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AWN Headline News

Headline News

DreamWorks Animation Gets Ready to Rock with Punk Farm

DreamWorks Animation (DWA) announced that they have just acquired the rights to develop and produce the computer-animated feature PUNK FARM, inspired by Jarrett J. Krosoczkas popular childrens book of the same name. The story was developed by producer Kevin Messick and writer Jim Hecht, the latter of whom most recently co-wrote the animated hit ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN.

Cartoon Headline News

Naito Named VP of Long-Form Development at Cartoon Network

Ramsey A. Naito has been named vp of long-form development for Cartoon Network. In this newly created position, Naito will be responsible for finding, developing and producing long-form properties for the network. Sourcing from Cartoon Networks original assets as well as outside creator-driven publishing, comic and film resources, Naitos mission will be to shepherd event projects embodying the networks smart, funny and fearless sensibility for both on-air and DVD release.

Headline News

Superboy Ruling Throws Smallville Rights Into Limbo

A federal judge in Los Angeles has ruled that the WB's SMALLVILLE may be infringing on the copyrights held on the Superboy character by the widow and daughter of Jerome Siegel, creator of the comicbook series, reports VARIETY. The March 23 summary judgment by Judge Ronald S.W. Lew also found that Joanne Siegel and Laura Siegel Larson had successfully recaptured the Superboy rights as of Nov. 17, 2004.

Headline News

Eisner Nominations Released

The Eisner Award nominations were released with Chris Ware and Warren Ellis topping the nominees with seven and six nominations, respectively. DC had 28 nominations for its various imprints; Image was second with ten; Drawn and Quarterly had nine, and Pantheon had eight. Winners will be announced at the San Diego Comic-Con.

The full list of nominees follows.

Best Short Story* BLOOD SON, by Richard Matheson, adapted by Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood, in Doomed #1 (IDW)* MONSTER SLAYERS, by Khang Le, in Flight, vol. 2 (Image)

Awards Headline News

South Park & Battlestar Galactica Win Peabody Awards

The winners of the 65th Annual Peabody Awards were announced by the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The winners, chosen by the Peabody board as the best in electronic media for 2005, were named in a ceremony in the Peabody Gallery on the University of Georgia Campus.

The awards were presented June 5, 2006, at a luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Jon Stewart, anchor of Comedy Central`s two-time Peabody Award winner, THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, was the master of ceremonies.

Autodesk Headline News

Autodesk Announces Toxik 2007

Autodesk Inc. launched Autodesk Toxik 2007, the latest version of its collaborative digital compositing software for feature film production. Autodesk Toxik 2007 will be showcased at the NAB tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 24-27, 2006, at Autodesk Booth #SL3719.

Pitch Headline News

Elf Scribe Pens Sci-Fi Zoo

Universal has caged the rights to the sci-fi comedy pitch ZOO from ELF scribe David Berenbaum, reports VARIETY. Berenbaum developed the pitch from a treatment by Ehren Kruger, who will produce with Daniel Bobker through their Bobker/Kruger company.

The plot is being kept on the down low.

Berenbaums other writing credits include an adaptation of kids' fantasy series THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, Revolution's upcoming ZOOM'S ACADEMY and Disney's THE HAUNTED MANSION.

Entertainment Headline News

Former MGM Vice Chairman Joins IDT Ent.

IDT Ent. announced the appointment of Chris McGurk to the newly created post of senior advisor, new ventures. McGurks longtime career in the entertainment industry includes stints atop MGM, Universal Pictures and the Walt Disney Co. Motion Picture Group. In his new position, McGurk will focus his industry experience on leveraging IDTs assets to build a new live-action theatrical production and distribution arm. He will report to IDT Ent.

Company Headline News

Simon Flamank Named CEO of TV Loonland AG

The supervisory Board of TV Loonland AG announced the appointment of Simon Flamank as the new ceo of TV Loonland. Flamanks appointment follows the departure of former ceo Selma Kappel, who leaves the company following a disagreement with the supervisory board about the future development of the company.

Kids Headline News

PBS KIDS GO! Channel to Launch October 2006

PBS announced the planned launch of a new 24-hour digital broadcast channel for early elementary school-age children, called the PBS KIDS GO! Channel, in October 2006. The new channel, which follows the success of the PBS KIDS GO! afternoon programming block on PBS member stations, will be entirely devoted to early elementary school kids.

Films Headline News

BroadRelay & Films By Jove Ink Deal to Broadcast Russian Animation Online

BroadRelay Inc. announced that it has signed a one-year deal with Films By Jove (FBJ) to broadcast FBJ's Russian animation online. The animated series will be added to BroadRelay's existing slate of online programming under the SIVOO brand name (www.SIVOO.com).

Series Headline News

BBC To Air BRB’s 3D Series Bernard

During MIP-TV this week in Cannes, production company BRB Internacional has just closed the sale of its first CG series, BERNARD, to the BBC, which is likely to broadcast the series in 2007. Consisting of 52 episodes in the sketch genre, this series, co-produced by BRB, its creative studio Screen 21, EBS, M6 and RG, is entirely in High-Definition.

Headline News

Cookie Jar Nets Spider Riders

Cookie Jar Ent. enters the boys action arena with the launch of the 52 half-hour action-adventure series SPIDER RIDERS, a co-production between Cookie Jar Ent. and leading Japanese advertising agency, Yomiko. SPIDER RIDERS has made its debut at MIP-TV. Cookie Jar heads into the market with the companys first sale to TELETOON, Canadas all-animation channel, which will debut the series using an interesting mix of a movie premiere and weekly timeslots culminating in a daily strip show starting June 2006. animation is being produce by Japans Bee Train.

Game Headline News

The Wild Ventures onto Game Boy Advanced

Buena Vista Games Inc. announced Walt Disney Pictures Presents THE WILD for the Game Boy Advance is now available at retail outlets across North America. A videogame adventure that will test kids' animal instincts, THE WILD is inspired by the upcoming animated feature film of the same name from Walt Disney Pictures, which hits theaters on April 14, 2006. The game features Samson the Lion and Benny the squirrel, who must leave their pampered lives and set out on an adventure to save Samson's son, Ryan, who accidentally gets shipped from the New York City Zoo to the wild.

Headline News

Nelvana Goes Worldwide With Wayside & Nickelodeon

At MIP-TV 2006, Nelvana announced that Nickelodeon International (MTV Networks BV) has picked up 26x30 of the 2D-animated comedy WAYSIDE SCHOOL for broadcast in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, Benelux, Israel, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia.

With its penchant for the irreverent, Nickelodeon is the ideal global partner on a cable basis for this madcap series from the creative and comedic mind of Louis Sachar, said Scott Dyer, evp of production and development, Nelvana.

Series Headline News

Toopy and Binoo Invade MIP-TV

Prix Jeunesse 2006 finalist TOOPY AND BINOO is invading MIP-TV. An original production from Canadas preschool broadcaster Treehouse, TOOPY AND BINOO is produced by Spectra Animation and distributed by Spectra International Distribution. The series has been airing for several months in both English and French.

Headline News

Taffy Ent. Signs Licensing Deal for SamSam

Taffy Ent. has signed a major licensing deal with Spin Master for debut show SAMSAM.

Launching at MIP-TV and represented by Taffy Ent., SAMSAM is a new comicbook based 3D animated television property produced by Bayard Jeunesse Animation in HD with a first season of 52x7. Toronto-based Spin Master Ltd. has been granted the master toy license for the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Spin Master will initially focus on figures, plush, role-play and activity toy categories as well as a range of its trademark Marshmallow foam furniture.

Effects Headline News

GenArts Releases Sapphire Plug-Ins Version 2 for Avid

GenArts Inc. announced the immediate availability of Sapphire Plug-ins version 2 for Avid editing systems. With 46 new effects and a wide array of new features, Sapphire 2 delivers the next evolution of industry-standard visual effects for Avid users. This release includes a variety of enhancements for users, such as single click application of effects to a title or key, background and mask inputs, 2D moves built into the plug-ins and a versatile new FilmDamage effect.

Headline News

Apple Launches Boot Camp

Apple introduced Boot Camp, public beta software that enables Intel-based Macs to run Windows XP. Available as a download beginning April 5, Boot Camp allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac, and once installation is complete, users can restart their computer to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP. The final version of Boot Camp will be a feature in "Leopard," Apple's next major release of Mac OS X, version 10.5, which will be previewed at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in August.

Digital Headline News

NAB2006 Digital Cinema Summit Schedule Announced

The Digital Cinema Summit, which takes place April 22 and 23 in Las Vegas as part of the NAB conference series, announced its two-day schedule.

Day 1 Program:

Produced by SMPTE, the April 22 program centers on digital cinema mastering, distribution and exhibition including d-cinema package creation, 2K and 4K projection technologies, the visual/psychological impact of 3D installation, and the progress of digital cinema installations in theatres worldwide.

* New Projector Technology8:40 am 10:15 am

Animation Headline News

One Rat Short, 458nm Take Top SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Fest Honors

The SIGGRAPH 2006 Computer Animation Festival has bestowed its Best of Show Award to ONE RAT SHORT, directed by Alex Weil of New York-based Charlex, while Special Jury Honors went to 458NM, directed by Jan Bitzer, Ilija Brunck and Tom Weber of Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in Germany.

SIGGRAPH 2006, the 33rd International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, will be held July 30 through Aug. 3 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Headline News

NYIT Students Enter the "Madness" With NCAA's Centennial Logo

It has been March madness in the classroom for 12 graduate students enrolled in New York Institute of Technology's (NYIT) Master of Arts computer graphics program. Students worked long days and late nights even giving up much of their spring break to complete a new, full-screen animation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Centennial logo.

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