Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Nickelodeon To Open State-Of-The-Art Production Facility In 2016

Variety is reporting the very exciting news in the following article that Nickelodeon is planning to unite the entire Nickelodeon family in a single facility called "Nickelodeon Studios" opening in Burbank, California in 2016!:
Nickelodeon Animation Builds New Facility Just in Time for 25th Anniversary


Nickelodeon Animation Studio has big plans for the future.

With 31 titles currently in production, including live action, movies and shorts, spread out across various L.A. areas from Glendale to Santa Monica, the company aims to unite the entire Nick family in a single facility opening in Burbank next year. And the studio hopes the new state-of-the-art five-story glass structure will become a hub for the entire animation industry.

“This will be the first time all our creative teams are actually together,” says Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon’s president of content development and production. “Currently, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ is being done in Glendale, ‘Dora the Explorer’ in downtown Burbank and ‘SpongeBob’ is housed at the animation studio. It will be the first time these major brands and creative hubs come together under one roof. I think it’s going to create a very exciting time and help next generation of creativity.”

Since the new site will house both live action and toon productions, the studio will also officially change its name from Nickelodeon Animation Studio to simply Nickelodeon Studios.

The opening coincides with Nickelodeon Animation’s 25th anniversary in 2016 — its three original series, “Rugrats,” “Doug” and “Ren & Stimpy” bowed in 1991 — and one of the goals for the new facility is to draw upon that history.

“We will tell our story throughout the whole building,” Hicks says. “When you walk in you’ll see the first creators. Our philosophy is creator-driven content, they are the ones who have a vision and we wrap a studio around them to support that vision.”

The creative campus is designed as an open and inviting space where employees feel the freedom and inspiration of an artists’ retreat. Among the perks: an on-site restaurant and coffee shop, a central courtyard with designated lecture space and a music room.

A Nickelodeon Studios app will include a rundown of events for the day including guest speakers, tours and screenings, and allow for easy communication and scheduling across all departments. Noting that he’s observed that creative ideas spring more frequently from casual interactions than forced meetings, Hicks wants to seize the opportunity for greater collaboration and mobility between Nick’s various production arms.

“We’ve had a lot of success with people going into live action from animation and vice versa,” he says. “We just want to increase that. And increase our student outreach to our internships. To be housed in one area of Los Angeles is the ultimate goal.”

More than just a base for Nickelodeon, Hicks vows to open the studio up to the community with tours and programs targeted at aspiring animators, aficionados of the form and industry pros.

“We want to be a hub of the animation community in California, with lecture series and open houses,” he says. “No matter where you’re from, you can come to Nickelodeon and see a lecture series from one of the greats talking about what they’re doing.”

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Nick Jr. Asia To Premiere "Dora and Friends: Into the City!" In March 2015

Original Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia Press Release via VIMN Asia's official Pressroom:

NICK JR. TAKES THE WORLD'S MOST LOVED EXPLORER, DORA, ON HER GREATEST ADVENTURE YET WITH THE NEW PRE-SCHOOL SERIES "DORA AND FRIENDS: INTO THE CITY!"

Premieres in Asia on Monday, 16 March at 8.45am (HK/SG), 9am (TH/WIB), 10am (MY) and Monday, 30 March at 11.30am (PH) on Nickelodeon, and Monday, 23 March at 10.35am (TH/WIB) and 11.35am (HK/MY/PH/SG) on Nick Jr.

Tweet it: .@nickjr's global phenomenon, Dora embarks on her greatest expedition yet in new pre-school series "Dora and Friends: Into the City!"


SINGAPORE, 27 FEBRUARY 2015 - Nick Jr.'s global phenomenon, Dora embarks on her greatest expedition yet, with new animated pre-school series Dora and Friends: Into the City! Premiering in Asia on Monday, 16 March at 8.45am (HK/SG), 9am (TH/WIB), 10am (MY) and Monday, 30 March at 11.30am (PH) on Nickelodeon, and Monday, 23 March at 10.35am (TH/WIB) and 11.35am (HK/MY/PH/SG) on Nick Jr., the half hour series centres around Dora and her new group of friends living in a city, attending school and setting out on new adventures that service the community.

Developed with the support of educational experts, the show is based on a new, interactive curriculum that focuses on community service, problem solving, emotional skills, language and culture. Created by original Dora the Explorer creators, Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh Valdes (Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!), Dora and Friends: Into the City! will air weekdays at 8.45am (HK/SG), 9am (TH/WIB), 10am (MY) and 11.30am on Nickelodeon, and 9.15am (TH/WIB) and 10.15am (HK/MY/PH/SG) on Nick Jr. after the premiere. The Dora the Explorer series, which after 15 years remains one of the most-watched shows on Nick Jr., will also continue to air on the channel.

"Dora and Friends: Into the City! expands on Dora's legacy of being a compassionate leader, friend and role model, in a setting where she can have dynamic peer relationships and experience the world around her in new and exciting ways," said Teri Weiss, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Pre-school. "Pre-schoolers will explore with their favourite pal Dora and her new friends while developing interpersonal skills and a sense of community that will help them navigate new social situations like starting school and making friends. And, of course, learning Spanish along the way."

Set in the fictional city of Playa Verde, Dora and her friends set off on magical and real-life adventures. During each expedition, Dora uses Map App on her smartphone and her magical charm bracelet to navigate the city and overcome obstacles. Dora continues to be a good friend, leader, and problem-solver with a group of new friends – Kate, Naiya, Emma, Alana and Pablo – who share her passion for learning and exploring.

Dora's new friends are:

* Kate – an avid reader who is dramatic and artistic

* Naiya – an intellectual who excels at maths and science

* Emma – an accomplished musician with a drive to be the best

* Alana – an athletic, confident soccer player and animal lover

* Pablo – a smart, playful, energetic athlete and explorer

[...]

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About Nick Jr.

Nick Jr. is "the Smart Place to Play," giving kids and parents what they want – educational and entertaining content with great stories and characters that empower kids to learn while they play. The educational curriculum is in everything Nick Jr. does – the shows, packaging and promos – delivered by all the Nick Jr. characters kids know and love. The award-winning and exclusive international properties including Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi, Bubble Guppies and Tickety Toc are designed to engage and encourage early childhood development. For more information about Nick Jr. in Asia, visit www.nickjr.asia.

Contact

[...]

Twitter: @VIMNAsia_PR

ABOUT VIMN ASIA PRESS

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world's most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, MTV LIVE HD, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, Paramount Channel, and more. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 3.2 billion households in approximately 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. Keep up with VIMN news by visiting the VIMN PR Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/VIMN_PR. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com, the Viacom blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

Nickelodeon Announces First-Ever Animation Scholarship Program In Partnership With Get Schooled To Award One Talented Young Animator A $25,000 Scholarship

Original Nickelodeon Press Release via NickPress.com:

NICKELODEON ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER ANIMATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GET SCHOOLED TO AWARD ONE TALENETD YOUNG ANIMATOR A $25,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Global Animation Scholarship Program Opens This Spring for Young Storytellers


Los Angeles, Calif.,-(March 10, 2015)- Nickelodeon has partnered with Get Schooled, a national non-profit co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom, to award one skilled and innovative animator with a $25,000 scholarship by creating an original animated short. This partnership marks the first-ever animation scholarship program between the two organizations, which will help elevate and support the brightest up and coming animators by giving an opportunity to submit their story.

"With a rich history of championing artist-driven shows and shorts, Nickelodeon is on a mission to bring these ever-growing, young animators to the forefront," said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon. "By partnering with Get Schooled, we are able to discover the next generation of storytellers and provide an animation scholarship for a deserving student, which is really rewarding."

"Get Schooled believes passionately in the power of education to unleash the potential of a young person," said Marie Groark, Executive Director of Get Schooled. "We are excited to partner with Nickelodeon on this incredible opportunity to find, recognize and support one of the world's best young creative minds in animation."

The scholarship opportunity will be available for 17 to 24-years-olds, in which applicants will be required to submit an animated short in any format. Realizing that talent is found across all age ranges and in all corners of the globe, 13 to 16-years-olds will be invited to submit a theme-based looping animation for the chance to win prizes, such as a tablet with animation software.

More information about the scholarship can be found at www.getschooled.com. Full guidelines will be available in April at Get Schooled and the winners will be announced summer 2015.

About Get Schooled

Get Schooled, a non-profit launched in 2010 by Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the belief that students themselves have the power to improve their future if given the right information and motivation. Get Schooled works with 2,000 high schools across the United States and draws 1.8 million students to its website annually.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

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Nickelodeon USA Digitally Premieres Brand-New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Episode "Battle for New York"

Can't wait until Nickelodeon USA premieres the next brand-new episode from the all-new third season of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on Sunday 15th March 2015? You're in luck! Nick USA has digitally premiered the next brand-new episode of TMNT, titled "Battle for New York", a few days early on the networks official website, which fans in North America can watch in full online right here on Nick.com!


In the all-new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" season three episode "Battle for New York", while the Mighty Mutanimals lay siege to TCRI, the Heroes in a Half-Shell must brave the bizarre world of Dimension X to save the enslaved people of New York!


Attention Mutation Nation! Nickelodeon's official "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" fan club has launched "TMNT Mutation Madness", a brand-new initiative where TMNT fans can vote for their favorite mutant characters in Nickelodeon's hit CG-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series! The not-so-sweet 16 - Bebop (Anton Zeck), Fishface (Xever), Ice Cream Kitty, Kirby Bat (Kirby O'Neil), Tiger Claw, Leatherhead, Stockman Fly, Spider Bytez (Vic), Snakeweed, Mutagen Man (The Puverizer (real name: Timothy)), Karai Serpent, Slash (Spike), Rocksteady (Ivan Steranko), Rat King (Dr. Victor), Rahzar (Dogpound), and Pizza Face - are in the running, but only one can be crowned the Ultimate Mutant Champion! Fans can help their favorite mutant go the distance and take home the title by coming back each week and casting their votes through four head-to-head rounds! The winner will be announced on NickToons USA and online on Monday 23rd March 2015!

Don't forget you can also vote for "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to win the coveted "Favorite Cartoon" blimp award at Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Awards' 2015"! Vote online at nick.com/kca (USA) and kca2015.com (Global), through the Nick App (where available) and on Twitter using the hashtags #VoteTMNT #KCA (click here to use a pre-formatted Tweet)!
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