AWN Headline News
AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for September 6, 2005
This week in AWN's Forums, a member asks how do you pitch an idea to the studios? Another member has an FPS question. A senior member asks for advise in keeping characters look consistent from pose to pose. Another member is looking for fellow voice over actors. There a thread on vector based 2D animation programs being used at the studios. A blogger asks whats wrong with animation in India? Others continue to post their work for critique.
Digital Musings From the Editor:
VFXWORLD puts the spotlight on TV in September, and we begin this week with Tara DiLullos informative look at how Gerry Andersons THE NEW CAPTAIN SCARLET (now in its second season in the U.K.) has made the CG transition with the help of Vicons leading edge MoCap system.
LookAhead Applies Robotics to Videogames and Animation
LookAhead Decisions Inc. (LDI) announced the release of its breakthrough software product for videogames and animation. Locust uses proprietary simulation-based look-ahead methods similar to those used by world-championship chess programs, except it handles in realtime aspects such as uncertainty, complex time/cost tradeoffs and dozens of parallel decision-makers.
Alias Celebrates Six New Maya Masters
The 2005 Maya Masters, announced and honored at the Alias Global Users Assn. (AGUA) annual event last month during SIGGRAPH in Los Angeles, include:
* Drew Berry works for The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia and creates scientific visualizations for science documentaries, museum exhibits and gallery installations around the world. His most recent project involved creating animations of the very nasty bugs Smallpox, Ebola and Anthrax for a National Geographic documentary on Bioterrorism.
Animazoo Supports Dubai Men’s College with Gypsy MoCap
Animazoo supported students at Dubai Mens College through an intense seven-day production with Gypsy motion capture systems.
Using Gypsy as their core technology, the students managed the MoCap pipeline for a popular animated mascot nicknamed Mobda conceived to improve relations between children and the Dubai police force.
Animator Huy Dang Joins Concrete Pictures
Animator/designer Huy Dang has joined Concrete Pictures, reporting directly to Andy Hann, vp of creative services. Dang will assist the companys creative directors and producers in making animation and design for broadcast work.
I have always wanted to be part a companys success story, Dang said. Concrete Pictures is not only an award-winning company, but a company that is enjoying rapid growth. I look forward to a long career with them.
Toy Story Returns in 10th Anniversary DVD
Pixars landmark TOY STORY, the one that started it all, as they say, returns in a new and improved two-disc set in honor of its 10th anniversary (Buena Vista Home Ent. $29.99), Sept. 6, 2005.
For those who already own THE ULTIMATE TOY BOX, rest assured: theres still plenty of new material available, in addition to improved picture (increased bitrate of 7.5mbps) and audio (including the first DTS track for a Pixar DVD along with Dolby Digital 5.1 EX) both remixed by master sound designer Gary Rydstrom, now a Pixar staffer.
Nickelodeon Europe Takes Another Dose of Vitaminix
Nickelodeon Europe has purchased the VITAMINIX series from Barcelona-based Icon Animation for the broadcast on Nickelodeon channels airing in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Holland and Flemish-speaking Belgium after a successful run on Nickelodeon channels in Latin America and Spain, of the 2D Flash animated shorts (104x2), which aim to teach children about the nutritional value of food, minerals and vitamins.
The Incredibles Soar at VSDA Awards
THE INCREDIBLES was the big winner at 2005 Home Entertainment Awards, garnering three awards the 2005 Home Entertainment Awards, presented by the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) in recognition of outstanding achievement in home video. The awards were announced at VSDA's Home Entertainment 2005, which took place at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. VSDA's Home Entertainment 2005 is the annual convention of the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA).
TELETOON to Develop 7 New Series with Canadian Producers
Animation channel TELETOON has struck seven new development agreements with Canadian producers for a diverse slate of titles that reflect the network's core programming blocks, including its kids and after-school lineup, as well as its successful Teen/Young Adult option, The Detour on TELETOON.
Midway Scores Rights to EARTH 2160
Midway Games Inc. a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, has secured the U.S. and Canadian publishing rights for EARTH 2160, the highly-anticipated sequel in the top-selling and critically-acclaimed EARTH series of realtime strategy (RTS) titles. The game will publish in the U.S. and Canada in November 2005 for the PC.
CCTV & Nickelodeon To Stage The First Kids' Choice Honors in China
China's national broadcaster, CCTV and Nickelodeon are co-producing the first kids' show in China, THE CCTV-NICKELODEON KIDS' CHOICE HONORS. The event will be held at Tian Qiao Theatre in Beijing on Sept. 10, 2005, at 7:30 pm and will be televised on CCTV14 on September 23 at 8:00 pm and, additionally, on CCTV1 and CCTV4, reaching 300 million households throughout China.
Marvel Launches Independently Financed Film Slate
Marvel Enterprises Inc. announced the completion of a $525 million non-recourse debt facility, which will finance Marvel's production of up to 10 films based on characters from its stable of comicbook characters, including Captain America, Nick Fury and The Avengers. Paramount will distribute the film slate, with the first theatrical release expected for summer 2008. This arrangement gives Marvel complete creative control, the ability to build a film library and greater profit potential than it has received from films licensed to other studios.
Transporter 2 Rules Labor Day Box Office
The disappointing summer ended with a bang, as Foxs action thriller, TRANSPORTER 2 (with vfx by big red pixel), broke the Labor Day opening record with $20.1M for the holiday period ended Sept. 5, 2005. Overall, the Labor Day box office topped last years, as the summer closed 9% lower than the record-breaking 94 season.
Lustre Digital Color Grading System Shines Worldwide
Autodesks Discreet Lustre digital color grading system has been adopted by more than 15 additional post-production facilities and film studios. The Lustre system is being used on several upcoming feature films, including KING KONG, STAY, PENNY DREADFUL and DOMINO.
Sony Pictures Digital Sets Sales and Marketing Team
Three vps have joined the Sony Pictures Digital Sales and Marketing team. The appointments come as svps Ira Rubenstein and Mike Arrieta establish their senior team to lead development in several emerging markets.
Female Filmmakers Wanted for Reel Women Int’l Film Fest
Reel Women International Film Festival 2005Hollywood, California, USAMarch 23-26, 2006Deadline: December 1, 2005
Reel Women International Film Festival celebrates the role of women in cinema behind and in front of the lens. Categories include features, documentaries, shorts, animation and students. All film entries must be directed by a woman, or written and produced by women. Regular deadline is Oct. 14 and the late deadline is Dec. 1. For more information, visit www.rwiff.com.
Silver Lake Film Fest Beckons!
Silver Lake Film Festival 2006Silver Lake, California, USAMarch 23-31, 2006Deadline: December 15, 2005
The organizers of Silver Lake Film Festival, one of Los Angeles' leading showcase for independent film, have announced its sixth annual edition with the ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood once again serving as the primary venue.
In 2004 Silver Lake Film Festival screened more than 285 feature, documentary and short films.
Diego Goes In September on Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. will spin off Dora the Explorers wildly popular cousin Diego to his own action-adventure series in September. The animated preschool show GO, DIEGO, GO! will debut in primetime on Nickelodeon on Sept. 6, at 8:00 pm, and will then join Nick Jr.s regular weekday lineup the next morning at 11:00 am. Eight-year-old Diego, a bilingual animal rescuer and nature expert who has the ability to talk to animals, takes preschoolers on interactive, high-stakes journeys inspired by the rich environments of Latin America and by the animals that make their homes in those habitats.
Earthworks Gets Licensing & Publishing Rights To 64 Zoo Lane
Earthworks Ent. has been selected by Millimages to represent the U.S. merchandise licensing and publishing rights for its popular animated TV series 64 ZOO LANE.
Playmates Master Toy Licensee For Strawberry Shortcake Franchise
Joining a lineup of more than 350 licensees worldwide, Playmates Toys announced that it will launch an extensive array of brand new STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE dolls and toys in 2006 as the brands master toy licensee. First introduced in 1980 by the brands owner/creator, American Greetings Corp., STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE became one of the biggest licensing programs of its time, generating more than $1 billion in retail sales between 1980 and 1985.
EA Realigns Management Team
Electronic Arts (EA) announced a series of executive changes as the company prepares for the next generation of growth. Effective immediately, Paul Lee will serve as president of EA Worldwide Studios, replacing Don Mattrick, who has chosen to seek other opportunities after 23 years of leadership at EA and Distinctive Software (acquired by EA in 1991). David Gardner will now serve as coo of EA Worldwide Studios.
Leading EA's publishing organization will be Gerhard Florin, evp of International Publishing, and Frank Gibeau, evp of North American Publishing.
Heavenspot Animates Interactive Site for Tenacious D Feature
Heavenspot, a Hollywood-based full service international design agency, recently completed the interactive website launch for TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY, a feature film that will be released by New Line Cinema in early 2006 starring Jack Black and Kyle Gass.
The interactive site package includes Flash animation, an original interactive interface, a progressive design aesthetic and high quality Flash video.