Animation World Network

Madame Tutli-Putli Takes Worldwide Short Film Fest

NFB's new stop-motion short, MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI, won the top animated prize at Toronto's Worldwide Short Film Festival. Directors Chris Lavis and Mciek Szczerbowski were awarded the C.O.R.E Digital Pictures Award for Best Animated Short, which comes with a $5,000 cash prize. By winning the festival, the short is now eligible for the Academy Award and Genie Award. In the film, a young woman takes a strange train ride on which she must confront her demons.

In Awards, Awards | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Pitch Headline News

Simons Host Free Teleseminar How to Pitch without an Agent

Jeanne and Mark Simon, the founders of www.SellYourTvConceptNow.com, are hosting a free teleseminar/webinar titled, "How to Pitch without an Agent."

During the teleseminar, the Simons will be giving away their TV EXPERTS ON CD package, worth $249, to someone live on the call. This is a collection of industry experts, studio execs, producers and writers interviewed about the pitch process.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Production Headline News

Black Book Star Joins Valkyrie

Carice Van Houten, star of Paul Verhoeven's Nazi drama BLACK BOOK, has joined the cast of Bryan Singer's WWII drama, VALKYRIE, according to the trades. The United Artists production also stars Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Wilkinson.

Based on a true story, the screenplay from Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander follows plans to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Singer, Paula Wagner and McQuarrie are the producers. Production is set to start in July in Berlin.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

Animation World Magazine & VFXWorld Dedicate October to TV!

Each month, ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE focuses its attention on a particular theme.

In Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

This Week's Animation Trivia Quiz for June 18, 2007

Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz. Check out the latest installment from quizmaster Karl Staven, an accomplished independent animator and head of the Animation Department at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In Headline News | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for June 18, 2007

This week in AWN's Forums, a junior member has questions about Disney's training programs.

In Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Series Headline News

Hana's Helpline to Jump Channel to France

HANA'S HELPLINE, a stop-motion animation series for children, recently launched onto a daily slot on Five's Milkshake in the U.K. wings its way to France 5 to air this autumn. The 26x10 series, created by Welsh-based animation experts, Calon, features the agony aunt helpline service run by Hana the duck, solving the problems of Ellen the ostrich, Bert the bear, Muzzie the mouse and others.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Headline News

Marc Forster to Direct Bond 22

Signaling a continuation of the character-driven approach introduced by last year's phenomenally successful CASINO ROYALE, Marc Forster (THE KITE RUNNER, FINDING NEVERLAND, MONSTER'S BALL) will direct BOND 22, it was announced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films, Sony Pictures Ent. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Forster will commence work shortly with screenwriter Paul Haggis on a draft of the screenplay by Neil Purvis and Robert Wade.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America

Headline News

Cookie Jar Brings New Shows To Licensing Show 2007

Cookie Jar Ent. is showcasing two of its top-rated properties, THE DOODLEBOPS and CAILLOU and three news series, including the highly anticipated MAGI-NATION, inspired by a successful trading card game, at this year's Licensing Show International in New York City at booth #3633.

In Licensing, Licensing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America

Headline News

Sphere VFX Announces Fusion 5.1 Training DVD

Sphere VFX has released FUSION 5.1 IN-DEPTH 3D. This four-hour DVD release covers all aspects of Fusion's 3D system and is designed for compositors already familiar with eyeon's Fusion.

In Education and Training, Visual Effects, Education and Training, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Licensing Headline News

Streff to Oversee DIC Domestic Licensing Initiatives

Lisa Streff to vp of domestic licensing in DICâs consumer products division, to oversee the development and implementation of domestic licensing and merchandising programs for the company's slate of entertainment and lifestyle brands, including MOMMY & ME, HORSELAND, MCDONALDS, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, CAKE, MADELINE SLUMBER PARTY GIRLS and DICâs all new boy-driven property, DINO SQUAD. She will oversee the efforts of sales, retail and product development.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia, Europe

Artists Headline News

Gnomonology Launches to Empower Digital Artists

With the increasing prevalence of online video and high-speed net access, Gnomon Workshop has created Gnomonology (www.gnomonology.com) as a resource for its professional instructors and students from around the world. Delivering high-quality tutorials and assets for a variety of tools and applications, Gnomonology strives to provide convenient, affordable and educational content. The idea is to empower digital artists with professional techniques that have been developed through the years of experience Gnomon instructors bring to the site.

In Education and Training, Visual Effects, Education and Training, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Pitch Headline News

TAC Announces Pitch THIS! Competition

Animation producers are invited to polish their best ideas, practice their pitches and wow an audience of top television execs at the third annual Pitch THIS! event at the Television Animation Conference (TAC). Presented by the Ottawa International Animation Festival, TAC takes place Sept. 19-20, 2007, at the historic Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa Canada.

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Cartoon VFXWorld

Cartoon Movie: Supporting the Industry in the EU

Bob Swain reports on the continuing efforts of Cartoon Movie as a facilitator of animation technology, finance and development in the EU.

In VFXWorld

Headline News

AMPAS Invites 115 to Become Members

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited115 artists and executives to join its ranks. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2007 to the Academy's roster of voting members.

In addition to Yair Landau, president of Sony Pictures Digital and vice chairman of Sony Pictures Ent., other invitees include:

Animators* Sharon Calahan* George Griffin* John Kahrs* Torill Kove* Marcy Page* Troy Saliba

Visual Effects* John Andrew Berton Jr.* Al DiSarro

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Black Headline News

Jack Black Cast As Man-Witch

SCHOOL OF ROCK star Jack Black and director Todd Phillips are developing a new comedy titled MAN-WITCH for Warner Bros., reports VARIETY. Once again Black will play a schoolteacher, but this time around he will develop witch-like powers. After being taken in by a coven, he will be roped into joining an all-girls school for witches.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Short ANIMATIONWorld

Fresh from the Festivals: June 2007's Reviews

Taylor Jessen reviews five short films -- Niebla (Fog) by Emilio Ramos, Ark by Grzegorz Jonkajtys, En Tus Brazos by FX Goby, Matthieu Landour and Edouard Jouret, Close Your Eyes and Do Not Breathe by Vuk Jevremovic and Loom by Scott Kravitz.

In Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Columns: Festivals

Headline News

Bridge to Terabithia Transports on DVD and Blu-ray

Disney/Walden Media's BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, the acclaimed adaptation of Katherine Paterson's Newbery Award-winning novel, comes to DVD and Blu-ray Disc on June 19, 2007 (Buena Vista Home Ent., $29.99 and $34.99).

Directed by Gabor Csupo, co-founder of Klasky Csupo (RUGRATS and THE WILD THORNBERRIES), BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA contains cutting edge vfx from Weta Digital under the supervision of Matt Aitken. It recounts the tale of kids who stumble upon the fantasy kingdom Terabithia, where they face the challenges of childhood and learn that friendship is life's one true reward.

In Home Entertainment, Visual Effects, Home Entertainment, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Digital Headline News

Digital Anarchy Releases ToonIt!

Digital Anarchy, a leading provider of cost-effective visual effects software for Adobe and Apple products, announced the release of ToonIt! for Film/Video. ToonIt! 1.0 will reliably and easily create cartoon-like images from film and video footage, freeing artists from time consuming techniques such as hand painting and rotoscoping. The filters use advanced algorithms from Toonamation to create cartoon shading and lines in After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Motion and Premiere Pro.

In Technology, Technology | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Media Headline News

VIZ Media Names Toy Licensee For Blue Dragon, Signs New Naruto Deals

VIZ Media Llc. announced at the 2007 Licensing International Expo that Bandai America Inc. has been named as the toy licensee for products based on BLUE DRAGON, a new anime series based on the popular Xbox 360 role playing game. Earlier this year, VIZ Media was named the master licensor for the television, home video and non-videogame merchandising rights for BLUE DRAGON by a consortium, including TV TOKYO Corp. and Shueisha Inc, for the Americas, Europe and Oceania.

In Anime, Licensing, Anime, Licensing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe, North America

Headline News

DreamWorks, Mattel Pact on Panda; Shrek at Macy's Parade

In conjunction with Licensing 2007, DreamWorks Animation SKG has announced licensing deals for KUNG FU PANDA, as well as a Shrek balloon for the 81st Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In Licensing, Licensing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Licensing Headline News

AnimatedWorks to Exhibit at the Licensing 2007

AnimatedWorks Prods. Inc. is exhibiting at this year's Licensing International Expo, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City, New York. It will be located in booth #3580 from June 19-21, 2007.

AnimatedWorks Prods. Inc. uses animation to create appealing imagery for product promotion and brand management. AnimatedWorks collaborates with its clients to develop characters, stories and formats for entertaining and compelling animation. From concept design to delivery, AnimatedWorks provides visibility and integrated branding through animation.

In Licensing, Licensing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Home Headline News

WHV Takes a Bite of Appleseed: Ex Machina

Warner Home Video (WHV) has secured worldwide home video and television rights (excluding Japan) to the new CG anime, APPLESEED: EX MACHINA, the follow-up to APPLESEED, produced by John Woo (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II, FACE/OFF) and directed by Shinji Aramaki (APPLESEED, BUBBLEGUM CRISIS). APPLESEED: EX MACHINA is slated for a 2008 release and will be presented in a high-definition format disc, as well as standard definition DVD. A two-disc collectors set, containing extra bonus materials, will also be released simultaneously.

In Anime, Home Entertainment, Anime, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Series Headline News

The Spectacular Spider-Man Title of New Marvel Series for Kids WB! on The CW

The new SPIDER-MAN series coming to the Kids' WB! on The CW is now officially titled, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, it was announced today (June 18, 2007) by Kids' WB! vp/gm Betsy McGowen.

"The use of the SPECTACULAR title is an homage to Marvel's wildly popular series of SPIDER-MAN comics, and is very reflective of the enthusiasm and high regard we have for the production," McGowen said. "This promises to be a stand-out animated series that will perfectly complement both Sony Ent.'s box office-shattering films and the amped-up action on Kids' WB! every Saturday."

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Licensing Headline News

TV France Brings 14 French Companies to Licensing Show

TV France International has opened an umbrella stand at the Licensing Show for its fourth consecutive year, featuring 14 companies. The event draws some 20,000 participants in New York city, including acquisition execs, publishers (paper and digital), players in mobile telephony, advertising agencies, licensing agents, manufactures of just about everything (toys, games, clothing, jewelry, food, etc.) and retailers, as well as mass retailers from North America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe