World Events Productions
Encyclopedia
World Events Productions is an American
-based animation
and distribution company in St. Louis, Missouri
, best known for releasing the anime titles Voltron, Defender of the Universe
and Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
, as well as producing the original animated series Denver, the Last Dinosaur
.
founder Harold Koplar
, World Events Productions started out as a "current events" program on the TV station titled World Events. In 1983, while attending a science fiction convention, Ted Koplar discovered the anime series Beast King GoLion and saw a potential in distributing it on U.S. television. WEP licensed the series from Toei Animation
and released it in 1984 in an edited and English-dubbed form as Voltron
. The show was met with high ratings nationwide. After airing all episodes of GoLion, WEP adapted Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV
into the second season of Voltron. Unfortunately, the second season lacked the ratings of the first season, as viewers were more used to the GoLion team. In response, WEP commissioned Toei Animation to produce 20 more episodes of the GoLion-based Voltron.
In 1987, WEP licensed Star Musketeer Bismark from Studio Pierrot
and released it as Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
. The series was rewritten with several episodes rearranged or omitted; in addition, six new episodes were animated for the U.S. version. Despite lacking the popularity of Voltron, Saber Rider has received a cult fan following throughout the years; most prominently in Germany
.
After years of licensing and broadcasting anime, WEP ventured to original animated works. In 1988, the company released Denver, the Last Dinosaur
, which was met with positive feedback from parents' groups and was recommended by the National Education Association. Vytor: The Starfire Champion
was released in 1989. Despite being an International Film and Video Festival and a New York Festival Award winner, the show's run on television was short-lived.
In 1998, WEP revisited the Voltron franchise with an all-new TV series. Voltron: The Third Dimension
was the 3-D animated sequel to the original series, featuring some of the original voice cast plus actors Clancy Brown
and Tim Curry
. Despite winning a Daytime Emmy Award
for Outstanding Sound Editing, the series received mixed responses from critics and fans of the original series.
In 2008, World Events licensed the original GoLion and Dairugger XXV in the US.
In 2010, WEP has licensed rights for the Voltron franchise to Classic Media
.
WEP, Kickstart Productions and Classic Media released an all-new animated Voltron series titled Voltron Force
in June 2011. The series takes place sometime after events in the original series and currently airs on the Nicktoons network.
in 2010 over copyright infringements of a potential live-action Voltron movie. In the past, both companies disputed when Voltron: The Third Dimension was released. The previous dispute was settled in 2000, with WEP acquiring the animated properties Voltron and GoLion, as well as 'Vehicle Force Voltron' and 'Dairugger'. The most recent legal issues between the two companies focus on WEP's right to adapt the anime into live-action and possibly marketing it in Japan. As a result of this dispute, 20th Century Fox
and New Regency Productions
pulled out of the live-action project.
On July 2009, Atlas Entertainment acquired the live-action film rights. This prompted film producers James Young, Ford Oelman and Mark Costa to file a lawsuit against World Events Productions, claiming that their companies - Animus Films and NHO Entertainment - have held exclusive live-action rights to Voltron since 2004. The live-action project was eventually scrapped on June 2010 in favor of a new Voltron television series.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
and distribution company in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, best known for releasing the anime titles Voltron, Defender of the Universe
Voltron
Voltron is the titular super robot of an anime series that features a team of young pilots, known as the Voltron Force. The team’s individual vehicles join together to form the giant super robot, with which they defend the galaxy from evil...
and Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs is a 1987 animated space western following a similar theme as Galaxy Rangers and Bravestarr. Originally a 1984 anime series known as created by Studio Pierrot, it achieved moderate success in Japan...
, as well as producing the original animated series Denver, the Last Dinosaur
Denver, the Last Dinosaur
Denver, the Last Dinosaur is a U.S.-French cartoon for children originally released in 1988 by World Events Productions . It was nationally syndicated throughout the United States in 1988 with reruns airing until 1990...
.
History
Founded in 1980 by Ted Koplar, son of St. Louis businessman and KPLR-TVKPLR-TV
KPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KPLR is owned by the Tribune Company, and is an affiliate of The CW Television Network. The station's studios are located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, in Northwest St. Louis County KPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station...
founder Harold Koplar
Harold Koplar
Harold Koplar was a Russian-American hotelier and businessman in St. Louis, Missouri.-Early life and education:...
, World Events Productions started out as a "current events" program on the TV station titled World Events. In 1983, while attending a science fiction convention, Ted Koplar discovered the anime series Beast King GoLion and saw a potential in distributing it on U.S. television. WEP licensed the series from Toei Animation
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
and released it in 1984 in an edited and English-dubbed form as Voltron
Voltron
Voltron is the titular super robot of an anime series that features a team of young pilots, known as the Voltron Force. The team’s individual vehicles join together to form the giant super robot, with which they defend the galaxy from evil...
. The show was met with high ratings nationwide. After airing all episodes of GoLion, WEP adapted Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV
Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV
was an anime series aired in Japan from 1982 to 1983. It is also referred to as "Dairugger 15", "Dairugger XV", "Armored Armada Dairugger XV", "Armored Squadron Dairugger XV", or "Machine Platoon Dairugger"....
into the second season of Voltron. Unfortunately, the second season lacked the ratings of the first season, as viewers were more used to the GoLion team. In response, WEP commissioned Toei Animation to produce 20 more episodes of the GoLion-based Voltron.
In 1987, WEP licensed Star Musketeer Bismark from Studio Pierrot
Studio Pierrot
is a Japanese animation/animation studio, founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. Its headquarters is located in Mitaka, Tokyo.The company has a simple logo of the face of a clown...
and released it as Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs is a 1987 animated space western following a similar theme as Galaxy Rangers and Bravestarr. Originally a 1984 anime series known as created by Studio Pierrot, it achieved moderate success in Japan...
. The series was rewritten with several episodes rearranged or omitted; in addition, six new episodes were animated for the U.S. version. Despite lacking the popularity of Voltron, Saber Rider has received a cult fan following throughout the years; most prominently in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
After years of licensing and broadcasting anime, WEP ventured to original animated works. In 1988, the company released Denver, the Last Dinosaur
Denver, the Last Dinosaur
Denver, the Last Dinosaur is a U.S.-French cartoon for children originally released in 1988 by World Events Productions . It was nationally syndicated throughout the United States in 1988 with reruns airing until 1990...
, which was met with positive feedback from parents' groups and was recommended by the National Education Association. Vytor: The Starfire Champion
Vytor: The Starfire Champion
Vytor:The Star Champion was a short lived animated television series produced by World Events Productions.-Plot Synopsis:Armed with the magic shield Vytor, along with the beautiful Skyla and his friends, battle Myzor Sarcophogus for the Starfire Ring and try to recover the Saturn Orb.-Cast:*Allison...
was released in 1989. Despite being an International Film and Video Festival and a New York Festival Award winner, the show's run on television was short-lived.
In 1998, WEP revisited the Voltron franchise with an all-new TV series. Voltron: The Third Dimension
Voltron: The Third Dimension
Voltron: The Third Dimension was a computer-generated series was released in 1998 to a mixed response, because of its departure from the original Lion Voltron's animated look, as well as some character changes, such as the physical appearance of Prince Lotor...
was the 3-D animated sequel to the original series, featuring some of the original voice cast plus actors Clancy Brown
Clancy Brown
Clarence J. "Clancy" Brown III is an American actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in live action as The Kurgan in the cult classic film Highlander, Byron Hadley in the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, Brother Justin Crowe in HBO's critically acclaimed Carnivàle, and Career...
and Tim Curry
Tim Curry
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is a British actor, singer, composer and voice actor, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California....
. Despite winning a Daytime Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for Outstanding Sound Editing, the series received mixed responses from critics and fans of the original series.
In 2008, World Events licensed the original GoLion and Dairugger XXV in the US.
In 2010, WEP has licensed rights for the Voltron franchise to Classic Media
Classic Media
Classic Media, LLC, is an American production company and distributor of family programming. It was founded in 2000 by former Marvel Entertainment CEO Eric Ellenbogen and former Broadway Video executive John Engelman in hopes of acquiring mismanaged classic properties and giving exposure to...
.
WEP, Kickstart Productions and Classic Media released an all-new animated Voltron series titled Voltron Force
Voltron Force
Voltron Force is a new version of the 1980s animated series, Voltron, that was originally scheduled for a release in autumn of 2010. Eventually, the show premiered on June 16, 2011, exclusively on the Nicktoons television network to coincide with the premiere of the second season of Iron Man:...
in June 2011. The series takes place sometime after events in the original series and currently airs on the Nicktoons network.
Legal issues
World Events Productions settled a legal dispute with Toei AnimationToei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
in 2010 over copyright infringements of a potential live-action Voltron movie. In the past, both companies disputed when Voltron: The Third Dimension was released. The previous dispute was settled in 2000, with WEP acquiring the animated properties Voltron and GoLion, as well as 'Vehicle Force Voltron' and 'Dairugger'. The most recent legal issues between the two companies focus on WEP's right to adapt the anime into live-action and possibly marketing it in Japan. As a result of this dispute, 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
and New Regency Productions
New Regency Productions
New Regency Productions is a production company founded in 1991 by Arnon Milchan and a subsidiary of Regency Enterprises.It is located on the 20th Century Fox lot, and Fox is the current distributor of Regency releases since 1998, but is a wholly independent company. Warner Bros. Pictures was the...
pulled out of the live-action project.
On July 2009, Atlas Entertainment acquired the live-action film rights. This prompted film producers James Young, Ford Oelman and Mark Costa to file a lawsuit against World Events Productions, claiming that their companies - Animus Films and NHO Entertainment - have held exclusive live-action rights to Voltron since 2004. The live-action project was eventually scrapped on June 2010 in favor of a new Voltron television series.
Titles
- VoltronVoltronVoltron is the titular super robot of an anime series that features a team of young pilots, known as the Voltron Force. The team’s individual vehicles join together to form the giant super robot, with which they defend the galaxy from evil...
(1984–1985)- Adaptation of Toei AnimationToei AnimationToei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
's Beast King GoLion and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV.
- Adaptation of Toei Animation
- Voltron: Fleet of DoomVoltron: Fleet of DoomVoltron: The Fleet of Doom was a television special involving both Vehicle Force Voltron and Lion Force working together to defeat King Zarkon, who aligns with Viceroy Throk of the Drule High Command to create a new army the Fleet of Doom....
(1986)- One-off crossover of both Voltron seasons co-produced by Toei Animation.
- Saber Rider and the Star SheriffsSaber Rider and the Star SheriffsSaber Rider and the Star Sheriffs is a 1987 animated space western following a similar theme as Galaxy Rangers and Bravestarr. Originally a 1984 anime series known as created by Studio Pierrot, it achieved moderate success in Japan...
(1987–1988)- Adaptation of Studio PierrotStudio Pierrotis a Japanese animation/animation studio, founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. Its headquarters is located in Mitaka, Tokyo.The company has a simple logo of the face of a clown...
's Star Musketeer Bismarck
- Adaptation of Studio Pierrot
- Denver, the Last DinosaurDenver, the Last DinosaurDenver, the Last Dinosaur is a U.S.-French cartoon for children originally released in 1988 by World Events Productions . It was nationally syndicated throughout the United States in 1988 with reruns airing until 1990...
(1988)- WEP's first all-original work.
- Vytor: The Starfire ChampionVytor: The Starfire ChampionVytor:The Star Champion was a short lived animated television series produced by World Events Productions.-Plot Synopsis:Armed with the magic shield Vytor, along with the beautiful Skyla and his friends, battle Myzor Sarcophogus for the Starfire Ring and try to recover the Saturn Orb.-Cast:*Allison...
(1989) - Voltron: The Third DimensionVoltron: The Third DimensionVoltron: The Third Dimension was a computer-generated series was released in 1998 to a mixed response, because of its departure from the original Lion Voltron's animated look, as well as some character changes, such as the physical appearance of Prince Lotor...
(1998–2000)- 3D animated sequel to Voltron co-produced by Mike Young ProductionsMike Young ProductionsMike Young Productions LLC is an animation studio that produces children's TV series. It is named after co-founder and partner Mike Young, and is part of the Moonscoop Group...
- 3D animated sequel to Voltron co-produced by Mike Young Productions
- Voltron ForceVoltron ForceVoltron Force is a new version of the 1980s animated series, Voltron, that was originally scheduled for a release in autumn of 2010. Eventually, the show premiered on June 16, 2011, exclusively on the Nicktoons television network to coincide with the premiere of the second season of Iron Man:...
(2011)- A new animated series co-produced by Kickstart Productions and Classic Media.
External links
- World Events Productions
- World Events Productions at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....