This week in AWN's Forums, a member has questions about adding voiceover tracks in Flash. Discussion fails to cease on pitching to Cartoon Network. More people write in on internships and what's the best PC for animation. Wacom vs. pencils is still a hot topic. While other members are sharing their recent work for others to critique. Plus, new members are introducing themselves weekly. As well as, tools for teaching animation, the business of animation and, as always, brand-new stuff to check out in show and tell!

New teen virtual community, VizWoz (www.vizwoz.com) launches Friday in the UK.

VizWoz is a dynamic virtual world for teens offering entertainment, interaction and advanced game play through new and innovative technology.

The visual world of VizWoz is set to be a mass market highly immersive online gaming experience aimed at 11-14 year olds.

VizWoz was founded by serial entrepreneur, Daniel Laurence who also successfully founded School Stickers, UK's largest sticker company and MyStickers, UK's largest school incentive and reward initiative.

This week in AWN's Forums, a freelance animator opens a debate about buying 3D models versus creating them himself. More members are asking advice on pitching to the studios. A student has questions about internships. Debate continues over Wacom tablets versus pencils. There's a thread on the future of EL TIGRE. Another thread deals with making money with Flash animation. A tribute post has arrived for Gary Gygax, the co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons.

Heading to MIPTV? Have announcements you want to reach the animation community? Then send them to us. Each year Animation World Network publishes a special edition of the Animation Flash newsletter in PDF form specifically geared toward the big show. It's the perfect place to get the word out about the properties you're bringing to Cannes. Please send your news to AWN's news editor Annemarie Moody at annemarie@awn.com. News deadline is March 24th.

Season Three of BSG On DVD Today

The adventure of one of television's finest dramas continues with BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASON THREE from the immensely popular SCI FI Channel series, the Peabody Award-winning BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.

The Colonies' survivors have found their hopes of eluding their Cylon pursuers dashed by an invasion and occupation of their new home. As the fate of all human life hangs in the balance, friends become enemies, enemies become unexpected allies, and decisions are made that will haunt some people for the rest of their lives.

This week in AWN's Forums, members are debating a Canadian bill that would put decency restraints on government-funded films. A junior is asking for pitching advice. On the advice front, a student from the Philippines wants to know what he should get to practice animation at home. Discussion still continues on Wacom tablets versus pencils. A thread has started on Gary Gygax, the co-creator of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, who recently passed away. There are several posts with Flash questions. New art from the members has arrived.

Two new animated Web shorts give dark realization to author Toby Barlow's horror epic poem/novel SHARP TEETH, creator Radium announced Friday.

The work by designer/directors Brady Baltezore and Limbert Fabian of Radium, San Francisco/Dallas/Los Angeles can be seen at the book's website, www.sharpteeththebook.com.

Barlow is Executive Creative Director at ad agency JWT, NY.

Actor Jeremy Sisto voices Batman in the anticipated release of JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER, the second DC Universe original animated PG-13 film.

Based on the DC Comics graphic novel by Darwyn Cooke and produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER features an all-star voice cast led by Sisto, Kyle MacLachlan (Superman), David Boreanaz (Green Lantern), Neil Patrick Harris (The Flash), Lucy Lawless (Wonder Woman), Kyra Sedgwick (Lois Lane), Brooke Shields (Carol Ferris), Miguel Ferrer (Martian Manhunter) and Phil Morris (King Faraday).

Today, to coincide with the 80th Academy Awards and the 85th anniversary of Warner Bros., Warner Home Video will release WARNER BROS. HOME ENT. PRESENTS: ACADEMY AWARD ANIMATION COLLECTION 15 WINNERS ~ 26 NOMINEES on DVD ($44.98 SRP).

In addition to the three-disc set, WHV will also release a DVD featuring the 15 winning cartoons only. Titled WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS: ACADEMY AWARD ANIMATION COLLECTION 15 WINNERS, this DVD will retail for $19.98 SRP.

During a black-tie event at Royce Hall in Los Angeles, ASIFA-Hollywood handed out prizes at the 35th Annual Annie Awards recognizing the year's best animation across film, television, commercials, videogames and short subjects. Host Tom Kenny entertained the crowd with his usual dose of manic humor, joking that HORTON HEARS A WHO was a Roger Daltrey fusion project about tinnitus.

So without further ado, the 2007 Annie Award winners are:

PRODUCTION CATEGORIES

Best Animated Feature
RATATOUILLE -- Pixar Animation Studios

Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film 2008
Stuttgart, Germany
May 1-6, 2008
Deadline: Feb. 18, 2008

Spanish-language network Univision's premiere of its first-ever prime-time animated series, EL CHAVO: LA SERIE ANIMADA -- with Flash animation produced by Mexico City-based Anima Estudios -- captured the #1 spot among entertainment programming, excluding sports, among Adults 18-34 for its time period and saw double- and triple-digit audience gains in every other key demo, according to the Nielsen Fast Affiliate ratings.

* Univision captured the #3 spot among Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11 for the Sunday 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm hour, beating out CBS, NBC and CW.

Spain-based animation producer Black Maria has added YENNY, a new animated comedy-adventure series for teenagers, to its slate of projects. Based on an Internet comic strip by David Alvarez that was adopted by Universal Press Syndicate for digital distribution, YENNY follows the adventures of a big-footed Boricua girl. Alvarez is working together with Black Maria's creative directors in the graphic development of the series, which will follow the original storylines of the comic strips.

In a first for the channel, USA Network is taking a new approach to "pod-busting" with the introduction of THE BIG ADVENTURES OF LITTLE SHAWN AND GUS, a series of animated vignettes based on the hit series PSYCH, created by J.J. Sedelmaier Prods. Each vignette explores the timeless mysteries of childhood through the characters of young Shawn and Gus. The six animations range in length from 50 seconds to two minutes. USA will unveil a new adventure in the second break of every episode of PSYCH beginning Friday, Jan. 11 at 10:00 pm PCT when the show returns with new episodes.

The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film has extended its entry deadline to Dec. 31, 2007. Next year's event will take place May 1-6, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany.

This week in AWN's Forums, a senior member wants to know if others have heard of Silverlight, a rival to Adobe's Flash. There's a post for well wishes to James Davis, who suffered a stroke earlier in the year. There's an Educator's post on the importance of life drawing. Others are giving their thoughts on ENCHANTED, while other members are talking about PERSEPOLIS. A student has questions about what to include in a portfolio. Others are continuing to add to the discussions on what is the best animated short and animated feature of all time.

ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations today for the 35th Annual Annie Awards recognizing the year's best animation across film, television, commercials, videogames and short subjects.

Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation announced the all-new original movie JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER on Feb. 26, 2008, on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc, distributed by Warner Home Video. The movie will also be available the same day OnDemand and Pay-per-View as well as available for download.

Cortoons 2008 International Short Animated Films Festival
Rome, Italy
March 27-30, 2007
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2008

Cortoons is an international animated short film festival that will be held March 27-30, 2008, at Palladium Theatre in Rome.

The competition's categories include:
* Short Italian movie from one to 20 minutes
* Short international movie from one to 20 minutes
* Short movie realized with Flash
* VFX short movie
* Animated videoclip

GameTap launched today "A Complicated Woman," the final episode in the premiere season of its new animation series REVISIONED, which features story and art from legendary comic book illustrator Jim Lee of Wildstorm/DC Comics.