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Children's videogame publisher NewKidCo International Inc. has announced that the company's first quarter 2002 results were in line with its budget. The net loss of $1.8 million versus net income of $.3 million for the same period last year was a result of increased selling and marketing expenditures as part of the overall plan by NewKidCo to support its broad product rollout for the year (selling and marketing costs have been expensed as incurred).

Wade Howie will be joining Ottawa-based animation studio NOITAMINANIMATION as production director, beginning July 1, 2002. In his new position, Wade will be helping grow the studio's commercials, FX and features divisions. Wade joins NOITAMINANIMATION from ILM where he spent 5 1/2 years, first as an animator in CG features then later in ILM's commercial production unit, where he worked on spots for Pepsi, McDonald's, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 and Duracell, as well as trailers and music videos.

Zilpha Yost was recently promoted to president of Vinton Studios advertising division overseeing all aspects of Vintons commercial business, including sales, marketing, creative and production. Yost has been with Vinton Studios since 1992, when she joined the company as a producer. She was promoted to senior producer, where she took charge of the M&M's campaign, then executive producer. In 2000, she was promoted to head of commercial production, where she directed creative operations of the studios advertising division.

Guru animation studio just completed four 3D animated commercials for the Nabisco Planet Snak campaign. While the original spots in the three-year campaign had been hand drawn by guru sister studio Chuck Gamage Animation, agency FCB Toronto and their client Nabisco were looking to enrich the visuals, so they turned to guru's animators and rendering artists. To capture the look pioneered in the pilot commercial, guru used more cinematic camera work, atmospheric lighting and "animated" performances to help distinguish the campaign.

He's no Michael Jordan, but Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY, GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE) has signed on to be the live-action star in Warner Bros. Pictures new live-action/animation feature film LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION (what no SPACE JAM II?). Production is scheduled to begin on July 29, 2002, in southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada, with animation production at the Warner Bros. Animation facilities in Sherman Oaks, California.

Once again, a popular 3D-animation software is being made available at a reduced price. In April 2002, Alias|Wavefront discounted its Maya 3D animation software packages and now Softimage Co. has halved the price of its 3D character animation and effects software. SOFTIMAGE|3D v. 4.0 is now available for US$1,495. According to Softimage, this action is in response to the increasing demand for animation and effects content for use in areas such as graphic and architectural design, manufacturing, government/military, scientific/medical and the location-based entertainment markets.

THQ Inc. has released STAR WARS: EPISODE II "ATTACK OF THE CLONES" for Game Boy Advance, the first game that follows the storyline of the latest prequel in the STAR WARS saga. Players assume the role of three different ATTACK OF THE CLONES heroes: Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi, while commanding Republic gunships, speeders and Jedi starfighters in space combat. Players must also wield their lightsabers in side-scrolling lightsaber battles against Jango Fett, Count Dooku and other enemies.

The Big Apple Anime Festival (BAAF) will host anime director Yoshiyuki Tomino, creator of the GUNDAM saga, as a guest of honor at BAAF 2002. Tomino will be appearing at BAAF 2002 and the Anime Expo NY, both held in Times Square, August 30 - September 2, 2002. Yoshiyuki Tomino's CHAR'S COUNTER ATTACK will be one of the featured films to be screened at the festival. There will also be a panel discussion on Tomino's works and he will make a special guest appearance at the Times Square Virgin Megastore where he will greet fans and sign autographs.