“My goal is to establish a creative environment for talented storytellers to feel supported, be authentic and make content that is distinctive and creatively brilliant,” Higgins said. “The Trustbridge family of publishers has incredible resources, a history of exceptionalism, great respect for the creative process and a library that has the potential to produce programming across multiple platforms that will resonate with young audiences everywhere. I’m grateful for my time at Boat Rocker and I am proud of the outstanding series we produced. I am excited to explore ways we can continue to collaborate with Boat Rocker in this new venture.”
Over the last four years, Higgins played a key role in building Boat Rocker into a leading independent content producer of popular kids and family entertainment. He oversaw the creative direction for the Boat Rocker Kids & Family business, including development, production and acquisitions of television and digital programming. He was instrumental in setting up projects with premium cable networks and streamers, including animated titles A Tale Dark & Grimm (Netflix), based on the bestselling book by Adam Gidwitz; the original hit preschool series Dino Ranch (CBC, Disney Junior); Love Monster (CBeebies, HBO Max), an animated children’s television series based on the books by Rachel Bright; as well as the recently announced Bad Kitty, based on Nick Bruel’s bestselling kids book series, which is in development.
Before Boat Rocker, Higgins served as EVP of FremantleMedia Kids & Family for eight years, growing that division into an industry leader with over a dozen series produced, including Danger Mouse and Kate & MimMim. Prior, he was CCO at WildBrain, where he served as exec producer for the Emmy-nominated animated series The Ricky Gervais Show (HBO). Higgins was also SVP, Programming and Development for Cartoon Network’s kids’ businesses, where he managed the development, production, acquisition and programming departments and oversaw new original animated series, shorts, Cartoon Network features and specials.
VFX & animation studio DNEG announced that Academy Award winner Joel Hynek has been hired as Visual Effects Supervisor on a to-be-announced title. Hynek, whose career spans over four decades and includes two Oscar wins for his groundbreaking work in visual effects, will be based out of DNEG’s Los Angeles studio.
“I am proud to be working with DNEG at such a thrilling and pivotal time in the world of visual effects,” said Hynek. “Technological advancement in our industry is opening previously unattainable creative possibilities, and DNEG is at the forefront of harnessing these technologies in pursuit of storytelling goals. Throughout my career I have endeavored to push the boundaries of what is possible in visual effects. Having recently supervised a short film that made full use of real-time technology in LED volume, as well as testing the full use of virtual production on a major Chinese production, I’m looking forward to more opportunities to bring these new technologies and workflows to some truly exciting upcoming projects.”
Hynek’s first honor from the Academy was a Scientific and Engineering Design Award for the design of the camera that made the effects for the original Predator possible. He earned his second for his contribution and most notably the memorable “Painted World” sequence for What Dreams May Come, which took home the Best Visual Effects at the 71st Academy Awards.
Other notable projects for which Hynek has served as VFX supervisor include Jumper, xXx, Stealth and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, one of the first Chinese co-productions filmed in China. Other selected credits include: Dhoom 3, one of Bollywood’s highest-grossing films and the first Indian film to be released in IMAX; four seasons and 66 episodes of the Warner Bros./CBS vampire series The Originals; and big budget Chinese productions Crazy Alien, a top box office performer with a CG principal character, and The Yin Yang Master, which features 22 CG characters.
French animation house HARI has appointed Corentin Besse as a Brand Manager. According to studio co-founder Josselin Charier, the goal is to “develop a complete brand strategy around IPs created by HARI, Grizzy and the Lemmings being on top of them.”
The flagship series Grizzy and the Lemmings was the most-aired French animated series worldwide in 2021 and hit the Netflix Top 10 TV Shows lists in more than 60 territories. The show’s official YouTube channel is also experiencing strong growth with more than 5 million subscribers and over 1 billion views per year.
The studio established HARI International in 2016 to handle the distribution and rights management for its in-house series. “We are delighted to welcome Corentin to develop the digital exposition of our brands, and manage Licensing & Merchandising activities. His marketing expertise and knowledge of the market will help us optimize the visibility of our brands and reveal their 360 degree potential,” added Charier.
More Moves:
- Psyop has signed London-based studio Shotopop for representation in the U.S. The studio specializes in design, animation and illustration, and has worked with major brands including Nike, Adidas, SPotify, Pepsi and KFC.
- Eugene Hernandez is joining the Sundance Institute team as the next Director of the Sundance Film Festival and Head of Public Programming, beginning with the 40th edition in 2024.
- Disney Branded Television announced more promotions recently to its Original Movies team: VPs Amee Dolleman and Charles Pugliese, exec directors Mahita Penke and Jen Dubin.
- friends & family has signed Cannes Lion winner Michael Koerbel (AXE “Nothing Beats an Astronaut”) to its roster of directors.
- Canela Media has appointed Oswald Méndez to the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer.
- TBD Post welcomes colorist Brian Singler to the team, bringing his bold style to the Austin studio.
