Realviz recently announced that it has completed a third round of financing worth 10 million euros (US$9.39 million). The money will help with the future development of the company and their products. This new fundraising will enable Realviz to finance their international expansion programme in the U.S.A., Europe and Asia, as well as to finance a new Internet solutions business unit.
Microsoft has signed a deal with Lego to create games for its upcoming next-generation console, Xbox. As part of the deal, Lego will also create online activities for the children's section on Microsoft's Websites. Financial terms were not released. In recent years, Lego has aggressively moved to leverage its multicolored interlocking building bricks franchise into new technology. Lego-produced CD-Roms have proven successful and Lego Mindstorms are high-tech robots that utilize microcomputers.
Irvine, California-based Interplay Entertainment has obtained the gaming rights to Warner Bros.' hot sci-fi property, THE MATRIX. No financial terms were released, but some analysts project them to be upwards of US$8 10 million. Laguna Beach, California-based Shiny Entertainment has already signed to develop at least one title from Interplay's license. The first game expected to hit shelves is a 3D third person action/adventure title for the PlayStation 2. The release of the game will most likely coincide with the theatrical release of the MATRIX sequel in winter 2002.
Internal tensions have risen at embattled German media firm EM.TV & Merchandising over whether or not to accept German mega-firm Kirch Group's proposed bail out. CEO Thomas Haffa, whose family owns 50% of EM.TV shares, has been reported to favor the Kirch deal. Rumors have suggested that he even asked supervisory board chairman, Nickolaus Becker, to step down from his post. Becker along with other members of the board favor a deal with U.S.
Sci-fi/horror entertainment Website Distant Corners has signed a deal to manage the online and licensing rights for the CREATURE FEATURES franchise. FEATURES is an upcoming HBO and Cinemax series, which will modernize versions of Samuel Z. Arkoff's 1950s classic monster movies. The first two films in the series will be THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED and WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST. The series is being produced by Lou Arkoff, Colleen Camp and Stan Winston, whose Stan Winston Studios will handle the visual effects.
On Friday, February 2, 2001, scandal plagued Cinar Corp. released their long-awaited reworked financial statements for the past four years. For the year ended November 30, 1998, the company lowered net earnings from CA$21.8 million (US$14.6 million) to $15.7 million ($10.5 million) and for the year ended November 30, 1997, $12.9 million ($8.6 million) to $6.6 million ($4.4 million). Retained earnings for the year ended November 30, 1996 were reduced from $22.4 million ($15 million) to $16.3 million ($10.9 million).
Internet entertainment destination iFilm has secured US$10 million more in financing. The new funds will keep the Website in operation well into the next year. New investors in the dotcom were Yahoo! and cable executives Marc Nathanson and Leo Hindery. Axiom Ventures, Eastman Kodak Co., Sony Pictures Entertainment and Vulcan Ventures were the returning investors. Officials at both iFilm and Yahoo! declined to give specifics about how the investment will change the two Net firms' relationship. However, negotiations are in full swing to have iFilm utilize Yahoo!
* Friday, July 13 Monday, July 23, 2001. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wednesday, July 25 Sunday, July 29, 2001. São Paulo, Brazil.
Entry Form Deadline: April 15, 2001
Films & Videos Deadline: June 1, 2001
* Thursday, March 1 Friday, March 2, 2001. Hollywood, California, U.S.A.
* Tuesday, March 6 Thursday, March 8, 2001. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
eStreaming World's goal is to connect streaming media producers with enterprise executives to help both parties generate revenue growth. Attendees can find producers who can enhance their company Websites and help move their business into the next level of Internet activity. For more information contact eStreaming World at: E-Mail: info@estreamingworld.com; or Web: http://www.etvworld.com/estream/framestre.htm.
* Wednesday, March 7, 2001. Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
With live-action comedy THE WEDDING PLANNER and the debut of teen-horror flick, VALENTINE, taking the top two spots respectively, CAST AWAY floated into third for the second straight week, grossing another $7.47 million. The volleyball friendly film, with primary visual effects by Sony Pictures Imageworks, has accumulated $203 million to date. Jumping up yet another slot to finish fifth, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON rescued an additional $6.82 million.
The Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival has announced its winners. Michael Dudok De Wit's FATHER & DAUGHTER took home the award for best international animated film. Receiving the prize for best French animated short was Florence Miailhe's AU PREMIER DIMANCHE D' AOÛT. AtomFilms sponsored both of the animated short categories. The jury was comprised of Wasis Diop, Qu-Dok Hwang, Cédric Kahn and world-renowned director of AT THE ENDS OF THE WORLD Konstantin Bronzit. Over 136 films were in official competition from over 50 countries.
Plympton's new series of comics is extracted from the comic book "Polls Apart - How To Tell A Democrat From A Republican," by Kathy Paton & Bill Plympton...
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz. This week, we're asking more questions about "The Simpsons." What is the name of Eastern Europe's version of the Itchy and Scratchy cat and mouse duo? Which of the original Little Rascals did Moe star as when he was young? How many kids does Cletus have? Good luck...you'll need it!
* Thursday, February 15 Sunday, March 4, 2001. Stockholm, Sweden.
Zigzag Animation is presenting an Animation Gallery of the artwork behind various animated films. The first exhibit will be Ulla-Carin Grafström with her latest film KUNGLIGA KALAMITETER. The film premiered at the Gothenberg Film Festival. For more information contact ZigZag Animation at: Bondeg. 46, 11633 Stockholm, Sweden; Tel.: ++08 615 0882; Fax: ++08 615 0883; E-mail: animation@zigzag.se; or Web: http://www.zigzag.se.
* Monday, February 19, 2001. Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
FlashBang 2 brings online Flash entertainment to the big screen. This screening will highlight the best in Flash animation. In addition, interactive work will be available for viewing on displays provided by Apple. For more information visit their Website at: http://www.flashbangonline.com.
The Brussels Animation and Cartoon Festival (February 21-March 3, 2001) has concocted an exceptional program for its 20th anniversary. 575 films were submitted for selection, a record number of entries. 113 of them have been selected, representing 19 countries. Belgium is well represented, with 24 entries. The complete list of selected films is now available on the festival Website.
* Tuesday, May 29 Sunday, June 10, 2001. Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Entry Deadline: March 23, 2001
* March 2001. World Wide Web
The Mogra Festival 2001 is an online exhibit highlighting work from motion designers from around the globe. The idea is to create a comprehensive gallery of both creative and corporate work created in After Effects and motion graphics. The online gallery will be located at www.pitchtv.com, similar to the Interactive Playground. There are plans in the works to create a physical exhibit in New York City. For more information visit Web: www.pitchtv.com.
* Wednesday, June 6 Sunday, June 10, 2001. Toronto, Canada.
Entry Deadline: March 26, 2001
This month we take a look at one area of animation that has been showing enormous and steady growth. With game development on the rise and the emergence of new platforms, the gaming industry is rich with possibilities - not only economic but also artistic. Jacquie Kubin tells us why gaming is bigger than ever and how animators can bank on it in the future. Paul Younghusband discovers why Artworld UK is one of the leading, innovative gaming companies using digital images across several mediums for both continuity and profits.
Digimation has recently started shipping Phoenix 1.5, an upgrade to their original fire simulation plug-in for 3ds max developed by the Chaos Group. Phoenix was developed for simulating real fire and it allows 3ds max objects to appear as if they are engulfed in flames. By simply choosing any object or particle system as the emitter, Phoenix has the ability to wrap it in a complete volumetric flame. Phoenix allows full control of the colors, lights, transparency and the shape of the flames. The fire results will stun in both realism as well as overall control.
Valencia, Spain's BLACK MARIA STUDIOS, an animation production studio specialized in 2D, 3D and Flash animation for TV, multimedia and Internet, is looking for 3D MODELERS and ANIMATORS with strong abilities for organic characters for TV productions. . . London, United Kingdom's Double Negative is looking for a CG R&D PROGRAMMER for its feature film visual effects team. . . New York's Epoch Films is looking for a RECEPTION/OFFICE MANAGER. . . New York's FDG, a live-action/broadcast design production company in the field of visual science, is looking for freelance 3D DESIGNERS/ANIMATORS. . .
CountingDown.com will roll out two animated shorts by directors Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard on Monday, February 5, 2001. Each of the two DREAM shorts will feature a personal introduction by the acclaimed directors and a shot by shot explanation of their own animated dream. PDI DreamWorks was hired to animate the shorts in Flash. The DREAMS will kick-off CountingDown.com's Theater, which will feature over 100 short films made by amateur filmmakers and USC film students, as well as parodies and spoofs.
