WB Discovery Adult Animation News: HBO MAX Shorts ; Venture Bros. Sneak Peek

The Venture Bros. movie is in production as we speak and is said to be including elements of the show’s largely written eighth season as well as a fitting end to a franchise that just celebrated its 20th anniversary since airing on Adult Swim. To help celebrate, Venture Bros. co-creator Jackson Publick gave fans a sneak peek of the upcoming film featuring Brock Samson and from the looks of it things are looking pretty good. Samson voice Patrick Warburton offers a couple of details in a new interview with Paste.

Synopsis:

Deadline has reported on a new animated shorts series coming to HBO MAX starting on March 23rd called Only You: An Animated Shorts Collection. The idea for the series is to highlight up and coming producers across multiple adult animation genres and already there are some rather promising ideas as can be seen by the sizzle reel below. Established producers like Justin Halpern & Patrick Schumacker (Harley Quinn), Erica Rivinoja (Clone High), Dan Dominguez (Seis Manos, VP Powerhouse Animation), Matthew A. Cherry (Hair Love), Noëlle Raffaele (DC Super Hero Girls), Ron Kurniawan (Puss in Boots) and Teddy Newton (The Incredibles) are helping lend helping hands in the form of masterclasses. Amanda Miller oversaw each of the shorts.

Synopsis:

What’s a story Only You can tell? Inspired by this prompt, a diverse group of artists bring their personal tales to life across a spectacular range of animated styles. From a high-stakes Wall Ball tournament in Coney Island, to a redemptive odyssey through the Pacific Northwest, to a psychological showdown with a health-conscious vampire, these stories cross multiple genres, including horror, comedy and fantasy. A visually exhilarating and emotion-fueled journey, this collection of 8 short films welcomes us into the hearts, minds and communities of the next generation of storytellers.

These 8 short films were produced as part of the inaugural HBO Max X Warner Bros. Discovery Access Animated Shorts Program, which aims to champion underrepresented artists in primetime animation. This initiative is part of a suite of best-in-class pipeline programs under the WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY ACCESS brand, which serves as a powerful conduit connecting underrepresented talent to our content and brands.

Episode Synopses:

Episode 1 – Burning Rubber by Chris Fequiere (he/him)
Duane Ruiz is out of college and out of options. Down on his luck, he has to choose between responsibilities at work and home or competing in the high-stakes Burning Rubber Wallball (AKA NYC handball) tournament.

Episode 2 – Welcome to 8th Street by Yoo Lee (she/her) & Xin Li (she/her)
When newcomers attempt to settle into their New Jersey neighborhood on 8th Street, some odd encounters make them question their decision to move. However, that changes when a wild turkey shows up on their block.

Episode 3 – Kent Hammer by Dominick Green (he/him)
Kent Hammer, a confident and highly successful businessman with a loving family, slowly loses touch with reality through a psychotic episode and descends into madness. Kent befriends his briefcase as it talks to and guides him through his journey, but other office supplies may not be as trustworthy or helpful.

Episode 4– Yellowbird by Tsvetelina Zdraveva (she/her) & Jerred North (he/him)
While living in New York, a young immigrant receives tragic news from overseas, and must choose between going home or staying in the US to maintain her legal status.

Episode 5– Monstr by Tank Standing Buffalo (he/him) & Xstine Cook (she/her)
How do you go on living when everything is taken from you in the blink of an eye? A true story of a young artist who confronts his inner demons while apprenticing with a northwest totem carver after the death of his beloved.

Episode 6– Aroon by Miriam Presas (she/her)
A deluded hero has trapped himself within a storybook legend where he always saves the day. After a harrowing experience, the hero starts to question his morality, his purpose, and what makes his life worth living.

Episode 7 – Kimotiwin: The Act of Stealing by Keara Lightning (she/her) & Caeleigh Lightning (she/they)
To steal back a flower that is special to her lover, Tiska embarks on a dangerous journey across an overgrown landscape, fighting demons in a post-apocalyptic city.

Episode 8– Leech by Aalaa Mohamed (she/her)
A vampire obsessed with the quality of the blood they consume poses as a health coach to ensure they can control their clients’ lifestyles. This is the story of Minna, one victim who attempts to break free.