Animal Logic digital artists were recognised and awarded at the 8th Annual Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards last night for Outstanding Matte Painting in a Broadcast Program or Commercial on the Kaiser Permanente television commercial.

The 2010 AICE Awards competition has expanded its categories for eligibility to include a new Design category, open to work created by editors, digital artists and other professionals involved in design work for TV commercials, virals, web videos, music videos, spec spots, and PSAs.

The Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film was founded in 1982 and is one of the biggest and most important festivals of animation film worldwide. More than 50.000 spectators and 1.500 professionals are attending the festival. Over 50,000 euros prize money in total is awarded in seven competition categories. The Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film works in close relation with fmx 2010, Europe’s biggest conference on animation, effects, games and interactive media.

The 17th International Festival of Animated Film Stuttgart / Germany (4.-9. May 2010) invites international advertising agencies, filmmakers and production companies to submit their films to our international competition Under Commission until January 29th 2010. Under Commission is the competition for commissioned animations. Prizes are awarded in the categories animated music video, commercials and TV trailer. Any animated commissioned film of the categories commercial spot, music video and TV ident including computer generated animation and combinations of life action and animation completed after October 01, 2008 may participate. There is no entry fee.

Four films will be nominated in each category. The award ceremony will be taking place during the festival (4.-9. May 2010). The Art Directors Club of Germany ADC, the Art Directors Club of Europe ADC*E and the Art Directors Club New York are cooperation partners.

More information is available at our homepage. There you can also download the submission form, rules & regulations as well as the call for entries. Online submissions can be made at Reelport.

Joe Strike takes a look at the tax implications for freelancing on both employers and contractors and how companies like MBO Partners can help.

PBS, one of the most highly respected brands in media, is unveiling a new multiplatform brand package this fall.

Framestore's Commercials team are very pleased to welcome new addition Simon Gosling, who has recently joined the company as Senior Producer.

Digital media production studio Vitamin has re-launched itself under new leadership and a new creative mandate.

Buster, a conceptual design studio helmed by Executive Creative Director Jonas Morganstein has announced its latest projects. The company has produced a new main title and graphics package for Bravo's new series starring Tim Gunn titled TIM GUNN'S GUIDE TO STYLE. Buster has also completed new work for FX.

For TIM GUNN'S GUIDE TO STULE, the Buster-produced title combines live footage of Tim Gunn and co-host Veronica Webb, as well as dynamic motion graphics that reflect his classic pinstripe style.

When audiences tune in to the highly anticipated CONCERT FOR DIANA, they will enjoy a graphics package created in a collaborative effort between VH1 and design/branding company Bombastic. The concert is a tribute to the Princess and a fundraiser for the charities she supported during her lifetime. Accordingly, the graphics package for the special presentation embodies a symbolic image of how Diana connected with her friends, fans and those in need.

Hollywood's S4 Studios has completed the on-air animated and live branding campaign for Chiller, NBC-Universal Cable Ent.'s new all-HD channel featuring 24-hour horror and thriller programming. The campaign is S4's latest major stride as it continues its emergence into a full-fledged design studio. Chiller, which launched March 1 on DirecTV, will be available as an HD simulcast channel (also with standard def), with video-on-demand and broadband-on-demand also available.