Film Roman, LLC is an American independent animation studio currently based in Woodland Hills, California and formerly in Burbank. It was previously owned by Starz Inc., which is now a division of Lionsgate, and later by Waterman Entertainment, the production company of producer Steve Waterman. Founded by veteran animator and director Phil Roman on October 26, 1984, it is best known for providing animation for the Garfield primetime specials, based on Jim Davis' comic strip of the same name. The studio also produced the animated series The Simpsons, The Critic, King of the Hill, Family Guy, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, and The Goode Family.
History[]
Background[]
Phil Roman, veteran alumnus of MGM Animation/Visual Arts and Bill Melendez Productions, founded Film Roman on October 26, 1984 as a means to continue the production of the Garfield television specials, since Melendez's own studio was unable to work on both the Peanuts and Garfield specials. Peanuts executive producers Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez and their aforementioned studio had produced the first two Garfield specials, but due to both Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz' and Garfield creator Jim Davis' concerns about conflicting interests in allocating production priority at Melendez's boutique studio, the production had to be moved. While he was leaving him and Melendez for his already-established studio, Roman was offered the opportunity to produce the next Garfield prime time special, Garfield in the Rough (1984), for CBS by Mendelson, which he accepted and went on to produce and direct all by himself, winning an Emmy in the process.
Formation[]
In 1985, CBS' head of children's programming Judy Price had commissioned an animated television series based on the Garfield prime time special series, later ultimately titled Garfield and Friends, which took three years for Roman to decide developing and producing the program before it eventually aired on the network's Saturday morning time slot, premiering on September 17, 1988. The aforementioned show was Film Roman's first regular series. In 1986, in an effort to expand and diversify the studio, Roman hired Marvel Productions VP of Business Affairs and his own personal attorney, Michael Wahl, as President and Bill Schultz, Marvel's Director of Development, to join in the company as the fledgling studio's VP of Production and Development. Garfield and Friends was expanded to an hour on CBS' number one rated Saturday Morning block and the studio grew to increase its capacity.
In 1988, the new management team developed, sold and produced a new series, Bobby's World, to the brand new Fox Kids Network, headed up by former Marvel Productions president Margaret Loesch. In 1992 to 2016, Film Roman took over the source production of 20th Century Fox's The Simpsons from Klasky-Csupo who had produced the one-minute teaser cartoon shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show as well as the animation for the first three seasons and the first two episodes of the fourth season (in total 61 episodes). The studio went on to grow and produce many popular animated series now seen all around the world.
Waterman Entertainment ownership[]
In 2015, Film Roman was acquired from its parent company Starz Distribution by Waterman Entertainment, the production company of executive producer Steve Waterman. As such, it now does business with Starz, which owns the company's catalogue. However, Waterman Entertainment closed on December 24, 2015, Film Roman eventually became independent again.
On November 22, 2016, the company formed a joint venture based in Tijuana, called Film Roman Baja J.V. (also known as Film Roman Baja Productions), with Boxel Studios, a Baja California-based animation facility.
Location[]
The original studio was located on Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake, California, where Roman was also joined by Melendez producer Lee Mendelson. Years later, the studio moved to a new location on Chandler Blvd. in Studio City, before settling into another location at Starz Plaza on Hollywood Way in Burbank, which it shared with the former Hub Network and Hasbro Studios, and finally settling into its present location in Woodland Hills.
Television series[]
| Show | Creator(s) | Year(s) | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield and Friends | Jim Davis | 1988–1994 | United Media (Season 1)
United Media/Mendelson (Seasons 2–3) |
Now owned by 9 Story Media Group |
| The Adventures of Sonny | Phil Roman | 1990 | New Line Television | Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution |
| Bobby's World | Howie Mandel | 1990–1998 | Alevy Productions
Fox Children's Productions |
Currently distributed by Splash Entertainment |
| Zazoo U | Shane DeRolf | 1990–1991 | Fox Children's Productions | Currently distributed by Disney–ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution |
| Mother Goose and Grimm | Mike Peters | 1991–1993 | Tribune Media Services
Grimmy, Inc. Lee Mendelson Productions (owner) MGM Television |
|
| The Tales of Sonny and the Other World | 1991–1994 | New Line Television | Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution | |
| Animated Classic Showcase | 1993–1994 | Soyuzmultfilm | ||
| Cro | Mark Zaslove | Children's Television Workshop (owner) | ||
| Mighty Max | Mark Zaslove
Rob Hudnut |
|||
| Julian & Clara | Nova Young | 1994–1997 | Fox Children's Productions
Fox Television Animation |
Currently distributed by Disney–ABC Domestic Television |
| Friendly & Gang | Nancy Farwell | 1994–1999 | Paramount Television Animation | Currently distributed by CBS Television Distribution |
| The Baby Huey Show | Bob Jaques | 1995 | Harveytoons
Claster Television |
Season 2 only
Currently distributed by NBCUniversal Television Distribution |
| The Mask: Animated Series | Duane Capizzi | 1995–1997 | Sunbow Entertainment
New Line Television Dark Horse Entertainment |
Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution |
| The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat | Pat Sullivan
Otto Messmer |
Currently distributed by NBCUniversal Television Distribution | ||
| C Bear and Jamal | Earl Richey Jones
Todd R. Jones |
1996–1997 | ||
| Sonny's Teamwork | 1996–1998 | New Line Television | Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution | |
| Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm | Sean Catherine Derek | 1996 | Threshold Entertainment
New Line Television | |
| Richie Rich | Timothy Williams | Harveytoons
Claster Television |
Currently distributed by NBCUniversal Television Distribution | |
| Bruno the Kid | Joel Madison | 1996–1997 | ||
| Free For All | Brett Merhar | 2003 | Showtime Networks (owner) | |
| Eloise: The Animated Series | Kay Thompson
Hilary Knight |
2006 | Anchor Bay Entertainment
HandMade Films |
|
| Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! | Bob Boyle | 2006-2010 | Bolder Media | |
| Slacker Cats | Andy Riley
Kevin Cecil |
2007–2009 | Will Vinton Studios/Laika
ABC Family Original Productions (owner) |
|
| Dan Vs. | Dan Mendel
Chris Pearson |
2011–2013 | The Hatchery |
- This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow (TBA)
- Heathcliff (TBA)
- The Untamed (TBA)
Subcontracted from others:
for 20th Television Animation:
| Show | Creator(s) | Year(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Simpsons | Matt Groening | 1992–2016 | Seasons 4–27 only |
| King of the Hill | Mike Judge | 1997–2010 | |
| Family Guy | Seth MacFarlane | 1999–2000 | Seasons 1–2 only |
for Marvel Animation:
| Show | Creator(s) | Year(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men: Evolution | Marty Isenberg
Robert N. Skir
|
2000–2003 | Currently owned by Marvel Entertainment |
| The Super Hero Squad Show | Stan Lee | 2009–2011 | |
| The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes | Ciro Nieli
Joshua Fine
|
2010–2012 | Currently distributed by Disney–ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution |
| Ultimate Spider-Man | Marvel Animation | 2012–2017 | |
| Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. | Paul Dini
Henry Gilroy
|
2014–2015 |
with other studios:
- Klutter (1995–1996) (as part of Eek! Stravaganza)
- The Critic (1994–1995)
- Mission Hill (1999–2002)
- The Man Show (1999–2002) (animation)
- The Oblongs (2001–2002)
- Law & Order (2006) (visual effects)
- The Goode Family (2009)
- Beavis and Butt-Head (2011)
Puppet/CGI shows:
- The Mr. Potato Head Show (1998)
- Tripping the Rift (2004–2007)
Films/specials[]
| Title | Year | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield in the Rough | 1984 | United Media | The studio's inaugural production |
| Garfield's Halloween Adventure | 1985 | ||
| Garfield in Paradise | 1986 | ||
| Garfield Goes Hollywood | 1987 | ||
| A Garfield Christmas | United Media Paws, Inc. |
||
| Happy Birthday, Garfield | 1988 | Paws, Inc. | |
| Garfield: His 9 Lives | United Media
Paws, Inc. |
||
| Garfield's Babes and Bullets | 1989 | ||
| The Pink Panther | MGM Television | Unreleased live-action/animated pilot | |
| Garfield's Thanksgiving | United Media Paws, Inc. |
||
| Garfield's Feline Fantasies | 1990 | United Media Lee Mendelson Productions Paws, Inc. |
|
| Garfield Gets a Life | 1991 | ||
| Tom and Jerry: The Movie | 1992 | Live Entertainment Turner Entertainment Co. WMG Film Miramax Films |
Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures |
| The Alvin Movie | 1993 | Paramount Pictures Bagdasarian Productions |
|
| Nick & Noel | 1993 | Bohbot Entertainment | |
| A Cool Like That Christmas | 1994 | ||
| The Bears Who Saved Christmas | Bohbot Entertainment | ||
| Izzy's Quest for Olympic Gold | 1995 | International Olympic Committee | |
| The Story of Santa Claus | 1996 | Arnold Shapiro Productions CBS Productions |
|
| The Magic Pearl | 1997 | Greengrass Productions | |
| Julian & Clara: The Quest for the Little Dragon | 20th Century Studios 20th Century Animation |
||
| Meet the Harvey Girls | Paramount Pictures The Harvey Entertainment Company |
||
| Puss in Boots | |||
| Super Bowl XXXIII (The Simpsons short) | 1999 | Gracie Films 20th Television |
|
| Johnny Tsunami | Disney Channel | Live-action | |
| Hairballs | 2000 | Unsold TV series pilot created by Mr. Lawrence | |
| Motocrossed | 2001 | Stu Segall Productions Disney Channel |
Live-action |
| My First Mister | Total Film Group ApolloMedia Film Management GmbH Paramount Classics | ||
| The Santa Claus Brothers | Sitting Ducks Productions Disney Channel Nelvana |
||
| Second Time Around | 2002 | Mei Ah Entertainment | Visual effects |
| Hellraiser: Hellseeker | Dimension Home Video | ||
| Daredevil | 2003 | 20th Century Studios Regency Enterprises Marvel Enterprises Horseshoe Bay Productions | |
| The Fallen Ones | The Fallen Ones Inc. Sci Fi Channel | ||
| I, Robot | 2004 | 20th Century Studios Davis Entertainment Laurence Mark Productions Overbrook Films Mediastream IV | |
| Demon Hunter | 2005 | New Arc Entertainment | |
| All Souls Day | Anchor Bay Entertainment | ||
| Weebles: Welcome to Weebleville! | Playskool Hasbro |
||
| Weebles: Sharing in the Fun! | |||
| The Happy Elf | HC Productions DKP Studios |
||
| Voodoo Moon | 2006 | IDT Entertainment Sci Fi Channel |
Visual effects |
| Slayer | Anchor Bay Entertainment Sci Fi Channel | ||
| Jackass Number Two | Paramount Pictures MTV Films Dickhouse Productions Lynch Siderow Productions | ||
| Hellboy: Sword of Storms | Revolution Studios | ||
| Mosaic | 2007 | POW! Entertainment Manga Entertainment |
|
| Hellboy: Blood and Iron | Revolution Studios | ||
| The Thirst | Anchor Bay Entertainment | Visual effects | |
| The Simpsons Movie | 20th Century Studios 20th Century Animation Gracie Films Rough Draft Studios AKOM |
Pre-production split between Film Roman and Rough Draft Studios | |
| Sands of Oblivion | Starz Productions Sci Fi Channel |
Visual effects | |
| Rush Hour 3 | New Line Cinema Roger Birnbaum Productions Arthur Sarkissian Productions Unlike Film Productions |
Visual effects Trailer only | |
| Illegal Tender | Universal Pictures | Visual effects | |
| Hairspray | New Line Cinema Ingenious Media Zadan/Meron Productions Storyline Entertainment Offspring Entertainment |
Visual effects Trailer only | |
| The Great Buck Howard | 2008 | Magnolia Pictures Playtone Walden Media Bristol Bay Productions |
Visual effects |
| Turok: Son of Stone | Classic Media | ||
| Speed Racer | Warner Bros. Pictures Village Roadshow Pictures Silver Pictures Anarchos Productions |
Visual effects | |
| Sex and the City | Warner Bros. Pictures New Line Cinema HBO Films |
Visual effects Trailer only | |
| Tripping The Rift: The Movie | CinéGroupe | ||
| Wubbzy's Big Movie! | Bolder Media | ||
| Dead Space: Downfall | Electronic Arts | ||
| Secrets of the Furious Five | DreamWorks Animation Reel FX Creative Studios |
2-D sequences | |
| Cranberry Christmas | Ocean Spray Productions | ||
| Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubb Idol | 2009 | Bolder Media | |
| The Haunted World of El Superbeasto | Carbunkle Cartoons | Planned for theatrical release | |
| Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic | 2010 | Electronic Arts | "Prologue", "The Arrival", "Entry to Hell" only |
| Dead Space: Aftermath | 2011 | Electronic Arts Visceral Games |
|
| Max Steel: Turbo-Charged | 2017 | Mattel Creations | |
| Max Steel: Turbo-Warriors |
Cancelled films[]
- Untitled Camp WWE film
- Garfield's Judgment Day
Special effects for other films[]
- Second Time Around (2002)
- Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)
- Daredevil (2003)
- The Fallen Ones (2003)
- I, Robot (2004)
- Demon Hunter (2005)
- All Souls Day (2005)
- What's the Meaning of Love (2005)
- Voodoo Moon (2006)
- Slayer (2006)
- Jackass Number Two (2006)
- The Thirst (2006)
- Haunted Prison (2006)
- Sands of Oblivion (2007)
- Rush Hour 3 (2007) (trailer)
- Illegal Tender (2007)
- Hairspray (2007) (trailer)
- The Great Buck Howard (2008)
- Sex and the City (2008) (trailer)
- Speed Racer (2008)
- Secrets of the Furious Five (2008)
Miscellaneous[]
- Get in Line (Barenaked Ladies music video)
- Frijolero (Molotov music video)
- The Simpsons Game (2007, produced by Electronic Arts) (cutscenes only)
- The Simpsons Ride (2008, amusement simulator ride film produced for the attraction of the same name at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood)
- The Simpsons: Tapped Out (2012, freemium mobile game produced for Fox Digital Entertainment and Electronic Arts) (cutscenes only)
Commercials
- Alpo
- Ask Jeeves (2000) (five-minute branding reel)
- Burger King (2001–2003)
- Butterfinger (1992–1994, 1998–2001, 2007)
- CC's (1998)
- C.C. Lemon (2000–2002)
- Embassy Suites Hotel
- Expedia (2003)
- Garfield Fruit Snacks
- General Foods
- Honey Nut Cheerios (1993) (Garfield ad only)
- Matchbox (2002) (CGI sales presentation animated by Forum Visual Effects)
- Microsoft (2003)
- Mirinda (2005–2006, 2008)
- Partnership for a Drug-Free America (2002)
- RC Cola (1999)
- SeaWorld (1998)
- SHO Too (2002)
- Toyota (1992–1993)
- Trix (1991)
Web series[]
- Charlie's Angels: Animated Adventures (2003)
- Camp WWE (2016–present)