AWN Headline News

Boomerang UK is adding more classic cartoon characters to its ranks. 30 half-hours of PRIME TIME PEANUTS SPECIALS and 18 half-hours of THE CHARLIE BROWN SHOW have been acquired by the network from Patrick Sinfield Ltd. The Charlie Brown series join Boomerangs recent acquisitions THUNDERBIRDS, THE PINK PANTHER and DANGERMOUSE. "This is another very valuable acquisition for Boomerang as Snoopy's appeal spans generations and is an extremely well-known franchise," said Jo Sweby, acquisition manager for Cartoon Network Europe. The shows will launch in August.

Hold on to your sorting hats. Warner Home Video has announced the release of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE on DVD and VHS. A two-disc DVD including additional scenes that have never been seen before, self-guided tours, interviews with the filmmakers and interactive features will be available May 28, 2002. The VHS will also include five minutes of additional footage. 2001 saw one record-breaking DVD release after another and all were effects heavy or animated releases.

Visual effects and design studio A52 recently completed work on a series of 30-second spots for the FOX network, which debuted on January 18, 2002 and counted down to February 3, 2002, Super Bowl Day. The spots promoted the scheduled live Super Bowl performances of U2, Paul McCartney, No Doubt and other artists, and featured multiple layers of high-contrast imagery composited with text and other graphic elements. A52 also provided visual effects on the spots.

Pixar Animation Studios will be honored with the Producers Guild of Americas (PGA) inaugural Vanguard Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in new media and technology. The PGA cited Pixars significant contributions in the field of computer graphic imaging (CGI) technology since its inception 15 years ago. Pixar created the first full-length computer animated feature film, 1995s TOY STORY and their RenderMan software propelled computer graphics into mainstream movie-making by allowing computer generated images to blend in seamlessly with live-action scenes.

Each week, Animation World Magazine offers new articles, specialfeatures and theme-based coverage of the art, craft and industry ofanimation. New this week:

- Find the Right School for YouWe are always asked, "What's the best animation school to attend?" And the answer is..."It depends on you." Dan Sarto offers a checklist of advice to find the right school for you.

This week's updates to the Calendar of Events include: Animation Dreams VII: Awake to an Exhibition: Monday, February 04 - Wednesday, February 13, 2002, New York, New York USA . . . Creative Career Symposium 4: Saturday, February 09, 2002, Portland, Oregon USA . . . LA SIGGRAPH Presents: Small Shops, Big Punch: Tuesday, February 12, 2002, North Hollywood, California USA . . . An Evening with PIXAR: The Making of Monsters, Inc.: Monday, February 25, 2002, San Francisco, California USA . . .

SD Entertainment, a content creator and property builder, has formed two new divisions, interactive and licensing. The divisions will be headed by Michele Martell, SDs senior vice president and general counsel. In its first licensing venture, SD will become the domestic master toy licensing agent and television representative for MAKE WAY FOR NODDY. SD has produced 100 episodes of the new CGI animated series, which is an update of the Emmy Award-winning preschool series, NODDY, based on characters created by author Enid Blyton.

Digital artist/designer Ben Orisich has joined New York-based design, production and VFX company Cyclotron. The 25 year-old Orisich comes to Cyclotron from four years at Click 3X in Atlanta where he was senior Inferno artist. Prior to joining Click 3X, he was a freelance artist specializing in compositing, digital effects and editing. Orisich began his career as an intern at WHOA! Films, pursuing interests in compositing, animation and editing. Orisichs work has won numerous awards, including the Gold BDA International Design Award (2000), an Emmy (1998) and an Addy Gold Award.

New York-based director and designer Jeremy Hollister has signed with London-based creative agency Skunk for worldwide representation. Hollisters recent projects include creating a show package for the 2001 MTV Movie Awards, idents for MTV2 and ESPN and commissioned work for companies in Hong Kong and Japan. Jeremy has also been recently appointed creative director at design and visual effects house R!OT Design in New York.

The innovative studio that brought the synthespians of FINAL FANTASY to life, is planning to close up shop. Pressure from parent company Square Co., Ltd. of Tokyo is forcing Honolulu-based Square USA into closure, if they cannot find investors between now and March 31, 2002. Square Co. ceased funding of the studio in September, and although Square USA attempted to find partners in major U.S. studios, they have not been able to procure outside funding. Although the studio hopes an investor will appear in the 11th hour, a March 31st shut down seems inevitable.