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AWN Headline News

Design Headline News

Gnomon Launches First Workshop Weekend

The Gnomon Workshop announced Gnomon Workshop: Live!, its first ever workshop weekend, Nov. 12-13, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, giving artists the opportunity to learn more about cutting edge techniques and processes in the visual arts. The weekend offers classes in concept design, matte painting, 3D modeling, ZBrush, character design, rendering in Photoshop, art direction, production design and more.

Headline News

Cine-tal to Support Iridas File Format

Cine-tal, a leading developer of image processing, display and collaboration solutions, and Iridas, which first pioneered non-destructive color grading, announced that the Cinemage Intelligent Display Server product line will include full support for Iridas .look file format. Looks created in SpeedGrade OnSet can now be applied directly in Cine-tals Cinemage calibrated HD display system providing a simple solution for graded shot review and digital dailies during production.

Interactive Headline News

EA, Warner Bros. & DC Comics Unite on Superman Returns: The Videogame

Electronic Arts, Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. and DC Comics have joined forces on SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME, scheduled for a summer 2006 release in conjunction with the release of Warner Bros. Pictures film, SUPERMAN RETURNS, on June 30, 2006.

Animation Headline News

Ittina Launches Animation Studio, Academy In Bangalore

The Ittina Group, a leading name in property development, announced the launch of an animation studio and academy Ittina Studios and Takshaa, respectively in Bangalore. Both will be housed in a six-story building in Whitefield. Ittina plans to invest about $5 million in the new venture over the next year.

Headline News

Conran Exits, Favreau Joins John Carter of Mars

Paramount announced that ELF and ZATHURA director Jon Favreau has been hired to direct the film adaptation of JOHN CARTER OF MARS, reports the trades. Previously, SKY CAPTAIN helmer Kerry Conran was attached to direct after Robert Rodriguez had to step down from the production after he quit the Directors Guild. Exec producer Harry Knowles said on his website Aint It Cool News that Conran left the film to work on another pulp sci-fi project that he was more passionate about.

Headline News

EA Settles Overtime Lawsuit

Electronic Arts announced it will pay $15.6 million and re-classify some salaried employees as hourly workers to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by workers over overtime pay.

Entry-level computer graphic artists in the U.S. will start earning overtime pay and will receive a one-time ownership grant of restricted company stock. However, they will no longer receive stock options or bonuses. The settlement, which is waiting approval by the San Mateo County Superior Court, is expected to take five months.

Digital Headline News

PlasterCITY Unveils Its Non-linear 10-bit 4:4:4 RGB Facility At Open House

PlasterCITY, an all-new nonlinear high-definition post house in Hollywood, recently showcased seven new HD edit suites, a 4GB HD Fibre SAN network, an HD Digital Intermediate workflow and a complete HD theater/screening room. At an open house on Oct. 6, 2005, PlasterCITY introduced its advanced non-linear 10-bit 4:4:4 RGB studio networking, enabling clients to edit, color-correct and perform all other picture post-production processes at the highest quality rate, including uncompressed codecs, for theatrical and broadcast projects.

UK Headline News

UK Showcase 2005 Announced

Top professionals from the U.K.s movie service industry will convene at the second UK Showcase, Nov. 8-9 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, V FOR VENDETTA and MATCH POINT will be just a few of the movies discussed as collaborative efforts between the U.S. and U.K.

Industry speakers at UK Showcase 2005 will present seminars and Q&A sessions on finance, production and shooting, post-production, digital distribution and interactive budgeting.

Headline News

Digital-Tutors Releases XSI Render Tree Training

Digital-Tutors announced the availability of INTRODUCTION TO XSI RENDER TREE training kit, a comprehensive training resource for SOFTIMAGE|XSI and the latest release in a growing library of popular training resources for emerging digital artists. A free trial of SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 Foundation is included with INTRODUCTION TO XSI RENDER TREE, allowing for immediate access to learn and explore the software.

Cinematics Headline News

Digic Pictures Creates Cinematics for Warhammer: Mark of Chaos

Digic Pictures, a computer animation studio based in Budapest, Hungary, announced work on the cinematics for the new WARHAMMER: MARK OF CHAOS RTS game. The anticipated classic will be published by Namco Hometek Inc. in 2006. A subsidiary of Cinergi Interactive, Digic Pictures previous works include rendered cinematics for ARMIES OF EXIGO, an RTS PC game, as well as 60 visual effects created for the Hollywood blockbuster, TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES.

Software Headline News

DAZ Prods. Hosts Ridiculously Big CG Sale

DAZ Prods. Inc., a leading developer of professional quality 3D software and models, will host the "Ridiculously Big CG Sale," an exclusive two-week promotion, Oct. 7-22 on the DAZ Prods. website (www.daz3d.com). This promotion offers discounts on products from top industry companies, including: Caligari, Eovia, Right Hemisphere, Strata Software, EVGA, Corel, E-Frontier, e-on software and TheBest3D.com. Starting Oct. 7 at 8:00 am, MT, each of these companies will offer one of their products at a 30-60% discount for one day each to everyone who is a registered member on DAZ's website.

Digital Headline News

LaserPacific Puts Duma Through DI

The finishing touches were completed on Warner Bros. DUMA during digital intermediate (DI) timing sessions with director Carroll Ballard (THE BLACK STALLION, FLY AWAY HOME) at LaserPacific in Hollywood. DUMA is an adventure story that revolves around the relationship between a boy and an orphaned cheetah rescued in the wilds of Africa.

Television Headline News

Nicolas Cage Does Some Detective Work For SCI FI Channel

Academy Award-winner Nicolas Cage is set to exec produce THE DRESDEN FILES (working title) for SCI FI Channel. The 2-hour backdoor pilot Cage's first foray into television will be produced by Lions Gate Television, in association with Cage's Saturn Films (THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE). Production is slated to begin in Toronto this fall with plans for a summer 2006 premiere.

Wars Headline News

THQ Wireless to Develop First Star Wars Multiplayer Mobile Game

THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. is developing, in association with Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts and developer Mikoishi, the STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT MOBILE game based on LucasArt's STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT, the best-selling STAR WARS game ever.

Headline News

Madagascar Penguins Get Supporting Role in Wallace and Gromit Release

Movie audiences are in for a double treat as DreamWorks bundles up an animated short featuring the adorable penguins from MADAGASCAR to play with the new movie, WALLACE AND GROMIT: CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, opening in theaters today (Oct. 5, 2005) in the U.S. The penguins star in DreamWorks Animations, A CHRISTMAS CAPER, directed by Gary Trousdale.

Nickelodeon Headline News

Jules Borkent Upped to VP, Programming, Nickelodeon Int’l

Jules Borkent has been promoted to vp, programming, Nickelodeon International, responsible for coordinating Nickelodeon's global programming and acquisitions strategy, with a particular emphasis on working with our local programming heads to coordinate and develop pan-regional deals for Nickelodeon's 13 localized channels across Europe.

World Headline News

VIZ Brings Global Issues to Manga with World Bank

VIZ Media Llc. has announced a partnership with the World Bank to present 1 WORLD MANGA, an original new series that will use the universal appeal of the graphic novel to address key global issues, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS and the environment. As part of its depositary library program, the World Bank will donate copies of the manga to 300 libraries around the world. VIZ Medias proceeds from the sales of 1 WORLD MANGA will go to several noteworthy charities.

Production Headline News

Emmerich Travels to 10,000 B.C.

Columbia Pictures has tapped INDEPENDENCE DAY director Roland Emmerich to direct 10,000 B.C., a prehistoric epic that depicts tribal life at the dawn of modern man, according to the trades. This film is the first under Emmerich's production deal with Columbia, which he signed in April.

John Orloff (HBO's BAND OF BROTHERS) is writing a new draft of the script, which is based on an idea that Emmerich forged a decade ago. Emmerich and Harald Kloser wrote the original screenplay.

Headline News

Tony Scott Won’t Do Deja Vu

Director Tony Scott has left Touchstone Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer thriller DÉJÀ VU, reports VARIETY. Scotts spokesman states that the move is due to logistical and scheduling problems that were created by Hurricane Katrinas destruction of New Orleans, the films key location. Filming was set to begin today (Oct. 5, 2005).

Headline News

Sundance Channel Premieres Animated I Am NOT an ANIMAL Oct. 5

Sundance Channel will premiere the audacious animated satirical series, I AM NOT AN ANIMAL, on Oct. 5, 2005, at 11:00 pm. Episodes premiere in October Wednesday nights at 11:00 pm, with encore presentations Thursdays at 6:00 pm, Fridays at 11:00 pm, Saturdays at 8:30 pm and Tuesdays at 8:30 pm.

Digital photomontage animation gives the series a colorfully surreal look that suits a story about furry creatures who do Pilates, use shoe trees and subscribe to cell phone horoscope services.

Series Headline News

Aaron McGruder’s The Boondocks Debut Moved to November

THE BOONDOCKS, the new Adult Swim original series based on Aaron McGruders award-winning and politically charged comic strip of the same name, was moved from an early October debut to now premiere on Nov. 6, 2005, at 11:00 pm on Adult Swim, Cartoon Networks late-night sister network showcasing animation for adults.

Headline News

Performer/Voice Over Actor Hamilton Camp Exits

Performer, singer, songwriter and Smurf voice over actor Hamilton Camp (aka Bob Camp and Hamid Hamilton Camp) died on Oct. 2, 2005, after a fall outside his Hancock Park home in Los Angeles, at the age of 70. The cause of death is still being determined, said his son, Hamilton Camp Jr.

Game Headline News

Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition Creates Scholarship

The Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition and the DigiPen Institute of Technology have announced the establishment of a scholarship to DigiPen Institute of Technology. Every member of the winning student design team for the Physics award will receive a $15,000 scholarship to DigiPen Institute of Technology, subject to admission to the program. Winners choosing not to attend DigiPen, or unable to qualify for admission, will receive cash and prizes valued at $5,000. The Physics Award judges engine, tool and A.I. programming, implementation and game play.

Film Headline News

Vanguard Lands Gnomes!

Vanguard Films has announced that they have acquired the feature comedy GNOMES!, written by Micah Herman and Kyle Newman. The high concept plot centers on a boy who discovers that the garden gnomes in his backyard are actually alive. When the boy starts to suspect that his mom's new suitor is a gnome-eating troll, the boy enlists the gnomes' help and all sorts of trouble ensues. Herman and Newman are slated to direct the project.

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