Digital Media FX News Archives

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Tuesday - October 30, 2001
- DreamWorks Shrek Surprise Fails to Materialize
- Footage From Monsters, Inc. Premiere
- Final Weekend Box Office Numbers - Animated / FX Films
- News Link of the Day - Monsters Grabs With Sight Gags

DreamWorks Shrek Surprise Fails to Materialize
(by digitalmediafx.com) DreamWorks attempts to interfere with the box office and promotional success of Monsters, Inc. have failed again as word leaks that a secret project with THX has been axed at the last minute.

DreamWorks, according to The Hollywood Reporter, convinced THX to use Shrek characters in the THX promo that airs in theaters using the THX sound system. Part of the deal was that the THX spot with Shrek characters would air beginning November 2, when Monsters, Inc. opens.

The move backfired.

"THX had a mysterious last-minute change of heart, shelving the trailer and igniting suspicion that Pixar and the Walt Disney Co. might have blackballed it," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

This was DreamWorks second attack against Pixar's Monsters, Inc. The first was purposely releasing the Shrek 2-disc DVD on the same day as Monsters, Inc. - November 2, 2001. Disney had a magic bullet of its own, announcing that the first trailer for Star Wars: Attack of the Clones would be attached to Monsters, Inc. Further promoting Monsters, Inc. was George Lucas with the following quote:

"I have great respect for Pixar and deep admiration for John Lasseter and his team. I'm thrilled to be able to show audiences their first glimpse of Episode II with Monsters, Inc. It gives me an immense sense of pride to see our companies working together."

DreamWorks has begun emulating past marketing tactics of Disney by trying to interfere with Disney/Pixar animated releases and as a result is beginning to earn a "bully" attitude among many in the animation industry that was once reserved for Disney. In this case, however, both efforts by DreamWorks have failed to draw attention away from Monsters, Inc. which is expected to have a huge opening this Friday amongst acclaim from movie critics, high public interest, and the Star Wars: Episode 2 teaser.

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Footage From Monsters, Inc. Premiere
(by digitalmediafx.com) Sunday night's Monsters, Inc. premiere at the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood went off without a hitch as stars, Disney/Pixar management, and guests enjoyed Pixar's latest creation.

Monsters, Inc. opens this Friday in over 3,000 theaters nationwide. Subscribers to the Digital Media FX newsletter will get an extensive look at Digital Media FX coverage of Monsters, Inc. on Thursday. To subscribe, click here.

Click here to view unedited footage from the Monsters, Inc. world premiere!

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Final Weekend Box Office Numbers - FX & Animation Movies
(by digitalmediafx.com) Final weekend box office numbers are in and here are the results for the top animated and visual effects movies:

Dr. Doolittle 2 completed its box office run with a final total of $113 million

The gain/loss represents the movie's performance when compared to last weekend.

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News Link of the Day - Monsters Grabs With Sight Gags

According to USA Today:

"The creators of Monsters, Inc. are keeping mum about whether they will add so-called 'outtakes' to the end credits during the theatrical run of the computer-animated comedy, opening Friday. Disney and Pixar, the studios behind the cartoon feature about colorful creatures who make their living by eliciting screams from youngsters, have made the fake flub reel a trademark..."

Click here for the full story.

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