“Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” Writer Berkowitz On Animation Writing Award Honor
Announced last month, Emmy-winning writer Stan Berkowitz received the West Animation Writers Caucus twelfth annual Animation Writing Award from the Writers Guild of America, recognizing his prolific career and creative contributions to the craft of film and television animation writing, as well as his efforts to organize animation on behalf of the Writers Guild. The press release is available to view here. The Worlds Finest caught up for a quick chat with Berkowitz concerning this prestigious lifetime achievement award.
The Worlds Finest: So, what are your overall thoughts on receiving this award. How did you find out and what kind of reaction have you received, from yourself and your co-workers and colleagues.
Stan Berkowitz: Im glad the Writers Guild still believes in organizing animation, even after failing to get it covered during their last negotiation with management. Theyre continuing to help writers get pensions, health insurance and credit arbitration. I found out about the award from a phone message from Linda Woolverton, last years winner, and the reaction has been very positive from just about everyone.
WF: How does it feel to be acknowledged for your career and contributions to the industry? And does winning this award any type of weight to your upcoming projects?
SB: Its a nice feeling to get an award like this, but Im not sure if it will lend any weight to my future aspirations. Only time will tell.
WF: Are there any specific projects or events you are particularly proud of during your ongoing career?
SB: Lots of individual scripts, too numerous to mention. Also, Im very pleased that I was able to help some writers get union benefits.
WF: What can we expect from you in the future? Any hints?
SB: Coming up is a new series called The 99. You can go to the99.org and see a preview as well as a copy of the comic book upon which the series is based. The producers are currently in negotiations for an American cable outlet. Check it out.
The WGAWs AWC Animation Writing Award is given to members of the Animation Writers Caucus or Writers Guild who have advanced the literature of animation in film and/or television through the years and made outstanding contributions to the profession of the animation writer. Recent AWC Writing Award honorees include Brad Bird, Al Jean, Jules Feiffer, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Michael Reiss, and the AWCs 2008 recipient, Linda Woolverton.
Discuss this in The DC Animation Forum!
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment passed along the following press release and trailer for the upcoming sequel to the acclaimed 2009 video game Batman: Arkham Asylum, both of which are available below.
Click here to view the trailer!
ANNOUNCES SEQUEL TO THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED
BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM VIDEO GAME
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Will Publish the Rocksteady Studios Sequel Worldwide
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced over the weekend that it will be the worldwide publisher of the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum, one of the years most highly reviewed and top-selling video games. The sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum is currently in development with Rocksteady Studios and is based on DC Comics core Batman property. Fans can visit www.arkhamhasmoved.com to sign up to receive updates regarding the game.
We are thrilled to build a global game franchise from Batman: Arkham Asylum, which is receiving an incredible response from gamers and Batman fans around the world, said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Rocksteady has taken Batman to a new level in the video game space and we are committed to delivering a sequel the fans will love.
Getting the opportunity to create Batman: Arkham Asylumand seeing its success has been a dream come true for the team, said Sefton Hill, Game Director, Rocksteady Studios. We are honored to create the next chapter in this compelling story and promise to deliver another game worthy of the Dark Knight.
About DC Comics:
DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics Web site is located at www.dccomics.com
About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment:
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Software 2009 Eidos Interactive Ltd. Developed by Rocksteady Studios Ltd. Co-published by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc. Rocksteady and the Rocksteady logo are trademarks of Rocksteady Studios Ltd. Eidos and the Eidos logo are trademarks of Eidos Interactive Ltd. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are expected to reprise their respective roles as Batman and Joker in the upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum video game sequel, along with Emmy Award-winning Batman writer Paul Dini contributing to the story. Further details on this upcoming video game release are expected in the near future.
Discuss this in The Video Games Forum!