On April 4, 2001, Cambridge Animation Systems, makers of Animo software, announced the upcoming release of Swiffworks, a new plugin that delivers Macromedia Flash format output to Alias|Wavefront's Maya users. The newsoftware is based on the Maya scene interpreter developed for Cambridge's Inkworks plugin, used in the feature film RUGRATS IN PARIS. The new plugin allows users to choose Swiffworks material or use the default Phong material provided by Maya.
Salt Lake City, Utah's Acclaim Studios Salt Lake is looking for aCHARACTER ANIMATOR ... Kirkland, Washington's Big Fish Promotions islooking for a SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER ... New York, New York's Blue'sClues is looking for a POST PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR ...Toronto, Canada's Cuppa Coffee Animation is looking for a PRODUCER ...Century City, California's EMA Multimedia, Inc. is looking for a WEBDESIGNER ... Halifax, Canada's Fatkat Animation Studios is looking foran ANIMATION / INTERACTIVE (FLASH) SCRIPTWRITER ... San Rafael,
On March 26, CartoonNetwork.com launched TOONAMI REACTOR, a 12-week offering of popular TOONAMI anime programming on-demand. The introduction of TOONAMI REACTOR is designed to showcase the full potential of interactive entertainment using broadband technology. In addition to the anime video content, exclusive information about the characters and storyline is displayed simultaneously on a split screen for Reactor participants using a broadband connection.
Beverly Hills, California's Batia and Aleeza, Inc. are looking for a WEB SITE DESIGNER...Bangalore, India's E-3Dimensions is seeking a CHARACTER ANIMATION EXPERT ON MAYA...
Zeros & Ones, Inc., a Santa Monica-based holding company with operations in content, technology and production, has launched Zeros & Ones Studios. The new studio will focus on cutting-edge digital animation production that will maximize the potential of Flash and other 2-D tools in the creation of media that plays across all platforms. Newly appointed VP-Managing Director Tim Rummel, has put together a team headed by Michael Adamo, co-founder of New York-based AMPnyc Animation.
Cornerstone Animation has signed a deal with Colorado Springs-based Focus On The Family to create the animated sequences for a 48 volume videotape series entitled, YOUR CHILD. The series will serve as a general guide to child rearing and will feature 3 minutes of animation on each fifteen-minute tape. The animation will be traditional however some manipulation will be done in Flash. "We commend Focus On The Family for utilizing the magic of animation to entertain while informing the target audience," said Cornerstone's CEO Larry D. Whitaker Jr.
Chicago, Illinois' Columbia College, film and video department, is looking for an experienced ANIMATION INSTRUCTOR, TENURE TRACK and/or an experienced INSTRUCTOR with an MFA/MA degree in art/design to teach and oversee storyboard and concept development classes and senior-level production studio classes. . . Hong Kong, China's Full Action Ltd, an animation services company, is looking for an ANIMATION SUPERVISOR. . . Brooklyn, New York's Loop Filmworks is looking for a STORYBOARD ARTIST/ILLUSTRATOR, preferably with an animation background. . .
Looseleaf Productions, a New York City-based animation studio specializing in Flash animation production, just opened an online art gallery. You can view the first five entries at: http://www.looseleafproductions.com. They will be adding more images periodically, so please come back. And remember: Don't touch the paintings. Looseleaf Productions' gallery on AWN includes 21 images, plus a trailer for "The Space Program," episode 1.
As part of InternetWorld (Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., March 12-16, 2001), FlashCore, the new media community that hosts the Flash User Group, is presenting an online entertainment forum Wednesday, March 14, 2001. The keynote address will begin at 5 pm, and the speaker is TBA. Beginning at 5:45 pm, Clive Henrick, multimedia developer, Netgroupie.com, will run a demonstration of integrating DVD and Flash with the Web using InterActual Player 2.0.
Looseleaf Productions is a New York City-based animation studio specializing in Flash animation production, including Web cartoons, Website design and online games.
* Wednesday, March 14, 2001. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada's Electronic Arts, a leading independent interactive software company, is looking for an ANIMATOR for a new project that relies on their ability to sell the concept of emotion and personality in their characters, and an experienced ART TECHNICIAN/PROGRAMMER to work on graphics and animation for games. . .
Valencia, Spain's BLACK MARIA STUDIOS, an animation production studio specialized in 2D, 3D and Flash animation for TV, multimedia and Internet, is looking for 3D MODELERS and ANIMATORS with strong abilities for organic characters for TV productions. . . London, United Kingdom's Double Negative is looking for a CG R&D PROGRAMMER for its feature film visual effects team. . . New York's Epoch Films is looking for a RECEPTION/OFFICE MANAGER. . . New York's FDG, a live-action/broadcast design production company in the field of visual science, is looking for freelance 3D DESIGNERS/ANIMATORS. . .
* Monday, February 19, 2001. Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
FlashBang 2 brings online Flash entertainment to the big screen. This screening will highlight the best in Flash animation. In addition, interactive work will be available for viewing on displays provided by Apple. For more information visit their Website at: http://www.flashbangonline.com.
Discreet recently announced that they have begun shipping the long-awaited upgrade to 3D Studio MAX, 3ds max 4. 3ds max 4 delivers a new and extensible character animation architecture, advanced game development tools and extensive rendering productivity with ActiveShade, Render Elements and unparalleled support for the new Direct 3D technology.
Cartoon Network is reuniting the Justice League of America once again! The cable cartoon haven has announced that it has ordered 26-episodes of JUSTICE LEAGUE from Warner Bros. Animation. Emmy Award-winner Bruce Timm (SUPERMAN & BATMAN) will be directing the new series, which will re-team such DC Comics heroes as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter.
Crater Software has released the latest version of their flagship 2D animation package CTP. Among other things, version 1.4 now offers complete compatibility with Macromedia Flash, making the cartoon production tool ideal for animators looking to publish their work on the Web. "Enhancing CTP 1.4 with Flash compatibility was clearly the next step to take," explained Crater Software President Joe Alonso, "With an overwhelming majority of Web users with Flash installed on their browsers, it has gone from a mere file format to the new standard in Web media delivery.
Valley Cottage, New York's Southeast Design Co. is looking for a 3D ANIMATOR with 4-5 years broadcast animation experience. . . Santa Clara, California's Believe, Inc., a pre-IPO start-up, is looking for experienced SOFTWARE ENGINEERS who will create, implement and support new features, tools and other improvements in custom software. . . New York's Center for Advanced Digital Applications - New York University, an advanced training facility for animation and visual effects, is looking for PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS with experience in digital production and/or art in a professional environment. .
* Thursday, February 1 Friday, February 2, 2001. Middlesbrough, U.K.
At Macworld Expo this week, Electric Image announced that a professional version of its Amorphium real-time 3D sculpting and painting program would start shipping later this month. The new product, Amorphium PRO, builds upon its predecessor's real-time interface, while adding significant new modeling, animation and rendering capabilities that make it ideal for 3D artists, Web animators and graphic designers.
* Monday, February 26 Wednesday, February 28, 2001. Sydney, Australia.
New York's Curious Pictures, a commercial animation and effects studio, is looking for a LEAD AFTEREFFECTS COMPOSITOR for miniseries. . . Kirkland, Washington's KnowWonder, a digital media works company specializing in the production of computer games and "edutainment" for children and young adults, is looking for a CHARACTER ANIMATOR/MODELER. . . Den Haag, The Netherlands' LetsLook, a company providing services for 3D visualization of real estate, is looking for a MODELER/ANIMATOR. . . Rome, Italy's Mamut is looking for a 2D ANIMATOR and a LAYOUT ARTIST for a television series. . .
What a year it has been for Internet content. In January, it was like someone had found and removed the flaming sword, opening the gates of Eden to the masses. Now at year-end, Web entertainment providers look more like confused, panic-struck animals scurrying around Noah's place looking to hitch a ride. Let's take a look at what we've learned in 2000 about Internet entertainment. You can't pay big salaries to lure in big executives in the case of the first major dotcom disaster at DEN.com.
Falling behind the debuts of the live-action comedies, WHAT WOMEN WANT and DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR?, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS surrendered its U.S. box office crown, falling to third. The Who-ville fable, with primary visual effects by Digital Domain, grabbed $13.81 million, elevating its cume to an astounding $213.6 million. Disney's new animated feature THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE made a lackluster debut in fourth grossing $9.81 million. The screwball buddy film could see increased dollars over the upcoming holiday vacation, helped by good reviews across the board.
Vancouver, B.C., Canada's a.k.a. Cartoon, Inc., producers of a television series currently airing on Cartoon Network, is looking for a STORYBOARD SUPERVISOR to supervise an in-house staff of storyboard artists. . . Santa Maria, California's BSR Entertainment Group, a movie production company, is looking for EXPERIENCED LIGHTWAVE ANIMATORS with strong character animation skills. . . Fenton, Michigan's Creative Reign has immediate openings for several ANIMATORS and MODELERS to work on a 3D animated children's movie set for release in 2002. . .
