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Geographical Region: Australia

Game Headline News

TDK And DreamWorks Extend Shrek License Agreement To Include Sequel

Interactive software publisher TDK Mediactive, Inc. and DreamWorks SKG have extended their exclusive video game license agreement for the SHREK franchise, including the SHREK sequel. The agreement is worldwide for all current game platforms. According to TDK, the worldwide sales of SHREK interactive titles have been highly successful, exceeding 1 million units across four platforms (Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color and PC CD-ROM). Additionally, most of the titles are available in six languages and are currently available in North and South America, Europe and Australia.

Animation Headline News

Peppermint Goes Exploring With Columbia Tri-Star

Distribution outfit peppermint has struck a first-time deal with Columbia Tri-Star International Television (CTIT) and BBC Choice for the new adult animation series PETEY & JAYDEE GO EXPLORING. The series of 52 x 45-second vignettes follow the adventures of two quirky aliens as they take viewers on an irreverent joyride. CTIT plans to air the series on Japan's all-anime cable-satellite channel Animax. They also acquired all television, merchandising and broadband distribution rights for Sony Entertainment Television (SET) in Latin America.

Series Headline News

Television Industry Bounces Back At MIPTV 2002

Last October, MIPCOM 2001 Personality of the Year, MTV's Tom Freston, stated in response to the events of September 11th and the diminished attendance of the market, "TV will bounce back." This year's MIPTV, which took place in Cannes from April 15 to 19, 2002, showed strong evidence that the television community is on the way to recovery. Organizer Reed Midem reported over 2,600 buyers from 1,052 companies attended the market and representing an increased number of buyer companies, up 20% from last year.

Animation Headline News

Job Opportunities For Animators, Directors, Agents, Instructors And More

Washington, DC's Capital Children's Museum is looking for a VIDEO EDITING/DOCUMENTARY INTERN . . . Sunnyvale, California's Clay Pixel Studios is looking for a COMPUTER ANIMATION ENTREPRENEUR . . . Cornerstone Animation Inc. is looking for an EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. . . Beit Shemesh, Israel's Digital Production Solutions is looking for a 3DSMAX ANIMATOR . . . Port Monmouth, New Jersey's Dream Balloon Productions, Inc. is looking for a 2D CHARACTER ANIMATOR and an ANIMATION BUDGET DIRECTOR . . . HyperGalaxy, Inc. is looking for a SALES REPRESENTATIVE . . .

Headline News

Xbox Creator Resigns And Microsoft Slashes Game Console Prices

Seamus Blackley, co-creator of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox, resigned Monday, April 22, 2002, less than a week after the company slashed prices on the game console in Europe and Australia. REUTERS reported Blackley intends to launch a new game-industry startup and says his resignation was not related to Xbox's sluggish sales. But just six weeks after its debut, Microsoft has reduced prices for the Xbox game console in Europe and Australia. Effective April 26, 2002, the Xbox will sell in Europe for 299 euros (US$266) or 199 pounds (US$288), and in Australia for A$399 (US$215).

Film Headline News

Pixar and Disney Announce Upcoming Feature Film Slate

Coming on the heels of an announcement that the latest Disney/Pixar collaboration, MONSTERS, INC., has become the second highest grossing animated film of all-time, the two companies have announced their next three films. First up is FINDING NEMO. Set in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the film follows two fish, a father and his son Nemo, who become separated undersea. FINDING NEMO is set for release in summer 2003, and is written and directed by Andrew Stanton, co-director and co-screenwriter of A BUG'S LIFE. It stars the voice talent of Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Willem Dafoe.

Games Headline News

Dora The Explorer Discovers Video Games

NewKidCo International Inc. has entered into a worldwide multi-year agreement with Nickelodeon to publish video games based on the Nick Jr. show DORA THE EXPLORER. The agreement grants NewKidCo the rights to create interactive products for all leading video game systems. The series follows Dora, a young Latina who lives inside a computer and uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to communicate with her friends, overcome obstacles and reach her goals. The series currently airs 11 times a week, both on Nick Jr. and as part of CBS' weekend programming.

Series Headline News

Little Ghosts Is Big For TV-Loonland

Representing their first sale to Japan, TV-Loonland has sold the home video and DVD rights of the animated series LITTLE GHOSTS to Japanese home entertainment corporation TDK. The show has also been sold to Indonesian agent PT-NAINA, who will distribute all rights of the series to buyers in the Asia Pacific region. Australias public broadcaster ABC Australia is currently airing LITTLE GHOSTS and will be launching the series on home video through their subsidiary ABC Video in spring 2002.

Animation Headline News

This Week At Animation World Magazine

Each week, Animation World Magazine offers new articles, special features and theme-based coverage of the art, craft and industry of animation. New this week:

- Force of Hobbit: Mythmaking at Weta

It is said that love is the mythology that two people create together. At Weta, Ltd., in New Zealand, it is love at first byte.

- Deitch on Pintoff

Series Headline News

Pirate School To Set Sail At Mip-TV 2002

Santa Barbara-based Foothill Entertainment, Inc. and BRB Internacional of Spain have inked a deal to develop, produce and distribute the series PIRATE SCHOOL. Production on the 26 x half-hour series is due to start mid 2002, with delivery commencing from September 2003. The 2D animated series will air on CBBC in the UK, which has an option to order a further 26 episodes.

Game Headline News

Xbox Goes Global With European And Australian Launches

On March 14, 2002 Microsoft Corp. debuted its next-generation game console Xbox in Europe and Australia. A total of 20 games were available at the time of the launch, with an additional 40 scheduled to be available by the end of June 2002. The launch day game lineup included the Microsoft Game Studio releases HALO, PROJECT GOTHAM RACING and ODDWORLD: MUNCH'S ODDYSEE. Xbox is now on sale in Australia, the United Kingdom and across Europe for a suggested retail price of $649 Australian and 479 Euro or £299.

Animation Headline News

Job Opportunities For Animators, Artists, Writers, Instructors And More

Vancouver, BC's Bardel Entertainment Inc. is looking for an ASSISTANT ANIMATION DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR and a SENIOR CHARACTER FLASH ANIMATOR . . . Newport Beach, California's Carera Productions is looking for a TELEVISION ANIMATION WRITER (PRESCHOOL) . . . Los Angeles, California's Channel M Productions is looking for a CARTOONIST/ANIMATOR . . . Kerala, India's Creative Animation is looking for a BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT MANAGER . . . Los Angeles, California's Dreams Come True Films is looking for a COMIC BOOK ARTIST . . .

Animation Headline News

New Additions To AWN's Calendar Of Events

This week's updates to the Calendar of Events include: Banned On Earth Animation Extravaganza: Wednesday, February 20 - Saturday, June 15, 2002, Everywhere, USA . . . Melbourne International Student Animation Festival: Thursday, April 18 - Sunday, April 21, 2002, Melbourne, Victoria Australia . . . Basic Introduction to Life Sculpture: Wednesday, May 22 - Wednesday, July 24, 2002, Toronto, Ontario Canada . . . Life Drawing for Complete Beginners: Monday, May 27 - Monday, July 22, 2002, Toronto, Ontario Canada . . .

Game Headline News

One Fish, Two Fish, Game Boy, Xbox

NewKidCo International Inc. has signed a three-year agreement with Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. to publish interactive entertainment software for next-generation gaming systems based on the classic characters and stories of Dr. Seuss. The games, targeted to children ages six and up, will be distributed to all major retail accounts throughout North America, with distribution into Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Rim planned as well. The first title, scheduled for release in fall of 2002, will be developed for Game Boy Advance.

Headline News

Nelvana Scores With International Sales At NATPE 2002

Corus Entertainments Nelvana scored a slew of sales at this years NATPE show, including an output deal with Venezuelas Venevision for four shows per year plus first look options. Other programming deals saw ABC-TV Australia license seven shows including FRANKLIN THE TURTLE, LITTLE BEAR and BLAZING DRAGONS and Panamanian broadcaster FETV has agreed to a package deal of over 100 half-hours of animation.

Headline News

Not-So-Happy Life For Swedish Animation Company?

A judgement was recently rendered by a Stockholm Chamber of Commerce arbitrator that Swedish animation house Happy Life violated copyright and was in breach of contract when it produced a second series of the animated show LISA. The dispute between LISA creator Magnus Carlsson and his former employers ended in his favor on December 21, 2001 after a six-month long arbitration process.

Visual Headline News

Photon And GMD Team For Gadget VFX Contract

Australian visual effects companies Photon VFX and GMD have formed a strategic alliance and will begin their collaboration as joint visual effects contractors for the Disney production of INSPECTOR GADGET 2. The film, which is currently shooting on location in Brisbane, Australia, is a direct-to-video project from Disney. The eight-week shoot is will utilize Photon's motion-control services during production. Post-production is slated for completion by mid-2002.

Headline News

What's New For NATPE? The New Adventures Of Billy The Cat

Fremantle International Distribution (FID) will be launching a second series of the animated adventures of BILLY THE CAT at NATPE 2002. Based on the books created by Stéphane Colman and Stephen Desberg, BILLY THE CAT is the story of a boy who is transformed into a cat as punishment for being cruel to animals. BILLY THE CAT has already been well-received by broadcasters worldwide, with sales of the first series to the U.S., the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux, Australia, Latin America, South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Weekend Headline News

Lord Of The Rings Rules Holiday Weekend

The first installment of the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is shaping up to be a huge success for New Line Cinema. Already benefiting from repeat viewings, the film, with primary digital effects by WETA in New Zealand, continues its number one run, bringing in $56.9M over the five-day holiday weekend for an astounding two-week total of $174.1M.

Effects Headline News

Rings Lords Over Box Office

As everyone predicted LORD OF THE RINGS, with primary digital effects by WETA in New Zealand, was easily number one at the U.S. box office this long, holiday weekend. Opening on Wednesday, December 19, the film pulled in over $18 million in the first 24 hours alone. As of Sunday, December 23, the film has a cume of $73.1 million and shows no sign of slowing down as other newcomers had weak openings. Ultra-slick OCEANS ELEVEN, with visual effects by E=mc2 and Cinesite, is holding strong with a second place finish of $14.6M and a cume of $95.2M.

Awards Headline News

Australian Effects & Animation Festival 2002

Australian Effects & Animation Festival 2002: Tuesday, February 26 - Thursday, February 28, 2002, Sydney, NSW Australia. The Australian Effects & Animation Festival 2002 is a unique opportunity for Australians to learn the creative and technical secrets behind some of the biggest VFX/animation projects from Hollywood and around the world. It provides an exclusive access pass to the leading personalities in the global VFX and animation community.

Headline News

Tropfest

Tropfest: Sunday, February 24, 2002, Sydney + world-wide web, NSW Australia. Entry Deadline: Thursday, January 17, 2002. Tropfest aims to support emerging filmmakers and gives them the opportunity to showcase their work to a broad audience in a festive environment. Tropfest also enourages production - films entered must include the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) to show that the film was specifically made for Tropfest. Sixteen films in total are chosen for screening at Tropfest and prizes are announced in the lead up to the event.

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