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Animation Headline News

And the Winners Are...

The results of AWN's drawing to win a copy of Giannalberto Bendazzi's

reference book "Cartoons: One Hundred Years Of Cinema Animation" are in.

Following are the names of the ten winners: Eric Beckman, Carla Cobb, Peter

Dougherty, Andrea Moore, Scott Nelowet, Gail Noonan, Mary Peng, Stephen

Rapley, George Roy and Peter Westoby. Congratulations and thank you to all

the Animation Flash subscribers who participated.

Dreamworks Headline News

DreamWorks Acquires Pacific Data Images

Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, officially announced on

February 9, 2000 that his company has acquired the majority of interest,

approximately 80%, in Pacific Data Images (PDI). As reported [AF 2/8/00],

this deal comes on the heals of PDI founder and Chairman, Carl Rosendahl's

departure from the company to pursue "other creative interests." However,

Rosendahl will remains as a consultant for the newly named company,

PDI/DreamWorks. Katzenberg said that Palo Alto-based business will remain a

Dreamworks Headline News

Chairman Rosendahl Leaves PDI

On February 4, CARL ROSENDAHL, founder and chairman of Pacific Data Images,

announced to his staff that he is exiting PDI after 20 years "to pursue

other interests." Rosendahl's remaining stake in the visual effects house

has been acquired by DreamWorks. Previously owning 40% of the Palo Alto,

California-based facility, DreamWorks now commands 80% of the company. More

details are soon to be announced.

Production Headline News

Minter Promoted To VP At PDI

PDI has recently promoted DENISE MINTER to vice president of production.

Minter will now oversee all of Pacific Data Images' production efforts

around the world. Most recently, she was been senior producer on PDI

commercials for Sega Dreamcast and Coca-Cola. Since joining the company in

1993, Minter has also served as production manager on the DreamWorks and

PDI feature ANTZ.

Animation Headline News

ASIFA-Hollywood's Animation Expo Announces Workshop Program

ASIFA-Hollywood will host its 7th Annual Animation Expo on March 3-4, 2000,

in Glendale, California. The Expo is a two day animation industry trade

show focusing on the exhibition of animation related products and services

and the recruitment of related talent and personnel. Confirmed workshops

include: master teacher and layout artist Glenn Vilppu's "Capturing the

Pose with Line;" Ralph Sanchez, Director of Animation Development at

Nickelodeon Animation Studio, providing insight into developing and

Headline News

American International Toy Fair

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

* Sunday, February 13, 2000 - Thursday, February 17, 2000. New York, New

York, U.S.A.

The American International Toy Fair, one of the world's leading toy trade

shows, features over 1,800 exhibitors and highlights the newest and most

exciting toys on the market. Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc., the

industry trade association, brings the 97th annual event to several

showrooms all across the Manhattan area. Three new showplaces have joined

Headline News

Kirikou And The Sorceress's U.S. Premiere

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

* Friday, February 18, 2000. New York, New York, U.S.A.

Cinema Village, the city's venue for alternative animation, will be

presenting the U.S. theatrical premiere of KIRIKOU AND THE SORCERESS from

French filmmaker Michel Ocelot. Based on a West African legend, this film

follows a miraculous infant who singlehandedly saves his small village from

a sultry yet evil wizard. Featuring an original score by Senegalese music

artist Youssou N'Dour, KIRIKOU AND THE SORCERESS offers a unique spin: an

Wednesday Headline News

WIA Production Management Group Meeting

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

* Wednesday, March 1, 2000. Burbank, California, U.S.A.

Ideas, new properties and pitching will be the topic of discussion at this

month's Women In Animation Production Management Group Meeting (PMG). The

event will be held at Nickelodeon in Burbank at 7 pm. Monthly meetings will

be on the 1st Wednesday of each month at Nickelodeon. To attend please RSVP

to Kellie-Bea Cooper at (818) 623-0020 or E-mail:

kellie-bea@kellie-bea.com. For more information on WIA events please visit

Animation Headline News

Art Of Directing 3D Computer Animation Workshop

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

*Saturday, March 4, 2000. New York, New York, U.S.A.

The School of Visual Arts will feature a workshop entitled "Art of

Directing 3D Computer Animation" taught by Isaac Victor Kerlow, director of

digital talent at Walt Disney. The SVA alumni will lead the one-day event

explaining the day-to-day processes of art directing 3D computer animation

productions. In addition, Kerlow will discuss the various markets for 3D

computer animation such as TV, interactive and the Web. The class will be

Film Headline News

The Santa Clarita International Film Festival

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

* Friday, March 10 - Friday, March 17, 2000. Santa Clarita, California, U.S.A.

The Santa Clarita International Film Festival is strictly dedicated to

family entertainment. It includes a film and screenplay competition,

student filmmaker award, as well as panel discussions. Co-sponsored by

FOCUS Institute of Film, the winning screenplay will be mentored and

developed for future production with a later-announced studio. For more

Festival Headline News

The 10th International Trickfilm Festival

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

* Thursday, March 16 - Tuesday, March 21, 2000. Stuttgart, Germany.

The 10th International Trickfilm Festival will present the best animated

productions from the past two years. More than 500 films will be screened

at the festival. The Best of Animation includes a selection of the most

interesting films in the history of artistic, animated film. Young

Animation is a competition featuring animated film schools and colleges.

The festival will also present the International Panorama, Tricks for Kids,

Animation Headline News

The Third Brisbane International Animation Festival

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

* Thursday, April 6 - Sunday, April 9, 2000. Brisbane, Australia.

The Third Brisbane International Animation Festival represents Australia in

an international animation festival alliance with Ottawa, Holland, Fantoche

and Anima Mundi. It is Australia's only festival dedicated exclusively to

animation in all o

Headline News

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Cruise

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 12:00am

* Sunday, April 9 - Sunday, April 16, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Comic book fans can hobnob with the best in the business on a 7 day/7 night

cruise benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit

organization protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics community.

The "Making WAVES" cruise will stop at three Mexican ports -- Puerto

Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan. The event will feature week-long

Series Headline News

Spain's New Hit Series Mimi And Mr. Bobo

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, February 9, 2000 at 12:00am

Vitoria, Spain-based Mb Producciones is reaping a huge success from its new

animated series MIMI AND MR. BOBO. Since its debut on TVE, the average

share the series has received is 25.8. The show airs Saturday at 9 am and

re-runs at 8:30 am on Sundays. Mb Producciones is currently in negotiation

to create merchandise for the program with several well-known Spanish toy

and book companies. The company is also in the developing stage of a

feature based on the characters of the MIMI AND MR. BOBO series.

Cartoon Headline News

CartoonNetwork.com Plans To Expand

By Guest (not verified) | Wednesday, February 9, 2000 at 12:00am

On February 1, 2000, Cartoon Network announced a broad expansion of

CartoonNetwork.com, the network's entertainment destination on the Web.

Kicking off the expansion is a heavy increase in original, interactive

entertainment. Over the next year, CartoonNetwork.com will more than double

production of its Web Premiere Toons. In addition, CartoonNetwork.com will

triple the number of games on the site; add functionality including

shopping and advanced search functions; and create a safe community aspect.

Million Headline News

Little Steps Back Up To #3

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, February 9, 2000 at 12:00am

Just under the loud yelp of SCREAM 3 and THE HURRICANE, STUART LITTLE, with

primary visual effects by Sony Pictures Imageworks, additional animation by

CFX and Rhythm & Hues, and miniatures by Thunderstone, squeaked up a spot

to #3 at the U.S. box office. Sony's radiant rodent racked in US$4.71

million bringing its total stock pile of green cheese to $128.6 million.

THE GREEN MILE, with primary visual effects by ILM, Rhythm & Hues, POP and

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