Raymond Briggs, the British illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author best known for “The Snowman,” has died. He was 88.
“The Snowman,” a book without words and illustrated with pencil crayons, was created by Briggs in 1978. It was adapted as an animated television film for U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 in 1982, which is played on U.K. television every Christmas. It was nominated for the Academy Award for best animated short film and won a BAFTA TV Award for best children’s program.
“The Snowman” sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide. Briggs also created evergreen children’s books “Father Christmas,” “Fungus The Bogeyman” and “When The Wind Blows.”
His 1988 graphic novel “Ethel & Ernest,” which tells the story of the lives of Briggs’ parents from their first meeting in 1928 to their deaths in 1971, was adapted by British animation studio as an animated feature in 2016 that won awards at several animation festivals around the world.
“The Snowman,” a book without words and illustrated with pencil crayons, was created by Briggs in 1978. It was adapted as an animated television film for U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 in 1982, which is played on U.K. television every Christmas. It was nominated for the Academy Award for best animated short film and won a BAFTA TV Award for best children’s program.
“The Snowman” sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide. Briggs also created evergreen children’s books “Father Christmas,” “Fungus The Bogeyman” and “When The Wind Blows.”
His 1988 graphic novel “Ethel & Ernest,” which tells the story of the lives of Briggs’ parents from their first meeting in 1928 to their deaths in 1971, was adapted by British animation studio as an animated feature in 2016 that won awards at several animation festivals around the world.
- 8/10/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is honoring Brit animator and storyboard artist Peter Western with its Special Award at this year's BAFTA Children's Awards. Spanning more than 40 years, Western's designs have brought life to animated characters across a raft of TV and film productions including Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Fungus The Bogeyman, Bing, Horrid Henry, American Tail 2: Fievel Goes West, The Village, The Snowman And The Snowdog, Space Jam and Quest F…...
- 11/16/2016
- Deadline TV
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is honoring Brit animator and storyboard artist Peter Western with its Special Award at this year's BAFTA Children's Awards. Spanning more than 40 years, Western's designs have brought life to animated characters across a raft of TV and film productions including Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Fungus The Bogeyman, Bing, Horrid Henry, American Tail 2: Fievel Goes West, The Village, The Snowman And The Snowdog, Space Jam and Quest F…...
- 11/16/2016
- Deadline
Voice cast of Raymond Briggs’ adaptation also includes Luke Treadaway and Virginia McKenna.
Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn are to voice the lead characters of Ethel & Ernest, a new hand-drawn animated feature based on Raymond Briggs’ classic graphic novel and tribute to his parents.
Production is underway on the film, set for theatrical release in 2016, and the cast also includes Luke Treadaway as Raymond, Olivier award winner for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and star of Fortitude; Virginia McKenna (Born Free, A Town Like Alice), June Brown (EastEnders), Pam Ferris (Matilda), Simon Day and Roger Allam.
The film will also showcase the voice of 11-year-old Harry Collett as young Raymond, who provides the voice of Buzzbee in Disney Junior’s animated series The Hive.
Ethel & Ernest marks the feature debut of Roger Mainwood, who worked as an animator on Briggs’ classic short The Snowman and was lead animator on the 2012 sequel, [link...
Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn are to voice the lead characters of Ethel & Ernest, a new hand-drawn animated feature based on Raymond Briggs’ classic graphic novel and tribute to his parents.
Production is underway on the film, set for theatrical release in 2016, and the cast also includes Luke Treadaway as Raymond, Olivier award winner for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and star of Fortitude; Virginia McKenna (Born Free, A Town Like Alice), June Brown (EastEnders), Pam Ferris (Matilda), Simon Day and Roger Allam.
The film will also showcase the voice of 11-year-old Harry Collett as young Raymond, who provides the voice of Buzzbee in Disney Junior’s animated series The Hive.
Ethel & Ernest marks the feature debut of Roger Mainwood, who worked as an animator on Briggs’ classic short The Snowman and was lead animator on the 2012 sequel, [link...
- 8/3/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Go behind the scenes with Jude Law and the cast with three new featurettes from Black Sea.
In his review of the film, James Rocchi (The Wrap) says the film, “will have any thrillseekers in the theater clutching their armrest and shivering with imagined terrors.”
Black Sea is a suspenseful adventure thriller centering on a rogue submarine captain (two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law) who pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control onboard their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival.
Back Lot Music is issuing the digital soundtrack album for Black Sea, directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald, it was announced today. The soundtrack features 25 new score cues by composer Ilan Eshkeri.
In his review of the film, James Rocchi (The Wrap) says the film, “will have any thrillseekers in the theater clutching their armrest and shivering with imagined terrors.”
Black Sea is a suspenseful adventure thriller centering on a rogue submarine captain (two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law) who pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control onboard their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival.
Back Lot Music is issuing the digital soundtrack album for Black Sea, directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald, it was announced today. The soundtrack features 25 new score cues by composer Ilan Eshkeri.
- 1/21/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Skyfall has led this year's Christmas Eve primetime ratings outside of soaps, according to overnight data.
ITV's terrestrial premiere of Daniel Craig's third outing as James Bond was seen by 6.33m (28%) at 8pm.
Meanwhile, BBC One's most-viewed evening programme outside of soaps was Toy Story 3, airing to 4.73m (23.1%) from 6.30pm.
At 8.30pm, Harry Hill's Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm enchanted 3.6m (15.9%), with 3.2m (13.9%) watching the last episode in the current series of Not Going Out at 9.30pm.
A re-run of a classic Vicar of Dibley festive episode aired to 2.85m (13.9%) at 10pm, while a repeat of the Mrs Brown's Boys 2013 Christmas special 'Buckin' Mammy' was seen by 4.26m (26.4%) at 11pm.
Over on BBC Two, part two of The Choir: New Military Wives aired to 1.94m (8.5%) at 8.30pm, while Julie Walters: A Life on Screen was seen by 1.74m (7.7%) an hour later.
Earlier in the evening,...
ITV's terrestrial premiere of Daniel Craig's third outing as James Bond was seen by 6.33m (28%) at 8pm.
Meanwhile, BBC One's most-viewed evening programme outside of soaps was Toy Story 3, airing to 4.73m (23.1%) from 6.30pm.
At 8.30pm, Harry Hill's Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm enchanted 3.6m (15.9%), with 3.2m (13.9%) watching the last episode in the current series of Not Going Out at 9.30pm.
A re-run of a classic Vicar of Dibley festive episode aired to 2.85m (13.9%) at 10pm, while a repeat of the Mrs Brown's Boys 2013 Christmas special 'Buckin' Mammy' was seen by 4.26m (26.4%) at 11pm.
Over on BBC Two, part two of The Choir: New Military Wives aired to 1.94m (8.5%) at 8.30pm, while Julie Walters: A Life on Screen was seen by 1.74m (7.7%) an hour later.
Earlier in the evening,...
- 12/25/2014
- Digital Spy
BBC One led the Christmas Eve television ratings with EastEnders and Last Tango in Halifax.
An average of 7.46 million (31.5%) tuned in at 7.30pm to witness Janine fret over David's demand of £250,000 in return for his silence.
4.55 million (19.6%) stayed with the channel from 8pm for the latest instalment of Holby City, as Edward was forced to confess about Mary-Claire.
The concluding episode of Last Tango in Halifax attracted 5.64 million (23.9%) at 9pm, followed by 4.75 million (22.5%) who tuned into the Christmas special of Not Going Out.
Movies also drew high ratings, including Toy Story 2 which gave the channel 3.99 million (26.8%) from 3.45pm to 5:15pm.
Meanwhile the festive short Shrek The Halls was watched by 4.52 million (26.1%) and 4.79 million watched Finding Nemo (23%) at 5.55pm.
Emmerdale was the most watched programme on ITV's Christmas Eve schedule, as 5.68 million (25.4%) tuned in to see Declan's continued demise. A further 175k (0.8%) watched on +1.
A new Christmas-themed episode of...
An average of 7.46 million (31.5%) tuned in at 7.30pm to witness Janine fret over David's demand of £250,000 in return for his silence.
4.55 million (19.6%) stayed with the channel from 8pm for the latest instalment of Holby City, as Edward was forced to confess about Mary-Claire.
The concluding episode of Last Tango in Halifax attracted 5.64 million (23.9%) at 9pm, followed by 4.75 million (22.5%) who tuned into the Christmas special of Not Going Out.
Movies also drew high ratings, including Toy Story 2 which gave the channel 3.99 million (26.8%) from 3.45pm to 5:15pm.
Meanwhile the festive short Shrek The Halls was watched by 4.52 million (26.1%) and 4.79 million watched Finding Nemo (23%) at 5.55pm.
Emmerdale was the most watched programme on ITV's Christmas Eve schedule, as 5.68 million (25.4%) tuned in to see Declan's continued demise. A further 175k (0.8%) watched on +1.
A new Christmas-themed episode of...
- 12/25/2013
- Digital Spy
Odd List Louisa Mellor 19 Dec 2013 - 07:00
We’ve scanned the UK TV schedules over the next fortnight and circled a few new Christmas programmes you may enjoy…
Despite this being the time of year when television repeats aren't just tolerated, but welcome (if at no point in the next fortnight does Dermot Morgan get lost in a department store underwear aisle, or a snowman ride a motorbike through a Sussex field, then it just won't feel like Christmas), we've gone for brand new shows in the list below.
There's a selection of new drama, comedy and a few other bits and pieces you may wish to circle in your festive TV listings magazine... Merry Christmas.
Drama Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor
What is it? It's Doctor Who. Do you need to know anything else?
What’s this one about? This one-hour special is Matt Smith's farewell episode as the Doctor,...
We’ve scanned the UK TV schedules over the next fortnight and circled a few new Christmas programmes you may enjoy…
Despite this being the time of year when television repeats aren't just tolerated, but welcome (if at no point in the next fortnight does Dermot Morgan get lost in a department store underwear aisle, or a snowman ride a motorbike through a Sussex field, then it just won't feel like Christmas), we've gone for brand new shows in the list below.
There's a selection of new drama, comedy and a few other bits and pieces you may wish to circle in your festive TV listings magazine... Merry Christmas.
Drama Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor
What is it? It's Doctor Who. Do you need to know anything else?
What’s this one about? This one-hour special is Matt Smith's farewell episode as the Doctor,...
- 12/17/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Picking what to watch at Christmas time can be a tricky challenge, so Digital Spy has created a quick handy guide to the biggest shows and movies airing across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Check out the Christmas TV schedules for the big channels below:
BBC One
Christmas Eve:
EastEnders - 7.30pm
Holby City - 8pm
Last Tango In Halifax - 9pm
Not Going Out Christmas special - 10pm
Christmas Day:
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special - 5pm
Call The Midwife - 6.15pm
Doctor Who: 'The Time Of The Doctor' - 7.30pm
EastEnders - 8.30pm
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special - 9.30pm
Boxing Day:
Gangsta Granny - 6.05pm
EastEnders - 7.15pm
Still Open All Hours - 7.45pm
Death Comes To Pemberley - 8.15pm
BBC Two
Christmas Eve:
Victoria Wood's Mid-Life Christmas - 8pm
Qi Xl Christmas Special - 9pm
The Awakening - 11.25pm
Christmas...
Check out the Christmas TV schedules for the big channels below:
BBC One
Christmas Eve:
EastEnders - 7.30pm
Holby City - 8pm
Last Tango In Halifax - 9pm
Not Going Out Christmas special - 10pm
Christmas Day:
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special - 5pm
Call The Midwife - 6.15pm
Doctor Who: 'The Time Of The Doctor' - 7.30pm
EastEnders - 8.30pm
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special - 9.30pm
Boxing Day:
Gangsta Granny - 6.05pm
EastEnders - 7.15pm
Still Open All Hours - 7.45pm
Death Comes To Pemberley - 8.15pm
BBC Two
Christmas Eve:
Victoria Wood's Mid-Life Christmas - 8pm
Qi Xl Christmas Special - 9pm
The Awakening - 11.25pm
Christmas...
- 12/4/2013
- Digital Spy
Channel 4 has unveiled details of its Christmas and New Year schedule for 2013/14.
The current series of Homeland and Made in Chelsea will draw to a close over the festive period, while Educating Yorkshire returns for a Christmas special.
On Thursday, December 19, viewers will have the chance to catch up with their favourite teachers and pupils in Educating Yorkshire at Christmas. The festive edition will feature much-loved student Musharaf among others.
On Saturday, December 21, Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn star in Four Christmases at 9pm, followed by the network premiere of Alister Grierson's caving drama Sanctum at 10.40pm.
The third season of Homeland concludes with season finale 'The Star' on Sunday, December 22 at 9pm. It will be preceded by Night at the Museum 2 at 6.55pm and Keira Knightley's Never Let Me Go will follow at 10.25pm.
On Monday, December 23, Food Unwrapped's Christmas Dinner will explore the history of our festive menus at 8pm,...
The current series of Homeland and Made in Chelsea will draw to a close over the festive period, while Educating Yorkshire returns for a Christmas special.
On Thursday, December 19, viewers will have the chance to catch up with their favourite teachers and pupils in Educating Yorkshire at Christmas. The festive edition will feature much-loved student Musharaf among others.
On Saturday, December 21, Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn star in Four Christmases at 9pm, followed by the network premiere of Alister Grierson's caving drama Sanctum at 10.40pm.
The third season of Homeland concludes with season finale 'The Star' on Sunday, December 22 at 9pm. It will be preceded by Night at the Museum 2 at 6.55pm and Keira Knightley's Never Let Me Go will follow at 10.25pm.
On Monday, December 23, Food Unwrapped's Christmas Dinner will explore the history of our festive menus at 8pm,...
- 12/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Channel 4 has announced its lineup of movies for the Christmas TV schedules.
Festive classic The Snowman and 2012 sequel The Snowman and the Snowdog will both air over the Christmas period.
Other Christmas favourites airing in December include Deck the Halls, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Scrooged, It's a Wonderful Life, Bing Crosby's White Christmas and 2006's The Nativity Story.
Home Alone 3 and Tom Hanks's Big are among the family favourites airing across the holiday period.
Other movie picks include The Inbetweeners Movie, A Field in England and Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go.
The BBC's Christmas movies lineup, which include Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, were announced earlier this week.
Festive classic The Snowman and 2012 sequel The Snowman and the Snowdog will both air over the Christmas period.
Other Christmas favourites airing in December include Deck the Halls, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Scrooged, It's a Wonderful Life, Bing Crosby's White Christmas and 2006's The Nativity Story.
Home Alone 3 and Tom Hanks's Big are among the family favourites airing across the holiday period.
Other movie picks include The Inbetweeners Movie, A Field in England and Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go.
The BBC's Christmas movies lineup, which include Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, were announced earlier this week.
- 11/27/2013
- Digital Spy
Channel 4 has announced its lineup of movies for the Christmas TV schedules.
Festive classic The Snowman and 2012 sequel The Snowman and the Snowdog will both air over the Christmas period.
Other Christmas favourites airing in December include Deck the Halls, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Scrooged, It's a Wonderful Life, Bing Crosby's White Christmas and 2006's The Nativity Story.
Home Alone 3 and Tom Hanks's Big are among the family favourites airing across the holiday period.
Other movie picks include The Inbetweeners Movie, A Field in England and Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go.
The BBC's Christmas movies lineup, which include Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, were announced earlier this week.
Festive classic The Snowman and 2012 sequel The Snowman and the Snowdog will both air over the Christmas period.
Other Christmas favourites airing in December include Deck the Halls, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Scrooged, It's a Wonderful Life, Bing Crosby's White Christmas and 2006's The Nativity Story.
Home Alone 3 and Tom Hanks's Big are among the family favourites airing across the holiday period.
Other movie picks include The Inbetweeners Movie, A Field in England and Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go.
The BBC's Christmas movies lineup, which include Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, were announced earlier this week.
- 11/27/2013
- Digital Spy
It may not actually be true, but to me it seems like the first discussion filmmakers have when planning a sequel to a popular movie is how they can ruin the rules of the original. How many times have you excitedly been to see a follow up to a sure-fire classic, only for its central rule to be completely discarded?
If you’re answer wasn’t ‘ten’, then you’re going to love this list. Here we bring you ten sequels that looked at the conceit that defined their predecessor and went “nah”. All of these examples are plain ridiculous, creating plot holes and ruining the principles of the first film. Although at least in some in rare cases (the seventh, fifth and third entry on this list) the resulting film ends up Ok.
Honourable Mention – The Snowman And The Snowdog
What the original said: Snowmen can fly, if they get a good run up.
If you’re answer wasn’t ‘ten’, then you’re going to love this list. Here we bring you ten sequels that looked at the conceit that defined their predecessor and went “nah”. All of these examples are plain ridiculous, creating plot holes and ruining the principles of the first film. Although at least in some in rare cases (the seventh, fifth and third entry on this list) the resulting film ends up Ok.
Honourable Mention – The Snowman And The Snowdog
What the original said: Snowmen can fly, if they get a good run up.
- 8/1/2013
- by Alex Leadbeater
- Obsessed with Film
Digital Spy presents a list of winners and nominees at the BAFTA TV Craft Awards 2013, hosted by Stephen Mangan from The Brewery in London on Sunday, April 28, 2013:
Breakthrough Talent
Mike Bartlett - The Town
Julie Gearey - Prisoners' Wives
Rhys Thomas - Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender (Director's Cut)
Tim Whitnall - Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story - Winner
Costume Design
Amy Roberts - Mrs Biggs
Sheena Napier - Parade's End - Winner
Odile Dicks-Mireaux - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Lorna Marie Mugan - Ripper Street
Digital Creativity
Steve Boulton, James Rutherford - Channel 4 Paralympics - Winner
Production Team - Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic
Production Team - Foxes Live: Wild in the City
Production Team - The Great British Property Scandal
Director (Factual)
Katharine English - Our War
Ben Chanan - The Plot to Bring Down Britain's Planes - Winner
John Dower...
Breakthrough Talent
Mike Bartlett - The Town
Julie Gearey - Prisoners' Wives
Rhys Thomas - Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender (Director's Cut)
Tim Whitnall - Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story - Winner
Costume Design
Amy Roberts - Mrs Biggs
Sheena Napier - Parade's End - Winner
Odile Dicks-Mireaux - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Lorna Marie Mugan - Ripper Street
Digital Creativity
Steve Boulton, James Rutherford - Channel 4 Paralympics - Winner
Production Team - Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic
Production Team - Foxes Live: Wild in the City
Production Team - The Great British Property Scandal
Director (Factual)
Katharine English - Our War
Ben Chanan - The Plot to Bring Down Britain's Planes - Winner
John Dower...
- 4/28/2013
- Digital Spy
Digital Spy presents a list of nominees for the BAFTA TV Craft Awards 2013, to be hosted by Stephen Mangan from The Brewery in London on Sunday, April 28, 2012:
Breakthrough Talent
Mike Bartlett - The Town
Julie Gearey - Prisoners' Wives
Rhys Thomas - Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender (Director's Cut)
Tim Whitnall - Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story
Costume Design
Amy Roberts - Mrs Biggs
Sheena Napier - Parade's End
Odile Dicks-Mireaux - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Lorna Marie Mugan - Ripper Street
Digital Creativity
Steve Boulton, James Rutherford - Channel 4 Paralympics
Production Team - Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic
Production Team - Foxes Live: Wild in the City
Production Team - The Great British Property Scandal
Director (Factual)
Katharine English - Our War
Ben Chanan - The Plot to Bring Down Britain's Planes
John Dower - Bradley Wiggins: A Year in Yellow
Ben Anthony...
Breakthrough Talent
Mike Bartlett - The Town
Julie Gearey - Prisoners' Wives
Rhys Thomas - Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender (Director's Cut)
Tim Whitnall - Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story
Costume Design
Amy Roberts - Mrs Biggs
Sheena Napier - Parade's End
Odile Dicks-Mireaux - Richard II (The Hollow Crown)
Lorna Marie Mugan - Ripper Street
Digital Creativity
Steve Boulton, James Rutherford - Channel 4 Paralympics
Production Team - Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic
Production Team - Foxes Live: Wild in the City
Production Team - The Great British Property Scandal
Director (Factual)
Katharine English - Our War
Ben Chanan - The Plot to Bring Down Britain's Planes
John Dower - Bradley Wiggins: A Year in Yellow
Ben Anthony...
- 3/25/2013
- Digital Spy
Channel 4's companion game for the TV return of classic Christmas animation The Snowman has proved a big hit for the broadcaster. The Snowman and The Snowdog app was downloaded more than 1m times on iPhones, iPads and Android devices from its launch on December 9 to the end of the year. The game, created to promote the sequel to The Snowman aired on Channel 4 at Christmas 2012, was number one in the free iPad apps chart at one stage, along with number 1 in the free iPhone games chart and number three in the overall free iPhone apps chart. Channel 4 said that players have so far collected over 400 million snowflakes between them, and the most dedicated people have spent more than 24 hours in the game. The Snowman and the Snowdog game was developed at East Midlands studio Crash Labs, using the talents of games industry veterans who have previously...
- 1/11/2013
- by By Andrew Laughlin
- Digital Spy
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