Film Roman

Film Roman, LLC, is an American 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 currently 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!, The Goode Family, and Dan Vs..
==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.
In 1999, Film Roman attempted to get into the syndication market with the launch of Max Degree TV, which would have consisted of three shows, Mission Extreme from Steve Tisch, Skins from the Deep from SFX artist Steve Wang, and a new Wes Archer cartoon Victor, but it never got off the ground.
===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.
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 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 (seasons 1–6)Lee Mendelson Productions (seasons 2–7)Paws, Inc. 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Bobby's World 	Howie Mandel 	1990–1998 	Alevy ProductionsFox Children's Productions 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Zazoo U 	Shane DeRolf 	1990–1991 	Fox Children's Productions 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Mother Goose and Grimm 	Mike Peters 	1991–1993 	Tribune Media ServicesGrimmy, Inc.Lee Mendelson ProductionsMGM Television 	
The Simpsons 	Matt Groening 	1992–2016 	Gracie FilmsFox Television Animation 	4–28 only
Animated Classic Showcase 	 	1993–1994 	Soyuzmultfilm 	
Cro 	Mark Zaslove 	1993–1994 	Children's Television Workshop 	
Mighty Max 	Mark ZasloveRob Hudnut 	1993–1994 	Bluebird ToysCanal+ D.A.Bohbot Entertainment 	Currently distributed by Mattel Creations
The Critic 	Al JeanMike Reiss 	1994–1995 	Gracie FilmsColumbia Pictures Television 	
The Baby Huey Show 	Bob Jaques 	1995 	Carbunkle Cartoons (season 1)HarveytoonsClaster Television 	Season 2 onlyCurrently distributed by SegaParamount
The Mask: Animated Series 	Duane Capizzi 	1995–1997 	Dark Horse EntertainmentSunbow EntertainmentNew Line Television 	Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
Klutter! 	David SilvermanSavage Steve Holland 	1995–1996 	Savage StudiosFox Children's Productions 	As part of Eek! StravaganzaCurrently distributed by SegaParamount
The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat 	Pat SullivanOtto MessmerJoseph Oriolo 	1995–1997 	Felix the Cat Productions 	Currently distributed by NBCUniversal Television Distribution
C Bear and Jamal 	Earl Richey JonesTodd R. Jones 	1996–1997 	TaurusFilm 	
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm 	Sean Catherine Derek 	1996 	Threshold EntertainmentNew Line TelevisionUSA Studios 	Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
Richie Rich 	Timothy Williams 	1996 	HarveytoonsClaster Television 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Bruno the Kid 	Joel Madison 	1996–1997 	Camelot Entertainment SalesActive Entertainment 	
King of the Hill 	Mike JudgeGreg Daniels 	1997–present	Deedle-Dee ProductionsJudgemental Films3 Arts EntertainmentFox Television Animation	Originally cancelled in 2010, a revival is currently in production on Paramount+
The Mr. Potato Head Show 	Dan ClarkDoug Langdale 	1998–1999 	Hasbro 	
Family Guy 	Seth MacFarlane 	1999–2000 	Fuzzy Door ProductionsFox Television Animation 	1–2 only
Mission Hill 	Bill OakleyJosh Weinstein 	1999–2002 	Bill Oakley/Josh Weinstein ProductionsCastle Rock Entertainment 	Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
The Man Show 	Adam CarollaJimmy KimmelDaniel Kellison 	1999–2002 	Jackhole Industries (seasons 1-5)Stone Stanley EntertainmentComedy Partners 	AnimationCurrently distributed by Eagle Rock Entertainment
X-Men: Evolution 	Marty IsenbergRobert N. SkirDavid Wise 	2000–2003 	Marvel Studios 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
The Oblongs 	Angus OblongJace Richdale 	2001–2002 	Jobsite ProductionsMohawk ProductionsWarner Bros. Television 	
Free for All 	Brett Merhar 	2003 	Showtime Networks 	
Charlie's Angels: Animated Adventures 	Ivan GoffBen Roberts 	2003 	Sony Pictures DigitalHilltop New Media, Inc. 	Web seriesBased on Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Tripping the Rift 	Chris MoellerChuck Austen 	2004–2007 	SpaceTeletoon (season 3)CinéGroupe 	
Eloise: The Animated Series 	Kay ThompsonHilary Knight 	2006 	HandMade Films 	
Law & Order 	Dick Wolf 	2006 	Wolf FilmsNBC Universal Television Studio 	Visual effects
Eon Kid 	Designstorm 	2006–2007 	Manga EntertainmentBRB InternacionalDaiwonDesignstormScreen 21TVE 	English dub
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! 	Bob Boyle 	2006–2010 	Nickelodeon Animation StudiosBolder Media 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Sonic The Hedgehog Animated 	Ian Jones-QuarteyMatt YoungbergDerrick J. Wyatt	2006-2014 	Nickelodeon Animation StudiosSega of America 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Slacker Cats 	Andy RileyKevin Cecil 	2007–2009 	LaikaMTVCBS Family 	
The Goode Family 	Mike JudgeJohn AltschulerDave Krinsky 	2009 	Ternion Pictures3 Arts EntertainmentJudgemental FilmsMedia Rights Capital 	Currently distributed by Shout! Factory
The Super Hero Squad Show 	Stan Lee 	2009–2011 	Ingenious Media (season 1)Marvel Animation 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes	Ciro NieliJoshua FineChristopher Yost 	2010–2012 	Ingenious Media (season 1)Marvel Animation 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Dan Vs. 	Dan MendelChris Pearson 	2011–2013 	The Hatchery 	
Beavis and Butt-Head 	Mike Judge 	2011 	Ternion Pictures3 Arts EntertainmentJudgemental FilmsMTV Production Development 	Season 8 only
Ultimate Spider-Man 	Marvel Animation 	2012–2017 	Marvel Animation 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. 	Paul DiniHenry GilroyMarvel Animation 	2013–2015 	Marvel Animation 	Currently distributed by SegaParamount
Camp WWE 	Seth Green 	2016–2018 	Stoopid Buddy StoodiosWWE Studios 	
Heathcliff 	George Gately 	TBA 	Creators Syndicate 	
This Modern World 	Tom Tomorrow 	TBA 	 	
The Untamed 	 	TBA 	 	
==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	United Media 	
Garfield in Paradise 	1986	United Media 	
Garfield Goes Hollywood 	1987	United Media 	
A Garfield Christmas 	1987	United MediaPaws, Inc. 	
Happy Birthday, Garfield 	1988	Paws, Inc. 	
Garfield: His 9 Lives 	1988	United MediaPaws, Inc. 	
Garfield's Babes and Bullets 	1989	United MediaPaws, Inc. 	
The Pink Panther 	1989	United Artists Television 	Unreleased live-action/animated pilot
Garfield's Thanksgiving 	1989	United MediaPaws, Inc. 	
Garfield's Feline Fantasies 	1990	United MediaLee Mendelson ProductionsPaws, Inc. 	
Garfield Gets a Life 	1991	United MediaLee Mendelson ProductionsPaws, Inc. 	
Tom and Jerry: The Movie 	1992	Live EntertainmentTurner Entertainment Co.WMG FilmMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer 	Currently distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Nick & Noel 	1993	Bohbot Entertainment 	
A Cool Like That Christmas 	1994	 	
The Bears Who Saved Christmas 	1994	Bohbot Entertainment 	
Izzy's Quest for Olympic Gold 	1995	International Olympic Committee 	
The Story of Santa Claus 	1996	Arnold Shapiro ProductionsCBS Productions 	
The Magic Pearl 	1997	Greengrass Productions 	
Puss in Boots 	1997	 	
Super Bowl XXXIII (The Simpsons short)	1999	Gracie FilmsFox Television Animation 	
Johnny Tsunami 	1999	Disney Channel 	Live-action
Hairballs 	2000	 	Unsold TV series pilot created by Mr. Lawrence
Motocrossed 	2001	Stu Segall ProductionsDisney Channel 	Live-action
My First Mister 	2001	Total Film GroupApolloMedia Film Management GmbHParamount Classics 	Live-action
Sonic's Christmas Adventure 	2001	Sega of AmericaParamount TelevisionLee Mendelson/Bill Melendez Productions 	
The Santa Claus Brothers 	2001	Sitting Ducks ProductionsDisney ChannelNelvana 	
Second Time Around 	2002	Mei Ah Entertainment 	Visual effects
Hellraiser: Hellseeker 	2002	Dimension Home Video 	Visual effects
Daredevil 	2003	Miramax FilmsRegency EnterprisesMarvel EnterprisesHorseshoe Bay Productions 	Visual effects
The Fallen Ones 	2003	The Fallen Ones Inc.Sci Fi Channel 	Visual effects
I, Robot 	2004	20th Century FoxDavis EntertainmentLaurence Mark ProductionsOverbrook EntertainmentMediastream IV 	Visual effects
Demon Hunter 	2005	New Arc Entertainment 	Visual effects
All Souls Day 	2005	Anchor Bay Entertainment 	Visual effects
Weebles: Welcome to Weebleville! 	2005	PlayskoolHasbro 	
Weebles: Sharing in the Fun! 	2005	PlayskoolHasbro 	
The Happy Elf 	2005	HC ProductionsDKP Studios 	
Voodoo Moon 	2006	IDT EntertainmentSci Fi Channel 	Visual effects
Slayer 	2006	Anchor Bay EntertainmentSci Fi Channel 	Visual effects
Jackass Number Two 	2006	Paramount PicturesMTV FilmsDickhouse ProductionsLynch Siderow Productions 	Visual effects
Hellboy: Sword of Storms 	2006	Revolution Studios 	
Mosaic 	2007	POW! EntertainmentManga Entertainment 	
Hellboy: Blood and Iron 	2007	Revolution Studios 	
The Thirst 	2007	Anchor Bay Entertainment 	Visual effects
The Simpsons Movie 	2007	20th Century FoxFox Animation StudiosGracie FilmsRough Draft StudiosAKOM 	Pre-production split between Film Roman and Rough Draft Studios
Sands of Oblivion 	2007	Starz ProductionsSci Fi Channel 	Visual effects
Rush Hour 3 	2007	New Line CinemaRoger Birnbaum ProductionsArthur Sarkissian ProductionsUnlike Film Productions 	Visual effectsTrailer only
Illegal Tender 	2007	Universal Pictures 	Visual effects
Hairspray 	2007	New Line CinemaIngenious MediaZadan/Meron ProductionsStoryline EntertainmentOffspring Entertainment	Visual effectsTrailer only
The Great Buck Howard 	2008	Magnolia PicturesPlaytoneWalden MediaBristol Bay Productions 	Visual effects
Turok: Son of Stone (film) 	2008	Classic Media 	
Speed Racer 	2008	Warner Bros. PicturesVillage Roadshow PicturesSilver PicturesAnarchos Productions 	Visual effects
Sex and the City 	2008	Warner Bros. PicturesNew Line CinemaHBO Films 	Visual effectsTrailer only
Tripping the Rift: The Movie 	2008	CinéGroupe 	
Dead Space: Downfall 	2008	Electronic Arts 	
Secrets of the Furious Five 	2008	DreamWorks AnimationReel FX Creative Studios 	2-D sequences
Cranberry Christmas 	2008	Ocean Spray Productions 	
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubb Idol 	2009	Nickelodeon Animation StudiosBolder Media 	
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto 	2009	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 ArtsVisceral Games 	
Max Steel: Turbo-Charged 	2017	Mattel Creations 	
Max Steel: Turbo-Warriors 	2017	Mattel Creations 	
Wubbzy's Big Movie! 	2021	Bolder MediaParamount Pictures 	
==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 Paramount Parks)
*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)
*Intel (1998)
*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)
===Unreleased projects===
*Blues Brothers: The Animated Series (Canceled due to irreplaceable casting of the original actors)
*Max Degree TV (Cancelled due to lack of international backers)
*Big Bug Man (Canceled after actor Marlon Brando died during production)