Disney has hired scribes Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal to draft a remake screenplay for the 1982 cult classic, TRON, reports VARIETY. Brigham Taylor will supervise the new film.
For the remake the computer world will be expanded with the computer programmer will get trapped in the cyberworld of the Internet. Steven Lisberger wrote and directed to original film, which utilized cutting-edge graphics.
Sony has purchased Trevor Sands sci-fi script RESURRECTION, reports VARIETY. Mosaic Media's Charles Roven and Alex Gartner are producing. Shannon Gaulding will shepherd the project for Columbia, with Gloria Fan watching over for Mosaic. The studios are quiet about the flick, which is described as an imaginative sci-fi action-adventure set in the distant future.
Sands wrote the adaptation of Martin Caidins novel, THE SIX BILLION DOLLAR MAN, for Dimension. He will also write and direct THE FOUR JACKS for producer Holly Wiersma (WONDERLAND).
THE THREE AMIGOS, a series of 20 animated Public Service Announcements (PSAs) designed to entrench the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the world, have been awarded a CINE Golden Eagle. THE THREE AMIGOS, along with 800 other PSA, are part of the worlds largest integrated behavior modification program that launched at the United Nations on Jan. 11, 2005. This public awareness program has a potential reach of approximately 80% of the worlds population.
Atari Inc. announced that TIMESHIFT, a first-person shooter that allows players to control time to solve puzzles and defeat foes, is in development by Saber Interactive for the personal computer and the Xbox. The new title will leverage first-of-its-kind gameplay abilities and functionality, the latest graphics technology and high production values. The game is expected to be available in fall 2005.
The Spanish-language cast of THE SIMPSONS have been on strike since October and are threatening protest marches over a contract between their union and privately-owned dubbing studio, Grabaciones y Doblajes Internacionales, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Represented by Mexico's National Actors Assn., the voice actors claim that their former employer broke an exclusivity agreement when it hired non-members of the association. Grabaciones does not deny using nonunion actors, but argues that it never signed an exclusivity contract.
For the design and creation of the SCENT OF A ROBOT music video, the first single off Pete Misers latest CD, CAMOUFLAGE IS RELATIVE, the creative collective UVPHACTORY (UVPH) enjoyed total creative control. The New York-based design and production company created the concept, designed and executed the 3D animation, lensed the live-action footage and completed the offline and online editorial for the 3:30 video that ships in early January to MTV networks, VH1, MuchMusic, Fuse and local access cable shows.
Splinex Technology Inc., a provider of visual communication software and technology, has named Michael Stojda as president/ceo. Stojda has also been appointed to the board of directors.
Scott Caple has joined longtime friend and animation director Tina Seemann on the faculty of Max the Mutt Animation School. As a teacher in the animation field, Caple acquired experience in other schools in the U.S. He combines his academic qualifications readily with firsthand knowledge of the animation industry. He will be teaching Advanced Storyboarding.
From 2000 to 2003, Caple was involved in the concept and production design of THE INCREDIBLES. During his time at Pixar, he was responsible for both environment/background design and art direction.
Cartoon Network is creating an integrated PSA program to inspire young people to learn how they can join in supporting global efforts to provide relief to the millions of tsunami victims in southeast Asia. Favorite characters from its vast animation studios will be featured in a musical salute set against Give a Little Bit, by Roger Hodgson, formerly of Supertramp.
Cartoon Network announced it was adding two new series, THE BOONDOCKS and ROBOT CHICKEN, to its 2005 lineup during the annual Television Critics Assoc. meeting in Los Angeles. ROBOT CHICKEN is the previously untitled stop-motion comedy from Seth Green due to start airing in the Adult Swim block Feb. 20 while THE BOONDOCKS is a 2D show based on the syndicated comicstrip by the same name from Aaron McGruder, which make its splash in Adult Swim during the fall.
Talk about good timing. Just as British Telecoms NETWORKING spot gets nominated by the VES for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial, VFXWORLD just happens to have an informative previs piece by Karen Raugust, including a QuickTime plug-in so you can view the completed spot as well as earlier versions. Theres dazzling vfx work by The Syndicate, too.
After first introducing their product at last Augusts Magic, several key licensees of BETTY & VERONICA have set the spring and fall roll-outs for their licensed apparel and accessory lines. The product lines stem from agreements with the BETTY & VERONICA licensees and the propertys licensing representatives Archie Comics Ent. Inc. and Miramax Films. Representing Archie Comics Ent. and Miramax Films in negotiating the agreements was Los Angeles-based licensing agency Brand Central Llc.
Swedens Traktor has optioned Paul Sloans sci-fi thriller screenplay, SIPHON, reports VARIETY. Traktor will produced the flick with Bryan Brucks. Set in a futuristic world, a female detective tracks a serial killer that may not be human with a most advanced technology available.
Buena Vista has set plans for a June 2005 release of Hayao Miyazakis highly anticipated animated feature, HOWLS MOVING CASTLE. Since its release in Japan six weeks ago, the film has garnered more than $100 million at the box office. In South Korea, the film is smashing box office records in becoming the most successful Japanese film ever in South Korea.
This week in AWNs Theatrical Release Database, we have two date changes and new pages as well as a plot update.
This week in AWN's Forums, theres a new thread that takes a look at the theatrical animated features of 2005.
PROMAX&BDA Europe 2005Athens, GreeceApril 4-5, 2005Deadline: January 21, 2005
PROMAX&BDA Europe covers the European work being done in promotion, marketing and broadcast design. The Europe Awards recognize the excellent work of promotion, marketing and broadcast design professionals in electronic media. Conference topics include:
* A Boring Banker Fights Back* Throwing a pebble in the pond - Guerilla Marketing* State of Our Art another exciting showcase of the best work the industry has to offer.
Cartoons on the Bay 2005Positano (SA), ItalyApril 27 - May 1, 2005Deadline: February 15, 2005
Cartoons on the Bay is an international event with awards, workshops, lectures, TV and theatrical previews, and events centering on the ever-changing world of television animation. The Pulcinella Awards Competition is open to all products in animation for television and the Internet, including pilots of series. The Competition is also open to short films.
2005 Yorkton Short Film & Video FestivalYorkton, Saskatchewan, CanadaMay 26-29, 2005Deadline: February 15, 2005
The Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival, now in its 58th year, is the longest running festival of its kind in Canada. Over the years, the festival has garnered an esteemed reputation as one of the country's top film and video festivals; a reputation that attracts outstanding entries and personalities from across Canada.
As a companion to its invaluable TREASURES DVD series, Disney has launched the first volume of the CLASSIC CARTOON FAVORITES collection on Jan. 11, 2005. The initial hour-long discs are devoted to Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Chip n Dale (Walt Disney Home Ent., $14.99 each).
* The Mickey shorts previously available but mostly out of print include: MICKEYS CIRCUS, MICKEYS GARDEN, ON ICE (1935); ORPHANS PICNIC and MOVING DAY (1936); HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY (1937); and THE LITTLE WHIRLWIND (1941).
M. Night Shyamalans latest thriller, THE VILLAGE, about a 19th community and its uneasy truce with scary creatures that live in the nearby forbidden forest, comes to DVD Jan. 11, 2005 in the deluxe Vista Series (Buena Vista Home Ent., $29.99). Digital vfx are kept to a minimum and are obviously transparent, but credit goes to Industrial Light & Magic, Illusion Arts Inc. and Steve Johnsons Edge FX Inc.
Bonus features include:* Deleted Scenes with director's introduction* "Deconstructing THE VILLAGE" -- a look at the making of the film
THE INCREDIBLES won the top prize for animated feature while SPIDER-MAN 2 was named best popular movie of the year at 10th annual Critics' Choice Awards broadcast Jan. 10, 2005 on The WB from the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.
FINDING NEVERLAND was named best family film.
Navarre Corp., a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia software products, is in the process of acquiring 100% of the general and limited partnership interests in FUNimation Productions Ltd. and The FUNimation Store Ltd., a transaction anticipated to close before May 15, 2005.
Cathy Laughton joins London-based Celador Intl in February 2005 as head of kids programming to champion of its new kids division (Celador International Kids) and will be responsible for sales of the companys portfolio of childrens programming as well as the development of new program acquisitions.
Laughton has 15 years experience in television distribution, which includes stints with Nelvana Enterprises (U.K.) Ltd, Jim Henson Co. and HIT Entertainment Plc.
