AWN Headline News

Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship Extends Its Deadline

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.

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

Animation Headline News

This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for April 25, 2005

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

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Headline News

Pimp Your Script in the Script Pimp Screenwriting Competition

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.

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

Animation Headline News

AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for April 25, 2005

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!

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

Festival Headline News

Get Transdimensional With the Transdimensional Short Film Festival

Transdimensional Short Film Festival 2005Beverly Hills, California, USAJune 3, 2005Deadline: June 1, 2005

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

Animation Headline News

Skillset Launches U.K. Animation Courses Accreditation Scheme

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.

In Education and Training, Education and Training | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Comedy Headline News

Comedy Central Seeks Ultimate South Park Fan

If you are a loyal SOUTH PARK fan and think you know all there is to know about these hilariously bad little boys then you might have a chance to take over the programming on COMEDY CENTRAL for four straight days in the South Park Your Way contest.

From May 9 to May 19, fans can compete online at comedycentral.com to test their knowledge about SOUTH PARK factoids. The winner will choose his/her favorite episodes of SOUTH PARK to air during the primetime slot, May 23-26, 2005, at 9:30 pm.

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

Headline News

Alienware Unleashes New MJ-12 7550A Desktop Workstation

Alienware announced the availability of the new Alienware MJ-12 7550A workstation featuring dual AMD Opteron processors and dual PCI Express graphics with support for SLI-enabled NVIDIA Quadro graphics. Powered by the new NVIDIA nForce Professional chipset and featuring an exciting new case design, the MJ-12 7750A is the ultimate tool for computer aided design and manufacturing, digital content creation and other rendering-intensive applications.

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

Headline News

KromA Handles CG Chores in Ford Trucks Spot

KromA put an ordinary guy behind the wheel of a NASCAR racer in an amusing new spot for Ford Trucks and Detroit agency J. Walter Thompson. The Los Angeles-based visual effects and animation studio combined images of real cars with CG vehicles in telling the story of a race fan whose ultimate dream almost turns into a nightmare.

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Headline News

3Dlabs Ships Wildcat Realizm Drivers Supporting OpenGL 2.0

3Dlabs Inc. Ltd. has released a driver that supports OpenGL 2.0 for Wildcat Realizm professional graphics accelerators. OpenGL 2.0 integrates the OpenGL Shading Language into its core so that software developers can create advanced shader programs and easily port them to any OpenGL 2.0-enabled platform.

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

Headline News

Fortunately, Lemony Snicket Comes to DVD

One of last years vfx gems was certainly the Burtonesque LEMONY SNICKETS A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (kudos to ILMs crew supervised Stefen Fangmeier for their photoreal effects and breathtaking CG Sunny baby). The morbid Brad Silberling movie with Jim Carrey Fellini for families, according to Fangmeier arrives on DVD April 26, 2005 (Paramount Home Ent., $38.99) in a two-disc special collectors edition that contains the following bonus goodies:

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

Headline News

Geneon Releases Saiyuki Reload & Human Crossing

On April 26, 2005, Geneon Ent. will release on DVD SAIYUKI RELOAD VOLUME TWO and HUMAN CROSSING VOLUME TWO.

SAIYUKI RELOAD VOLUME TWO features four full episodes, as well as four extra episodes of URA-SAI. The DVD also features bilingual Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, English subtitles, a non-credit ending, original Japanese ending, Geneon previews and a Limited Edition Pencil Board.

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

Games Headline News

Buena Vista Games to Self-Publish Videogames in U.K., Germany & France

Buena Vista Games (BVG) announced it will become a multi-platform publisher in summer 2005 and launch a portfolio of high profile videogames in the U.K., Germany and France as well as extend its current portfolio of kids- and family-focused titles to a wider audience, to include 'tween, teen and core gamers.

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

Disney Headline News

Jill Lindeman New Disney Channel Marketing VP/Creative Director

Jill Lindeman joins Disney ABC Cable Networks Group as vp/creative director for marketing, Disney Channel, responsible for the creative direction and management of all on-air promotion for Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Jetix, Playhouse Disney and ABC Kids, including the development and production of interstitials for Disney Channel. Additionally, Lindeman has oversight of the creative direction for off-air initiatives including print production, online development and marketing collateral.

She reports to Matt Palmer, svp, marketing, Disney Channel, in Burbank, California.

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

Animation Headline News

Aaron Lyle Upped to Media Arts & Animation Academic Director at The Art Institut

The Art Institute of California Los Angeles has promoted Aaron Lyle to academic director for Media Arts & Animation.

Aarons connections to industry are an enormous benefit to the program and school; our students and faculty will benefit tremendously from his expertise, said Dave Moughalian, dean of Academic Affairs.

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Spot Headline News

The Interpreter Translates to Number One at the Box Office

Sydney Pollacks THE INTERPRETER, starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, captured the top spot at the box office in its debut weekend ended April 24, 2005. The old-fashioned suspense thriller took in $22.8M for Universal, upending MGMs remake of THE AMITYVILLE HORROR, last weeks champ, which hauled in $13.7M and $44.3M for a second place finish. Paramounts SAHARA (with vfx from Cinesite and Double Negative) dropped to third with $9M for a cume of $48.9M. Buena Vistas A LOT LIKE LOVE with Amanda Peet and Ashton Kutcher bowed in fourth place with $7.5M.

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Series Headline News

Lucas Confirms Two Star Wars TV Series

At Star Wars Celebration III, director George Lucas enthralled fans by confirming that he is working on two STAR WARS-themed television series one a CG animated CLONE WARS.

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Business Headline News

HP Introduces Microsoft Windows x64 for Business Users

HP launched the first business desktop system for Microsoft Windows x64 Editions. The new business desktop PCs and workstations with advanced security features are specifically designed to take advantage of enhancements planned for Microsofts upcoming Longhorn operating system. HP also is enhancing system performance with support for the new Microsoft Windows x64 Edition operating systems across the HP ProLiant server line and on new business desktops and workstations.

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

Technology Headline News

Avid to Preview 64-bit SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3-D at WinHEC

Avid Technology Inc. will be demonstrating a technology preview of a native 64-bit version of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3-D animation software during WinHEC, Microsofts annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, from April 25-27, in Seattle, Washington.

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Media Headline News

NVIDIA Demonstrates Alignment With Microsoft at WinHEC

NVIDIA Corp. announced that it is a sponsor at WinHEC, Microsofts annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, from April 25-27, in Seattle, Washington.

"NVIDIA's participation in WinHEC is important to Microsoft because of the growing role of powerful graphics and 64-bit platforms to support key initiatives including 'Longhorn' and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition," said Brian Marr, senior product manager of Windows at Microsoft Corp. "We value our relationship with NVIDIA and look forward to continued collaboration."

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Animation Headline News

Best of Show, Jury Honors Selected for SIGGRAPH 2005 Computer Animation Festival

Shane Ackers 9 was selected Best of Show and Tomek Baginski becomes the first Computer Animation Festival repeat winner, as ACM SIGGRAPH announced the Computer Animation Festival's Best of Show Award and Jury Honors winners for SIGGRAPH 2005. The 32nd International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques will be held July 31 through Aug. 4 in Los Angeles, California.

The Computer Animation Festival jury selected three award winners from 560 entries for exemplary use of computer-generated imagery and animation, and compelling storytelling.

In Anime, Awards, Anime, Awards | Headline News | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Headline News

Silent Hill Gets its Star

PITCH BLACKs Radha Mitchell will star in the film adaptation of the hit videogame SILENT HILL, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. TriStar Pictures will release the film in the States. Christophe Gans (BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF) will helm the $45 million-$50 million picture, which has started production in Toronto.

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

Features Headline News

Buena Vista To Release 8 More PSP-Compatible DVDs

Buena Vista Home Ent. has announced it will release eight additional UMD titles on June 21, 2005, including two day-and-date with the standard DVD release. UMD is the mini-DVD format that plays on Sonys new PSP. The releases include KING ARTHUR: THE DIRECTORS CUT, TRON, KILL BILL: VOL. 2, GONE IN 60 SECONDS: UNRATED DIRECTORS CUT, ARMAGEDDON, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, HOSTAGE and CURSED. The later two titles are the day-and-date releases.

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

Series Headline News

Will Ferrell Travels to the Land of the Lost

Universal has tapped funnyman Will Ferrell to star in a big screen adaptation of campy '70s kids show THE LAND OF THE LOST, reports the trades. TV series original exec producers Sid and Marty Krofft will produce the film for the studio along with Mosaic Media Groups Jimmy Miller and Julie Wixson-Darmody. ANCHORMAN director Adam McKay will direct the film based on a screenplay by Chris Henchy (TVs SPIN CITY, ENTOURAGE) and Dennis McNicholas (TVs SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE).

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Award Headline News

Through My Thick Glasses Wins at Animated Encounters

The U.K.s most prestigious animation festival, Animated Encounters, handed out its awards on April 23, 2005, at a packed ceremony at Bristols Watershed, hosted by Bristol radio, GWRs popular breakfast show presenters Bush and Troy.

Picking up the Audience Award for the most popular film at the festival was Norwegian director Pjotr Sapegins THROUGH MY THICK GLASSES. Sapegin was in Bristol to receive his award in person, which was an unusual trophy specially designed by Bristol prop and model-makers Cod Steaks.

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