The Visual Effects Society (VES), which has grown to nearly 1,350 members in 16 countries, has adopted a new logo to update its look. "The goal was to create a dynamic and classic logo that shows the Visual Effects Society as continuously projecting new ideas out into the world, said exec director Eric Roth.
In the first "Animators Unearthed" column by Chris Robinson, he profiles At The Quinte Hotel director Bruce Alcock.
2046, Wong Kar Wais wistful sci-fi love story about trying to recapture lost memories (with stunning vfx from French-based Buf) has arrived on DVD (Sony Pictures Home Ent., $29.95). A fitting follow-up to IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, theres more than meets the eye (neon lights, swirling smoke, CGI trains and dreamy close-ups) in this erotic, improvisational journey. Extras include breakdowns of vfx, music and numerology.
Bonus features also include:* Alternate ending* Deleted scenes: Black Spider and the Android visit Chow
DEEP SEA 3-D, the new documentary from IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures, will be co-narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winselt and will feature an original score from Danny Elfman (CORPSE BRIDE and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY). This marks the first doc to boast the actors voices and the first original IMAX production to be scored by the award-winning composer.
On the eve of tomorrows Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, four studios announced their initial Blu-ray hi-def DVD offerings for the spring, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Ted Rae will serve as visual effects supervisor on Mel Gibsons APOCALYPTO, the mythic action-adventure set against the turbulent end times of the once great Mayan civilization, now shooting in Mexico and slated for a summer release by Disneys Touchstone Pictures.
In kicking off the new year, YTV has a host of special events in January, highlighted by the debut of Weta Digitals first 3D TV series, JANE AND THE DRAGON.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 6th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, the most prestigious honors in game development. Entries can be submitted through www.igda.org/awards up until Jan. 13, 2006. The awards ceremony, produced by the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and presented by the International Game Developers Assoc. (IGDA), will take place Wednesday, March 22, 2006 during the GDC. The gala, held in conjunction with the Independent Games Festival, will be hosted at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.
Cyprus International Film Festival (CIFF)Larnaca, Limassol & Nicosia, Cyprus, Greece March 24- 27, 2006Deadline: January 31, 2006
Cuppa Coffee helped Gospel Music Channel viewers get into the holiday spirit with a new set of Christmas-themed branding elements for the recently launched network, marking the most recent installment in the studio's most expansive broadcast design package to date.
Principal casts for both SCI FI Channel hit original series, STARGATE SG-1 and STARGATE ATLANTIS, will reprise their roles for the recently announced new seasons of the shows.
Returning for another tour of duty on STARGATE SG-1 will be Ben Browder, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Michael Shanks and Beau Bridges. Now onboard as a regular cast member in season 10 will be Claudia Black, from the current season for her portrayal of "Vala," the sexually-charged, ethically-challenged thief-of-all-trades who spends all her free time tormenting Daniel Jackson (Shanks).
VFXWorld presents a new excerpt from Building Interactive Worlds in 3D by Jean-Marc Gauthier. This months excerpt is the last on the Donut Tutorial and focuses on creating interactive textures.
The HAPPY TREE FRIENDS series of shorts hit the number one slot on iTunes Top 10 Podcasts over the 2005 holiday season. It has consistently proven a popular iTunes download, remaining in the Top 5 Podcasts since Dec. 19, 2005.
Peter Plantec explores recent advances in facial animation and crowd simulation software to see how different forms of virtual acting are converging in vfx-driven works.
HIT Ent. has reorganized the HIT European consumer product business, designed to simplify future communications with its partners and support future growth across a new category-based infrastructure.
The multiple brand group structure is now disbanded. The three new business units, according to Peter Byrne, evp HIT Int'l are:
UK Consumer Products: Focusing on the core U.K. licensing business teams aligned by category, supported by an international marketing group, managing the entire HIT portfolio of brands.
Viacom Inc. has completed the transaction to separate into two publicly traded entities: CBS Corp. and "New" Viacom Inc. Shares of the two new companies commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Jan. 3, 2006, under the symbols: "CBS.A" (CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock) and "CBS" (CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock) and "VIA" (Viacom Inc. Class A Common Stock) and "VIA.B" (Viacom Inc. Class B Common Stock).
The move to separate Viacom's businesses was announced in June 2005.
Buena Vistas THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA squeaked past Universals KING KONG at the New Years holiday box office ended Jan. 2, 2006. With impressive vfx from Rhythm & Hues, Sony Pictures Imageworks and ILM, NARNIA garnered $33.7M. Meanwhile, KONG (with impressive vfx of its own from Weta Digital) captured $31.8M. Thus, NARNIA has a four-week cume of $225.7M vs. KONGs three-week cume of $174.5M.
Eovia Corp. announced the immediate availability of the international English and French language editions of its complete 3D solution, Carrara 5. Responding to the need for mainstream accessibility while addressing the sophisticated requirements of professionals, Eovia Carrara 5 is made available in two versions. Both Carrara 5 and the more extensive Carrara 5 Pro present a potent and compelling suite of 3D modeling, animation and rendering tools wrapped within a more enjoyable user interface.
Mexico's media conglom Televisa is preparing an animated version of its 1970s children's comedy EL CHAVO DEL OCHO, reports VARIETY. Televisa plans to open pre-sales for the series later this month in Las Vegas at the National Association of Television Program Executives meeting.
Anima will produce the 26x30 series, which will update the Spanish-language afternoon classic with a modern spin. The series will be ready to air in late 2006.
Starz Ent. Group Llc. (SEG) announced the premiere of Vongo a new video download application and service for broadband that delivers movies and other video content over the Internet for playback on Windows-based PCs, laptops and select portable media devices, as well as on a TV.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center in association with The Center for Visual Music presents Oskar Fischinger: Optical Etudes, featuring many preserved prints of Fischinger's classic Visual Music films.
CREATIVE SCREENWRITING MAGAZINE presents the AAA Screenplay Contest, a chance for a few talented writers to take the next step in their writing career. The winning script and synopses for the top 10 screenplays have been requested by the following companies: BenderSpink, David Foster Prods., The Donner Co., Endeavor, Escape Artists, The Gersh Agency, Hofflund/Polone Management, International Creative Management, New Line Cinema, Paradigm, Radar Pictures, The Radmin Co., Spring Creek Pictures, VH1, Weintraub/Kuhn Prods., Winkler Films and Zide/Perry.
The Animex International Student Animation Festival is a unique event that recognizes and rewards student animators from around the world. On average more than 350 entries representing 25 countries are received. Categories include: 3D computer animation, 2D computer animation, 3D computer animation for games, Webtoon, visual effects, experimental animation, editing and sound for animation, 3D character animation, animation stills and newcomer. Other awards are given by the audience at the festival. For more information, visit www.animex.net.
3rd Annual Portfolios.com Awards Show will highlight the best advertising, graphic design, Web design, photography and illustration of 2005. An international panel of judges will judge online, and the Winners' Showcase will be announced and shown online. For more information, visit www.portfolios.com/award, e-mail customerservice@portfolios.com or call (800) 303-9277 ext. 261.
Boston is home to America's longest running First Night celebration, and for the past two years, the city's New England Anime Society has been a part of this tradition. This year, the New England Anime Society is back and hopes to have its largest and most successful First Night anime event yet. On Dec. 31, 2005, the New England Anime Society will be welcoming in 2006
