Data Motion Arts (DMA) has created the host character "Phred" for the new Noggin network. DMA's creative director Tony Caio was asked to create a character who is interactive, works on TV and on-line, and appeals to 6-to-12 year-olds. The result is a 2D character that appears tattooed on your forehead of different live-action faces. The PHRED ON YOUR HEAD show debuted on Nickelodeon on June 6th at 12:00 pm. You can view Phred on-line at www.noggin.com/build. Noggin is an educational TV channel and website, developed as a joint venture of Nickelodeon and Children's Television Workshop.

Beginning September 6, 1999, NODDY will air Monday through Friday on PBS stations in the US as part of PBS's "Ready to Learn" service. NODDY debuted in the US in the fall of 1998. The program's success has led to the production of 25 new episodes, bringing the total number of episodes to 65. The new episodes will begin airing in the fall of 1999. Based on the world-renowned children's books by Enid Blyton, NODDY, a show for children ages three to seven, is co-produced by BBC Worldwide, The Enid Blyton Company and Toronto-based Catalyst Entertainment, Inc.

Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. continues its support of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund with the 1999 Spring Breaks. Over the last several years, Diamond has redoubled its efforts to turn these regional industry gatherings into fund-raisers for the CBLDF through live and silent auctions, special giveaways, and other events. This year, the Spring Breaks raised more than $2,400 to benefit the Fund. The Spring Breaks are the natural descendants of the annual Diamond Retailer Seminars and are sponsored by Diamond in conjunction with DC, Dark Horse, Image, Marvel, and other publishers.

ASIFA-Hollywood is looking for volunteer, professional animation artists and other talent to participate in Anifest '99...

The SAFO web site has been updated. Passes for the 2nd annual Ottawa Student Animation Festival (October 21-24, 1999) are now available for sale...

Both DHIMA and AIA have new classes starting in July. Highlights on the CG side (DHIMA) - Starts the week of July 12: Maya; 3D Max; After Effects; Photoshop; Avid NT Editing; Game Design and Programming - Level 1. Special offer to new DHIMA CG July students: DHIMA will give out SIGGRAPH '99 exhibit passes to the first 50 students who register for the July session. SIGGRAPH '99 will happen at the Los Angeles Convention Center, August 8-13, 1999.

AWN has compiled a list of 65 top animation books for purchase, in association with Amazon.com, the on-line bookstore...

An animated Bill Plympton takes us through his life and career as a cartoonist and animator...

This week's comic is about various national treasures from around the world...

The Cartoon Art Museum presents a show of animation art from the collection
of Mike and Jean Glad featuring Disney villains. Marc Davis, animator of
Thumper, Tinkerbell, Malificent, and many other Disney characters, as well
as other Disney artists, will appear, although they will not be doing
autographs. The opening takes place on Saturday, June 19, 1999, 6-8 pm, but
the show begins on June 16 and continues through September 5, 1999. The
museum is located at 814 Mission Street, 2nd floor in San Francisco,

* Friday, June 18, 5:30-7:30 pm. Santa Monica, California, USA.


The Art Institute of Los Angeles will present its first portfolio
presentation showcasing graduates' work at their campus located at 2900
31st Street, Santa Monica. The reception for industry professionals is a
great way to find fresh talent! For more information call Colleen Lynch,
Director of Career Services, at 310-752 4700; or e-mail lynchc@aii.edu.

* Friday, June 18, 2:30-6:00 pm. Oakland, Pennsylvania, USA.


The Art Institute of Pittsburgh will present a portfolio presentation
showcasing graduates' work at their campus located at Banquet Hall, 4141
Fifth Avenue. The show features computer animation, multimedia, graphic
design, interior design, and video production. For more information call
1-800-275-2470; or 263-6600, ext. 272.

Several artists who worked on the classic Warner Bros. shorts will be on
hand at ASIFA-Hollywood's "A Looney Tunes Reunion" on Saturday, June 19, 11
am to 2 pm at the Johnny Carson Park in Burbank, California. Scheduled to
appear are background designer/director Maurice Noble, animator/director
Norm McCabe, Bob Givens, Pete Alvarado, animator/director Bill Melendez,
and Art Leonardi. Bring a pot-luck dish, and be prepared for many
surprises. To RSVP, or for more information, call (818) 842-8330.

Adding to the recently announced DOOMSDAY, being co-produced with Howard
Stern, and TIL THE FAT LADY SINGS, being co-produced with Norman Lear, Film
Roman has announced two more prime-time TV shows that it will be taking to
the marketplace this season. THE CABBISONS takes a hard look at today's
society through the eyes of a 1970's sitcom family who are typically
American--except for living in a cab. The Cabbisons travel through the
world in their cab, picking up fictional characters and celebrity fares

Oxygen Media has named several senior executives to its sales and marketing
team. MARY MURANO, who joins Oxygen as the Senior Vice President for
Affiliate Sales, was formerly Executive Vice President, Distribution and
Affiliate Marketing at AMC Networks; LAURIE BENSON, who is the new Senior
Vice President for Advertising Sales, was formerly Vice President,
Advertising Sales of Home & Garden Television; TRICIA MELTON, who has been
named Vice President for Consumer Marketing, joins Oxygen from the Food

The April Fool's Day episode of SOUTH PARK which starred the kids' favorite
TV show characters, Terrance & Phillip, will be available in US stores on
June 15. This is the only full-length, half-hour episode featuring the two
Canadian action stars from the "show-within-a-show" on SOUTH PARK. The
episode was broadcast on April 1, 1998, the date viewers were expecting to
see a cliffhanger identifying Cartman's father. As a result of this April
Fool's Day trick, Comedy Central received thousands of e-mails and letters

THE IRON GIANT, which opens in the US on August 6, will be accompanied by
the following merchandising. On August 3 Rhino Records will release THE
IRON GIANT soundtrack. In addition to an original score by Michael Kamen
(LETHAL WEAPON, 101 DALMATIONS), this collection includes tracks such as
Eddie Platt's 1958 hit "Cha-Hua-Hua," The Magnificents' "Let's Do The
Cha-Cha," and Jimmie Haskell's "Rockin' In Orbit." Compiled by Rhino's
James Austin, THE IRON GIANT soundtrack will retail for $16.1998/CD,

THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD, a live-action/animated feature length film,
is scheduled to begin shooting this month in England and Canada. Based on
the TV series THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE, the film is a co-production between
Destination Film, Britt Allcroft Co. and Gullane Pictures. Icon Film
Distribution, the British releasing arm of Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey's
Icon Productions, will distribute the film in the UK. THOMAS THE TANK
ENGINE began as a series of children's books by the late Rev. Wilbert

Women in Animation will hold their Annual Meeting and Elections on
Saturday, June 26 at 10:30 am at Gnomon, Inc. Ballots were due by mail or
fax on June 18, but can still be delivered in person at the June 26
meeting. Gnomon is located at 1015 North Cahuenga Bl., First Floor,
Hollywood, CA 90038. For more information call 818-759-9596.

* Thursday, June 17, 11 am - 1:30 pm. Atlanta, Georgia, USA.


A portfolio show and networking meeting will take place at The Art
Institute of Atlanta at 3376 Peachtree Road NE. The show features computer
animation, multimedia, graphic design, interior design, and video
production. For more information contact Diana Graves at (404) 266-2662,
ext. 370; or e-mail: gravesd@aii.edu.