AWN Headline News

Looking for News on Flash TV Series, Religious Toons & Int’l VFX Work

For October, Animation World Magazine is tackling the topic of TV animation while VFXWorld is looking at global market trends. Specifically, AWM is looking for suggestions in regards to Flash being used for TV series and religious programming utilizing animation. For VFXWorld, wed like to learn more about VFX work being done in the Middle East and India. For AWM, send all inquires to Sarah Baisley at sarah@awn.com and for VFXWorld, send suggestions to Bill Desowitz at bill@awn.com.

In Flash, Flash | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Studio Headline News

Saban Returns to Kids Roots

Haim Saban has launched a new venture to develop family programs, according to REUTERS.

Saban's L.A.-based private equity firm Saban Capital Group Inc. will form a virtual studio, employing freelance producers, writers and artists. The new company will fund global programming that can be exploited across different delivery systems, including video games, mobile devices and broadcast TV.

"I am thrilled to return to my roots and focus on developing media properties for children and families," Saban said in a statement.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Special Events: MIPCOM | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for Oct. 2, 2006

Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.

In Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Comedy Headline News

Step Right Up To Comedy Central's Freak Show

Comedy Centrals FREAK SHOW, an animated half-hour narrative featuring a band of freak show performers who also happen to be second-rate superheroes, debuts on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006, at 10:30 pm. The seven-episode series is based on an idea by David Cross (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, MR. SHOW) and H. Jon Benjamin (DR. KATZ: PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST, HOME MOVIES). Encore presentations to air Wednesday at 12:30 am, Friday at 12:30 am and Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday at midnight.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for Oct. 2, 2006

This week in AWN's Forums, a member has some newbie-ish questions regarding the best way to go about producing their first 5-minute short film in Flash. Another member is looking for a good entertainment lawyer in NYC. Theres a thread that is putting out a call to have Weird Al Yankovic inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Theres another thread that discusses the state of the animation industry in India. A junior member has a question what to do next with their cartoon series.

In Flash, Flash | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Headline News

New Series Haunt YTV's October Lineup

On YTV, October is dedicated to Halloween. To get prepared for this spooky occasion, YTV premieres two new series, RUBY GLOOM and GROSSOLOGY, launches the second season of GHOST TRACKERS, airs brand new Halloween specials from EDGAR & ELLEN, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, ROBOTBOY and ALL GROWN UP, and brings back a ton of classics including ITï¿½S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN, GARFIELDï¿½S HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE and THE FLINTSTONES MEET COUNT ROCKULA & FRANKENSTONE.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Festival Headline News

Slamdance 2007 Film Festival Final Call for Entries!

Slamdance 2007Park City, UtahJan. 18-27, 2007Deadline: Oct. 10, 2006

The 13th Slamdance Film Festival will be held January 18-27, 2007, in Park City Utah. Its focus is on first time filmmakers. The festival has separate juried awards for animation, documentary, experimental, narrative and short films. Slamdance can exhibit mini-Dv, DV-cam, Digi-Beta, and 35mm. The early entry fee for a short is $25; $45 for the final deadline.

Deadlines are:* Shorts Postmark Oct. 10* Features Postmark Oct. 16

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

World Headline News

South Park Game for Season 10 & Drawn Together on for 3

The 10th season of SOUTH PARK is off to a game start with trouble in the online gaming world when a renegade player threaten to destroy Blizzard Ent.'s award-winning game, WORLD OF WARCRAFT. The future of the game lies in the hands of Cartman, Kyle, Stan and Kenny, when all new episodes premiere Oct. 4 2006, at 10:00 pm on Comedy Central. This is followed the next night by DRAWN TOGETHER as it returns for a third season with more twists and turns from the animated group of dysfunctional misfits with seven new episodes, beginning on Oct. 5 at 10:30 pm.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Film Headline News

Don’t Miss Deadline for Anima Brussels

Anima Brussels Animation Festival 2007Brussels, BelgiumFeb. 16-25, 2007Deadline: Nov. 1, 2006

Anima 2007 presents an international competition for animation films in various categories: feature films, shorts, shorts for children, student films.The Festival includes also a national competition and nominates, from the European films that have been submitted, its candidates for the "Cartoon d'or." Anima 2007 provides a key showcase for the entire range of quality animation, right in the heart of Europe.

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Film Headline News

Deadline Nears for Cinequest 2007

Cinequest Film Festival 2007San Jose, California, USAFeb. 28 - March 11, 2007Deadline: Nov. 10, 2006

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Anime Headline News

Anime In The Limelight Returns to Toon Radio

Anime in the Limelight (AitL), the anime radio show, along and its legendary host, Max returns from its long hiatus with new and classic episodes on Oct. 7, 2006,

Las Vegas-based Limelight Prods., the producers of the world-famous show that went off the air in 2004, will start making episodes sometime early in 2007. Until then, classic episodes will air in rotation, with news one inserted as they are ready. AitL will run in its old timeslot of 6:00 pm on Saturdays. No word yet on the status of the AitL archive service.

In Anime, Interactive, Anime, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Series Headline News

Smigel & Sandler Team on Animated Animals Series for Fox

Robert Smigel, creator of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and SNLs TV FUNHOUSE, and Adam Sandler are teaming up to produce a new primetime animated series, ANIMALS, for Fox. Sandler's Happy Madison and 20th Century Fox TV, have received a presentation order, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER and confirmed by a Fox Broadcasting spokesperson.

ANIMALS centers on a group of human-like animals that are parodying human life in the suburbs, written by Smigel and Greg Cohen of KING OF THE HILL.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Animated Open Season Leads Box Office

Sony Picture Animation's first feature, OPEN SEASON, lead the box office race, opening at $23M for the weekend ended Oct. 1, 2006. Another newcomer, THE GUARDIAN, from Buena Vista debuted in 2nd place with a take of $17.6M. Dropping slightly to third place was Paramount's JACKASS: NUMBER TWO bringing in another $14M for give it a cume of $51.4M. Debuting in fourth place with $9.1M was SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS from MGM & The Winstein Co. JET LI'S FEARLESS from Rogue Pictures (with vfx from Menfond Electronic Art & Computer Design Co.) was fifth with $4.7 M and a total take of $17.8M.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Disney Feature Animation Starts Online Demo Reel & Portfolio Submission Portal

Disney Animation (DA) breaks new ground connecting talent to animation opportunities with its first-ever online artistic submission portal. Artists may submit their demo reels and/or portfolios www.DisneyMouseLink.com, the company says is a secure web-based upload system that is convenient and progressive.

DisneyMouseLink.com was developed in-house and allows interested applicants to submit their résumés, demo reels, and/or portfolios. This portal is an industry first that will allow greater connectivity to the artistic community.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Toon Headline News

Toon Boom Studio 3.5 Released

Emmy award-winning Toon Boom Animation Inc. has released Toon Boom Studio V3.5. Tailored to customer feature requests, TBS v3.5 provides significant improvements to animation creation and color palette management, as well as the addition of new special effects. V3.5 also offers a more user-friendly interface with an interactive welcome screen, help wizard and timeline improvements.

Highlights of this latest release include:* More than 30 improvements to boost productivity.

* New wizards for a faster start.

In Technology, Technology | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Headline News

Jonathan Friedland New Disney Corp. Com. VP

Jonathan Friedland joins The Walt Disney Co. as vp, corporate communications, where he will participate in developing and executing the communications strategies for various issues and initiatives, including financial reporting, legislative and regulatory issues, corporate reputation management and executive communications. He also will work closely with Disney's businesses, including Parks and Resorts, Media Networks, Consumer Products and Studio Ent.

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, North America, South America

Production Headline News

The Guardian’s Fluid VFX Secrets Revealed

With the release of Buena Vistas THE GUARDIAN on Sept. 29, 2006, the potential of RealFlow 4 by Next Limit Technologies was revealed.

A strategic alliance among Next Limit Technologies, Hollywood vfx studio Flash Film Works and Fusion CI Studios (an R&D and fluid vfx studio) has leveled the playing field dominated by much larger studios.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Imax Headline News

Open Season for IMAX 3-D

OPEN SEASON: AN IMAX 3-D EXPERIENCE (opening Sept. 29) marks the second IMAX film with Sony Pictures Ent., following SPIDER-MAN 2: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE in 2004. OPEN SEASON, which also marks the first 3D-animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation, has been digitally converted into IMAX 3-D and IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology, making it a more immersive experience akin to THE POLAR EXPRESS in IMAX 3-D.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Robert Downey Jr. To Play Iron Man

Academy Award nominee Robert Downey Jr. will take on the title character role for Marvel Studios' IRON MAN. This project, the first feature film to be produced independently by Marvel Ent., will launch into theaters May 2, 2008. The film is being directed by Jon Favreau (ZATHURA, ELF) and will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Autodesk To Hold First Maya Masterclass in Australia

Traditionally available only at SIGGRAPH, Autodesk is offering its first Maya masterclass in Australia. The intermediate to advanced classes will cover a wide variety of production-tested techniques and workflows in Maya. Attendees will gain insight into industry expert solutions guaranteed to save you time and energy.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: All, Australia

Films Headline News

At Warner Bros., There Be Dragons

Warner Bros. Pictures has snatched the rights to the yet-to-be-published childrens novel, HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS by James A. Owen, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. David Heyman and David Goyer will produce via their Heyday Films and Phantom Four companies respectively.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Home Headline News

Superman Returns Battles DVD Piracy in China

If you cant beat them, under price them is the approach Warner Home Ent. will take to combat piracy in China. CAV Warner Home Ent. announced it would release SUPERMAN RETURNS on DVD two months prior to its U.S. release on Nov. 28, 2006, reports VARIETY.

In Home Entertainment, Visual Effects, Home Entertainment, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Films Headline News

ADV Launches Download Store with Guyver Episodes

ADV Films has launched its Universe Digital Download Store (www.advuniverse.com) with a free episode of GUYVER from the upcoming DVD release on Nov. 14, 2006.

In Anime, Interactive, Anime, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Films Headline News

Dimension Films Signs Animated Film Deal With Seth Green

Right on the heels of Dimension Films announement it had acquired the rights to produce O.C.T. - OCCULT CRIMES TASKFORCE, the production company has signed a two-picture deal with Seth Green and Matthew Senreichs Stoopid Monkey Prods. The deal includes a stop-motion, animated holiday feature, NAUGHTY OR NICE, and a live-action untitled comedy.

The ROBOT CHICKEN, duo who created, exec produce, write and direct Cartoon Networks Adult Swim stop-motion animated show will produce both projects in their Stoopid Monkey Prods.' first foray into film.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Film Headline News

GigaPix Studios to Produce Dr. Grave Feature Film

GigaPix Studios will produce a live-action/CGI feature film based on the popular underground comicbook, DR GRAVE, written by its creator, Ed Vis, according to David Pritchard, president of GigaPix.

Dr. Grave is a sexy, middle-aged adventurer who embodies a combination of Indiana Jones and Austin Powers, with a dash of Monty Python, said Pritchard. The estimated budget of $40-50 million covers a combination of live-action and CG effects.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All