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The Greatest Story Never ToldWorld Wide WebNovember 13, 2003 - February 25, 2004Deadline: January 15, 2004
AWN Headline News
Sarbakan Welds Weird Online Games for VRAK TV
Sarbakan has wrapped up two new online games for VRAK TV, a specialized Canadian channel operated by Astral Media Inc. The two games star Celestin, a bearded fairy in charge of a garage. In the first game, the players will make their way to Celestin's garage and answer trivia questions before they can build a racing jalopy from vintage bits and parts. The second title will have players test their new vehicles in a danger-filled racing derby.
BAFTA Awards Go To Builders, Whales & Aardvarks
The winners for the 2003 British Academy Children's Film and Television Awards in association with the LEGO Co. were announced on Nov. 30, 2003. THE BOB THE BUILDER SPECIAL: A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER took home the prize for Best Animation. The special was produced by HOT Animation, HIT Ent. and the BBC and features music by Sir Elton John.
Discreet Extends mental ray Rendering Options for 3ds max 6
In addition to selling mental ray 3.2 integrated in 3ds max 6, Discreet will now offer a standalone version of the high-quality rendering solution. mental ray 3.2 can be deployed in multi-workstation and render farm configurations enabling greater return-on-investment and productivity gains for the world's largest community of 3D animators in film, games and design visualization.
NXN alienbrain Studio Now Supports Kaydara's FBX Format
NXN Software has integrated support for Kaydara's universal FBX file interchange format into its flagship asset management product, NXN alienbrain Studio. The integration provides versioning, workflow and intuitive file management for FBX files.
The Cat Rules Thanksgiving Weekend
After typical studio jockeying back and forth during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, THE CAT IN THE HAT remained on top of the box office chart when all the dust settled. That is, if you count the three-day weekend and not the five-day tally. The Universal movie produced by Imagine Entertainment (with vfx by Rhythm & Hues) hauled in $24.4M for the three-day period (and $32.9M for the five days ended Nov. 30).
Digital Element and Digimation Team Up on Modelshop
Digital Element, an Oakland-based software developer and publishing firm specializing in art tools, and Digimation Inc., a leading provider of 3D models, announced the release of the Modelshop plug-in for Photoshop, which includes 50 3D models from Digimation's Model Bank Collection.
Syd Mead to Serve on EXPOSÉ 2 Advisory Committee
Syd Mead, the renowned designer behind such films as BLADE RUNNER, TRON, 2010, and ALIENS, has joined the EXPOSÉ 2 Advisory Committee. EXPOSÉ 2 is the second in Ballistic Publishing's series of award-winning digital art books celebrating the talents of digital artists worldwide. Advisory Committee members will collaboratively assist in the selection of artwork to be presented in EXPOSÉ 2, as well as take on an advisory role ensuring the highest quality standards.
New To The Theatrical Release Database for Nov. 26, 2003
This week in AWNs Theatrical Release Database we have several news films and date changes. Blue Sky has optioned the rights to WAINSCOTT WEASEL. Ang Lee will follow-up HULK with BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. A new twist on the TOTAL RECALL idea comes with the comedy TWIST. A life altering fire is at the center of LADDER 49. And Slinkys will make their way to the big screen in THE MAGIC QUILT. AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS now has a solid summer 2004 release date as well as KING ARTHUR. Marvels IRON FIST may be coming to theaters sooner than later.
This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for Nov. 26, 2003
t's the week of Thanksgiving, one of America's nondenominational holidays...
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AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for Nov. 26, 2003
The buzz in the Forums...
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Send Your Shorts to Durango Film Festival
Durango Film Festival 2004Durango, Colorado, USAMarch 6-14, 2004Deadline: December 1, 2003
Garden State Film Festival Deadline Nears
Garden State Film Festival Asbury Park, New Jersey, USAMarch 25-28, 2004 Deadline: January 1, 2003
Garden State Film Festival takes place on the boardwalk and features independent films from around the world. The event features a screening for high school students, opening reception and live music. For more information, visit http://www.filmfestivalspro.com/bulletin/03/october/garden_state.shtml.
WorldFest Houston 2004 Beckons! Send Your Films
WorldFest Houston 2004Houston, Texas, USAApril 16-25, 2004Deadline: January 15, 2004
Rhythm & Hues Lets the Cat Out for Hat Visual Effects
Rhythm & Hues used Side Effects Softwares Houdini to create the surreal visuals for THE CAT IN THE HAT.
Fox/Blue Sky Targets Wainscott Weasel for 3D Treatment
THE WAINSCOTT WEASEL, the popular children's book written by Tor Seidler and illustrated by the late Fred Marcelliano, is the latest property to be snatched up by Fox Studios Animation and Blue Sky Studios. Just one look at that eye patch-sporting weasel, who's in love with a beautiful silver fish, and you just know he belongs in the 3D company of Scrat.
Kid’s WB! Offers Thanksgiving Treats, Revised Lineup and Sneak Peaks
Kids WB! kicks off the Thanksgiving viewing holiday in the U.S. when the TEEN TITANS present the networks first annual "Turkey Surprise Day" on Nov. 29, 2003 form 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The teen superheroes will host the morning event from their T-shaped Titans Towers featuring some of their original home movies including what they did for Thanksgiving, as well as sneak peeks of whats to come on the channel in 2004.
Rugrats Get All Grown Up Nov. 29 on Nick
Nickelodeon will reintroduce viewers to one of its all-time favorite family of characters, THE RUGRATS in a first-ever spin-off series, ALL GROWN UP. In a two-hour primetime premiere airing 8-10:00 pm on Nov. 29, 2003. The familiar characters will continue their adventures above rug level on the cusp of teen-hood, facing classic and comical pre-teen issues and dilemmas.
Happy Thanksgiving From Everyone At AWN!
The entire staff of Animation World Network would like to wish of all our readers who celebrate a happy Thanksgiving.
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New To The AWN Book Corner for Nov. 26, 2003
New to the AWN Book Corner...
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AWN’s New Educator’s Forum: What Are People Saying? for Nov. 26, 2003
AWN recently launched the Educator's Forum.
Nyko Re-Launches Website With Online Contest
Nyko Technologies will re-launch its Website, www.nyko.com, with an online contest "Online Gamer's Ultimate Fantasy." Running through Jan. 25, 2004, the contest has three levels of participation: fans can simply enter to win; sign up friends and family for additional points; or, play Nyko's mini-game AIR FLO BLAST for increased chances to win. Nyko will give the Grand Prize winner of the contest its flagship product, the Wireless Net Extender, which puts broadband Internet securely in any room of the house, without cables or programming.
Disney Characters Jump Into LeapPad Learning System
LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. has teamed with Disney Publishing Worldwide to bring Disney character to its LeapPad Learning System. Children place the Disney books on the LeapPad player, pop in the cartridge and touch any page with the Magic Pen to have LeapFrog read the words. These books also work with the LeapPad Plus Writing Learning System and the Quantum Pad Learning System.
Ziff Davis Media Launches Gaming Industry Newsletter
Ziff Davis Media Inc. has announced the launch of GAMING INDUSTRY NEWS (GIN), a monthly newsletter and a weekly e-mail, with an integrated online component (www.gamingindustrynews.com). GAMING INDUSTRY NEWS will feature up-to-date news, inside analysis, business and technology trends, opinions and commentary on the business of electronic videogames. GIN will be part of Ziff Davis Media's Game Group, based in San Francisco, California.
U.S. Congress Agrees To Set 39% Ceiling for Broadcasters
The U.S. Congress, under Republican leadership, and the White House agreed late Nov. 24, 2003 in Washington DC to a new limit on the number of television stations one company can own, a compromise reached to help make way for approval of a massive spending bill that will keep the government running for a year.
