With "El Barto" and company recently hitting its 300th episode in its 14th season as the longest running sitcom on primetime TV, Fox Home Entertainment released THE SIMPSONS SEASON THREE on DVD ($49.98) on Aug. 26, 2003. Like its smash hit predecessors, this latest four-disc set comes jam-packed with extras of interest to enthusiasts. Some of the Season Three celebrity guest stars included Magic Johnson, Sting and the late Steve Allen.
Tri-Dimensional Studios of Tampa, Florida has launched The Maya Training Center, a state-of-the-art computer animation training facility specializing in intensive training for Alias' Maya. Designed to meet the needs of professionals and enthusiasts alike, The Maya Training Center provides Maya 3D animation training via its Tampa-based state-of-the-art classrooms and remotely through onsite training at their client's location.
A new production company based in South Beach, Florida is launching three new animation series on the Internet, in hopes of catching a wave of interest to develop them into long-form programming for pick-up by cable companies. Shallow Beach Entertainment has worked for 18 months to assemble the creative and technical team to develop three very distinct animated series appealing to vastly different target audiences.
NXN Software has joined Intel's Developer Dispatch Program. Under the terms of the deal, NXN will provide a special trial version of its NXN alienbrain Engineer configuration management system to all participating developers. As part of the program, NXN will also present its offering for software developers at Intel's ECTS booth 1240.
New York-based Perception has wrapped production on a new spot for ESPN Classics first live broadcast, covering the 2003 MLB Hall of Fame inauguration. Featuring a pebbled paper look and a American red, white and blue color palette, the spot's POV roams around an immense admission ticket. Video highlights of both baseball greats Gary Carter and Eddie Murray were composited along with their statistics and broadcast details into the background.
The most expensive animated feature produced in Korea, WONDERFUL DAYS, has tanked at the box office in its native country. The film cost $11 million to produce, but has disappeared from theaters after only two weeks in release, garnering a paltry $1.9 million. The film even debuted behind DreamWorks SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS, which was a disappointment in the U.S.
The vfx artists at Ring of Fire recently demonstrated their digital talent on a three-spot campaign for Sony Walkman Personal Audio Products via Young & Rubicam/New York. The spots feature Sony's popular mascot Plato - a gangly, blue-furred extraterrestrial who seems to know how to have a good time. ATHENS BEACH, MORNING AFTER and MUSIC LIBRARY required Ring of Fire to make the actions of Plato appear seamless.
Two more screen legends, Anne Bancroft and Malcolm McDowell, have joined the all-star cast of DELGO, the indie produced fantasy adventure film from Atlanta-based Fathom Studios. The rest of the voice cast includes Jennifer Love Hewitt, Val Kilmer, Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris Kattan, Kelly Ripa, Eric Idle and Burt Reynolds.
Channel 4s plans to lead the way in the U.K. to create world-beating animated shorts and specials with its three-year funding commitment to animation commissioning. A total investment of £1.6 million will be injected into the channels three animation schemes Mesh, Air and Animate!
"No other television broadcaster has invested so much in developing the raw talent of the U.K.s animators and we look forward to seeing more fresh and innovative specials over the next three years," said Tim Gardam, Channel 4 director of television.
In light of Morgan Creek's firing of director Paul Schrader from EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (the production company disliked his final cut), famed novelist Caleb Carr (THE ALIENIST), who shares screenplay credit with William Wisher, gave his perspective to VFXWorld:
ToonfestMarceline, Missouri, USASeptember 20, 2003Deadline: September 8, 2003
LION KING-director Rob Minkoffs Sprocketdyne Entertainment has signed a deal with United Media to transform Darby Conleys comic strip GET FUZZY into a CGI-enhanced live-action feature, reported DAILY VARIETY. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME director Kirk Wise will be making his live-action debut on the project. Wise has been developing the project with Conley. Minkoff and his partner Jason Clark will produce the picture, with their Sprocketdyne vp of development Warren Davis co-producing.
Anchorage International Film FestivalAnchorage, Alaska, USADecember 12 - 21, 2003Deadline: October 1, 2003
The Anchorage Film Festivals focus is to highlight independent cinema. This year's event will conclude with screenings at the prestigious Edward Albee Theater Conference in Valdez, Alaska. At least 600 national and international stars, playwrights, directors, actors and other talented people attend. For more information visit www.anchoragefilmfestival.com.
Corsham Entertainment, a new TV and film production company in the U.K., is developing IN FOR THE KRILL, a 2D animated feature from Australian director Greg Holfeld. This dark "penguin-noir" is a follow up to his short "BLACK AND WHITE RED ALL OVER," a feature shown at the St. Kilda and Adelaide International Film Festivals and is making the international festival circuit.
The demanding and multi-faceted role of the visual effects producer took center stage as the Producers Guild of America hosted its third mixer of the year, Aug. 21, 2003, at Sony Imageworks.
OK, the TWO TOWERS DVD (New Line Home Entertainment, $29.95) arrives in stores Aug. 26, 2003, looking glorious in its widescreen edition and packed with the kinds of extras we've come to expect (two documentaries, eight featurettes, plus Sean Astin's short film, THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT, along with the making of it). But keep in mind: this is the theatrical version of Peter Jackson's blockbuster fantasy. There's the extended version still to come on Nov. 18, featuring some 43 extra minutes. So hold on tight and enjoy the second part of the journey.
New Line's FREDDY VS. JASON continued its assault on the box office, despite a 64% decline in its second weekend, scoring $13.1M for a cume of $61.1M (with vfx principally by Cinesite of Hollywood, Pixel Magic and Asylum).
Cinesite Hollywood has announced that Daphne Dentz has been promoted to vp, business development from her post as a visual effects producer, which she assumed in August 2000. In her new role, she will focus on developing the companys digital intermediate technology as a creative tool for cinematographers. Dentz will report to Dan Lombardo, president/gm Cinesite Hollywood.
The Anime Network has announced a nationwide in-store signage promotion with Waldenbooks, America's largest mall based book retailer. Starting August 1, 2003, Waldenbooks will promote the Anime Network with signs placed in the manga section of its stores. The deal is an extension of the partnership between Waldenbooks and the networks parent company A. D. Vision, Inc., which brings home-entertainment anime products in Waldenbooks locations.
Galleon Holdings plc has signed a deal with Swedish-based Jaguar Media Productions SA to produce a CGI feature film and 260-episode television series based on Galleons ASTRO KNIGHTS property. Jaguar will fully fund the approximately $12 million price-tag for both projects. As a result of the agreement, a new company, Astro Knights 2003 Ltd will be formed to manage the production and licensing. Revenues will be split 80/20 in favor of Jaguar.
Celebrated writer-director Paul Schrader has been dismissed from EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING over a creative dispute with production company Morgan Creek. Reports of friction have been rampant for weeks, with the NEW YORK POST affirming that Schrader was fired in its Page Six column on Aug. 25, 2003. Warner Bros., which will distribute the prequel to the legendary horror classic, deferred inquiries to Morgan Creek, and a spokesperson there was unavailable for comment.
Todd Miller, has been promoted from md of AXN Asia, to svp of International Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI).
For those who want to be nit-picky, it's official: Disney/Pixar's FINDING NEMO, which has grossed $328,751,122 as of Aug. 21, 2003, now stands alone atop the animation box office chart, passing Disney's THE LION KING's total gross of $328,541,776, including the most recent IMAX reissue.
A.D. Vision Inc. has officially announced the founding of ADV Toys, the firm's new merchandise division. Word of the new arm was first hinted at Anime Expo 2003. The new division will create toys and collectible merchandise based upon the company's film, manga and original content properties.
In anticipation of the release of the final film in the series, New Line Cinema has decided to release the extended editions of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and THE TWO TOWERS. FELLOWSHIP will be released on December 5, 2003 in approximately 150 screens across North America followed by TWO TOWERS on December 12. Some theaters will present the two films back-to-back on December 8 and 15.
