Alias announced its intention at E3 to join the Sony Computer Ent. Inc.'s Tools and Middleware Program for PlayStation 3 (PS3) when it launches in spring of 2006. This will enable Alias to tailor the roadmap for software products such as Maya, Alias MotionBuilder and Alias|HumanIK middleware to the needs of developers working on Sonys PS3 titles. These three Alias products are development musts for the leading current-generation console titles.
Bob and Harvey Weinsteins new Weinstein Co. will get equity investment and debt financing from Goldman, Sachs & Co. Specific terms of the transactions were not disclosed. The two firms will work closely together over the coming months to officially launch The Weinstein Co. in October 2005.
The Force is already with REVENGE OF THE SITH, as EPISODE III of the STAR WARS saga grossed an estimated $17M for the special midnight screenings on Thursday. Bruce Snyder, president of domestic distribution for Twentieth Century Fox, told THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, "It seems like the industry got kick started last night at midnight."
REVENGE OF THE SITH began playing midnight shows in 2,900 theaters in North America. Snyder could not give a firm screen count, but noted that it could be significantly higher because of interlocking prints.
Rendercore Inc. has integrated the latest version of LightWave 8.3 on Rendercore's state-of-the-art render farm based in downtown Los Angeles.
We integrated Newteks latest version of LightWave 8.3 to our proprietary remote rendering management tool RenMan so that clients can upload files automatically for job submission and monitoring remotely and efficiently, from anywhere, anytime said Brian Kim, senior developer at Rendercore.
It must be in the cards that the month of May is a good time for fairies as the WINX CLUB joined Miguzi's Monday-Friday lineup on May 16, 2005 and now airs on the Cartoon Network afternoon adventure block at 5:00 pm. The action-packed series features teenaged fairies and witches use magical powers for both good and evil. The series also premiered this month (May 2) on Nickelodeon UK, as well as a trading card game at Toys "R" Us stores.
In a continuation of their recent expansion, New York-based design and production company UVPHACTORY has added editor/vfx artist Robert Lopuski to its staff roster.
Robert reflects the creative vibe of this place and is a logical extension of our continued growth. He has the UVPHACTORY sensibility creativity, savvy and humor and he is a natural at what he does, technically and creatively, explained co-founder Scott Sindorf.
Airbus Germany has recently purchased a second Vicon motion-capture system for tracking human interaction with virtual models of proposed new planes, including the Airbus 380. Airbus Germany's Virtual Reality department is using both Vicon VCam (0.3 million pixel camera with powerful strobes) and SVCam (low-impact, unobtrusive small format camera) systems to enable engineers to interact with new planes before building practical prototypes. This is the same motion-capture system used on THE POLAR EXPRESS, TROY and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.
MAXON Computer has released its software in a 64-bit final release version for the Windows 64 operating system. Users will benefit from increased available memory and improved speed thanks to optimized performance for 64-bit processors.
Alias now offers two new Learning Tools: PIPELINE TECHNIQUES|MAYA AND ALIAS MOTIONBUILDER and MAYA TECHNIQUES|MAYA FLUID EFFECTS examine areas of Maya relatively unexplored by Learning Tool authors prior to now. Both tools further complete a full range of Learning Tools that offer 3D professionals, students and enthusiasts a collection of books and DVDs for self-paced learning.
Expression College for Digital Arts has appointment Scott Tolmie as director of Industry Relations/Career Development Visual.
Before joining Expression, Tolmie was animation art director at LeapFrog, where he led the creative development of new characters for the LEAPSTER educational gaming platform. He was also exec producer with Way Out West Animation, where he developed Flash animation and interface design for medical clients, including Heartbeat Digital.
Director Thor Freudenthal of Reactor Films/SM teamed with STEELE to produce an effects driven package of spots for Popsicle. An homage to the kitschy, low-budget special effects of 1950s Hong Kong cinema and 1960s TV, the Freudenthal/STEELE collaboration makes Popsicles seem not only tasty but heroic. This campy campaign, via Campbell Mithun/MN, features a superhero The Man of Popsicle whose motto is, If its Popsicle, its possible!
Steven Paul's Crystal Sky and Sony's Screen Gems are set to adapt videogame classic TEKKEN into a feature film, reports VARIETY. Budgeted at $50 million, the film is scheduled to start production this fall. For Crystal Sky, this is one of two properties picked up in turnaround from Dimension. The second begins with Marvel's WEREWOLF BY NIGHT, which Paul will produce with Marvel Studios' Avi Arad.
When one thought that Dick Tracy had hung up his badge for good, the yellow-cloaked detective is now in the news again with a possible TV deal as well as a lawsuit.
Dick Tracy comicstrip owners Tribune Co. have struck a deal with Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Outlaw Prods. Partners Bobby Newmyer and Scott Strauss to bring DICK TRACY to the small screen, reports VARIETY.
However, this deal flies in the face of Warren Beatty's lawsuit, which was filed in L.A. Superior Court seeking damages against Tribune and a declaration that Beatty owns the Tracy rights.
At a press conference held in Los Angeles, California, today (May 17, 2005), Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) revealed the outline of its PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system, incorporating the world's most advanced Cell processor with super computer like power. Preparations are under way for launch of PS3 and new generation software in the spring of 2006. Prototypes of PS3 will also be showcased at E3, the world's largest interactive entertainment exhibition held in Los Angeles, from May 18-20.
At E3 2005 in Los Angeles, Microsoft Corp. announced it will release a free software update to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 that will enable customers to take advantage of the Media Center Extender technologies built into Xbox 360 gaming systems to access and enjoy digital entertainment anywhere in the home. Every Xbox 360 will have Media Center Extender functionality built in and available out of the box.
Its a busy week! E3 begins Wednesday at the Los Angeles Convention Center and REVENGE OF THE SITH opens Thursday.
Seventeen French TV companies are attending the seventh meeting of French and Italian distributors and producers organized by TV France International, which will be held in Rome on May 19, 2005 at the Intercontinental Hotel and on the following day in Milan at the Sheraton Diana Majestic Hotel.
Italy is Frances second largest market for television productions, buying 10.64 million euros worth of French programs in 2003. Italy ranks sixth amongst countries participating with France in co-productions and presales in 2003.
This years 2005 VES-VFX Festival of Visual Effects kicks off June 24-26 at the newly renovated Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, California, with a lineup that includes behind-the-scenes looks at STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH, BATMAN BEGINS, MADAGASCAR, SIN CITY, BEWITCHED, LORDS OF DOGTOWN, CSI, LOST and ALIAS.
The Animation Guild and Affiliated Optical Electronic and Graphic Arts, Local 839 IATSE, has updated their website, which is hosted by the Animation World Network.
The newest Acrobat edition of Animation World Magazine is now online and this time around covers pitching and development. Sarah Baisley outlines some of the basic concerns when pitching for sub-contracting work. Christopher Panzner looks at how independent producers have to be a vertically-integrated individual as well as a little of a cowboy to survive in the industry. Jan Nagel write two articles one deal with the rules of the pitching game and the other dealing with the essentials of a show bible.
This week, we have three dont miss trailers in the Theatrical Release Database.
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.
This week in AWN's Forums, a would-be animation student wants to know what the best 3D schools are. Another member wants to know where they can get Flash character animation training. The question how do I make a song continue to next scene has been presented. Theres a thread that wants to know what other members think is the best Pixar film. A junior member wants to find some great tutorial sites. Lots of members continue to post there work for other to check out.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, has signed an exclusive, long-term distribution agreement to take THE ROACH APPROACH videos, created by design and animation studio Wacky World Studios, to the general market and Christian retail markets in the U.S. and Canada.
Despite leading the pack in its debut, New Lines MONSTER-IN-LAW did nothing to quell the 12-week dry spell at the box office that should get a big jolt with this weeks anticipated monster hit, STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH. The Jennifer Lopez/Jane Fonda comedy collected $23.1M for the weekend ended May 15, 2005. That was better than two other newcomers: KICKING & SCREAMING, which kicked up $20.1M for Universal, thanks to the presence of Will Ferrell, and UNLEASHED, which grabbed $10.9M for Universals specialty division, Focus.
