Continuing our special event specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing special editions for GDC & MIP-TV. The markets are fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staffs are gearing up for the GDC & MIP-TV-specific Flash Newsletter series. Here are the dates for the publications. Please send your news two weeks prior to the publication date.

Games Developers Conference 2005 Animation Flash Newsletter
March 7

MIP-TV Flash Newsletters
March 14
March 21
March 28

Emmy-nominated animation producer Aaron Simpson joins JibJab Media as vp, animation production and development. Simpson will oversee JibJab's animation productions, including projects for the Internet and mobile devices, as well as an animated feature film.

Renegade Animation embarks on its own first feature, partnered with writer/director Robert Zappia to produce an animated, holiday-themed feature film, WHO STOLE SANTA’S SACK? for release in late 2006. Carole Ann Zappia and two-time Emmy winner Marco Zappia will exec produce through Easy To Dream Ent.

AMAZING ADRENALINI BROTHERS! animated series as found a home on all Cartoon Network feeds in Asia and Europe. Cartoon Network US and Latin America have also purchased the original shorts through Bejuba! Ent. and co-production partners Pesky and Studio B Prods.

Taking Back Sunday Flash Video Contest
World Wide Web
February 18, 2006
Deadline: February 18, 2006

Create an original Flash Animation music video for the song “Error Operator” by rock band Taking Back Sunday and you could win an Xbox 360, music from Warner Bros. Records, and a chance to have your animated music video used by the band. For more information, visit www2.fanscape.com/contests/ifilm/takingbacksunday/contest.html or contact Christy Wise at christyw@fanscape.com.

fmx/06, the 11th International Conference on Animation, Effects, Realtime and Content, will take place May 3-6, 2006, in Stuttgart, Germany.

Topics include the latest animated movies and vfx features, the convergence of games and movies, new fields of work for animators, the latest use of realtime graphics and current trends from the Far East. There is also new cooperation with the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, with overlapping programs, in addition to the festival award ceremony coinciding with the opening of fmx/06 on the evening of May 2.

Continuing our special event specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing special editions for GDC & MIP-TV. The markets are fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staffs are gearing up for the GDC & MIP-TV-specific Flash Newsletter series. Here are the dates for the publications. Please send your news two weeks prior to the publication date.

Games Developers Conference 2005 Animation Flash Newsletter
March 7

MIP-TV Flash Newsletters
March 14
March 21
March 28

Several animated films will be part of Sundance 2006.

Canadian production company Global Mechanic has two of its directors’ films screening at the prestigious event.

Adobe Systems Inc. has begun shipping Adobe After Effects 7.0 software. Professionals can streamline their workflows to produce compelling content for any media with the new features packed in Adobe After Effects 7.0, including a re-designed, unified user interface, accelerated high-fidelity OpenGL 2.0 support and the most comprehensive Flash Video (FLV) export capabilities. Adobe After Effects 7.0 is available as a stand-alone product or as part of the newly launched Adobe Production Studio.

Adobe Systems Inc. has launched Adobe Production Studio, an extension of the Adobe Creative Suite family of products. One of the most complete post-production software solutions available, Adobe Production Studio combines full new versions of Adobe's world class video and graphics applications—Adobe After Effects 7.0, Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, Adobe Audition 2.0, Adobe Encore 2.0 and the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Illustrator CS2—with time-saving innovations such as Adobe Dynamic Link that deliver a highly efficient workflow experience.

ADV Films is releasing five titles on Jan, 17, 2006, beginning with the 10th and final volume of GANTZ! Other Jan. 17 releases include the first volume of KALEIDO STAR: NEW WINGS, new volumes of AREA 88 and GODANNAR and the new thin-packed GRAVION COMPLETE COLLECTION.

This week in AWN's Forums, members share some Flash tutorials. There’s a thread about drawing the body. A post looks a what’s ahead in the next year for members. Others are still debating the importance of animation history knowledge. A junior members asks — how critical is it to pick the right school? Members are chiming in on what they think is some really bad animation. Another member asks what is the correct method to render animation. Others continue to post their work for members to check out.

This week in AWN's Forums, a member says he has no problems with Flash until… Another thread wants to know what other members think of animators’ lack of animation knowledge. In line with the holidays, members are asking what holiday films are member’s favorites. Another thread is collecting what people got for Christmas. As well as, tools for teaching animation, the business of animation and, as always, brand new stuff to check out in show and tell!

Bill Buckley joins Bakers Man as chief marketing officer for its family of companies, including Bakers Man Prods., Bakers Man Technology Group, Bakers Man Ent. Group, TrueLight Ent. and Image Quest Studios.

Buckley will develop and oversee the marketing, sales and media relations efforts and, in addition to enhancing existing relationships with key entertainment accounts in theatrical, home entertainment, music and platform games, he is tasked with positioning Bakers Man solutions in a more integrated fashion.

Saucer Attack! (SA!), a new design and visual effects company, recently landed in New York City, captained by award-winning owner/creative director, Steve Marino.

“It’s not an official festival – it’s more of an end of the year get-together.” Casey Safron explained the rationale behind the Animation Block Party held at Club Sugar, a downtown Manhattan club on Nov. 29, 2005.

March Ent., the company behind the animated series CHILLY BEACH, announced it will hire 50 more people in the immediate future, reports NorthernLife.com.

Dan Hawes, president of March Ent., says the offices in downtown Sudbury, Canada will house more than 100 employees in the new year to tackle new animation projects that have attracted international attention.

SpongeBob inadvertedly causes his beloved pet snail Gary to crawl away and sets off in a desperate search to bring him home in “Where’s Gary,” a half-hour SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS special premiering on Nickelodeon Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, at 8:00 pm.

Well, there’s nothing really to cry about concerning the Flash animation ka-chew! director Sean Nadeau and team has created for several short scenes to air in NBC’s hit daytime soap, PASSIONS on Nov. 11, 14 and 15, 2005. Maybe tears of joy that animation is breaking into a new adult genre of TV programming that certainly is not for kids. The daytime drama depicts scenes where the central characters have magically found themselves in a fairytale and are transformed magically into animation.

Digital-Tutors announced the availability of INTRODUCTION TO MACROMEDIA FLASH 8 training kit, a comprehensive training tool for Flash 8 and the latest release in a growing library of popular training resources for emerging digital artists. INTRODUCTION TO FLASH 8 provides more than hours of project-driven training and guides you step-by-step through the industry’s most advanced authoring environment for creating interactive websites, digital experiences and mobile content.