AWN Headline News

PROMAX&BDA has announced the 2004 PROMAX&BDA Home Entertainment Award winners, honoring the best work and creative skills of marketing professionals in the home entertainment sector.

"PROMAX&BDA is pleased to honor these executives for their stellar efforts and creative vision in marketing Home Entertainment, one of the largest segments in the entertainment industry," said Jim Chabin, ceo of PROMAX&BDA. "Each year, we take great pride in recognizing the best marketing, promotion and creative experts that continue to steer Home Entertainment to new heights."

Geneon Ent. will be releasing the highly anticipated anime feature APPLESEED to the theaters in the U.S. Opening Jan. 14, 2005, in select cities, the film is based on the manga story by Masamune Shirow (GHOST IN THE SHELL) and directed by Shinji Aramaki (BUBBLEGUM CRISIS). APPLESEED features a groundbreaking animation style, "3D Live Anime," utilizing motion capture animation techniques. The film was released theatrically in Japan earlier this year.

The Learning Annex is hosting a panel discussion about pitching your ideas to the studios. Topics will include: the state of the animation industry today; where the jobs are - in movies, TV, direct-to-video; hand-drawn animation vs. CGI; and development: how to go from concept to cartoon. Following the discussion will be a Q&A session.

Confirmed panelists to date include:* Jeff Howard (moderator): director of creative affairs, DisneyToon Studios. * Saul Blinkoff and Elliot Bour: directors, DisneyToon Studios.

Fox Home Entertainment is set to release FAMILY GUY: THE FREAKIN' SWEET COLLECTION ($19.99) on Dec. 14, 2004, which will feature a sneak peek of Seth MacFarlanes newest toon AMERICAN DAD.

The new series follows an overzealous CIA worker who household contains a space alien and a German-speaking goldfish. The FAMILY GUY disk will feature a preview of AMERICAN DAD as well as an interview with MacFarlane about the series.

Nicktoons, Nickelodeon's digital channel for animation, Frederator Studios and ANIMATION MAGAZINE launched the first half-hour of the 14-week Nicktoons Film Festival on Oct. 24, 2004, at 10:00 pm (ET)/7:00 pm (PT). The on-air festival showcases the diversity of independent cartoon filmmaking by animators from around the globe. A total of 14 half-hour specials will air every Sunday from Oct. 24 to Jan. 23, with repeat airings Mondays at 10:00 pm (ET)/7:00 pm (PT).

This week in AWN's Forums, a junior member wants to know the pros and cons of attending Sheridan vs Capilano vs VanArts. Another member has a question about copyrighting. More people are posting their online portfolios for others to check out. A senior member has a question about animating the teleportation of a character. Another post asks what 2D programs are being used to create anime. A new thread starts a memorial to famed British animator Ivor Wood. Others continue to post their Halloween work and favorite animated movie lines.

FIFTH ELEMENT director Luc Besson has cast Madonna as the lead in his big-budget CGI-animated ARTHUR. Bessons Europa Corp. will produce with Buf Compagnie providing the CG. Besson hopes to have the film in theaters by 2006.