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AWN Headline News

Studio Headline News

Norway's First CG Feature To Hit Theaters in April

Produced by Storm Studio, SLIPP JIMMY FRI (FREE JIMMY), Norway's first CG animated feature, is set to premiere in Norway on April 21, 2006. Written and directed by underground cartoonist Christopher Nielsen, the films $16 million budget also makes it the country's most expensive film production to date.

British actor/comedian Simon Pegg (SHAUN OF THE DEAD) wrote the English screenplay and the English-versions voice cast features Woody Harrelson, Kyle MacLachlan, Samantha Morton, Simon Pegg and Jim Broadbent.

Effects Headline News

War of the Worlds Artists Share Secrets with Master Storytellers

As part of Hollywoods Master Storytellers series, three of the visual effects artist behind the Oscar-nominated work on WAR OF THE WORLDS shared some the films secrets. On Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at Manns Chinese Theatres Complex at Hollywood & Highland, f/x legend Dennis Muren, visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman and animation supervisor Randal M. Dutra answered questions about their work on Steven Spielbergs blockbuster alien invasion adventure.

Post Headline News

Lori Joseph Named Producer At Spy Post

Lori Joseph joins San Franciscobased post-production company, Spy Post, as producer, working closely with svp/exec producer Anastacia Maggioncalda to produce for the telecine, visual effects and finishing departments.

"As we continue to grow our business, it is important to provide our clients with the level of production support needed to meet their expectations," said Eric Hanson, Spy Post ceo. "Lori has a proven track record as a producer in a variety of mediums and brings great focus, energy and professionalism to our team."

Animation Headline News

Seneca College Takes Animation Expertise To India

Indias Whistling Woods International, promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd. and Film City, and Seneca College have signed an agreement to create a Seneca-run diploma specializing in the art and technique of animation film making.

In addition to the new animation diploma program at Whistling Woods, Seneca will train Whistling Woods' faculty to provide high caliber education in animation.

Digital Headline News

Japanese Production Houses to Aid Chinese Animation School

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

Sorun Corp., a Japanese company that consults on information systems, and Digital Hollywood, a Japanese digital creation school, have announced they will be investing in a new digital media school set up at Nankai University in the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin, reports Yahoo.com.

The Tianjin Sorun Digital Media school will open this fall with capital of 210 million yen (1.8 million dollars). Sorun Corp. will invest 81% of the capital, with Digital Hollywood and Nankai University supplying 9.5% each.

Disney Headline News

Bambi II To Hit Moratorium 70 Days After Release

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

In its first week of availability, Walt Disney Pictures' BAMBI II sold more than 2.6 million units on DVD in North America. In tribute to the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney's inception of his animated classic, BAMBI, Walt Disney Home Ent. will place BAMBI II under moratorium just 70 days after its street date.

Film Headline News

Curious George Soundtrack Tops Billboard 200

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

The film may have only debuted at #3, but Jack Johnson and Friends' "Curious George: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film" CD premiered at #1 on the Billboard 200, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

Johnson's companion to the 2D animated film held first-week sales of 163,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan figures for the week ending Feb. 12. The soundtrack is the first to reach #1 since the BAD BOYS II soundtrack opened at the top in 2003.

Headline News

SNL Actress Scouts Nick Toon Pilot

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

SNL regular Amy Poehler has landed an animated pilot at Nickelodeon titled, SUPER SCOUT, VARIETY reports.

The show follows Bessie Higgenbottom, an optimistic Honeybee scout obsessed with collecting badges and fulfilling her superhero fantasies while her single, bar singer mom whisks her, her little brother and an eccentric group of friends on adventures around San Francisco.

Headline News

SpongeBob Creative Director Diggs Nick Deal

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

Former SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS creative director Derek Drymon has inked a series pilot deal with Nickelodeon for the toon, DIGGS TAILWAGGER, reports VARIETY. The outer-space idea centers on a low-ranking pooch trying to raise the ranks aboard the Galactic Rover.

Marjorie Cohn, evp of development and original programming, said, Diggs is this irresistible Chris Farley-like character clumsy but well-meaning that gets into these hysterical predicaments."

Film Headline News

Nancy Drew Feature Goes Before Cameras

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

Production has begun in Los Angeles on the family mystery adventure, NANCY DREW, starring Emma Roberts (Nickelodeon's UNFABULOUS), Josh Flitter (THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED), Max Thieriot (THE PACIFIER) and Tate Donovan (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.).

Headline News

Paul McGuire to Head The CW Communications

Paul McGuire is the new svp, communications, The CW, the new fifth broadcast television network, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Ent. and CBS Corp. scheduled to launch in fall 2006. Dawn Ostroff, who is slated to become The CW's president of entertainment, made the announcement.

Film Headline News

Animated Oscar-Nominated Shorts to Play in Select Theaters

Magnolia Pictures and Shorts International have partnered to bring the Academy Award-nominated live-action and animated short films to select U.S. theaters before the Oscar broadcast on March 5, 2006. The films will later be available through HDNet and Magnolia's new Home Entertainment division, as well as across other platforms that include ShortsTV on mobile phones.

Trailer Headline News

Test Your Stuff at the Movie Trailer Showdown

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

Movie Trailer Showdown CompetitionLondon, U.K.June 14, 2006Deadline: May 1, 2006

Frozen Moon Prods. Ltd. is hosting the Movie Trailer Showdown Competition. As an individual, team or company, the contest challenges entrants to make a film trailer no longer than 1.5 minutes.

Films Headline News

Animadrid Issues Call for Entries

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

Animadrid 2006Madrid, Spain September 29 October 6, 2006Deadline: June 25, 2006

The 6th edition of Animadrid was organized with the purpose of fostering the film and audiovisual arts by promoting independent animation productions and providing an assembly point for artists and audiences in the international community. ANIMADRID 2006 will hold its regular four competitive sections:

* Official competitive section of international feature films. Films of more of 45 minutes of running time, produced after the 1st of January 2005.

Game Headline News

Doogal Movie Gets Matchmaker Game Promotion

The Weinstein Co. has partnered with FamilyMediaGuide.com to develop the MEET DOOGAL AND FRIENDS MATCHING GAME, an interactive online game and sweepstakes, based on the animated movie, DOOGAL, opening in theaters in the U.S. on Feb. 24, 2006.

Originally released in Europe as SPRUNG: THE MAGIC-ROUNDABOUT, The Weinstein Co. (enjoying box office success with the animated flick HOODWINKED) picked up the picture and had it re-cut it, recorded new voices and renamed it DOOGAL, with U.S. direction by Butch Hartman.

Effects Headline News

Anthem Sings With Gory VFX for Masters of Horror

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 12:00am

Anthem Visual Effects has completed more than 200 visual effects for MASTERS OF HORROR, a series of 13 original one-hour movies in HD co-produced by IDT Ent., Industry Ent. and Nice Guy Prods.

Anthem employed greenscreen shots, 3D motion tracking and compositing (using Mac in OS X) to create CG elements and construct 3D environments from bloody knives and disturbing eyes to a creepy cliffs edge shack in the moonlight, a woman with the legs of a deer and a rat with a human face.

Animated Headline News

Comet Ent. & Dachefa Audiovisuales to Co-Pro Adult Animated CoolCity

Toronto-based Comet Ent. Inc. announced today (Feb. 15, 2006) it has entered into an agreement with Spanish-based Dachefa Audiovisuales, SL. to co-produce the animated series COOLCITY. The series pilot will be introduced at MIP-TV 2006 in Cannes, April 2-8.

Series Headline News

Logo Network Greenlights Original Animated Series for Development

Logo, the network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) viewers, has greenlit a diverse slate of scripted series ranging from traditional drama to edgy comedy, including two animated series, RICK AND STEVE and SLINK. These and live-action comedy series, THE RULES, and the drama, HEARTLAND, were announced today (Feb. 15, 2006) by Brian Graden, president, MTV Networks Music Group Ent. and president, Logo.

Visual Headline News

Animator, Gorilla and War Top VES Awards

Animations sweetheart John Lasseter found himself wedged between the vfx giant pics WAR OF THE WORLDS and KING KONG as they all commanded the awards and praise at the 4th Annual VES Awards tonight, (Feb. 15, 2006) at the Hollywood Paladium in Hollywood to a sold-out crowd attending the Visual Effects Society black-tie fete recognizing outstanding visual effects in 20 categories of film, television, commercials, music videos and games. WAR OF THE WORLDS and KING KONG each won in three categories.

Disney Headline News

Snow White, Simba, Buzz Lightyear Bring Life to New TeleStory Interactive Books

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 12:00am

JAKKS Pacific, Inc., in conjunction with Disney Publishing Worldwide, will offer TeleStory products with content based on the library of classic and popular Disney characters. The TeleStory interactive books connect directly into a standard TV using JAKKS' Plug & Read technology and serve as a fun, introductory reading guide for preschool-aged children.

Game Headline News

Game Factory To Make Game Based on Young Dinos, Garfield, Miss Spider, Franklin

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 12:00am

Building off its success as an international publisher of video and computer games based on leading international children's characters, The Game Factory announced a significant expansion in its 2006 product portfolio at the 2006 American International Toy Fair. More than 20 titles, developed for young gamers, will ship for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PC-CD ROM platforms. Titles can be purchased via national toy, electronic, videogame, software and mass-market retailers.

Headline News

McKinney & Blind Create a Dossier for the 2006 Polaris

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 12:00am

Santa Monica-based motion design and production company, Blind, has completed production on a spot for the new Polaris ATV. The inspiration for Ordinance 2006 was an old military instruction film from the 60s. The look was a combination of CG, illustration and archival material from Polaris. The challenge was to use these elements to make it cool, hip and rugged.

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