For January 18, 2005, ADV Films will release SAIYUKI: REQUIEM, THE MOTION PICTURE and FARSCAPE: STARBURST EDITION, COLLECTION TWO.
Stan Lees POW! (Purveyors of Wonder) Entertainment and Vidiator Technology (U.S.) Inc., a leading mobile multimedia solutions provider of mobile streaming and delivery of 3D rich-media applications, have team to develop and license exclusive live-action animated content for mobile devices using Vidiator's realtime streaming solution. The alliance will help shape the emerging business of content distribution and M-commerce on wireless platforms. Vidiator will have an exclusive relationship with POW!
Walt Disney Feature Animation has greenlit a story for its TOY STORY 3 feature, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The premise comes from Jared Stern, a participant in Disney's feature animation story development program. Stern pitched the idea to the studio, who is keeping details quiet. It has not been decided whether Stern will write the screenplay or other writers will be brought in to craft the first non-Pixar sequel to the TOY STORY franchise.
Peter Jackson and partner Fran Walsh have purchased the film rights to the Alice Sebold novel, THE LOVELY BONES, reports VARIETY. FilmFour sold the rights to Jackson and Walsh and will remain a developing partner. Jackson, Walsh and Philippa Boyens plan to begin writing the screenplay next January. Distribution and financing will not be obtained until the script is finished. The move is to ensure that Jackson and Walsh do not have to work under a studio deadline. The film will be produced by Jackson along with Jan Blenkin, Caro Cunningham and Aimee Peyronnet.
NewTek Inc. has launched version 8.2 for LightWave 3D. The update includes major changes to the renderer core to implement new technologies for anti-aliasing, as well as new options for image reconstruction filters that can be applied to the final image to offer further control and enhancement of render output. The new LightWave team has also implemented a completely redesigned UV engine in the geometry core, which affects both Modeler and Layout, to make creating and editing UV maps easier and more powerful.
A disappointment theatrically, CATWOMAN nonetheless is tailor made for home theaters with its vision of a skin-tight, leather clad Halle Berry as the feline superhero and director Pitofs pronounced visual style. The DVD (Warner Home Video, $27.95) hits shelves Jan. 18, 2004. VFX provided by ESC Ent., Frantic Films, Tippett Studio, Pacific Title & Art Studio, Christov Effects and Design and Matte World Digital.
Bonus features include:* Alternate ending
Thanks to the long-awaited GHOST IN THE SHELL 2 INNOCENCE, which continues Mamoru Oshiis acclaimed anime cyber-tech thriller, we can now view and analyze both movies on DVD, including a brand new GHOST IN THE SHELL Special Edition.
Maxon kicks off 2005 with the release of a new, free plug-in that connects Cinema 4D CINEMA to Alienbrain Studio, the professional asset management system from NXN/Avid.
The plug-in allows the Cinema 4D user to work directly with an installed Alienbrain server. Automated read/write access management for scenes and textures, project history and difference checking are all available directly from within Cinema 4D, as are the Alienbrain tools for workflow and internal communication.
Twentieth Century Fox's action/adventure feature ELEKTRA, which opened in the U.S. Jan. 14, 2005, had already captured audiences with its online strategy game. The ELEKTRA NINJA ASSASSIN GAME (www.elektramovie.com/game/) has logged a phenomenal 30,000 hours of gameplay with users from 163 countries since its debut last November.
Filmmakers Mark Simon and Travis Blaise from Orlando were the grand-prize winners in the Nicktoons Film Festival for their short film, TIMMY'S LESSONS IN NATURE. The 2D animated, comedic look at what not to do in the wild outdoors garnered them the $10,000 prize money, selected by festival sponsors Nicktoons, Frederator Studios and ANIMATION MAGAZINE.
Bangalore-based game development company Dhruva Interactive is planning to set up a studio in China due to what it reports is a severe workforce shortage in the animation industry in India, it was reported in the zDNet India News.
"We will be setting up a studio in China in the next 12-18 months as we cannot increase the size of our teams in India," said K. Rajesh Rao, ceo of Dhruva. "We are planning to employ about 150 people in China for the studio," he adds.
2005 AICP ShowNew York, New York, USAJune 14, 2005Deadline: February 18, 2005
Fox Broadcasting Co. is programming to take advantage of the Super Bowl XXXIX lead-in audience on Feb. 6, 2005, to showcase THE SIMPSONS and a sneak peek at FAMILY GUY creator Seth McFarlanes new series AMERICAN DAD.
Fox Broadcasting Co., has many May 1, 2005, animation treats in store for primetime viewers with the return of FAMILY GUY at 9:00 pm, debut of the AMERICAN DAD series, airing at 9:30 pm and 350th episode of THE SIMPSONS at 8:00 pm.
NIGHTMARE LIGHT and LUMAFORM, Artbeats' Fascinating laser effects, laser flares and lens caustics make up the NIGHTMARE LIGHT collection. These unique clips of mysterious light are perfect for any project where an eerie, enigmatic mood is desired. LUMAFORM features shimmering lights, flares and lens artifacts that are an impressive backdrop. The layered movement and spectacular colors are added pluses.
Five new films debuted during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday period ended Jan. 17, 2004, and the result appears to be the second best gross ever for the holiday.
Luxology Llc. unveiled modo 102, a powerful new version of its subdivision surface and polygonal modeling platform. modo 102's superior realtime performance and artist-friendly interface, combined with hundreds of new feature enhancements, make it one of the fastest and most advanced 3D modeling systems currently available.
e-on software has announced the immediate availability of Vue 5 Pro Studio. Vue 5 Pro Studio is the latest addition to e-on software's suite of award-winning solutions for the creation and rendering of natural 3D environments. Vue 5 Pro Studio is designed for advanced digital artists seeking extended control over the creation of natural 3D.
Nick Jr.s Dora the Explorer takes kids on a musical journey through the Seven Seas with the one-hour special, DORAS PIRATE ADVENTURE, airing Jan. 17, 2005, at 11:00 am on Nick Jr. In the show, Dora and her friends cant put on a pirate show until they find their missing treasure chest of costumes. The storyline is also the basis of the brand-new version of the theatrical presentation Dora the Explorer Live!, a co-production between Nickelodeon and Clear Channel Entertainment.
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz. Check out the latest installment from quizmaster Karl Staven, an accomplished independent animator and head of the Animation Department at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Surely you consider yourself somewhat knowledgeable about the field of animation or you wouldn't be here. So surely you must be aware of the most important East European stop-motion animators. So surely you should be able to pick out the correct animator from the choices.
This week in AWN's Forums, a member wants to know what the odds are on getting an animation job in the U.S.
AWN and Animation Cafe moderator Larry Lauria proudly present our first 2005 contest.
Pop star Britney Spears has signed on to voice the lead in Madonnas animated film adaptation of the MATERIAL GIRL singers childrens book, THE ENGLISH ROSES, reports MonstersandCritics.com. Spears will lend her voice to Binah, a young girl who is excluded by the other girls at school because of her beauty. Madonna will voice the role of the Fairy Godmother and David Bowie and Snoop Dogg with also lend their voices. Madonnas husband SNATCH-director Guy Richie will produce the film.
The Orange British Academy Film Awards nominees were announced on Jan. 17, 2005 with Martin Scorseses THE AVIATOR leading the pack with 14 nods. Three visual effects filled dramas topped the list for Best Film, including THE AVIATOR, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND and FINDING NEVERLAND. Those pics will compete with THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES and VERA DRAKE.
Anna Paquin (X-MEN), Alfred Molina (SPIDER-MAN 2), and Patrick Stewart (X-MEN, STAR TREK: NEXT GENERATION) will provide the voices for the North American dubbed version of director Katsuhiro Ôtomo's STEAMBOY, reports ComingSoon.net. Sony's Screen Gems will conduct a limited release of the film in theaters starting March 18, 2005.
