Silicon Graphics, Inc. has reported negative first quarter results for the 1999 fiscal year. The company announced a net loss of $44 million, or $0.24 per share, compared with a net loss of $56 million in the same quarter a year ago. "Reporting a loss is never satisfying, but I am very encouraged with the progress demonstrated in this quarter's results," said Richard Belluzzo, CEO and chairman of SGI.
Pixar, the company behind "Toy Story," posted a third quarter net profit of $2.5 million, or $0.02 per share, down from a third quarter profit of $5.3 million last year. The positive profits however did surprise financial analysts who had forecasted a third quarter loss of $0.02 for the third quarter. The upcoming release of "A Bug's Life" is expected to help further rejuvenate Pixar's revenues.
Bandai's AnimeVillage.com is the first video releasing company in the US that enables consumers to purchase Japanese animation directly through the Internet. The site also features the latest animation news from Japan, real-time chats, games, message boards, and contests. AnimeVillage.com's initial release slate includes the "Gundam" series and "The Vision of Escaflowne" with plans to expand their library up to 200 titles by the end of 1999.
HotWired's Animation Express (http://www.hotwired.com/animation/) is a new site that showcases the latest animation from both professional and independent animators. The animation can be viewed using plug-in technologies like Quicktime 3, Shockwave's Flash 3 and Director 6 and a "plug-in tester" will help you download the right plug-ins if you don't already have them. Currently, the site features selections from Pixar's Oscar-winning short "Geri's Game" and highlights from Spike and Mike's 1998 Festival of Animation.
Jean Hamel nous entretient de la collection de films d'animation des archives de la Cinathue Quoise.
Scott Jenkins reviews Timing for Animation by Harold Whitaker and John Halas. Now in its eighth printingthere might be something to this book!
Oscar winner Jan Pinkava and a group of animators spontaneously collaborated to make a stop-motion animated film in one day during the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Wendy Jackson reports. Includes a Quicktime movie.
A little known Disney character, a clumsy but well-meaning horse, became a licensing sensation by not being in a film - twice! J.B. Kaufman explains.
What elements does FCC friendly programming need to keep kids paying attention and tuning in for more? Jennifer Kotler outlines the musts.
Heather KenyonIt is true. One cannot discuss animation without discussing Disney. From early marketing plans to today's newest animated feature, Disney has played a major role in our industry. While many may wrinkle their nose at the monolith, one must admit that the impact of this one man and his company is amazing.
In our Feature Animation section, Tom Sito discusses the turmoil at Disney Feature Animation in "Disney's The Fox and the Hound: The Coming of the Next Generation." The Fox and the Hound was a film made during the transition...
Sony Wonder's Loris Kramer relates her MIPCOM `98 experience by discussing market trends, the purpose of the event and what you should know before attending with a project.
Just how does one become an animation pioneer? Mike Lyons profiles the man of the hour, John Lasseter, on the eve of Pixar's Toy Story follow-up, A Bug's Life
Helming the Italian animation Renaissance, Lanterna Magica and director Enzo D'Alare putting the finishing touches on their next feature film, Lucky and Zorba. Chiara Magri takes us there.
Selected by Awards Jury: Joe Bacal of Griffin Bacal, Julie Barkan of Barkan Productions (previously with Foote, Cone & Belding), Paul Posnick of Posnick & Kolker, Lisa Bennett of Leo Burnett, Dave Shea of Saatchi & Saatchi, Alice Germanetti of Ogilvy & Mather, Bob Skollar of Grey Advertising, Cathy Grisham of Campbell Mithun Esty and Jeff York of J. Walter Thompson.
Best Electronic/Video Game Commercial, Gold: "Nintendo - Tongue Lashing," Nintendo of America, Leo Burnett, Chicago.
Best Doll Commercial, Gold: "Cool Blue Barbie," Mattel, Inc., Ogilvy & Mather, Los...
Buzz Potamkin attended New York City's first serious look at the increasingly complex and important world of taping into the kids' market. He was pleasantly surprised by the insightful panels and discussion. he 1998 Golden Marble Award Winners were announced at the event as well.
Brad Bird, director of Warner Bros. Feature Animation's The Iron Giant, discusses the latest in storyboarding techniques and how he applied them to the film.
Are Kids Following Little Bo-Peep's Sheep? is a sidebar discussing the continuing erosion of audience numbers that will, in time, lead to a lag in advertising dollars...
The 1998 Cartoon Forum, held in Greece, gave Europe a grand opportunity to put productions into motion. Marie Beardmore reports.
The sixth installment of Barry Purves' production diary as he chronicles producing a series of animated shorts for Channel 4. An Animation World Magazine exclusive.
A survey of cartoon characters related to this issue's theme of licensing and merchandising, answering, "What ten films would you want to have with you if stranded on a desert island?"
Mark Christiansen reviews the next evolution of Principles of Three-Dimensional Computer Animation, an academic textbook on computer graphics that is worth the read.
Deborah Fallows relates her experiences at the 1998 Ottawa International Animation Festival, a well-run, well-organized event that managed to stay fit and trim in a crowded year on the festival circuit.
Tom Sito discusses the turmoil at Disney Feature Animation around the time The Fox and the Hound was made, marking the transition between the Old Men of the Classic Era and the newcomers of today's animation industry.
Upon hearing the news that L'Enfant au Grelot/Charlie's Christmas won the Cartoon d'Or, Animation World Magazine asked director Jacques-Ry Girerd to share his thoughts.
A l'annonce de la remise du Cartoon d'Or L'Enfant au Grelot, Animation World Magazine a demandau rlisateur Jacques-Ry Girerd de partager sa rction.
