Adobe Systems Inc. has launched Adobe Production Studio, an extension of the Adobe Creative Suite family of products. One of the most complete post-production software solutions available, Adobe Production Studio combines full new versions of Adobe's world class video and graphics applications—Adobe After Effects 7.0, Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, Adobe Audition 2.0, Adobe Encore 2.0 and the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Illustrator CS2—with time-saving innovations such as Adobe Dynamic Link that deliver a highly efficient workflow experience.

ADV Films is releasing five titles on Jan, 17, 2006, beginning with the 10th and final volume of GANTZ! Other Jan. 17 releases include the first volume of KALEIDO STAR: NEW WINGS, new volumes of AREA 88 and GODANNAR and the new thin-packed GRAVION COMPLETE COLLECTION.

This week in AWN's Forums, members share some Flash tutorials. There’s a thread about drawing the body. A post looks a what’s ahead in the next year for members. Others are still debating the importance of animation history knowledge. A junior members asks — how critical is it to pick the right school? Members are chiming in on what they think is some really bad animation. Another member asks what is the correct method to render animation. Others continue to post their work for members to check out.

This week in AWN's Forums, a member says he has no problems with Flash until… Another thread wants to know what other members think of animators’ lack of animation knowledge. In line with the holidays, members are asking what holiday films are member’s favorites. Another thread is collecting what people got for Christmas. As well as, tools for teaching animation, the business of animation and, as always, brand new stuff to check out in show and tell!

Bill Buckley joins Bakers Man as chief marketing officer for its family of companies, including Bakers Man Prods., Bakers Man Technology Group, Bakers Man Ent. Group, TrueLight Ent. and Image Quest Studios.

Buckley will develop and oversee the marketing, sales and media relations efforts and, in addition to enhancing existing relationships with key entertainment accounts in theatrical, home entertainment, music and platform games, he is tasked with positioning Bakers Man solutions in a more integrated fashion.

Saucer Attack! (SA!), a new design and visual effects company, recently landed in New York City, captained by award-winning owner/creative director, Steve Marino.

“It’s not an official festival – it’s more of an end of the year get-together.” Casey Safron explained the rationale behind the Animation Block Party held at Club Sugar, a downtown Manhattan club on Nov. 29, 2005.

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.

SpongeBob inadvertedly causes his beloved pet snail Gary to crawl away and sets off in a desperate search to bring him home in “Where’s Gary,” a half-hour SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS special premiering on Nickelodeon Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, at 8:00 pm.

Well, there’s nothing really to cry about concerning the Flash animation ka-chew! director Sean Nadeau and team has created for several short scenes to air in NBC’s hit daytime soap, PASSIONS on Nov. 11, 14 and 15, 2005. Maybe tears of joy that animation is breaking into a new adult genre of TV programming that certainly is not for kids. The daytime drama depicts scenes where the central characters have magically found themselves in a fairytale and are transformed magically into animation.

Digital-Tutors announced the availability of INTRODUCTION TO MACROMEDIA FLASH 8 training kit, a comprehensive training tool for Flash 8 and the latest release in a growing library of popular training resources for emerging digital artists. INTRODUCTION TO FLASH 8 provides more than hours of project-driven training and guides you step-by-step through the industry’s most advanced authoring environment for creating interactive websites, digital experiences and mobile content.

This week in AWN's Forums, members are posting three sentences on CHICKEN LITTLE. A junior member wants to know why students first have cover 2D in colleges and can’t go directly into 3D animation? There’s a thread on painting in Photoshop. Members are still talking about Cartoon Network’s SUNDAY PANTS. Others have questions on exporting layers from Flash. Moreover, there’s a thread on pricing animation. As well, lots of members have posted their work for others to check out and critique.

Paramount Home Ent. has greenlit the first feature length production of QUEER DUCK – THE MOVIE from four-time Emmy award-winning creator and writer Mike Reiss (THE SIMPSONS, THE CRITIC). The original shorts were broadcast on the Net on Icebox.com and later aired on Showtime.

Frederator Studios founder Fred Seibert has launched Channel Frederator, the world's first cartoon video podcast created expressly for distribution of world-class content on portable video devices, such as the Apple iPod and the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Episodes released weekly will contain several shorts from original and vintage cartoons submitted by producers from around the world, packaged into 10- to 15-minute episodes by the Channel Frederator programming team.

AMD announced that the digital backbone of the new Lucasfilm Animation Singapore digital animation center is powered by AMD64 processor technology. The Singapore facility is Lucasfilm Ltd.’s first animation studio in Asia and complements its new Letterman Digital Arts Center at the Presidio in San Francisco.

This week in AWN's Forums, members have started discussing THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. There’s a new thread talking about good books members have read lately. Another member needs some tips on Flash assembly. Others are debating TV shows with great writing. Moderator Larry L. returns from Paris and gives praise to the students there. In addition, there are posts discussing FOSTER’S and HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE. Other members continue to post their sketches and animation for others to critique.

In a deal signed at MIPCOM 2005, Icon Animation has signed a deal to bring its animated series LOLA & VIRGINIA (52x11) to Disney Channel Italy, adding to the earlier acquisition of the series by Disney Channel Spain. The series, which is targeted at girls 8-12, has already pre-sold to Nickelodeon Channel Latin America, Disney Channel Spain, RCTV Venezuela and Animania USA.

Jewish Animation Celebration
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
January 2006
Deadline: November 11, 2005

The Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) is hosting its Jewish Animation Celebration. The short film and video show is entering its third year and celebrates Jewish culture, tradition, art and community. It’s open to all kinds of animation, classical cels, paint, cutouts, Flash, 3D, puppets, etc. Entries’ total running time must not exceed 10 minutes. For more information, visit www.awn.com/tais.

While Aardman Animation studios in Bristol, England, was tragically engulfed in flames today, destroying its “entire history,” its latest stop motion feature, WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT debuted at the top of the U.S. box office for the weekend ended Oct. 9, 2005. The DreamWorks release (with vfx from MPC) posted $16M.

Cartoon Network will launch SUNDAY PANTS, a new Sunday evening, 30-minute showcase of original and acquired animated shorts, starting Oct. 2, 2005, at 9:30 pm. SUNDAY PANTS will feature a variety of animation styles, from traditional hand-drawn animation to artists working on computer-based Flash and CGI, as well as both original and acquired shorts, giving Cartoon Network the opportunity to work with many different animators from around the world.