Hoping to scare up a little more attention and revenue before the fall DVD release of MONSTER HOUSE, Sony Pictures will re-release the all-CG feature in digital 3-D on Oct. 6, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. MONSTER HOUSE will have a two-week engagement in more than 100 Real D screens nationwide. The DVD from Sony Home Ent. bows on Oct. 24. According to Box Office Mojo, MONSTER HOUSE has grossed $68M this summer.
Artbeats will participate in the Avid 2006 Back to School Industry All-Access campaign. All qualified students who purchase Avid Xpress Pro Academic, SOFTIMAGE|XSI Academic, or Pro Tools Academic before Sept. 30, will receive a 30% discount on any Artbeats collection priced $399 or higher, and a free broadcast quality clip worth $199, both of which will be available for immediate download from Artbeats website.
ARTVPS now offers RenderPipe AV5.5, the latest version of the software that enables users to create photorealistic images on their PCs and MACs by utilizing the very best in ray tracing technology.
RenderPipe AV5.5 provides a range of improved lighting features and post process image controls. These additional features enable designers to produce natural lighting effects and have greater control over the final images they create.
Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) crossed the $1 billion mark in overseas box office receipts in record time for the company.
The previous record for the studio was Sept. 8, 2002, the year the studio grossed its record high overseas take of $1.305 billion. It marks the sixth time overall and the fifth time in the past seven years that SPRI has amassed more than $1 billion in ticket sales from international territories.
In 2006 to date, films from Sony Pictures Ent. have generated approximately $2.1 billion in worldwide ticket sales.
Konami Digital Ent. Inc. has release new information regarding the upcoming release of KARAOKE REVOLUTION PRESENTS: AMERICAN IDOL for the PlayStation 2. Gamers will not only come face-to-face with judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson as they rate performances and provide feedback, but Konamis artificial intelligence (AI) will also enable them to critique specific parts of any performance, a first in the franchises history.
Tarantella Pictures Pvt. Ltd., one of Asias biggest software producers, has announced its new venture into animation with the first 3D film on elephant-headed Hindu God, Lord Ganesha, reports Hindu.com.
Zee Kannada, the Kannada entertainment channel from Zee Network, is looking into animation to beef up its weekend schedule. To start, the channel will telecast the animation film, SIDDHI VINAYAKA on Aug. 27, 2006 at 10:00 am.
"We chose to telecast this particular movie because of the auspicious occasion, Ganesh Chaturthi. We have the intention to explore this genre aggressively," said Zee Kannada business head Venkat Giridhar.
In his first book, DESIGN FIRST FOR 3D ARTISTS, Geoffrey Kater taught emerging production designers and animators how to create and nurture their own personal design style. Now, in his second book in the series, DESIGN FIRST FOR 3D SKETCHBOOK, Kater provides hundreds of full-on designs and thumbnail sketches that serve to inspire designers, 3D artists and filmmakers alike. DESIGN FIRST FOR 3D SKETCHBOOK can be ordered through the Design First site, www.designfirstfor3D.com or at www.lulu.com.
Qubo, a new multi-platform television network for children that champions literacy and positive values through entertainment, will launch its first platform, the qubo programming block, this September. Broadcasting in both English and Spanish, the block will premiere on NBC and Telemundo on Saturday morning (Sept. 9), Telemundo on Sunday morning (Sept. 10) and ION Media Networks' i network on Friday afternoon (Sept. 15).
Disney's Oscar-winning animated feature, THE LITTLE MERMAID, makes its digital debut during a special limited engagement from Sept. 7-24 at Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre.
The engagement, which celebrates the upcoming Oct. 3 release of the special edition DVD from Walt Disney Home Ent., will spotlight an all-new digital restoration of the film with enhanced picture and sound. Plus, every show throughout the entire run will offer a live appearance by Ariel.
THE 58TH ANNUAL PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS show, hosted by Conan OBrien will broadcast live from Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006, (8:00-11:00 pm ET live/PT tape delayed) on NBC.
Karen Roberts joins PorchLight Ent. in the newly created post of svp, acquisitions to expand the company's library of family-friendly, live-action and animated programming. Roberts will be based in Los Angeles and report to Bruce Johnson, PorchLights ceo and William Baumann, coo. Roberts and her team will aggressively identify and pursue finished feature films that support PorchLights overall acquisition strategy add new projects to the companys development slate.
Autodesk Inc. launched new versions of its visual effects and editing systems: Autodesk Inferno 2007, Autodesk Flame 2007, Autodesk Flint 2007, Autodesk Fire 2007 and Autodesk Smoke 2007. Focusing on connectivity and productivity, these latest versions streamline workflow and provide artists with more time for creativity. The products, which have been used to create noteworthy content for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND and LADY IN THE WATER, will be showcased in Amsterdam at the International Broadcasters Convention (IBC), Autodesk stand 7-420, from Sept.
NVIDIA Corp. announced an array of NVIDIA Quadro FX graphics that are now available in the high-performance 64-bit Sun Ultra 40 workstations. Prominent in the film and broadcast, digital content creation, oil and gas, geosciences, mechanical computer-aided design (CAD) and medical imaging industries, Sun Ultra 40 workstations deliver record-setting performance in many industry benchmarks and offer ultra-fast processing for large, complex datasets.
STASH MAGAZINE has announced the winners of the 2006 Global Student Animation Awards. The three Category Winners and Best of 2006 were selected by an international panel of 16 judges from all parts of the animation, vfx and motion design industry.
The audience choice award is the result of more than 10,000 votes cast by online viewers of the 2006 semi-finalist films.
2006 Animation Winner & Best Of 2006 AwardHUMANS / Greg Gunn, Casey Hunt, Reza Rasoli / Otis College of Art & Design
2006 Motion Design Winner
This week Fred Galpern reviews Maya 8, the first release under the new ownership of Autodesk. In addition to offering a more streamlined toolset, Maya is more compatible with 3ds Max. For one thing, theres the addition of the integrated FBX format, allowing users to import and export data between Max and Maya. And now theres cross functionality in Maya with Autodesks Toxik too.
Square Enix Inc. announced today (Aug. 23, 2006) that FINAL FANTASY III for the Nintendo DS will ship to retailers on Nov. 14, 2006. Incorporating the latest in portable gaming technology. FINAL FANTASY III features graphics that have been reworked and remodeled in full 3D, providing a brand new experience while maintaining the mythical FINAL FANTASY look and feel.
Massive Ent., a studio in Vivendi Games Sierra Ent. division, is using modo for WORLD IN CONFLICT, the upcoming Cold War strategy game for the PC due in spring 2007. modos flexible user interface and powerful UV tools dramatically increased the Swedish developers production of detailed realistic models and was used to produce more than 90% of the titles in-game models.
Director Chris Wedge (ROBOTS and ICE AGE) is collaborating once again with childrens author/production designer William Joyce (ROBOTS) on an adaptation of Joyces illustrated book, THE LEAF MEN AND THE BRAVE GOOD BUGS, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Wedges New York-based Blue Sky Studios would produce the 3D-animated feature in conjunction with Twentieth Century Fox Animation.
LucasArts will partner with Free Radical Design to develop a new videogame for next-generation console platforms. Product and release details will be unveiled at a later date.
Free Radical has always been about titles with great gameplay and innovative design, said Peter Hirschmann, vp of product development at LucasArts. In the battle for videogame quality, these guys are at the front of the line. This teams pedigree is one of the best in the business.
USA Network has ordered 13 one-hour episodes of the Emmy-nominated series THE 4400. The series will return to USA Network in summer 2007 with production scheduled to begin in Vancouver in early 2007. THE 4400 is produced by CBS Paramount Network Television in Association with Sky Television, Renegade 83 and American Zoetrope for USA Network.
Twin brothers Michael and Mark Polish (TWIN FALLS IDAHO, NORTHFORK) have sold two projects to Warner Bros. Pictures, according to the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
The first film will be LOOT, a heist movie set in Middle America that follows a group of blue-collar workers who pull off jobs during tornado season. They will follow that film up with HOW TIME FLIES, a cause-and-effect look at a world where time travel becomes accessible to the common man.
Michael will direct the films, while both he and Mark will write and produce. Mark also plans to act in LOOT.
Rogue Pictures has bought the feature rights to Chris Kirby's comicbook series LOST SQUAD, VARIETY reports. Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter have been attached to produce.
Illustrated by Alan Robinson, the comic tells the tale of a ragtag unit of Allied soldiers who fight Hitler's occult agents and other supernatural threats during WWII.
Devil's Due Publishing has published five issues since its debut last fall. Devil's Due publisher Josh Blaylock will co-produce the film project.
Relaxing in the stylish and comfortable client lounge at Pacific Soundwaves new post sound facility, it is evident how this veteran company has been able to cultivate its cool in a furiously hot industry. Their innovative 12,000 sq. ft studio embodies the critical ingredients needed to avoid the pitfalls of large-scale expansion; talented and experienced mixers, bleeding edge technology and unrivaled carte blanch client service.
Digital 04 studios presents, ADAPT 2006, a conference promoting the advancement of digital art. Seminars and demonstrations will create an educational environment for participants wishing to learn and be inspired from those who have worked on the biggest films and videogames of our time. For two days, on Sept. 23-24, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Montreal the digital world will come together under one roof.
