AWN Headline News

fmx/05 Kicks Off April 27 in Stuttgart

fmx/05, the 10th International Conference on Animation, Effects, Realtime and Content, commences April 27 to April 30 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Topics range from film and TV production, animation, effects and realtime to scientific applications, games and the latest software solutions. The organizers anticipate about 2,000 visitors a day, ranging from artists, technical directors, vfx supervisors and post- production companies to animators and broadcasters along with students and young professionals.

In Anime, Event, Visual Effects, Anime, Event, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Animation Headline News

Green Gold’s Vikram Feature to Air on Cartoon Network

Hyderabad-based Green Gold Animation has sold the India satellite rights for its 85-minute 2D animated feature VIKRAM AUR BETAAL to Cartoon Network, reports IndianTelevision.com. The feature is targeted at an 11+ audience.

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

Headline News

Iran To Introduce World’s Oldest Animation At ASIFA Seoul Session

The most ancient example of animation, which was discovered at Irans 5,200-year-old Burnt City, will be displayed at the session of ASIFA, International Animated Film Association held in Seoul in August.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Headline News

French Author in Nemo Suit Convicted of Fraud

French children's book author Franck Le Calvez, who suited Disney claiming FINDING NEMO infringed on his creation orange-and-white clown fish named Pierrot, was convicted of fraud on April 20, 2005, and now must pay nearly $80,000 in damages and legal fees, according to Canada.com.

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

Film Headline News

Donnie Darko Director Gets Southland Stars

Cherry Road Films and Darko Ent. announced that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will star opposite Seann William Scott (AMERICAN PIE films, THE DUKES OF HAZZARD) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (THE GRUDGE) in the science-fiction thriller SOUTHLAND TALES for writer-director Richard Kelly (DONNIE DARKO). Sean McKittrick will produce under the Darko Ent. banner he co-founded with Kelly. Cherry Road principals Bo Hyde and Kendall Morgan will produce.

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

Technology Headline News

Sony & Toshiba May End Next-Gen DVD War

Japan's Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. are in negotiations to end the three-year next-generation DVD format war by teaming together to create one universal format, according to various publications. The move is seen as a compromise to ensure a bigger market as well as a way for both firms to share costs.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Effects Headline News

Jay Roth Appointed President of NewTek’s 3D Graphics Division

NewTek Inc. has named Jay Roth president of the 3D graphics division of the company. Roth, co-founder and former CEO of Electric Image Inc., has 25 years experience in the 3D visual effects and graphics industry. In his new role Roth will oversee the expansion of the 3D product line, the advancement of technical innovation in LightWave 3D, along with sales and marketing efforts relating to NewTeks 3D graphics offerings.

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

Studios Headline News

TrendWatch Report Finds Sharp Rise in Server Buys at U.S. Studios

TrendWatch Inc., a leading market information company for the pro-video, visual effects, content creation and graphics markets, suggests in its 150-page report (Servers Holding the Workflow Together) that server growth will be strong this year.

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

Headline News

Mark Lasoff Joins Alias Custom Development Center

Mark Lasoff has joined Alias Santa Barbara, California-based Custom Development Center (CDC) as entertainment consulting manager. In his new role at the CDC, Lasoff will work with Alias' software engineers to design and implement new workflow tools and custom software solutions for production facilities and key customers that rely heavily on the Maya, Alias MotionBuilder, and Alias SketchBook Pro family of products.

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

Headline News

Star Wars: Episode III Smashes Fandango Tickets Sales Records

Its still a month away but fans crazy to see STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH, have inundated Fandango, the nation's largest online and phone movie ticketing service, which is reporting unprecedented sales for the eagerly awaited movie, with sold-out shows in select markets. The George Lucas epic opens May 19, 2005.

SITH ranks as Fandango's fastest-selling movie to-date, selling five times as many tickets as the company's next best-selling movie (THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST) at this point in the film's sales cycle.

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

Headline News

Jetix Block To Premiere On New Animation Channel In South Korea

Buena Vista International Television - Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) struck a multi-year agreement for a Jetix block on CHAMP, a new animation channel that will be carried on both cable and satellite platforms in South Korea.

CHAMP takes its name from a popular comic book series in South Korea. A joint venture between Daewon digital broadcast and CJ Media, will launch on May 2, 2005, and has positioned itself as a 24-hour channel that will showcase the best in action and adventure animation.

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

Kids Headline News

Blayney to Head Kids Sales at Celador International

Helen Blayney joins Celador International as senior sales manger, kids division, where she will be responsible for sales of the companys growing portfolio of childrens programming, including ROOBARB & CUSTARD and TALES OF THE RIVERBANK. Blayney reports to Cathy Laughton, who joined London-based Celador Intl in February 2005 as head of kids programming to champion of its new kids division, Celador International Kids.

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

Headline News

NAB2005 AIM Award Winners Announced

The National Assn. of Broadcasters (NAB) announced the winners of the third-annual Awards for Innovation in Media (AIMs).

The top five products within each of the Content Creation, Content Management and Content Delivery categories received recognition during NAB's Technology Luncheon, held April 20, 2005.

Within the Content Creation category, Apple's Final Cut Pro 5, Avid's Media Composer Adrenaline HD 2.1, Avid's Symphony Nitris, the JVC GY-HD100U 3-CCD HD Camera Recorder, and the Sony HDCAM SR/HDCAM Dual Format Recorder were each awarded a 2005 NAB AIM.

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

Headline News

The Incredibles Game Goes 3D Mobile

Verizon Wireless customers who enjoyed THE INCREDIBLES can now dial it up on their phone or favorite wireless device with the release of THE INCREDIBLES 3D mobile game on Verizon Wireless' new V CAST wireless broadband multimedia service.

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

Digital Headline News

Digital Vision Showcases Latest Valhall Colour Grade System at NAB2005

Digital Vision, is showcasing, at NAB2005, the newest version of its Valhall Colour Grade system, V2.0, a complete realtime color correction system, with full primaries and secondaries, machine control and an ergonomic work surface. The Valhall control software also supports all Digital Vision DVNR options, including the new line of ME motion-compensated image processing systems.

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

Effects Headline News

Apple Announces Shake 4

Apple launched Shake 4 at NAB2005, a major upgrade to the leading compositing software used by independent artists and visual effects facilities. Shake 4 features 3D multiplane compositing, cutting-edge optical flow image processing and unprecedented integration with Final Cut Pro 5.

From Academy award-winning films to broadcast television, Shake helps bring realistic visual effects to life, said Rob Schoeben, Apples vp of applications marketing.

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

Autodesk Headline News

Autodesk to Acquire Software Developer Colorfront

Autodesk Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Colorfront Ltd., the leading developer of color correction technology for film studios and digital film laboratories, for $15 million. This acquisition will bring comprehensive new expertise in film laboratory processes, digital post-production, color science, image processing and hardware platform optimization to Autodesk. The transaction is expected to close in the next 45 days, and to be neutral to Autodesks earnings in fiscal year 2006.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Business Headline News

Digital Musings From the Editor:

This week editor Bill Desowitz is away at NAB so Ill be providing my musings. As I mentioned last week, we have Peter Plantecs look at how realtime rendering has affected the industry as well as a review of combustion 4. In addition, Fred Galpern tackles the future of visual content, especially effects animation, in the world of gaming.

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

Version Headline News

NewTek Announces VT[4] Version 4.5

NewTek Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, announced the latest software version of its award-winning VT[4] Integrated Production Suite, providing a comprehensive toolset for all professional video production needs from network broadcast to web streaming. VT[4] version 4.5 provides realtime layering and effects for live video and graphics in most PC file formats and operates internally in uncompressed D1 component video, with composite, Y/C, component, DV or optional SDI output.

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

Studio Headline News

Buena Vista Games Acquires Avalanche Software, Launches New Studio

Buena Vista Games Inc. (BVG) announced two major business deals to strengthen the company's internal game development capabilities and further its goals of becoming a top tier publisher of handheld and console games. The deals include the acquisition of acclaimed Salt Lake City-based videogame developer, Avalanche Software Lc. and the establishment of a start-up development studio in Vancouver, Canada, led by former Electronic Arts Canada senior development and business staff.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Headline News

da Vinci Names Master Colorists at NAB2005 Presentation Ceremony

At da Vinci's annual Master Colorist Awards competition ceremony on April 19, 2005, at NAB2005, da Vinci announced the winning entries in the four categories of the competition. The winners this year are:

Theatrical release TRAVELERS AND MAGICIANS Digital Pictures Sydney Colorist: Siggy Ferstl

TV And Long Format C.S.I. Down the Drain The Post Group L.A. Colorist: Paul Westerbeck

Commercials NORTHWEST AIRLINESEncore HollywoodColorist: Laura Jans Fazio

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

Autodesk Headline News

Autodesk Announces Discreet Flint & Smoke HD Systems on PC

Autodesk Inc. announced new versions of its Discreet Flint and Discreet Smoke systems. Running on a personal computer, the Flint 9.2 visual effects system and Smoke 6.7 editing system are high-definition (HD) capable, enabling customers to realize their ideas in both HD and standard-definition (SD). Autodesk is also introducing two suites: Autodesk TV and Autodesk Digital Intermediate (DI).

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

Headline News

Batman Begins 8-Minute Preview on Smallville Season TV Finale

DC Comics fans can double their pleasure during the SMALLVILLE season finale as The WB presents the world premiere of an exclusive eight-minute special footage preview of the eagerly awaited summer release, BATMAN BEGINS, during the 90-minute presentation SMALLVILLE broadcast at 8:00 pm on May 18, 2005.

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

Animation Headline News

Sulake To Expand Internet Habbo Hotel Into DVD & TV

Habbo Hotel, one of the world's largest and hottest online destinations for teenagers, will be opening its doors to animated story-based programming. In response to overwhelming consumer demand from the site's teen audience for new ways to experience the innovative world of Habbo Hotel, Sulake, the creators of the burgeoning community, have launched an animation challenge. Through this challenge, animation studios from across the globe will compete to help bring the popular Web world beyond the Internet.

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

Game Headline News

Art Institute of CA - San Fran’s Game, Toon Scholarship Deadline Nears

High school seniors interested in education to enter the videogame development or animation industries are invited to apply for scholarships from The Art institute of California San Francisco (www.aicasf.aii.edu). Students may apply the scholarships toward tuition in the schools bachelors degree programs in Game Art & Design, Visual & Game Programming or Media Arts & Animation.