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AWN Headline News

Animated Headline News

2006 -- A Good Year For French Producer & Director Sidonie Herman

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

P&PM (Production & Partners Multimedia), a French production company headed by Sidonie Herman, is coming to MIPCOM (#LR 2.09) to unveil its inked animation deals, which include THE SECRETS OF DROON (26x26), an HD animated series with Tony Abbott and Template Ent.; a 3D HD animated series, BUGHOUSE ROCK (26x26), and a 2D animated series, THE LOST WORLD, (26x26) with Vivavision; MAGNITKA, a 2D animated series with Vivavision and TV Pinguim; EAT ME (104x1), a 3D HD animated series with Neutral Prods.; a 3D animated series, LEO (26x26), and an animated feature film, ZENZANO (82) with Dujass Film.

Software Headline News

Try Antics V2 — The Fastest & Easiest To Use 3D Previz Software

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

TRY THE FASTEST AND EASIEST TO USE 3D ANIMATED PRE VIZ SOFTWARE AVAILABLE AND SAVE UP TO $625

IF YOU MAKE FILMS, COMMERCIALS OR TV PROGRAMS and you havent seen Antics before, then you should. ANTICS V2 is the only software tool available that gives you the benefit of working on-set, off-set. Build your set, direct the action, experiment with camera angles and timing, work out when to cut and much more all in real time, all before you go on location!

Creative Headline News

Digital Musings From the Editor:

VFXWORLD closes September with more reports on the new TV season: J. Paul Peszko explores the widespread use of virtual backgrounds as a cost effective and creative tool; Janet Hetherington finds out how VFX studios are asserting earlier creative control to enhance storytelling; and Karen Raugust reveals what to look for in such new series as HEROES, BLADE and JERICHO, and whats bar raising in BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and SUPERNATURAL.

Bill DesowitzEditor

Nick Headline News

Dora's World Adventure CD in Stores & Online

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

Nick Records/Sony BMG's Strategic Marketing Group has released the CD, DORA'S WORLD ADVENTURE. With fourteen tracks from around the globe, the CD is danceable songs inspired by Dora's travels on the upcoming special DVD release and Nick Jr. special television episode, DORA THE EXPLORER: WORLD ADVENTURE.

Special guests on the album include reggae sensation Ziggy Marley who joins Dora in "Three Little Birds," and Grammy award-winning artist Aaron Neville, who joins Dora in "Iko Iko."

Animation Headline News

15-Year Archive On Computer Animation Centre's New Website

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

The National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) has commissioned design and photographic consultancy Campbell Rowley to create a new website that will include an archival record of 15 years worth of animation projects. The new site is currently being developed and will primarily focus on showcasing student projects.

This phase will be completed and launched in October 2006, with further development planned before the website is finally completed in early 2007.

Headline News

Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Wins at Int’l Horror & Sci-Fi Fest

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

FUNimation Ent. and Harmony Golds new feature-length animated film, ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES, won the Best Animated Sci-Fi Feature Award at the 2006 International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival. The award will be presented at the Oct. 28, 2006, screening in Phoenix.

"This is an exciting award for ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES. It is a series that has a tremendous fan following and it has the ability to introduce a much larger audience to the appeal of anime," said Gen Fukunaga, president/ceo of FUNimation.

Mobile Headline News

News Corp. & VeriSign Combining Jamba & Fox Mobile

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

News Corp. and VeriSign announced a joint venture to form the worlds largest provider of mobile entertainment. News Corp. will pay approximately $188 million for a controlling interest in VeriSigns wholly-owned Jamba subsidiary and will combine it with Fox Mobile Ent. assets.

The new company will serve 30 territories with a potential reach of more than a billion mobile subscribers. The new firm intends to retain the Jamster brand in the U.S. and the Jamba brand worldwide.

Online Headline News

Sony Online Launches Serpent’s Spine Expansion For EverQuest

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

Sony Online Ent. Llc. (SOE) announced EVERQUEST THE SERPENTS SPINE, the 12th expansion for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMOPRG), EVERQUEST, is live. EVERQUEST THE SERPENTS SPINE is only available via digital download at www.everquest.com for the price of $29.99.

Books Headline News

4400 Book Descending Soon

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:00am

Titan Books will publish THE 4400: THE OFFICIAL COMPANIO, SEASONS 1 AND 2, the first of a series of behind-the-scenes books about USA Network's sci-fi series THE 4400.

The first companion is set to coincide with the premiere of the fourth season on USA and the release of the season-three DVD set in summer 2007.

The tome will include behind-the-scenes interviews, factual nuggets, quotes, trivia, extensive episode guides, exclusive photos and a 16-page full-color supplement. It will sell for $14.95.

Production Headline News

Dimension Acquires Rights to Dawson's O.C.T. - Occult Crimes Taskforce

Dimension Films has acquired the rights to produce O.C.T. - OCCULT CRIMES TASKFORCE, based on Rosario Dawsons (SIN CITY, CLERKS II, upcoming GRINDHOUSE, upcoming KILLSHOT) new comicbook series of the same name, which she co-created with David Atchison and Tony Shasteen. Dawson is also set to star in and produce the film.

Ford Lytle Gilmore will exec produce the film, with Atchison and Shasteen serving as co-producers and Gus Vasquez serving as assoc producer.

Animation Headline News

Animation Mentor Graduates First Class

Animation Mentor, the online animation school that combines next-gen technologies with the best of social networking, graduated its first-ever class Sept. 25.

One hundred fifty-four animators from 23 countries have completed their studies at the innovative school, where all of the instructors are working studio animators. They earned a diploma in Advanced Studies in Character Animation from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.

Autodesk Headline News

Latest Crop of Films Choose Autodesk 3D Tools

Autodesks 3ds Max and Maya were used extensively on this season's line-up of films. Using 3ds Max and Maya, digital artists created sophisticated 3D content for the live-action films TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY and WORLD TRADE CENTER, and also shaped the 3D-animated EVERYONE'S HERO and THE ANT BULLY.

Cancer Headline News

Digital-Tutors Joins the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

During the months of September and October 2006, Digital-Tutors has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. A portion from all proceeds earned from the sale of Digital-Tutors' training products in September and October will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Central Oklahoma Affiliate, with a donation goal of $5,000.

Dark Headline News

Hellboy Gets an All-New Look in Animated Products

By Rick DeMott | Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 12:00am

Beginning in late 2006, in conjunction with the release of the animated HELLBOY: THE SWORD OF STORMS DVD, Dark Horse Deluxe will launch a variety of comics and toys. The animated feature is being produced by Starz Media and released on DVD by Anchor Bay.

Headline News

Portfolio Clones European Deals for Carl Squared

By Rick DeMott | Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 12:00am

Nickelodeon Germany and Jetix Netherlands just acquired CARL SQUARED (52x30), Portfolios tween targeted animated series.

CARL SQUARED takes traditional television further by integrating an interactive component with online gaming and character blogs.

Headline News

Passion Star Becomes Outlander

By Rick DeMott | Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 12:00am

Jim Caviezel is set to star in the sci-fi/adventure OUTLANDER, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Howard McCain, who wrote the script with Dirk Blackman, will direct for the Weinstein Co.

The story follows an intergalactic traveler that crashes on Earth with an alien predator on board during the time of the Vikings, who the traveler must get the help of the Viking tribe to kill the creature.

Films Headline News

Bitter Films Vol. 1: 1995-2005 Takes DVD Bow

The complete filmography of Bitter Films, a.k.a. Oscar-nominated animator Don Hertzfeldt, comes to DVD on Sept. 29, 2006. BITTER FILMS VOL. 1: 1995-2005 contains all of Hertzfeldts student projects and professional films, from cult favorite AH LAMOUR to his Oscar-nominated short, REJECTED, through last years THE MEANING OF LIFE, as well as an abundance of supplemental material.

Its nice to put everything we had in the vaults out there now and close the book on this batch of movies, says Hertzfeldt.

Story Headline News

9 Story Adds Natalie Osborne to Exec Team

9 Story Ent., the Emmy and Gemini award-winning animation company, has added Natalie Osborne to its growing executive team. In her new role as evp of business development, Osborne will lead the effort to grow international distribution and the companys portfolio of intellectual properties. A 10-year vet, she worked with some of the worlds top media companies, including NBC Universal in London, where she specialized in childrens and family programming.

Media Headline News

BlueArc’s Titan Network Storage Utilized on Everyone’s Hero

BlueArc Corp. announced that Starz Media, the animation studio behind EVERYONE'S HERO, benefited from the Titan storage system, equipped with more than 100 terabytes, to deliver more than 1,450 individual shots.

Digital Headline News

Digital Domain Raises Elevation for General Motors

ELEVATION, a new spot for General Motors out of Deutsch, Los Angeles, serves as an excellent example of how a television commercial can convey a complex brand message using great visuals alone. While the voiceover in elevation conveys basic information regarding GMs new 100,000-mile warranty program, the spot says so much more.

Headline News

Curious George Monkey Business Now on DVD

The 2D-animated CURIOUS GEORGE arrives on DVD Sept. 26, 2006 (Universal Studios Home Ent., $29.98). Everyone's favorite inquisitive little monkey meets The Man in the Yellow Hat in the jungle, and then proceeds to gets in the kind of mischief fans of the beloved illustrated book will recall. Directed by Matthew O Calllaghan, CURIOUS GEORGE features the voice talents of Will Ferrell (The Man in the Yellow Hat), Drew Barrymore, David Cross and others.

Bonus features include:

* Jack Johnson music video with sing-along feature* 15 deleted scenes

Headline News

X-Men Makes a Last Stand on DVD

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND strikes on DVD Oct. 3, 2006 (Fox Home Ent., $29.98). Director Brett Ratner takes over from Bryan Singer in the third installment of the popular mutant hero franchise. Featuring new recruits The Beast and Angel, the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, battle once and for all with Magnetos Brotherhood to stave off world domination. THE LAST STAND stars Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen. Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Patrick Stewart and Kelsey Grammer.

Nickelodeon Headline News

Kyra Reppen Named SVP/GM of Neopets

Kyra E. Reppen, the former head of NickJr.com and creator and architect behind the recently launched ParentsConnect brand, has been named svp/gm of NeoPets, the largest and fastest-growing youth community on the Internet. In her new role, Reppen will lead and manage all day-to-day operations, creative direction and business strategy for NeoPets, which is based in Glendale, California.

Film Headline News

Stuttgart Wants Your Films!

14th Stuttgart International Festival of Animated FilmStuttgart, GermanyApril 26- May 1, 2007Deadline: December 1, 2006

The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film is one of the largest festivals for animated film in the world and the biggest one in the German-speaking area.

The five competitions focus on the artistically challenging genre of animated film. Filmmakers and production companies are invited to enter films in one of the following sections:* International Competition

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