Of the mighty ASIFA sanctioned festivals, Zagreb is perhaps the hidden gem that has survived through some terribly tough times and blows. Borivoj "Bordo" Dovnikovic supplies us with a history and look at Zagreb today.
Gaming isn't just for kids anymore. It is now a multi-billion dollar business and it shows. Eric Huelsman reports from the Expo floor.
Using proprietary motion-capture software and creative partnerships, Protozoas DotComix is quickly becoming a force on the Internet. Lee Dannacher offers an inside peak.
Mark Evanier profiles the career of legendary June Foray, voice actress, ASIFA supporter and Governor of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.
The United States has a long history of political comics, so how come animation isnt used in Presidential advertising campaigns? Martin "Dr. Toon" Goodman queries the wisdom
Wendy Jackson Hall takes a look behind the scenes at the animators of Disneys Dinosaur.
Gaming isnt just for kids anymore. It is now a multi-billion dollar business and it shows. Eric Huelsman reports from the Expo floor.
Heather Kenyon talks with Rick Mischel, President and COO of Harvey Entertainment, about the companys transition from a licensor to a producer/distributor with the current production Caspers Haunted Christmas.
Cartoon Network and Sega Dreamcast are bringing Gundam Wing to America from Japan where it is already a smash success. Jacquie Kubin reports.
Larry Lauria starts his two-part series with a conversation with Gary Goldman, co-director of Fox Feature Animations summer release Titan, A.E. and industry veteran.
Watch out Feathers McGraw! Aardmans got a whole new flock. Andrew Osmond visits Aardman Animations as they put the final touches on Chicken Run, the studios first feature film.
Due to a series of legal problems, Kimba, the White Lion, has had numerous enumerations. Fred Patten tracks them all down for us and discusses the latest release the truly original, much loved 1966 television series.
Fred Patten takes Ryan Omegas Anime Trivia Quizbook test and finds it rises well to the challenge.
Mark Evanier profiles the career of legendary June Foray, voice actress, ASIFA supporter and Governor of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.
In a world where image is everything, why has it taken advertising so long to embrace digital cars? J. Paul Peszko finds the answer and why Digital Domain was the company for the job.
Just how are these Internet animation companies making ends meet? Karen Raugust investigates a few ways that clever companies are placing advertising into our favorite Webisodes.
Time to hit the theaters
Elizabeth Shin talks with ASIFA-Easts president Linda Simensky about the way ASIFA celebrations are done, New York style!
Renowned drawing instructor Glenn Vilppu begins a new series of articles that discuss sketching on location.
The Maui Film Festival highlights life-affirming and compassionate features, shorts, documentaries animation and screenplays. Festival venues include under-the-stars Celestial Cinema, the 1,200 seat state-of-the-art Castle Theater and the oceanside open-air SandDance Theater. Special events will include Silversword Lifetime Achievement Award, filmmakers panels, Spirit of Aloha Audience Awards, a midnight VIP cruise, Taste of Wailea and opening/closing galas.
The Maui Film Festival prides itself on the presentation of life-affirming, compassionate and transformative storytelling in exemplary films and digital cinema. Features, shorts, documentaries and animation are accepted, as well as screenplays. Special Events include: Silversword Lifetime Achievement Award, Filmmakers Panels, Spirit of Aloha Audience Awards, Midnight VIP Cruise, Taste of Wailea and Opening/Closing Galas.
THE RUGRATS ruled the May rating sweep by topping both of its Saturday morning time slots. The top toon, RUGRATS, gained 2.4 million viewers at 9:30 am and 2.1 million at 9 am, placing that episode in the second slot. Nickelodeon shows ROCKET POWER and SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS took the third and fourth spots respectively. ROCKET landed an audience of 1.8 million at 8:30 am and SPONGEBOB sank 1.8 million viewers into their couches at 10 am. The regular champion POKEMON slipped to 5th place, only luring in 1.74 million viewers for its 10:30 am broadcast.
With GLADIATOR opening wider in Europe, the DreamWorks darling finished atop six box office charts. Still reigning in Australia and the U.K., the Roman rampage made another US$2.42 million and $2.95 million respectively. The Australian total for hometown boy Russell Crowes action debut is $10.19 million, while the flick has grossed $16.81 million in Britain. The worldwide wonder had successful premieres in Germany, Italy, Sweden and Hong Kong making over $10 million in the four countries combined.
In easily the biggest box office weekend of all time, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 rode in atop the U.S. box office charts. In the four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, the motorcycle-cruising crime caper grossed a phenomenal US$70.82 million. Since opening on Wednesday, May 24, the John Woo-directed actioner has exploded forth with a $91.82 million total. Disneys DINOSAUR has already slipped to second rustling up another $32.04 million.
Wild Brain Inc., a San Francisco-based animation producer, has landed US$20 million in its second round of financing, led by first round backers Interfase Capital Partners, LP. The new round of investment dwarfs the original round by $14 million. The funds will be used to continue wildbrain.coms Webisodes; produce POOCHINI, a TV series co-production with German EM.TV; and growing their CGI division with the completion of HUBERTS BRAIN.
