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.
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.
With Bill Desowitz on vacation with his family, its been left to me to recap the last week in VFXWorld history.
Animators Ink 5th Anniversary Screening & After PartyNew York, New York, USAFebruary 24, 2006
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.
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.
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.
The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror films announced the nominations for the 32nd annual Saturn Awards. George Lucas' STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH led all nominees with 10 nominations.
BATMAN BEGINS placed second, with nine nominations, followed by THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE and HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, which both received eight nominations.
POW! Ent. has announced that it has acquired the exclusive rights and ownership in perpetuity to the name "Stan Lee," his likeness, brand and signature slogans "Stan Lee Presents," "Excelsior" and "Stan's Soap Box." POW! also acquired most of the intellectual properties created by Stan Lee during the period beginning after his tenure as Marvel's cco, editor in chief and publisher and predate POW! Ent. The rights are in addition to new properties that are being developed by Stan Lee for other major entertainment conglomerates on behalf of POW! Ent.
American Black Film Festival 2006Miami, Florida, USAJuly 19-23, 2006Deadline: April 7, 2006
Film Life and HBO will host the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). HBO is the ABFF's founding and title sponsor and Wal-Mart Voices of Color is the presenting sponsor.
The 2006 ABFF program includes independent film screenings, network and studio premieres, panels, workshops and seminars led by accomplished industry professionals. Other highlights include live entertainment, exclusive networking events and the ABFF Awards presentation.
Toon Boom Animation Inc. celebrates the strong opening of CURIOUS GEORGE, a 2D animated feature from Imagine Ent. and Universal Pictures that employs the software company's Opus to the production of this globally known character. Ranking third place in past weekend box office, the feature offers an all-new adventure based upon the beloved tales of George, the inquisitive little guy with an insatiable taste for action.
The Quigley Corp. announced that it has partnered with Universal Pictures for a Cold-Eeze promotion tied to CURIOUS GEORGE, the new 2D animated film that opened in the U.S. on Feb. 10, 2006. Promotion activities include a sweepstakes and a self-liquidating offer that launched with an ad in PARENTING MAGAZINE in January.
The Weinstein Co. has acquired the rights to ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH, a CG-animated comedy feature to be written by Tony Leech and Cory Edwards, the duo behind the box office animated hit HOODWINKED. Leech is set to direct the project and Preston Stutzman of Blue Yonder Films will produce it along with Jonathan Shestack (AIR FORCE ONE), Brian Inerfeld and Gregory R. Little with Mainframe Ent., which will animate the film in Vancouver. Jeremy Stein of Jon Shestack Productions will co-produce. Mainframes ceo Rick Mischel will exec produce.
Don't end up in the doghouse for forgetting to buy your significant other a Valentines Day card. Warner Bros. Online has come the rescue with the "Scooby's Sweetheart Card Creator" on www.scoobydoo.com. The card creator allows site visitors to design their own Valentine's Day cards for free and print them out from any printer.
Universal Pictures has obtained the rights to Christian Gossett's award-winning comicbook THE RED STAR, tapping NIGHT WATCH director Timur Bekmambetov to develop and possibly direct the sci-fi epic, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Marc Platt will produce from his Marc Platt Prods., along with Bekmambetov via his Tengri shingle. Jim Lemley and Jason Netter will also produce. Gossett and Ken Levin will serve as exec producers.
The epic war saga is set in a re-imagined Soviet Union, where militarized sorcery and monolithic technology live side by side.
20th Century Fox is ready to blast off on STARSHIP DAVE with Eddie Murphy starring and Peter Segal (THE LONGEST YARD) directing, VARIETY is reporting. The film was originally set up at Paramount. Deep River Prods. will produce along side Guy Walks Into a Bar.
The film follows a crew of miniature human-looking aliens who search for a way to save their doomed world.
David Friendly and Marc Turtletaub are producing for Deep River with Jon Berg and Tom Komarnicki for Guy Walks Into a Bar. Segal's producing partner Michael Ewing will also produce.
Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes is set to produce the 11th film in the FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise for New Line, reports VARIETY. Bay will produce with Platinum Dunes partners Brad Fuller and Andrew Form.
Mark Wheaton (SON OF THE MORNING STAR) has been hired to pen the prequel that will deal with the origins of the Jason Voorhees. New Line hopes to release the film on Friday, Oct. 13, 2006.
Studio president Toby Emmerich shepherding with execs Cale Boyter and Jeff Katz.
The finalists for the jury judged categories for the British Animation Awards (BAAs) were announced on Feb. 6, 2006. The awards, to be held on Thursday, March 9, 2006, at the Shaw Theatre, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the only ceremony in Britain to recognize all forms of animation.
Aardman Animation is in the running for a total of three awards. In addition to Best Feature for WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, their ANGRY KID will compete in the Best TV Special Category and CREATURE COMFORTS is pitched for Best Comedy.
Into the PixelMay 10-12, 2006Deadline: March 3, 2006
9th Brooklyn International Film FestivalBrooklyn, New York, USAJune 2-11, 2006Deadline: March 15, 2006
German-born commercial director Marc Schoelermann will make his feature film debut on Mandalay Pictures HEXXX, reports VARIETY. The supernatural thriller starring THE O.C. star Mischa Barton is set to go before cameras this spring.
Little detail is known about John Raffo and Mark Gibson script, which centers on college students in New Orleans.
Apartment 3B Prods. principal Jennifer Klein will produce with Mandalays evp David Zelon shepherding the project.
Mandalay picked up the film in turnaround from MGM late in 2005.
The winners and runners up for the Animex Student Animation Awards were announced at Animex Talk! on Friday, Feb. 10, 2006, by Shelley Page, European representative for Feature Animation DreamWorks, David Sproxton and Philip Hunt.
Coming off its grand prize win at Imagina, CLIK CLAK by Supinfocom Arles students Aurélie Fréchinos, Victor-Emmanuel Moulin and Thomas Wagner won in the 3D Computer Animation Category.
Animal Logic, Sydney, NSW, with George Patterson Y&R in Melbourne and Plaza Films, Sydney, has won Best of Show in Television at the 2005 international Mobius Advertising Awards. They won for "Big Ad," created for Carlton Draught of Fosters Australia.
Animal Logic used 3D software to create the many extras needed to create the commercial, which is reminiscent of a pending battle of epic proportions. Animal Logic also provided the visual effects for five Mobius winners.
A Nasscom report on animation and gaming industry states that the Indian animation industry is expected to reach $950 million and the gaming industry to $300 million by 2009, Sify.com reports. However, the report states that Indian companies will need to improve synergy between talent and technology as well increase professional training to obtain this landmark.
At present 1,500-odd animators work in India, but the demand could reach as high as 30,000.
The Toy Industry Association kicked off the 103rd American International Toy Fair with the sixth annual T.O.T.Y. (Toy Of The Year) Awards. The Feb. 11, 2006, ceremony was attended by almost 700 industry leaders and innovators. The T.O.T.Y. Awards (pronounced Toh-Tee) are designed to salute the creativity, success and playful spirit of the toy industry by honoring the best toys developed by the international toy industry for North American consumers.
