As a result of the wonderful response to our new MIPCOM, MIP-TV and NATPE-specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing a special edition for E3, which is fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staff is gearing up for the new Flash Newsletter series. Here are the dates for the publications.

E3 Flash Newsletter
May 6
May 27 (Follow-Up issue)

If you didn’t receive your copies of AWN’s Special MIPCOM 2003, NATPE 2004 or MIP-TV 2004 Animation Flash Newsletters, here are the links to all four issues:

We bid farewell to March and our focus on new frontiers with Tito Belgrave's fascinating look at "Photogrammetry: A Study of Image-Based Modeling." IBM has caused quite a stir with the ability of artists to explore 3D objects and scenes captured from real world photography, and Belgrave breaks it down nicely. Meanwhile, April kicks off our timely emphasis on gaming, what with GDC behind us and E3 just down the road.

Since EM.TV head Werner Klatten sold his 24.8% stake in the troubled company to European investment firm Constant Ventures II, EM.TV has made several big acquisition and distribution announcements. These deals along with the announcement of a waiver agreement with 94.22% of the company's former bondholders is seen as a positive sign of the stabilization of the embattled production and licensing firm.

Announced at MIP-TV, independent animation studio Mike Young Prods (MYP) announced the formation of Taffy Ent., the new business unit dedicated to the rights management and worldwide distribution of family and children’s entertainment. Mike and Liz Young and Bill Schultz created Taffy to own and represent its library as well as to actively seek to acquire rights to other animation properties.

With the acquisition of the company by former Nelvana execs Michael Hirsh and Toper Taylor complete, Cinar's name has been officially changed to Cookie Jar Ent. The once publicly traded company will now be a private entity. The principals include Hirsh and Taylor along with Steve and Patty Carson, TD Capital Canadian Private Equity Partners and Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS). The overall Cookie Jar Group also includes leading education companies Carson-Dellosa and HighReach Learning.

The Animation Guild and Affiliated Optical Electronic and Graphic Arts, Local 839 IATSE, has posted the March issue of their newsletter, THE PEG-BOARD, on their Website at http://www.mpsc839.org, which is hosted by the Animation World Network.

Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz. Check out the latest installment from quizmaster Karl Staven, an accomplished independent animator and head of the Animation Department at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Music videos have become a venue to showcase innovative animation techniques and a means to explore new way of communicating. Since the formation of MTV, many animators have left their marks on this short form.

This week in the Theatrical Release Database, new release dates top the list of changes. STEPFORD WIVES now has a firm date in the summer. FAT ALBERT, GARFIELD and SPIDER-MAN 2 will all be in theaters a little bit sooner than previously announced. And PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 2 and SPIDER-MAN now have target release dates. The sequel to ANACONDA being released in August has yet another title change. We have more details on the plot of ZATHURA (i.e. JUMANJI 2) and a new distribution firm for Jet Li's DANNY THE DOG.

This week in AWN's Forums, discussion has already begun about the Friday debut of the second part of CLONE WARS on Cartoon Network. A senior member wants to know some reasonably cheap 3D schools that teach 3ds Max and/or Maya. Another thread focuses on the outsourcing of animation jobs. A junior member wants members' opinions on some good 2D and 3D books to get. One of our members wants to know if others use maquettes for reference. Not even our animation forum can avoid the debating Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.

Sesame Workshop arrives at MIP-TV with previous hits like DRAGON TALES and SAGWA, THE CHINESE SIAMESE CAT as well as a newly greenlit second season of PLAY WITH ME SESAME.