U toons up

Variety

'Computeropolis,' 'Zina,' 'Operation,' 'Garza' on upcoming release sked

MARCH 12, 2002

Universal Feature Animation and Gingo Animation have set its schedules for the next three years.

Following the previously announced “Magina,” which has already been slated for spring 2003, UFA will release “Computeropolis” as their 2004 entry.

“Computeropolis,” an action-adventure CGI comedy directed by “Paint World” helmer Audel LaRoque and executive produced by U animation guru Michael Wildshill, is about a teenage boy who got lost in the internet world while trying to make his own video game (Daily Variety, Oct. 23, 2001).

It is expected to be released in 2004.

Gingo, which produced “Paint World” and will release “The Gabriel Garza Movie” this summer, is moving forward on “Zina and the Vivid Crew,” the toon studio’s third feature about a young fearless girl that fights evil in space. Pic is being directed by Gingo founder and “Gabriel Garza” creator Geo G. and is set to bow Thanksgiving 2004. A TV series will also arrive in fall 2005.

Slated for summer 2005 is “Operation School,” which will mark U animator Steve Samono’s first trip to the director’s chair. Pic, also CGI, will follow a group of students who are sent to an agency to save the day. It will be followed by Gingo’s “Gabriel Garza: Unleashed,” the first CGI pic in the Gabriel Garza series, due for release in holiday 2005.