'Night Watch': Cold Hard VFX from Russia
Alain Bielik uncovers the secrets of the Forces of Light and Dark that dwell in the hyper-cool Russian horror/sci-fi sensation, Night Watch.
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Lori Joseph Named Producer At Spy Post
Lori Joseph joins San Franciscobased post-production company, Spy Post, as producer, working closely with svp/exec producer Anastacia Maggioncalda to produce for the telecine, visual effects and finishing departments.
"As we continue to grow our business, it is important to provide our clients with the level of production support needed to meet their expectations," said Eric Hanson, Spy Post ceo. "Lori has a proven track record as a producer in a variety of mediums and brings great focus, energy and professionalism to our team."
Fresh from the Festivals: February 2006’s Reviews
Taylor Jessen reviews five short films One Man Band by Andrew Jimenez and Mark Andrews, Badgered by Sharon Colman, Imago by Cedric Babouche, The Dentist by Signe Baumane and The Wraith of Cobble Hill by Adam Parrish King.Includes QuickTime movie clips!
Seneca College Takes Animation Expertise To India
Indias Whistling Woods International, promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd. and Film City, and Seneca College have signed an agreement to create a Seneca-run diploma specializing in the art and technique of animation film making.
In addition to the new animation diploma program at Whistling Woods, Seneca will train Whistling Woods' faculty to provide high caliber education in animation.
4Kids' Summit Media Group Names Lee Ravdin President
The Summit Media Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of 4Kids Ent., has named Lee Ravdin as president, replacing Sheldon Hirsch, who recently resigned as ceo of Summit for personal reasons.
Sundance: Animation Spotlight
Mary Ann Skweres shoveled her way through the snow and crowds of Sundance to discover the spotlight on animation.
Test Your Stuff at the Movie Trailer Showdown
Movie Trailer Showdown CompetitionLondon, U.K.June 14, 2006Deadline: May 1, 2006
Frozen Moon Prods. Ltd. is hosting the Movie Trailer Showdown Competition. As an individual, team or company, the contest challenges entrants to make a film trailer no longer than 1.5 minutes.
The Digital Eye: Mistaking Technology for Art
In this months Digital Eye, guest columnist Jay Dee Alley the art director at Blue Fang Games plays the game of discerning art from mere technology.
Animadrid Issues Call for Entries
Animadrid 2006Madrid, Spain September 29 October 6, 2006Deadline: June 25, 2006
The 6th edition of Animadrid was organized with the purpose of fostering the film and audiovisual arts by promoting independent animation productions and providing an assembly point for artists and audiences in the international community. ANIMADRID 2006 will hold its regular four competitive sections:
* Official competitive section of international feature films. Films of more of 45 minutes of running time, produced after the 1st of January 2005.
'Renaissance': A New Beginning in Animation
Is the French animated feature, Renaissance, the shape of things to come? If anything, it heralds a new era of filmmaking, just like Polar Express or Sin City did. Mireille Frenette and Benoit Guerville reveal the magic.
Doogal Movie Gets Matchmaker Game Promotion
The Weinstein Co. has partnered with FamilyMediaGuide.com to develop the MEET DOOGAL AND FRIENDS MATCHING GAME, an interactive online game and sweepstakes, based on the animated movie, DOOGAL, opening in theaters in the U.S. on Feb. 24, 2006.
Originally released in Europe as SPRUNG: THE MAGIC-ROUNDABOUT, The Weinstein Co. (enjoying box office success with the animated flick HOODWINKED) picked up the picture and had it re-cut it, recorded new voices and renamed it DOOGAL, with U.S. direction by Butch Hartman.
Anthem Sings With Gory VFX for Masters of Horror
Anthem Visual Effects has completed more than 200 visual effects for MASTERS OF HORROR, a series of 13 original one-hour movies in HD co-produced by IDT Ent., Industry Ent. and Nice Guy Prods.
Anthem employed greenscreen shots, 3D motion tracking and compositing (using Mac in OS X) to create CG elements and construct 3D environments from bloody knives and disturbing eyes to a creepy cliffs edge shack in the moonlight, a woman with the legs of a deer and a rat with a human face.
Japanese Production Houses to Aid Chinese Animation School
Sorun Corp., a Japanese company that consults on information systems, and Digital Hollywood, a Japanese digital creation school, have announced they will be investing in a new digital media school set up at Nankai University in the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin, reports Yahoo.com.
The Tianjin Sorun Digital Media school will open this fall with capital of 210 million yen (1.8 million dollars). Sorun Corp. will invest 81% of the capital, with Digital Hollywood and Nankai University supplying 9.5% each.
Bambi II To Hit Moratorium 70 Days After Release
In its first week of availability, Walt Disney Pictures' BAMBI II sold more than 2.6 million units on DVD in North America. In tribute to the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney's inception of his animated classic, BAMBI, Walt Disney Home Ent. will place BAMBI II under moratorium just 70 days after its street date.
Curious George Soundtrack Tops Billboard 200
The film may have only debuted at #3, but Jack Johnson and Friends' "Curious George: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film" CD premiered at #1 on the Billboard 200, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Johnson's companion to the 2D animated film held first-week sales of 163,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan figures for the week ending Feb. 12. The soundtrack is the first to reach #1 since the BAD BOYS II soundtrack opened at the top in 2003.
SNL Actress Scouts Nick Toon Pilot
SNL regular Amy Poehler has landed an animated pilot at Nickelodeon titled, SUPER SCOUT, VARIETY reports.
The show follows Bessie Higgenbottom, an optimistic Honeybee scout obsessed with collecting badges and fulfilling her superhero fantasies while her single, bar singer mom whisks her, her little brother and an eccentric group of friends on adventures around San Francisco.
SpongeBob Creative Director Diggs Nick Deal
Former SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS creative director Derek Drymon has inked a series pilot deal with Nickelodeon for the toon, DIGGS TAILWAGGER, reports VARIETY. The outer-space idea centers on a low-ranking pooch trying to raise the ranks aboard the Galactic Rover.
Marjorie Cohn, evp of development and original programming, said, Diggs is this irresistible Chris Farley-like character clumsy but well-meaning that gets into these hysterical predicaments."
Nancy Drew Feature Goes Before Cameras
Production has begun in Los Angeles on the family mystery adventure, NANCY DREW, starring Emma Roberts (Nickelodeon's UNFABULOUS), Josh Flitter (THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED), Max Thieriot (THE PACIFIER) and Tate Donovan (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.).
Animated Oscar-Nominated Shorts to Play in Select Theaters
Magnolia Pictures and Shorts International have partnered to bring the Academy Award-nominated live-action and animated short films to select U.S. theaters before the Oscar broadcast on March 5, 2006. The films will later be available through HDNet and Magnolia's new Home Entertainment division, as well as across other platforms that include ShortsTV on mobile phones.
Paul McGuire to Head The CW Communications
Paul McGuire is the new svp, communications, The CW, the new fifth broadcast television network, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Ent. and CBS Corp. scheduled to launch in fall 2006. Dawn Ostroff, who is slated to become The CW's president of entertainment, made the announcement.
Scriptapalooza 7th Annual Television Writing Competition
Begins: February 15, 2006
Scriptapalooza TV, has grown in reputation and stature over the last three years with several of its past winners gaining access to top television production companies and literary representatives.
Barbara Schwartz has won a 2003 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Children's Animated Program for the TV series, RUGRATS, produced by Klasky Csupo. Her animation work is a direct result of her finalist placement in the Scriptapalooza TV competition. Scott Gray, also a 2003 Daytime EMMY winner, for Outstanding Children's Animated Program for the TV series, RUGRATS.
Zoie Films Online Festival
Begins: February 15, 2006
The Zoie Films Online Festival celebrates 10 years of independent cinema and showcases the best works from around the globe. This unique forum utilizes the best technology for presentation and allows filmmakers to be seen by an international audience. ZoieFest offers viewers a
Outsourcing Culture Panel
Begins: February 15, 2006
Digital Communications and Media (DCoM) at McGhee/NYU will present the Spring 2006 CrossRoads panel,
A Fireside Chat with Mike Young
Begins: February 15, 2006
TiE-SoCal is proud to launch its first Media & Entertainment Event of 2006 with A Fireside Chat with Mike Young, co-ceo of Mike Young Prods. and Taffy Ent. This inaugural M&E event will cover successful entrepreneurship, the global entertainment industries, applications of cutting-edge technologies, outsourcing and emerging industries in India. Seating will be limited and a sold-out event is anticipated, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
The event will take place at UCLA
Game Factory To Make Game Based on Young Dinos, Garfield, Miss Spider, Franklin
Building off its success as an international publisher of video and computer games based on leading international children's characters, The Game Factory announced a significant expansion in its 2006 product portfolio at the 2006 American International Toy Fair. More than 20 titles, developed for young gamers, will ship for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PC-CD ROM platforms. Titles can be purchased via national toy, electronic, videogame, software and mass-market retailers.
