NewTek Inc. announced that artists from Eden FX and Zoic Studios are relying on LightWave 3D for the production of content and shots for a large number of new and returning primetime shows for the fall 2005 season. NewTeks Emmy-winning 3D application is being used extensively for visual effects for such series as LOST, ALIAS, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, SURFACE, INVASION, THRESHOLD, E-RING, PRISON BREAK, CSI, CSI: MIAMI and OVER THERE.
DOOM (with vfx by Framestore CFC and Double Negative) proved to be a tepid box office leader, despite its popularity as a First Person Shooter videogame. For the weekend ended Oct. 23, 2005, the Universal release debuted at $15.4M. Bowing in second place was DreamWorks family drama, DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY (with vfx by Hammerhead), which brought in $9.1M. Following in third was Aardman/DreamWorks WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT. The stop-motion gem (with vfx from MPC) took in $8.5M and now has a three-week cume of $43.9M.
Each month, Animation World Magazine focuses its attention on a particular theme. Its an opportunity to delve more in-depth into a specific area of the animation industry.
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This week in AWN's Forums, members have started discussing THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. Theres a new thread talking about good books members have read lately. Another member needs some tips on Flash assembly. Others are debating TV shows with great writing. Moderator Larry L. returns from Paris and gives praise to the students there. In addition, there are posts discussing FOSTERS and HOWLS MOVING CASTLE. Other members continue to post their sketches and animation for others to critique.
Thomas C. Emma joins MarVista Ent. in the newly created position of vp, business affairs for the companys production, acquisition and distribution activities, as well as utilize his experience in new media and new business development to guide their participation in future business opportunities.
His entertainment career includes senior level management positions at Artist View Ent., The American Film Marketing Assoc., Hal Roach Studios, Harmony Gold and Philips Media Inc.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India Oct. 4 barred Pentamedia Graphics Ltd., from issuing any new shares or dealing in securities, considered a punishment for issuing fake shares reports India-West (www.indiawest.com).
According to the SEBI, Pentamedia had issued a duplicate set of its own shares pledged with one bank and used the shares to borrow money from another lender, through an associate.
CaféFX blends reality and fantasy in a series of 3D effects for the main titles and several key sequences in SHOPGIRL, the romantic comedy starring Claire Danes and Steve Martin, based on Martin's bestselling novella. The movie, directed by Anand Tucker and distributed by Touchstone Pictures, opens today (Oct. 21).
wondertouch announced a special limited-time upgrade promotion that allows registered owners of the Autodesk Combustion 3 or Combustion 4 desktop software programs to receive more than 50% off of particleIllusion 3.0, the latest version of the company's cornerstone, sprite-based particle effects software application. The promotion, which ends Nov. 15, enables Combustion 3 or Combustion 4 software owners to purchase the standalone version of particleIllusion 3.0 for Windows or Mac OS X platforms, at a reduced price of $179, a savings of $220.
Pixel Corps, the global learning guild for aspiring and professional digital craftsman, revealed its fall class line-up scheduled for Nov. 1-8 in San Francisco. Taught by industry veterans such as Alex Lindsay, Steve Wright and Marty Rosenberg, this four-part series of comprehensive workshops will cover everything from mastering Apple Shake 4 and the secrets of compositing, to shooting and lighting a visual effects shot on a fully-equipped greenscreen stage.
Little Animation Inc. has announced that their Enriched Play, new media project for kids, EARTH to ROSIE! will be presented at the next Earth Charter Summit EC+5 Event, on Nov. 7, 2005, in Amsterdam.
As a way to restart the franchise, Warner Bros. Pictures is developing a remake of the original 1982 horror film, CREEPSHOW, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Ent. will produce along side Taka Ichise of OZ LA, Tony Ludwig and James Dudelson, the original rights holder. WB is looking for writers.
LAIKA announced that Dakota Fanning (DREAMER, WAR OF THE WORLDS, MAN ON FIRE) will voice the title character in LAIKA Ent.s first full length animated feature, CORALINE.
The acclaimed animation director Henry Selick (NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH) is writing and directing the film, which is based on the international bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman. Former 20th Century Fox chairman/ceo Bill Mechanic and his Pandemonium Films will co-produce with LAIKA. Mary Sandell is producer for LAIKA.
Astral Media's Family Channel is launching its 2005 Take the Pledge campaign in support of the third annual Bullying Awareness Week, Nov. 14-20, 2005, to encourage kids to stick up for each other rather than silently watch if they see someone being bullied.
Central Park Media announced that it is the first anime company in the world to provide content for Apple's new video-capable iPod. Visitors can now download the first episode of Central Park Media's upcoming ARMORED TROOPER VOTOMS at www.centralparkmedia.com/ipod/ as well as view the trailer for KAKURENBO: HIDE & SEEK, scheduled to premiere on a special pre-Halloween midnight broadcast on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Saturday, Oct. 29, and HAMMERBOY, winner of numerous prestigious awards on both sides of the Pacific.
In a deal signed at MIPCOM 2005, Icon Animation has signed a deal to bring its animated series LOLA & VIRGINIA (52x11) to Disney Channel Italy, adding to the earlier acquisition of the series by Disney Channel Spain. The series, which is targeted at girls 8-12, has already pre-sold to Nickelodeon Channel Latin America, Disney Channel Spain, RCTV Venezuela and Animania USA.
DECODE Ent. is further expanding its presence on Australian public broadcaster ABC, signing a deal for Aardman Animations co-production PLANET SKETCH at MIPCOM 2005.
This deal marks a further commitment to DECODEs programming by the broadcaster, which already airs a number of series including the primetime 2D animation BROMWELL HIGH as well as FRANNYS FEET and THE SAVE-UMS! for pre-schoolers.
At MIPCOM, MoonScoop announced a new deal that will bring an additional 45 episodes of CODE LYOKO to Cartoon Network. This deal brings the total number of episodes for the show to 97 half-hours. A second season of 26x30 launched last month.
Autodesks 3ds Max core software development team will provide two days of intensive training for game developers as part of Autodesk Universitys annual 2005 confab, with a special session presented by strategic partner Intel Corp. Held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, from Nov. 29-30, 2005. The 3ds Max Developers Conference will teach users techniques and practices to customize production pipelines, build MAXScripts, efficiently transfer scene data and take full advantage of the open 3ds Max framework.
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Fox Home Ent., $29.98) topped both the DVD sales and rental charts in its first week, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. In terms of rentals, the historical epic gathered an estimated $10.1M, or 21.2% of its $47.M domestic box office take. Ridley Scotts film fared considerably better overseas, earning $163.5M.
Fluid provided the visual effects for a :30 Reebok spot, launching the Answer IX shoe and featuring NBA superstar point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson. Developed through mcgarrybowen (New York, NY), the spot, titled 10 YEARS OF HEART, promotes Reeboks Answer IX shoe with the pump technology that offers the perfect fit by surrounding the foot with an automatic, form fitting air chamber that you can turn on or off as needed. The spot debuted on ESPN nationally on Oct 18.
Continuing the roadmap to ZBrush 2.5, Pixologic have announced the release of a new plug-in, ZApp Link.
ZApp Link is a free plug-in that extends and enhances ZBrushs texturing and illustration capabilities by automating the connection with programs such as Photoshop, Painter and Illustrator.
THQ Inc. announced that SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: LIGHTS, CAMERA, PANTS! has shipped for PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance and Windows PC. LIGHTS, CAMERA, PANTS! is the first multiplayer game in the SPONGEBOB series.
"THQ's SPONGEBOB-branded videogames have shipped more than 10 million units worldwide," said Kelly Flock, evp of worldwide publishing, THQ. "We are thrilled with the success of the video games and are excited to offer a brand new SPONGEBOB experience that now allows both families and friends to play together."
The Savannah Film Festival, presented by the Savannah College of Art and Design, will honor animators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman with Lifetime Achievement Awards in Animation, Saturday, Nov. 5, at the closing ceremonies of the 2005 festival. The duo have collaborated on such films as TITAN A.E., ANASTASIA, AN AMERICAN TAIL and THE SECRETS OF NIMH.
It was only two week ago that Walt Disney Studios announced that DOMINO director Tony Scott had stepped down from the helmers chair on the thriller DÉJÀ VU. Now the trades reports that Scott has returned to the film, which seems will be able to film in New Orleans as originally planned. Jerry Bruckheimer is producing will Denzel Washington starring.
