Snakes Takes Mild Box Office Bite
New Lines SNAKES ON A PLANE (with vfx by CafeFX and Hybride) proved less venomous in its box office opening than experts predicted, drawing only $13.8M for the weekend ended Aug. 20, 2006, with an overall take of $15.2M, thanks to a Thursday night preview. Coming in a very close second was Sonys TAKKADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY, which hauled in $13.75 for a cume of $114.3M. Holding the third spot was Paramounts WORLD TRADE CENTER (with vfx from Double Negative and Animal Logic), which earned $10.9M for a cume of $45.1M.
Mill Paint Effects For Infiniti
The Mill London team has produced a new commercial for Infiniti. Directed by French directing team Pleix for Chiat Day/ TBWA through BlinkInk, the spots contain a very clever use of paint for dramatic effect. In the first spot, we see the Infiniti creating and parting huge waves as it drives through a sea of warm colored paint, and in the second spot a stormy sky of deep blues, purples and yellows crash above the cars below.
Cartoon Boom For Irish Animation Sector
The Irish animation industry has had an excellent year and the most recent success has been the selection of the Irish animated feature film THE UGLY DUCKLING AND ME, for the Toronto International Film Festival, which takes place next month. It will screen as part of the Sprockets Family Zone, which is dedicated to featuring films that represent the best in contemporary international childrens cinema.
Video Games Concerts Growing
In 2001 when Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall created Video Games Live, no one knew whether audiences would be interested in a concert of videogame music or whether the videogame generation actually go to an orchestral concert. However, in July 2005, the critics were silenced when the first concert filled the famed Hollywood Bowl making it the biggest videogame concert in history.
Singapore Uses Animation to Teach National Education
In Singapore, schools are looking to animation for more creative ways to teach national education, reports ChannelNewsAsia.com.
A particular video using sand art, which was screened at the National Day Rally, is the result of four months of hard work. The skydiving sequence alone took 10 days to create.
Mui Rui Yi, student, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent, said, "We actually have to rehearse it 80 times, and when we feel we are ready, we did the filming, and then we actually have to film about 60 times, then we took the best part of it."
Thai, Singapore Firms Join In Animation Venture
E-Saan Software Park, a Thai software development agency in this northeastern province, and Singapore-based 3 View Group will jointly develop an animation and multi-media business to penetrate overseas markets, reports ETNA.MCOT.Net.
E-Saan Software Park director Panupong Wanjantuk said that the Animation and Multimedia Innovation Centre (AMIC) under the supervision of Khon Kaen University is coordinating with 3 View Group under a business plan to create job opportunities and generate income.
The Simpsons and Rome Win Animation and VFX Series Primetime Emmy Awards
THE SIMPSONS and BEFORE THE DINOSAURS won the Animated Programming categories in the 58th Annual Emmy Awards race during the 2005-2006 Creative Arts Primetime Emmys presentation Aug. 19, 2006, for programs and individual achievements at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. THE TRIANGLE and ROME won in the Visual Effects categories.
New Bond Lords Over Golden Compass
CASINO ROYALEs new James Bond, Daniel Craig, has joined the cast of THE GOLDEN COMPASS, the first film in a planned New Line trilogy based on the Philip Pullman series HIS DARK MATERIALS, reports VARIETY. Chris Weitz wrote the script and will direct.
Craig will play Lord Asriel, a ruthless and mysterious adventurer who is the uncle of Lyra Belacqua, the young girl who journeys to a parallel universe to save her best friend.
Halas & Batchelor Tribute Hits Book Shelves
Southbank Publishing has released a richly illustrated book a part-history, part-tribute, part-critical analysis of the Halas and Batchelor Cartoon Studio, Britains leading and most influential animation company between 1940-1995. It draws on the archives of the Halas & Batchelor Collection and looks at the key works of the studio, including ANIMAL FARM, Britains first full length animated feature; THE TALES OF HOFFNUNG, with the legendary Peter Sellers; AUTOBAHN, featuring the music of Kraftwerk; and BUTTERFLY BALL, with the work of Beatles illustrator, Alan Aldridge.
Artbeats Offers New Waterform Collection
Artbeats has released WATERFORM, a unique selection of clips that feature realistic computer-generated water drops superimposed on corresponding footage to form various common symbols and icons such as a cross, dollar sign, heart, skull and crossbones, animated shapes and more. Examples of clips found in the WATERFORM collection include: a man and woman holding hands and talking while the water drops form into a heart and three track runners jumping over hurdles as the water drops form into the #1 symbol.
Stitcher Unlimited Offers ImmerVision’s IVP File Format
REALVIZs Stitcher Unlimited 5.5 now contains ImmerVisions IVP standard file format. The ImmerVision IVP format allows panoramas to be played on multiple platforms and devices using PURE Player. Furthermore, with the PURE Player for Java and PURE Player PRO for Java viewers, creators can easily load panoramic images onto any computer or website without installing a plug-in.
Epic and EA to Unleash Unreal Engine 3 for Next-Gen Titles
Epic Games and Electronic Arts Inc. have entered into a license agreement for EA to adopt the Unreal Engine 3 for use in several next-generation titles that are currently under development. With the largest studio operation in the world, EA employs a variety of engines, tools and technologies to best serve the needs of each game and development team.
CAEAA Offers Up “The Shat Pack”
The Producers of the Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA 2006), or The Elans, are offering up a once-in-a-lifetime evening with host William Shatner to the highest bidder.
Emmy-Nominated Voice-Actor Tony Jay Passes Away
Deep-voiced actor Tony Jay, whose many roles included villainous Judge Frollo in Disney's 1996 THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, died Sunday following microsurgery to remove a non-cancerous tumor from his lungs.
The British-born Jay, who provided voices in many videogames, was admitted to Cedar Sinai Hospital in April and had begun to recover both his breathing and mobility.
DUCK Delivers 5 Spots for Roundy’s Supermarkets
Independent animation studio DUCK announces the completion of five new 30-second commercials for Roundys Supermarkets Inc. under the Rainbow Foods, Copps Food Center and Pic N Save banners. DUCK produced the commercials for Minneapolis-based advertising agency Kerker. Roger Chouinard was the director and Gwynn Adik was the producer. The commercials air regionally, predominantly in the Midwest.
Nightwatch Director Wanted for English-Lingo Debut
Universal Pictures has tapped NIGHTWATCH director Timur Bekmambetov to make his English-language debut with the sci-fi actioner, WANTED, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. James McAvoy, who made a big impression as Mr. Tumnus, the Faun, in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, will star.
Stars Give Voice to Legend of Secret Pass Film
Voice recording has begun for the independent, CG-animated feature, THE LEGEND OF SECRET PASS. Lord Prods. Llc. and Strategic Dreamers Llc., in conjunction with JC2 Animated Ent. and associates Mad Cow Pictures, 310 Studios and Digital Dimension, are producing the film set for release in 2008.
Marvin Gleicher New Navarre Corp. DVD Content Acquisition VP
Anime distribution vet Marvin Gleicher joins Navarre Corp. as vp of DVD content acquisition, primary responsibility for acquiring and marketing DVD entertainment content for the companys distribution segment.
VES Announces Awards Timetable
Key dates were announced for the 5th Annual Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards, to be held Feb. 11, 2007, for the first time at the Kodak Grand Ballroom, home to the Academy Awards Governor's Ball each year. Eric Roth serves as exec director of the VES and Jeff Okun chairs the VES Awards.
2006* Period of Eligibility for Entries: Jan. 1 - Dec. 31* Entry Forms Available: Sept. 1 * Awards Program Submission Period: Sept. 1 - Dec. 1
2007* Nomination Judging Panels Meet and Vote: Jan. 6* Nominations Announced: Jan. 8
Sweeney Todd Set For Release End of 2007
DreamWorks Studios announced that Johnny Depp and Tim Burtons SWEENEY TODD, based on the award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical thriller, is set to begin production early next year for a late 2007 release.
In the co-production with Warner Bros., Depp will star as the titular Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will partner with Richard Zanuck and John Logan to produce the screenplay adaptation by Logan (THE AVIATOR). Paramount will distribute for DreamWorks domestically and Warner Bros. internationally.
Last House Left to Remake
It seems no classic horror can be left un-remade. Rogue Pictures is developing a redux of Wes Cravens twisted 1972 classic THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. Production is scheduled to being in early 2007.
Craven and longtime producing partner Marianne Maddalena will produce the new version with the original film's producer, Sean S. Cunningham.
Cartoons Twice As Good As Mommy at Easing Pain
Cartoons are twice as effective as mothers at soothing the pain felt by children, a study has shown, reports THE TIMES ONLINE.
The research team at the University of Siena that carried out the study said that many techniques had been tried to distract children during medical procedures, like having a blood sample taken. They included hypnosis, relaxation and desensitisation, as well as toys such as kaleidoscopes, puppets and even virtual reality glasses.
ITV Loses Kids Programming Head
Estelle Hughes has resigned her post as the head of children's programming at U.K. commercial web ITV after three years on the job, reports VARIETY. Her decision increases concerns regarding the channel's commitment to the genre.
Hughes, who oversees the commissioning of children's programming for both ITV1 and the CiTV digital channel, will leave at the end of the month to move back into production.
Illumitoon Acquires AM Driver
Illumitoon Ent. Ltd. announced that it has licensed GET RIDE! AM DRIVER for release in the U.S. The series is an action-adventure drama that focuses on the exploits of a young group of warriors, known as AM Drivers, as they battle a dominating empire of machines. The series was developed by ADK, and is backed by Japanese toy company Konami.
Were thrilled to add this very exciting series to our U.S. launch, says Barry Watson, the ceo/president of Illumitoon. It combines ultramodern, futuristic technology with engaging excitement.
Denmark’s Animation Workshop Announces Fall Courses
Viborg, Denmarks The Animation Workshop announces its fall of 2006 courses. The Animation Workshop operates with the support of the MEDIA Plus Programme of the European Union, Viborg Kommune, Nordisk Film (Egmont) and Den Vestdanske Filmpulje. Courses include:
* 3D Artist for Animated Features, TV Series and GamesAdvanced modeling and set-designSept. 11 to Dec. 15, 2006