'Lady in the Water': Shyamalan’s Latest Creature Feature
Alain Bielik uncovers ILMs creature work in M. Night Shyamalans latest fable, Lady in the Water.
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ANIMANIACS & PINKY AND THE BRAIN VOLUME 1 Now on DVD
Lock the Warner water tower and guard the laboratory because the ANIMANIACS and PINKY AND THE BRAIN escaped to DVD on July 25, 2006, from Warner Home Video.
In Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Superman Returns Grosses More than $20 Million in IMAX 3-D
SUPERMAN RETURNS, which has grossed more than $290 million worldwide to date, is showing strong legs in IMAX theaters through its fourth weekend. The IMAX 3-D release earned approximately $1.4 million on 77 North American IMAX screens and an estimated $625,000 from 27 international IMAX screens between July 21-23 To date, the film has earned $20.7 million in IMAX theaters worldwide, becoming the fastest grossing digitally re-mastered IMAX release in the company's history for an impressive worldwide per screen average of $201,000.
Cinesite to Handle His Dark Materials
Cinesite has been awarded a major body of visual effects work for the forthcoming New Line cinema film HIS DARK MATERIALS. This follows Cinesites significant investment and expansion of its 3D team and capacity over the past two years.
David Pritchard New President at GigaPix Studios
David Pritchard, former president/ceo of Film Roman has joined animation and visual effects studio GigaPix Studio as president, replacing John Savage who recently vacated that position.
Romano Upped to SVP, Corp. Communications for Nick, MTVN Kids & Family Group
Marianne Romano has been promoted to SVP, corp. communications, for Nickelodeon, MTVN Kids and Family Group.
THQ Forges Incinerator Games
THQ Inc. has formed its new development team, Incinerator Games, the latest addition to THQ's growing internal studio system. Based in Carlsbad, California, Incinerator is comprised of veterans of the TWISTED METAL, NFL GAMEDAY and MLB 2006, the show projects from Sony's 989 studios, as well as the Midnight Club franchise from ROCKSTAR. Incinerator is primarily focused on development for next generation consoles.
Walt Disney Co. to Acquire Indian Kids Channel & Invests in UTV
The Walt Disney Co. plans to acquire Hungama TV, a leading Indian children's television channel, and take an equity interest in media company UTV Software Communications Ltd. as the media giant strengthens its presence in a rapidly growing media market, where local content production is key. Both transactions are subject to certain conditions and regulatory approval.
Hungama TV coo Zarina Mehta will work with the Disney team on the organizational and operational integration of Hungama TV into Disney's portfolio of kids' channels.
Ottawa Announces Festival Films
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) announced the films that have been invited to compete in this years 30th anniversary event, running Sept. 20 24, 2006. From the 1,947 entries received, 106 films representing 20 countries have been chosen for Official Competitions. An additional 31 films will be shown in out-of-competition Showcase screenings.
In Event, Event | Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America, South America
4Kids' Most In-Demand Properties Go ON DEMAND
4Kids Ent. Inc. will soon give fans instant, 24-hour access to its properties with the launch of the 4Kids TV VOD Channel on Comcast ON DEMAND on Aug. 7, 2006. Featuring many of 4Kids' most popular brands including YU-GI-OH!, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, SONIC X, KIRBY and WINX CLUB, the new VOD Channel will offer 10 hours with new episodes added every two weeks.
Peter Pan Sings on ABC
Sony Pictures TV-based producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are planning a musical revival of PETER PAN for ABC, reports VARIETY. Zadan and Meron hope to have the film ready for broadcast in fall 2007.
"This is a huge priority for us and has been over the almost two years it took to get the rights," ABC movies & mini-series head Quinn Taylor said. The project "is spot on in the tradition of classic ABC musicals, with huge family appeal across every generation."
The Penguin Flash 2006
Begins: July 25, 2006
The festival is review professional and amateur flash animations. At festival it is planned: round tables, an exchange of experience, personal contacts of colleagues on shop. An establishment of business contacts between partners of the project and animators. On preliminary selection for participation in Festival animation products of all studios and amateur authors, in .swf format without restriction in mbytes and minutes are accepted without restriction all. Works more 7Mb to send on CD or DVD by mail.
China to Speed Up TV Animation Censoring Process
In a new Chinese government regulation, the censoring process of domestic animation will be sped up to aid the development of the industry, reports XINHUA.
Starting in August 2006, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) will decide whether or not to approve animated productions every month. Previously, regulators only authorize productions twice a year in January and July.
The Art of Movie Posters
Joe Strike looks into the art and artists behind classic and contemporary movie posters.
Lost Ren & Stimpy Found on DVD
Paramount Home Ent. and Spike TV have released REN AND STIMPY: THE LOST EPISODES on DVD. After a 10-year hiatus, John Kricfalusi resurrected his classic cartoon for Spike TV no holds barred.
Contents include: Disc One:* Introduction from Weird Al Yankovic* Hello from John K.* Three never-before-seen episodes:Naked Beach FrenzyStimpys Pregnant (Pt. 1 and 2)The Altruist (Pt. 1 and 2) combined extended length episode
Kelly Ripa Joins Fly Me To The Moon Cast
Kelly Ripa (ABC's LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY) joins an all-star cast for FLY ME TO THE MOON, the first ever, feature-length, computer-generated animated film, conceived and created entirely in 3-D. The film, produced by Illuminata Pictures and nWave Pictures, is directed by nWave co-founder Ben Stassen, who has created, directed and produced world-famous ride and attraction films, including WILD SAFARI (nWave Pictures Distribution), HAUNTED CASTLE (nWave) and ALIEN ADVENTURE (nWave).
Scientific/Technical Oscar Deadline Aug. 1
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006, is the deadline to submit scientific and technical achievements to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 79th Academy Awards consideration.
In late May, application forms were sent to more than 850 companies and individuals within the sci-tech community both in the United States and abroad.
THQ Releases New Monster House Videogame
THQ Inc. has released MONSTER HOUSE videogame for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, GameBoy Advance and Nintendo DS. The game is based on the recently released MONSTER HOUSE film by award-winning producers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, and director Gil Kenan. Many could be seen playing it at the recent Comic-Con International 2006.
Savage Exits GigaPix Studios
John Savage has resigned as president of CGI animation company, GigaPix Studios, according to GigaPix ceo Chris Blauvelt.
"I accept John's decision to move on and wish him the very best in his future endeavors," said Blauvelt. "We have initiated a search for a replacement for John and anticipate an announcement shortly."
Bauhaus Announces Strategic Investment from Texas
Bauhaus Software, a leading provider of 2D animation and vfx tools, has received a strategic investment from the State of Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF). This funding will be used to expand Bauhaus development team, invest in more research, develop new products, and augment marketing. Bauhaus is also focused on furthering relationships with South Texas colleges & universities, through both R&D exchange programs and internships.
Animaniacs & Pinky and the Brain Debut on DVD
Lock the Warner water tower and guard the laboratory because the Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain are escaping to DVD on July 25, 2006 (Warner Home Video, $44.98). For the first time, fans can own ANIMANIACS VOLUME 1, including 25 episodes featuring the crazy Yakko, Wakko, Dot and crew. Enthusiasts can also add to their classic animation DVD collection the 22 episodes from the Emmy-nominated series PINKY AND THE BRAIN, as they attempt to take over the world in PINKY AND THE BRAIN VOLUME 1.
DreamWorks Animation to Have Major Presence at SIGGRAPH 2006
On the heels of the successful worldwide launch of its latest 3D-animated feature, OVER THE HEDGE, DreamWorks Animation will assert a major presence at SIGGRAPH 2006 in Boston at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (July 30-Aug. 3).
DreamWorks Animation, which will fly more than 80 artists and executives from California for the event, will deliver six sketch presentations, have a major recruiting suite in the Convention Center (Room 252A) and host the SIGGRAPH Educators' Luncheon Symposium for the third year in a row.
Spider-Man 3 to Get IMAX Treatment
SPIDER-MAN 3 will have a day-and-date release in conventional theaters and on IMAX screens on May 4, 2007. The third installment of the phenomenally successful SPIDER-MAN franchise will be digitally re-mastered as part of The IMAX Experience. To date, the SPIDER-MAN series has surpassed $1.6 billion in worldwide box office receipts.
In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America
Buzz Hays to Head 3-D Stereoscopic Production at Imageworks
Buzz Hays has been appointed senior producer for Sony Pictures Imageworks recently formalized Imageworks 3-D stereoscopic pipeline. This pipeline is dedicated to the creation of three-dimensional stereoscopic versions of standard release films for the IMAX 3-D and Real D platforms.
Hays first projects are the 3-D stereoscopic adaptations for Columbia Pictures MONSTER HOUSE for Real D theaters and the first CG feature from Sony Pictures Animation, OPEN SEASON, in IMAX 3-D.
Digital-Tutors Announces Plans for SIGGRAPH 2006
Stop by Digital-Tutors at SIGGRAPH 2006 in Boston (booth #2616) from Aug. 1-3, to learn more about training products and services, show promotions and giveaways and the opportunities available at Digital-Tutors.
* Digital-Tutors Presents: The Softimage Training Center
