VINTON HAS NEW LEADER CLAYMATION EXEC HAS FEATURE PLANS.Vinton Studios, the animators of ``The PJs,'' named former Disney Animation executive Jeff Farnath as president and chief executive officer, a move that may mold the Claymation studio into a feature-film production house. Farnath, 39, takes the helm from Tom Turpin Thomas Million John Turpin (November 18, 1871 – August 13, 1922) was an African-American composer of ragtime music. Tom Turpin was born in Savannah, Georgia, a son of John L. Turpin and Lulu Waters Turpin. In his early twenties he opened a saloon in St. , who had been Vinton Studios' CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. for four years. Farnath said Turpin is considering forming a new company. ``We're really going to change the direction of the studio with a much bigger focus on feature animation films,'' Farnath said. The studio based in West Los Angeles
Vinton has won an Academy Award, 11 primetime Emmys and a number of Clio awards The Clio Awards are given to reward creative excellence in advertising and design. They are awarded in a number of fields, including: TV, Print, Outdoor, Radio, Integrated Campaign, Innovative Media, Design, Internet, Content & Contact, and Student work. . Emmys were recently announced for the studio's work on ``Gary & Mike,'' an animated series about suburban twenty-somethings on the road trip of their lives. Vinton also received a smattering of awards for the ``The PJs,'' an animated comedy on The WB. Farnath said the company has had success with several of its productions, but he would like to exploit opportunities for the big screen. Farnath is no animation neophyte ne·o·phyte n. 1. A recent convert to a belief; a proselyte. 2. A beginner or novice: a neophyte at politics. 3. a. Roman Catholic Church A newly ordained priest. . He was with Disney for 10 years, serving as senior vice president and chief financial officer for Walt Disney Noun 1. Walt Disney - United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; founded Disneyland (1901-1966) Disney, Walter Elias Disney Feature Animation and Theatrical Productions. Farnath also held the position of vice president of business development and finance for Buena Vista International and Buena Vista Home Entertainment in Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. . ``There's a real sweet spot out there for filling nonholiday time periods with moderately budgeted animated films,'' Farnath said. The domestic box office break-even point break-even point - In the process of implementing a new computer language, the point at which the language is sufficiently effective that one can implement the language in itself. for Vinton's films can be as low as $25 million when factored with ancillary revenue Ancillary Revenue Revenue generated from goods or services that differ from or enhance the main services or product lines of a company. By introducing new products and services or using existing products to branch into new markets, companies create additional opportunities for from home video and consumer products, he said. To propel Vinton into the feature film arena, Farnath said he's looking to Jeffrey Auerbach, president of the company's entertainment division, to spearhead the effort. According to Auerbach, the studio has nurtured a group of talented directors, animators and artists who now are poised to take their work to the next level. Farnath also is positioning the studio for major revenue growth in a new subsidiary of Vinton called the Character Development Lab. David Altschul, who has been with the studio since 1982, is president of Character Development Lab. ``Altschul is leading some of the most creative minds in the advertising industry,'' Farnath said. He described Altschul's duties as developing characters for brand- building and providing corporate clients and their campaigns directors and writers. Farnath said while he adjusts to his new position over the next couple of weeks he will not announce any new developments, except that the company has been meeting with major studios to discuss alliances on existing properties ``We do have specific projects developing and everything is being considered,'' he said. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) FARNATH |
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