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Game Headline News

2006 Game Developers Choice Awards Open For Nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for the 6th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, the most prestigious honors in game development. Entries can be submitted through www.igda.org/awards up until Jan. 13, 2006. The awards ceremony, produced by the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and presented by the International Game Developers Assoc. (IGDA), will take place Wednesday, March 22, 2006 during the GDC. The gala, held in conjunction with the Independent Games Festival, will be hosted at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.

Headline News

Cuppa Coffee Brands Gospel Music Network

Cuppa Coffee helped Gospel Music Channel viewers get into the holiday spirit with a new set of Christmas-themed branding elements for the recently launched network, marking the most recent installment in the studio's most expansive broadcast design package to date.

Television Headline News

Stars Lined Up for New Seasons of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis

Principal casts for both SCI FI Channel hit original series, STARGATE SG-1 and STARGATE ATLANTIS, will reprise their roles for the recently announced new seasons of the shows.

Returning for another tour of duty on STARGATE SG-1 will be Ben Browder, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Michael Shanks and Beau Bridges. Now onboard as a regular cast member in season 10 will be Claudia Black, from the current season for her portrayal of "Vala," the sexually-charged, ethically-challenged thief-of-all-trades who spends all her free time tormenting Daniel Jackson (Shanks).

Animation Headline News

Catapult Animation Studio Launches in Malaysia

Catapult Animation Studio has opened in Malaysia, looking to execute projects on a "work for hire" basis. Capabilities include 3D animation, modeling, background and set designing, as well as 2D and Flash-based projects.

Catapult also can provide full optical motion-capture services with a 16-camera setup operating in its sister studio. "We look forward gaming, animation and filming companies to look ASEAN region as their point for cost effective execution," according to Kavitha Jaganathan, one of the heads at Catapultas, which oversees the new animation studio.

Game Headline News

DeVry University Offers Online Game & Simulation Programming Degree Program

Building on the success of the game and simulation programming (GSP) baccalaureate degree program at 11 of its campuses nationwide, DeVry University will offer the GSP degree program online beginning in spring 2006.

The relatively young academic specialty of computer game technologies has grown in popularity in response to the skyrocketing videogame industry. According to the NPD Group, Inc. a global leader in sales and marketing information, videogame sales have grown from $6.6 billion in 2000 to $9.4 billion in 2004.

Comedy Headline News

Director Kenan Moran Signs with Curious Pictures

Comedy director Kenan Moran has signed with Curious Pictures for exclusive TV commercial representation.

Moran, who recently directed a seven-spot Comedy Central image campaign through the company on a freelance basis, was working with Czar U.S. An alumnus of MTVs on-air promo department, he brings a comic sensibility and solid live-action experience to a production company long associated with animation and mixed media work.

Series Headline News

VTV Producing 100 Volume Historical Cartoon

Vietnam Television (VTV) is set to produce the first two volumes of a historical cartoon series in celebration the 1,000th anniversary of the ancient capital Thang Long, now known as Hanoi, reports VietnamNet.vn. The series, entitled CHIEC GIENG THOI GIAN, (THE WELL OF TIME) includes 100 volumes representing different historical periods in Vietnam since the establishment of the country.

Animation Headline News

Colorado to Ring in New Year with Animation of India

On Jan 1., 2006, Colorado PBS stations will be airing ANIMATION OF INDIA by U.S.-based artist Manick Sorcar, reports WebIndia123.com. The hour and 45-minute program will start airing at 6:00 am.

"ANIMATION OF INDIA was selected for the early morning telecast as Saturday and holiday mornings are considered to be prime time for children's programs. This is when the kids get up and stay glued in front of their favorite cartoons, starting from dawn to mid-morning," Sorcar told IANS over phone from Denver.

Disney Headline News

Disney Sees New Original Movie & Series In January

Disney Channel's January is highlighted the debut of the new animated comedy series THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHOOL, based on the feature, THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE on Disney Channel, Toon Disney and Saturday mornings on ABC Kids. For the youngest viewers, a new season of HIGGLYTOWN HEROES debuts with guest stars Emmy Award-winning choreographer and actress Debbie Allen as the dance instructor who helps saves the day.

Headline News

Serenity Comes to DVD

SERENITY, the feature adaptation of Joss Whedons short-lived cult series, FIREFLY, is now available on DVD (Universal Studios Home Ent., $29.98). The renegade crew of the Serenity battle military tyrants and bloodthirsty creatures in this expanded adventure (with more elaborate vfx from Zoic Studios) thats supposed to be STAGECOACH set in space (as opposed to STAR TREK, which was BONANZA set in space).

Bonus features include:* Commentary by writer/director Whedon * Deleted scenes and outtakes

Season Headline News

Final Star Trek: Enterprise Season on DVD

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON recently bowed on DVD (Paramount Home Ent, $129.98), capping off the phenomenal sci-fi franchise. The final and undeniably best season (with terrific vfx from Eden FX and others) ties this prequel premise closer to the original series including the formation of The Federation and offers several nostalgic nods along the way, leading to the controversial segue to THE NEXT GENERATION in the final episode, These Are the Voyages

Disney Headline News

Valiant Flies on DVD

The maiden 3D-animated feature from the U.K. made by Vanguard Animation was pretty and amiable enough, but failed to make a box office dent after being deemed too cliché ridden and kid-friendly. Now the World War II pigeon adventure produced by John H. Williams (the SHREK movies) and directed by Gary Chapman gets another chance on DVD (Disney DVD, $29.99).

Bonus features include:* Bloopers* VALIANT Training Challenge: Three different game levels

Digital Headline News

Fantastic Four to the Rescue on DVD

One of the seasons top DVD sellers, FANTASTIC FOUR (Fox Home Ent. $29.99) no longer suffers from comparisons to THE INCREDIBLES. Apparently viewers are appreciating the virtues of big screen adaptation of the Marvel Comics first superhero family (with noteworthy vfx from Café FX, Giant Killer Robots, Hydraulx, Kleiser-Walczak Digital Effects, Meteor Studios, Pacific Title & Art Studio, Pixel Magic, SW Digital and Soho VFX).

Bonus features include:* Commentary by: Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis and Ioan Gruffud # 3 * Three deleted scenes

Effects Headline News

Ring of Fire Creates ‘Forces of Nature’ for Winter Olympics

VFX boutique Ring of Fire recently completed effects on the dynamic Forces of Nature spot for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games on NBC. In this spot, directed by Kendall Bowlin of The NBC Agency, the sheer power of the Olympic athletes seem to change their environment by conjuring up extreme phenomena around them. The dramatic effects in the spot give it a supernatural feel.

Business Headline News

Carrie Dumont to Run Business Affairs for Cookie Jar

Carrie Dumont joins Cookie Jar Ent. as vp of its business affairs group to lead its expanding property acquisition, development and merchandising activities. Dumonts immediate focus will be in overseeing agreements with the ever-expanding roster of partners involved in Cookie Jars latest global television and merchandising sensation, THE DOODLEBOPS, as well the companys other renowned classic preschool brand, CAILLOU.

Animation Headline News

Computer Animation Studios In Ontario Form CASO Assoc.

The Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO) has been formed to address the issues and opportunities of computer animation studios in Ontario. There are an estimated 50 studios in the Canadian province that produce computer animation and visual effects for feature films, television programs and television commercials. These studios employ anywhere from a few to hundreds of employees who use the latest in computer equipment and software to create world leading animation and digital visual effects.

Headline News

BVHEI Appoints Jerome Le Grand SCP/Deputy GM of Europe, Middle East and Africa

Buena Vista Home Entertainment International (BVHEI) has appointed Jerome Le Grand to the newly created position of svp/deputy gm of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Le Grand's responsibilities will include the management of the following departments: Finance, Operations/ESCO, Commercial Planning and Distribution, Emerging Markets Group for the EMEA. He will also serve as business contact for the European Legal Department.

Disney Headline News

Disney Orders 4th Season Kim Possible

Disney's KIM POSSIBLE the animated hit comedy/action series from Walt Disney Television Animation, resumes production for a fourth season of 22 new episodes. KIM POSSIBLE airs in the U.S. on Disney Channel, Toon Disney and the ABC Television Network's "ABC Kids" daypart.

The international hit, KIM POSSIBLE, is from multiple Emmy-nominated creators/exec producers Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle. Emmy nominee Steve Loter also returns as director and producer of the fourth season.

Nickelodeon Headline News

THQ Links Nickelodeon Videogames Titles

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 12:00am

THQ Inc. announced a new design feature that links multiple titles in THQ's Nickelodeon videogame lineup for the PlayStation 2, enabling expanded game play and special features for consumers who own more than one of the titles. THQ's Nickelodeon games that incorporate this special Cross Save feature include TAK: THE GREAT JUJU CHALLENGE, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: LIGHTS, CAMERA PANTS!, NICKTOONS UNITE! and BARNYARD, based on Paramount Pictures'/Nickelodeon Movies' upcoming theatrical release.

Anime Headline News

Central Park Media & New England Anime Society Celebrate 2006

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 12:00am

New England Anime SocietyBoston, Massachusetts, USADecember 31, 2005

Boston is home to America's longest running First Night celebration, and for the past two years, the city's New England Anime Society has been a part of this tradition. This year, the New England Anime Society is back and hopes to have its largest and most successful First Night anime event yet. On Dec. 31, 2005, the New England Anime Society will be welcoming in 2006 this time with a little help from Central Park Media.

Licensing Headline News

4Kids Not Renewing Pokemon License

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 12:00am

4Kids Ent. Inc. and Pokemon USA Inc. announced that they have agreed not to renew the POKEMON representation agreement set to expire on Dec. 31, 2005. Beginning in 2006, Pokemon USA Inc.'s in-house licensing group will handle all POKEMON licensing outside of Asia.

Headline News

NewTek Releases Free Update to VT[4] Integrated Production Suite

NewTek Inc. announced the release of a free update for VT[4] owners, version 4.6. The new version of the award-winning VT[4] Integrated Production Suite includes improved 3D animation and motion graphics tools, enhanced support for multiple monitors, improvements to the NewTek codec and all computer sources, including attached DV cameras, and can be used as a downstream key (DSK). The feature and maintenance update is a free download for registered VT[4] users.

Headline News

Color Astro Boy Now on DVD

While fans still await the original black-and-white ASTRO BOY series from 1963, the 83 color remake of Osamu Tezukas iconic work will have to suffice. ASTRO BOY COLLECTION BOX SET (Manga Ent., $39.98) contains 51 episodes spread across eight DVDs, with both the English language dialogue, and, for the first time, the original Japanese audio tracks.

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