AWN Headline News

Adobe Releases After Effects 7.0

Adobe Systems Inc. has begun shipping Adobe After Effects 7.0 software. Professionals can streamline their workflows to produce compelling content for any media with the new features packed in Adobe After Effects 7.0, including a re-designed, unified user interface, accelerated high-fidelity OpenGL 2.0 support and the most comprehensive Flash Video (FLV) export capabilities. Adobe After Effects 7.0 is available as a stand-alone product or as part of the newly launched Adobe Production Studio.

In Anime, Flash, Technology, Visual Effects, Anime, Flash, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Film Headline News

Tribeca Underground Film Fest Calls for Shorts

Tribeca Underground Film Festival 2006New York, New York, USAMay 2-7, 2006Deadline: March 1, 2006

The Tribeca Underground Film Festival showcases works in all genres and visual forms with a length ranging from 3 to 30 minutes. For 2006, the event is opening of a new category for spec commercials running time 30 sec to 3 minutes, internationally aired or non aired. For additional information, visit www.TribecaUndergroundFilmFestival.org.

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Animation Headline News

LAIKA/house Promotes Kirk Kelley & Jan Johnson

LAIKA/house (previously known as Vinton Studios), has promoted longtime LAIKA/house director Kirk Kelley to creative director and Jan Johnson, formerly head of 2D production, will assume co-exec producer title for all LAIKA/house productions.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Home Headline News

BKN Launches Home Video Division

Global distributor/producer BKN has entered the home entertainment and new media distribution business by forming BKN Home Ent. Ltd. in the U.K. and BKN Home Ent. Inc. in the U.S. to take greater control of the distribution of the companys content in all emerging forms and venues.

Matthew Graham-Clare has bee named md of the U.K. operation with Mark Saxe serving as production director.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Kids Headline News

DIC to Provide CBS Saturday Morning Lineup for Fall ‘06

CBS and DIC Ent. will partner to launch an all-new, Saturday morning branded kids programming block, CBSs Secret Saturday Morning Slumber Party, in fall 06.

As part of the multi-year deal, CBSs Secret Saturday Morning Slumber Party, will feature three hours of FCC-compliant childrens programming and serve as a platform to introduce new kids programs created by DIC.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Australia, Europe, North America

Headline News

Kanbar Ent. & Weinstein Co. to Team on Hoodwinked Sequel

The Weinstein Co. and Kanbar Ent. are teaming on a sequel to their current CG-animated release HOODWINKED, to be called HOOD VS. EVIL, reports VARIETY with confirmation to AWN by the pics writer/director, Cory Edwards.

HOODWINKED finished half a nose behind Disney's GLORY ROAD for the top spot over the four-day holiday weekend box office to take in $16.9 million in its debut.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Television Headline News

Susan Kantor New SVP, Marketing for Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution

Susan Kantor has been named SVP, marketing for Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Telepictures Prods.

In this newly created position, Kantor is responsible for overseeing all of the marketing efforts for WBDTD, as well as manages the affiliate relations and promotions activities of the companys Telepictures-produced first-run series.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Online Headline News

AnimationMentor.com Begins Winter Term

With a redesigned and re-engineered website that takes e-learning to the next level, online animation school AnimationMentor.com begins its winter 2006 term. Four hundred-nineteen students from 37 countries will study character animation with 45 of the industrys top working professionals from studios such as Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks and Blue Sky. They will experience a virtual campus supported by new technologies that deepen the educational experience and that incorporates the best of online social networks to enhance the schools community.

In Education and Training, Education and Training | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Work Headline News

Deadline Nears for SIGGRAPH 2006 Art Gallery

SIGGRAPH 2006 Art GalleryBoston, Massachusetts, USAJuly 30 - August 3, 2006Deadline: January 27, 2006

The SIGGRAPH 2006 Art Gallery is accepting submissions for artwork, which uses digital technology in creative/innovative ways and explores new territories and crosses traditional boundaries.

Deadline is Jan. 27, 2006, 5:00 pm Pacific time.

The SIGGRAPH 2006 Art Gallery is considering (but not limited to) the following types of work:

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: All, North America

Film Headline News

Crossroads Film Fest Gives a Down Home Call

Crossroads Film Festival 2006Jackson, Mississippi, USAMarch 30 April 2, 2006Deadline: January 20, 2006

The Crossroads Film Society presents the 7th annual Crossroads Film Festival with entries from Mississippi and around the world. More than 50 films, which range from two minutes to two hours, will be shown at Parkway Place Regal Cinema in Flowood, Mississippi.

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Headline News

MIPTV Featuring MILIA Launches Content 360 Competition

Content 360Cannes, FranceApril 3-7, 2006Deadline: February 14, 2006

MIPTV featuring MILIA 2006 has launched "Content 360" a new international competition to commission innovative, interactive content and applications for mobile and broadband. The winning projects will receive a share of a minimum 75,000 development fund.

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Special Events: MIP-TV | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Production Headline News

Adobe Unveils Production Studio

Adobe Systems Inc. has launched Adobe Production Studio, an extension of the Adobe Creative Suite family of products. One of the most complete post-production software solutions available, Adobe Production Studio combines full new versions of Adobe's world class video and graphics applicationsAdobe After Effects 7.0, Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, Adobe Audition 2.0, Adobe Encore 2.0 and the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Illustrator CS2with time-saving innovations such as Adobe Dynamic Link that deliver a highly efficient workflow experience.

In Anime, Flash, Technology, Anime, Flash, Technology | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

John Singleton Takes On Clancy Without Remorse

John Singleton has inked a deal with Paramount Pictures to write and direct an adaptation of Tom Clancys spy thriller, WITHOUT REMORSE, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Troubled former agent and Disney exec Michael Ovitz, who owns the rights to the property, will produce. Ovitz once represented both Singleton and Clancy.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Production Headline News

Madsen Last Minute Draw for Number 23

With production starting Jan. 23, 2006, New Line has hired Virginia Madsen to replace Elisabeth Shue in the thriller THE NUMBER 23, which also stars Jim Carrey, reports VARIETY. The film is being directed by Joel Schumacher and also stars Danny Huston and Rhona Mitra. Contrafilms Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson are producing from a screenplay by Fernley Phillips.

The story follows a man who becomes obsessed with a book, featuring the number 23 throughout, which seems to mirror his life, except that it ends with a murder.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Tools Headline News

Digital Musings From the Editor:

With the recent arrival of Houdini 8, vfx veteran Andrew D. Lyons reports on the new dynamic simulation environment and further refinements to lighting and character tools.

In Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Visual Headline News

VES Presents SHOW AND TELL 2006

The Visual Effects Society (VES) will offer SHOW AND TELL 2006, its version of the Academy vfx Bake-Off, on Jan. 21, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at Skirball Cultural Center (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 90049).

The event is free for VES members and open to the public at $20 per ticket. Tickets available by calling the VES office in advance at (310) 822-9181.

In Event, Visual Effects, Event, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Company Headline News

Borders To Head PDI/DreamWorks as Burke Transitions to Consult

Gloria Borders joins DreamWorks Animation as head of PDI/DreamWorks, the studios Redwood City, California, campus. Borders is taking over for Patti Burke, who transitions into a senior consultant role at the company. Borders will oversee all production and operations at PDI/DreamWorks.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Cartoon Headline News

Cartoon Network New Saturday Morning Lineup Favors Int'l Toons

Cartoon Networks new Saturday 9-11:30 am lineup, launched Jan. 14, 2006, includes three new shows produced outside of the U.S. New series include BEN 10, ROBOT BOY, DRAGON HUNTERS and ZIXX, along with the second season of hit series, THE LIFE & TIMES OF JUNIPER LEE.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America

Headline News

Klasky Csupo Signs Michael McGahey, SVP Feature Film Development

Michael McGahey joins Klasky Csupo as svp, feature film development.

Klasky Csupo founders Arlene Klasky and Gabor Csupo jointly stated, We are thrilled to have someone of Michaels knowledge and expertise join our company at this time. He comes to us with excellent taste for the commercial market and he will work with our current development team on our features projects in development with Viacom.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

4Kids Ent. Licenses Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles New Season to ITV

4Kids Ent. Inc. has finalized a broadcast agreement with ITV Network for Season 4 of the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, one of the most successful action brands in global kids TV entertainment. Season 4 of 26 animated episodes is expected to launch on ITV Network in early 2006.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America

Services Headline News

Nelvana & British Telecom Partner on TV over Broadband

Nelvana has inked a video-on-demand agreement with British Telecommunications Inc. (BT) in the U.K. Coming on the heels of recent North American partnerships with Comcast and Rogers (along with preschool broadcaster Treehouse), this deal widens the scope of Nelvana's on-demand initiatives to include Europe.

MAGGIE AND THE FEROCIOUS BEAST, LITTLE BEAR, BABAR, MAX & RUBY and THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS are among the initial family entertainment programs Nelvana will make available to BT's next-generation TV offering, slated to launch by late summer/fall 2006.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Film Headline News

Herbig To Animate Spoof of Rural Melodramas

German director Michael "Bully" Herbig is planning a 3D animated spoof of German "Heimat" films rural melodramas popular in the years following World War II, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Titled LISSI UND DER WILDE KAISER (LISSI AND THE WILD KAISER), the film is particularly parodying the Austrian SISSI trilogy of the 1950s, which starred Romy Schneider as a teenage princess caught between love and royal responsibilities.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Animated Headline News

Pixel Pinkie Set to Become Tasmania's Biggest Animated Endeavor

Hobart, Tasmania-based animation firm Blue Rocket Prods. is planning a $9 million, 26-part animated series based on the character Pixel Pinkie, reports ABC.net. If the project gets off the ground it would be Tasmania's biggest film or television production.

The State Government has already ponied up $500,000 towards the series, which has attracted interest from the Nine Network.

The series follows tween Nina as she gets into crazy situation after crazy situation when she discovers that a digital being named Pixel Pinkie lives inside her new mobile phone.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

ADV Films Releases Five New Anime Titles on Jan. 17

ADV Films is releasing five titles on Jan, 17, 2006, beginning with the 10th and final volume of GANTZ! Other Jan. 17 releases include the first volume of KALEIDO STAR: NEW WINGS, new volumes of AREA 88 and GODANNAR and the new thin-packed GRAVION COMPLETE COLLECTION.

In Anime, Flash, Home Entertainment, Anime, Flash, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Headline News

KromA Creates Heavenly VFX for Hospital Food Video

KromA delved inside a delightfully unbalanced mind in providing CG and visual effects services for the new David Gray music video HOSPITAL FOOD taken from the acclaimed LIFE IN SLOW MOTION on Ato Records.

The studio created a fantasy sequence that occupies the central part of the video, in which a patient at a mental institution is overwhelmed by heavenly visions. The sequence features a wild mix of 2D and 3D animation and live-action elements representing a day-glo world of angels in hospital gowns, smiling suns and lavender space ships.

In Commercials, Commercials | Headline News | Geographic Region: All