Tech Talk Thursdays and news from UNIVERSAL

Each Thursday we will be talking about what's going on in film, animation and culture in terms of new endeavors, new companies, partnerships and opportunities, particularly in the kids' media space and technology.

There are so many exciting opportunities, so much positive and productive creativity afoot, jobs galore, if you just know where to look to find them.  We'll swing back and forth between coasts, North and South and jump across continents to China and yes, Africa as well.

Today I'm meeting with the esteemed Dave Van Hoy of Advanced Systems Group.  Dave has built out the post production and mix stages for most of the major studios and most recently is responsible for the explosion of creativity and technical know-how happening in YouTube Spaces LA and around the globe.  Dave and I go way back to American Zoetrope days, whoa - that's almost 30 years!  I'm super excited to meet him in a few hours to chat about what he's up to.  His technical and post teams are the behind the scenes gurus making new media happen at SPACES, LA in Santa Monica.  Can't wait to share what we chat about on the tech side.  He's already on his plane down here so I have to skeedaddle as well.  Did I just say skeedaddle.  Ugh.

This an exciting time of culture and media making....

For new business development, let's see what's happening in LA this week at Universal - oh cool....  here's a new initiative for kids!

Re-posted from Animation World Network

​http://www.awn.com/news/universal-launches-kids-production-unit

Universal Launches Kids Production UnitFormer Nickelodeon executive Teri Weiss to lead production of kid and family-focused original content for all platforms leveraging the studio’s existing portfolio of IP.


By Jennifer Wolfe | Monday, October 5, 2015 at 7:09pm
In Business, Digital Media, Films, Games, Licensing, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: North AmericaTeri Weiss

Universal Pictures created the Universal Kids Productions group and tapped former Nickelodeon executive Teri Weiss to lead it, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter. The move is part of the studio’s efforts to expand its current output of content for kids and families.

Weiss will serve as senior vice president and head of kids/family development and production within the new group, reporting to Universal brand development president Vince Klaseus.

Universal Kids Productions will be focused on developing content for families and children, adding to current projects such as the Daytime Emmy Award-winning Curious George animated series. The division will leverage the studio’s existing portfolio of intellectual property, as well as develop original content for all platforms, both on its own and through assorted partnerships. NBCUniversal will license its owned properties through its dedicated brand management and consumer products business, which also reports to Klaseus.

Weiss is a 16-year veteran of Nickelodeon, most recently serving as EVP Original Programming for the Preschool Division since 2010. While at Nickelodeon, she launched a series of hits including Blaze and the Monster Machines, Dora and Friends, Paw Patrol and Wallykazam!. As senior vice president of production and development, Weiss solidified Nick Jr.’s position with series such as Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi and The Fresh Beat Band. She began at the company as executive in charge of production at Nick Jr., overseeing the groundbreaking series Dora the Explorer. Prior to joining Nickelodeon, from 1993 to 1999, Weiss was a producer on Sesame Street.


Jennifer Wolfe(link sends e-mail) is Director of News & Content at Animation World Network.