AWN Headline News
It's Time To Get Involved With AWN's NATPE Special Newsletter
Continuing our special event specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing special editions for both NATPE and MIP-TV. The NATPE market is fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staff are gearing up for the NATPE-specific Flash Newsletter series. Here are the dates for the publications. Please send your news two week prior to the publication date.
NATPE Flash NewslettersJanuary 10January 17
MIP-TV Flash NewslettersMarch 14March 21March 28
This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for December 5, 2005
AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for December 5, 2005
This week in AWN's Forums, a thread brings together members thoughts on meaningful animation and activist filmmakers.
‘Animation Invades Live Action’ at the Academy
Last night (Dec. 6, 2005), the Science and Technology Council of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Animation Invades Live Action in the Academys Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The presentation was billed as an animated performance and dealt with issues brought on by the digital revolution the technical and artistic advances that have impacted not only animation, but also live action.
James Cameron Moves Forward with Battle Angel
Production on James Camerons live-action adaptation of the 12-part, futuristic manga series, BATTLE ANGEL, is scheduled to commence in February for Twentieth Century Fox, with casting underway for the young lead to play the teenage cyborg, Alita, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Mali Finn Casting has placed an online ad seeking women aged 16 to mid-20s who are athletic and agile with graceful movement and have an ear for languages and dialects. Submissions are reportedly due Dec. 19.
Immersion Ships New Wireless CyberGlove II
Immersion Corp., a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, has started shipping its new CyberGlove II hand motion capture glove. The wireless CyberGlove II system was designed to help animators, product designers and virtual-reality researchers increase efficiency and realism for animated productions, design prototypes and virtual reality systems.
Massive Software Expands Management Team
Massive Software, developer of the Academy Award-winning 3D animation software for AI-driven characters and digital stunts, announced a company expansion in tandem with the rapid growth of its reach into the film and television production space. Massive has tapped Nick Divehall, former Alias senior manager, for the role of vp of Business Development. Concurrently, Massive announced an initial suite of channel partners to handle product sales in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, London and Montreal.
The Animation Industry's OPERATION HOLIDAY RELIEF!
While media report on Louisiana may have lulled, there is still a need for WARM CLOTHES, TOYS, CANNED GOODS and SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
Fortitude Ent. Group & Maya Ent. Merge
Fortitude Ent. Group and Mumbai-based animation company Maya Ent. have joined forces to form Fortitude Maya, reports VARIETY. The company will combine a host of computer animation talent for cost-efficient features and television projects.
Slamdance Film Festival 2006 Announces Lineup
The Slamdance 2006 Film Festival, which runs from Jan. 19-27, 2006, in Park City, Utah, has announced the films to screen at the 12th annual festival. Festival films come from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Cuba, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea, Spain, U.K. and the U.S.
The films competing in the Animated Short Competition include:* THE FLOODED PLAYGROUND (2005, 20 min., USA) Directed by Lisa Crafts.* THE LOVE TRAIN (2005, 8 min., UK) Directed by Eva Bennett.
The Triangle Night Two Builds On Premiere
Night Two of SCI FI Channel's original miniseries THE TRIANGLE averaged a 3.7HH rating and 4.3 million viewers (P2+) in its 9-11:00 pm block, growing +8% in P25-54s and +2% in HH ratings from Monday's premiere. Night Two of THE TRIANGLE surpassed Night One's record-setting ratings win, and is the highest-rated program to air on SCI FI since the December 2003 finale of the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA miniseries. The final installment of THE TRIANGLE airs tonight (Dec. 7) at 9:00 pm.
Digital Musings From the Editor:
Bryan Hoff reviews NVIDIAs Gelato 2.0, finding its powerful new relighting system, Sorbetto, sweet indeed, along with Mango, a plug-in for translating many Maya Hypershade shaders, and other new and improved goodies. Meanwhile, Bill Westenhofer delves more deeply into Rhythm & Hues immense vfx work on THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA in his exclusive diary. And Tara DiLullo gets sucked into THE TRIANGLE SCI-FIs highly rated miniseries with Uncharted Territory.
Bill DesowitzEditor
Saw Producer Gregg Hoffman Dies
Gregg Hoffman, Twisted Pictures partner and producer, died of natural causes on Dec. 4, 2005, in Los Angeles. He was 42 years old.
Hoffman, Twisted Pictures president of production, most recently produced SAW, SAW II, CATACOMBS and SILENCE. He was working on CRAWLSPACE and SAW III.
The Triangle Night One Shatters Ratings Records
The premiere of night one of SCI FI Channel's original miniseries THE TRIANGLE averaged a 3.7HH rating and more than 4.3 million viewers (P2+) in its 9-11:00 pm block. Night one of THE TRIANGLE is the highest-rated program to air on SCI FI since 2003 and is the channel's highest-rated and most watched miniseries premiere night since the Emmy Award-winning STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN (12/2/2002, 4.9 HH/6.1 million P2+).
Ship Your Films to India’s FICCI BAF Awards
FICCI BAF Awards 2006Mumbai, IndiaMarch 22-24, 2006Deadline: January 31, 2006
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) hosts an International Animation Festival. This year it will have 14 professional categories, two student categories and Special Jury awards. In addition to Animation & Gaming, it has also introduced Visual Effects. For more information, visit www.ficci-frames.com.
Calling All Students to the Adobe Design Achievement Awards
Adobe Design Achievement AwardsToronto, Ontario, CanadaJuly 20, 2006Deadline: April 26, 2006
Students in 24 countries will have the opportunity to test their skills in a number of creative endeavors and, perhaps, get a jump-start on their careers with a prestigious award from Adobe Systems.
Adobe has this date issued a call for entries for the sixth annual Adobe Design Achievement Awards for promising students in graphic design, photography, illustration, animation, digital filmmaking and computer arts.
Chicken Little Scores $7 Million in Disney Digital 3-D; REAL D Expands to Japan
REAL D, a leader in the delivery of premium 3-D experiences, plans to expand to Japan with the installation of the first two screens after the successful launch of CHICKEN LITTLE in Disney Digital 3-D, which has grossed more than $7 million through the Thanksgiving weekend. REAL D will open screens at Oriental Land Co.'s AMC Ikspiari 16 and Warner Mycal's Tama for the presentation of CHICKEN LITTLE starting Dec. 23, 2005.
Walt Disney Treasures Wave 5 DVDs Available
Wave 5 in the illustrious Walt Disney Treasures DVD collection arrives Dec. 6, 2005 (Buena Vista Home Ent., $32.99 each). Individual two-disc sets (packaged in collectible tins) consist of: The Chronological Donald Volume Two, Disney Rarities: Celebrated Shorts 1920s-1960s, ELFEGO BACA and THE SWAMP FOX: Legendary Heroes and THE ADVENTURES OF SPIN & MARTY: THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB
Donald Duck extras include:* A Day in the Life of Donald Duck* Drawing and Talking Duck with Tony Anselmo
Gnomon Workshop Offers Six New Digital Training DVDs
The Gnomon Workshop announced six new digital titles. The latest batch includes ZBrush, V-Ray, MEL and a title that takes you from a concept design illustration to a 3D render. This series of releases brings new titles from Chris Nichols and legendary artist Meats Meier, and introduces effects artists Kevin Mannens and Mark Lefitz to The Gnomon Workshop.
Ubisoft Ships America's Army: Rise of a Soldier & Heroes of the Pacific
Ubisoft announced that AMERICAS ARMY: RISE OF A SOLDIER for Xbox and HEROES OF THE PACIFIC for PS2, Xbox and PC have shipped to retail stores.
Ubisoft and the U.S. Army worked together to develop AMERICAS ARMY: RISE OF A SOLDIER. With unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the vast military expertise of the U.S. Army, Ubisoft created the most authentic military console game to date by incorporating true-to-life character progression via an all-new Career mode. The PlayStation 2 version is projected to ship in Q1 2006.
Nickelodeon’s “Ha-Ha Holidays” to Spread Chuckles and Cheer
Nickelodeon is set to wrapped up laughs for the holidays with a primetime slate of Ha-Ha Holidays specials. Nicks airwaves will glow with an eerie-turned-cheery spirit when Danny Phantoms THE FRIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS premieres on Dec. 6 (8:30 p.m. ET/PT; encoring Dec. 17, 19 & 25).
Blue Sky Hosts Hurricane Auction
To help those who were devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Blue Sky Studios is hosting an auction of original concept art from their two recent films ICE AGE and ROBOTS. The auction will be held through eBay, and all of the proceeds from the auction will go to the Red Cross or the American Humane Society. The auction will run from Dec. 9-19, 2005. For more information, visit www.blueskystudios.com/auctions.