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Animated Headline News

PentaMedia Presents 3D Pics

Indias Pentamedia Graphics Ltd. will present a slate of animated movies, home videos and series at NATPE 2002 including the new 3D animated feature ALIBABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. The company is currently in production on SINBAD AND THE SECRET OF COLONIS, the 3D animated sequel to SINBAD: BEYOND THE VEIL OF MISTS.

Read about the making of SINBAD: BEYOND THE VEIL OF MISTS, Pentamedias first foray into 3D animation features.

Features Headline News

New Anime Releases From Central Park Media

Focusing on its action-packed lineup of anime properties, Central Park Media will release two new DVDs on January 14, 2003: VAMPIRE'S LURE, the first volume in the DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS series; and IMPATIENCE AND LONGING, the continuing adventures of the sword-fighting Utena from REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA. In VAMPIRE'S LURE, an action-packed, supernatural series, a vampire is on the loose, and it's up to dashing supernatural detective Tsuzuki to stop her!

Film Headline News

Film Roman Sends Anti-Drug Message With The Works

Film Roman Commercials has created a youth-targeted animated television public service announcement for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA). The 30-second spot was produced in-house by Film Roman Digital who utilized a combination of Adobe software, including Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects. The spot, titled "The Works" creatively illustrates how drugs can break down ones body. Targeting 6 to 8 year-olds, it will begin running in pro-bono media in January 2002.

Final Headline News

Final Fantasy X Is A Best-Seller

Square Electronic Arts FINAL FANTASY X game for PlayStation 2 was number one in U.S. sales across all video game software categories in its first week of release, according to NPD Funworld Video Game Data. FINAL FANTASY X shipped to retailers nationwide on December 18, just in time for the Christmas holiday. In Japan, FINAL FANTASY X was released on July 19, 2001 and sold through 90% of the 2.14 million units it shipped in the first four days. It is the first PlayStation 2 title to reach the 2 million unit mark.

Headline News

Nelvana Acquires Rights To The Berenstain Bears

Nelvana has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to produce a television series, made-for-video programs, theatrical motion pictures, and individual programs including made-for-television specials and movies, based on THE BERENSTAIN BEARS. Nelvana has already secured a relationship with Columbia Tristar to distribute THE BERENSTAIN BEARS videos in the United States; the first release is slated for 2003. In addition, Berenstain Enterprises, Inc. granted Nelvana worldwide merchandising and licensing rights.

Headline News

Nelvana Introduces Beyblade

Another Japanese import comes to NATPE via Nelvana. BEYBLADE is a 51-episode animé series acquired from D-Rights, Inc. BEYBLADE tells the story of a boy who learns to harness the power of his ancestors to perfect his technique in the sport of Beyblade. The heroes bond as they battle their way to the world championship. Nelvana will be located in Booth #3025.

Animation Headline News

Job Opportunities For Animators, Artists, Representatives And More

Redmond, Washington's Caldwell Publishing is looking for a MAYA ANIMATOR . . . EmailYourCV is looking for a GAMES ARTIST/ANIMATOR . . . Atlanta, Georgia's Fathom Studios is looking for a CHARACTER ANIMATOR . . . Los Angeles, California's GSA is looking for a REPRESENTATIVE . . . Newcastle, UK's Probe IT is looking for a 3D ANIMATOR/MODELLER . . . Madrid, Spain's Tabano Animation is looking for a LAYOUT ARTIST . . . New York, New York's The Filmmakers is looking for a 3D ANIMATOR . . . Los Angeles, California's Titmouse, Inc is looking for an ARTIST . . .

Headline News

VanArts Now Offers Maya Instruction And U.S. Financial Aid

The Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada now offers financial aid to U.S. students and instruction in Maya 4.0. The school offers one-year (48-week) diploma programs in both classical and computer animation. Limited seats for February programs are available. Full funding for approved American students will be available through SLM Financial, a division of Sallie Mae. Funds can be applied to tuition and living expenses. Maya will become part of the computer animation curriculum in February 2002.

Events Headline News

New Additions To AWN's Calendar Of Events

This week's updates to the Calendar of Events include:Sheila Graber Animated: Wednesday, January 30, 2002, Middlesbrough, Teesside UK . . . Women In Animation Present - Talkin' Voice Over With The Pros: Wednesday, January 30, 2002, Hollywood, California USA . . . Animated Encounters: Thursday, April 25 - Sunday, April 28, 2002, Bristol, UK . . . MOCCA Art Festival: Sunday, June 23, 2002, New York, New York USA . . . Kecskemét Animation Film Festival (KAFF): Friday, July 12 - Tuesday, July 16, 2002, Kecskemét, Hungary.

Headline News

Adobe Announces LiveMotion And GoLive

Adobe Systems unveiled the latest versions of its GoLive Web authoring and LiveMotion animation software during the Macworld Expo in San Francisco on Monday, January 7, 2002. The products represent Adobe's foray into software for authoring wireless content just as momentum builds for creating content that can be viewed on cell phones and other handheld devices. Adobe is positioning GoLive as the product of choice for Web designers looking to create dynamic content for mobile devices.

Cartoon Headline News

Laurie Goldberg Promoted To Senior Vice President, Public Relations

Laurie Goldberg has been promoted from vice president to senior vice president of public relations for Cartoon Network. In addition to overseeing all publicity and public relations activity on behalf of Cartoon Network and sister-channel Boomerang, Goldberg will supervise the national media relations campaign launching the network's first feature film release, THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, scheduled to premiere across the country on July 3, 2002.

Headline News

Hornet Helps Create Buzz For New York Rangers

Los Angeles-based Hornet Animation along with New York production company SCTV has created some innovative pre-game intros for the New York Rangers hockey team that pay special tribute to the city of New York. Rangers game operations manager Ryan Halkett explained, "The goal for the Rangers opening video was to celebrate our great country and city, the fact that we play in Madison Square Garden, the Rangers organization and its players.

Cartoon Headline News

Samurai Jack Goes BAM!

San Jose, California-based entertainment software developer BAM! Entertainment has reached an agreement with Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Consumer Products to publish video games based on the animated series SAMURAI JACK. BAM! Entertainment entered into a strategic relationship with Cartoon Network in 2000 to create video games based on the television shows THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, DEXTER'S LABORATORY and YOGI BEAR. SAMURAI JACK debuted on Cartoon Network in August 2001 and has attracted an audience of all ages.

Series Headline News

4Kids And Kinnikuman

4Kids Entertainment will launch the Japanese animated series KINNIKUMAN at NATPE 2002. The 52-episode series combines comedy and super hero action with the flair of pro-wrestling. As a baby, Kinnikuman was accidentally displaced as prince of his home planet. Now, to prove himself worthy as heir to the throne of Kinniku, he must compete in the ultimate intergalactic tournaments. As a result, Kinnikuman confronts hundreds of the most diverse and powerful superhero wrestlers that the world has to offer.

Animation Events

Women In Animation Writers' Seminar Group

By Guest (not verified) | Thursday, January 10, 2002 at 11:00am
Begins: January 10, 2002

New series of seminars on animation writing and development start this month, hosted by Unbound Studios. What are the differences between writing animation and live action scripts? Learn gag writing techniques. Seminar begins at 7:30 pm. Fee: $5 for WIA members, $10 for non-members. For more information or to RSVP contact Jean Ann Wright at 818-360-8321 or e-mail: jjwright@gte.net.

Motion Headline News

Scientific And Technical Achievement Academy Awards Announced

Twenty-one Academy Awards for scientific and technical achievement will be presented on March 2, 2002 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Out of the 14 Technical Achievement Awards, presented as certificates, the following recipients will be honored for creating technology used in the field of animation and visual effects. The awards are presented based upon recommendations from the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee, chaired by Academy visual effects branch governor Richard Edlund.

Effects Headline News

Adobe After Effects 5.5 Now Available

Adobe Systems has shipped the newest version of its award-winning motion graphics and visual effects software Adobe After Effects 5.5, which allows professionals to streamline their workflow and work with more media types than ever before. Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Classic is included with the After Effects 5.5 production bundle and is standard to the production bundle upgrade, allowing users to turn 2D artwork into 3D elements without leaving the After Effects environment.

Spot Headline News

Playground Drives Golf Spot For EMC

Playground, the recently launched digital design and production studio, has produced a fully computer animated television spot for information services company EMC that compares data management to a golf ball. Designed by Playground creative director Craig Price for Boston agency Arnold Worldwide, "Golf" debuted during the November World Golf Championship-EMC World Cup telecast. The spot begins like a sports promo as a golf ball arcs over the fairway. A closer look reveals that this is no ordinary ball, as its dimples are shaped like monitors and in a moment it has shot into space.

Effects Headline News

Visual Effects Oscar Hopefuls Announced

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the eight films being considered for Achievement in Visual Effects for the 74th Academy Awards. Fifteen-minute clip reels from each of the following films will be screened for the Visual Effects Award nominating committee on February 6. The members will then nominate three for Oscar consideration.

The films are:

A. I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

BLACK HAWK DOWN

CATS AND DOGS

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

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