CGT Conference Calls for Papers
Computer Game Technology Conference 2004Toronto, Ontario, CanadaApril 8 10, 2004Deadline: November 15, 2003
AWN Headline News
Got a Short Stop-Motion Flick? Send it to Morph 2003!
Morph 2003World Wide WebJanuary 2, 2004Deadline: December 18, 2003
Stopmotionfilm.de hosts the second Morph 2003 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. For more information, visit http://www.stopmotionfilm.de.
Parijat Studio Debuts Two Series
As part of the recent MIPCOM Jr 2003, Parijat Studio presented its two new series BORIS DESMOND & HUBERT and BOB & THE MACHINE. Both projects were written and directed by Parijat principals Atish Tripathi and Nalin Thakur. The fledgling studio hopes to secure co-production partners on the two comedy series.
Located in Hyderabad, India and found in Feb. 2003, Parijat Studio is an independent animation company, which aims to produce new and original content for television and other media, worldwide.
MarVista Entertainment Acquires A Very Wompkee Christmas
MarVista Entertainment has acquired the worldwide television distribution rights for A VERY WOMPKEE CHRISTMAS. The one-hour 3D animated special began sales at MIPCOM. Sony Wonder has the U.S. home entertainment rights. The story follows the littlest Wompkee Twig as she hopes her Christmas wish to fly like the others will come true.
CineGroupe Brings Film Roman’s Tripping the Rift to Europe
CineGroupe, along with Film Roman, launched its new 3D animation series TRIPPING THE RIFT at MIPCOM 2003 in Cannes, France. The sci-fi spoof follows the adventures of Chode, the horny purple captain of the Free Enterprise, and his conflicted and extreme crew, as they travel the universe, looking to make a quick buck and avoid getting thrown in jail.
In Television, Television | Headline News | Special Events: MIPCOM | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America
Atomic Arts Unveils More Animal Pharm
Atomic Arts unveils more of their adult animated series ANIMAL PHARM at MIPCOM. Sponsored by Channel 4, the program debuted earlier in the year at Cartoon Forum in Varese, Italy. Created in house, the 13x24 series is slated for production later this year and will be produced at both Atomics U.K. and Eastern European studios.
Kids' WB! Teams with CDC to Make Kid More Healthy
Kids' WB! has announced its support for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) VERB campaign, which encourages youth, ages 9-13, to get physically active. Kids' WB! will lend characters from its body-based TV series, OZZY & DRIX. The Warner Bros. Animation-produced series follows the adventures of white blood cell cop Ozzy and his partner, over-the-counter cold pill Drix, as they defend the City of Hector -- the body of a 13-year-old boy.
SWAY Has a Purpose for Honda Element Spot
SWAY Studio, in association with A52, recently wrapped work on an all-CGI spot for the new Honda Element via ad agency Rubin Postaer and Associates. Live-action footage was directed by Roman Coppola (CQ), which was then rotoscoped into photo-real CGI by the artists at SWAY.
In Commercials, Visual Effects, Commercials, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Tribune International Site to Provide Animated Graphics
Tribune Media Services International (TMSI) will launch News In Motion International (www.niminternational.com) in December, to deliver News In Motion and Knight Ridder/Tribune (KRT) animations, TV graphics and related editorial content to television stations and their Websites on a subscription and spot sales basis. Prior to the launch of the international site, producers can access the service at www.newsinmotion.com.
In Anime, Interactive, Anime, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, North America
Epic Games Starts Unreal University & Contest
Epic Games, co-creator of the award-winning UNREAL game franchise, announced the details for their inaugural Unreal University, the first intensive workshop devoted to learning how to create mods using the Unreal Game Engine. The university will take place on Nov. 8-9, 2003 at North Carolina State University. Unreal University is being sponsored by Epic Games, NC State's Center for Digital Entertainment, NVIDIA, AMD, Alias and Atari Inc.
Ring of Fire Helps Suzuki’s New Verona and XL-7 SUV Enjoy the Ride
In two noteworthy spots by ad agency Colby & Partners, the artists at Ring of Fire completed graphics, CGI and design work for two new Suzuki spots titled, BIG ON STYLE and FAMILY ADVENTURE. Featuring the new Verona mid-size sedan and the XL-7 SUV, Colby & Partners called on the expertise of Coppos director Jeffrey Karoff and Ring of Fire artists to execute the spots, which contain billboards and signs that highlight the features and attributes of these new vehicles.
Fantagraphics To Publish Every Peanuts Strip
Fantagraphics Books has announced the complete reprinting of Charles Schulzs classic PEANUTS comic strips. The collection will be a total of 25 books published two per year for the next 12 1/2 years. The first collection will hits shelves April 1, 2004. THE COMPLETE PEANUTS series will be designed by the cartoonist SETH (PALOOKAVILLE, ITS A GOOD LIFE IF YOU DONT WEAKEN) and produced in full cooperation with United Media, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates and Schulzs widow, Jean Schulz.
Reload with Part Two of the Matrix on DVD
Whether you were mesmerized or mystified by THE MATRIX RELOADED, you get another chance to experience the Wachowski brothers second installment on this sharp and lavish DVD, available Oct. 14, 2004 (Warner Home Video, $29.95). As far as value-added features, the 30-minute doc on the impressive 12-minute freeway chase (courtesy of ESC Entertainment and Animal Logic Films) is all we get in terms of any vfx depth.
Academy to Present Screening of Disney’s Victory Through Air Power
In anticipation of Disneys upcoming WAR TOONS DVD set to be released Dec. 2, 2003 (as part of TREASURES WAVE 3), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a 60th anniversary presentation of the Walt Disney feature VICTORY THROUGH AIR POWER on Oct. 22, 2003, at 8:00 pm, a film not screened in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years and rarely since its original release on July 17, 1943. This part documentary, part animated cartoon is based on Alexander P. de Severskys 1942 book.
Destino DVD Bound for 2004
Disneys highly acclaimed and award-winning short DESTINO, which finishes up where Salvador Dali and Walt Disney left off, and is bound for the New York Film Festival this month, will bow on DVD in 2004 as part of a brand-new making-of documentary.
Plaintiffs’ Lawyers in Pooh Case Step Down
Make it eight. Eight law firms that is. Law firm Jones Day, which represent the Slesinger family in their case against Disney over Winnie the Pooh right, have stepped down, reported DAILY VARIETY. In papers filed, the law firm stepped down because the Slesinger family informed them they could no longer afford the firms services. The family has not appointed new attorneys yet. The law firm has only been involved in the 12-year long lawsuit since June. On Oct. 8, 2003, the case was moved over to a new judge, Charles W. McCoy, who is L.A.
Tarantino Knocks ‘Em Dead With Kill Bill Vol. 1
So far the Miramax gamble of splitting up Quentin Tarantinos KILL BILL into two parts has paid off at the box office, as the bloody movie pastiche debuted with an impressive $22M gross to lead the pack for the weekend ended Oct. 12, 2003. With vfx by Centro Digital Pictures Ltd. and K.N.B. EFX Group Inc., KILL BILL VOLUME 1 knocked off Paramounts THE SCHOOL OF ROCK, which came in second at $15.4M and has collected $39.6M in second week.
Creepschool Tops 2003 MIPCOM Jr. Screenings
Alphanims CREEPSCHOOL ended up on top of the busy MIPCOM Junior Screenings October 8-9, 2003 in Cannes. The animated series, which the French studio produced with German EM.TV and Happy Life Animation (Sweden), was the most screened show by broadcasters from around the world. The screenings themselves broke all viewing records since Juniors launch in 1996. Program buyers made a total of 13,815 screenings, a 15% increase over the previous year and broke the old record of 12,572 viewings set in 2000.
MIPCOM News: ECI Entertainment Debuts At MIPCOM Jr With Scooter McDoogal
Tarzana, California-based ECI Entertainment will be offering SCOOTER MCDOOGAL, a 2D animated series for screening at MIPCOM Jr. Based upon a comic book series published by ECI Publishing, the show chronicles the adventures of a young Earth boy who accidentally inherits a magical scooter, called Wisdom 1 meant for Greek god Zeus' bratty grandson Bratticus. The first six issues of the comic were released in summer 2003. Targeted to 6-11 year olds, 26 half-hour episodes are planned for the first season. Indian firm DQ Entertainment is producing.
MIPCOM News: Berliner Film Premieres New Animated Series
Berliner Film Company (BFC), an emerging premiere producer of original animated programming in Germany, will offer international buyers what it hopes is a dynamic lineup of exciting, eye-catching animated series at this years MIPCOM.
In Anime, Television, Anime, Television | Headline News | Special Events: MIPCOM | Geographic Region: All, Europe
MIPCOM News: LevyMann Back Up With itty bitty HeartBeats
LevyMann Entertainment is back for MIPCOM 2003 at booth 19.01 with four complete episodes of its 11-minute animated musical preschool series ITTY BITTY HEARTBEATS. The Beverly Hills-based company has entered into an agreement with Toys R Us, Inc. to release the series October 21, 2003, in an exclusive 30-day direct-to-video launch in the U.S. before heading to other mass retailers.
MIPCOM News: Mondo TV Sails with A Full Slate of Series
Mondo TV will have eight series on hand when it attends this years MIPCOM. LUPO ALBERTO II is a 13x30 series based on the famous Silvers comic strips. The show follows Lupo Alberto, the leader of the eccentric animals that live on the McKenzie Farm. SPAGHETTI FAMILY is a 26x30 series from the famous Italian cartoonist Bruno Bozzetto. The series follows the everyday lives of the chaotic Spaghetti family. CYBORG KUROCHAN is a 65x30 series based on the popular Kodansha-published comic book.
MIPCOM News: Curious Hopes To Peak Interest With 3 New Shows
American producer Curious Pictures sails into MIPCOM on the wake of the recent launch of its show CODENAME: KIDS NEXT DOOR, on Cartoon Network in Europe and Latin America. These include:
MIPCOM News: Antefilms International Announces Its New Line Up
Antefilms Production will be launching two new series, as well as its other successfully series, at booth 24.05 at this years MIPCOM. This announcement comes on the heals of Antefilms announcement that it has purchased France Animation, which produces LITTLE VAMPIRE, SPACE LUNIES, and DR. DOG.
Toonz USA Promotes Jayakumar and Christine
P. Jayakumar has been elevated to coo and Tiersa Christine has been moved up to director of production of Toonz USA, the Burbank-based studio's operations in India, headed by president/ceo Bill Dennis.
