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AWN Headline News

Studios Headline News

Maya Master Scot Brew Joins PipelineFX

PipelineFX, makers of Qube!, a leading render farm management system for film production and game development, has hired Scot Brew, former technical art director for LucasArts, as senior pipeline consultant. Brew will assist with film and game studios on pipeline workflow and tools issues and the deployment of Qube! for render farm management and distributed game build functions. Brew will also lead product development and user interface design for Qubic, the GUI by which artists submit jobs into Qube!.

Studio Headline News

FrameFree Studio Offers Digital Imaging From Stills

FrameFree Technologies has launched FrameFree Studio, the first digital imaging software that allows for the creation of compelling movies from still photographs without a steep learning curve or compromising quality at any bandwidth. FrameFree Studio is available in four different versions: FrameFree Studio HD, FrameFree Studio SD, FrameFree Studio Pro and FrameFree Studio Express, all of which are available now from the companys website.

Grading Headline News

Autodesk Introduces New HD Color Grading System

Autodesk Inc. launched Autodesk Lustre HD, a new digital color grading system designed for working on high-definition television (HDTV) commercials and programming, as well as HDTV film projects. Lustre HD is the latest addition to the Autodesk Lustre family of nonlinear digital color grading products, which have been used to grade Academy Award-winning films such as THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and KING KONG.

Awards Headline News

Architectural 3D Awards Deadline Soon!

2006 Architectural 3D Awards Competition Boston, Massachusetts, USAAugust 4, 2006Deadline: June 23, 2006

Following up on last year's huge success, CGarchitect.com is hosting the 3rd annual Architectural 3D Awards to be awarded at this year's VisMasters Design Visualization Conference. The Awards Competition is open to everyone in the Architectural Visualization industry to highlight the best imagery and animations done in 2005/2006.

Imax Headline News

Going Deeper Inside Superman Returns in IMAX 3-D

Last year at Comic-Con, director Bryan Singer said he was open to the notion of converting SUPERMAN RETURNS to IMAX 3-D, but wouldve preferred shooting it in true 3-D with multiple cameras. However, after seeing a test of the trailer this year by IMAX, Singer became a quick convert. Although there wasnt sufficient time to convert the entire live-action feature, IMAX has still managed to convert 20 minutes using a proprietary 2-D to 3-D system, which includes technology licensed from Three-Dimensional Media Group Ltd. and invented by David M. Geshwind.

Headline News

Intel, Activision & Machinima.com Team on New Contest!

Make Your Movie in Hollywood Contest World Wide Web August 10, 2006 Deadline: July 26, 2006

This summer, two talented people will win the opportunity to make their short movies in Hollywood. The winning duo will each use THE MOVIES PC game and THE MOVIES STUNTS & EFFECTS expansion pack to fulfill their movie-making dreams. They won't be locked in a studiothey'll be writing, recording and editing their movie in all the hot Hollywood spots, because creativity has no restrictions when combined with Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology.

Headline News

Pez Goes CG

Orange, Connecticut-based Pez Candy Inc. is branching out to less proven characters in a line of candy dispensers based on ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN, OVER THE HEDGE and CARS, reports VARIETY. The strategy is to produce a limited number and allow the popular of the films increase the value to collectors.

"We're doing a lot more licenses, and people seem to like it," says Peter Vandall, vp of sales and marketing for Pez. "We're putting out an event almost every other month."

Mickey Mouse was the first licensed character.

Festival Headline News

First Time Filmmakers Flock to Asian Festival of 1st Films

Asian Festival of 1st FilmsSingapore, SingaporeNovember 30 December 7, 2006 Deadline: August 31, 2006

Asian Festival of 1st Films is an annual film and documentary festival to celebrate excellence for first-time producers, directors, cinematographers, writers, actors and documentary makers from the Asian Diaspora. For more information, visit asianfirstfilms.com.

Animation Headline News

Handelsman Skewers Ann Coulter in Editorial Animation

Walt Handelsman has created a new editorial animation skewering recent comments made by right-wing pundit Ann Coulter about a group of 9/11 widows enjoying their husbands deaths.

In the animation, Coulter sings new lyrics to "My Favorite Things," including "I write evil stuff ... for the money it brings."

Television Headline News

DISCOP 2006 To Open With Record Numbers In All Categories

DISCOP 06, the only television content & formats market strictly targeted at central & eastern European marketplaces, will open to record numbers in all categories this week, it was announced by Patrick Jucaud, gm, DISCOP; and Rick Feldman, president/ceo, National Assoc. of Television Program Executives (NATPE), DISCOPs joint partner.

Now in its 15th year, the market will open in Budapest on June 22 at noon in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution.

Documentary Headline News

SILVERDOCS Gives Mention to McLaren Doc

SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival announced its award winners, culminating the weeklong festival activities that included screening 100 films from 22 countries, free outdoor screenings and live performances, and a four-day concurrent International Documentary Conference attended by more than 500 filmmakers, film and television execs and media professionals exploring The Future of Real. Winning filmmakers received more than $42,000 in cash, goods and in-kind services.

Comics Headline News

Alex Toth Dies at 77

Comicbook and animation maverick Alex Toth died May 27 at his drawing table at home in Burbank, reported THE L.A. TIMES. He was 77.

"For 50 years he did what he wanted to do smoke cigarettes, sit on the couch and draw," his daughter Dana Palmer said. "But in his final year there was such a great spirit in him, and he had made peace with everybody on Earth that he needed to make peace with."

Toth is best known for his character designs for such Hanna-Barbera productions as SUPERFRIENDS, SPACE GHOST and HERCULOIDS.

Headline News

Aardman Founders Become Commanders of the British Empire

As part of the Queens 80th birthday celebration, Aardman Animations founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton have been made Commanders of the British Empire, or CBEs.

Commander of the British Empire is the third ranking title of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire the British order of chivalry established on June 4, 1917, by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions. Commander class does not accord the recipient the title of sir or dame.

Studios Headline News

Apple Wants to Bite into Feature Film Downloads

After conquering the digital music business, Apple is now in talks with the movie studios to make feature films available through its iTunes Music Store, reports various news outlets.

However, the main issue is price. Apple ceo Steve Jobs, who is personally involved in the talks, proposed selling all films at a flat price of $9.99, which the studios flatly rejected.

Netflix Headline News

Netflix Plans To Enter Digital Download Biz

Speaking at an Independent Film & Television Alliance production conference in Beverly Hills, Netflix vp of original programming Eric Besner said on Friday his company plans to launch a proprietary set-top box with an Internet connection that can download movies overnight.

Besner said the business model is still being worked out, but the download service would work much like the monthly subscription fee for its conventional DVD rentals. Service could launch as early as this year.

Pack Headline News

Digital Anarchy Offers Knoll Spark Pack 3.0

Digital Anarchy, a leading provider of cost-effective vfx software for Adobe, Apple and Autodesk products, announced version 3.0 of the acclaimed Knoll Spark Pack. The new features in this package gives increased control over the look of hundreds of lighting effects, and furthers the creative abilities of broadcast designers and visual effects artists to deliver innovative effects in 2D composites.

Headline News

modo 201 Signature Courseware Available from 3DGarage.com

Luxology Llc. announced the immediate availability of modo 201 Signature Courseware from 3DGarage.com. Taught by leading 3D animator and author, Dan Ablan, the modo 201 Signature Courseware complements existing modo educational materials to further streamline learning path for the many CG artists moving to capitalize on modos powerful feature set and productivity advantages.

Headline News

It's Time To Get Involved With AWN's Upcoming SIGGRAPH Newsletter!

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

SIGGRAPH NewsletterJuly 18July 25

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.

Turbo Headline News

Lifemode Interactive to Distribute Turbo Squid

Lifemode Interactive, creators of LifeStudio:Head facial animation and lip-synch technology, have signed a major distribution deal with Turbo Squid, a leading distributor of digital products and home of the world's largest collection of royalty free 3D assets.

Now all game designers, 3D artists and animators will be able to find Lifemodes products at www.turbosquid.com. LifeStudio:Head 2.7 is available in three versions: Editor Package, Artist Package and a full Pro Package, which now includes both 3ds Max and Maya plug-ins.

Animation Headline News

Get the Latest Animation World Magazine Acrobat Today!

The latest Animation World Magazine Acrobat edition is now online and free for a limited time. This edition covers the ever-expanding world of gaming. Joe Strike uncovers the voice over actors finding lucrative work in the videogame industry. Janet Hetherington takes a look at how videogame art is jumping off the screen and into the gallery. Christopher Harz looks into the field of educational videogames, moving games from the home into the classroom and office.

Digital Headline News

Cars Still Tops at Box Office

Disney/Pixars CARS had plenty in the tank to outpace the competition in its second weekend at the box office. For the period ended June 18, CARS grabbed $33.7M, down 44%, for a cume of $117M. Following in the second through fourth spots were newcomers NACHO LIBRE, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT and THE LAKE HOUSE.

Autodesk Headline News

Autodesk Technology Used for 2006 FIFA World Cup

Autodesk Inc. announced that its technology was used to create high-definition television (HDTV) content for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Autodesk solutions provide digital artists with the creative tools and processing power necessary to quickly and efficiently produce content containing the level of detail required for HDTV programming. Post-production facilities that relied on Autodesk technology include: Deep Blue Sea, Locomotion, METAphrenie, Method Studios and The Mill.

Home Headline News

Venture Bros. Season One Ventures to DVD

Adult Swims first season of THE VENTURE BROS., a spoof of JONNY QUEST, from Noodlesoup Prods., is currently available on DVD (Warner Home Video, $29.98). All 13 episodes from Cartoon Network plus the pilot and Christmas are contained in this two-disc collectors edition featuring the adventures of dim-witted twins, Hank and Dean, who tag along with their scientist father and unsuccessfully try to combat oddball villains. The series offers the voice work of Patrick Warburton, who plays Brock Sampson, the family bodyguard.

Other extras include:

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