FRAISER-star Kelsey Grammer and his production company, Grammnet, has signed an exclusive deal with MediaTrip to develop and distribute original content. The first series coming from the new pact will be the toon GARY THE RAT. The Webtoon will chronicle the trials of a lawyer turned giant rat and his death-defying run-ins with exterminator Johnny Bugz. Mark Cullen (writer/producer of HITZ) and his brother Rob created RAT. Grammer and the Cullen Brothers will executive produce, while MediaTrip will produce and finance the project. Both companies will share in the profits.

Toon In is AWN's guide to what's new on the Net. This week's installment features new shorts from Stan Lee Media and Aardman Animations and much, much more.





Get your Toon In: Web Animation Guide here!





Every week AWN's associate editor Rick DeMott highlights what he thinks is the top new toon in cyberspace in "Rick's Picks!"

Rick's Pick For Friday, August 18, 2000!

Animation producers/directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman have set out to expand their DRAGON’S LAIR franchise into the lands of Webtoons, next-generation video games and a feature film. Their new Web site donbluth.com will air the DRAGON’S LAIR Webisodes, which will follow the not so valiant Dirk the Daring and his battles with the evil wizard, Mordrock. No release date has been set for the premiere episode. DonBluth.com will also feature animation lessons from the legendary director.

The legendary Chuck Jones is bringing his first original character in 40 years to the Internet. The series will feature Thomas T. Wolf, an unlucky timber wolf who often falls victim to falling objects when someone yells, "Timber!" Jones created the character 10 years ago as an idea intended for a theatrical short. Executive producer Stephan Fossati, who worked on six Looney Tunes shorts in 1992, was asked by a Warner Bros.’ executive whether Jones had any new characters for the Web. Fossati remembered Thomas T.

AniVision Inc. has signed a licensing deal with the U.S. college football’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) to transport online game players into key plays from the 2000 season. Under the 5-year pact, AniVision will recreate SEC games and place gamers within the action to view replays on-demand, analyze players’ performance or insert themselves into key plays. The alliance marks the first use of AniVision’s 3D-animation technology for real-sports recreation.

Toon In is AWN's guide to what's new on the Net. This week's installment features the newest toon from John K, Bill Plympton and much, much more.





Get your Toon In: Web Animation Guide here!





Every week AWN's associate editor Rick DeMott highlights what he thinks is the top new toon in cyberspace in "Rick's Picks!"

Rick's Pick For Friday, August 11, 2000!

shockwave.com has rolled out the new version of their Shockmachine entertainment player. Shockmachine 2.0 lets users save shockwave.com titles and replay them full-screen offline. The new version also comes with a desktop compact mode that allows consumers access to hundreds of titles with the click of one button, and a new notification feature to keep Netizens in touch with shockwave.com’s new releases. Shockmachine 2.0 is available as a free download at www.shockwave.com.

Toon In is AWN's guide to what's new on the Net. This week's installment features Annecy aired shorts, Playboy contest winners and much, much more.





Get your Toon In here!





Every week AWN's associate editor Rick DeMott highlights what he thinks is the top new toon in cyberspace in "Rick's Picks!"

Rick's Pick For Friday, August 4, 2000!

The company that syndicates the live-action TV series XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, Studios USA Domestic Television (SUDT), and Brilliant Digital have signed a deal to syndicate the 3D animated Web series XENA to sites around cyberspace. This new deal marks the first major television syndication firm that has delved into Web syndication. The XENA Web series debuted on July 14 at SciFi.com, USANetwork.com and StudiosUSA.com. SUDT executive VP sales and new business Arthur Hasson, said, "I am excited about expanding our syndication business into the on-line world.

ThinkBox, a leading Internet provider of education and family-focused media, and The Harvey Entertainment Company have teamed to bring Harvey's classic characters, like Casper, to the Net. ThinkBox will incorporate Harvey characters into classic comic, interactive, video and series content on the first Web site, Kindle Park, which will be an interactive, educational Internet portal for 2-6 year olds and their families. As part of the deal, Harvey will receive an equity position in ThinkBox.

Mondo Media has signed on to syndicate Honkworm’s FISHBAR. The series, featuring talking fish and a sassy Parisian lobster with an unnatural obsession with cows, was created by Honkworm founder Johan Liedgren and art director Janet Galore. Thus far there are nineteen completed Webisodes and Honkworm will produce 6 more so that Mondo Media will have six months worth of weekly programming to pitch to various Web sites.

Bankruptcy officials are investing Digital Entertainment Network’s (DEN) possible fraudulent below-market sale of assets and executive salaries. As reported in the LA TIMES, court-appointed officials are investigating allegations that three weeks prior to filing for bankruptcy, DEN sold off assets to insiders far below market price.

Rick's Picks!

Over at Wildbrain.com, the new JOE PARADISE is simply great. The slick and interesting design creates a visually impressive piece of toonage. Created by Roque Ballesteros, this action/comedy is one of the smartest, coolest and most innovative series on the Net. Watch for the subtle visual metaphors. There’s not much action in this episode, but if you haven’t seen this series before I highly recommend you check out the archives.

Adam Sandler has signed a deal with MediaTrip.com to produce a new comedy Web site entitled Shnorff.com. As part of the deal, MediaTrip’s parent company Joe Roth’s Revolution Studios has a first look agreement to produce any of the material created for the site in other mediums. Sandler will create the site with longtime producing partner Jack Giarraputo. In addition, former CAA and Endeavor agent, Doug Robinson, has been named Shnoff.com’s CEO. Shnorff will feature animation, live-action shows, short films and games.

Rick's Picks!

Episode 2 of EXIT 109 on Jibjab.com is hilarious. The Webisode finds the Hassidic pup, Moishe, ascending into heaven after being locked in a hot car. The humor is just right, edgy but smart. Something other sites, should take note of!





Read this week's Toon In: Web Animation Guide here!

John Kricfalusi will be unveiling his new creation WEEKEND PUSSY HUNT on July 22, 2000. At Comic Con International, John K will give fans a sneak peek at his new Icebox series, which follows the adventures of Cigarettes the Cat and his flight to outrun the nasty crime boss Dirty Dawg. Present at the premiere will also be Icebox co-founder Rob Lazebnik, FUTURAMA’s Eric Kaplan and THE CRITIC’s Mike Reiss. Garry Levine, president of Icebox, said, "We are ecstatic to have a legend like John K choice Icebox as his on-line home.

The Harvey Entertainment Company and Brilliant Digital have come to an agreement to produce new "3Dmovies" that will incorporate Harvey-owned characters. The first project for Brilliant will be 13 Webisodes starring Casper the Friendly Ghost. Brilliant Digital Entertainment produces 3D Web series based on characters that include SUPERMAN, XENA, KISS, POPEYE and ACE VENTURA.

Thrave has put together a team of comic book creators and animators to transform comic books into Webtoons. Some of the team includes Scott Morse, Bryan Andrews, Jim Mahfood, Brian Michael Bendis, Chynna Gluston-Major, Lawrence Marvit, Bob Camp and Mark Andrews. The creative team includes writers, directors, artists and producers with credits on REN & STIMPY, IRON GIANT, TOY STORY 2, MEN IN BLACK ANIMATED SERIES, COW & CHICKEN, A BUG’S LIFE, CLERKS comic, SOULWIND, JINX, GRRL SCOUTS, BLUE MONDAY and THE SIMPSONS.

AtomFilms has signed a deal with Paramount Television Group, Paramount Digital Entertainment and Claude Brooks' C To The B Productions to produce a new Web series entitled FORTY AND SHORTY. The deal will see 26 initial 2-3 minute Webisodes, airing every Wednesday starting July 26, 2000. FORTY AND SHORTY chronicles two 13-year-old misfit friends, one black, one white, who live across the street from each other - one in the ghetto, the other in a trailer park. The show is created by Claude Brooks and Rick Gomez.

Curious Pictures has signed a deal with Cartoon Network On-line for nine original Web toons. The nine shows are being created and directed by Curious directors and artists Denis Morella, Nick Hewitt, Mike Bade, Damon Ciarelli, Molly Schwartz, Sam Crees and Patricia Ross. Four of the Web Premiere Toons are being created in Curious' New York City flagship studio, while five others are being developed out of the company's San Francisco SoMa office. UNCLE SQUIRLY will follow the crazy antics of a wacky children's television show.