The Casting Society (CSA) has announced the film nominees for the 39th Artios Awards, presented by the Casting Society of America. “The Color Purple,” “Saltburn,” “Maestro,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Oppenheimer” are among the nominated films in big budget drama.
The awards honor casting directors’ contributions to film, television and theatre. Among the casting directors with multiple nominations are Avy Kaufman and Jessica Sherman. Also nominated are the casting directors behind “Barbie” and “The Iron Claw.”
The winners will be revealed on March 7, with celebrations being held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in New York City at the Edison Ballroom and in London, England.
As previously announced, Ava DuVernay is this year’s recipient of the Lynn Stalmaster Award Career Achievement.
The full list of nominees is below.
Feature Animation
“Elemental”
Natalie Lyon, Kevin Reher, Kate Hansen-Birnbaum (Associate Casting Director)
“Leo”
Danielle Aufiero, Amber Horn...
The awards honor casting directors’ contributions to film, television and theatre. Among the casting directors with multiple nominations are Avy Kaufman and Jessica Sherman. Also nominated are the casting directors behind “Barbie” and “The Iron Claw.”
The winners will be revealed on March 7, with celebrations being held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in New York City at the Edison Ballroom and in London, England.
As previously announced, Ava DuVernay is this year’s recipient of the Lynn Stalmaster Award Career Achievement.
The full list of nominees is below.
Feature Animation
“Elemental”
Natalie Lyon, Kevin Reher, Kate Hansen-Birnbaum (Associate Casting Director)
“Leo”
Danielle Aufiero, Amber Horn...
- 1/12/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Casting Society has made its 2024 callbacks. The group today revealed the film nominees for its 39th Artios Awards, which honor the contribution of casting professionals.
Vying in the Feature Big Budget – Drama category are The Color Purple, Maestro, Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer and Saltburn. The Feature Big Budget – Comedy race will be among Air; Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Asteroid City, Cocaine Bear and Wonka.
Up for the Zeitgeist Award are Barbie, The Flash, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
See the full list below.
The combatants for Feature Studio or Independent – Drama are The Iron Claw, May December, Past Lives, Priscilla and Rustin. Battling for the Feature Studio or Independent – Comedy will be American Fiction, Bottoms, The Holdovers, Joy Ride and Theater Camp.
Last year’s top...
Vying in the Feature Big Budget – Drama category are The Color Purple, Maestro, Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer and Saltburn. The Feature Big Budget – Comedy race will be among Air; Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Asteroid City, Cocaine Bear and Wonka.
Up for the Zeitgeist Award are Barbie, The Flash, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
See the full list below.
The combatants for Feature Studio or Independent – Drama are The Iron Claw, May December, Past Lives, Priscilla and Rustin. Battling for the Feature Studio or Independent – Comedy will be American Fiction, Bottoms, The Holdovers, Joy Ride and Theater Camp.
Last year’s top...
- 1/12/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The Casting Society of America on Friday unveiled nominations for its 36th annual Artios Awards in the categories of television, theater, short film and short-form series. The noms for the casting honors come ahead of a planned virtual winners ceremony April 15.
The Csa opened its feature film submission period Thursday; noms in those categories will be announced in March.
On the TV side, Netflix leads all networks today with 12 nominations, followed by rival HBO with eight and Hulu with four. Among the nominees include Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president David Rubin, who scored mentions for HBO’s Big Little Lies and Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere. Victoria Thomas earned four noms, for Apple’s The Morning Show and HBO’s Insecure, Watchmen and A Black Lady Sketch Show.
In theater, Jim Carnahan, Karyn Casl and Tara Rubin were among the casting director with multiple noms. Rubin, along with Robi Reed,...
The Csa opened its feature film submission period Thursday; noms in those categories will be announced in March.
On the TV side, Netflix leads all networks today with 12 nominations, followed by rival HBO with eight and Hulu with four. Among the nominees include Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president David Rubin, who scored mentions for HBO’s Big Little Lies and Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere. Victoria Thomas earned four noms, for Apple’s The Morning Show and HBO’s Insecure, Watchmen and A Black Lady Sketch Show.
In theater, Jim Carnahan, Karyn Casl and Tara Rubin were among the casting director with multiple noms. Rubin, along with Robi Reed,...
- 1/8/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Vice,” “Green Book,” “Crazy Rich Asians” and “BlackKklansman” all emerged as winners at the 34th annual Artios Awards on Thursday, chosen by members of the Casting Society of America.
“Black Panther” also picked up a special Zeitgeist Award, while “Isle of Dogs” won for casting of an animated film. “The Kindergarten Teacher” and “Madeline’s Madeline” were honored in the low-budget and micro-budget film categories.
TV winners included the first season of “Ozark” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” as well as the ongoing series “Atlanta” and “The Crown.”
Also Read: Artios Awards Give Top Casting Honors to 'La La Land,' 'Hidden Figures'
The Los Angeles event was hosted by actress and comedian June Diane Raphael and SAG Award-winning actor Paul Scheer, and the New York event was hosted by comic performer Bridget Everett.
This year’s honorees included Laura Dern, who received the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement.
“Black Panther” also picked up a special Zeitgeist Award, while “Isle of Dogs” won for casting of an animated film. “The Kindergarten Teacher” and “Madeline’s Madeline” were honored in the low-budget and micro-budget film categories.
TV winners included the first season of “Ozark” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” as well as the ongoing series “Atlanta” and “The Crown.”
Also Read: Artios Awards Give Top Casting Honors to 'La La Land,' 'Hidden Figures'
The Los Angeles event was hosted by actress and comedian June Diane Raphael and SAG Award-winning actor Paul Scheer, and the New York event was hosted by comic performer Bridget Everett.
This year’s honorees included Laura Dern, who received the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement.
- 2/1/2019
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
The casting branch of the academy is only five years old and doesn’t have an Oscar category of its own. However, the Casting Society of America has been handing out the Artios Awards for 34 years (“Artios” is from the ancient Greek meaning “perfectly fitted.”). This year’s awards took place on Thursday (Jan. 31) on both coasts. At the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, winners included three of the Oscar frontrunners for Best Picture: “BlacKkKlansman,” “Green Book” and “Vice.” (see full list of winners below).
In addition to the seven film categories listed below, the Atrios Awards honored Laura Dern with the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement while Tina Fey and Jeff Raymond received the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award and casting directors Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson and Carol Kritzer were feted with the Hoyt Bowers Award.
Last year’s big budget winners were the war movie...
In addition to the seven film categories listed below, the Atrios Awards honored Laura Dern with the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement while Tina Fey and Jeff Raymond received the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award and casting directors Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson and Carol Kritzer were feted with the Hoyt Bowers Award.
Last year’s big budget winners were the war movie...
- 2/1/2019
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Casting Society of America held its annual Artios Awards tonight and gave its top film prizes to awards-season regulars Green Book (Big Budget – Comedy), Vice (Big Budget – Drama), Crazy Rich Asians (Studio or Independent Comedy) and BlackKklansman (Studio or Indie Drama).
Other film winners included Black Panther (the Zeitgeist Award) and Isle of Dogs (Feature Animation). Trophies were handed out in 30 categories spanning film, TV and theater during dual ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. Check out the full list of winners below.
Top winners on the TV side included The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Ozark, Atlanta, The Crown, Godless and Rick and Morty.
This year’s honorees were Laura Dern, who received the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement; Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond, the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award for outstanding commitment to the New York entertainment industry through their collaboration with casting directors; and Robert J. Ulrich,...
Other film winners included Black Panther (the Zeitgeist Award) and Isle of Dogs (Feature Animation). Trophies were handed out in 30 categories spanning film, TV and theater during dual ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. Check out the full list of winners below.
Top winners on the TV side included The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Ozark, Atlanta, The Crown, Godless and Rick and Morty.
This year’s honorees were Laura Dern, who received the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement; Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond, the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award for outstanding commitment to the New York entertainment industry through their collaboration with casting directors; and Robert J. Ulrich,...
- 2/1/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
“A Star Is Born,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” “Vice,” “The Hate U Give,” and “Deadpool 2” are among the films nominated for the 34th annual Artios Awards from the Casting Society of America.
Simultaneous ceremonies will take place on both coasts on Thursday, Jan. 31, with the Los Angeles awards being held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Actress June Diane Raphael of Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie” and Paul Scheer of “Veep” and “Black Monday” will play host on the West Coast.
Industry veteran Laura Dern will receive the Lynn Stalmaster Award, and in New York, Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond will receive Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award. The Ulrich Dawson and Kritzer casting team will be honored with the Hoyt Bowers Award for outstanding casting, presented by Ryan Murphy of “Pose.” Casting directors Mike Fenton of “E.T.,” Joe Reich of “Knight Rider,” and Al Onorato of “Eye of the Tiger” will also be honored.
Simultaneous ceremonies will take place on both coasts on Thursday, Jan. 31, with the Los Angeles awards being held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Actress June Diane Raphael of Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie” and Paul Scheer of “Veep” and “Black Monday” will play host on the West Coast.
Industry veteran Laura Dern will receive the Lynn Stalmaster Award, and in New York, Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond will receive Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award. The Ulrich Dawson and Kritzer casting team will be honored with the Hoyt Bowers Award for outstanding casting, presented by Ryan Murphy of “Pose.” Casting directors Mike Fenton of “E.T.,” Joe Reich of “Knight Rider,” and Al Onorato of “Eye of the Tiger” will also be honored.
- 1/4/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- Variety Film + TV
The casting branch of the academy is only five years old and doesn’t have an Oscar category of its own. However, the Casting Society of America has been handing out the Artios Awards for 33 years (“Artios” is from the ancient Greek meaning “perfectly fitted.”). Nominees for feature films were announced on Thursday and many of the leading Oscar contenders reaped bids. Winners will be revealed at joint ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 31.
In addition to the seven film categories listed below, the Atrios Awards will honor Laura Dern with the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement while Tina Fey and Jeff Raymond will receive the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award and casting directors Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson and Carol Kritzer will be feted with the Hoyt Bowers Award.
Last year’s big budget winners were the war movie “Dunkirk and the musical...
In addition to the seven film categories listed below, the Atrios Awards will honor Laura Dern with the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement while Tina Fey and Jeff Raymond will receive the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award and casting directors Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson and Carol Kritzer will be feted with the Hoyt Bowers Award.
Last year’s big budget winners were the war movie “Dunkirk and the musical...
- 1/4/2019
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Casting Society of America has released the feature film nominees and hosts for the 34th annual Artios Awards, being held Jan. 31 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The husband and wife team of June Diane Raphael and Paul Scheer will host the event.
Scheer is the co-creator of Adult Swim’s comedy action parody series, Ntsf:ds:suv, which co-stars his wife. Together they co-host the popular film podcast, Why Did This Get Made?
This year’s honorees include actress Laura Dern (who will receive the Lynn Stalmaster award) and from the New York ceremony, Tina Fey and Jeff Raymond (who will receive the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award).
Casting directors Mike Fenton, Joe Reich and Al Onorato will receive the Hoyt Bowers Award for outstanding contribution to the casting profession.
Here are the film nominees for the 34th annual Artios Awards:
Feature Big Budget – Comedy
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Ellen Chenoweth, Jo Edna Boldin (Location Casting), Susanne Scheel (Associate), Marie A.K. McMaster (Location Associate)
Deadpool 2
Mary Vernieu, Marisol Roncali, Corinne Clark (Location Casting), Jennifer Page (Location Casting), Yumi Takada (Location Casting), Nina Henninger (Location Casting), Raylin Sabo (Associate)
Game Night
Rich Delia, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting), Adam Richards (Associate)
Green Book
Rick Montgomery, Meagan Lewis (Location Casting), Thomas Sullivan (Associate)
Mary Poppins Returns
Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield, Conrad Woolfe (Associate), Sarah Trevis (UK Associate)
Feature Big Budget – Drama
A Star Is Born
Mary Vernieu, Lindsay Graham, Raylin Sabo (Associate)
Boy Erased
Carmen Cuba, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting), Shelby Cherniet (Associate)
The Hate U Give
Yesi Ramirez, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting)
Vice
Francine Maisler, Amber Wakefield (Additional Casting)
Widows
Francine Maisler, Jennifer Rudnicke (Location Casting), Mickie Paskal (Location Casting), Amber Wakefield (Associate)
Feature Studio Or Independent – Comedy
Book Club
Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee, Avy Kaufman, Roya Semnanian (Associate), Joey Montenarello (Associate)
Crazy Rich Asians
Terri Taylor, Sarah Domeier (Associate)
Love, Simon
Denise Chamian, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting)
Private Life
Jeanne McCarthy, Rori Bergman, Karlee Fomalont (Associate)
Sorry to Bother You
Eyde Belasco, Nina Henninger (Location Casting), Sarah Kliban (Location Associate)
Feature Studio Or Independent – Drama
Beautiful Boy
Francine Maisler, Amber Wakefield (Associate)
Ben Is Back
Bernard Telsey
BlacKkKlansman
Kim Taylor-Coleman
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Jennifer Euston, Sj Allocco (Associate)
If Beale Street Could Talk
Cindy Tolan, Anne Davison (Associate)
Feature Low Budget – Comedy or Drama
A Private War
Jina Jay
The Kindergarten Teacher
Stephanie Holbrook, Henry Russell Bergstein
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Jessica Daniels
Monsters and Men
Avy Kaufman, Scotty Anderson (Associate)
Unsane
Carmen Cuba
Feature Micro Budget – Comedy or Drama
Billy Boy
Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer
Dead Women Walking
Rich Delia, Adam Richards (Associate)
Madeline’s Madeline
Stephanie Holbrook
Searching
Lindsey Weissmueller, Mayank Bhatter (Associate)
Unlovable
Meg Morman, Sunday Boling
Feature Animation
Incredibles 2
Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon
Isle of Dogs
Douglas Aibel
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Jamie Sparer Roberts, Sarah Raoufpur (Associate)
Smallfoot
Ruth Lambert
The Zeitgeist Award
A Quiet Place
Jodi Angstreich, Maribeth Fox, Laura Rosenthal
Black Panther
Sarah Halley Finn, Meagan Lewis (Location Casting), Jason B. Stamey (Associate), Nicholas Amick Mudd (Associate)
Bumblebee
Denise Chamian, Nina Henninger (Location Casting), Robert McGee (Additional Voice Casting), Ruth Lambert (Additional Voice Casting), Beth Day (Associate), Sarah Kliban (Location Associate)
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Fiona Weir
Ready Player One
Ellen Lewis, Lucy Bevan, Kate Sprance (Associate)...
The husband and wife team of June Diane Raphael and Paul Scheer will host the event.
Scheer is the co-creator of Adult Swim’s comedy action parody series, Ntsf:ds:suv, which co-stars his wife. Together they co-host the popular film podcast, Why Did This Get Made?
This year’s honorees include actress Laura Dern (who will receive the Lynn Stalmaster award) and from the New York ceremony, Tina Fey and Jeff Raymond (who will receive the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award).
Casting directors Mike Fenton, Joe Reich and Al Onorato will receive the Hoyt Bowers Award for outstanding contribution to the casting profession.
Here are the film nominees for the 34th annual Artios Awards:
Feature Big Budget – Comedy
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Ellen Chenoweth, Jo Edna Boldin (Location Casting), Susanne Scheel (Associate), Marie A.K. McMaster (Location Associate)
Deadpool 2
Mary Vernieu, Marisol Roncali, Corinne Clark (Location Casting), Jennifer Page (Location Casting), Yumi Takada (Location Casting), Nina Henninger (Location Casting), Raylin Sabo (Associate)
Game Night
Rich Delia, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting), Adam Richards (Associate)
Green Book
Rick Montgomery, Meagan Lewis (Location Casting), Thomas Sullivan (Associate)
Mary Poppins Returns
Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield, Conrad Woolfe (Associate), Sarah Trevis (UK Associate)
Feature Big Budget – Drama
A Star Is Born
Mary Vernieu, Lindsay Graham, Raylin Sabo (Associate)
Boy Erased
Carmen Cuba, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting), Shelby Cherniet (Associate)
The Hate U Give
Yesi Ramirez, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting)
Vice
Francine Maisler, Amber Wakefield (Additional Casting)
Widows
Francine Maisler, Jennifer Rudnicke (Location Casting), Mickie Paskal (Location Casting), Amber Wakefield (Associate)
Feature Studio Or Independent – Comedy
Book Club
Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee, Avy Kaufman, Roya Semnanian (Associate), Joey Montenarello (Associate)
Crazy Rich Asians
Terri Taylor, Sarah Domeier (Associate)
Love, Simon
Denise Chamian, Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Chase Paris (Location Casting)
Private Life
Jeanne McCarthy, Rori Bergman, Karlee Fomalont (Associate)
Sorry to Bother You
Eyde Belasco, Nina Henninger (Location Casting), Sarah Kliban (Location Associate)
Feature Studio Or Independent – Drama
Beautiful Boy
Francine Maisler, Amber Wakefield (Associate)
Ben Is Back
Bernard Telsey
BlacKkKlansman
Kim Taylor-Coleman
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Jennifer Euston, Sj Allocco (Associate)
If Beale Street Could Talk
Cindy Tolan, Anne Davison (Associate)
Feature Low Budget – Comedy or Drama
A Private War
Jina Jay
The Kindergarten Teacher
Stephanie Holbrook, Henry Russell Bergstein
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Jessica Daniels
Monsters and Men
Avy Kaufman, Scotty Anderson (Associate)
Unsane
Carmen Cuba
Feature Micro Budget – Comedy or Drama
Billy Boy
Robert J. Ulrich, Eric Dawson, Carol Kritzer
Dead Women Walking
Rich Delia, Adam Richards (Associate)
Madeline’s Madeline
Stephanie Holbrook
Searching
Lindsey Weissmueller, Mayank Bhatter (Associate)
Unlovable
Meg Morman, Sunday Boling
Feature Animation
Incredibles 2
Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon
Isle of Dogs
Douglas Aibel
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Jamie Sparer Roberts, Sarah Raoufpur (Associate)
Smallfoot
Ruth Lambert
The Zeitgeist Award
A Quiet Place
Jodi Angstreich, Maribeth Fox, Laura Rosenthal
Black Panther
Sarah Halley Finn, Meagan Lewis (Location Casting), Jason B. Stamey (Associate), Nicholas Amick Mudd (Associate)
Bumblebee
Denise Chamian, Nina Henninger (Location Casting), Robert McGee (Additional Voice Casting), Ruth Lambert (Additional Voice Casting), Beth Day (Associate), Sarah Kliban (Location Associate)
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Fiona Weir
Ready Player One
Ellen Lewis, Lucy Bevan, Kate Sprance (Associate)...
- 1/4/2019
- by Bruce Haring and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Playwright Tony Kushner, producer Marcy Carsey, and casting director Ellen Chenoweth will be honored by the Casting Society of America at this year's Artios Awards. The nominees for this year's awards—to be presented Nov. 1 in dual ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the American Airlines Theatre in New York—were announced today. Kushner, Carsey, and Chenoweth will be presented with special awards. The complete list of nominees follows.Big budget feature, drama"Avatar," Margery Simkin and Mali Finn (initial casting)"Inglourious Basterds," Johanna Ray and Jenny Jue"Nine," Francine Maisler"Sherlock Holmes," Reg Poerscout-Edgerton"Shutter Island," Ellen Lewis and Carolyn Pickman (location casting)Big budget feature, comedy"Couples Retreat," Sarah Halley Finn and Randi Hiller"Date Night," Donna Isaacson"Julie and Julia," Francine Maisler"The Proposal," Amanda Mackey Johnson, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, and Angela Peri (location casting)"Valentine's Day," Deborah Aquila and Tricia WoodFeature,...
- 9/15/2010
- backstage.com
Warner Brothers is set to “release the kraken” this Friday, April 2… so, Wamg is set to release the Movie Geeks, wielding their swords of cinematic heroism to establish the most epic Top Ten list of Mythological Masterpieces… ever! This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is devoted to the great Greek mythological stories of heroes, gods and monsters.
10. Hercules (1997)
You know why this movie is on this list? It’s not because it was Disney’s last, great, hand-drawn, animated film of the ’90s. It wasn’t. The film’s not great, but you have to hand it to whatever genius decided the perfect voice for Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, would be James Woods. Best. Voice casting. Ever. Rip Torn voicing Zeus? Another stroke of genius. This was also probably the first time many kids born in the early ’90s became privy to the voice of Charlton Heston, who does the narration.
10. Hercules (1997)
You know why this movie is on this list? It’s not because it was Disney’s last, great, hand-drawn, animated film of the ’90s. It wasn’t. The film’s not great, but you have to hand it to whatever genius decided the perfect voice for Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, would be James Woods. Best. Voice casting. Ever. Rip Torn voicing Zeus? Another stroke of genius. This was also probably the first time many kids born in the early ’90s became privy to the voice of Charlton Heston, who does the narration.
- 3/30/2010
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Casting directors came out from behind the curtain to be honored by their peers last night at the 25th Annual Artios Awards. The bi-coastal awards, which were held simultaneously at the new Times Center in New York City and the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, are presented yearly for outstanding achievement in casting in theater, film, and television categories on the criteria of originality, creativity, and contribution of casting to the overall quality of a project.Celebrity awards presenters in New York were Patrick Wilson ("Little Children," "Angels in America"), Carrie Preston ("True Blood"), Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road"), Jennifer Morrison ("House"), Bill Pullman ("Oleanna"), Christine Ebersole ("Grey Gardens"), Vincent Kartheiser ("Mad Men"), and Elizabeth Reaser ("Twilight"). Stanley Tucci and producer Daryl Roth presented the New York Big Apple Award to Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, whose "Love, Loss and What I Wore" recently opened Off-Broadway to rave reviews.
- 11/3/2009
- backstage.com
"Star Trek," "Tropic Thunder," "Milk" and "Up" were among the films honored Monday night as the Casting Society of America held its 25th Artios Awards.
At simultaneous ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City and the New York Times Building in New York, "Mad Men" and "Flight of the Conchords" were singled out in the TV series categories.
The awards, which recognize originality, creativity and quality in casting, were hosted by actor John Michael Higgins.
A career achievement award was presented to producer Laura Ziskin. Nora and Delia Ephron received the New York Apple Award, and John Frank Levey was the recipient of the Hoyt Bowers Award.
On the film side, the winners were April Webster and Alyssa Weisberg for "Star Trek" in the category of studio feature, drama; Francine Maisler for "Tropic Thunder" (studio feature, comedy); Maisler and Nina Henninger (location casting) for "Milk" (indie...
At simultaneous ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City and the New York Times Building in New York, "Mad Men" and "Flight of the Conchords" were singled out in the TV series categories.
The awards, which recognize originality, creativity and quality in casting, were hosted by actor John Michael Higgins.
A career achievement award was presented to producer Laura Ziskin. Nora and Delia Ephron received the New York Apple Award, and John Frank Levey was the recipient of the Hoyt Bowers Award.
On the film side, the winners were April Webster and Alyssa Weisberg for "Star Trek" in the category of studio feature, drama; Francine Maisler for "Tropic Thunder" (studio feature, comedy); Maisler and Nina Henninger (location casting) for "Milk" (indie...
- 11/3/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Producer Laura Ziskin, writer-director Nora Ephron, writer Delia Ephron and casting director John Frank Levey will be honored at the Casting Society of America's 24th annual Artios Awards.
Simultaneous awards ceremonies will be held in at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles and the New York Times Building in New York on Nov. 2.
Ziskin is set to receive the group's Career Achievement Award. The New York Apple Award will be presented to Nora and Delia Ephron. Levy is this year's recipient of the Hoyt Bowers Award.
Representing 425 members in the United States, Canada, England and Australia, Cas also announced its nominees in film TV and theater on Thursday.
In the category of big budget feature drama, Ellen Chenoweth scored two noms for "Changeling" and "Duplicity." The category nominees are John Papsidera for "The Dark Knight"; April Webster and Alyssa Weisberg for "Star Trek" and Avy Kaufman for "State of Play.
Simultaneous awards ceremonies will be held in at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles and the New York Times Building in New York on Nov. 2.
Ziskin is set to receive the group's Career Achievement Award. The New York Apple Award will be presented to Nora and Delia Ephron. Levy is this year's recipient of the Hoyt Bowers Award.
Representing 425 members in the United States, Canada, England and Australia, Cas also announced its nominees in film TV and theater on Thursday.
In the category of big budget feature drama, Ellen Chenoweth scored two noms for "Changeling" and "Duplicity." The category nominees are John Papsidera for "The Dark Knight"; April Webster and Alyssa Weisberg for "Star Trek" and Avy Kaufman for "State of Play.
- 9/17/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This eagerly anticipated, mega-expensive, live-action/computer-animated Disney project directed by Ralph Zondag and Eric Leighton is a fabulous success, transporting the moviegoer to a prehistoric realm where dinosaurs are the stars of a fantastic adventure of friendship and survival in the aftermath of a major natural catastrophe.
Worth the wait of several years and poised to sell a tremendous amount of tickets worldwide, "Dinosaur" is a nearly perfect mainstream fable rivaling "The Lion King" in its broad appeal to younger and older viewers. But without songs and featuring far less dialogue than the usual comedy-heavy Disney animated works, the film takes risks, including enough tension and moments of dino violence to earn a PG rating. Those risks pay off magnificently in an exhilarating viewing experience that at worst has a few fleeting lame gags, but "Dinosaur" is otherwise bound to be one of the year's most praised, honored and top-grossing films.
Along with some of the most incredible visuals that audiences have yet encountered (and that only lots of money can buy), "Dinosaur" features a winning human cast including D.B. Sweeney, Ossie Davis and Joan Plowright, who provide the voices for a fairly unique tale that's obviously not completely accurate according to the latest achievements in paleontology (though it was revealed recently that some dinos appear to have been warm-blooded).
Born more than 10 years ago as a screenplay by Walon Green ("The Wild Bunch", "Sorcerer"), the long-gestating "Dinosaur" at its height employed some 350 computer animators and technicians housed in a costly new building. Called the Secret Lab, the awesome assemblage of technology and 1990s artisans set out to re-create with photorealist intensity the late Cretaceous period, some 65 million years ago.
With the final screenplay credited to John Harrison (USA Network's upcoming miniseries "Dune") and Robert Nelson Jacobs (Miramax's "Chocolat"), "Dinosaur" pays homage to great adventure films -- including a magnificent shot, with live-action background filmed in Jordan's Wadi Rumm, that rivals a memorable moment in "Lawrence of Arabia" -- but boldly makes a claim as the ultimate dinosaur flick by handily surpassing "Jurassic Park" and its sequel "The Lost World".
Following a brief introduction by a narrator promising gently that big things have small beginnings, "Dinosaur" starts spectacularly with the pre-hatching adventures of lead iguanodon Aladar (Sweeney). The filmmakers' imagination, combined with technology, results in swiftly unfolding, almost-overwhelming action as Aladar is separated from his herd, nearly crushed by a rampaging predator, nabbed by a scary, chicken-like oviraptor, then snatched by a swooping pteranodon that flies to its island home.
The audience has a little time to catch its breath as Aladar finally emerges from his shell and is adopted by a group of lemurs, including cautious and wise patriarch Yar (Davis). In a flash, Aladar has grown up -- the herbivorous iguanodons measured 30 feet long and weighed as much as 5 tons -- and he's bounding around like a kid with tiny lemur friends Suri (Hayden Panettiere) and Zini (Max Casella), while mother lemur Plio (Alfre Woodard) and Yar rate as about the kindest foster parents since Ma and Pa Kent.
Aladar's happy life on Lemur Island comes to an abrupt end when a fiery meteor shower heralds a cataclysmic impact that the characters watch and then scramble to survive. The four principal lemurs hop on Aladar and, as the shock wave and wall of destruction scorch the island, our hero dives into the ocean and they all swim to safety. Mourning their fallen comrades on the island, Aladar and the lemurs head inland across the burnt, mangled landscape.
With predators and scavengers lurking, Aladar is grateful to find a large group of herding dinosaurs, though its determined leader -- older male iguanodon Kron (Samuel E. Wright) -- gives him an unfriendly welcome by almost trampling him. Aladar also initially fears gigantic brachiosaur Baylene (Plowright), but this 80-ton old gal and her styrachosaur soulmate Eema (Della Reese) become the estranged iguanodon's best friends.
The misfit dino group also includes the delightful Url, an ankylosaur with a strong resemblance to a pug dog. Aladar's introduction to girls, so to speak, happens when he meets Kron's sister Neera (Julianna Margulies). Jokester Zini needles him to be more aggressive and lighten up, but Kron and his lieutenant Bruton (Peter Siragusa) are blunt about the dire situation they all face. Heading for fertile mating grounds, the herd crosses a desert, but the lake they relied upon to relieve them of thirst has dried up.
In one of several stirring scenes illustrating the themes of cooperation and tolerance for individuals of all species and sizes, Baylene saves the day by proving the lake isn't completely dry. For his part in at least temporarily saving the herd, Aladar earns Neera's respect. But the journey isn't over, and Bruton, on a reconnaissance mission around the lake, encounters a pair of disagreeable carnotaurs -- horned, tyranosaur-like monsters with bottomless pits for stomachs and no names, personalities or lines of dialogue.
Kron drives the herd on, and Aladar and friends are separated. Seeking shelter in a massive cave, they are stalked by carnotaurs and barely avoid catastrophe while being forced deeper into the caverns. Meanwhile, the ailing herd -- with Neera still loyal to Kron but starting to question his judgment and survival-of-the-fittest attitude -- discovers that the pass to the mating grounds has been blocked by a giant landslide. With a carnotaur or two still on the loose, the story builds to a boffo climax that may be a well-worn western plot with big lizards but works beautifully.
Utilizing VistaVision equipment to film "background plates" -- live-action locations "peopled" with computer-generated dinosaurs -- the film travels from the Australian coastline to the swamps of Florida to the plains of Venezuela to the Los Angeles County Arboretum. But while the melding of real footage and created elements is seamless and 3-D to a miraculous extent, the character animation is a monumental achievement.
From the lemurs' hairy faces to the horse/camel-like Aladar and Neera, "Dinosaur" can carry the audience through such a wild story by getting the details perfect. There are often so many astounding, subtle things going on that repeat viewings for many moviegoers are guaranteed. A major contribution also comes from composer James Newton Howard's ambitious orchestral score.
Needless to say, debut filmmakers Zondag (a story artist on "Pocahontas" and co-director of "We're Back: A Dinosaur's Story") and Leighton (animation supervisor on "The Nightmare Before Christmas") are wonderfully talented fellows from which one expects a lot in the future.
DINOSAUR
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Walt Disney Pictures
Directors: Ralph Zondag, Eric Leighton
Screenwriters: John Harrison, Robert Nelson Jacobs
Based on an original screenplay by: Walon Green
Producer: Pam Marsden
Co-producer: Baker Bloodworth
Production designer: Walter P. Martishius
Editor: H. Lee Peterson
Music: James Newton Howard
Visual effects supervisor: Neil Krepela
Art director: Cristy Maltese
Digital effects supervisor: Neil Eskuri
Casting: Ruth Lambert, Mary Hidalgo
Color/stereo
Voices:
Aladar: D.B. Sweeney
Yar: Ossie Davis
Baylene: Joan Plowright
Eema: Della Reese
Plio: Alfre Woodard
Kron: Samuel E. Wright
Neera: Julianna Margulies
Bruton: Peter Siragusa
Zini: Max Casella
Suri: Hayden Panettiere
Running time -- 82 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Worth the wait of several years and poised to sell a tremendous amount of tickets worldwide, "Dinosaur" is a nearly perfect mainstream fable rivaling "The Lion King" in its broad appeal to younger and older viewers. But without songs and featuring far less dialogue than the usual comedy-heavy Disney animated works, the film takes risks, including enough tension and moments of dino violence to earn a PG rating. Those risks pay off magnificently in an exhilarating viewing experience that at worst has a few fleeting lame gags, but "Dinosaur" is otherwise bound to be one of the year's most praised, honored and top-grossing films.
Along with some of the most incredible visuals that audiences have yet encountered (and that only lots of money can buy), "Dinosaur" features a winning human cast including D.B. Sweeney, Ossie Davis and Joan Plowright, who provide the voices for a fairly unique tale that's obviously not completely accurate according to the latest achievements in paleontology (though it was revealed recently that some dinos appear to have been warm-blooded).
Born more than 10 years ago as a screenplay by Walon Green ("The Wild Bunch", "Sorcerer"), the long-gestating "Dinosaur" at its height employed some 350 computer animators and technicians housed in a costly new building. Called the Secret Lab, the awesome assemblage of technology and 1990s artisans set out to re-create with photorealist intensity the late Cretaceous period, some 65 million years ago.
With the final screenplay credited to John Harrison (USA Network's upcoming miniseries "Dune") and Robert Nelson Jacobs (Miramax's "Chocolat"), "Dinosaur" pays homage to great adventure films -- including a magnificent shot, with live-action background filmed in Jordan's Wadi Rumm, that rivals a memorable moment in "Lawrence of Arabia" -- but boldly makes a claim as the ultimate dinosaur flick by handily surpassing "Jurassic Park" and its sequel "The Lost World".
Following a brief introduction by a narrator promising gently that big things have small beginnings, "Dinosaur" starts spectacularly with the pre-hatching adventures of lead iguanodon Aladar (Sweeney). The filmmakers' imagination, combined with technology, results in swiftly unfolding, almost-overwhelming action as Aladar is separated from his herd, nearly crushed by a rampaging predator, nabbed by a scary, chicken-like oviraptor, then snatched by a swooping pteranodon that flies to its island home.
The audience has a little time to catch its breath as Aladar finally emerges from his shell and is adopted by a group of lemurs, including cautious and wise patriarch Yar (Davis). In a flash, Aladar has grown up -- the herbivorous iguanodons measured 30 feet long and weighed as much as 5 tons -- and he's bounding around like a kid with tiny lemur friends Suri (Hayden Panettiere) and Zini (Max Casella), while mother lemur Plio (Alfre Woodard) and Yar rate as about the kindest foster parents since Ma and Pa Kent.
Aladar's happy life on Lemur Island comes to an abrupt end when a fiery meteor shower heralds a cataclysmic impact that the characters watch and then scramble to survive. The four principal lemurs hop on Aladar and, as the shock wave and wall of destruction scorch the island, our hero dives into the ocean and they all swim to safety. Mourning their fallen comrades on the island, Aladar and the lemurs head inland across the burnt, mangled landscape.
With predators and scavengers lurking, Aladar is grateful to find a large group of herding dinosaurs, though its determined leader -- older male iguanodon Kron (Samuel E. Wright) -- gives him an unfriendly welcome by almost trampling him. Aladar also initially fears gigantic brachiosaur Baylene (Plowright), but this 80-ton old gal and her styrachosaur soulmate Eema (Della Reese) become the estranged iguanodon's best friends.
The misfit dino group also includes the delightful Url, an ankylosaur with a strong resemblance to a pug dog. Aladar's introduction to girls, so to speak, happens when he meets Kron's sister Neera (Julianna Margulies). Jokester Zini needles him to be more aggressive and lighten up, but Kron and his lieutenant Bruton (Peter Siragusa) are blunt about the dire situation they all face. Heading for fertile mating grounds, the herd crosses a desert, but the lake they relied upon to relieve them of thirst has dried up.
In one of several stirring scenes illustrating the themes of cooperation and tolerance for individuals of all species and sizes, Baylene saves the day by proving the lake isn't completely dry. For his part in at least temporarily saving the herd, Aladar earns Neera's respect. But the journey isn't over, and Bruton, on a reconnaissance mission around the lake, encounters a pair of disagreeable carnotaurs -- horned, tyranosaur-like monsters with bottomless pits for stomachs and no names, personalities or lines of dialogue.
Kron drives the herd on, and Aladar and friends are separated. Seeking shelter in a massive cave, they are stalked by carnotaurs and barely avoid catastrophe while being forced deeper into the caverns. Meanwhile, the ailing herd -- with Neera still loyal to Kron but starting to question his judgment and survival-of-the-fittest attitude -- discovers that the pass to the mating grounds has been blocked by a giant landslide. With a carnotaur or two still on the loose, the story builds to a boffo climax that may be a well-worn western plot with big lizards but works beautifully.
Utilizing VistaVision equipment to film "background plates" -- live-action locations "peopled" with computer-generated dinosaurs -- the film travels from the Australian coastline to the swamps of Florida to the plains of Venezuela to the Los Angeles County Arboretum. But while the melding of real footage and created elements is seamless and 3-D to a miraculous extent, the character animation is a monumental achievement.
From the lemurs' hairy faces to the horse/camel-like Aladar and Neera, "Dinosaur" can carry the audience through such a wild story by getting the details perfect. There are often so many astounding, subtle things going on that repeat viewings for many moviegoers are guaranteed. A major contribution also comes from composer James Newton Howard's ambitious orchestral score.
Needless to say, debut filmmakers Zondag (a story artist on "Pocahontas" and co-director of "We're Back: A Dinosaur's Story") and Leighton (animation supervisor on "The Nightmare Before Christmas") are wonderfully talented fellows from which one expects a lot in the future.
DINOSAUR
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Walt Disney Pictures
Directors: Ralph Zondag, Eric Leighton
Screenwriters: John Harrison, Robert Nelson Jacobs
Based on an original screenplay by: Walon Green
Producer: Pam Marsden
Co-producer: Baker Bloodworth
Production designer: Walter P. Martishius
Editor: H. Lee Peterson
Music: James Newton Howard
Visual effects supervisor: Neil Krepela
Art director: Cristy Maltese
Digital effects supervisor: Neil Eskuri
Casting: Ruth Lambert, Mary Hidalgo
Color/stereo
Voices:
Aladar: D.B. Sweeney
Yar: Ossie Davis
Baylene: Joan Plowright
Eema: Della Reese
Plio: Alfre Woodard
Kron: Samuel E. Wright
Neera: Julianna Margulies
Bruton: Peter Siragusa
Zini: Max Casella
Suri: Hayden Panettiere
Running time -- 82 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
It may be the year that the bug saved Hollywood, with Disney's splendid "A Bug's Life" overtaking the DreamWorks hit "Antz" to climb to the top of the boxoffice hill.
A dazzling, embracing computer-animated feature from Pixar, "A Bug's Life" should soar to holiday heights, much to the level that Pixar's "Toy Story" ascended three Thanksgivings ago. This splendid offering should be able to carry $200 million domestically on its back, no sweat, and with no end in sight for its worldly potential.
As you know in the ant world, life is no picnic. In this subterranean saga, the ants of Ants Island toil for the man -- namely Hopper (voice of Kevin Spacey), the intimidating leader of the grasshoppers, who, in this insect universe, are akin to the marauding colonialists. Each summer, the legions of ants toil earnestly and without complaint, planting and harvesting the crops and then turning the bounty over to the hated 'hoppers. Fortunately, there's one crackpot ant, Flik (Dave Foley), who doesn't go along with the lock-step society. He's no revolutionary idealogue, but Flik sees that there's definitely something wrong with this picture. Why are we working for the man? Why not keep the crop ourselves? In short, Flik's the sort of cutting-edge thinker who in the human world might win an election in the state of Minnesota.
Unfortunately, as in real life, change is not wholeheartedly embraced -- not by the worker-ant class and certainly not by the dominating grasshoppers. But that's where the fun is as the flaky Flik takes it upon his fluttery wings to take on the grasshoppers. In a nutty undertaking with all the crazy inspiration of a Preston Sturges-like battleground, Flik mistakenly enlists the assistance of a traveling theatrical troupe (out-of-work screwballs, mainly) to provide the military defense against the thundering hordes of grasshoppers.
What's best about this bug story is that it's so wiggy -- it's rambunctious, spirited, funny, kindly and goofy all at once. A whole vat of chocolate picnic goodies to the screenwriters (Andrew Stanton and Donald McEnery & Bob Shaw) for the lively, screwy retooling of, basically, the Aesop fable about a carefree grasshopper. And the story line will appeal to everyone from tots to those who were born way before "Snow White" even spun her animated magic.
What's truly magical, as it was in "Toy Story", is the stupendous computer-animated imagery. "Bug"'s look is simply eye-popping: From the translucent sheen to the framings to the kaleidoscopic grandeur of the mammoth crowd shots of ants, the visuals are a delicious treat. The animation is truly a work of wizardry, from the rectilinear compositions to the characters' incredibly lifelike physical movements. One suspects that a team of entomologists and anatomy professors guided the animators, so crisp and natural are the true-to-bug body movements. Director John Lasseter, along with co-director Stanton, have indeed marshalled a virtual army of talented artists -- from animators to musicians to vocalists -- and attained a creative height that is leaps and bounds above even the most persnickety techie expectations.
Credit director of photography Sharon Calahan for the wonderfully punchy framings and supervising film editor Lee Unkrich for the blazing pacing. There's nary an empty mini-frame or missed mini-moment in this entire magnificence. So packed is the look -- thanks to the creativity of production designer William Cone and art directors Bob Pauley and Tia Kratter -- that one definitely wants to savor the detail-juiced excellency another time.
It's not all in the look but in the sounds as well. The vocalists are a treat, especially Spacey as the belligerently threatening lead grasshopper. Foley's energetic and appealing vocals as the flibberty-jibbet Flik are wonderfully appealing, while Phyllis Diller's nasally hauteur is perfect for her role as the queen. Cheers also for the contributions of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind and David Hyde Pierce for their perfect, peccadilloed performances.
The late Roddy McDowall makes a pleasing turn as a council ant, while Edie McClurg adds some screwy spice as another ants council-ite. A plate of ketchup drippings and dollops of mayonnaise to Joe Ranft who does a delicious turn as a comic caterpillar.
Not exactly hiding in the grass is the bouncy music courtesy of Randy Newman, whose "The Time of Your Life" nicely synthesizes the experience one enjoys in this "Bug's Life".
A BUG'S LIFE
Buena Vista
Walt Disney Pictures
A Pixar Animation Studios Film
Director: John Lasseter
Co-director: Andrew Stanton
Producers: Darla K. Anderson, Kevin Reher
Screenwriters: Andrew Stanton, Donald McEnery & Bob Shaw
Original story: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft
Director of photography: Sharon Calahan
Production designer: William Cone
Story supervisor: Joe Ranft
Supervising film editor: Lee Unkrich
Supervising technical directors: William Reeves, Eben Ostby
Art directors: Tia W. Kratter, Bob Pauley
Supervising animators: Glenn McQueen, Rich Quade
Shading supervisor: Rick Sayre
Sound designer: Gary Rydstrom
Production supervisor (technical): Graham Walters
Production supervisor (editorial): Bill Kinder
Story-art-layout: BZ Petroff
Executive music producer: Chris Montan
Casting: Ruth Lambert, Mary Hidalgo
Color/Stereo
Voices:
Flik: Dave Foley
Hopper: Kevin Spacey
Princess Atta: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Dot: Hayden Panettiere
Queen: Phyllis Diller
Molt: Richard Kind
Slim: David Hyde Pierce
Heimlich: Joe Ranft
Francis: Denis Leary
Running time -- 94 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
A dazzling, embracing computer-animated feature from Pixar, "A Bug's Life" should soar to holiday heights, much to the level that Pixar's "Toy Story" ascended three Thanksgivings ago. This splendid offering should be able to carry $200 million domestically on its back, no sweat, and with no end in sight for its worldly potential.
As you know in the ant world, life is no picnic. In this subterranean saga, the ants of Ants Island toil for the man -- namely Hopper (voice of Kevin Spacey), the intimidating leader of the grasshoppers, who, in this insect universe, are akin to the marauding colonialists. Each summer, the legions of ants toil earnestly and without complaint, planting and harvesting the crops and then turning the bounty over to the hated 'hoppers. Fortunately, there's one crackpot ant, Flik (Dave Foley), who doesn't go along with the lock-step society. He's no revolutionary idealogue, but Flik sees that there's definitely something wrong with this picture. Why are we working for the man? Why not keep the crop ourselves? In short, Flik's the sort of cutting-edge thinker who in the human world might win an election in the state of Minnesota.
Unfortunately, as in real life, change is not wholeheartedly embraced -- not by the worker-ant class and certainly not by the dominating grasshoppers. But that's where the fun is as the flaky Flik takes it upon his fluttery wings to take on the grasshoppers. In a nutty undertaking with all the crazy inspiration of a Preston Sturges-like battleground, Flik mistakenly enlists the assistance of a traveling theatrical troupe (out-of-work screwballs, mainly) to provide the military defense against the thundering hordes of grasshoppers.
What's best about this bug story is that it's so wiggy -- it's rambunctious, spirited, funny, kindly and goofy all at once. A whole vat of chocolate picnic goodies to the screenwriters (Andrew Stanton and Donald McEnery & Bob Shaw) for the lively, screwy retooling of, basically, the Aesop fable about a carefree grasshopper. And the story line will appeal to everyone from tots to those who were born way before "Snow White" even spun her animated magic.
What's truly magical, as it was in "Toy Story", is the stupendous computer-animated imagery. "Bug"'s look is simply eye-popping: From the translucent sheen to the framings to the kaleidoscopic grandeur of the mammoth crowd shots of ants, the visuals are a delicious treat. The animation is truly a work of wizardry, from the rectilinear compositions to the characters' incredibly lifelike physical movements. One suspects that a team of entomologists and anatomy professors guided the animators, so crisp and natural are the true-to-bug body movements. Director John Lasseter, along with co-director Stanton, have indeed marshalled a virtual army of talented artists -- from animators to musicians to vocalists -- and attained a creative height that is leaps and bounds above even the most persnickety techie expectations.
Credit director of photography Sharon Calahan for the wonderfully punchy framings and supervising film editor Lee Unkrich for the blazing pacing. There's nary an empty mini-frame or missed mini-moment in this entire magnificence. So packed is the look -- thanks to the creativity of production designer William Cone and art directors Bob Pauley and Tia Kratter -- that one definitely wants to savor the detail-juiced excellency another time.
It's not all in the look but in the sounds as well. The vocalists are a treat, especially Spacey as the belligerently threatening lead grasshopper. Foley's energetic and appealing vocals as the flibberty-jibbet Flik are wonderfully appealing, while Phyllis Diller's nasally hauteur is perfect for her role as the queen. Cheers also for the contributions of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Kind and David Hyde Pierce for their perfect, peccadilloed performances.
The late Roddy McDowall makes a pleasing turn as a council ant, while Edie McClurg adds some screwy spice as another ants council-ite. A plate of ketchup drippings and dollops of mayonnaise to Joe Ranft who does a delicious turn as a comic caterpillar.
Not exactly hiding in the grass is the bouncy music courtesy of Randy Newman, whose "The Time of Your Life" nicely synthesizes the experience one enjoys in this "Bug's Life".
A BUG'S LIFE
Buena Vista
Walt Disney Pictures
A Pixar Animation Studios Film
Director: John Lasseter
Co-director: Andrew Stanton
Producers: Darla K. Anderson, Kevin Reher
Screenwriters: Andrew Stanton, Donald McEnery & Bob Shaw
Original story: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft
Director of photography: Sharon Calahan
Production designer: William Cone
Story supervisor: Joe Ranft
Supervising film editor: Lee Unkrich
Supervising technical directors: William Reeves, Eben Ostby
Art directors: Tia W. Kratter, Bob Pauley
Supervising animators: Glenn McQueen, Rich Quade
Shading supervisor: Rick Sayre
Sound designer: Gary Rydstrom
Production supervisor (technical): Graham Walters
Production supervisor (editorial): Bill Kinder
Story-art-layout: BZ Petroff
Executive music producer: Chris Montan
Casting: Ruth Lambert, Mary Hidalgo
Color/Stereo
Voices:
Flik: Dave Foley
Hopper: Kevin Spacey
Princess Atta: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Dot: Hayden Panettiere
Queen: Phyllis Diller
Molt: Richard Kind
Slim: David Hyde Pierce
Heimlich: Joe Ranft
Francis: Denis Leary
Running time -- 94 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
- 11/13/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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