Animation World Network

Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends Game Launches

On May 15, 2006, CartoonNetwork.com launched BIG FAT AWESOME HOUSE PARTY, a free yearlong interactive game that allows players to immerse themselves in the hit series, FOSTERS HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS, by creating their very own imaginary friend. Players will be encouraged to explore the ever-changing adventures with their new imaginary friend, play mini-games, collect upgrades and take part in every aspect of life at Madame Fosters famous house.

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

Headline News

Gnomon Workshop Releases Two 3ds Max Training DVDs

The Gnomon Workshop now offers two new DVDs by CG supervisor Tim Jones. The creation of digital environments for the highest caliber game cinematics and short films has been Jones area of expertise at Blur Studios. In these DVDs, he shares his techniques for modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering and compositing highly realistic digital sets in 3ds Max.

ENVIRONMENT CREATION FOR PRODUCTION: 3DS MAX MODELING AND TEXTURING WITH TIM JONES.

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

Films Headline News

eyeon Makes Dreams Come True for Wish Films

Wish Films, a brand new production company based at Elstree Film Studios, has enlisted the help of eyeon Software to make Fusion an integral part of its pipeline.

Mark Ford and Stephen Charles are the driving force behind their new Wish Films studio. Recently at Lynx Video, a facility based in Denham, West of London, Ford and Charles operated the Flame/Smoke/Maya and Avid/Online suites, respectively. Successfully breaking into Wish Films, they have been commissioned to build a new post-production facility using Fusion 5.

In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Work Headline News

The Orphanage Wraps VFX Shots for Cannes-Bound Host

The Orphanage recently completed six months of vfx work on THE HOST, South Koreas most ambitious movie to date, which will have its world premiere on May 21 in the Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival (which runs May 18-21).

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

Spot Headline News

Mayday for Poseidon

Paramounts MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III sunk Warner Bros. POSEIDON at the box office for the weekend period ended May 14, 2006. Despite a second-week drop of nearly 48%, M:I:III (with vfx from ILM) posted $25M for a cume of $85.1M. POSEIDON (with vfx from ILM and MPC) debuted with a disappointing $22.1M. Dropping to third place was Sonys RV, with $9.9M and a three-week cume of $43.2M. Foxs romantic comedy, JUST MY LUCK debuted in the fourth spot with $5.6M. Freestyles AN AMERICAN HAUNTING followed in fifth with $3.56M and $10.8M.

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

Being Ian Wins Top Toon at Leo Awards

The 8th annual Leo Awards took place on May 12-13, 2006, at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver. The Leo Awards are where the best film and television talent and programs in British Columbia are honored for their work.

In animation, the top winner was Studio Bs BEING IAN, which took home the prize for Best Animation Program or Series. Additionally, Mark Shirra of the Vancouver Film School won Best Student Production for his animated short, A GREAT BIG ROBOT FROM OUTER SPACE ATE MY HOMEWORK.

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

Game Headline News

THQ Unveils New Properties at E3

Last week at E3, THQ Inc. unveiled the company's portfolio internally developed next-generation console and Windows PC titles, mass-market licensed products and all new content for handheld and gaming system wireless devices.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Headline News

Cohen Slings Arrow with Warner Bros.

Rob Cohen has been tapped the helm ARROW, a martial arts flick being produced by Basil Iwanyks Thunder Road at Warner Bros. Pictures, reports the trades. Details of Brandon Noonans script are being kept secret. Thunder Road's Mary Viola is shepherding the project, along with Marc Pitre for Cohen. Dan Lin and Jess Rosenthal are overseeing for the studio.

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

Film Headline News

McLaren Retrospective in Official Selection at Cannes

For the first time, Cannes Classics will feature an animator, and the honor goes to Norman McLaren, who won the Short Film Palme dor in 1955 with BLINKITY BLANK. A selection of 13 McLaren films has been put together in homage to the great filmmaker and to celebrate 65 years of animation at the National Film Board of Canada.

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

Headline News

3ds Max Book Written Strictly For Architectural Visualization Industry

From author Brian L. Smith and publisher 'friends of ED', comes the first 3ds Max book ever written strictly for architectural visualization, titled, FOUNDATION 3DS MAX 8 ARCHITECTURAL VISUALIZATION.

Topics covered include:* How to model an architectural scene and create stunning materials that breathe life into your projects* How to use real-world photometric lights and global illumination to achieve photorealism* Efficient project workflow and scene assembly

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

Reel ANIMATIONWorld

Demo Reels are Key to Opening Doors to Employment

In the latest excerpt from Learning Maya 7 | Foundation, Marc-AndrGuindon and Cathy McGinnis finish mapping the orb.

In Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld

Animation Headline News

This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for May 15, 2006

Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.

In Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for May 15, 2006

This week in AWN's Forums, members are talking about the French animated feature, ASTERIX AND THE VIKINGS.

In Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

ASIFA-East Fest Announces Awards

The New York chapter of ASIFA, the International Animated Film Society gave out its 37th annual awards in a ceremony held in the downtown Manhattan auditorium of the New School/Parsons School of Design on mM

The winners were selected from submitted films voted on by chapter members at a series of screenings. Twenty-seven awards were given out in four categories: Student Films, Commercials, Sponsored Films Over 2:00 and Independent Films. In addition to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, craft awards were given out for achievements in design, animation, humor and education.

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

Disney Headline News

Paul Yanover New Disney Online EVP/MD

Paul Yanover, a 12-year Disney vet and current head of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO), has been named evp/md of Disney Online (DOL), the business unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG).

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

Film Headline News

Weinstein Co. to Take 'Igor' to Int'l Territories

The Weinstein Co. will represent all international rights to the CG-animated feature comedy, IGOR, from Exodus Film Group. IGOR is being produced by John D. Eraklis and seasoned animation exec Max Howard, who has collaborated on such animated blockbusters as THE LION KING, ALADDIN, SPACE JAM and THE IRON GIANT. The Weinstein Co. will distribute the film in North America and will begin selling the international territories at the Cannes Film Festival.

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

Headline News

EM.Ent. Grants TF1 VOD Rights for French Market

EM.Ent. GmbH and French TV station TF1 have struck a far-reaching co-operation within the video-on-demand sector, encompassing the regions France, Monaco, Andorra and the French overseas territories.

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

Headline News

WB Int’l TV Dist, Ups Andrew Shipps to Marketing SVP

Warner Bros. Ent. 14-year marketing and publicity vet Andrew Shipps has been upped to svp, marketing, Warner Bros. Intl TV Dist. (WBITD) to direct the studio's international television marketing team plus develope and supervise the implementation of global marketing strategies for its content offerings in the international television marketplace. He will oversee campaigns for original series produced by Warner Bros. Television, Telepictures Prods. and Warner Bros.

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

Events

Robert McKee's Genre Weekend

Begins: May 12, 2006

Robert McKee is the most widely known and respected screenwriting teacher in the world. Portrayed in the Oscar-nominated hit ADAPTATION, named Hollywood's Most Wanted Screenwriting Teacher by MOVIELINE magazine, and interviewed by 60 MINUTES correspondent Bob Simon for CBS News' Sunday Morning 2005 Academy Awards Special.

In Event Types: Seminars / Workshops, Animation, Features, Live Action, Other

Film Events

Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival

Begins: May 12, 2006

Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival is a multiple-day international film festival. With more than 30 feature films in multiple venues, a Launch Party Gala, workshops and presentations, Silk Screen will be an annual event showcasing Asian made films as well as films made by Asian Americans.

In Event Types: Discussion, Exhibits, Non-competitive Festivals, Seminars / Workshops, Screenings, Animation, Documentaries, Features, Live Action

Events

Showcase 2006

Begins: May 12, 2006

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), School of Film/Video, Program in Experimental Animation presents its annual screening of juried student works, Showcase 2006. Screening will take place at the Academy Television Arts and Sciences, Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, 5230 Lankershim Blvd., No. Hollywood. Screening will begin at 8:00pm.

In Event Types: Screenings

Pileated Pictures Does Shorts Work for PBS’ Between the Lions

Pileated Pictures has completed production on three animated shorts for the Emmy Award-winning PBS series BETWEEN THE LIONS, plus nine new teasers for the show.

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

Toon Headline News

Toon Boom Releases Workout Series

Toon Boom Animation Inc. has released the Toon Boom Animation Workout Series. Touching on all aspects of animation creation, the Toon Boom Animation Workout Series is a dedicated program of exercises designed to help users develop the techniques and skills necessary to get the most out of the Toon Boom product family.

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

Headline News

Andrea Marozas New Warner Bros. Ent. Theatrical Corp. Com. SVP

Andrea Marozas has been named svp, corporate communications, theatrical, Warner Bros. Ent. responsible for providing communications support on a worldwide basis to the companys global theatrical operations (production, distribution, marketing and executive), including overseeing trade, consumer and business press as they pertain to filmmakers, production deals, industry issues and trend stories.

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

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