AWN Headline News

Walt Disney Television Animation president Barry Blumberg has signed an overall deal with Mike Moon and lengthened his long-term agreement with KIM POSSIBLE creators Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle, reports VARIETY. The new deals give the studio first look rights to the toon makers TV projects. The move is the studios effort to ramp up animation production to fill timeslot on its Playhouse Disney, Jetix and Disney Channel networks.

In Singapore, three more polytechnics have been offering animation courses to meet increased demand from both students and industry, reports CHANNEL NEWS ASIA.

On March 15, 2005, the trial began in the lawsuit between Roger Rabbit creator Gary Wolf and the Walt Disney Co., reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Wolf alleges the 5% royalty he received from revenue for movies, merchandise and other goods should also include the estimated value of promotional tie-ins with McDonalds, Burger King and others -- even though Disney was not paid for those deals. In Wolfs 1983 agreement, he is entitled to a percentage of gross receipt, which he claims should include cash and "all other considerations.

The Gotham Group has signed French animation producer/distributor Marathon as a client. The Gotham Groups first priority is making a deal for an animated feature film version of Marathons hit animated series TOTALLY SPIES. The series is plays on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and is carried by more than 200 markets worldwide. The show follows the adventures of three teenage girls from Beverly Hills who has been recruited as secret agents. The trio must juggle boys, shopping and of course, saving the world, while still finding time to do their homework.

The Grand Prix at Tampere 35th International Short Film Festival has been awarded to the Norwegian Pjotr Sapegin for his film GJENNOM MINE TYKKE BRILLER (THROUGH MY THINK GLASSES) (2004). The jury characterized the clay animation as skillful and imaginative, a work of art and humanity and remarked that it portrays the human nature in a poetic and loving way.

Optronica Festival: The London International Festival of Audiovisual ArtLondon, U.K.July 21 24, 2005Deadline: April 15, 2005

Addictive TV and Cinefeel in collaboration with the National Film Theatre are organizing Optronica a festival of audiovisual art dedicated to the fusion of music and visual. The festival is supported by The Arts Council of England. Optronica will feature live multimedia performances, screenings, panel discussions and talks.

The 2005 DIY Book Festival Los Angeles, California, USAOctober 1, 2005Deadline: September 25, 2005

This week in AWN's Forums, moderator Larry L post some develops that might be a sign of 2Ds rebirth. Post your thoughts. A couple members need some help with animating in Flash. Another member has questions regarding contracts. A 3D student wants to know if animators are good illustrators. A junior member from Brazil wants to know how important life drawing is for animators. Other are posting galleries of their work for members to check out.

Instead of following-up his Oscar winning work on SPIDER-MAN 2 with work on the third film in the franchise, visual effects wizard John Dykstra is tackling McGs HOT WHEELS. The self-describe adrenaline junkie decided to take the challenge of bringing a variety of vehicle to life for Columbia Pictures toy franchise turned feature. Sony Imageworks' Scott Stokdyk will step in for Dykstra on SPIDER-MAN 3. Previously, Stokdyk served as visual effects supervisor on the webslinging flicks, for which he won the Oscar as well for the second films vfx.