amuse:
1: to entertain; to appeal to the sense of humor
2: Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicated Entertainment
AMUSE is the film and television division of Universal Uclick (the world's largest independent newspaper syndicate) and Andrews McMeel Publishing (the world's largest humor publisher). AMUSE develops UU and AMP properties from the page to the screen. AMUSE also represents other individuals in TV and film.
Sony collars Kelly Asbury
Animation veteran to adapt Gilligan's 'Pooch Cafe'
By JEFF SNEIDER from Variety
Sony Pictures Animation has tapped veteran animation writer-director Kelly Asbury to pen "Pooch Cafe," a CG-animated featured based on Paul Gilligan's popular syndicated comicstrip of the same name. Story follows Poncho, a cheese-loving, squirrel-fearing, toilet water-drinking mutt who joins his canine friends at the Pooch Cafe, a neighborhood hangout where dogs can be dogs and compare notes on such weighty issues as avoiding baths, zebra-flavored kibble and the construction of a giant catapult with which to hurl all the world's cats into the sun. Gil Netter, Bridget McMeel and John Glynn will exec produce "Pooch Cafe."
"Kelly's wit and cinematic sensibility pairs wonderfully with the irreverent characters and wry comedy in the 'Pooch Cafe' comicstrip," said SPA production prexy Michelle Raimo-Kouyate. "We've been looking for something to do with Kelly, and this was a perfect match."
Asbury recently directed and co-wrote "Gnomeo and Juliet," which took in more than $189 million worldwide. He previously co-directed "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" and "Shrek 2," the highest-grossing animated film in U.S. box office history. Over his 27-year career in animation, Asbury has served in a variety of creative capacities on such Hollywood hits as "Shrek," "Toy Story," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid" and "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas." He also provided character voices for "Gnomeo and Juliet," "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the Third."
Sony Pictures Animation most recently released "The Smurfs," which has grossed more than $519 million worldwide.
Asbury is repped by UTA and Nancy Newhouse-Porter at Newhouse/Porter/Hubbard.
AMUSE has partnered with the following companies:
Sony Pictures Animation to develop Pooch Cafe into an animated feature film.
John Davis Entertainment (of Garfield film franchise) to develop the Lio comic strip into a feature film.
Cale Boyter and Mary Parent who have an overall deal at Paramount, to develop Harvey Richards, from Tom the Dancing Bug comic strip, into a feature film and a tv series.
AMUSE has recently finished shooting the independent film "Small Apartments" with the infamous Sweedish director Jonas Akerlund. Movie based on Chris Millis' short novel. Screenplay written by Chris Millis and Scott Clevenger. Film stars Matt Lucas, Billy Crystal, James Caan, Johnny Knoxville, Amanda Plummer, James Mardsen, Rosie Perez, Peter Stormare, and Dolph Lundgren to name a few.
