AWN Headline News

Continuing our special event specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing a special edition for MIPCOM. The market is fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staff is gearing up for the MIPCOM-specific Flash Newsletters. Here are the dates for the publications. Please send your news two weeks prior to the publication date.

MIPCOM NewslettersSept. 26Oct. 3

All your news can be sent to editor@awn.com. For sales opportunities, contact Dan Sarto at dan@awn.com or call (323) 606-4200.

This week in AWN's Forums, members cant help but talk about the 20th anniversary DVD of TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE. Several threads are discussing the prospects for animation education in India. Theres a thread talking about a new movie made entirely in 3ds Max. A member has a question about blending colors in cel-shaded animation. Another member has questions about rendering in Maya. Others continue to post their work for another members to critique.

On Sept. 14, 2006, in Vancouver, B.C., the Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA) winners were announced.

The theater was packed with videogame and animation luminaries as well as new media art schools' top talents who were wined, dined and entertained by William Shatner and a host of industry celebrities.

"The evening was a huge success," said Yannis Mallat, ceo of Ubisoft's Montreal studio. "The first edition of the Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts is a step forward for the entire Canadian video game industry."

TVPaint Development, a graphic and animation solution provider, is about to release TVP Animation 1.1 for both PC-Windows and Mac-Universal Binary platforms. Made by artists for artists, this software, using a bitmap approach, provides a customizable drawing toolset.

TVP Animation is the first release of a new range of TVPaint products, taking advantage of the TVPaint technology. TVPaint Animation will fit in any production workflows, traditional, fully digital or hybrid.

New additions to version 1.1 include:

Corner Stone Animation announced that PBS KIDS has committed to airing 26 half-hour episodes of BETSYS KINDERGARTEN ADVENTURES, the animated educational preschool television series. The series features a dream team of voice-over talent, composed of Daveigh Chase (LILO & STITCH), Nancy Cartwright (THE SIMPSONS), Fred Willard (CHICKEN LITTLE), Vicki Lewis (FINDING NEMO), Bess Armstrong (MY SO-CALLED LIFE), Sally Struthers (ALL IN THE FAMILY), Cree Summer (X-MEN LEGENDS), Richard Horvitz (POWER RANGER) and Tom Bosley (HAPPY DAYS).

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group and Playmates Toys announced a domestic licensing agreement, whereby Playmates will serve as the master toy licensee for the upcoming animated television series, THE LAND BEFORE TIME. The 22-minute animated series will air on Cartoon Network beginning spring 2007. The toy line will launch in fall 2007 with the introduction of a full line of figures, vehicles, playsets and plush.

Steven Billing, writer and co-creator of the Broadway-bound musical TUSK, says the production is headed for animation. TUSK is the award-winning musical, which was part of the 2005 New York Musical Theater Festival in Manhattan. Billing is in negotiations with a Florida-based animation company that is interested in developing it into a feature film. TUSK premiered on stage in Albany, New York at The EGG Theater and on Broadway the following year in New York City. Billing is in negotiations with three theaters to have TUSK on stage again in the early part of 2007.