Alvin & The Chipmunks And Rocky & Bullwinkle Go Mobile
InfoSpace Inc. has signed deals with Classic Media and Bagdasarian Prods. to bring some of the worlds most famous classic movie and TV stars to mobile, including Alvin & the Chipmunks, Rocky & Bullwinkle and a host of others.
Robert Duvall To Star/Produce in Kiwi Animated Film
New Zealand-based La Luna Studios has signed Academy Award-winner Robert Duvall to lend his voice to its upcoming 3D animated feature, THE MAGIC SHOES.
The comedy adventure takes place in Buenos Aires in the Latin district of La Boca. In addition to lending their voices to the lead characters, Duvall and his Argentinean wife, Luciana Pedraza, will serve as exec producers and advisors.
"It's a huge honor to have the Duvalls involved. They loved the story. It's a perfect fit," creative director Cris Casares said.
T3 Helmer Dives into Sub-Mariner
Jonathan Mostow (TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES) has boarded Universal Pictures long-in-development comicbook adaptation of Marvels SUB-MARINER, reports VARIETY. Mostow will rewrite the script and direct.
Created by Bill Everett in April 1939, the comic told the tale of a young man who learns that he's a descendant of Atlantis, eventually becoming a key player in a war between the underwater world and the land dwelling world, which is all he has known.
Voice Cast Announced for Animated ‘Tale of Despereaux’
The voice cast has been set for THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, the 3D- animated feature from Universal Pictures, directed by stop-motion vet Mike Johnson (the Oscar-nominated CORPSE BRIDE), which marks the first production made by London-based Framestore Feature Animation, the new division of the Framestore CFC vfx studio.
Adapted from Kate DiCamillos award-winning childrens bestseller about one small mouses quest to change a kingdom, DESPEREAUX will offer the voice talents of:
Filipino Animation Industry Provides Jobs For The People
In accordance with the Philippines growing Cyber Services Corridor, Filipino president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during a roundtable discussion, applauded the Filipino animators for their talents and creativity, which, she said has made the animation industry in the country boom.
Arroyo cited THE INCREDIBLES as her favorite film, because it was partly made in the Philippines and one of its main characters Violet was designed by Filipina 3D animator Virginia "Gini" Cruz.
Digital Musings From the Editor:
In the latest excerpt from THE MAGIC OF HOUDINI, Will Cunningham delves into a number of contexts, including SOPs, DOPs, POPs and OBJs. As Cunningham explains, these contexts have different capabilities and you move back and forth between them to achieve different objectives. Meanwhile, later in the week, Fred Galpern provides a sneak peek of the upcoming ADAPT 2006 Conference in Montreal (Sept. 23-24 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel), offering advanced digital art production techniques.
Bill DesowitzEditor
34th Annie Awards Now Open for Entries
ASIFA-Hollywood has issued its official call for entries for the 34th Annual Annie Awards honoring outstanding achievement in animation across film, television, commercials and short subjects. All rules, category information and entry forms are available online at www.annieawards.org or by contacting ASIFA-Hollywood at (818) 842-8330. The deadline to receive entry forms is Friday, Oct. 6 2006. All nomination judging material is due by Oct. 27, 2006. Final nominations will be announced by ASIFA-Hollywood on Dec. 5, 2006.
Nokia & Warner Bros. Announce Mobile Content Deal
Nokia and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution announced an agreement for content based on popular Warner Bros. Ent. brands to be made available for consumer downloads through the Nokia Content Discoverer client, embedded in millions of Nokia devices available in markets around the globe.
ZIM & Cinerio To Deliver Animation on Internet TV
ZIM Corp., a global mobile content and application developer, announced a content distribution agreement with Cinerio Ent. Inc, a developer of traditional 2D animation, 3D animation and interactive content for international markets. Through this deal, ZIM will distribute Cinerio's children animation and children's learning products on the P2P (peer to peer) Internet TV platform, PPLive.com. The addition of Cinerio's content will expand ZIM's overall offering on PPLive which already includes an American Pop Channel (Hollywood Classics) and Travel/Tourism Channels.
Plympton & John K Toon Up for Weird Al’s New Album
On Sept. 26, 2006, Grammy Award-winning singer/comedian Weird Al Yankovic will release his latest album Straight Outta Lynwood, a DualDisc featuring animation by artists including Bill Plympton, Jim Blashfield and John Kricfalusi.
The Way Moby/Volcano Records release features six brand new animations to accompany Als original tracks such as:
Amy Gruberg New MGM SVP of Media Operations
Amy Gruberg joins Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) as svp, media operations, responsible for shaping the media vision for MGM. She will influence all aspects of the studios media operations, including overseeing the media strategy and placement for each of the studios films, working on MGM Home Ent. releases, and building brand extensions for MGMs television partners as films enter their network and cable windows.
FUNimation Doubles Programming for Anime Block
FUNimation Ent., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corp, has doubled the content on its syndicated anime block to four hours. CoLours TV Network, available nationwide as part of DISH Network's basic satellite TV package, is the first broadcaster to pick up the extended block. The new block covers key primetime programming slots and launched on Sept. 11, 2006.
Majesco Ships Guilty Gear Judgment for the PSP
Majesco Ent. Co. has shipped GUILTY GEAR JUDGMENT FOR PSP, to give players a powerful 1-2punch. Developed by ARC System Works, GUILTY GEAR JUDGMENT is rated T for Teen and is available across the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $39.99.
"GUILTY GEAR JUDGMENT offers gamers incredible value by combining two deep fighting games on one UMD," said Majesco marketing vp Ken Gold. "Both games feature the character-driven gameplay and unique signature attacks that have defined the GUILTY GEAR series across multiple systems and made it a fan favorite."
Peter Jackson Options Temeraire Book Series
Peter Jackson has privately optioned TEMERAIRE, a historical fantasy series by Naomi Novik, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Taking place in an alternative reality version of the Napoleonic Wars, the fantasy saga adds an air force of dragons and valiant aviators to the tale. After capturing a French ship, British naval Capt. Will Laurence finds an unhatched dragon egg on board, which was intended as a gift to Napoleon from the Emperor of China. After the egg hatches, Laurence leaves his life at seas to become captain of the dragon he names Temeraire.
Schumacher Revisits Vamps in Town Creek
Joel Schumacher will revisit the world of vampires when he directs Gold Circle Films' TOWN CREEK, reports VARIETY. Lionsgate will distribute the film in the U.S. while Mandate Pictures will tackle foreign sales.
Dave Kajganich (THE VISITING) wrote the script, which follows two brothers who must battle a family who has been sheltering a Nazi vampire for years. Production on the Gold Circle-financed flick will begin in March 2007.
Next Besson Film to Be His Last
Luc Besson (THE PROFESSIONAL, THE FIFTH ELEMENT) has told the ASSOCIATED PRESS that his forthcoming film, ARTHUR AND THE MINIMOYS, will be his last directorial effort. Besson plans to focus his energy on civic projects, including a foundation he is forming to help youths in France's inner cities.
MINIMOYS will open in France on Dec. 13, 2006, and in North America on Jan. 12, 2007.
"They are my 10 little babies," he said. "I love them all. I am pleased to have completed this cycle. That is finished."
Stone’s Jagger to Produce Animated Ruby Tuesday
Mick Jagger is set to co-produce RUBY TUESDAY, an animated film written and directed by Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, VARIETY reports.
The Rolling Stones singer will produce the film via his Jagged Films production company along with EuropaCorp, which will also handle distribution and sales of the film globally. EurpaCorp's Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam will co-produce.
Filled with 12 Rolling Stones tunes, the film will follow a single mom looking for happiness in New York City.
Fox Ups Shannon Ryan & Elissa Johansmeier in Publicity Ranks
Two veteran FOX publicity execs have been promoted to vp as Shannon Ryan has been named vp, entertainment publicity, and Elissa Johansmeier has been promoted to vp, publicity and corporate communications. Both report to Joe Earley, evp, publicity, corporate communications and creative services for FOX, who also announced several additional promotions within the networks publicity department.
Sony Launches PSP Entertainment Pack
Sony Computer Ent. America today (Sept. 12, 2006) announced a new $250 Entertainment Pack holiday bundle, including a movie, game and 1GB memory stick for its PSP handheld.
Available, beginning Sept. 13, the package features a PSP system along with the best-selling off-road racing game ATV OFFROAD FURY BLAZIN' TRAILS, the LORDS OF DOGTOWN UMD movie and a Sony 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. With an SRP of $249.99, the PSP Entertainment Pack offers holiday shopping at a price last year's Giga pack.
eDIT 9. Presents Trends in Animation
The eDIT 9. Filmmakers Festival in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept. 24-26, 2006, takes a look at the latest trends in animation in a variety of screenings, panels, presentations and workshops that are not only aimed at professionals, but also at anyone interested in the subject of animation.
The program Best of Festivals opens on Sept. 24 with some outstanding international animation screenings:
Students: Still Time to Enter Anim!Arte 2006
Anim!Arte 2006 Brazilian Student Animation FestivalRio de Janeiro, BrazilNov. 17-24, 2006Deadline: Nov. 3, 2006
Anim!Arte 2005 celebrates the best in student animation from around the world. The best international animation done by a student (outside Brazil) will win the original Animarte´s Tropical Trophy. For more information, visit www.vouanimarte.com.br.
Apple Introduces New iPod; Will Sell Disney Features Over Internet
Apple announced the launch of the new iPod and ceo Steve Jobs revealed that full-length features from The Walt Disney Co. would soon be sold over the Internet, reports BLOOMBERG. New Disney releases would cost $14.99; catalog titles would be offered for $9.99.
The new iPod is available in a 30GB model at the new low price of $249 and an 80GB model, which holds up to 20,000 songs or 100 hours of video, for $349. Time Warner Inc.'s AOL unit and Web retailer Amazon.com Inc. previously announced deals with several studios to sell or rent features.
Original Versions of Star Wars Trilogy Arrive on DVD
In response to overwhelming demand from STAR WARS fans, Lucasfilm Ltd. and 20th Century Fox Home Ent. have released individual two-disc DVD sets of STAR WARS: EPISODE IV A NEW HOPE, EPISODE V THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and EPISODE VI RETURN OF THE JEDI ($29.98) on Sept. 12, 2006. Making these DVDs truly special, of course, is the inclusion, as special bonus material, of the original versions of the movies as seen in theaters in 1977, 1980 and 1983, respectively.
Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell Cast in Animated Horton
Jim Carrey, who played a live-action Grinch, returns to the world of Dr. Seuss as the lead voice actor in HORTON HEARS A WHO from Twentieth Century Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios, reports USA TODAY and the trades. Meanwhile, Steve Carrell (THE OFFICE) will co-star as the diminutive mayor of Who-Ville.
Corus Reorganizes TV & Content Divisions
Corus Ent. Inc. announced a new organizational structure for its television and content divisions. Corus Ent.s will focus on its kids portfolio highlighted by the integration of Nelvana Studios into the television division and the creation of Nelvana Enterprises, a separate business unit that will focus on leveraging Corus intellectual property internationally.
