Webisode Academy Presents Top Recruiter Pamela Thomspon
* Saturday, February 10, 2001. North Hollywood, California, U.S.A.
All AWN Content
The American Institute Of Graphic Art's 6th Annual Y Design Conference
* Friday, February 16 Saturday, February 17, 2001. La Jolla, California, U.S.A.
Lego To Produce Games For Xbox
Microsoft has signed a deal with Lego to create games for its upcoming next-generation console, Xbox. As part of the deal, Lego will also create online activities for the children's section on Microsoft's Websites. Financial terms were not released. In recent years, Lego has aggressively moved to leverage its multicolored interlocking building bricks franchise into new technology. Lego-produced CD-Roms have proven successful and Lego Mindstorms are high-tech robots that utilize microcomputers.
Interplay Nabs Matrix Gaming Rights
Irvine, California-based Interplay Entertainment has obtained the gaming rights to Warner Bros.' hot sci-fi property, THE MATRIX. No financial terms were released, but some analysts project them to be upwards of US$8 10 million. Laguna Beach, California-based Shiny Entertainment has already signed to develop at least one title from Interplay's license. The first game expected to hit shelves is a 3D third person action/adventure title for the PlayStation 2. The release of the game will most likely coincide with the theatrical release of the MATRIX sequel in winter 2002.
Internal Pressures Urge EM.TV Away From Kirch Proposal
Internal tensions have risen at embattled German media firm EM.TV & Merchandising over whether or not to accept German mega-firm Kirch Group's proposed bail out. CEO Thomas Haffa, whose family owns 50% of EM.TV shares, has been reported to favor the Kirch deal. Rumors have suggested that he even asked supervisory board chairman, Nickolaus Becker, to step down from his post. Becker along with other members of the board favor a deal with U.S.
ATTIK Launches Wrigley's Big Red Into 2001
Image Courtesy of Josell Public Relations
California SUN International Animation Festival Still Open For Entries
California SUN International Animation Festival
* Saturday, March 24, 2001. Northridge, California, U.S.A.
Entry Deadline: February 25, 2001
Inaugural Durango Film Festival Kicks Off Its Celebration of Indie Filmmaking
* Saturday, March 10 Sunday, March 18, 2001. Durango, Colorado, U.S.A.
Mainframe's Fraccia Speaks At The University of Washington
* Tuesday, March 13, 2001. Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
U.S. Primetime TV Ratings For The Week Of January 29 – February 4, 2001
A week after the Super Bowl cut its numbers greatly, THE SIMPSONS rebounded with an outstanding 27th place finish, garnering a 9.8 rating/15 share. KING OF THE HILL climbed into 59th place with a 6.4 rating/10 share. At #79, FUTURAMA beamed down a 4.9 rating/8 share. Lifting itself out of WB's ratings basement a little, THE PJS finished in the 106th slot with a 2 rating/3 share. However, UPN's GARY & MIKE sunk further into the cellar with a 1.6 rating/3 share. Its Friday night toon partner, CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH placed 121st, with the worst rating of the week for UPN, a 1.3 rating/2 share.
Cast Away Continues Its Stay At Top Of Int. BO
Around the globe, CAST AWAY remains at the top of the international box office. In Germany, CAST AWAY claimed the top spot with a gross of $4.99 million, lifting its three-week total to $17.74 million. In second, VERTICAL LIMIT made its German debut with a gross of $2.51 million. BEDAZZLED bewitched third place, grossing $1.88 million, raising its German cume to $3.09 million. In fifth, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON amazed audiences to the tune of $624,096, elevating its German cume to $1.88 million. At #6, UNBREAKABLE secured another $570,085, bringing its German cume to $12.52 million.
In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America
Animation Stock Ticker For Tuesday, February 6, 2001
AWN's stock ticker features the most prominent publicly traded companies in the world of animation. AWN, Inc. makes available certain financial information from third party information providers. AWN does not give advice in any such fields, and has not reviewed, and in no way endorses the validity of such data. This information is provided solely as a means to keep our readers informed of the market performance and trends of certain companies. AWN strongly suggests that one seek advice from a competent professional regarding any investment or financial issues.
Realviz Raises $9.39 Million
Realviz recently announced that it has completed a third round of financing worth 10 million euros (US$9.39 million). The money will help with the future development of the company and their products. This new fundraising will enable Realviz to finance their international expansion programme in the U.S.A., Europe and Asia, as well as to finance a new Internet solutions business unit.
Animation Business Marketplace Brings Industry Exec To One Location
* Thursday, March 1 Friday, March 2, 2001. Hollywood, California, U.S.A.
eStreaming World Brings Together Streaming Media Producers & Enterprise Execs
* Tuesday, March 6 Thursday, March 8, 2001. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
eStreaming World's goal is to connect streaming media producers with enterprise executives to help both parties generate revenue growth. Attendees can find producers who can enhance their company Websites and help move their business into the next level of Internet activity. For more information contact eStreaming World at: E-Mail: info@estreamingworld.com; or Web: http://www.etvworld.com/estream/framestre.htm.
ASIFA-Colorado Best of Ottawa Screening Rescheduled
* Wednesday, March 7, 2001. Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Cast Away Floats In Third
With live-action comedy THE WEDDING PLANNER and the debut of teen-horror flick, VALENTINE, taking the top two spots respectively, CAST AWAY floated into third for the second straight week, grossing another $7.47 million. The volleyball friendly film, with primary visual effects by Sony Pictures Imageworks, has accumulated $203 million to date. Jumping up yet another slot to finish fifth, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON rescued an additional $6.82 million.
Father & Daughter Wins Clermont-Ferrand Fest
The Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival has announced its winners. Michael Dudok De Wit's FATHER & DAUGHTER took home the award for best international animated film. Receiving the prize for best French animated short was Florence Miailhe's AU PREMIER DIMANCHE D' AOÛT. AtomFilms sponsored both of the animated short categories. The jury was comprised of Wasis Diop, Qu-Dok Hwang, Cédric Kahn and world-renowned director of AT THE ENDS OF THE WORLD Konstantin Bronzit. Over 136 films were in official competition from over 50 countries.
Case Study: South Burlington High School
At South Burlington's Imaging Lab, students learn the three "Rs" of Reading, 'riting, and Real-Time Rendering using Intergraph Computer Systems ViZual Workstations.
Distant Corners Gains Creature Feature Rights
Sci-fi/horror entertainment Website Distant Corners has signed a deal to manage the online and licensing rights for the CREATURE FEATURES franchise. FEATURES is an upcoming HBO and Cinemax series, which will modernize versions of Samuel Z. Arkoff's 1950s classic monster movies. The first two films in the series will be THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED and WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST. The series is being produced by Lou Arkoff, Colleen Camp and Stan Winston, whose Stan Winston Studios will handle the visual effects.
Cinar Releases Reworked Financial Statements
On Friday, February 2, 2001, scandal plagued Cinar Corp. released their long-awaited reworked financial statements for the past four years. For the year ended November 30, 1998, the company lowered net earnings from CA$21.8 million (US$14.6 million) to $15.7 million ($10.5 million) and for the year ended November 30, 1997, $12.9 million ($8.6 million) to $6.6 million ($4.4 million). Retained earnings for the year ended November 30, 1996 were reduced from $22.4 million ($15 million) to $16.3 million ($10.9 million).
iFilm Secures $10 Million
Internet entertainment destination iFilm has secured US$10 million more in financing. The new funds will keep the Website in operation well into the next year. New investors in the dotcom were Yahoo! and cable executives Marc Nathanson and Leo Hindery. Axiom Ventures, Eastman Kodak Co., Sony Pictures Entertainment and Vulcan Ventures were the returning investors. Officials at both iFilm and Yahoo! declined to give specifics about how the investment will change the two Net firms' relationship. However, negotiations are in full swing to have iFilm utilize Yahoo!
Highlight For Films In Front Of The World At Anima Mundi
* Friday, July 13 Monday, July 23, 2001. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wednesday, July 25 Sunday, July 29, 2001. São Paulo, Brazil.
Entry Form Deadline: April 15, 2001
Films & Videos Deadline: June 1, 2001
New York International Children's Film Festival
Begins: February 2, 2001
The New York International Children's Film Festival is one of the top showcases of new film for young people. The competitive fest screens 50 new works, shorts and features, plus retrospectives to an audience of 12,000 ages 3-18, parents, filmmakers and media execs. The event also features workshops, panels, presentations and a special section for teen/young adults. Awards will be determined by audience ballot and by audience age grouping.
Victoria Independent Film & Video Festival
Begins: February 2, 2001
The Victoria Independent Film & Video Festival's goal is to highlight the work of talented burgeoning filmmakers. This year's event will feature a tribute to Canadian animation studio, International Rocketship. Three-days of the festival will be devoted to animation, including an intensive animation workshop. Over 130 features and shorts in narrative, animation, documentary and experimental will be screened at the 10-day festival.
