* Saturday, October 3, Chatsworth, California, U.S.A.


Learning Tree University is offering a one-day seminar on "Writing for Animation" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jean Ann Wright, who also leads writing seminars for Women In Animation will be teaching the class. Enrollment is $95, plus a $10 materials fee. To register call (818) 882-5599 or visit www.ltu.org/enroll.htm.

The Disney Channel has launched its annual "Create Story Magic" contest, inviting kids aged 6-12 to compete for the chance to have his or her original story turned into an animated short. Last year's winner was 12-year-old Ian O'Neal, whose story, "Dragon Friend" was selected from over 22,000 entries, animated by Walt Disney Television Animation and broadcast on Disney Channel this year. Every year, the winner also receives a trip for four to Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. This year's contest is being promoted by Target Stores and Cable in the Classroom.

JOE ALONSO has been named international vice president of sales and marketing for CRATER SOFTWARE, creators of CTP (Cartoon Television Program), a 2D animation program for Windows 95 and NT. He will be based in the company's Montreal, Canada office. Alonso previously held sales and marketing positions with Toon Boom Technologies, Softimage and Discreet Logic.

Montreal, Canada-based PRODUCTIONS PASCAL BLAIS completed a 30-second clay-animated commercial for J. Walter Thompson's client Kraft/Oscar Mayer Foods and their product "Lunchables." The spot, titled "Kitchen Hoops" was directed by Pascal Blais, and is the third in a series of animated spots for this client. It portrays a boy and his father playing a game of basketball, and celebrating afterwards by breaking out the product, "All Star Burgers and Hot Dogs." The commercial is airing nationally in the U.S.

San Francisco, California-based computer animation studio Mondo Media has hired Douglas Kay as president. He was previously vice president of development for Berkeley Systems. Before that he was chief technical officer at LucasArts, following nine years at Industrial Light & Magic, where he was a founding member of the computer graphics department in 1985.

Vancouver, Canada-based Mainframe Entertainment will produce two feature-length, stereoscopic, 3D computer-animated films for IMAX large-format cinemas. The announcement comes exactly two years after the two companies announced a production deal [AF 8/21/96] to produce two 3D CG-animated ride-films based on Mainframe’s TV series, “ReBoot.” The first one, “ReBoot, the Ride” opened in IMAX ride theaters last year and the second, “Journey Into Chaos” will open next month.

* Friday, September 25. London, England, U.K.


In honor of Warner Bros.’ 75th anniversary, The Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) launches an exhibition of original Looney Tunes art work. In honor of MOMI’s tenth anniversary, admission is free until the end of September! For more information about MOMI, visit the “Hidden Treasures” feature in Animation World Magazine’s October 1997 issue.

MARK SIMON, president of Animatics & Storyboards, and author of the book “Storyboards: Motion in Art,” and producer DAVE KALLAHER have joined forces to start a new company, AARGH! ANIMATION, INC. Based in Orlando, Florida, the company will specialize in cel and stop-motion animation, character design and storyboards. JEANNE PAPPAS SIMON, co-owner of Animatics & Storyboards, will be head writer for AARGH!

* Saturday, September 26. New York City, New York.


Animazing Gallery hosts an appearance by layout artist Maurice Noble, starting with a gala tribute from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.. Noble will be present, and available to sign artwork purchased at the show. Animazing is located at 415 West Broadway in Soho. RSVP to (212) 226-7374 or animazing@worldnet.att.net. Read Karl Cohen’s article, “Maurice Noble: Animation's ‘Old Rebel’” in the March 1998 issue of Animation World Magazine.

Warner Bros. Family Entertainment has released a new, direct-to-video animated title, “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.” The production was done at Hanna-Barbera (now a part of the Warner Bros. family), executive produced by Jean MacCurdy, produced by Cos Anzilotti with supervising producer Davis Doi, directed by Jim Stenstrum and written by Glenn Leopold. The video was released today and is priced at U.S. $19.96. A huge promotional push for the video includes tie-ins with 1-800-COLLECT, Wendy’s Restaurants, Cartoon Network, LEGO and Nascar.