Animators Unearthed: 'Generatio' by Mait Laas
In this months Animators Unearthed, Chris Robinson travels into the fantastic world of Mait Laas, which gave birth to his new film, Generatio.
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Jackman Joins Kidman in Luhrmann's WWII Epic
Hugh Jackman (X-MEN: THE LAST STAND) has agreed to star with Nicole Kidman in writer/director Baz Luhrmann's as yet untitled epic.
Weinsteins Do Monster Sales For Igor In Cannes
The Weinstein Co. has sold most of the world on Exodus Film Groups CG-animated feature comedy IGOR, following Cannes.
Key territorial sales include the U.K. to Momentum, in France to TF1, in Germany and Switzerland to Constantine, in Spain to Aurum, in Russia to West Film Group, in Eastern Europe to EEAP, in Benelux to RCV, in Brazil to Europa, in the Middle East to Italia, in Portugal to Lusomundo, in South Korea to Jung-A Ent., in Turkey to Film Pop and in Taiwan to Applause.
Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records To Hit Shelves
University Press of Mississippi will release the new book, MOUSE TRACKS: THE STORY OF WALT DISNEY RECORDS, written by Tim Hollis and Greg Ehrbar with a foreword from Leonard Maltin.
aniBOOM Launches Online Animation Competition with $50,000 in Prizes
Interactive animation company aniBOOM announced the First aniBOOM Awards. Fans of animation throughout the world will be able to vote on their favorite submissions from professional and independent participants alike and help determine the winners of $50,000 in prize money.
Genius Products & BKN Embrace the Classics
Genius Products has signed a U.S. distribution pact with BKN Intl for 16 animated direct-to-video titles based on classic tales, reports VARIETY. In addition, an all-animal CG version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will receive a limited theatrical release via SD Intl in November before arriving on DVD later that month.
Other titles will debut between September and the end of 2007 and include ALI BABA AND THE 40 THIEVES and animated retellings of A JUNGLE BOOK, ROBIN HOOD and ZORRO.
Trilogy Studios Adds Experienced Talent to Game Dev Team
There's an influx of new talent at game developer Trilogy Studios. Animator Chad Schoonover recently left Sony Pictures Imageworks, where he created 3D facial and body animation for characters in the upcoming animated feature film, MONSTER HOUSE. He is now leading the animation team at Trilogy. He previously worked for five years as an animator on the UNREAL franchise, the demos for Epic's highly vaunted UNREAL 3 tech, as well as three years at Midway Games, where he pioneered the use of motion capture in the Sports division.
NVIDIA, Intel Offer New Solution for Windows-Based Mobile Devices
NVIDIA Corp. announced a reference design with Intel Corp. that will provide device manufacturers with a fast and easy solution for bringing powerful, media-rich handheld devices to market based on the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system.
ArtZone Makes Worldwide Debut
ArtZone, a unique and focused online destination that brings community to art, is now available and free to artists worldwide at www.ArtZone.com. Backed by DAZ Prods. Inc., a leading developer of professional quality 3D models and software, ArtZone brings a new environment that enables the sharing and growth of each members passion for art.
Rising Sun Research Releases cineSync V 1.1
Rising Sun Research, an innovative developer of tools for visual professionals, now offers cineSync v1.1, a new version of the company's remote review and approval tool. Based on Apple QuickTime technology, cineSync continues to redefine the post-production review and approval paradigm.
Digital Musings From the Editor:
Foxs remake of THE OMEN opened auspiciously well with $12.5M on 6/6. Alain Bielik recounts how Cinesite digitally recreated those legendary death scenes we remember so well. Meanwhile, Fred Galpern reviews modo 201, the latest version of Luxologys 3D modeling, painting and rendering software. According to early reports, 201 makes it easier to model and render all in application without worrying about the mechanics. Theres also the latest excerpt from LEARNING MAYA 7 FOUNDATION, which continues the series on rendering.
Bill DesowitzEditor
In Visual Effects, Visual Effects | Headline News | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: All
AWN Debuts 4th Lesson in High-End Animation Directing Series
AWN has launched the latest free video lesson in its exclusive video learning series taken from Hollywood Camera Work: The Master Course In High-End Blocking And Staging, a comprehensive and ambitious six DVD training series for animation and live-action directors.
In Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Digital Media Summit 2006
Begins: June 6, 2006
The 5th Digital Media Summit will focus on all the new trends and demands of the digital media industry. The event draws hundreds of executives from music, film, electronic gaming, cable, TV, video and technology addressing viable business models and innovative solutions for digital media. It
'The Omen' Returns: Heed the Devilish VFX
Alain Bielik recounts how Cinesite (Europe) recreated the legendary death scenes in the remake of The Omen using state-of-the-art digital technology.
LAIKA/house Ups Roland Gauthier to CG Manager
Roland Gauthier will now serve as CG manager for LAIKA/house division. He will oversee LAIKA/houses CG animation group for all LAIKA/house commercial projects. The CG department has successfully created memorable commercials for various commercial clients.
Roland brings great expertise and enthusiasm to this key role, remarked Lourri Hammack, president/exec producer LAIKA/house. We are very excited for him to lead our phenomenally talented CG team.
Dumbo Flies on DVD in Big Top Edition
Disneys beloved DUMBO from 1941 has been beautifully remastered on DVD for this BIG TOP EDITION (Walt Disney Home Ent., $29.99) that streets June 6, 2006.
NOGGIN Bonds With Dads Throughout Father’s Day
NOGGIN will honor dad on Fathers Day with themed episodes from the networks preschool lineup. On Sunday, June 18, beginning at 6:30 am (ET), fans can join the characters of OOBI, CONNIE THE COW, MIFFY AND FRIENDS, LITTLE BEAR and FRANKLIN, as they pay tribute to dad.
* 6:30 am CONNIE THE COW Connie & Her FatherConnie's mummy tells her that theyre going to have a surprise party for her daddys birthday. With help from her friends, Connie gets everything ready to make her daddy's celebration a very special one.
Spider Riders To Make U.S. Broadcast Debut On KIDS’ WB!
Coliseum, the action-adventure brand of Cookie Jar Ent. Inc., will make its U.S. debut of the series, SPIDER RIDERS, on KIDS WB! on Saturday, June 17, 2006, at 10:30 am (ET/PT). SPIDER RIDERS is a co-production between Cookie Jar and leading Japanese advertising agency, Yomiko, together with celebrated Japanese animation studio, Bee Train, known for its popular cult series, HACK//SIGN. SPIDER RIDERS is Coliseums largest production since the companys inception in 2004.
Weinsteins Draw Swords With Live-Action Mulan
The Weinstein Co. is in final talks on a three-picture deal with MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA star Ziyi Zhang, which includes a live-action version of MULAN, VARIETY reports. The second film in the deal would be a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 classic, THE SEVEN SAMURAI.
CAEAA Announces the Opening for Award Submissions
Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts Richmond, British Columbia, Canada September 14, 2006Deadline: July 14, 2006
Lionsgate Drops Marvel’s Black Widow
Lionsgate has dropped the development on a live-action feature film version of Marvel Comics' BLACK WIDOW, reports IGN FILMFORCE. Insiders say the studio balked on the project after poor box office results for other recent female-driven action films like ULTRAVIOLET and AEON FLUX.
Writer/director David Hayter said, "Marvel and I then spoke to a few other financing entities, but I never felt comfortable that we had found a place that was willing to take the movie, and the character, seriously."
Miami Short Film Fest Wants Your Toons
Miami International Short Film Festival 2006Miami, Florida, USANovember 27 December 2, 2006Deadline: September 26, 2006
Odd Todd Webtoon Lands Deal at Paramount
Paramount Pictures has optioned the pitch ODD TODD, based on the Webtoon created by Todd Rosenberg, according to VARIETY. Jonathan Kesselman (THE HEBREW HAMMER) is attached to direct.
Rosenberg independently produced the Web series and later adapted it for Comedy Central's broadband website. He will write the screenplay, which will follow the title character as he locks himself out of his apartment on the very day his unemployment checks run out.
ODD TODD will be among the first films developed by the Comedy Central Films banner. Mike Karz will produce.
Monster Sells I’m an Animal for Nickelodeon UK
Monster Distributes just sold its new animated series, IM AN ANIMAL, from Oscar-nominated Brown Bag Films to Nickelodeon UK. Produced with the support of RTE and the Irish Film Board, the series has already been sold to Rai Italy, TV Ontario, Knowledge Network Canada, Cartoon Network Australia, Cable TV Hong Kong, Sanctuary UK, Hungama TV Indonesia, Malaysia and India and Al Sayyar in the Middle East.
IM AN ANIMAL was one of the top programs at MIPCOM Jr. last year, and will have all 52x2 episodes completed this month.
In Television, Television | Headline News | Special Events: MIPCOM | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America
FUNimation Awarded Full Metal Panic
FUNimation Ent., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corp., has been awarded FULL METAL PANIC: THE SECOND RAID by Kadokawa Pictures USA. FULL METAL PANIC: THE SECOND RAID is the third season in this popular anime series. FUNimation has scheduled Oct. 3, 2006 as the street date for the first DVD.
In Anime, Home Entertainment, Anime, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, North America
