The caped crusader is back in new animated adventures from Warner Bros. TV Animation in the new series, THE BATMAN, which premiered at 10:30 am, Sept. 11, 2004, on Kids WB!. Based on the famed DC Comics superhero, he has a new look and a new range of experimental Bat-gadgets and an amped-up Batmobile. It also features a new theme song composed and performed by The Edge from multi-Grammy Award-winning sensation U2.
Weta Digital has purchased two Discreet lustre digital grading and color correction systems as part of a strategic collaboration between Discreet and Weta Digital that spans multiple products.
Hunt Valley, Maryland-based computer game company BreakAway Ltd. has announced the opening of a new development studio in Austin, Texas. With growth in its government and entertainment divisions over the past year, BreakAway has seen revenues jump 50% since the start of 2004, while the company has added more than 20 new employees during the past six months.
Warner Home Video (WHV) has announced the release of the new animated feature KANGAROO JACK G'DAY U.S.A.!, based on the surprise 2003 box office live-action hit. Price at $24.98 on DVD and $14.94 on VHS, the movie will arrive in stores Nov. 16, 2004.
Walt Disney Co.s ceo Michael Eisner has announced that he is stepping down from his post when his contract expires in Sept. 2006, reports the WALL STREET JOURNAL. This move ends Eisners two-decade reign at the mega-corporation and comes six months after former board members Stanley Gold and Roy Disney tried to oust him from the firm. Gold and Disneys efforts did lead to Eisner being removed as chairman. Disney president Robert Iger is Eisners "preferred choice" to succeed him.
Universal Pictures has secured the services of director Andrzej Bartkowiak (CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE) for the feature adaptation of legendary videogame DOOM, reports VARIETY. Bartkowiak will be replacing Enda McCallion, who was to make his directorial debut on the film. McCallion had to leave for personal reasons. Filming is set to start in mid-October. Lorenzo di Bonaventura and John Wells are producing the film from a screenplay by Dave Callaham. The zombie hacking videogame was produced by id Software and Activision.
With Hollywood hot on adapting projects from the word of God, Australian producer Tom Broadbridge will create a 12-episode series titled, THE ANIMATED ADVENTURE BIBLE, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Funded by a group of private Malaysian Christian investors, the budget is set at AUS$15 million ($10.4 million).
Morph 2004World Wide WebNovember 15, 2004Deadline: November 15, 2004
Stopmotionfilm.de hosts the third Morph 2004 to highlight the best in short stop-motion films. The length should be two minutes and it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a professional. There are two main topics: best stop-motion quickie and best stop-motion character. The best character of the seconds category will be assessed by a jury and those of the first category by the audience. For more information, visit www.stopmotionfilm.de.
Third Peugeot Design CompetitionWorld Wide WebFebruary 15, 2005Deadline: December 8, 2004
Peugeot Contours Design is hosting its third car design competition. This years theme is to design a personal ideal automobile. The projects will be judged on its consistency with the theme, how well it relates to the values of the Marque, its innovative and surprising character, its potential appeal and the quality of the final project. For more information, visit www.Peugeot-concours-design.com.
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.
This week in AWN's Forums, a new thread is looking for the animated moments that bring out the tears in members. BAMBI anybody? The utterance of the word Superman in IRON GIANT? Ponders have started about how much money JibJab has made through PayPal donations attached to its THIS LAND short. A post from Cuba asks about the options open to filmmakers once their project is finished. Others are debating the merits of FATHER OF THE PRIDE.
A group of journalists from around the world were treated Thursday afternoon to the first sneak peek of THE POLAR EXPRESS (opening Nov. 10) in the Steven Ross Theater on the Warner Bros. lot. They screened several work-in-progress clips, including the opening scene, which looked far smoother and more polished than the trailer. They also screened a demo performance capture session with star Tom Hanks, who portrays five characters from the Christmas fantasy about a train bound for the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
Kristen Buckley has been promoted from director to vp of programming for Nickelodeon, responsible for managing and maximizing Nickelodeon's on-air inventory. She develops strategic promotional and media plans in support of the network's initiatives and its ancillary businesses. Buckley oversees the implementation of these plans by partnering with the on-air creative teams on assignments and concepts for tune-in, events, packaged and live dayparts, as well as Nickelodeon Movies.
Suzy Barbieri joins Klasky Csupo Animation Studio as svp of feature film development. Barbieri will head up the feature film development team, which includes Michael Faulkner (vp of feature film development) and will work closely with studio founders Arlene Klasky and Gabor Csupo in developing a diversified slate of projects for the studio.
Radar Pictures of Los Angeles (THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK and THE LAST SAMURAI) has agreed to a minority interest in the Canadian visual effects group of companies that includes C.O.R.E. Feature Animation and C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures of Toronto.
Said Bob Munroe, president/co-founder of C.O.R.E.: "Partnering with one of Hollywood's most successful independent production companies will give us greater access to the resources required to bring major animated feature films to market.
Boris FX announced the upcoming release of Boris Blue. This standalone application renders broadcast-quality 3D compositions in realtime regardless of the complexity of the 3D scene or materials. Boris Blue allows users to create stunning looks by combining innovative "pixel shaders" to paint objects with bump maps, noise patterns or natural materials along with light reflections and 3D shadows.
Frank Thomas, who helped pioneer the animated art form as a member of Walt Disneys elite Nine Old Men, passed away Wednesday night at his home in Flintridge, California. He celebrated his 92nd birthday on Sunday with family and friends, including director Brad Bird, who honored Thomas and lifelong friend and colleague Ollie Johnston the last of the Nine Old Men with cameo appearances in both THE IRON GIANT and Disney/Pixars THE INCREDIBLES.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Awards Committee will review 17 scientific and technical achievements for 77th Academy Awards consideration, according to committee chair Richard Edlund, but its not too late to submit entries.
With the help of publisher Graphic-Sha, Diamond Comics has launched a deal with America Onlines RED teen service area to promote the bestselling HOW TO DRAW MANGA series. Through its Comics &Anime Screen, RED will spotlight a different HOW TO DRAW MANGA book each week, showing sample pages and inviting subscribers to submit their work based on the sample guides.
VIZ, LLC has teamed with Borders Group Inc., (BGI), the parent company of Borders and Waldenbooks, to co-promote the INUYASHA DVD and manga titles. The offerings will include the new feature film, INUYASHA: AFFECTIONS TOUCHING ACROSS TIME, the INUYASHA First Season DVD box set and a special Graphic Novel box set, which includes Vol. 19 and a limited edition INUYASHA figurine.
King Camera was responsible for the animation effects and HD output of Michael Dudok de Wits 60-second United Airlines spot, A LIFE, which was produced by Acme Filmworks for the agency Fallon/Worldwide of Minneapolis.
The men from King Camera were experienced, professional, perfectionists and they understood the animators mind. I wanted to rely on their skills totally and I could. Wonderful. And on top of that we got on really well, said Dudok de Wit.
Prague, Czech Republic-based Cenega Publishing has announced the launch of the official EL MATADOR game site at www.elmatador-game.com. The Website will feature news, screenshots, artwork, renders and various downloads.
With launching this Website, we want to allow gamers their first sneak preview of EL MATADORs visual game experience, exciting storyline, and recently updated game developments, said Richard Moravec, international marketing manager.
Warner Bros. Pictures has tapped scribes Robert and Michelle King (ANGELS IN THE INFIELD) to adapt the screenplay for the sci-fi thriller COSMONAUT, reports VARIETY. Mace Neufeld (LOST IN SPACE) and Teddy Tenenbaum (writer on TVs DEAD ZONE) have been developing the project for the studio and will serve as producers along with Basil Iwanyk (K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER). Warner Bros. Pictures vp of production Aditya Sood is overseeing the project.
Animation Block PartyBrooklyn, New York, USASeptember 9, 2004
Prism Entertainment, a leading childrens and youth media entertainment company in the U.K., has been commissioned by LIVINGtv to create and produce its new on-air branded continuity for pre-school edutainment zone Tiny Living, which airs between 7:00 - 9:00 am weekdays and 7:00 - 10:00 am weekends, starting from Sept. 2004.
