Animation World Network

MGM Reorganizes Distribution for DVD and TV

After reinventing itself and launching a New Media division, MGM will now reestablish its worldwide TV distribution in-house and consolidate its DVD business with Twentieth Century Fox rather than splitting home entertainment releases between Sony Pictures Ent. and Fox. It should be noted that both Sony and Fox are aligned with the Blu-ray format for high-def DVD. Additionally, MGM and Fox will continue their successful international theatrical distribution relationship.

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

Series Headline News

Marty Krofft’s NYC SuperShow

On May 22, 2006, half of the sibling duo that created some of the 1970s most fondly remembered childrens TV shows spoke at NYCs Makor Center. On tour to promote the ongoing Rhino Video release of his and brother Sids classic series, Marty Krofft looked back at their creation and shared some surprising news about their return.

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

Animation ANIMATIONWorld

Transition: From a Job to a Passion

In 2001-2002 about 30% or 850 members of the Animation Guild Local 839 in the U.S. took advantage of the Contract Services Administration Fund (CSATF) Grant for retraining, according to Steve Hulett, business representative for the union.

Members who do hand drawing are retrained in storyboarding and CGI skills. The union has not been able to track these brave souls seeking new careers if theyve made it or not. Hulett guesses that maybe 20% have made some sort of transition into another animation job.

There are also countless people who have transitioned from what they considered a humdrum life into becoming part of the exciting industry of animation and visual effects.

In AWN Profiles | ANIMATIONWorld

Headline News

CinemaNow to Offer Download-To-Own Disney Movies

CinemaNow Inc. has struck a non-exclusive agreement with Buena Vista Home Ent. (BVHE) to offer Disney movies on a download-to-own basis through its website. BVHE will additionally offer select new movies beginning with GLORY ROAD on June 6, which will coincide with the timing of its DVD release. This agreement will also allow on demand viewers to move their content onto approved portable devices.

In Interactive, Visual Effects, Games, Interactive, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Awards Headline News

Sci-Tech Aps in the Mail for 79th Academy Awards

Officially launching the 79th Academy Awards season, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is mailing more than 850 application request forms to individuals and companies representing the scientific and technical community in the U.S. and abroad in the next few days.

In Call for Entries, Visual Effects, Call for Entries, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Motion Events

Motion-Capture Panel for Animation Guild Members

Begins: May 30, 2006

Motion capture plays a significant role in filmmaking today, from special effects films like LORD OF THE RINGS to animated films like POLAR EXPRESS. You may associate motion capture with wooden performances and painstaking cleanup; but successful characters like King Kong suggest a great future for animation and motion capture alike.

In Event Types: Discussion, Animation, Features, Live Action, Visual Effects, Other

Effects Headline News

Lightborne Launches New CG Division

Motion design and production company Lightborne has expanded its offerings with a new CG division, headed by digital effects supervisor David Lombardi. Lombardi, who has worked extensively in commercials, videogames, feature films, episodics and music videos, will be responsible for new business development, maintaining client relations, overseeing all visual effects work and building the CG department. He is currently working on a CG-driven spot for Hasbro Tooth Tunes via ad agency Wonder Group.

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

Headline News

Animal Logic Brings Piggy Banks to Life for Bank of New Zealand

Animal Logic artists collaborated with director Josh Frizzell and Curious Film to animate scores of piggy banks that travel across land and sea for the Bank of New Zealands latest campaign. Nerissa Kavanagh served as vfx producer for Animal Logic.

In Commercials, Visual Effects, Commercials, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Australia

Headline News

Doogal Makes the Roundabout to DVD

DOOGAL, the second 3D-animated feature acquired by The Weinstein Co., recently found its way onto DVD (Genius Products, $28.95). Like the previous smash, HOODWINKED, the kid-friendly comedy/adventure was recast with American stars. The Pathe production was also retitled and rewritten predominantly by FAIRLY ODDPARENTS creator Butch Hartman, with lots of American movie references thrown in.

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

Headline News

X-Men Makes Record Memorial Stand

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND certainly made its mark, debuting with a record breaking Memorial Day holiday gross of $122.8M over the four-day period ended May 29, 2006. The third X-MEN in Foxs Marvel franchise this time directed by Brett Ratner boasts vfx from Cinesite, Framestore CFC, MPC and Weta Digital, among others.

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

Headline News

Superman Returns to Open Two Days Early

Perhaps encouraged by the record-breaking opening of X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, Warner Bros. Pictures has pushed up the release of SUPERMAN RETURNS to June 28, giving it two more days at the box office before Disneys PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MANS CHEST opens on July 7.

Meanwhile, two animated features have swapped release dates: Warner Bros. has moved up THE ANT BULLY a week to July 28 after Paramount pushed back THE BARNYARD a week to Aug. 4.

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

Production Headline News

Disney Vet Lenora Hume New EVP Production & Programming for HIT Ent.

Thirty-year entertainment industry vet Lenora Hume exits DisneyToon Studios to join HIT Ent. in London as evp, production and programming. Hume will assume the position early June and will be responsible for refreshing the existing slate of HITs classic pre-school entertainment, including BOB THE BUILDER, THOMAS & FRIENDS, BARNEY, PINGU and ANGELINA BALLERINA, as well as building new brands through content development and acquisitions. Based in the companys London office, she will report to HIT Ent. ceo Bruce Steinberg.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, North America

Series Headline News

City of Men Going Digital

Fernando Meirelles' shingle O2 Filmes is prepping interactive animated content for cell phones and the Internet, reports VARIETY.

It's dedicated new-media department, O2 Digital that was launched in mid-2005, is prepping computer-animated episodes based on CITY OF MEN, the TV series spin-off of Meirelles' breakout film, CITY OF GOD.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America

Game Headline News

Marvel and Activision's X-Men: The Official Game on Retail Shelves

Playing up to the release of Twentieth Century Fox and Marvel Studios' feature film, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, Activision Inc. sent out X-MEN: THE OFFICIAL GAME to retail outlets in the U.S. The game catapults players into an original storyline and enables them to command the distinct powers of Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Iceman as they battle classic Brotherhood villains, including Sabretooth, Lady Deathstrike and Multiple Man and traverse unique environments that showcase each character's abilities while trying to save mutant-kind.

In Interactive, Visual Effects, Games, Interactive, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America

Headline News

Nintendo of America Makes Key Executive Promotions

On the heels of the successful unveiling of the new Wii console, Nintendo of America Inc. announced three key executive promotions. Current president Tatsumi Kimishima takes on the new role of chairman of the board/ceo while Reggie Fils-Aime is promoted from evp of sales & marketing to president/coo. Additionally, Mike Fukuda is being promoted from svp of business development to evp of business development.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, North America

Shorts VFXWorld

The Value of Shorts

Karen Raugust looks at how Disney and other studios are re-energizing their staffs and positioning themselves for the on-demand future with a steady stream of animated shorts.

In VFXWorld

Two Animated shorts Honored at Cannes

The 59th International Film Festival in Cannes, held May 17 to 28 2006, awarded the Palme d'Or to British director Ken Loach for THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, an incisive look at strife in Ireland circa 1920. Two animated shorts, CONTE DE QUARTIER (URBAN TALE) by Florence Miailhe, and MR. SCHWARTZ, MR. HAZEN & MR. HORLOCKER, a student film by Stefan Mueller, amongst the 55 films from 30 countries in competition.

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

Headline News

fxphd Opens Professional Online Training School

fxphd, the formal training arm of fxguide.com a long time valued industry source for news and visual effects tips has been launched. Unlike fxguide, fxphd is a formal structured course that builds week to week into a complete understanding of the subject at hand. Students are able to discuss with course leaders each week and have their work reviewed and accessed.

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

Events

Ren& Stimpy's John K in person

Begins: May 28, 2006

REN AND STIMPY

In Event Types: Exhibits

Events

John Kricfalusi in Person

Begins: May 28, 2006

JOHN KRICFALUSI, the illustrious creator of REN AND STIMPY, visits the Every Picture Tells A Story gallery at 1311 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, on Sunday, May 28 at 4 PM for an exclusive exhibit of his art -- followed by an evening of his cartoons at the Aero Theatre at 1328 Montana, Santa Monica.

The exhibit will run through June 24. Original art can be purchased online or in person.

For more details, visit: http://www.everypicture.com/

In Event Types: Exhibits

Animation Events

Talk Animation! Framestore CFC at the Science Museum

Begins: May 26, 2006

As part of the Science Museum's celebration of the 'Pixar: 20 Years of Animation' exhibition being in residence, Talk Animation is a series of special talks will take place at the Science Museum from top industry insiders revealing the secrets behind creating memorable animation....

On Friday 26th May from 18:15, directors from Europes biggest visual effects house Framestore CFC will reveal how the effects in movies such as Harry Potter and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were created...

This talk is

In Event Types: Discussion, Seminars / Workshops, Screenings, Animation, New Media, Special, Special Effects

Film Events

Balticon Film Festival

Begins: May 26, 2006

Balticon 40 Short Film Festival:

In Event Types: Conferences, Contests, Competitive Festivals, Screenings, Animation, Features, Live Action, Short Films, Special Effects, Television, Visualization, Visual Effects

Read More about Balticon Film Festival»

VFXWorld

'The Little Matchgirl': A Matchless Watercolor Experiment

For its newest short, The Little Matchgirl, Disney turns again to the fabled Hans Christian Andersen. Bill Desowitz reports on the innovative and uncompromising results.

In Production | VFXWorld

Visual Headline News

Blade Runner: Final Cut to Arrive in 2007 for 25th Anniversary

Warner Home Video has retained long-term rights to Ridley Scott's BLADE RUNNER, reports VARIETY, paving the way for a new FINAL CUT in 2007 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the influential sci-fi thriller based on Philip K. Dick's novel. A limited theatrical release of the FINAL CUT will be followed by a collector's edition DVD containing all four versions of the Harrison Ford-starrer (including theatrical version, director's cut and international version).

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

Film Events

MoMA Tribute To CalArts

Begins: May 25, 2006

The Museum of Modern Art, New York, will pay tribute to CalArts with a film and video exhibition taking place in May 2006. Celebrating 35 years of remarkably inventive and sophisticated student work, this historical survey will feature films and videos produced by the following departments: Film and Video, Experimental Animation, Character Animation, and Film Directing. Also included are films and videos produced in the MFA program.

In Event Types: Discussion, Exhibits, Screenings, Animation, Features, Short Films