Disney & Bruckheimer Choose Game Boys to Save World
Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films have grabbed the right to GAME BOYS, an action spec by Tom Ropelewski (LOOK WHO'S TALKING NOW) and Evan Katz (TVs 24), according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Jerry Bruckheimer will produce.
The tale follows two thirtysomething videogame addicts whom are recruited by the Department of Homeland Security to lead a geek army set to battle creatures that have emerged from a videogame they have mastered.
Jack Black Set to Remake Film History’s Biggest Blockbusters
New Line Cinema has obtained domestic rights to writer-director Michel Gondry's next project, BE KIND REWIND, starring Jack Black, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Gondry's partner in Partizan Prods., Georges Bermann, is producing.
Dygra Grows Int'l Sales Arm
Animation studio Dygra Films has opened an in-house international sales arm, headed by Tania Pinto Da Cunha, VARIETY reports.
The new arm will focus on Dygra productions, starting with its CG toon, THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST, set to delivery in early 2007. Next up will be the family comedy, HOLLY NIGHT!, due for Christmas 2007.
Dygra's A MIDSUMMER'S DREAM, which opened last summer, will continue to be handled by Lumina Films.
New SCI FI Pulse Broadband Video Channel Launched
The SCI FI network has launched its new content-rich online broadband channel, SCI FI Pulse. The launch lineup includes full episodes of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and GHOST HUNTERS, deleted scenes from those shows, as well as from Stargate SG-1. The channel offers the popular BATTLESTAR videoblogs by exec producer David Eick, audition tapes for the new reality show, WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO, behind-the-scenes featurettes from BATTLESTAR and DR. WHO, a full complement of channel ID spots, brand films and more.
Digital Domain Acquired By Investment Group Led by Michael Bay
Digital Domain, the Oscar-winning vfx studio and production company based in Venice, California, has been acquired for a reported $35 million by South Florida-based Wyndcrest Holdings Llc., a group led by director Michael Bay, former NFL quarterback Dan Marino and investor John Textor.
Liberty Media Buying IDT Ent. to Propel Starz Ent. Group Programming
Liberty Media Corp. is buying IDT Ent. from parent company IDT Corp. it was announced today, May 16, 2006. Liberty will give up its holdings in IDT Corp. to add this diversified production/distribution group of companies to its holdings, which includes Starz Ent. Group that will have the capability to create a wide array of CG-animated and live-action programming for domestic and international distribution in all major channels, including broadcast syndication, premium television, theatrical and home video/DVD.
Disney Classic Shorts Compiled for ‘Small World of Fun’ DVDs
WALT DISNEYS ITS A SMALL WORLD OF FUN VOLUME 1 &2 (Walt Disney Home Ent., $14.99) is a new collection of Disney shorts released on DVD May 16, 2006. Starring Mickey, Goofy, Pluto and friends, each volume features entertaining adventures that are themed to different countries from around the world.
mental ray Helps ILM Render Poseidon
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) credits mental ray, the Academy Award-winning high-end rendering software, from mental images, for significant advances in virtual cinematography that ILM achieved in creating the vfx for POSEIDON.
Narnia Becomes #1 DVD of 2006
With more than 11 million units sold, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (from Buena Vista Home Ent.) is this years top DVD seller so far.
Commented Bob Chapek, president of Buena Vista Home Ent.: "We are delighted with the tremendous success of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE DVD. This award-winning film is a stellar addition to the celebrated Disney collection and has set the tone for the next chapter in this promising franchise."
Carnival of Animals Tops AniFest 2006
Anifest 2006 closed its 5th year in Trebon, Czech Republic on May 10, 2006, with its presentation of awards. The Anifest Grand Prix goes to KARNEVAL ZVÍAT (THE CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS) by the Czech director Michaela Pavlátová. The film had its world premiere at AniFest. The Prize for the Best Feature-Length Film stays in the Czech Republic as well, going to FIMFÁRUM 2 by the directors Jan Balej, Vlasta Pospíilová, Betislav Pojar and Aurel Klimt.
Bratz Coming to the Big Screen
MGA Ent. Inc., Avi Arad Prods. and Crystal Sky Pictures will team to bring MGA's famous BRATZ dolls to the big screen. A screenplay, tentatively entitled BRATZ, is in the process of being written with a targeted production start of late fall 2006 in Los Angeles.
Under the deal, Crystal Sky Pictures will finance a live-action feature film based on the popular BRATZ characters. MGA's founder/ceo Isaac Larian, Avi Arad and Crystal Sky's chairman Steven Paul will produce the picture, and Crystal Sky Pictures president Benedict Carver will exec produce.
Weinsteins Pick Up Tsui Hark’s Seven Sword Rights
The Weinstein Co. (TWC) has acquired all theatrical and video rights in the U.S. to the martial arts epic, SEVEN SWORDS, directed by the master of kung-fu action films, Tsui Hark (ZU WARRIORS, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA). Cheung ChiSing and Chun TinNam adapted the screenplay based on the original novel, SEVEN SWORDSMEN FROM MT. TIAN, and it was produced by Lee JooIck, Ma Zhongjun and Pan Zhizhong. Richard Wong, Hong BongChul and Zhang Yong serve as exec producers.
Buena Vista Games Rolls Out Games for Forthcoming Films
Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Co., announced its largest and most diverse lineup ever of console, computer and handheld videogame titles at E3 last week.
Vivendi Games Rolls Out Top Tier Product At E3
Vivendi Games (VG) rolled out its top tier lineup at E3 last week. Among the companys highly anticipated titles shown during E3 was Blizzard Ent.s WORLD OF WARCRAFT: THE BURNING CRUSADE, the expansion pack to the worlds most popular massively multi-player online role-playing game (MMORPG). Sierra Ent.
TreehouseDirect To Sell Nelvana TV Shows Online
Corus Ent. has announced its launch plans for a new direct-to-family digital download service TreehouseDirect. The storefront will allow for the purchase of single episodes, bundles or full seasons of popular preschool programs.
TV, Internet, Design, Innovative & Integrated Media Clios Announced
Juries for the 47th international Clio Awards announced Grand Clio winners for best-in-show. On May 15, 2006, juries awarded a total of 29 Gold Clio winners for the evening at the Clio Content & Contact, Print, Internet, Design, Innovative and Integrated Media Awards Gala at the Jackie Gleason Theater in South Beach, Miami, part of the annual Clio Festival, May 13-16, 2006. Clios in the Television/Cinema and Radio categories were announced May 16.
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.
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
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.
This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for May 15, 2006
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.
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).
Brian Offutt New SVP, Entertainment Products, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Prod
Brian Offutt, the former head of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products' Los Angeles office, has relocated to New York City as svp, entertainment products, to oversee the NVCP home entertainment, publishing and record business for Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Noggin and The N, as well as the home video/DVD, book publishing and videogame businesses for Comedy Central, Spike TV and TV Land and the book publishing business for Paramount. These are all networks and the movie studio within the Viacom family that are handled for licensing and merchandising by NVCP.
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.