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Geographical Region: Asia

Effects Headline News

Gnomon Workshop Releases New Maya Training DVD

The Gnomon Workshop has released a new installment in its Dynamics training for Alias Maya DVD series. Dynamics, 14: Advanced Sprite Rendering includes 120 minutes of instruction, project files, lecture notes, resource spotlights and bonus materials. The DVD was produced by Andrew Orloff, principal and VFX supervisor at Zoic Studios. The DVD explains the tools, with a focus on workflow, using a wide range of examples including wind-blown seed pods, a sea of microbes, depth-of-field effects, tossed coins and crowd simulations.

Disney Headline News

Shadedbox to Develop Francis Feature at Disney

Hot off its Student Emmy Award for the clever animated short LITTLE RED PLANE, Shadedbox, the Pasadena-based animation studio formed two years ago by a group of college buddies, has optioned its first CG-animated feature to Disney. LETS GET FRANCIS is a fast-paced comedy about two hamster brothers, Joe and Francis, who live inside a mall pet store, and compete for the attention of customers during the busy holiday season.

Series Headline News

Bandai Launches Witch Hunter Robin Website

Bandai Entertainment has launched www.witchhunteronline.com to help promote the upcoming DVD release of Shukou Murases anime series, WITCH HUNTER ROBIN. The site will feature information about the characters, setting, production as well as news reports, background information, DVD release dates and trailers. An interactive Witch Hunting Experience is planned to go live at the end of August. 2003

Effects Headline News

Theatrical Release Database: Potter 4 Director, Garfield & Ghost Rider Dates

This week in AWNs Theatrical Release Database weve created new pages for Peter Jacksons KING KONG as well as AGENT CODY BANKS 2, ME & MY BOY, NEW YORK MINUTE, SUPERMAN and ULTRAVIOLET. In addition, you can find out whos signed on to direct HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE and Marvels big screen adaptation of DEATHLOK. Also big news on whos doing the visual effects for THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WAREROBE.

Headline News

Weta Lands a King-Sized Ape, a Lion, a Witch & a Wardrobe

Weta Digital has landed work on both the KING KONG remake and THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE feature. Head of Weta Peter Jackson has inked a deal with Universal to bring his version of the giant ape tale to the screen, reported DAILY VARIETY. The deal is worth $20 million and 20% of the gross to Jackson for his writing and directing duties, which he will split with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens who also helped the Oscar-nominated director pen the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Welsh is set to produce the KONG redux.

Headline News

Activision Calls Lead Actors to Active Voice Duty in Game

To further immerse gamers into its gritty, first-person war-torn thriller CALL OF DUTY, Activision Inc. has enlisted Jason Statham and Giovanni Ribisi to provide their trademark voice talent in key roles. Additionally, writer/producer Michael Schiffer (CRIMSON TIDE, COLORS, LEAN OF ME, THE FOUR FEATHERS and THE PEACEMAKER) has added his touch to the game's action-filled script. CALL OF DUTY will be available in fall 2003 for the PC and is rated "RP" (Rating Pending) by the ESRB.

Headline News

Saban Seals Deal In Germany

The sale is complete, U.S. billionaire Haim Saban took control of German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 by acquiring a majority stake from the insolvent parent house KirchMedia. The deal was finalized August 9, 2003 with Kirchs creditor banks and the transaction is expected to be completed this week. Saban acquired 36% of the share capital of ProSiebenSat.1, which gives him and his investors 72% of the companys voting rights.

Licensing Headline News

DIC Bolsters Consumer Products Division

Former Disney licensing exec Vincent Marchica is onboard as vp of creative, it was announced by Nancy Bassett, svp for DICs worldwide consumer products. Kathy DeGennero has been appointed senior designer and Heather Fuscellero will serve as director of retail.

Additionally, DIC has promoted Cindy Davis from director to vp of domestic licensing and Ryan Gagerman to exec director of international licensing.

Media Headline News

STVDIO Media Animation Working for Wireless

Hong Kong toon house STVDIO Media Animation will develop original animated content and images for the burgeoning market of cellular telephones via an agreement with Crown Greetings. The animated content for MMS networks across the will be beamed to 3G mobile handsets in the Asia-Pacific region in fall 2003.

Headline News

My Life As A Teenage Robot Premieres

MY LIFE AS A TEENAGE ROBOT, a spin-off of the hit show OH YEAH! CARTOONS, premiered at 8:30 pm on August 1, 2003 on Nickelodeon. The series centers on a six-foot robot XJ-9 named Jenny (voiced by Jancie Kawaye) who is programmed to save the world with her incredible super powers and is really a sensitive teenager on the inside.

Movie Headline News

Piglet's Big Movie Bows on DVD

PIGLET'S BIG MOVIE (Buena Vista Home Entertainment, $29.99) hits the DVD shelves July 29, 2003 featuring extra goodies such as PIGLET'S BIG BOOK OF MEMORIES (find Piglet's lost drawings) and THE WORLD ACCORDING TO PIGLET (a 3D book of memories filled with favorite "Pigletisms"). The movie provides the lovable pink fellow with his first starring role (voiced by John Fiedler in his 35th year doing the cherished role). PIGLET was directed by Francis Glebas (FANTASIA 2000's "Pomp & Circumstance"), produced by Disney Toon Studios and animated by Walt Disney Animation Japan.

Season Headline News

King of the Hill Gets Nine Lives

KING OF THE HILL has shown it is one of the top cats of primetime animation, receiving an early pickup from Fox Broadcasting Co. for a ninth season, guaranteeing the Texas toon a run through May 2005. The series, which airs Sundays in the U.S. at 7:30 pm on FOX, is in production on the 2003-2004 season, which premieres later this fall.

Kids Headline News

TroubleMaker & Janimation Use AMD Processor-Based Systems on Spy Kids 3D

TroubleMaker Studios and Janimation animators used AMD processors with hardware support from BOXX and NVIDIA, as well as software from Microsoft and Softimage on SPY KIDS 3D: GAME OVER. The third installment of Robert Rodriguez' highly successful family franchise features stereoscopic elements enhanced with 3D glasses.

Digital Headline News

What's Happening at SIGGRAPH 2003?

This year's SIGGRAPH is expected to draw more than 25,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals and 200 exhibitors at the San Diego Convention Center, July 27-31, 2003. The conference (Sunday through Thursday) includes a July 28 keynote address, "Modeling the Cosmos: The Shape of the Universe," by Cambridge University astrophysicist Anthony Lasenby (8:00-9:45 am, Room 20A-C).

Books Headline News

Rubbadubbers Books Coming from Simon Spotlight & Scholastic

Simon Spotlight and Scholastic have announced they will each publish a line of books based on HIT Entertainment's new animated television series RUBBADUBBERS. Simon Spotlight will publish novelty and storybook formats and Scholastic will publish coloring and activity formats. The books will launch in the summer 2004 with Spotlight and Scholastic jointly coordinating sales and marketing efforts.

Work Headline News

A52 Helps Young Director on Nike Spec Spot

In an effort to help cultivate new talent, A52 provided its services to recent Art Center College of Design graduate and rising director Ania Hoffman for work on her Nike spec commercial. As a result of the 30-second spot entitled FULL MOON, the Russian-born Hoffman received representation in Japan by production company Size. The relationship was kicked off when Hoffman was introduced to A52 producer Leighton Greer.

Production Headline News

DPS Aligns with Vanguard to Power CG Features

Digital Productions Solutions (DPS), the animation unit of IDT Media, has entered into a joint venture with Vanguard Animation to co-produce and co-own all Vanguard properties, as well as buy a minority stake of Vanguard in the eight-figure range. The announcement follows on the heels of DPS's acquisition of a majority stake in Film Roman Inc.

Million 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.

Entertainment Headline News

Stan Lee’s POW! Signs Deal with DIC

POW! Entertainment and DIC Entertainment have signed a joint venture development deal for a slate of original properties aimed at the kids TV market. DIC will work directly with Stan Lee and POW! to develop and produce the new animated television series. DIC will retain the rights to distribute the programs globally. First in line will be STAN LEES THE SECRET OF THE SUPER SIX -- a superhero-based animated series with a humanitarian spin that will feature Lee as a main character.

Headline News

SPTI Ups LeGoy to SVP of European Sales

Keith LeGoy, svp of sales, Europe, at Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), was promoted to md, Latin America, relocating from London to Miami. Dorien Sutherland, who held the post at SPTI since March 1994, has left the company to pursue other interests and consulted to SPTI during the transition period.

Michael Grindon, president of SPTI, said LeGoy's most recent efforts, "have led to significant improvements in our licensing business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and he is well prepared to assume this new leadership role."

Headline News

FUNimation Gets the Goods on Detective Conan

FUNimation Prods., Ltd. has acquired the rights to DETECTIVE CONAN, a Japanese mega-hit series produced by TMS Entertainment, Ltd., the Fort Worth-Texas-based company announced during the recent Anime Expo 2003 in Anaheim, California.

DETECTIVE CONAN is one of the highest rated series in Japan, is in its sixth season with 300 half-hours produced as well as two movies, THE TIME BOMBED SKYSCRAPER and THE FOURTEENTH TARGET, which FUNimation also acquired the rights to. Home video release dates for the features are tentatively scheduled for late spring 2004.

Concept Headline News

Yu Runs Back to Sideshow as Art Director

John Yu has returned to Sideshow, where he previously worked as a senior inferno artist/designer, as its new art director. Yu has left his post as designer at Liquid Light, where he worked on projects such as the redesign of WNBC News Channel 4, the launch of the YES Network and a Dove Shampoo campaign.

Marvel Headline News

Marvel Sues Sony Yet Again

On Friday, June 27, 2003, Marvel Enterprises filed yet another lawsuit worth $10M against SPIDER-MAN partner Sony, this time specifically Sony Electronics, reported VARIETY. Marvel claims in the suit, filed in L.A. Superior Court, that Sony Electronics refused to license the Spider-Man character for its electronic products like radios and portable CD players and has advised sister company Sony Pictures to do the same with competitors.

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