Animation Source Forums

Been noticing a lot of chatter about the status of Universal Animation Studios lately, and how everyone seems to be buying into some rumor that they have closed shop for good. Er...no. There is no direct evidence to support that which I have ever seen.

The rumors which have been circulating around about the studio's demise are greatly exaggerated. It has simply been restructured and renamed several times, and primarily does direct-to-video productions nowadays (with its partner, Wang Film Productions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Film_Productions - see the external links at the bottom of the page for more info). The current name of the company is Universal Animation Studios. While there is no direct website to the studio itself (beyond NBC/Universal Studios' main website, which has no details on it), some information on the latest version can be found here: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0202966.

As to the previous incarnation of the company, it was Universal Cartoon Studios: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0046126.

A lot of people on this website have the details wrong, and have spread false information (perhaps unintentionally) as to the state of the company. But a little methodical research online goes a long way.

xD JC, you just made my day xD Thank you for this info xD

Great info! Thanks for posting this.

It's not rumors : it IS closed.

You give imdb links, which are outdated.
The Animation Guild Blog NEVER lies, because it comes from insiders, mostly people who are working in the companies or "union" workers who check the companies regularly :

http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/end-of-days.html

Of course, this is the Universal Cartoon Studios that was closed (the one behind all of the Direct-To-Video sequels), Universal is still distributing animation films (like "Despicable Me"), but they are outsourced : they don't have an internal studio anymore.

And of course, Wang Films is still alive, it's a foreign production facility, not a "studio", and has produced countless animated films and series for many companies, including Disney and Universal.

Universal Cartoons Studios' last production was Curious George 2. Since then, there has been nothing planned by Universal, which is logical considering they don't own an animation studio anymore.

Please don't give people false hope...

Well there is only one real way to resolve this...I will contact NBC/Universal itself.

Frankly, I don't think it is false hopes. Until we can hear it from the company itself (no matter what the answer actually is), depending upon an internet blogger is not anymore reliable than anyone else posting anything.

I'm not trying to argue, steet. You may be right. But Internet Movie Database is usually on target with stuff they post, and keep it up to date.

Meanwhile, I will contact them both by phone AND internet, and try to get a definitive answer. Please be patient, folks. This may take a few days.

Sorry to double-post, but I have found the following interesting information. While it is not a resolution of the question, it does point to some interesting facts. The animation studio "Project Firefly Animation Studios" opened on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida (http://projectfirefly.com), and a quote from this article in Variety Magazine (THE industry standard in movie and animation production news): http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117907790.html?categoryid=8&cs=1&query=closing+of+Universal+Animation+Studios states:

"We welcome this talented team as part of our on-lot vendor family," stated Paul Meena, VP-general manager of the Universal Studios Florida Production Group.

What I think here is that IF, in fact, NBC/Universal has closed its animation studios (or absorbed it into another department), then Project Firefly MIGHT be under the control of Universal.

However, I have contacted Universal, and am awaiting an answer from THE authority.

Err, that Variety article is from 2004...needless to say that it's clearly outdated.

I realize that. But the company is still in existence. The website is still active. Even now, in 2010.

Hey, JerseyCaptain. Did you ever contact Universal/NBC, and if so please give me the number/ e-mail or mailing address you contacted them from. Been trying to contact them all day!!!

You should have PMed that, this topic has been dead for a year.

What's PMed? I just joined this site lol. Trying to find contact to Universal...

Topic Locked.