This week at NAB, NewTek announced the forthcoming release of SpeedEDIT, VT[5] Live!, TriCaster PRO and TriCaster for Mac.

SpeedEDIT is a resolution-independent video editor designed to work quickly and efficiently on any video project, from web streams to High-Definition..

This week in AWN's Forums, a member asks — where are all those memorable stories and characters? Another member has some Flash questions. There’s a new thread discussing animation demo reels. There’s a heated discussion about Cartoon Network adding live-action programming to its lineup. Another member needs help identifying a LIQUID TV short. A member has some questions about the legality of spoofing Disney. As well as, tools for teaching animation, the business of animation and, as always, brand new stuff to check out in show and tell!

On Tuesday, April 18, 2006, the music television network — fuse, premiered EMPIRE SQUARE, its entry into the in-your-face, envelope-pushing animated cable series sweepstakes.

EMPIRE SQUARE and its creators hail from England: Lloyd Salmons and Ant Cauchi of the design shop Outside Line (creators of the Beatles’ website and currently designing Quadrophenia’s DVD release) and Dave Rowntree, drummer for Blur. The show began as downloadable three-minute segments for British mobile phone users, but was snapped up by Fuse and expanded into a half-hour show.

S4 Studios Llc. has teamed with Sunwoo Ent. to produce six half-hour episodes of WILD ANIMAL BABY, a mixed-media 3D animation, Flash animation and live-action series for the non-profit Washington, D.C.-based National Wildlife Federation. The 12x11 preschooler-targeted series will be distributed on home video via the NWF website (www.nwf.org/wildanimalbaby).

On April 26, 2006, ZOOM SUIT #1 hits comic shops featuring an overt cover contest and a gaggle of covert “Easter Eggs” revealing phone numbers and websites that take readers out of the comic and into the middle of an Internet conspiracy. The comic is based on short film that has appeared in more than 60 film festivals since the world premiere at the Palm Beach International Film Festival on April 18, 2005 where it won “Best Animation.”

Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. has launched the new JUSTICE LEAGUE HEROES site — www.justiceleagueheroes.com.

The highly anticipated Xbox, PS2 and PSP game features the all-time most popular super hero group from the DC Comics universe including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Zatanna.

This week in AWN's Forums, the debate between Blu-ray and HD-DVD has begun. A member wants to know what others feel are requirements for any good animation DVD library. A junior member is asking for some career advice from the pros. Another member has some questions about character animation in Flash. A senior member wants to know if there is any test that can determine if your skills meet with production standards. Lots of members are sending out their congrats to Nick Park and John Canemaker on their recent Oscar wins.

Dargaud Distribution, home to one of Europe’s largest animation catalogs, has restructured its sales team, starting with appointing Leon Perahia as the new president of Dargaud Distribution with Véronique Chalandar as deputy gm. Claude de Saint Vincent, ceo of the Dargaud and Dupuis’ Group, announced the appointments.

Perahia has worked at Dupuis since 1986 in various positions, including finance director and producer. He oversaw production on a number of series, including the popular SPIROU, FLASH GORDON, CEDRIC and KID PADDLE.

KAPPA MIKEY, the first global acquisition by MTV Networks, and the only anime series to be entirely created and produced in the U.S., is now airing on Nicktoons Network at 8:00 pm on Saturdays. It repeats on Nicktoons Networks' primetime programming block from 7:00 pm to midnight Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Beginning in May, KAPPA MIKEY will roll out across Nickelodeon's international channels, including Nick Asia, Nick UK, Nick Spain, Nick France and Nick Europe.

Nearly 1,400 designers, developers and artists have descended on Seattle for Flashforward 2006 — an annual conference, according to P-I REPORTER. During the gathering at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Adobe and show producer Lynda.com are stressing that much has changed since Flash's debut 10 years ago.

India’s UTV has invested in a brand new animation facility at its Andheri Studio with 225 workstations replete with blade render farms and 3ds Max software. The investment of close to $5 million will allow the more than 25,000-square-foot facility to complete High Definition (HD) work for its clients in North America and Europe.

The studio is working on 15 direct-to-video features as well as a 52-episode TV series and 20 short series.

The facility operates 24/7 with a built up capacity to execute more than 150 minutes of 3D animation a month.

Continuing our special event specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing special editions for GDC & MIP-TV. The markets are fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staffs are gearing up for the GDC & MIP-TV-specific Flash Newsletter series. Here are the dates for the publications. Please send your news two weeks prior to the publication date.

Games Developers Conference 2005 Animation Flash Newsletter
March 7

MIP-TV Flash Newsletters
March 14
March 21
March 28

Emmy-nominated animation producer Aaron Simpson joins JibJab Media as vp, animation production and development. Simpson will oversee JibJab's animation productions, including projects for the Internet and mobile devices, as well as an animated feature film.

Renegade Animation embarks on its own first feature, partnered with writer/director Robert Zappia to produce an animated, holiday-themed feature film, WHO STOLE SANTA’S SACK? for release in late 2006. Carole Ann Zappia and two-time Emmy winner Marco Zappia will exec produce through Easy To Dream Ent.

AMAZING ADRENALINI BROTHERS! animated series as found a home on all Cartoon Network feeds in Asia and Europe. Cartoon Network US and Latin America have also purchased the original shorts through Bejuba! Ent. and co-production partners Pesky and Studio B Prods.

fmx/06, the 11th International Conference on Animation, Effects, Realtime and Content, will take place May 3-6, 2006, in Stuttgart, Germany.

Topics include the latest animated movies and vfx features, the convergence of games and movies, new fields of work for animators, the latest use of realtime graphics and current trends from the Far East. There is also new cooperation with the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, with overlapping programs, in addition to the festival award ceremony coinciding with the opening of fmx/06 on the evening of May 2.

Taking Back Sunday Flash Video Contest
World Wide Web
February 18, 2006
Deadline: February 18, 2006

Create an original Flash Animation music video for the song “Error Operator” by rock band Taking Back Sunday and you could win an Xbox 360, music from Warner Bros. Records, and a chance to have your animated music video used by the band. For more information, visit www2.fanscape.com/contests/ifilm/takingbacksunday/contest.html or contact Christy Wise at christyw@fanscape.com.

Continuing our special event specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing special editions for GDC & MIP-TV. The markets are fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staffs are gearing up for the GDC & MIP-TV-specific Flash Newsletter series. Here are the dates for the publications. Please send your news two weeks prior to the publication date.

Games Developers Conference 2005 Animation Flash Newsletter
March 7

MIP-TV Flash Newsletters
March 14
March 21
March 28

Several animated films will be part of Sundance 2006.

Canadian production company Global Mechanic has two of its directors’ films screening at the prestigious event.

Adobe Systems Inc. has begun shipping Adobe After Effects 7.0 software. Professionals can streamline their workflows to produce compelling content for any media with the new features packed in Adobe After Effects 7.0, including a re-designed, unified user interface, accelerated high-fidelity OpenGL 2.0 support and the most comprehensive Flash Video (FLV) export capabilities. Adobe After Effects 7.0 is available as a stand-alone product or as part of the newly launched Adobe Production Studio.