AWN Headline News

As with THE LORD OF THE RINGS, look for two TITANIC DVD sets when Paramount Home Ent. releases the all-time box office juggernaut in October: a four-disc COLLECTORS EDITION and a two-disc SPECIAL EDITION. No street date or SRP were announced at yesterdays Paramount/Fox joint press conference (the latter will handle international markets). The COLLECTORS EDITION will contain two bonus discs with including nearly an hours worth of deleted scenes that can be accessed through branching while watching the feature or viewed separately.

Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm and ASIFA-Hollywood are teaming up March 18-19, 2005, to present Animation A-Go-Go! Two Nights With Genndy Tartakovsky at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. This two-night mini-tribute will feature everything from student films to sneak peeks at future projects, as well as a helping of classic cartoons by some of Tartakovskys animation heroes. Animation writer Jon M. Gibson will discuss these works with Tartakovsky in an extended discussion each night.

March 18 7:30 pmGenndy Tartakovsky Tribute Program #1

Cartoon Network and its Turner Broadcasting sibling the Atlanta Braves are joining forces in creating an all-new entertainment and dining experience for kids and families titled Tooner Field." The Cartoon Network-branded, interactive area will be located at Turner Field's East Pavilion off the Grand Entry Plaza. This multi-million dollar project will have its first phase a three-story, layered facade featuring the colorful homes of Cartoon Network's most popular characters ready for opening day, April 8 (Braves vs. the New York Mets).

Nickelodeon has announced the nominees for the 18th Annual Kids Choice Awards, which will take place April 2 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) and will be hosted by Ben Stiller.

Were thrilled to welcome Ben Stiller as a first-time host of Nickelodeons Kids Choice this year, said Marjorie Cohn, evp, Nickelodeon development and original programming. Hes hilarious, beloved by kids and a movie veteran of the kind of irreverent mayhem that is the hallmark of our slime-meets-stars Awards.

A&E Television Networks (AETN) announced that after 21 years at the helm of the company, Nickolas Davatzes will be stepping down effective April 1, 2005. Abbe Raven, who is currently president of A&E Network-USA, will succeed Davatzes to become the second president/ ceo in the companys history. Davatzes will assume the title of ceo emeritus and, in transitioning to retirement, will remain an adviser to AETN from its offices in Stamford, Connecticut. His is the longest tenure of any cable programming chief executive in the industrys history.

The 2005 DIY Book Festival Los Angeles, California, USAOctober 1, 2005Deadline: September 25, 2005

This week in AWN's Forums, moderator Larry L post some develops that might be a sign of 2Ds rebirth. Post your thoughts. A couple members need some help with animating in Flash. Another member has questions regarding contracts. A 3D student wants to know if animators are good illustrators. A junior member from Brazil wants to know how important life drawing is for animators. Other are posting galleries of their work for members to check out.