FlickerLab studio designed the animated show package for Bravo’s new reality TV series, THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, which premiered July 20, 2004 at 9:00 pm, with a handmade, painterly style of animation that is FlickerLab’s digital signature.

Creative director Harold Moss points out, “Although there’s a traditional style to the characters, the method is contemporary. The animation never saw paper.”

Digital-Tutors (DT), an award-winning service of PL Studios Inc., announced the release of its mental ray training kit for Maya. This highly requested training kit provides core data needed to learn the extremely powerful mental ray rendering system. The mental ray kit features step-by-step instructions on sub-surface scattering, hdri, global illumination, final gathering, displacement mapping, light baking and more.

Italian animation studio Lanterna Magica, along with studios Enarmonia and Melazeta, have been given the go-ahead to produce GINO THE CHICKEN, a 52-episode TV series. The show is a co-production with Italian state television, RAI and is scheduled to be delivered in January 2006. Lanterna Magica plans to use Toon Boom Animation's Concerto to produce the series.

This week in AWN's Forums, a junior member asks for member opinions on good animation theory books. Moderator Larry L. is rounding up more thoughts on what people think is the best animation of TV. Another thread highlighting an interview with Mike Judge on The Onion, turns into a debate about the "truth" of reporting at that site. There's also a new thread regarding the new animation software, The Tab. As well, a member asks what would Michelangelo, Da Vinci or Van Gogh do today with your Flash MX or computer animation programs?

ASIFA-Hollywood organizers were pleased with the turnout and reception to its first 2D Expo Pencils Not Pixels, a one-day symposium and conference for traditional animators, held June 26, 2004, from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm at Woodbury University in Burbank, California. The event featured meetings, screenings, panels, filmmakers, networking, grants, sketchbooks, inspiration, software, books, discussion, drawings and paintings.

Computer Master Institute of Technology (CMIT) has announced that, along with its e-Business and New Media Studies Diploma graduates, CMIT's first all female class of Advanced Digital Animation students have completed their studies.

Rochester's Animatus Studio has completed work on its latest short, SU AND MO: LOST IN ANIMATION, a Flash animated, SOUTH PARK-style story that parodies the festival circuit. The short tells the story of Su and Mo, the world's only lap-dancing wrestler/animators. Dancing at ClubHippendale's has finally provided the boys enough money to fund their independent film. After a turbulent production period, they journey to their native Japan for a premiere screening at the Tokyo Jokio film festival.

Pileated Pictures, the digital studio located in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, has released GUS AND INKY’S UNDERWATER ADVENTURES, CHAPTER2 – RHYME TIME, the next in a series of free, online-based e-learning games and animations, based on a character in PBS’ hit show, BETWEEN THE LIONS. The series of educational activities developed for the National Center for Learning Disabilities’ (NCLD) Get Ready to Read! program is aimed at fostering early literacy skills among preschool children.

As a result of the wonderful response to our new MIPCOM, MIP-TV, NATPE and E3-specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing a special edition for Licensing Show, 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.

Licensing 2004 Animation Flash:
May 27
June 3
June 18 (Follow-Up issue)

BAF! (Bradford Animation Festival) 2004
Bradford, U.K.
November 10 – 13, 2004
Deadline: July 9, 2004

Bitfilm Festival 2004
Hamburg, Germany
November 3 - 7, 2004
Deadline: July 15, 2004

The Bitfilm Festival for digital film and new media shows films that use digital technology in a creative and innovative way. There are six categories:

* 3D Space: Computer generated 3D animations.
* FX Mix: Digitally composed hybrids, mixing live-action, effects and animation.
* 64K Demos: Audiovisual programs that work with a PC's processor and videocard.
* Flash: Linear films and interactive works made with Macromedia Flash.

Toon Boom Animation has launched Concerto, an animation software for paperless, digital, re-use or cutout animation production. Concerto offers studios increased productivity, raises animation quality and eliminates file management issues so common to the normal Flash pipeline.

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:

The Big Cartoon Exhibition
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
October 29-31, 2004
Deadline: July 9, 2004

Nicktoons, Nickelodeon’s new 24-hour animation channel, will premiere Animation Collective’s two new original series LEADER DOG and TORTELLINI WESTERN. The first LEADER DOG episode premieres at 8:00 pm April 18, 2004 while TORTELLINI WESTERN episodes will debut later in the season. LEADER DOG tells the story of a junkyard dog, plucked from the pound to lead an advanced civilization on a distant planet. An homage to Spaghetti Westerns, TORTELLINI WESTERN follows the wild west adventures of a recently arrived immigrant family.

This week in AWN's Forums, there are several threads popping up regarding questions for Flash users. A member has put out call to find other indie animators. A senior member presents the argument that animation is a very ego driven industry. Moderator Larry L. posts a thread regarding residuals for animators. Debate continues regarding HOME ON THE RANGE and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST and what the two films mean to the industry and society. Another members asks the questions: voices of THE SIMPSONS – worth it?

Warner Bros. Online has launched the new SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED Website (www.scoobydoo2movie.com), containing new interactive features. The new live-action feature will be released in theaters on March 26, 2004. Additionally, the overall SCOOBY-DOO brand site (www.scoobydoo.com) is re-launching with a new look adding special games, showcase, Scooby Snacks and Scooby store sections.

Since launching the integrated brand management company Elastic Rights two years ago in Spain, Ignacio Orive has been busy signing multimedia partners for his diverse slate of projects and selecting new properties to represent in the Iberian and Italian markets. Animated properties he is taking to MIP-TV include FLASH KICKER, and CAILLOU.

At MIP-TV, Elastic Rights will be based on the Spanish producers‚ stand FAPAE/ICEX, R31.29.

Icon Animation will be bringing a full slate of animated projects to MIP-TV. The company hopes to secure distribution and co-production deals for its various series.

VITAMINIX (31x2) is Icon's first co-production with Digital y Cual. The series seeks to introduce the world of food and their vitamin and mineral content to adults and children. The Flash production is finished and available worldwide.

Seoul Net & Film Festival 2004
Seoul, South Korea
September 15 – 22, 2004
Deadline: April 5, 2004

The Seoul Net & Film Festival (SeNef) is the leading On/Offline film festival in Korea open to international and domestic film and moving image works. From this year on, SeNef is officially and financially supported by Korean Government (The Ministry of Culture & Tourism), which will make SeNef extend, rebourn and support more artists all over the world.