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Digital Headline News

Carmike Cinemas to Install 2,300 Digital Cinema Projection Systems

Carmike Cinemas Inc., the third largest national movie theater chain, has signed a deal with Christie/AIX for the installation of up to 2,300 Digital Cinema projection systems throughout the U.S. With this agreement, Carmike and Christie/AIX will begin installing 2K DCI-compliant DLP Cinema projectors. The rollout is scheduled to begin in January 2006 and to be completed by Oct. 31, 2007.

Films Headline News

New Survey Finds Positive Signs for 3-D Future

More than 39 million American adults would go to the movies more often if Hollywood offered more feature-length films in 3-D, according to a new survey by Opinion Dynamics Corp. (ODC).

Results from a nationwide survey of 900 adults show that 12% of Americans roughly 26 million adults would go to the movies more often to see 3-D movies. Another 6% 13 million adults would go more often depending on the types of films offered in 3-D.

Channel Headline News

Convicted Sex Offender Arrested for Molestation on Nick Campus

On Dec. 16, 2005, Ezell Elester Channel, a convicted sex offender, was arrested on the suspicion of molesting a 14-year-old boy at Nickelodeon Animation Studios while he served as a production assistant on the film, ADAM SANDLER'S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS, reports the BURBANK LEADER.

Headline News

Female Cartoonist Flies Shirtless Over Fox

In a stunt to bring attention to her legal battles with the studio, publicist/cartoonist/fashion designer Ivy Supersonic chartered a plane to fly a 100-foot banner emblazed with her topless image over the 20th Century Fox headquarters in Los Angeles for eight hours on Dec. 19, 2005.

Supersonic commented, "Fox wants the shirt off my back so badly I've decided to give it to them. This woman warrior doesn't scare so easily."

Headline News

NVIDIA to Acquire ULi Electronics

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 12:00am

NVIDIA Corp. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ULi Electronics Inc. (ULi), one of the PC industry's most highly-regarded core logic developers. Headquartered in Taipei, ULi also has offices in Hsinchu; Shanghai; Shenzhen; and San Jose, California.

Disney Headline News

Walt Disney TV, EMEA & Asia Pacific Set New Structure For Expansion

Walt Disney TV, EMEA and Asia Pacific are reorganising in an expansion drive, both into new technology and into new business areas, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2006. Leading off the new structure is Robert Gilby who joins Disney Channel UK and Disney Channel Scandinavia and the Middle East as vp/md.

Gilby most recently was vp, network development and strategic marketing for Turner Ent. Networks Asia in Hong Kong.

Studio Headline News

EA Forms Development Studio in Singapore

Electronic Arts has launched a studio in Singapore to localize and customize popular EA games into at least five different languages for distribution throughout the Asia region. Based in the heart of the city at No 1, Fifth Ave #04-07 Guthrie House, the studio is poised to evolve into an online game development facility. A development team is already in place and the first localized projects have already started to be shipped.

Dreamworks Headline News

Paramount to Purchase DreamWorks SKG for $1.6 Billion

Paramount Pictures has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DreamWorks SKG for $1.6 billion in cash and assumption of debt. The deal brings Paramount key assets, including:

* All of DreamWorks' current projects in development* An ongoing production partnership with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen* An exclusive, worldwide distribution agreement with DreamWorks Animation beginning in 2006* DreamWorks' live-action library* DreamWorks' television division and its properties

Disney Headline News

Disney Launches Winnie the Pooh's 80th Celebration

Disney is marking Winnie the Pooh's 80th anniversary in 2005/2006 with an 18-month celebration to be commemorated with new Winnie the Pooh entertainment from Disney Live!, Buena Vista Home Ent. and Walt Disney Records; special edition product from Disney Consumer Products; and international support in all major regions leading to the 2007 premiere of Disney Channel's learning-focused 3D-animated series for preschoolers, MY FRIENDS TIGGER AND POOH. Winnie the Pooh's 80th Anniversary kicked off this week with the New York premiere of DISNEY LIVE!

Films Headline News

New Tax Credit System Offered to British Film Industry

The government of the U.K. announced a new tax credit system this week designed to support the British film industry, which was applauded by the UK Film Council. In the Pre-Budget report, the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed the new rate of tax relief for low budget films (films budgeted up to £20 million) would be a net 20%. For big budget films (£20 million and above), the rate will be a net 16%. Both rates apply to the U.K. spend of a films budget, capped at 80%.

Headline News

Blue Sky Hosts Hurricane Auction

To help those who were devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Blue Sky Studios is hosting an auction of original concept art from their two recent films ICE AGE and ROBOTS. The auction will be held through eBay, and all of the proceeds from the auction will go to the Red Cross or the American Humane Society. The auction will run from Dec. 9-19, 2005. For more information, visit www.blueskystudios.com/auctions.

Animation Headline News

Animation Biz On the Rise in Philippines

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 12:00am

Animation production is one the rise in Mindanao, Philippines with a recent increase in outsourcing to the country and the growing pool of highly-skilled information and communication technology (ICT) workers, an animation advocacy group told the SUNSTAR.

In her presentation at the 4th Mindanao ICT Congress, Ma. Lourdes Gopalan, board member and education committee head of the Animation Council of the Philippines Inc. (ACPI), said that based on current trends, demand for animation services from the Philippines would grow further.

Headline News

March Ent. Plans To Double Local Workforce

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 12:00am

March Ent., the company behind the animated series CHILLY BEACH, announced it will hire 50 more people in the immediate future, reports NorthernLife.com.

Dan Hawes, president of March Ent., says the offices in downtown Sudbury, Canada will house more than 100 employees in the new year to tackle new animation projects that have attracted international attention.

Production Headline News

Fuji TV & Production IG Open Post-Production Studio

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 12:00am

Fuji Television Network and Production IG have partnered on a jointly owned digital post-production studio, reports VARIETY. Opening its doors in January, Fuji IG Laboratory for Movies, aka FILM, will work on animation, live-action and, in conjunction with Skywalker Sound, sound design.

"This is our second endeavor in feature animation following the production of BRAVE STORY, Fuji TV's first animated feature," said Chihiro Kameyama, head of Fuji TV's motion picture department.

Games Headline News

Diablo Developers Start Up Hyboreal Games Studio

A group of seasoned gaming veterans have formed Hyboreal Games as a new development studio on Nov. 28, 2005. Hyboreal Games was founded by Eric Sexton, Michio Okamura and Steven Woo, all industry veterans and former developers for Blizzard North, where their contributions were essential to the success of the highly acclaimed DIABLO franchise, which has sold well over 13 million copies worldwide. The Hyboreal Games mission is to make best-selling game franchises by applying the proven formula of mass accessibility, addictive game play and longevity through re-playability.

Animation Headline News

Canada Looks at Opening Animation Centre

The Algoma, Canada city council will look into the feasibility of building an adjacent Animation Centre to the Art Gallery Of Algoma, reports LTV.com. Gallery curator, Michael Burtch has championed the idea of a gallery of donated animation cels worth several million dollars from several cartoon series including SUPER DAVE OSBORNE and other successful Canadian productions. A study conducted in March said that a center of sufficient size and scale could draw tourists to the city. Councilor Steve Butland has put forth a resolution to create a task force to help develop a plan for the center.

Headline News

Cisco Systems Acquiring Scientific-Atlanta

Cisco Systems Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Scientific-Atlanta Inc. Scientific-Atlanta is a leading global provider of set-top boxes, end-to-end video distribution networks and video system integration. The combined entity creates a world-class universal digital communicator for watching video, making phone calls and shopping online.

Headline News

Trey Parker And Matt Stone to Open Trunity in Paramount Pictures 3-Year Deal

Paramount Pictures has entered into a three-year first look deal with SOUTH PARK creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, setting them up as ceos of their new company Trunity. Trunity, a Mediar company, a division of True Mediar, a Unity Corpbopoly, will be based on the Paramount lot.

Headline News

Comet Ent. & BBI Computers Telecom Join Forces

Tonronto-based companies Comet Ent. Inc. & BBI Computers Telecommunications have signed a joint venture for the development of several business opportunities including:

* Distribution of Olympic licensed products for the upcoming Olympic games.* Distribution and promotion of sports events merchandise.* Promotion of Olympic athletes.* Promotion of Greek participation in AMERICAS CUP.* Marketing campaign for the promotion of the Greek Film industry.* Creation and development of the animation industry in Greece.

Animation Headline News

Is the Australian Animation Biz Dead?

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 12:00am

Is the animation industry in Australian on its last legs? In a report on SMH.com, the head of Walt Disney Co.'s Australian operations thinks this may be the case with the closing of DisneyToon Studios Australia (DTSA).

However, DTSA gm Philip Oakes is bit more positive. He plans to launch a new animation house in Sydney.

Disney Headline News

Disney Channel Worldwide Integrates Walt Disney Television Animation

Walt Disney Television Animation (DTVA) has been folded into Disney Channel Worldwide with a corresponding new departmental structure for the division. Rich Ross, president, Disney Channel Worldwide, made the announcement today, (Nov. 15, 2005) on the heels of the resignation of Barry Blumberg, former president, Walt Disney Television Animation, yesterday.

Digital Headline News

Thomson Secures Hollywood Studio Support for Digital Cinema Rollout

Christie Digital Systems now has a competitor, as Thomsons Services division has reached digital cinema usage agreements with DreamWorks, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. to accelerate the deployment of digital cinema systems in North America. In addition, the company is in late stage negotiations with Twentieth Century Fox, New Line Cinema, and The Weinstein Co., and expects these studios to be part of the initial deployment.

Animation Headline News

China and South Korea Agree to Bolster Animation Festivals

China and South Korea have signed an agreement to help each other promote and develop China's Changsha Cartoon Art Festival (CCAF) and the Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival (SICAF) into the largest animation festivals in China and South Korea, according to CHINA KNOWLEDGE PRESS.

The agreement was signed Nov. 10, 2005, at the fourth Changsha Cartoon Art Festival (CCAF) in Hunan province.

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