AWN Headline News
AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for October 17, 2005
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 New Business Affairs VP at MarVista Ent.
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.
SEBI Bars Pentamedia from Capital Market
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 Provides VFX for Shopgirl
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).
particleIllusion Upgrade Promotion Offered to Combustion Users
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 Offers Classes on Apple Shake, Compositing and Digital Greenscreens
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 Creates Enriched Play New Media For Kids
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.
Creepshow Remake in the Works
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.
Dakota Fanning To Voice Title Character In LAIKA’s Coraline
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.
Family Channel Gets Behind Bullying Awareness Week
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 Becomes First Anime Company To Provide Programming For iPod
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.
Lola & Virginia Joins Disney Channel Italy
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 & Aardman Go Down Under with Planet Sketch
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.
Cartoon Network Reups MoonScoop’s Code Lyoko
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.
Autodesk Hosts 3ds Max Developers Summit in Orlando
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 Does Heavenly on DVD
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’s VFX Provide Answer for Reebok Campaign
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.
Pixologic Releases ZApp Link Plug-In
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 Ships First Multiplayer SpongeBob Game
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."
Savannah Film Fest To Give Bluth & Goldman Lifetime Achievement Awards
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.
Déjà Vu! Tony Scott To Direct Deja Vu
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.
Eisner to Direct Creature From the Black Lagoon Remake
SAHARA-helmer Breck Eisner has been hired by Universal Pictures to remake CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Gary Ross, whose father Arthur Ross was a writer on the 1954 original, is producing out of his Larger Than Life production shingle. Gary Ross wrote the current version of the screenplay and Tedi Safarian wrote a previous draft.
Seneca College Now Accepting Applications
Seneca Colleges Animation Arts Centre is now accepting applications for its January 2006 intake in its one year graduate certificate programs, which include 3D character animation, visual effects for film and television and 3D gaming program. In addition, Seneca offers a three-year undergraduate diploma in animation arts, which provides a solid foundation of 2 years of traditional animation and in their final year students can choose between 3D character animation for film and television or 3D game art and design.
Dogstar Joins EM.Entertainment Distribution Portfolio
EM.Ent. GmbH, a subsidiary of EM.TV AG, has acquired extensive distribution rights to the comedy animation series DOGSTAR within the free-TV, pay-TV and home entertainment sectors. Geographically, the license extends across the German-speaking region, French-speaking parts of Europe (excluding Switzerland), Spain, Asia (excluding Japan) and Latin America. DOGSTAR is produced by Melbourne based animation studio Media World Pictures Pty Ltd. and consists of 26 half-hour episodes.