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Films Headline News

MTV Films Acquires Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure

MTV Films has acquired the feature film rights to MARC ECKO'S GETTING UP: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE, the highly anticipated videogame from Atari and Marc Ecko Enterprises. The videogame is scheduled for a February 2006 release for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, for the Xbox videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and for Windows.

Animated Headline News

Connery to Voice Animated Vet

Sir Sean Connery will come out of his retirement from films to supply the voice of a vet in a low-budget animated Scottish short from Glasgow Animation, reports BBC NEWS.

The former 007 star will play the title role in SIR BILLI THE VET, which will be set in the Highlands.

Connery agreed to take part despite having recently said he would make no more movies because he was "fed up with the idiots" in Hollywood.

Actor Alan Cumming will voice his faithful companion Gordon the Goat.

Special Headline News

It's Time To Get Involved With AWN's NATPE Special Newsletter

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 12:00am

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

Animation Headline News

‘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.

Headline News

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.

Headline News

Immersion Ships New Wireless CyberGlove II

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 12:00am

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.

Digital Headline News

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.

Festival Headline News

Slamdance Film Festival 2006 Announces Lineup

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 12:00am

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.

Million Headline News

The Triangle Night Two Builds On Premiere

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 12:00am

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.

Headline News

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

Headline News

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.

Million Headline News

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+).

Awards Headline News

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.

Design Headline News

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.

Disney Headline News

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.

Headline News

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

Effects Headline News

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.

Game Headline News

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.

Headline News

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).

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