BOXX Technologies has introduced the BOXX 7300 series of workstations featuring dual AMD Opteron processors and NVIDIA nForce Professional Media and Communications Processors (MCPs). BOXX 7300 workstations support the upcoming release of Microsoft Windows XP x64, which will provide the ability to run 32- and 64-bit applications simultaneously, taking digital creativity to new levels.
3D software developer MAXON has released the first update to its award-winning flagship tool CINEMA 4D R 9. Containing more than 50 new features and many more enhancements, the R9.1 update focuses on data exchange, n-gons, the interface and the material system. The update is freely downloadable from www.maxon.net.
MGM Home Entertainment Group, a unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. has promoted Ian Sutherland from svp to evp, international theatrical distribution and marketing.
"Ian has done important work overseeing our overseas distribution and marketing efforts in conjunction with our partner, Twentieth Century Fox Intl," said David Bishop, president of the group. "This well deserved promotion recognizes that work."
Covering the core sectors of programming, production and licensing and merchandising, this year's KidScreen Summit presents an agenda packed with choice where delegates can program their own conference, specific to their needs. The annual KidScreen Summit hopes to help build business, give visitors the chance to pitch ideas and make important connections with the key players in the kids entertainment industry. For more information, visit www.kidscreensummit.com.
The Visual Effects Society (VES) presents the 2005 VES Awards, a celebration of the best in visual effects. The 3rd annual event will be held at the Hollywood Palladium.
MJ Prods. is offering a new Beginning Animation Voice Over Class. Attendees will learn to create, define and develop character voices for animation of all kinds, commercials, CD-ROM, the Web and direct-to-video. Students will begin with the foundations: breath and voice placement then move into imaginative exercises that will help you breathe life into copy, artwork and animation scripts. The workshop will take place five consecutive Wednesdays from 7:00
High school seniors interested in education to enter the animation or videogame development industries are invited to apply for scholarships from The Art institute of California - San Francisco (www.aicasf.aii.edu). The scholarships, ranging between $5,000 and $25,000, may be applied toward tuition in the schools bachelors degree programs in Media Arts & Animation, Game Art & Design, Visual & Game Programming.
The Houdini family of 3D programs from Side Effects Software played a key role in several of the nominees at the 3rd Annual VES Awards, Feb.
Ellen Wolff traces Bob Abels legendary power to do magic on the eve of his posthumous VES honor.
fmx, a key event in animation, visual effects, games and other 3D content, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year (April 27-30 in Stuttgart, Germany) by continuing to offer a holistic, cinematic and integrated approach to the booming CGI industry. You can see the changes in CGI reflected in the new design for the fmx/05 logo and trailer, based on the clip, Timeless, by Filmakademie graduate student Linus Ewers.
Mary Ann Skweres reports back from Sundance the premiere U.S. film festival regarding the animated encounters she experienced.
Alias announced the worldwide availability of Maya 6.5, which has been equipped to handle larger datasets by a dual approach; speed improvements in critical parts of the workflow and new tools for efficiently managing very large datasets. Absolute speed improvements have been dramatic in many cases, as Maya performs more efficiently in relation to larger scene sizes. For example, UV manipulations have been benchmarked as being more than 100 times faster in Maya 6.5 compared to Maya 6.
They were transformed into babies, now they are futuristic heroes as Kids' WB! leads off its upcoming season with LOONATICS, featuring descendants of legendary Looney Tunes characters upholding justice and hopefully the networks high ratings. The new fall schedule for the 2005-2006 television season featuring three new series and four returning hits, striving to broaden audience appeal with dual-gender programs was announced today (Feb.
Cartoon Network will air five new animated series, new episodes of returning original series and new acquisitions, adding up to more than 400 new half-hours in 2005, it was announced Feb. 16, at Cartoon Networks Upfront presentation to advertising executives and the media in New York City. The new series are TICKLE U, KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUNIPER LEEM, CAMP LAZLO, IGPX and MY GYM PARTNER IS A MONKEY.
Midway Games Inc. announced that it has signed three publishing agreements with Cartoon Network, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Ent., for videogames based on three of the network's top-rated kids programs: ED, EDD N EDDY, THE GRIM ADVENTURES OF BILLY & MANDY and DEXTER'S LABORATORY. Under the terms of the agreements, Midway secures multi-territory rights to develop and publish games for the console, handheld and PC platforms.
Ubisoft has signed a licensing agreement with DIC Ent. to create videogames based on the new TROLLZ, which features a stylish group of teen friends that grow up in a spectacular world of gnomes, ogres, dragons and magic. The exclusive, worldwide agreement includes interactive games based on the tween entertainment and lifestyle property for all existing game formats.
The judging is over in AWNs latest Character Design Contest. To celebrate Valentines Day, the contest centered on the classic Romeo and Juliet scenario - We revisit the classic theme of forbidden love! Two lovers, either from different families, different clans, different races, even different planets, tempt fate to be together. History says their love is tragically doomed...but maybe, just this once, the fates will be bested!
The entries were judged by Larry Lauria, our long-time Animation Café moderator, distinguished animator and educator.
IN VIVO: A WINDOW ON DIVERSITYAichi, JapanMarch 4, 2005Deadline: March 4, 2005
Rushes Soho Shorts Festival 2005London, U.K.July 30 - August 5, 2005Deadline: May 6, 2005
When the VES announced that it was bestowing its first George Méliés Pioneer Award on the late Bob Abel, Ellen Wolff, one of VFXWORLDs regular contributors, expressed an interest in writing a remembrance of this frustrated magician turned vfx pioneer. Ellen, who knew Abel quite well and wrote his speeches and SIGGRAPH presentations, wanted to let us know what Bob wouldve thought of such an honor.
Bing Gordon, cco/evp and early employee of Electronic Arts the worlds leading videogame publisher, was named the first holder of the Electronic Arts endowed faculty chair at the USC School of Cinema-Television, a rotating position that will be held for one to two years by leading figures in interactive entertainment that will join the Schools faculty as visiting professors.
The title to the movie is key to understanding partly the motivations of the lead character Vera (Neve Campbell, THE COMPANY), a cultured rich girl who lives in a fantastic loft apartment in New York City. Her boyfriend Ford (Frank Weller, BUSINESS OF STRANGERS) is a hustler, who always talks about his next big deal, which is really a figment of his imagination. Ford meets the Italian media mogul Count Tommaso (Dominic Chianese, DOG DAY AFTERNOON), who is smitten with Vera and wants to set up a liaison with her for $100,000.
Vera is a very sexual person, but may be looking for something more than what Ford or even the Count can give her. The fact that she doesn’t need the money makes her acceptance to meet the Count intriguing.
I am quite a fan of John Sayles work. This time around Sayles constructs a political satire, which sets its eyes on the Bush administration.
Though its not direct, one can easily tell that the character of Dickie Pilager (Chris Cooper, ADAPTATION) is meant to represent George W. Bush. Pilager is running for the governor of Colorado. He’s a simple man who often has a hard time finding the right words to say when in front of the press. His father, Judson (Michael Murphy, TANNER ‘88), is a famed senator from the state and a leader of their party. Both politicians are funded heavily by mega-corporation head Wes Benteen (Kris Kristofferson, ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE).
This film is a remake of a Japanese film that I have not seen as of yet. However, I have a feeling the setting will make a big difference in my take on the original.
The American version moves the film from Japan to Chicago. John Clark (Richard Gere, CHICAGO) is an insurance salesman who doesn’t really demand much from life, but seems to be lacking something. He loves his hard-working wife Beverly (Susan Sarandon, ATLANTIC CITY) and his children Jenna (Tamara Hope, THE DEEP END) and Evan (Stark Sands, CATCH THAT KID). However, one night on the train ride home, John glimpses Paulina (Jennifer Lopez, ANGEL EYES) in the window of Miss Mitzi’s dance school, looking as sad as he feels.
The best biopics are the ones that explore the person’s personality and RAY is at its best when it does just that. The film chronicles the rise to stardom of soul music inventor Ray Charles up until he goes into rehab to kick a heroine habit. The accomplishments of the man are amazing from combining gospel and R&B to gaining the right to own the masters of his songs to helping break down Jim Crow laws in the South.
The legendary singer is brought to startling life by Jamie Foxx (COLLATERAL). The actor deserves all the praise he has been getting for a performance that borders on channeling. He by far deserves the Oscar. But adding to the films distinguished performances are the many women in Charles’ life. Sharon Warren, in her film debut, brings raw emotion to the role of Charles’ mother, Aretha Robinson. Kerry Washington (SAVE THE LAST DANCE) brings emotional complexity to the role of Charles’ wife, Della Bea. Regina King (JERRY MAGUIRE) has never been better as Charles’ Raylette back-up singer and drug-addicted lover, Margie Hendricks.
