AWN Headline News

During a panel at Charlottes Heroes Convention, BABYLON 5 creator and comicbook writer J. Michael Straczynski slipped the news that David Goyer (BLADE, BATMAN BEGINS) is writing a treatment for a screen adaptation of THOR, reports EMPIRE. Its unknown whether Goyer will be rewriting the draft from Mark Protosevich (POSEIDON) or starting from scratch.

In the world of sports gaming, Electronic Arts has released the first 3D sports strategy game, NFL HEAD COACH, announced that Tracy McGrady will be the new face of NBA LIVE 07 and reveals the 35 songs that will be featured in MADDEN NFL 07.

NFL HEAD COACH¸ a new franchise from the EA SPORTS brand is now in stores and challenges gamers to manage every aspect of a professional football team and build their franchise from the ground up into a perennial powerhouse.

Encounters 12th International Short Film FestivalBristol, U.K. November 21-26, 2006 Deadline: September 4, 2006

For an event that began as a one-off celebration to mark the centenary of cinema, Encounters is now in its 12th year.

More than 1,400 films from 64 countries representing six continents have been entered. Amidst this expansive display of internationalism theres also a strong presence of local talent with more than 100 new films from the south west contending for selection this year.

The Walt Disney Co. has amended its compensation policy for non-employee directors after Apple Computer Inc. ceo Steve Jobs requested not to be paid for serving on Disney's board, according to several news reports.

Jobs, previously Pixar Animation Studio's chairman/ceo, joined the board after Disney purchased Pixar in May for $7.4 billion in stock. Jobs receives $1 a year for his role as Apple Computer's ceo.

The Walt Disney Co. has launched the "Disney College Program" for 2006, reports MickeyNews.com. The program offers college students the opportunity from any academic discipline to experience working for Disney in a wide variety of roles available in the company. The program gives students a chance to work in a corporate environment, where students perform their tasks in one of the four theme parks, two water parks, resorts in dining, retail or entertainment. Students will have the opportunity to interact with the guests and develop a solid foundation working with people.

On July 4, 2006, ADV Films will release four new titles, including the launch of THIS UGLY YET BEAUTIFUL WORLD, the third volume of UFO ULTRAMAIDEN VALKYRIE, and a new thin-pack collections of GANTZ SEASON 2 and CYBERTEAM IN AKIHABARA. Additionally, other recent releases include: SHADOW SKILL: TIMOR MORS MORTIS, GATCHAMAN and SISTER PRINCESS COMPLETE COLLECTION.

THIS UGLY YET BEAUTIFUL WORLD: FALLING STAR, first volume in the new anime series from Studio Gainax (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, FLCL), makes its North American premiere.

This week in AWN's Forums, a potential student has some questions and concerns about online animation schools. Others are still abuzz about 2D animation returning to Disney. There are also several posts asking for help in using Flash. More members post their frustrating work experience in a thread titled The definition of frustration. Another member wants to know if its worth attending the Ottawa Festival. A junior member shows off his daunting effort animating in a foreign language.