Digital Vision announced that Industrial Light & Magic has used its AGR4 ME motion-compensated grain & noise management system to prepare the digital cinema master for George Lucas STAR WARS: EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH, which hits theaters May 19, 2005.
An all-day Mother's Day marathon celebration, an AMERICAN DRAGON: JAKE LONG marathon including an all-new episode, a Movin' and Groovin' with JoJo Week featuring dance-filled episodes of Playhouse Disney's JOJO'S CIRCUS and a THAT'S SO RAVEN Memorial Day marathon featuring guest stars Cyndi Lauper, Paula Abdul, Kathie Lee Gifford, Susan Lucci, Macy Gray, James Avery, Bobb'e J. Thompson and Ricky Ullman, are featured during May on Disney Channel. Also, new episodes of THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK & CODY, LILO & STITCH: THE SERIES and BRANDY & MR. WHISKERS are presented.
The long awaited, highly requested STAR WARS: CLONE WARS VOLUME II (Chapters 21 - 25) premieres for TELETOON viewers on Wednesday, May 4, 10:00 pm on The Detour on TELETOON. This back-to-back "May the 4th be With You" special 90-minute presentation is a Canadian exclusive. VOLUME II picks up right where VOLUME I left off with a team of Jedi trapped in a wrecked starship on Hypori, being hunted maliciously by General Grievous.
Best-selling strategy game STRONGHOLD 2 was developed by FireFly Studios and published by 2K Games, a publishing label of Take2 Interactive, using Lifemode Interactives LifeStudio:HEAD.
NAB has come and gone and the buzzword was workflow. Every company large and small is looking to improve the process and performance of its pipeline. Its a leaner and meaner industry, with everyone learning how to leverage digital assets and technology for problem solving as outsourcing becomes more prevalent. No wonder both Alias and Autodesk, which have restructured and rebranded lately, are figuring out how to apply workflow solutions from their non-entertainment divisions to their entertainment divisions while expanding their consulting businesses.
A former boyfriend of Sydney teenager has been committed to stand trial for allegedly murdering an 18-year-old Walt Disney animator, Lyndsay van Blanken, according to many newspaper accounts in Australia.
William Matheson, 22, was committed on April 27, 2005, in Sydney's Central Local Court over her death in November 2003. A trial date has yet to be set.
Accounts say he was the last person known to see van Blanken alive on Nov. 24, 2003, outside the Charing Cross Hotel in Waverley, in Sydney's east.
Former Comedy Central and MGM Interactive executive, Kenneth Locker has joined Cookie Jar Entertainment, the programming and licensing arm of Cookie Jar Group, in the newly created position of svp of Digital Media, Cookie Jar. Locker will be responsible for leveraging new and existing content for the company, across a variety of platforms, including the Internet, wireless, broadband and IPTV.
Vince Roberts has been promoted to the newly created position of evp, worldwide technology and operations, Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group and Walt Disney Television International. He will be responsible for the global technical and operational strategic direction and ongoing management of all television and IT functions across the Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group, including Disney Channel, Toon Disney, SOAPnet, ABC Family and JETIX; and Walt Disney Television International, including, Disney-branded networks in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, Japan and Canada.
THQ Inc. has released HELLO KITTY BUBBLEGUM GIRLFRIENDS for PC and Mac. Published by ValuSoft, a division of THQ, the videogame based on the SANRIO property is rated "E" for Everyone and is available at retailers in the U.S. for $19.99 SRP.
Romania-born cartoonist and illustrator André François, whose satirical style moves editorial cartooning away from traditional realism, died on April 11, 2005, at his home in Grisy-les-Plâtres, France, reports THE NEW YORK TIMES. He was 89. Cause of death was heart and kidney failure.
ADV Films released four new DVDs on April 26, 2005. Titles include DNANGEL: MAGICAL GIRLS, SHUTEN DOJI: BIRTH OF DEMONS, DIVERGENCE EVE: CORE MISSION and PETITE PRINCESS YUCIE: MAGICAL MISCHIEF.
DNANGEL: MAGICAL GIRLS is the fourth disk in a seven disk series. Adapted from the international best-selling manga series by Yukiru Sugisaki, DNANGEL is a funny romantic adventure with a fantastic premise. High school hottie Risa has two suitors: shy Daisuke and his dashing alter-ego, the magical thief Dark.
SCI FI Channel will start production on the two-hour pilot movie EUREKA on British Columbia's Vancouver Island. Starring Colin Ferguson (ARMISTEAD MAUPIN'S MORE TALES OF THE CITY), Salli Richardson-Wittfield (ANTWONE FISHER), Greg Germann (ALLY MCBEAL, FRIENDS WITH MONEY), Joe Morton (PAYCHECK), Debrah Farentino (THE DIVISION) and Jordan Hinson (GO FIGURE), EUREKA will be helmed by Peter O'Fallon (HOUSE, M.D., WONDERFALLS).
Earthworks Ent. has been selected to serve as the merchandising and licensing representative for the celebrated infant and toddler franchise LITTLE SUZYS ZOO. Under the agreement, Earthworks Ent., through the companys recently inaugurated brand management division, will represent select product categories from the SUZYS ZOO branded world, including LITTLE SUZYS ZOO, WAGS and WHISKERS.
Universal Pictures is set to remake Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1963 horror film, THE BIRDS, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes is in talks with the studio to produce along with Peter Guber and his Mandalay Pictures. The new version will be based on the original short story by Daphne Du Maurier, which inspired the Hitchcock film. The story chronicles the events that transpire in a small Pacific Coast town after the birds begin attacking in mass for no reason.
Disney Online is developing a PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN massively multiplayer online role-playing game to debut in summer 2006, coinciding with the theatrical premiere of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MANS CHEST.
James Robbins "Bob" Gardiner passed away April 21, 2005, in Grass Valley, California, where he resided from 1991 to 2005, reports THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. He won an Oscar and other national and international awards in 1974, for the groundbreaking clay animated short film CLOSED MONDAYS, which he wrote, sculpted, directed and co-produced.
We want to get the word out about what youre doing at BookExpo 2005 and the L.A. Screenings.
Wes Craven's Craven/Maddalena Films is teaming with Gold Circle Films to produce indie horror flick THE WAITING, written by BOOGEYMAN scribes Juliet Snowden and Stiles White, reports VARIETY. Craven/Maddalena president Marianne Maddalena and Gold Circle president Paul Brooks will produce the film with Craven serving as exec producer. Craven/Maddalena Films vp of development Alix Taylor will co-produce with Wendy Rhoads of Gold Circle, whose Zak Kadison will oversee the project.
This week in the Theatrical Release Database, we have nearly 20 date changes for some of the hottest upcoming animation and visual effects films.
Nickelodeon Writing FellowshipAugust 1, 2005Deadline: April 29, 2005
Nickelodeon Productions is continuing its search for new creative talent with the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship Program, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for writers to work full-time developing their craft at Nickelodeon. Now aspiring writers have a few extra days to get their forms filled out and their samples in. The application deadline has been extended to April 29, 2005.
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.
2005 Script Pimp Screenwriting CompetitionHollywood, California, USAJuly 28, 2005Deadline: May 2, 2005
The 2005 Script Pimp Screenwriting Competition allows fledgling writers the chance to break into the industry. All 20 finalists are invited to the Script Pimp Awards Ceremony at the Hollywood Improv on July 28, 2005. Prizes include $10,000 in cash, $8,000 in prizes and the opportunity to have your script read by executives at more than 200 production companies.
This week in AWN's Forums, a couple members need tips on animating rustling trees and leaves and 2D fog. Another member presents the question whats the future of Flash. Theres a thread asking for Indian 2D prices. Additionally, a blogger has questions about using music in animation. Others have questions about sound and Foley. As well as, tools for teaching animation, the business of animation and, as always, brand new stuff to check out in show and tell!
Transdimensional Short Film Festival 2005Beverly Hills, California, USAJune 3, 2005Deadline: June 1, 2005
The first ever animation courses in the U.K. to receive the British animation industrys official seal of approval were today (April 26, 2005) announced by Skillset. Skillset devised the pilot accreditation scheme in consultation with the industry and education providers.
The successful courses are BA Hons Animation Production at the Arts Institute, Bournemouth; BA Hons Computer Animation and Visualization at Bournemouth University; and HND in Art & Design (Computer Animation)/BA Hons Animation at the Glamorgan Centre for Art & Design.
