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AWN Headline News

Series Headline News

First Season DVDs of Flintstones and Scooby-Doo Coming

THE FLINTSTONES and SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? are coming to DVD in collectible box sets from Warner Home Video on March 16 for $64.92. The separate "Hanna-Barbera Golden Collection" four-disc sets mark the first time that every episode from the initial seasons of the landmark Hanna-Barbera series will be available on DVD.

Headline News

National Lampoons' Mr. Wong a Riot on DVD

All original 14 episodes of NATIONAL LAMPOON PRESENTS MR.WONG bows Feb. 17 on DVD (Maverick Ent., $19.98), along with a never-before-seen bonus episode and lots of extras, including guest stars Robert Evans and Troy Hurtubise, audio commentary, outtakes, recipes and more.

Disney Headline News

Comcast Not Ready to Sweeten Disney Offer

After Walt Disney Co. directors rejected Comcast's unsolicited $54 billion bid as too low and rallied behind beleaguered chairman Michael Eisner, Comcast defended its merger proposal on Tuesday, leaving doubt about its willingness to sweeten the offer. On Tuesday, Walt Disney Co. lost 9 cents to $26.83. But the board said it would "consider any legitimate proposal" that would create shareholder value. Comcast was up 87 cents at $30.77 after several sessions of declines.

Creative Headline News

Troika Names Lamba Creative Director

Hollywood-based Troika Design Group has named Sonia Lamba as creative director. "We have always had great respect for Sonia's work and her reputation as an innovator in our field, and we are excited to have her aboard as a creative director," said Troika co-founder and exec producer Chuck Carey.

Software Headline News

FrameForge 3D Studio Previs Available for Mac OS

San Diego, California-based Innoventive Software LLC announced immediate availability of their dual-OS CD Windows/Macintosh version of FrameForge 3D Studio, the first 3D previsualization storyboard software with real-world multi-camera control. This cutting edge software provides a new way for directors, filmmakers and other creatives to explore, plan and display visual design ideas for presentation or shooting live on set.

Headline News

Jet Li & Cory Yuen Team with Sony to Make Cinematic Hong Kong-Style Game

Cory Yuen, the highly acclaimed action director collaborated with Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. to make its latest release, RISE TO HONOR the most cinematic, authentic martial arts action game available on the market. The PlayStation2 action/combat game, inspired by the cinematic style of the Hong Kong movie genre, features the martial arts style and voice talent of the world-renown film star and legendary martial artist, Jet Li.

Cartoon Headline News

Telescreen, Cartoon Saloon, Sniff Out Skunk Success

Following many suitors responding to the YOUNG SKUNK presentation at Cartoon Forum 2003, Cartoon Saloon has opted to team up with Telescreen as partner to produce a 26x30 series about a kung-fu-fighting skunk trying to protect a forest and his friends in China.

Headline News

Techies Put On The Ritz At Oscar Ceremony

Technical wizards receiving honors in the first bout of Oscar awards were displaced from their usually PRETTY WOMAN hotel, the Beverly Wilshire, and had to spend their Valentines Day on Feb. 14, 2004, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pasadena to receive their awards.

Henson Headline News

Muppets Moving to Mouse House

Kermit and his Muppets pals have decided to move into the uproarious mouse house, having been acquired by The Walt Disney Co. in a deal announced Feb. 17, 2004, on the heels of Disney rejecting Comcasts hostile bid to buy the entertainment conglomerate. Disney has been trying for some time to acquire from Jim Henson Co.

Headline News

Leno Plays Heroic Chin on Fairly OddParents

Late-night comedian Jay Leno is taking in on the chin in a very animated way, providing the voice of the Crimson Chin, a caped crusader, in THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS BIG SUPERHERO WISH, the first FAIRLY ODDPARENTS special, which airs in primetime on Nickelodeon at 8:00 pm on Feb. 16, 2004.

Headline News

Bandai America Unveils Dinos, Titans, Strawberries and More at Toy Fair

Bandai America Inc., a subsidiary of the third largest toy company in the world, Bandai Co. Ltd, is unveiling its hot new toy lineup this weekend at the 2004 American International Toy Fair in New York City. The company has 13 huge brands of beloved and soon to be classic toys, as well as its entry into the popular collectible games category.

Award Headline News

BAFTA Crowns King

BAFTA presented the winners of the 2004 Orange British Academy Film Awards on Feb. 15, 2004 with THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING taking home the prize for Best Film. The fantasy epic beat out other nominees BIG FISH, COLD MOUNTAIN, LOST IN TRANSLATION and MASTER AND COMMANDER to take the top award.

Series Headline News

WB Stakes Angel

The WB announced it has cancelled the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER spin-off ANGEL after five seasons on the air. With nine episodes left in the season, the announcement was released early to allow "the show's creators time to wrap up the season appropriately." The cancellation doesn't spell the complete end of the character, which the network might give special movie events to next year.

Universal Headline News

Animation Industry Very Curious About Universal's 2D Curious George

The on-again, off-again CURIOUS GEORGE feature is currently in production for Universal Pictures and Imagine Ent., having settled on a 2D look after abandoning CG plans with Industrial Light & Magic because of the great expense and "creepy" look, VARIETY reports.

Headline News

Perception Creates 'Countdown Campaign' for Sopranos' Fifth Season

To promote the fifth season of THE SOPRANOS, due to begin in March, HBO built on its ongoing relationship with New York's design/post boutique Perception to create a "countdown campaign." The promo campaign, which is part of the HBO's first quarter subscription drive, will air on most television networks beginning in February.

"In addition to promoting THE SOPRANOSwe've been doing their quarterly campaigns for the last year-and-a-half or so," says Brendan Werner, editorial director at Perception.

Total Headline News

50 First Dates Best President's Day Opener; King Approaches $1B

50 FIRST DATES, the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore romantic comedy from Sony, collected $45.1M worth of hugs and kisses at the box office over Valentine's Day and President's Day weekend. Good enough, in fact, to break the record for romantic comedy and President's Day bows. Disney's MIRACLE was a distant second with $17M and a two-week cume of $40M. MGM's BARBERSHOP 2: BACK IN BUSINESS, last week's champ, had to settle for third place, ringing up $16.5M for a two-week total of $44.9M. Screen Gems' YOU GOT SERVED came in fourth with $6M and a total of $33M.

Headline News

Techimage Expands to Keep Up With Growing CG Business in U.K.

Techimage, provider of high-end software solutions for both 2D and 3D artists in the U.K. and northern Europe, has appointed Peter Griffiths as business manager and has relocated to new and larger offices in Burford, Oxfordshire.

Seamus Morley, director of Techimage, commented: "The addition of Peter with his knowledge and understanding of the CG market, plus the move to larger offices will enable us to better serve our customers and the growing market for high end CG."

Disney Headline News

Lion King 1 1/2 Roars in Home Theaters

Since its Tuesday release, Walt Disney Pictures' THE LION KING 1 1/2 has sold more than 3 million combined DVD/VHS units in North America. Based on this sales figure alone, THE LION KING 1 1/2 is now positioned to be the best-selling direct-to-video DVD of all time.

Game Headline News

Disney Launches First TV/Online Card Game for Jetix

On Feb. 14, 2004, Website www.JETIX.tv and TV networks ABC Family and Toon Disney will simultaneously launch "Jetix Cards Live!," the world's first trading card game that is played concurrently on TV and online. Web surfers and TV watchers will have the opportunity each weekend during the channels' new Jetix action/adventure line-up to play. The online trading card game, with skill levels designed for a range of ages, was developed by the New Media and Technology team at ABC Cable Networks Group.

Headline News

Interactive Academy Announces Award Finalists

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) announced the finalists for the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which will be held at Rain in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, March 4, 2004. Leading the finalists was Electronic Arts with 29, followed closely by Ubisoft and Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) with 23 and 21 finalists respectively. The Academy will present awards in 36 craft, console, computer and online categories, including an overall "Game of the Year" and Game of the Year honors in various genres, as well as the prestigious Hall of Fame Award.

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