Career Coach: How to Avoid A Bad Boss
For September's "Career Coach," Pamela Kleibrink Thompson follows up last month's topic of dealing with a bad boss with a discussion of how to avoid being employed by one.
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HP Unleashes New Workstations
HP has launched three commercial desktop solutions designed to give businesses a professional edge with entry-level workstation pricing and "zero-footprint" PCs. The new products, including the HP xw4550 workstation, the HP xw4600 workstation and the HP Compaq dc7800 Business Desktop PC, pack the power and performance demanded by users of high-end solutions. HP also introduced new technologies for the HP ProLiant Blade workstation, which was developed to improve business continuity, data security and business efficiency for multi-display, multi-workstation computing environments.
Scriptapalooza TV Wants Your Scripts
Scriptapalooza Fall Television Writing CompetitionWorld Wide WebFeb. 15, 2008Deadline: Oct. 15, 2007
The Scriptapalooza Television Writing Competition is going into its 9th year. Scriptapalooza TV has seen two writers win Emmys, one writes for Comedy Central and numerous writers have gotten agents, managers and meetings.
Scriptapalooza TV is accepting submissions through Oct. 15, 2007. The four categories include existing one-hour scripts, existing half-hour sitcoms, original pilots and reality shows.
Evangelion Tops in Japan
Japanese animated feature EVANGELION: 1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE was the highest-grossing film over the September 1-2 weekend in Japan, pulling in over $2.42m (Y280.4m), reports SCREEN. The film, which opened on 84 screens, had a per-screen average of $28,800, the highest by a large margin of any film this year.
While animated franchise installments like POKEMON frequently open in the top spot, it's unusual for films that are more adult-oriented. It's also rare that a film reaches the number-one position on fewer than 100 screens.
Carl2 Heads South To HBO Latin America
CARL2 (CARL SQUARED), Portfolio Ent.'s clone-themed animated comedy series for tweens, will make its Latin American debut on HBO Latin America in October 2007. HBO Latin America acquired the first two seasons of CARL2, totaling 39 half-hour episodes, for broadcast in Spanish and Portuguese.
The sale was brokered by Portfolio Ent.'s Latin American agent, Katherine O'Brien of KO Film Distribution.
In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America
Lair Delivers PS3
Sony Computer Ent. America Inc. announced the release of LAIR, available exclusively for PlayStation 3. Developed by Factor 5, LAIR engages players to fight alongside a voracious dragon and to save a world from the brink of extinction. LAIR includes high-definition graphics in 1080p, immersive 7.1 surround sound, and interactive, motion-based control utilizing the SIXAXIS wireless controller.
Commodore Opens North American Headquarters
Commodore Gaming, a leader in high-performance PC gaming solutions, announced that it has opened a new North American headquarters and hired a veteran from the videogames industry to run it. The new offices are in Stamford, Connecticut in one of Stamford's best known business complexes, One Stamford Plaza. Joining the company to run the Stamford headquarters is Bill Sims as VP of North American Sales.
Konami Ships Plug & Play Track & Field Challenge
Konami Digital Ent. Inc. has shipped TRACK & FIELD CHALLENGE, an original TV Plug and Play videogame that lets children compete in a virtual decathlon. Using a custom gaming mat, players will only need a television to take part in more than seven different sports events.
EA Sets Medal of Honor Airborne
MEDAL OF HONOR AIRBORNE, the latest installment from EA's critically acclaimed franchise, has shipped to store shelves across North America and the U.K. for the PC and Xbox 360. The game will ship to retailers throughout Europe on Sept. 7, 2007.
Mattel Inks Deal with Amberwood for RollBot Toys
Amberwood Ent. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Mattel, Inc. to produce toys and other products based on the 3D animated action-comedy series ROLLBOTS (26x30). The series is in full production and was commissioned by Canada's YTV, a division of Corus Ent. Inc.
4Kids Names Jennifer Askin to Manager Post
4Kids Ent. Inc. has appointed Jennifer Askin to the position of Manager, International Broadcast and Digital Sales, in which capacity she will oversee the marketing of worldwide new-media platforms for 4Kids Ent.'s extensive program catalogue. In addition, she will be responsible for securing traditional media sales for television in the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, Poland, the Ukraine, Belarus, all countries in Central Asia, South Africa and Africa.
Halloween Remake Terrorizes Labor Holiday Box Office
Trick or treat came early (emphasis on the latter), as Rob Zombie's HALLOWEEN (2007) led a record-breaking Labor Day pack of movies for the closing summer period ended Sept. 7, 2007. The remake of John Carpenter's horror classic from MGM/Weinstein captured $30.5M. Slipping to second was Sony's R-rated comedy, SUPERBAD, which earned $15.8M for a three-week cume of $92.6M. Third place went to newcomer BALLS OF FURY (with vfx from Mr. X) from Rogue Pictures, which swatted $14.1M and $17M for the week.
Spidey 3 Leads Record Breaking Summer Box Office
The sizzling summer box office captured a record $4.1B (when not adjusted for inflation or ticket prices), led by Sony's SPIDER-MAN 3 with $336.5M (containing bar-raising vfx from Sony Pictures Imageworks). Second place belonged to Paramount/DreamWorks' SHREK THE THIRD, with $321M, the fourth best in animation history, the third best among CG animation contenders and second best for DreamWorks Animation. Paramount/DreamWorks' TRANSFORMERS (with innovative vfx from ILM) followed in third with $310.5M.
Teletoon Launches Retro Specialty Channel
Teletoon Retro, a new digital specialty channel featuring classic cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny, The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, The Jetsons, Fat Albert, Tom & Jerry, Rocky and Bullwinkle and Superfriends, will premiere across Canada on Oct. 1, 2007 at 6:00 pm. The channel will be available as part of the Digital standard package on Bell ExpressVu, with additional carriers expected to be finalized by launch. Beginning today, Sept. 4, a special Teletoon Retro hour will air every evening at 7:30 pm ET/PT to promote the launch.
NYF 2008 In'l TV Broadcasting Awards Call For Entries
New York Festivals 2008New York, New York, USAJan 31, 2008Deadline: Sept. 17, 2007
New York Festivals is looking for the best and most creative work for the 2008 International Television Broadcasting Awards. Now in its 48th year, these awards recognize the world's most outstanding news, documentary, information and entertainment programming, as well as the best music videos, infomercials, promotion spots, openings and IDs.
Animex Deadline Less Than a Month Away
Animex 2008Middlesbrough, U.K. Feb. 4-8, 2008Deadline: Oct. 1, 2007
The 13th Annual Rendez-Vous
Begins: September 3, 2007
The 13th annual Rendez-Vous organized by TV France International will be held in Biarritz for the first time this year. The new venue for the Rendez-Vous, Le Bellevue Conference Center, will enable TV France International to double space for the exhibitors. Moreover, by choosing Biarritz, TV France International can continue to provide the same high-standards and friendly and warm atmosphere, in addition to keeping-up with marketplace growth. The number of participants increases continuously; more than 200 buyers and 54 French distributors and producers attended the event in 2006.
Ismailia International Film Festival 2007
Begins: September 1, 2007
Ismailia International Film Festival for documentary and short films takes place every year in Ismailia (Egypt) to promote an intercultural dialogue for a deeper understanding of others by presenting their creative works to the audience and to encourage filmmakers of documentary and short films. The festival organizes encounters and debates between filmmakers and the audience, journalists and professionals. For more information, visit www.egyptianfilmcenter.org.
BlueCat Screenwriting Lab
Begins: September 1, 2007
The BlueCat Screenwriting Lab is now accepting Pitches, Short scripts, and Feature screenplays.Prizes include $18,000 cash awards and three writers will travel to LA for a week of development, all expenses paid. Entry fee $40. Deadline Oct 1.
GRAND PRIZEThree writers will be chosen from all submissions (pitches, shorts and features) and invited to one week of screenplay development at the BlueCat Screenwriting Lab, held in Los Angeles on March 16-23, ALL EXPENSES PAID, including a $1000 cash award.
LAB AWARDS
In Event Types: Features, Short Films
ABAI Fest 2007
Begins: September 1, 2007
A first of its kind animation gaming VFX event at Bangalore. An opportunity to learn from the industry's best names and international studios and experimenting with the new and celebrating the success of the animation industry in India.
"WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN IF YOU THINK LAST YEAR WAS BIG - GET READY FOR A MUCH BIGGER EVENT THIS YEAR JOIN US FOR EXCLUSIVE PRESENTATION ON MAKING OF SHREK BY DREAMWORKS ANIMATION. LITTLE KRISHNA BY ANIRIGHTS, SIVAJI BY PRASAD LAB. TARARUMPUM BY VCL, AND A HOST OF WORKSHOPS ON ANIMATION, GAMING ANDF VFX. BY INDUSTRY LEADERS.
Gaming Workshop
Begins: September 1, 2007
Workshop on GAME DESIGN!
- Workshop conducted by renowned game designer and animation professional, who is in the industry for the last 15 years.
- Workshop conducted in Kolkata, Bangkok and London.
Email at admin@opentech.tv to register.
In Event Types: Seminars / Workshops
punto y raya festival
Begins: September 1, 2007
punto y raya festival (dot and line festival) explores the ultimate synthesis of form and movement through short
Anime Vegas Convention 2007
Begins: September 1, 2007
Anime Vegas Convention 2007 is one of the up and coming Japanese anime pop culture events in North America. The Anime Vegas Club originally started in 2002 at the West Charleston Library, holding monthly screenings of Japanese animation. The club quickly increased its membership from nine initial attendees to a regular attendance of 100-150 each month. In 2004, the first, to be annual, Anime Vegas Convention was started and drew 1,019 attendees.The growth in popularity is attributed to its more intimate setting between the staff, guests and local and Southern Utah anime fans.
THE HEART OF THE GAME (2006) (***1/2)
It is hard to review or even watch this film without the memory of HOOP DREAMS coming to mind. Where that groundbreaking documentary blazed trails in uncovering the inner city push for children to strive for NBA stardom as the way out of poverty, this film has shades of that larger social issue, but mainly serves as a look at one coach and one great player and what happens along the way as they strive to win a state championship. My memories of HOOP DREAMS always fall back to the people and their struggles while HEART OF THE GAME just plays out like a great sports flick.
Bill Resler takes over the girls' team at Roosevelt High School with the plan to run the full court press the whole game. He trains the players to be in better shape than their opponents. In his first season, he wins coach of the year, leading the girls to an undefeated season. At this time, Darnellia Russell was making waves across town playing ball in junior high. With pressure from her family, the tough-minded and confident African-American girl decides to travel across Seattle to attend the majority white Roosevelt in an effort to receive a better education.
NIGHTMARE ALLEY (1947) (***1/2)
I have a fascination with carnivals and circuses. Many filmmakers have as well Fellini, Bergman both made films set in the circus. So when I first read about this long forgotten film noir gem, I was hooked by the combination of a dark seedy crime story set in the carnival world. Surprisingly what I got was more than that — a thoughtful drama on the psychic con game.
Stanton Carlisle (Tyrone Power, THE MARK OF ZORRO) is a streetwise hustler who finds a home working as the talker at a carnival. He warms the crowd for low rent psychic Zeena Krumbein (Joan Blondell, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN), who use to be in the big time until her partner/husband Pete (Ian Keith, QUEEN CHRISTINA) became lost in the bottle. Zeena and Pete's legendary act was based on an intricate code, which allowed one person in the crowd to hold up objects obtained from the spectators and relate covertly what they were to the blindfolded "psychic" on stage. The code is worth a fortune and Stanton works his charms on Zeena to learn it. Now with the code, Stanton teams with the beautiful carnie girl Molly (Coleen Gray, RED RIVER) to go legit on the nightclub scene. But as his career skyrockets, Stanton gets greedy and hooks up with the cool and beautiful psychiatrist Lilith Ritter (Helen Walker, CALL NORTHSIDE 777) to turn his mentalist act into a medium.
