AWN Headline News

G7 Animation Roars Into Production on Biker Mice From Mars Series

Gang of Seven (G7) Animation embarks on its biggest assignment in the companys brief history, beginning pre-production on 26 new episodes of BIKER MICE FROM MARS. This marks the return of the hugely popular series from the early 90s.

The new series is a co-production of U.K.-based brand management company, Criterion, Licensing Ltd.; creator/exec producer Rick Ungars Brentwood Television Funnies, Inc.; and animation production facility, Philippines Animation Studio (PASI).

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Nickelodeon Headline News

Nina Hahn to Head Int’l Development for Nickelodeon

Nina Hahn joins MTV Networks in the newly created position of vp, international development, Nickelodeon. Based in London, Hahn will develop relationships and partnerships for international kid-focused creative ideas and talent for development and placement on Nickelodeons channels around the world. She is also charged to ensure that Nickelodeons channels outside the U.S. are more closely connected to the production of key Nick series in the U.S.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Series Headline News

G4 Acquires Three Anime Series From ADV Films

G4 - Videogame TV has acquired anime series RAHXEPHON, CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL and COLORFUL from ADV Films. The futuristic action-packed series RAHXEPHON premieres first as part of G4's all-new late-night TV block, Barbed Wire Biscuit, on Sept, 2, 2005, at 12:00 am ET/9:00 pm PT.

In Anime, Television, Anime, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe, North America

Games Headline News

Turner Sets GameTap Subscription Rate & Free Two-Week Trial

Turner Broadcasting System will charge a $14.95 per month subscription rate for the fall debut of its GameTap broadband entertainment network and give subscribers a two-week trial period for unlimited access.

The first network of its kind, GameTap allows subscribers to access a huge vault of games, ranging from the early arcades to console and PC titles, using a broadband-connected PC, as well as original Turner programming.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Motion Headline News

Motion Analysis Offers Multi-Person, Realtime MoCap System

Motion Analysis Corp. recently delivered its multi-person realtime motion-capture system to XTrackrZ Inc. A 20- camera Eagle-4 Digital system was used for capturing six performers at 120 fps in realtime in the Los Angeles studio of XTrackrZ. Each performer was wearing 42 markers. The Eagle-4 cameras captured and Motion Analysis EVaRT software tracked the motion, solved and retargeted the data of all six performers in realtime.

In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Season Headline News

Futurama Goes Monster Robot Maniac on DVD

Matt Groenings four favorite episodes from the animated FUTURAMA TV series comprise the FUTURAMA MONSTER ROBOT MANIAC FUN DVD collection (Fox Home Ent., $14.98) that streets Aug. 23, 2005.

In Home Entertainment, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Version Headline News

RE:Vision Effects Releases RE:Flex 3

RE:Vision offers RE:Flex 3, which brings intuitive morphing and warping directly to combustion 3.0 or later, After Effects 5.0 or later, Shake 3.01 or later and Discreet Systems (IFFFS). Superior results are achieved using RE:Vision Effects' proprietary and sophisticated technology. RE:Flex is especially easy to learn because it uses the host program's own drawing and masking tools (when available) to direct the morphing and warping, so there is no need to learn a whole new user interface.

In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Universal Headline News

Halo to Descend on Screen Summer 2007

Fox and Universal have finalized their deal with Microsoft to turn hit videogame HALO into a feature film for release summer 2007, according to VARIETY. As part of the deal, the studios will dole out $5 million against 10% of the gross to the house that Bill Gates built.

Universal will handle production and domestic distribution with Fox covering foreign distribution and will split revenues 50/50.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America

Game Headline News

Urbaniacs Flips for New Memory Game

Urbaniacs, the create-your-own superhero online community, has launched its newest game, FLIP IT. The classic memory game challenges players to match cards containing the faces, body parts and equipment of the Urbaniac heroes. Each round adds more cards with bigger chances to win more Urbos, which be used to purchase cool stuff for ones superhero.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Software Headline News

Vue 5 Easel To Ship in September

e-on software announced the September release of Vue 5 Easel, the new entry-level version of its award winning Vue product line. Vue 5 Easel will sell for $99.

Vue 5 Easel is specifically designed for digital artists and hobbyists looking for a simple introduction to 3D. With a rich and easy-to-use feature set, Vue 5 Easel will let newcomers to 3D create images and animations within minutes.

In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Quiet Man Slam Dunks with Adidas and Foot Locker

Its a scramble for maximum hang time as visual effects and animation company Quiet Man recently completed CUBED, a :15 spot for Adidas and distributor Foot Locker. The commercial began airing Aug. 17.

We really achieved the look we wanted in this project, something sleek and sophisticated but still conveying that the shoes are available and accessible to everyone, said Amy Taylor, exec director of Quiet Man.

In Commercials, Visual Effects, Commercials, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

A Virgin Beats Red Eye and Valiant

Another R-rated comedy found its way to the top of the box office chart in its debut Universals THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN grossed $21.4M for the weekend ended Aug. 21, 2005. DreamWorks RED EYE, the Wes Craven airplane thriller (with vfx by Digital Dream), bowed in second with $16.1M.

In Anime, Films, Anime, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for August 22, 2005

Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.

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Animation Headline News

AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for August 22, 2005

This week in AWN's Forums, a senior member wants t know when will the 3D animation glut ever going to happen?

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Headline News

Sony Animation Ups Nate Hopper

Nate Hopper has been promoted to svp of creative affairs for Sony Pictures Animation, effective immediately.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Movie Headline News

Disney Channel Airing The Proud Family Movie

The animated Disney Channel Original Movie, THE PROUD FAMILY MOVIE, a family comedy based on the critically acclaimed Disney Channel series of the same name, premiered Aug. 19, 2005, at 8:00 pm with ratings to make the channel proud. The movie rebroadcasts at 8:00 pm on Aug. 20, 21, 24 as well as September 1, 11 (with an additional run 1:00 pm) and 27.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Spawn Gets The Devil of a Voice Cast

IDT Ent. and Todd McFarlane Prods. have announced the voices for the characters featured in the return of TODD MCFARLANES SPAWN: ANIMATION TV series, including Keith David returning as Spawn.

The ensemble cast includes:* Keith David (PITCH BLACK, THERES SOMETHING ABOUT MARY) as the voice of Spawn, the tortured soul on an eternal battle with evil, caught between heaven and hell.* Carl Weathers (ROCKY, PREDATOR) lends his voice talent as Captain Edwards, a long time police captain who tries going by the book despite rampant crime.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Dragon Booster Flies to Latin America Via Jetix

Alliance Atlantis has secured a broadcast deal with Jetix in Latin America for its childrens CGI animated property, DRAGON BOOSTER. The series will launch throughout Latin America in fall 2005. This deal is in addition to agreements already in place with broadcasters in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Canada.

In Anime, Television, Anime, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Australia, North America

Books Headline News

Dragon Booster Boasts New Licensing Deals

Alliance Atlantis announced that it has secured North American publishing and apparel deals for its childrens CGI animated property, DRAGON BOOSTER. Hyperion Books for Children, having acquired the U.S. and Canadian publishing rights, will launch a series of DRAGON BOOSTER books beginning in fall 2005. Extreme Concepts, who will begin rolling out the clothing line in fall 2005, has licensed the DRAGON BOOSTER apparel rights in the U.S.

In Licensing, Licensing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Australia, North America

Film Headline News

Anime from 1900 Found in Kyoto

A researcher in Kyoto has discover a lost Japanese animated film made around 1900, making it the oldest of its kind in the country, reports MAINICHI INTERACTIVE.

Iconography expert Natsuki Matsumoto and animation historian Nobuyuki Tsugata at the Osaka University of Arts believe that the film was made roughly 10 years prior to an animation produced in 1917, which was previously deemed Japan's oldest.

In Anime, Films, Anime, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Awards Headline News

Annie Awards Issues Call for Nominations

ASIFA-Hollywood is now accepting nominations for the 33rd annual Annie Awards. Entries submitted for consideration must be from productions that originally aired, were exhibited in an animation festival or commercially released between Jan. 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2005.

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Interactive Headline News

TV Academy Announces 2005 Interactive Television Emmy Awards

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Interactive Media Peer Group announced the winners today (Aug. 19, 2005) of the 2005 Interactive Television Emmy Awards.Brian Seth Hurst and Marcelino Ford-Livene, Interactive Media Peer Group co-governors said TV Land and Cablevision were singled out for Emmys which will be presented during the non-televised Primetime Creative Arts Show on September 11 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Winners of the 2005 Interactive Television Emmy Awards are:

In Awards, Awards | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Story Headline News

Services Set for Story Genius Joe Ranft

A memorial service has been set for Joe Ranft, one of the animation industrys most respected and talented story specialists, who died in a car accident near Mendocino, California, on Aug. 16, 2005 (see AWN report). The Pixar fixture had just completed story work on the studios latest feature, CARS.

The Friends and Colleagues Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005. Details regarding the time and location are available by calling (510) 752-4455.

In In Passing, In Passing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Film Headline News

MoMA Looking for Work from CalArts Grads

MoMA Tribute To CalArtsNew York, New York, USAMay 2006Deadline: May 2006

The Museum of Modern Art, New York, will pay tribute to CalArts with a film and video exhibition taking place in May 2006. Celebrating 35 years of remarkably inventive and sophisticated student work, this historical survey will feature films and videos produced by the following departments: Film and Video, Experimental Animation, Character Animation, and Film Directing. Also included are films and videos produced in the MFA program.

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Headline News

Animal Logic Adds Harmony to Optus TV Campaign

Animal Logic has worked with M+C Saatchi Sydney, Filmgraphics, and director Phil Meatchem to create a new television commercial for Optus. The :60 Brand TVC combines seamless 3D animation with a lively music track to animate the Optus animals into a new musical life.

In Commercials, Commercials | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Australia