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Effects Headline News

CaféFX Works The Dust Factory

Independent-minded effects studio CaféFX helped design the mysterious fantasy world of Eric Small's directorial debut, THE DUST FACTORY, the indie film currently being distributed by MGM.

THE DUST FACTORY is an adventure about the love and friendship between two teenagers who help each other through a difficult time in their lives.

Marvel Headline News

Isaac Perlmutter New Marvel CEO

Isaac Perlmutter, 61, has been promoted from vice chairman to ceo of Marvel Enterprises, effective Jan. 1, 2005. He will replace president/ceo Allen S. Lipson, 61, who has decided to retire after more than five years with the company.

Perlmutter has been actively involved in the management of Marvel since acquiring its predecessor in 1990. He has served as a director since 1993, served as chairman of the board from 1993 to 1995, and was named vice chairman of the board in 2001. All Marvel division heads will report directly to Perlmutter.

Headline News

Comcast Launches First Broadband Internet Channel Built for Kids

Comcast, a leading broadband Internet provider, has launched the Comcast Kids Channel, a safe interactive environment designed for todays broadband family. The channel launches with premier content from Disney Online.

Headline News

Regency Gets First CG Feature with Ollie the Otter

Regency Enterprises and CritterPix Studios will develop Regency's first-ever CG animated feature film, based on the children's bestseller OLLIE THE OTTER by Kelly Alan Williamson. Regency will head creative development on the picture as well as has the option of investing in CritterPix and to co-finance the movie's production. Longtime Don Bluth producing partner Gary Goldman will direct the film. JC Davis, founder of Johnny Cat Prods., will exec produce.

Effects Headline News

Side Effects & Sony Imageworks Co-Host LA Siggraph Meeting On Spider-Man 2 F/X

Side Effects Software and Sony Pictures Imageworks announced they will co-host the upcoming Los Angeles SIGGRAPH chapter meeting where Imageworks will talk about how Houdini software was used to generate the visual effects in SPIDER-MAN 2. The meeting will take place at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Oct.

Story Headline News

Young Merlin Optioned for the Big Screen

UWPictures/O-Group, Ltd. and Three Kings Ent. have optioned YOUNG MERLIN, written by Robert Kahn. The coming-of-age story of Merlin, envisioned as the first chapter in a three-part franchise, is a live-action feature combined with CG. Purchase price for the film, budgeted at $25 million, was mid-six figures. The project will shoot in the U.K. at the end of the year.

Headline News

Shrek to Sing on Broadway

DreamWorks has announced a musical version of the animated film SHREK, reports the NEW YORK TIMES. The Broadway production will be directed by Jason Moore, best known for AVENUE Q, and with a script by the playwright David Lindsay-Abaire (FUDDY MEERS). AMERCAN BEAUTY director and theater vet Sam Mendes will produce the production. The musical will have a tryout in another town in 2006, followed by a move to Broadway. No composer has been selected.

Animated Headline News

Japan’s Oldest Film Studio Grows Toon Arm

Japan's oldest film studio, Shochiku Co., is launching an animation division, reports VARIETY. The new arm plans to make five animated films and TV projects per year. Shochiku gm of filmed entertainment Ichiro Seki will head up the division. The unit will do commissioned works in both CG and 2D.

Shochiku will unveil its first animated productions in the next few months and hopes to release its first film in 2005. The company has had success previously distributing such animated fare as GENSOMADEN SAIYUKI -- THE MOVIE and the ULTRAMAN series.

Film Headline News

Miramax to Release Magic Roundabout In U.S.

Miramax has acquired the North and South American distribution rights to CG-animated feature SPRUNG! THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT from Pathe Pictures Intl., reports VARIETY. In post-production and set to be completed in January, SPRUNG is based on the U.K. puppet TV series. Pathe will release the film in France and the U.K. in February.

Drawing Events

Saturday Drawing Studio

By Guest (not verified) | Saturday, October 16, 2004 at 11:00am
Begins: October 16, 2004

Your chance to develop the skills you'll need for entrance into the best visual-arts programs. These are also the skills the major animation studios in Canada and the U.S. are looking for!

10 SaturdaysOctober 16 to December 18, 20046 hours(br> 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Life Drawing1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Elemenets of Drawing

Cost: $800 + GST (for full day) ORCost: $450 + GST (for half day)

CALL NOW TO REGISTER(416) 703-6877(1-877) 486 - MUTT

Festival Events

4th Annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival and Screenplay Competition

By Guest (not verified) | Friday, October 15, 2004 at 11:00am
Begins: October 15, 2004

Rachel Belofsky, president and founder of SCREAMFEST Horror Film Festival and partner Stan Winston are hosting the 4th Annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival and Screenplay Competition. The festival and competition are looking for new talent in the world of horror filmmaking as well as celebrating the best the genre has to offer. The winner of the screenplay competition will receive a first look deal. The early deadline for entry is July 15, 2004. For more information, visit http://www.screamfestla.com/index2.html.

Events

3ds max 7 launch, Philippines

By Guest (not verified) | Friday, October 15, 2004 at 11:00am
Begins: October 15, 2004

3ds max 7 launch, PhilippinesFree Seminar

Date: 15th October 2004

Time:1.30 - 5.30 pm

Venue: Quezon A Ballroom Basement level 1 Makati Shangri-La Hotel Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue Makati City 1200 Philippines

Free: Afternoon snack with coffee/tea

Register Now! Or for more information, please contact LMK Commercial: 852-5223 / 852-2554 / 852-7306

Entertainment Headline News

Franzi Takes Charge of Sales for THX Ltd.

Michael Franzi has been appointed vp of sales for THX Ltd., responsible for defining sales strategy, building partnerships with consumer electronics and entertainment companies, and guiding worldwide sales efforts.

Franzi, a seasoned executive with more two decades of sales management experience, brings to THX a successful track record of developing global sales channels and establishing strong customer alliances at leading technology and communications companies.

Headline News

Tractor Tom Plows Up Down Under Deals

Contender Entertainment Group (CEG) has secured both broadcast and master toy deals in Australia for its animated childrens classic, TRACTOR TOM.

The complete 52x11 series is scheduled to begin on Seven Network in the kids programming stream starting Nov. 6, 2004, with shows continuing into the new year, 2005.

Animation Headline News

ANIMAX Animates Webisodes Helping Teens Cope with Chemo

ANIMAX has produced a series of six short-form animated Webisodes for the Starlight Starbright Foundation aimed to help teen copy with chemotherapy treatments. The series, COPING WITH CHEMO, can be found at www.slsb.org/chemo. The goal of the series is to help teens with cancer deal with the impact chemotherapy has on their lives and their bodies.

Turbo Headline News

Turbo Squid Offers Year-End Toolkit 2 for Students, Educators

Turbo Squid, home of the largest collection of royalty-free 3D assets and worldwide publisher for the Discreets Certified 3ds max Plug-in Program, announced a year-end promotion for students and educators in the U.S. and Canada.

Studios Headline News

Krome Studios Switches to Maya to Power New Game Pipeline

Australia's premiere game developer, Krome Studios, is moving its entire game development pipeline to Maya software. With more than 130 employees, Krome Studios has created successful games for all platforms, with titles including Sunny Garcia's SURFING, EXTREMELY GOOFY SKATEBOARDING, BARBIE BEACH VACATION, JIMMY NEUTRON BOY GENIUS: JET FUSION, the TY THE TASMANIAN TIGER series and KING ARTHUR.

Recognizing the growing importance of Maya software to the 3D game development community, Krome began to evaluate their pipeline tools and talent pool.

Headline News

Jones Joins Rushes

Rushes Postproduction Ltd. has appointed Danny Jones as senior producer. As well as fulfilling his day-to-day responsibilities as Senior Producer, Jones will help to ensure clients understand the full range of options available to them across Rushes HD, SD, inferno, flame, fire and 2K Spirit and C Reality suites.

Headline News

Julia Roberts To Become Ant Bully

Julia Roberts has been hired to lead to voice cast for Warner Bros. and Playtones production of ANT BULLY, directed by JIMMY NEUTRON creator John Davis, reports VARIETY. The cast also includes Zach Tyler, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Giamatti, Alan Cumming, Cheri Oteri and Ricardo Montalban. Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce along with Davis and his DNA Prods.

Headline News

Manga Releases Guyver Series on DVD

On Nov. 23, 2004, Manga Ent. will release the 12-part series THE GUYVER in a two-DVD box set featuring six 30-minute episodes on each disc. When high-school student, Sho, unwittingly activates a mysterious alien weapon, he is transformed into The Guyver, a powerful mechanized warrior possessing an incredible alien arsenal. He must now defend mankind against the Zoanoids -- devastating bio-weapons created by an ancient alien races genetic experiments.

Awards Headline News

Hollywood Film Awards Announces Nominees

The Hollywood Film Festival's Board of Advisors has announced the nominees for the 2004 "Hollywood Film Awards" competition. The announcement was made today in Hollywood by Carlos de Abreu, founder/exec director of the Hollywood Film Festival.

"This year's Hollywood Film Festival continues its tradition of honoring the very best talent within our community. It is a celebration of all aspects of Hollywood filmmaking and the artists who help to create its lasting legacy on our culture," festival co-chair Paula Wagner said.

Award Headline News

George Lucas to Receive AFI Life Achievement Award

George Lucas has been selected by the American Film Institute's (AFI) Board of Trustees to receive the 33rd AFI Life Achievement Award. The award will be presented to Lucas at a gala tribute in Los Angeles in June 2005.

"I've been very fortunate to have had a long career doing what I love to do, and being recognized by AFI for it is really an honor," Lucas said. "I'm proud to be counted among such an extraordinary group of people whose lives are dedicated to the art of making movies."

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