Digital-Tutors released INTRODUCTION TO PAINT EFFECTS training kit, the newest release in a growing library of popular training resources for emerging digital artists. INTRODUCTION TO PAINT EFFECTS provides more than four hours of project-driven training and guides users step-by-step through Mayas powerful brushed-based technology, Paint Effects.
The weird and wacky movie adaptation of Douglas Adams THE HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY (Buena Vista Home Ent., $29.99) comes to DVD Sept. 13, 2005. Its fun to watch the scene stealing going on between Sam Rockwell (as galaxy president Zaphod Beeblebrox) and John Malkovich (as rival Humma Kavula), but its Alan Rickman who steals the movie as the voice of Marvin, the kvetching robot. Imaginative vfx by Cinesite, creatures by Jim Hensons Creature Shop and models by Asylum Models & Effects.
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. has appointed BBC Worldwide (U.K.), m4e (Germany) and ABC (Australia) licensing agents for new children's stop-motion animated property, LUNAR JIM. Each of the licensing agents, working alongside master toy licensee, Fisher-Price, will oversee the licensing program, including securing new licenses and managing product launches, in their respective territories.
YTV is underway with its new fall programming which started with a special sneak preview to kids over Labor Day of its new series CATSCRATCH; D.I.C.E.; AVATAR; HI HI PUFFY AMI YUMI; UNFABULOUS; SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH and THE FRESH PRINCE OF BELL AIR, and new episodes of THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS; MY LIFE AS A TEENAGE ROBOT; DANNY PHANTOM; ALL GROWN UP; SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS; BEING IAN; 15/LOVE and MARTIN MYSTERY.
The lineup features:CATSCRATCH on Fridays at 4:30 pm and Sundays at 10:30 am
Nickelodeon will premiere the one-hour movie, DANNY PHANTOM: THE ULTIMATE ENEMY, from creator Butch Hartman (THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS) on Sept. 16, 2005 from 8-9:00 pm. The series hero, Danny Fenton (voiced by David Kaufman) finds being back at school while simultaneously fighting ghosts is too much for him. When he decides to cheat on a test, Danny suffers the consequences and must face his ultimate enemy or risk turning to the dark side forever.
Prix Jeunesse International 2006 Munich, GermanyMay 510, 2006 Deadline: December 12, 2005
Verizon Wireless and Gameloft have launched the first realtime multiplayer mobile game on Verizon Wireless V CAST consumer multimedia service. Available exclusively to Verizon Wireless V CAST customers, ASPHALT URBAN GT: MULTIPLAYER allows players to simultaneously compete in Gamelofts latest 3D driving game.
The School of Art at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, through the offices of NASAD The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, an organization that accredits art and design programs, has issued a call for art supplies to help the children and artists affected by Hurricane Katrina.
On Sept. 15, 2005, Animation Block Party will end the sweltering NYC summer with a festival featuring more than 50 short films in three September screenings at BAM Rose Cinemas in Brooklyn. Animation Block Party received almost 650 submissions over the course of 2005.
HBO has greenlit a second season of its new series ROME, reports the trades. The new 12 hourlong episodes will air in 2007.
The first episode, Aug. 28, harvested 8.9 million total viewers over the course of 11 plays on HBO and HBO2 spread across the entire week. The Sunday primetime broadcast scored a 9.1 household rating the best number for a new-season debut episode since the fourth-season premiere of SIX FEET UNDER in 2004.
Hong Kong Disneyland officially opened on Sept. 12, 2005. The grand opening ceremony began with a colorful display of spinning parasols which parted to reveal children welcoming the spectators in English, Cantonese and Putonghua. Classical Chinese tradition joined with Disney heritage as the ceremony continued with the 100-voice Hong Kong Children's Choir, Chinese acrobats and dancers and Disney ambassadors representing all of the Disney theme parks worldwide Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and the U.S.
GC, a leading gaming event in Leipzig, Germany, wrapped up with its Best of GC awards. The jury of experts reviewed 102 nominated games and chose the best brand-new game of the fair in nine categories (eight platforms plus the most innovative product). The following games were awarded the Best of GC seal, which they can use from now on for their own publicity:
PC - F.E.A.R. (Vivendi Universal Games Deutschland GmbH)GameBoy - FIRE EMBLEM SACRED STONES (Nintendo)Nintendo DS - NINTENDOGS (Nintendo)
The Visual Effects Society (VES) announced the schedule of events for eDIT 8. The Filmmakers Festival, taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, from Oct. 911, 2005. Focusing on storytelling in the digital age, eDIT 8 will feature more than 40 different presentations covering a wide range of production aspects, including editing, writing, digital cinema, sound design, producing, visual effects in commercials, television design and much more.
Ken Faier has departed Alliance Atlantis to join Nerd Corps Entertainment as president, responsible for the overall management and administration of the company's library of existing and new intellectual properties, including arranging financing, co-production partners, distribution and licensing and merchandising deals as well as work with the management team to oversee expansion of the companys infrastructure into a full service global player in the childrens market.
SOUTH PARK and STAR WARS: CLONE WARS VOLUME 2 won the Animated Programming categories in the 57th Annual Emmy Awards race during the 2004-2005 Creative Arts Primetime Emmys presentation Sept. 11, 2005, for programs and individual achievements at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS and LOST won in the Visual Effects categories.
HBOs animated CLASSICAL BABY tied with the live action NICK NEWS WITH LINDA ELLERBEE: NEVER AGAIN? -- FROM THE HOLOCAUST TO THE SUDAN from Nickelodeon for Outstanding Childrens Program.
2006 Roma Independent Film FestivalRome, ItalyMarch 24-31, 2006Deadline: December 15, 2005,
After the success of the fourth edition, the Roma Independent Film Festival with the support of the Directorate for Cultural Policies of the City of Rome and with the contribution of the Ministry for Cultural Activities (DGC) and of the Lazio Region is becoming an important appointment for independent cinema, on a national and international level.
Moondance 2006Boulder, Colorado, USAMay 2006Deadline: April 1, 2006
Continuing our special event specific Flash Newsletters, we will be publishing special editions for MIPCOM. This event is fast approaching and our editorial and advertising staff is gearing up for the Flash Newsletter series. Here are the dates for the publications.
MIPCOM Flash NewslettersSept. 27, 2005Oct. 4, 2005Oct. 11, 2005
This week in the Theatrical Release Database, we have new pages in addition to some new trailers, date updates and name changes.
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.
This week in AWN's Forums, a student wants to find out what positions are available for a student in animation studios. A beginner wants to know some tools to check out. More members are discussing whats wrong with animation in India. Moderator Larry L. talks about animation directors especially his fav Chuck Jones. A director posts some tips for animation supervisors to follow so they can meet their deadlines while still having fun. Another member is researching outsourcing. Debate still continues on FOSTERS HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS.
Following the first China International Animation Festival held this past June in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang province, the government has released 15 new measures to help build the area into an "animation capital," reports PEOPLE'S DAILY ONLINE. The incentives call for developing animation industry in Hangzhou over a five-year plan period.
UTV Software Communications Ltd. of India has announced a joint venture with the Malaysia-based Astro, a DTH and pay TV operator, to create two new channels in the region, reports the BUSINESS STANDARD. UTV will handle the content, marketing and brand building with the capital investment coming entirely from Astro. UTV will receive nearly $1 million a year as well as an option to invest up to 20% equity in the channel at par over three years.
ASIFA-Hollywood is looking for individuals interested in serving on the various nomination committees for the upcoming 2005 Annie Awards. Categories include: * Home Entertainment * Short Subject * Games * Television Commercial * Television Production * Character Animation * Character Design (Feature and Television) * Directing (Feature and Television) * Effects Animation * Music (Feature and Television) * Production Design (Feature and Television) * Storyboarding (Feature and Television)
For its second season, NEXTOONS: THE NICKTOONS FILM FESTIVAL has announced that Arthur de Pins, with his film, LA RÉVOLUTION DES CRABES, is the $10,000 Grand Prize winner.
