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The editors of The Little Black Book of Visual Effects have partnered with entertainment consulting company Razorview, Inc. to launch lbbvfx.com, an online resource for the visual effects community. The print version of The Little Black Book of Visual Effects currently lists approximately 4,900 qualified visual effects professionals, all of whom are now part of the online resource. All new applicants to lbbvfx.com are provided with a basic listing for free as long as they have verifiable credits and references.

Just one month after slashing Xbox prices in Europe and Australia, Microsoft has followed suit in the U.S., marking down its Xbox game console to $199, $100 less than it was originally priced. Sony and Nintendo have also announced discounts to their next-generation consoles. Sony's PlayStation2 will be available for $199 (down from $299), while Nintendo's GameCube, always the lowest priced of the three, will now be priced at $149, $50 less than before.

Artist Syd Mead, the concept designer of the original 1982 cult-classic TRON, will make a special guest appearance at E3 on Wednesday, May 22 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm to promote Disney Interactive's TRON 2.0 game, slated for release in spring 2003. Mead is working as an artistic consultant for the game. E3 attendees can meet Mead first-hand and receive a limited edition print of original TRON art designed and autographed by the artist. (E3 Booth No. 846, South Hall)

The Leo Awards 2002 ceremony took place at the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina in Vancouver, BC on May 11, 2002. Honoring the best in British Columbia's film and television industry, the big winner in the animation and children's category was Studio B's YVON OF THE YUKON (Producer: Kathy Antonson Rocchio, Executive Producers: Blair Peters and Chris Bartleman), which took home Leo's for Best Youth or Children's Program or Series, Best Animation Program or Series and Best Director, Youth or Children's Program or Series (Greg Sullivan for the episode "Chariots of Fire").

Kaydara Inc. has announced the upcoming release of Motionbuilder 4.0, a new generation of its real-time 3D character animation software previously named FiLMBOX animation. Featuring a new drag-and-drop workflow, Motionbuilder 4.0 builds on the FiLMBOX foundation by enhancing various tools as well as introducing new character animation features for increased productivity. New feature highlights in Motionbuilder include automatic character rigging, a powerful real-time lip-sync tool, real-time display and native support for Kaydara's FBX file interchange.

Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. is previewing two distinct new properties this June at the Licensing Show 2002. The preschool series WUBBIES was developed by John Martin Mokrenko and Christine Usvaltas, and Mainframe Entertainment will bring the cast of furry Wubbies to life. Joy Tashjian, president of Joy Tashjian Marketing Group, Mainframe's agency of record for property representation will be promoting the product line potential of this property at this year's Licensing Show in New York.

4Kids Entertainment is jumping into the home video market with the creation of 4Kids Entertainment Home Video. 4Kids has appointed FUNimation Productions, Ltd. as the exclusive distributor in the U.S. of videos and DVDs for the 4Kids' properties YU-GI-OH!, CUBIX - ROBOTS FOR EVERYONE, CABBAGE PATCH KIDS and TAMA AND FRIENDS. "The home video product today has become an important driver for children's properties and a necessary element in the retail merchandise mix," said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment.

Classic Disney characters meet FINAL FANTASY in Square Co., Ltd. and Disney Interactive's new project KINGDOM HEARTS for Playstation2. KINGDOM HEARTS follows the story of 14-year old Sora, who meets Donald Duck and Goofy, the protectors of the Disney Castle. Sora, Donald and Goofy join forces to find Sora's friends and King Mickey and save the universe from evil. More than 100 Disney characters appear in the game including characters from ALADDIN, TARZAN, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, THE LION KING and THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.