Cartoon Network brings the science of animation to the masses

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is busy constructing a 6,000-square-foot showcase featuring characters from original Cartoon Network series for its interactive exhibit on animation. Rolling out in October, the show will give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating an animated series, from screenwriting and storyboarding, to voicing and editing.

Also featured is a brief history of animation, a look at the math and science behind moving 2-D characters, and artifacts such as cels, models and storyboard drawings. Once they’ve boned up on the mechanics, visitors will be able to try their hand at animating short sequences starring various Cartoon Network characters.

Big Idea partners up to push newest legume adventure

VeggieTales studio Big Idea Productions has been busy shoring up promo deals to help build buzz for the latest DVD in the series, Minnesota Cuke & The Search for Samson’s Hairbrush. Ice cream and dairy restaurant chain Braum’s will feature a Minnesota Cuke promotion throughout June in its 270 U.S. locations, giving away a Samson hairbrush premium with each kids meal. Meanwhile, Chuck E. Cheese has agreed to play the VeggieTales ‘Pizza Angel’ music video in its 500 North American locations over a six-month period, starting in June.

Over on the packaged goods side of the market, a million boxes of Tyson’s Fun Nuggets will feature VeggieTales characters, along with a mail-in rebate for US$3 off a DVD purchase. The cut-and-post offer will also appear on a million juice products from Langer’s Juice, which plans to run a sweeps for VeggieTales merch from its corporate website.