Animex 2007 Calls for Student Work
Animex International Festival of Animation & Computer Games 2007Middlesbrough, U.K. February 5 9, 2007Deadline: October 1, 2006
AWN Headline News
Tenerife Fest Wants Your Shorts
Tenerife International Film Festival 2007Santa Cruz, Tenerife, Spain April 21-28, 2007Deadline: November 30, 2006
SIGGRAPH 2006 Offers Latest Computer Graphics, Interactive Techniques
The SIGGRAPH 2006 Papers Program features the latest achievements in the worlds most prestigious presentation of the years best research innovations in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Of 474 international submissions, 86 Papers were accepted for SIGGRAPH 2006 taking place July 30-Aug. 3 in Boston. The SIGGRAPH 2006 Papers Program opens July 31 at 8:30 am and closes Aug. 3 at 5:30 pm.
In Anime, Event, Anime, Event | Headline News | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe, North America, South America
Sony Pictures Imageworks Awards $50,000 in IPAX Grants
Sony Pictures Imageworks president Tim Sarnoff announced the presentation of scholarships to six students currently enrolled at academic institutions affiliated with the Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence (IPAX) program.
The Meltdown & Last Stand Help Fox Cross $1 Billion Overseas
Twentieth Century Fox became the first Hollywood studio this year to hit the $1 billion mark at the overseas box office, thanks to Blue Skys animated ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN ($441M) and X-MEN: THE LAST STAND ($160.6M), according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
2006 marks the second consecutive year that Fox has led the pack in the race to break the billion-dollar threshold. But last year it took Fox International about three weeks longer, bolstered by STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH and KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Black Hole Latest Installment In SCI FI Movies
BLACK HOLE is the latest installment in the current season of SC FI Movies. It premiered June 10, 2006, and encores on June 15 at 9:00 pm on the SCI FI Channel.
When a St. Louis based particle accelerator malfunctions, an ever-expanding and unstoppable black hole forms. Out of the hole comes a vicious "energy creature" that begins destroying everything in its path. It stars Kristy Swanson, Judd Nelson and Julia Sinks.
Dario Piana to Helm Deaths of Ian
Commercial director Dario Piana will make his feature directorial debut with THE DEATHS OF IAN, according to the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Stan Winston Prods is producing the independent horror film, written by Brendan Hood, produced by Stan Winston and Brian Gilbert. The flick tells the story of an all-American guy who is murdered each day by horrifying pursuers, only to wake up in slightly different lives to experience the terror of being murdered again.
Edell New DIC Ent. President/COO, Replacing Brooks
Jeffrey Edell has been appointed president/coo of DIC Ent., replacing Brad Brooks, who returns to investment banking with a position he accepted at Imperial Capital. Brooks was asked to continue as a consultant to DICs senior management in finance and strategy assessment. Edell will manage DICs operating units worldwide, including consumer products, television and home entertainment. The companys creative division will continue to report directly to Andy Heyward, DIC chairman/ceo.
Legend of Buddha All Set For Cartoon Network Premiere
Cartoon Network in India is set to airing locally produced features, SON OF ALLADIN and THE LEGEND OF BUDDHA, according to THE HINDU.
Kicking off this programming was the 3D animated, SON OF ALLADIN. This cartoon sees Mustafa, Prince of Basra Alladin's son get the better of the evil Zee Zee Ba, meet the woman of his dreams and rescue his long lost parents.
Scott Grogin Promoted To Fox Broadcasting Corp. Communications SVP
Veteran FOX spokesperson Scott Grogin has been promoted to svp, corporate communications for the Fox Broadcasting Co., responsible for developing and executing business and tactical communications strategies on behalf of the network as well as serving as primary liaison to the daily trade, financial and business media.
DIC Ent. Acquires Leading European Licensing Agency
DIC Ent. (DIC) has acquired the privately-owned, pan-European licensing agency, Copyright Promotions (CPLG), which significantly expands DIC's place in the European licensing arena.
French & Saunders Cast In LAIKA's Stop-Motion Animated Movie Coraline
LAIKA Ent. has struck a deal with the celebrated British comedy duo of Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders to join Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher in its first animated feature film, CORALINE. The stop-motion animated movie, being directed/adapted by Henry Selick, is being distributed worldwide by Focus Features.
Selick is adapting the stop-motion flick with CG effects from Neil Gaimans international best-selling book, CORALINE. LAIKA Ent.s director of story Mike Cachuela is co-director of the feature.
Blackmagic Has New 5.6 Software Support for Fusion 5
Blackmagic Design announced the immediate availability of Version 5.6 software for all Multibridge and DeckLink products. This release includes new support for Eyeon Fusion 5, support for 720p/50 on DeckLink high definition cards, new HDV playback support in Premiere Pro 2.0 on Windows XP and XP x64 systems.
In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia
Cars Races to Victory
Disney/Pixars CARS didnt break any records (earning less than its last three predecessors.), but still managed a respectable bow of $60.1M to lead the box office pack for the weekend ended June 11, 2006. Its the sixth best opening for an animated feature and fourth best overall for Pixar.
Early Adopter Program Offered for Antics V2
Antics is offering an extensive pre-shipping Early Adopter Program (EAP) to customers showing an interest in Antics Version 2. This will include services such as free support, and up to 75% discount on launch price making this a hugely attractive opportunity. Antics is fast, easy to use pre-vis software designed for creative professionals and does not require any previous 3D animation experience.
In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe
Underworld: Evolution Rages on DVD
UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION continues the war between vampires and werewolves in director Len Wisemans sequel starring wife Kate Beckinsale. This widescreen special edition DVD (Sony Pictures Home Ent., $28.95) was released June 6, 2006. As reported on VFXWORLD by Alain Bielik, Luma Pictures raised the vfx bar this time out, resulting in a pipeline shift and greater reliance on ZBrush for modeling. Luma vfx supervisor/co-founder Payam Shohadai participates in the commentary.
Bonus features include:
In Home Entertainment, Visual Effects, Home Entertainment, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All
This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for June 12, 2006
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's
In Headline News | Geographic Region: All
AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for June 12, 2006
This week in AWN's Forums, members are debating art vs. animation schools and hand drawn vs. computer animation. Others are discussing the state of animation in India. Theres a thread discussing how Pixar does it. Moderator Larry L chimes in with his thought on life after SCAD. Another thread answers some questions about character animation using Flash. Another members vents about some optioning troubles. As well as, tools for teaching animation, the business of animation and, as always, brand new stuff to check out in show and tell!
Lionsgate To Take Happily N'ever After To Big Screen Ball
Lionsgate announced its acquisition of U.S. and Canadian rights to the computer-animated family comedy HAPPILY NEVER AFTER is directed by Paul J. Bolger and written by Robert Moreland. The film was produced by John H. Williams (Oscar-winning SHREK), BAF Berlin Animation Film and BFC Berliner Film Companie, co-exec produced by Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill of Odyssey Ent., and exec produced by Rainer Soehnlein, ceo of BFC Berliner Film Companie. It stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver, Freddie Prinze Jr., George Carlin, Wallace Shawn and Andy Dick.
Paramount, Nick Buzzing About Mayfly
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies have optioned the CG family pitch MAYFLY from writing team Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick (THE SANTA CLAUSE, SPACE JAM), reports VARIETY.
With mayflies sometimes only living a matter of days, a young bug accidentally oversleeps and must live for the moment with the help of his tortoise friend, who could live to be 100 years old.
Nick Movies exec Julia Pistor will produce.
Khan Kluay Hopes to Ignite Thai Animation Industry
With the successful mid-May release of the animated film, KHAN KLUAY, producer hope the films success with set the scene for more animated movies, reports THE CHINA POST.
Produced by Auchara Kijkanjanas, the film chronicles the life of blue elephant Khan Kluay (Banana Stalk) from his young days until he grows into the war elephant that led Siam's King Naresuan to victory over the Burmese in 1593.
Renaissance Surprise Feature Winner at Annecy 2006
The coveted short film grand prize at the 30th International Festival of Animated Film at Annecy went to TRAGIC STORY HAPPY ENDING by Regina Pessoa for France while the black-and-white French film, RENAISSANCE, won the Cristal for Best Feature. The awards were presented at the closing ceremony held on Saturday, June 10, 2006 in Annecy, France.
In Awards, Awards | Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America
VES Call For Submissions: First Annual International Showcase
For the first time, the Visual Effects Society's Festival of Visual Effects will include an ongoing showcase that will highlight examples of the best visual effects work being done by international artists. This year's Festival, the eighth annual, will be held July 6-8, at the famed Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Annecy Plays Pleasantly Along While MIFA Market Abuzz With New Shows
There were many films submitted to the latest Annecy animation festival, now running June 5-10, 2006, along with the MIFA market (June 7-9), in Annecy, France, and loads of screenings but many festival goers are in search of a film that really wows them. The films have been described as abstract, too long, lacking story with only a few, so far, gaining any note, and even those are not generally agreed upon.
Face Robot 1.0 Now Available
SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT v.1.0 is now available. It is the first production toolset for lifelike face animation. By solving faces for animation and reducing preparation time, Face Robot allows animators to concentrate on sculpting the details of every expression for unforgettable performances.
