Gingo Animation Clinches Deal With Universal City Studios On Gingo's First Feature-Length Film "Paint World"

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. -- May 8, 1996 -- Universal City Studios and Gingo Animation announce today that they are teaming up on Gingo's first feature-length animated film, PAINT WORLD, which is currently in pre-production. The film is being written and directed by Audel LaRoque, associate producer on Gingo's Emmy Award®-winning animated series GABRIEL GARZA, and co-written by Irene Mecchi, the writer of the Academy Award®-nominated THE LION KING. Gingo founders Geo G. and Michael Wildshill serve as producers.

An animated musical adventure comedy set in a world made out of paint, PAINT WORLD is the story of a young talented painter named Deon Splatt who lives in a peaceful life until one day, his home is interrupted by a black-and-white team known as the B&W Squad led by a greddy businessman named Gerry Disgill who steals color and liveliness. Deon teams up with his brother Zach and his girlfriend Gracie GaColor to stop Disgill and his minions.

The screenplay by LaRoque and Mecchi is based on an original story by Geo, Wildshill, and LaRoque. Universal will distribute the film in the United States and in most international territories including Europe, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and China.

"We are thrilled and excited to be working with Gingo Animation," said Edward F. Zeier, Vice President, Universal City Studios. "Any studio would be thrilled to work with the Gingo group - so having their first full-length feature 'Paint World' land at Universal is an honor."

Universal City Studios is one of the world's most famous Hollywood studios and is a unit of MCA Inc., which owns film and television studios and theme parks. MCA is 80% owned and controlled by Seagram Company Ltd..

Gingo Animation is a North Hollywood-based animation studio, which has created a large amount of animated shorts, television shows, video games, interactive media and feature films since its foundation in 1988. The studio is known for its Emmy Award®-winning animated series GABRIEL GARZA, whose titular protagonist is currently the mascot for Gingo.