Massive Update To The Theatrical Release Database
This week in AWNs Theatrical Release Database, we have a massive update with nearly 40 date changes.
In Headline News | Geographic Region: All
AWN Headline News
This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for Dec. 13, 2004
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.
In Headline News | Geographic Region: All
AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for Dec. 13, 2004
This week in AWN's Forums, a senior member shares a picture of his new baby girl. A junior member wants advice of timing rates in Flash. More members give their answers to the question -- what is it that you want that no one can give you this Christmas? Another thread collects the odd jobs that people do until they land their next animation gig. Another member asks about animation education in India. Others are posting their work, asking technical advice and software questions.
GameDAILY Launches New Kids-Only Website
GameDAILY has announced that GameDAILY Kids, a new Website aimed at providing kids with information on videogames, has launched. Located at www.gamedailykids.com, GameDAILY Kids provides young gamers with reviews, previews and fun features on the videogames that are best suited to their age group.
Nancy Drew Series Ranked No. 1 PC Adventure Game Franchise
Her Interactive announced that the NANCY DREW game series, developed by Her Interactive and published by Her Interactive and DreamCatcher Games, is ranked the No. 1 PC Adventure franchise in unit sales, according to the NPD Group Inc.
Helping boost the NANCY DREW franchise into the No. 1 spot are two new titles, NANCY DREW: CURSE OF BLACKMOOR MANOR and NANCY DREW: THE SECRET OF SHADOW RANCH, which are ranked three and four respectively.
Zemeckis to Receive VES Lifetime Achievement Award
The Visual Effects Society will honor Robert Zemeckis (THE POLAR EXPRESS) with its second Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 VES Awards ceremony, to be held Feb. 16 at the Hollywood Palladium. George Lucas, chairman, VES Awards Honorary Committee, was the first recipient this year.
Thomson Acquires MPC in Major VFX Expansion
Thomson has acquired The Moving Picture Co. (MPC) from British broadcaster, ITV, for £52.7 million (76 million). MPC, which is located in the Soho district of London and employs around 400 people, is an industry-leading provider of vfx and post-production services to both the feature film and commercial advertising industries.
In Business, Visual Effects, Business, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe
It's A Wish-Filled Holiday On Kids' WB!
Kids' WB! is celebrating the holidays throughout the month of December with the tube sock named Holiday Sock hosting the programming block. On Dec. 11 (8:00 am - 12:00 pm ET), the network invites viewers to the fourth annual "Holiday Sock Party" from the North Pole. From more than 10,000 entries received, eight lucky kids will have their wishes granted.
LA ACM SIGGRAPH Hosts Polar Express & Q&A!
LA ACM SIGGRAPH Hosts Polar Express ScreeningNorth Hollywood, California, USADecember 15, 2004
The Los Angeles Professional Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH presents an evening with Sony Pictures Imageworks -- The Making of THE POLAR EXPRESS. The event is hosted by Sony Pictures Imageworks with participation by nVidia and Maxon USA. Sony Pictures Imageworks will present their work from the movie followed by a raffle and special screening of the film.
X2 Villain Takes Lion Role in Narnia
Walt Disney and Walden Media have chosen the actor who will voice Aslan the Lion. X2: X-MEN UNITED actor Brian Cox will take the commanding role in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, directed by Andrew Adamson. The film is based on the first published book in C.S. Lewis classic childrens series.
DAZ Prods. Unveils 3D Anime/Manga Product
DAZ Prods. has launched the most versatile 3D anime/manga product available -- AIKO 3.0. To mark the debut, users can download AIKO 3 base package for free. The 3D technology used in Aiko allows users to change character poses, shape morphs such as the character's eyes and add clothing and accessories. Users can utilize Aiko to create characters for anything from comicbooks to animation.
Whodoo EFX Switches to ‘Ultra Chan’ Spot
After completing the vfx for THE STEPFORD WIVES, Whodoo EFX took on a series of commercial projects, which began airing this fall, including the new "Ultra Chan" spot featuring international action star Jackie Chan via ad agency Campbell Mithun for Hefty. The new spot, which includes Chan taking on a force of ninjas utilizing Hefty Ultra-Flex bags to fight back, broke last week.
In Commercials, Visual Effects, Commercials, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Digital-Tutors Offers Holiday Savings on Training
Digital-Tutors announced the Season's Savings Sale and companion gifts at Digital-Tutors. In celebration of the holiday season, Digital-Tutors is offering 20% off all training titles and free USB Flash Drives on select products purchased now and through Dec. 29, 2004. To receive the discount, enter dtseason as the discount code for all purchases.
Imagina 2005 Releases New Conference Program
Imagina 2005, the European Digital Content Creation Trade Show, held Feb. 2-5 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, announced its new conference program, including speakers from the games, feature film, visual effects, architectural visualization and animation industries.
Some of the highlights include:
Feb. 2:* HD Roundtable: Challenges and Strategies (participants to be confirmed)* New Tools, New StandardsStephane Donikian (IRISA)
Feb. 3:
Jim Henson Co. Re-Structures Television Department
In order to increase its network and cable programming portfolio, The Jim Henson Co. has hired Eric Poticha as vp of Television and Halle Stanford as head of children's television. Poticha will develop new comedy and drama series, miniseries and features for television as well as develop future Muppet projects to be produced by Henson for The Walt Disney Co. Stanford will lead development and production of all preschool and children's programming for both television and direct-to-video projects in animated and live-action formats.
Destiny’s Child Gets Animated With Rudolph For AOL
AOL Music has premiered the new video from Grammy Award-winning artists Destinys Child for their version of the holiday classic RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. The video transports the super group to the North Pole and animates them with the same stop-motion techniques used in Rankin & Bass RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. Destinys Child recorded the single for an exclusive bonus CD included within the special 40th Anniversary Collectors Edition RUDOLPH DVD from Classic Media and Sony Wonder.
Palisades Toys Brings Toys to Sesame Street
Palisades Toys has confirmed the acquisition of its newest action figure license Sesame Street. Beginning in 2005, fans can expect to see action figures based on many of the characters that have appeared on SESAME STREET throughout its historic 35-year run.
Winslet Gets Flushed Away
Kate Winslet has joined the voice cast of Aardman Animations FLUSHED AWAY. Winslet will be Rita, the female sewer rat who helps pampered rat Roddy (Hugh Jackson) survive in Ratropolis after he is accidentally flush down the toilet. The cast also includes Sir Ian McKellen, Bill Nighy and Andy Serkis.
Appleseed Grows 2 Sequels
With the original APPLESEED hitting the U.S. in January, Japanese-firm Micott & Bazara has announced a deal with Los Angeles-based Axis Ent. to co-produce two sequels in the franchise, reports VARIETY. The film will use motion-capture as well as "toon-shading," which gives 3D animation a 2D comicbook style like the original film. The two firms are looking for a distributor for the new films. Toho released the original in Japan and Geneon Ent. is handling the U.S. release.
Google to Allow GIF Ads
Uber search engine Google announced it would now allow eye-catching animated GIF banners throughout its AdSense network for publishers. The mega-site will continue to charge advertisers on a cost-per-performance basis. It was only earlier this year that Google began allowing static banner on its site. Google will limit the size of animated GIFs to 50 kilobytes. AdSense publishers need only opt-in to receive image ads.
Chicken Little Gets Cars Slot
With Disney/Pixars CARS being pushed back from Nov. 4, 2005, to June 2006, to maximize profits, Disney confirmed that the 3D-animated CHICKEN LITTLE, formerly a summer 2005 title, would now slide into the vacated Nov. 4 slot. Disney already has next summer covered with two live-action movies, THE LOVE BUG and SKY HIGH.
Arena Adds Animation Diploma
To meet the growing requirements of the animation industry, Arena Multimedia, a division of Aptech, has introduced a diploma in Animation Engineering. The course is designed to teach students animation techniques, keeping in mind the requirements and standards of the industry.
Toon Boom Launches Symphony Worldwide, Studio for PC
Toon Boom Animation has launched the customer release of Toon Boom Studio v2.5 for PC. In addition, Toon Boom has announced the calendar of launch events for the release of Toon Boom Symphony.
Similar to the Mac 2.5 version, Toon Boom Studio for PC now includes a number of features, including:* Support for scanning* Ability to draw in the 3D Sceneplanning space* Improved sound scrubbing* Visualization and manipulation of drawings and keyframes in the Timeline.
In Technology, Technology | Headline News | Special Events: NATPE | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe, North America
Incredibles Cine-Manga Coming!
TOKYOPOP, in conjunction with Disney Publishing Worldwide and Pixar Animation Studios, will be releasing a Cine-Manga book based on THE INCREDIBLES in March 2005. Delivered in TOKYOPOP's Cine-Manga format, the book version will present the films plotline with vivid screen captures and manga-style word balloons.
