eDward Calls for Europe’s Visual Effects Best
eDIT / VES 2003, The European Festival for Production and Visual EffectsFrankfurt, GermanySeptember 28 30, 2003 Deadline: August 25, 2003
AWN Headline News
Saban Setting Sights on ProSiebenSat.1 Again
It looks like media mogul Haim Saban has some money left over from his recent $100 million contribution to charities in the U.S. and Israel to make a second attempt to buy ProSiebenSat.1. Saban pulled out of the deal to buy Kirch Media in June 2003. Now rumors are circulating that the POWER RANGERS-powered billionaire is making another run at buying only the broadcaster asset from Kirch's creditors.
Pre-Registration Deadline Near for Character Voice Workshop
Character Voice WorkshopBurbank, California USAJuly 26, 2003Deadline: July 23, 2003
Homeboy Burt Reynolds Cast in Delgo
Burt Reynolds is the latest addition to the star-studded cast of DELGO, the independently produced computer-animated feature from Atlanta, Georgia-based Fathom Studios. The Oscar-nominated actor said in a release, "I am very proud to be a part of the first animated film being produced in my home state of Georgia."
Burt Reynolds (BOOGIE NIGHTS, SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT) is providing the voice of Delgo's boisterous father. The fantasy adventure is set in a divided land where a troubled youth and some unlikely friends must save the world from itself.
Click 3x Goes Pink for Spray 'n Wash Spot
A pink washing machine drops from the sky, heralding a new way to get clothes clean in a clever 30-second television spot produced by Click 3x for SPRAY 'n WASH and Euro RSCG MVBMS Partners, New York. The spot, combining computer animation and digital photography, promotes new SPRAY 'n WASH In-Wash Laundry Stain Remover, known as SPRAY 'n WASH Pink.
Company 3 Hires Effects Compositor Scheer
Visual effects compositor John Scheer has joined Company 3 Los Angeles, which has stepped up its involvement in high-def TV commercials and VFX production for feature films. Prior to taking this staff position, Scheer freelanced under the name Scheer FX. His credits include spots for DirectTV (Deutsch, Los Angeles) and Miller Lite (Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago). Scheer was previously on staff at 525 Studios, where he worked on music videos for Destiny's Child, Elton John, Sisqó and Leann Rimes.
Kaydara Announces Alias' Support for FBX
Kaydara Inc., a leader in 3D character animation and motion capture technologies, has announced the support of Alias for the Kaydara FBX authoring file format. A free Kaydara FBX-Maya plug-in, which provides Maya software users with a seamless pathway for the acquisition and exchange of 3D data, will be bundled on the Maya CD and posted free on the Kaydara (www.kaydara.com/fbx) and Alias (www.alias.com) Websites.
BOXX Technologies Offers New NVIDIA Quadro FX 3000
BOXX Technologies, a leading developer of XXTreme award-winning digital content creation systems for the design, entertainment and digital film industries, now offers the new NVIDIA Quadro FX 3000 series of professional graphics solutions in its 3DBOXX workstations. These new professional graphics solutions make advanced high-resolution visualization accessible to more professionals in the video postproduction and broadcast markets.
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3000 Features
R!OT Santa Monica Recreates 19th Century London for League
R!OT Santa Monica created a massive and richly detailed digital replica of 19th Century London as part of its VFX package for Fox's new THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN. The R!OT team also concocted a roomful of missile silos inside a giant submarine, impaled a man on a rhinoceros horn and came up with a unique way of visualizing the voices on an old phonograph recording.
Cosgrove Hall Films Founding Partner Retires
Cosgrove Hall co-founder Mark Hall has followed in his partner s (Brian Cosgrove) footsteps, announcing his official retirement, July 17, 2003, from the company he started 27 years ago in Manchester, England. He helped make the company into one of the most prolific animation studios in the world and a winner of numerous international and national awards including six BAFTAs and three International Emmys.
Teen Titans Premiere Sets Cartoon Net Records
Cartoon Networks premiere telecast of TEEN TITANS on Saturday, July 19, 2003 at 9:00 pm earned the cable network record ratings. The program stands as the most-watched Cartoon Network premiere ever with boys 6-11. Additionally, the Sunday replay at 10:00 pm ranked as the most-watched program in its timeslot on ad-supported basic cable with kids 6-11, kids 2-11, boys 6-11 and boys 2-11.
IDSA Changes Name
The association representing U.S. computer and video game software publishers, formerly the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), announced it has changed its name to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), effective immediately. The organizations Website has been changed from www.idsa.com to www.theesa.com.
Darabont on Board for Captain Sternn CG Projects
Darkwoods Prod., the production house of SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION director Frank Darabont, has signed on with Himani Original Prod. to develop a CG-animated feature film, animated TV series, comic books and video games based on Bernie Wrightson's (SWAMP THING) comic book character Captain Sternn. The character originally appeared in HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE and made an appearance in the 1981 animated cult flick HEAVY METAL. Also attached to the project are writer David J. Schow (THE CROW) and Himani president/founder Kevin Kutchaver (HERCULES, XENA) as director of animation.
SPEC/GPC Expands Benchmark Options for Non-Members
SPEC's Graphics Performance Characterization (SPEC/GPC) group has launched a new program that gives non-members of the organization access to its benchmarking review and publication processes. SPEC/GPC's SPECviewperf and SPECapc application-based benchmarks are considered worldwide standards for objective performance measurement. SPECviewperf offers direct performance comparisons of graphics hardware running datasets from popular CAD/CAM, digital content creation and visualization applications.
TOKYOPOP Team With Courtney Love on Manga Series
TOKYOPOP Inc. and Courtney Love have teamed up to produce the fantasy manga series, PRINCESS AI, featuring the character design of manga artist Ai Yazawa (PARADISE KISS) and the creative vision of D.J. Milky (KARMA KLUB). The story will follow a smart, talented and an irreverent young princess who utilizes the public stage as a form of self-expression and as a way to hide from her assailants.
ESC to Become VFX Fixture at Warner Bros.
Northern California-based VFX house ESC Entertainment was originally funded by Warner Bros. to handle the bulk of the work on the MATRIX trilogy, which cost more than $100 million. But now the studio has decided to expand ESC's role by having it take a lead or secondary role in all of its event films, VARIETY reports.
Sinbad Last Traditionally-Drawn Feature at DreamWorks
After the dismal box office performance of SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS ($23.4 M since July 2, 2003), DreamWorks animation head Ann Daly proclaimed in the NEW YORK TIMES that the studio will no longer be making traditionally-drawn features. Co-founder and animation guru Jeffrey Katzenberg added that the 2D art form sadly may be obsolete as a result of changing technology.
Bad Boys Sequel Tops the Chart; Nemo Crosses $300M
With a one-two punch of his own, producer Jerry Bruckheimer ruled the weekend box office like no other producer before him, with BAD BOYS II debuting impressively at an estimated $46.7M and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL hauling in a hefty $33.2M in its sophomore turn. At least for the moment, the curse of the summer sequel has been given a respite.
Perception Designs Kiosk Display For National Constitution Center
Design/post-production house Perception has delivered kiosk display sequences for the National Constitution Center (www.constitutioncenter.org), which opened its doors in Philadelphia July 4, 2003. For the seven 10-second animation sequences, Perception teamed with director Hock Films Jonathan Hock, who recently collaborated with Perception on the show opens to ESPN's STREETBALL and BLOCK PARTY. The permanent exhibit, entitled "Point Counterpoint," presents short films featuring actors arguing both sides of some of the influential teachings of American history and culture.
Turbo Squid Certifies Absolute Character Tools 1.6 Pro as 3ds max Plug-in
Turbo Squid has announced the certification and release of cgCharacters Absolute Character Tools (ACT) 1.6 Pro as a Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in. ACT is a fast and stable production platform that offers a wide array of character modeling and animation features. In addition to cgMuscle objects, ACT also includes tools and objects (cgTubes) to create skinned proxy characters that deform and animate in realtime.
DVDn Offers New Interactivity in Dungeons & Dragons Adventure
DKP Effects recently partnered with Rhino Home Video and Warner Strategic Marketing to bring a new interactivity to the booming DVD format: DVDn. The first title, SCOURGE OF WORLDS: A DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ADVENTURE ($24.95), released earlier this summer, is intended to be a true hybrid of features and gaming.
Teen Titans Takes to the Airwaves on Cartoon Network
TEEN TITANS, a series based on the popular DC Comics comic book characters, moved up on the Cartoon Network schedule to premiere July 19, 2003 at 9:00 pm. It seems appropriate for this new generation of superheroes to hit the airwaves as comic fans in the thousands are attending the world's largest comic book convention, the Comic-Con 2003 in San Diego through the weekend.
Date Changes & New Pages In Theatrical Release Database
This week in the Theatrical Release Database new pages were added for HIDALGO and GARAGE DAYS...
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The June Acrobat Edition of Animation World Magazine is Now Online!
Now available is the June Acrobat Edition of Animation World Magazine, focusing on Independent Animation. Rick DeMott talks to Mike Nguyen about his independent feature MY LITTLE WORLD. We also have profiles on two indie creators Dr. William Moritz and Debra Solomon. As well, Dave Warren takes us down the first leg of his bumpy trail to bring life to his self-produced TV series. For an international flare, we focused on Bulgaria. The Animation Pimp tells us that change is good, while Dr. Toon uncovers the evil empire of Disney.
Windy City Animation Festival Calls For Entries
Hold on to your cels, Cineme 2003, Chicago International Animation Film Festival is coming at you full throttle November 6-9, 2003. Created to showcase animation in its cornucopia of styles and elements, the Golden Zoetrope award is open to entries from every level of the industry: From high-end digital effects for Film and Television, to Independents and Student Shorts, to Music Videos, Commercials, Game Animation and much more.
