Additional source: Wikipedia.