Getting to Know: National CineMedia Fathom and Anime Part 2

Please read Part 1 of the interview before reading Part 2

Anime and NCM Fathom

So how did the relationship with anime begin? What are their origins? Think back, about several years ago, it all started with Cartoon Network, which was “grown into a series of anime programs with terrific content partners like Viz Media and Bandai.” For Diamond, on a personally level, he has “always enjoyed this art form,” and he is very happy to see that anime is “being so well received in theatres” through NCM Fathom Events.

Getting to Know: National CineMedia Fathom and Anime Part 1

Introduction

Yes, anime, the Japanese animation art form that has been in the United States for quite a while. I have been a fan for a long time, but when I heard of the name Fathom, I was like “who is this?” I got curious and decided to learn more about the company and their involvement in anime. So keep reading to find out what this company has to offer us anime fans and the anime industry. National CineMedia (NCM) LLC is a company that operates the largest digital in-theatre network in North America through the three largest theatre operators in the United States, who are AMC Entertainment, Inc., Cinemark USA, Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group. Since its establishment the company has been involved in the activities of music, art, sports and the entertainment world. They have “reinvented how music, arts & entertainment and sports fans see their favorite artists, performers and sporting events.”

Sept 20, 2009 is Eureka Seven Day! Win Tickets To See AKB48!

Sunday is Eureka Seven Day!
And Wanna Win Tickets To See AKB48?

This is NYAF Programming Director Peter Tatara. NYAF is just a week away. You can feel it, can't you? We've got three days of awesomeness in the Javits Center, a pre-party the night before at Dave & Buster's including a cake by Charm City Cakes, and -- leading it all off -- Eureka Seven Day is September 20 at Kinokuniya Bookstore in NYC.

FYE and DC Anime Club Present: Animania

FYE and DC Anime Club Present: Animania

FYE in Collaboration with DC Anime Club present Animania on Sunday September 27,2009 11am-4pm at FYE in Ballston Mall 4238 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22203.Activities such as Anime Trivia, Cosplay (Japanese term meaning costume play) contest and anime screenings will take place during Animania.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG SHONEN JUMP Championship September 26-27 in Orlando

Hundreds of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Players
to Flock to Central Florida (Orlando) for the SHONEN JUMP Championship September 26-27

22 Billion Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Sold Making it the World’s Best Selling TRADING CARD GAME of All Time!

El Segundo, CA – (September16, 2009) – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.’s (KDE) Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) SHONEN JUMP Championship (SJC) is on the road again after being in Indianapolis in August. This time, The SHONEN JUMP Championship - the largest and most prestigious Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament series in North America - will be held in Central Florida’s largest city, Orlando, September 26-27. The top three finalists will receive the highly sought-after “Dark End Dragon” Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card.

Getting to Know: Robert Tonner and Comic Book Collectible Dolls Part 4

Please read Part 3 of the interview before reading Part 4

Other Doll/Company Questions

I checked out the calendar on the website and there are comic conventions listed. Plus I saw them at New York Comic Con 2009. So, I got curious. Since I have never seen dolls, such as Tonner, at a convention, I decided to ask him a question about the company’s participation. What is the goal or purpose of Tonner Dolls Company at these conventions other then promoting the comic book dolls? “I’m a big believer in going where the action is. The Comic book conventions are fun and exciting—it’s very stimulating to go to one. I’m able to meet the collectors and hear what they’re interested in. It’s great research. Plus, it’s a fantastic way for the collector to get to know my Company.”

Getting to Know: Robert Tonner and Comic Book Collectible Dolls Part 3

Please read Part 2 of the interview before reading Part 3

Experiencing the Doll Making Process

So what was it like for Tonner to work and design the dolls with DC Comics and Marvel? The man loves working with DC and Marvel. “They have amazing characters and they’re fun to work with. I do know the people at DC better, but I really think they like how we handle their characters—it’s a real partnership.” When it comes to doing the work itself, there is “no set schedule.” Why you might ask? “Seems like we are always working on some part of character, but we’ve never had the luxury of working on just one at a time. Plus we do many more dolls, and they have to get done too!” Even though there is work to be done for projects at Tonner Doll Company, there is a challenge in the doll making process. “I think the hardest part of working on the dolls is the sculpting. Everyone “reads” the look of a character a bit differently—so that can be frustrating.”

Getting to Know: Robert Tonner and Comic Book Collectible Dolls Part 2

Please read Part 1 of the interview before reading Part 2

Tonner Doll Company, Inc. and Comic Dolls continuation

Before any project, Marvel and DC Comics, can begin, the first step Tonner had to “build the relationship.” In the words of Robert Tonner, here is his explanation on the step by step process: “We would contact the licensing department of each company and explain what we wanted to do. In some cases, a licensor may not want their name on a product that you make, but in our case, both companies were very receptive. I believe they both knew of our work. We then discussed the terms of an agreement (usually the length of time for the agreement and the royalty rate). Once we came to terms, we would start the development process. We submit prototypes to the licensor along the way and at the time when everything is approved, we would start production.”

Getting to Know: Robert Tonner and Comic Book Collectible Dolls Part 1

Introduction

I present to you the founder of Tonner Doll Company, Robert Tonner. He was born in 1952 and in 1957 he received his first fashion doll, Horsman Cindy. Then in 1973, Tonner enrolls into Parsons School of Design and after graduation he joined Bill Blass in the fashion field. Later, he became one of the company’s top designers. However, he had a long time interest in dolls that led him to be a doll collector, sculptor and designer and became the founder of his company in 1991. Today, the company is still flourishing and has moved into other areas of doll making, namely comic book characters.

Details on the combining of NYCC and NYAF for 2010

On Friday, September 11, 2009, Lance Fensterman, one of the big guys of New York Comic Con and New York Anime Festival, gives an explanation on the decision about combining New York Anime Festival and New York Comic Con for 2010.

Even though the shows will be grouped together, Fensterman states that "Anime will have it’s own distinct place in this new mega con...The most important thing to us, and what I've always maintained, is that the Otaku at NYAF needed their own place, their own community so we started brainstorming on what was the best way to do that." In regards to having two shows 2 weeks apart and with all the ideas and brainstorming, it was decided to "run both events at the same time but give NYAF and its fans it’s distinct space and flavor. So that’s just what we plan to do."

Legal Panels at NYAF 2009

Hey Guys!

For those of you who are interested in learning more about the industry or just interested in legal mumble jumble stuff, there are two panels at New York Anime Festival 2009 that you might want to check out. If you have been to the legal panels at New York Comic Con 2009, you can expect a great deal of educational legal information from these awesome lawyers. (^_^)

NYAF 2009 - Baby, The Stars Shine Bright and Brooklyn Book Festival

The Brooklyn Book Festival Is Sunday!
And NYAF Presents The Return Of The Baby, The Stars Shine Bright Boutique!

Ahoy!

NYAF's just a few weeks away, but do you know what's right around the corner? The Brooklyn Book Festival. Taking place September 13 -- that's this Sunday -- the BBF is a free convention right outside Brooklyn Borough Hall. It's a day celebrating literacy in all its forms, and, for the first time, NYAF is part of the festivities. The New York Anime Festival and New York Comic Con are joining together with the Brooklyn Book Festival to host comics publishers, dealers, and guests, and we'd love to have you come on by, too! Start off your NYAF celebration a few weeks early by joining us this Sunday in Brooklyn!

Tokyopop Trailers: Deadman Wonderland Manga

Deadman Wonderland

The manga preview will be available on September 30, 2009 in Chibi Vampire Volume 14

Tokyopop Trailers: Future Diary Manga

Future Diary

Check out the manga preview

Tokyopop Trailers: Domo The Manga

Domo The Manga

Check out the manga preview

Tokyopop Trailers: Crime Scene Investigation Manga

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Intern at Your Own Risk

Check out the manga preview

Tokyopop Out of Print List and Other News

Hey Guys,

I got some bad news for you Tokyopop fans out there. Tokyopop has released a two page list of "772 ISBNs and titles out of print effective August 31, 2009." From my counting there is more than 80 series going out of print, including incomplete series, like Beck. Unfortunately, from looking at the list, the title ranges literally from A to Z, A Midnight Opera 1 to ZYWORD.

Tokyopop, I wish you much luck and success for the future!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game’s Ancient Prophecy

Discover Never-Before-Seen Treasures with
the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME’s Ancient Prophecy
from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

Release Includes Exclusive Cards Available for the First Time Ever!

El Segundo, CA (September 3, 2009) – Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) fans will be racing to hobby and retail stores nationwide to be the first to uncover many hidden gems in Ancient Prophecy, the latest booster set from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE). Ten never before seen exclusive cards making their world premiere are the cornerstone of this celebrated release.

ADV: Four Parts Sold

Read the article for the details on the areas that are sold and to whom, and what will happen to ADV Films as a result of this action.

ADV Dismantled Transition 'Seamless' ICv2 Published: 09/01/2009, Last Updated: 09/02/2009 03:06am

*Updated with Article 09/03/09*

What's Happening with ADV Films by Christopher Macdonald, Anime News Network, Sep 1st 2009

*Updated with Article 09/08/09*

ADV Shuts Down; Assets, Staff Shift to New Companies By Kai-Ming Cha, Publishers Weekly, 9/8/2009 6:19:00 AM