Making waves with 3D toons: Variety's Achievement in Int'l Film Award: Olivier Courson
Phil Lelyveld
Entertainment Technology Center
[Variety]
Studiocanal has shown that a Euro-centric company can successfully compete with the U.S. majors in family fare. And it has done so with high-quality 3D animated, live-action features and mainstream and upscale director-driven pics. Studiocanal’s biggest advance in this arena came in 2010 with its purchase of 3D pioneer Ben Stassen’s nWave Pictures, which at a stroke established the Euro film group as a key purveyor of indie 3D family movies. “Very few large companies in Europe focus on family entertainment,” says Studiocanal topper Olivier Courson. “It’s a highly competitive market heavily dominated by U.S. majors. …
Through that partnership “we were able to secure inhouse, high-profile 3D family movies for our three (distribution) territories — France, U.K. and Germany — and sell international rights,” Courson says. “A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures,” the first 3D tyke toon released under the Studiocanal/nWave banner, was a B.O. hit and international sales success in 2010. Produced on a $26.4 million budget, “Adventures” grossed $75 million worldwide. …
See the full story here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-201205111700reedbusivarietynvr1118053326may11,0,1209346.story
