The Year To Come, January 2001

Without one Y2K fear we are easily slipping into 2001 already. This issue we are taking on the big questions that are facing the animation industry on the brink of the new year. For instance, Eric Oldrin is going to discuss everyone's favorite topic, the Internet, and, among other topics, exactly how we are supposed to be making money with it. Michael Hurwicz is going to ponder whether or not the Internet is actually helping independent animation. Are there increased distribution outlets in this new age or are our fearless independents still in an unfunded jam? Finally, we are going to take a long hard look at the U.S. job market and try to determine if this is one of animation's typical down cycles or if globalization is here to stay. We are also going to ask mainstream newspaper entertainment editors their thoughts on animation -- is it growing up? Is it becoming more sophisticated? What are the papers that are influencing the general movie-going population saying? This should be an interesting trip outside of the bubble.

We also have a very special interview with Piotr Dumala, director of Crime and Punishment, a new masterpiece just hitting the festival circuit. Moreover, as a bonus treat, Piotr has written for us an essay on his "philosophical stone of animation." Switching gears we will also feature an interview with super-talented Charlie Adler conducted by the always entertaining Will Ryan. As the Rugrats take on the big screen again, Charlie will discuss them, his career and more. Sit down with one of the hardest working actors and directors in Hollywood today. In the Student Corner we will have the voice of Digimon, Joshua Seth, give his top ten voice acting do's and don'ts. Lee Dannacher will profile eKids, the latest player to tackle the sensitive Internet kids' market and Jacquie Kubin is going to discuss the new Playstation 2 and its contenders. We are also happy to announce that Fred Patten will be kicking off a new Animation World feature. Several times a year Fred will provide us with the latest reviews of new anime releases. I bet you don't know what you are missing and will want to check out some of Fred's anime picks. Maureen Furniss will be back with her short film reviews and we are also going to take a look at several new animating software packages -- from a new Mac-based pencil test system to project:messiah pmG, it is going to be interesting.