AWN Headline News
Films Flip Dates In The Theatrical Release Database
In Headline News | Geographic Region: All
This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for Dec. 11, 2003
This week's animation quiz...
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AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for Dec. 11, 2003
New in the Forums...
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Alliance Atlantis Cutting Production Jobs In Canada
Toronto-based Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. announced Dec. 10, 2003 that it is essentially stopping TV and movie production with the departure of entertainment group ceo Peter Sussman and Seaton McLean, the group's president, production. The company will hone its activities down to primarily specialty channel broadcasting and TV/film distribution.
In Business, Visual Effects, Business, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America
Chicken Little Sees (Voice) Stars Falling from the Sky
Walt Disney has confirmed members of the voice cast of its next 3D feature, CHICKEN LITTLE. TV series SCRUBS star Zac Braff will voice the lead character, which changes the original gender of the chick from female to male. Oscar nominee Joan Cusack (IN & OUT) will voice the ugly duckling with Steve Zahn (HAPPY, TEXAS) as a fat pig named Runt, Amy Sedaris (ELF) as Foxy Loxy, Katie Finneran (YOUVE GOT MAIL) as Foxy's sidekick Goosey Lucy, Don Knotts (ANY GRIFFITH SHOW) as Turkey Mayor and Garry Marshall (ORANG COUNTY) as Father.
DC Comics Hires Noveck to Exploit Superheroes
DC Comics has named Gregory Noveck to the newly formed post of svp, creative affairs. He will oversee the exploitation of the DC characters in feature films and television at Warner Bros. and New Line as well as developing outside creative alliances. The bi-coastal exec will report to DC publisher and president Paul Levitz.
Cult Fave Farscape Gets Four-Hour Miniseries
Jim Henson Co. will begin production Dec. 15 in Australia on a four-hour miniseries based on the cult favorite TV series FARSCAPE, reported SCI FI WIRE. Citing sources close to the production, the story will pick up and resolve issues left open at the end of the cancelled series. Stars Ben Browder and Claudia Black among others will be reprising their roles. The miniseries has no television distribution deal to date. Both Jim Henson Co. and the Sci Fi Channel had no comment on the rumor.
In Television, Visual Effects, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Australia
Maltz to Head Academy's New Science and Tech Council
Andrew Maltz, former president/ceo of Avica Technology Corp., has been named director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' new Science and Technology Council.
In People, Visual Effects, People, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe
Brazil Rendering System Available for 3ds max 6
SplutterFish's Brazil Rendering System v. 1.2, the advanced, fully-integrated rendering suite for Discreet's 3ds max software, is now available for 3ds max .6.
"As a strategic partner with Discreet, SplutterFish is committed to ensuring that Brazil r/s meets the demanding standards of quality and compatibility for this latest version of 3ds max that the renderer is already known for," said SplutterFish ceo Scott Kirvan.
Lynton, Pascal to Lead SPE into Digital Future
Michael Lynton was named chairman/ceo of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), filling the coveted position vacated by the retiring John Calley. In addition, vice chairman Amy Pascal was promoted to chairman of the Motion Picture Group at SPE in a further integration of global businesses and digital media, according to Howard Stringer, chairman/ceo of Sony Corp. of America and vice chairman of Sony Corp. Lynton, who had been president, Time Warner International; president, AOL International, and ceo, AOL Europe, since 2000, will be headquartered in Culver City, California.
In People, Visual Effects, People, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe, South America
Galactica Delivers for Sci Fi Channel
Sci Fi Channel has scored another win with the premiere of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. The two-night, four-hour original event delivered a 3.5/2,897,000 HHs/4,177,000 P2+ average for its primetime premieres (Dec. 8-9, 2003, 9:00-11:00 pm ET/PT) - marking Sci Fi's best ratings performance in 2003 and the highest audience delivery for any original miniseries production on cable for the year.
Rocker Zombie & Cartoonist Niles Form Creep Ent.
Metal rocker-turned-film director Rob Zombie and author-cartoonist Steve Niles have formed a new production company, Creep Entertainment Intl, reported VARIETY. The firm already has lined-up three comicbook inspired projects -- THE NAIL with Dark Horse Comics, BIGFOOT with IDW Comics and LORDS OF SALEM. Zombie and Niles have co-written the scripts for all three films.
In Business, Visual Effects, Business, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America
Slamdance Announces 2004 Line-Up
Slamdance Film Festival has announced its lineup for the 2004 event. The festival will take place Jan. 17-24, 2004, in Park City, Utah. Running alongside the Sundance Film festival, Slamdance is seen as counter-programming.
See New Talent at the Art Institute of California Portfolio Review
Art Institute of California Orange County Portfolio ReviewSanta Ana, California, USADecember 18, 2004
Namco Hometek Is Game For The Holidays
This holiday season, Namco Hometek Inc. offers a varied lineup of new videogame releases, from the number one fighting game available to romping platformer adventures to classic arcade favorites for every major gaming platform. Namco's lineup includes SOULCALIBUR II, R: RACING EVOLUTION, SPAWN: ARMAGEDDON, KILL.SWITCH, TIME CRISIS 3, I-NINJA and PAC-MAN VS.
IDT Ent. Acquiring Video Distributor For The Holidays
IDT Entertainment plans to wrap up the holidays by acquiring yet another entertainment company, buying home video distributor, Anchor Bay Entertainment Group, from Handleman Co. for about $60 million. With this purchase, expected to clear in late December 2003, IDT adds an important a vital distribution component to its rapidly, escalading entertainment empire.
Taylor & Pence Named USC School Of Fine Arts Co-Chairs
Animation exec Toper Taylor and longtime USC School Of Fine Arts supporter Putter Pence have been named co-chairs has named of the University of Southern California School of Fine Arts Board of Councilors for a two-year term beginning January 2004.At the same time, Craig Jacobson and Ann Ehringer have been appointed to serve as councilors on the 12-person board for three-year terms.
Send Your Films to the Newport Beach Film Festival
Newport Beach Film Festival 2004Newport Beach, California, USAApril 15 25, 2004Deadline: January 31, 2004
The Powerpuff Girls Save Christmas In Special Dec. 12
The Powerpuff Girls have a new mission to save Christmas everywhere in 'TWAS THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, an all-new 60-minute holiday special that debuts at 9:00 pm Dec. 12, 2003.
Canadians: Have Your Film Play at the German Embassy
Canada. The Innovation NationMarch 30, 2004Deadline: March 30, 2004
In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America
Pirates Breaks Record With 11 Million Home Ent Units
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, the year's top live actioner, has sold 11 million DVD and VHS units (a reported 90% on DVD) in its first week of sales, becoming the largest opening live-action home entertainment title in history. According to VIDEO BUSINESS, that translates to about $187 million in revenue.
Asolo Art Film Festival Puts Out Call!
Asolo Art Film Festival 2004Asolo, Treviso, ItalySeptember 20 26, 2004Deadline: April 30, 2004
Buena Vista Int'l Ups Four to VP
Buena Vista International Inc. upped four of its key marketing and publicity exec directors to vp: Maggie Todd (international publicity), Donald Evans (marketing and promotions), Mari Gastineau (marketing/creative print services) and Ticole Richards (marketing/creative film services).
In People, Visual Effects, People, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, North America
S.F. Art Institute Expands Video Game Studies
The Art Institute of California San Francisco has expanded its Game Art & Design degree program, hiring Marc Sherrod as its new full-time Academic Director. Sherrod will be involved in curriculum and faculty development, coordination of the schools Program Advisory Committee from the game industry, student guidance and other aspects of game education at the school in for its game-related degree programs, designed to provide entry-level talent for the $10.3 billion computer and video game industry.
