AWN Headline News
Hiroshima 9th International Animation Festival
* Hiroshima 9th International Animation Festival: Thursday, August 22 - Monday, August 26, 2002, Hiroshima, Japan.
Diablo II Breaks Million Unit Mark
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that DIABLO II: LORD OF DESTRUCTION has hit the 1 million units mark. DIABLO II is only the sixth Blizzard title to hit the million-sold mark. In its first week alone, the game captured a record 17.7% of total U.S. PC game market share. "We are very pleased by the worldwide demand for DIABLO II: LORD OF DESTRUCTION," said Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment president and co-founder.
Xara Launches Online 3D Heading Maker
Xara has launched its new desktop graphics software - the online 3D Heading Maker. The 3D Heading Maker allows potential customers to test-drive Xara's 3D desktop software, Xara3D, in real-time on the Xara Website, without downloads or any required installations. Users can create, customize and save text-based 3D graphics live on the Web page. Content can then be embedded in any third-party Website with all the same functionality.
Disney's Revenues Slip
The Walt Disney Company has reported earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2001. Pro forma revenues and segment operating income for the quarter decreased 1% and 7% to US$6 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, from the prior-year quarter. "In a soft economy, Disney's overall performance continues to be solid," said Michael D. Eisner, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "Our studio has added yet another quarter to a year of strong growth.
Where's My Shorts? Legendary, Mk Ultra 3, Monkey Head
A brief compilation of some recent short films and Webisodes. The Web series, LEGENDARY, begins as each character is drawn into a tale of a prophecy by a mysterious young woman. Despite their inhibitions, they find what they see difficult to disbelieve, although their skepticism may not be entirely unfounded. LEGENDARY can be found at www.legendaryonline.com. New chapters are added twice weekly. MK ULTRA 3, a new Flash series at skritch.net, follows the exploits of three young CIA agents as they battle international espionage and new mind control methods.
Pulse Powers 3D Web Tour For NBC's Will & Grace
Pulse, a leading interactive, 3D media solutions company, has teamed with NBC to launch the "3D virtual tour" of NBC's WILL & GRACE. Fans can go to NBC.com and tour photo-realistic 3D replications of the sets from the live-action comedy sitcom. The Website was designed using Pulse's proprietary software and partner REALVIZ's technology. The site also boasts the first photo-real site guide. Melinda Ritz, the set decorator for the television show, serves as "tour guide" and appears as a 3D, photo-real "virtual character" in the lower right corner of the screen at key times during the tour.
Sneak Peek Of Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis At WAC
The World Animation, August 7-12, 2001, is proud to announce a new show added to its ambitious schedule. Sony Pictures Entertainment will host a "sneak peek" of Osamu Tezuka's "Metropolis." Based on the classic manga by Osamu Tezuka, the godfather of anime and manga, "Metropolis" was brought to the screen by two of the most respected figures in Japanese animation today: Katsuhiro Otomo ("Akira") and Rintaro ("X," "Galaxy Express 999"). In fact, Rintaro began his career working for Tezuka on his popular "Astro Boy" (Tetsuwan Atom) television series.
Digital Medial World And Leaf, Europe's Premier Event For Digital Content
Digital Medial World and LEAF 2001 will be held November 13 -15, in London, UK. Launched in 1994, Digital Media World (DMW) has established itself firmly on the calendar of Europe's creative professionals. Whether they are responsible for creating digital content, managing digital assets or delivering digital content over the Web, digital media professionals know DMW showcases the best technologies and celebrates the best creative work through its festival, the London Effects & Animation Festival (LEAF).
New Additions To AWN's Calendar Of Events
This week's updates to the Calendar of Events include: Short Attention Span Film & Video Festival: Friday, August 03 - Thursday, October 18, 2001, North American Tour, USA. Side Effects' SIGGRAPH 2001 Houdini Training Seminar: Sunday, August 12, 2001, Los Angeles, California USA. Animation Brainstorming Session: Wednesday, August 15, 2001, Glendale, California USA. Daniel Langlois Foundation's Grants for Researchers in Residence: Thursday, January 31 - Tuesday, December 31, 2002, Montreal, Quebec Canada.
Plympton's Comic Of The Week
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...
This Week's Animation Trivia Quiz
ASIFA-Hollywood Presents: Cal'Arts 2001 Character Animation Show
* ASIFA-Hollywood Presents: Cal'Arts 2001 Character Animation Show: Wednesday, August 29, 2001, Burbank, California USA.
ASIFA-Hollywood is presenting "It Came From The Cubes!," CalArts 2001 Character Animation Producers show. The show will begin at 7:30 pm. The entry fee will be US$2 for members and $5 for non-members. Seating is limited. For more information, contact: ASIFA-Hollywood, 721 S. Victory Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502, USA; Tel: (818) 842-8330; Web: www.asifa-hollywood.org.
Animation Workout With Guest Director Ginny McSwain
* Animation Workout With Guest Director Ginny McSwain: Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Burbank, California USA.
RMCAD And ASIFA-Colorado Present Computer Animation Artist Barbara Mones-Hattal
* RMCAD And ASIFA-Colorado Present Computer Animation Artist Barbara Mones-Hattal: Thursday, September 13, 2001, Denver, Colorado USA.
RMCAD and ASIFA-Colorado welcome Barbara Mones-Hattal, renowned computer animation artist. Barbara is also a faculty member at the University of Washington. For more information, contact: ASIFA-Colorado @ RMCAD, 6875 E. Evans Ave., Denver, CO 80224, USA; Tel: (800) 888-ARTS; Fax: (303)759-4970; Email: EBakst@RMCAD.edu.
Giant Screen Theater Association 2001 Conference & Trade Show
* Giant Screen Theater Association 2001 Conference & Trade Show: Thursday, September 20 - Tuesday, September 25, 2001, Chicago, Illinois USA.
Entry Deadline: Sunday, July 01, 2001
Free Subscriptions To The Animation Flash!
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This Week At Animation World Magazine
Entertainment on the Internet: Where Did the Promised Land Go?
There is no denying that the Internet entertainment market has changed...so how are four prominent leaders in the field adjusting to the brave new world? Rick DeMott reports.
Gene Deitch's 'How To Succeed In Animation' Now Available For Download!
The complete manuscript of Oscar-winning animator Gene Deitch's brand new book, "How To Succeed In Animation (Don't Let A Little Thing Like Failure Stop You!)" is now available in Acrobat format, ready to be downloaded by eager animation fans...
New Jobs: Animators, Digital Artists, Game Designers, Instructors And More...
Montreal, Quebec, Canada's Animation Resource Group is looking for a 3D CHARACTER MODELER, 3D TECHINCAL DIRECTOR and SENIOR 3D ANIMATOR. . . Toronto, Ontario, Canada's Evil Clown Animation is looking for an ANIMATOR for an animated short. . . Barcelona, Spain's FILMAX, a production and distribution company, is looking for a 2D ANIMATOR and ASSISTANT ANIMATOR. . . India's Spanfilms, a training center, is looking for an ALIAS WAVEFRONT INSTRUCTOR. . . London, UK's ITS, a computer game company, is looking for a 3D STUDIO MAX ANIMATOR and 3D STUDIO MAX GAME ARTIST. . .
Planet Of The Apes Slips To Second
With the debut of live-action comedy RUSH HOUR 2, PLANET OF THE APES slipped to second place with a gross of US$27.54 million. The Tim Burton epic, with primary visual effects by ILM, has peeled off $123.7 million thus far. Dropping a spot to finish in fourth, JURASSIC PARK III roared in another $12.27 million. The dinosaur sensation, with primary visual effects by ILM, has gobbled up $147 million to date. In ninth, DR. DOLITTLE drummed up an additional $2.27 million. The animal antics, with primary visual effects by Rhythm & Hues, have grabbed $106.2 million so far.
Simpsons Take Top Two Primetime Toon Spots
In its regular Sunday time slot, THE SIMPSONS placed 44th with a 4.8 rating/9 share. The special Wednesday 8 pm airing of THE SIMSONS finished in the 57th slot with a 4.3 rating/8 share. At #72, Fox's FAMILY GUY fashioned a 3.8 rating/6 share. KING OF THE HILL hiked in at #87 with a 3 rating/6 share. Closing out the primetime toon chart, FUTURAMA finished in 93rd place, taking home a 2.7 rating/6 share. The U.S. universe estimate used for calculating ratings for the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, UPN, PAX and WB) is equal to 100% of all TV households.
Morphe Art Pictures Brings Shorts To US & Latin America
Barcelona-based Morphe Art Pictures, a short film distributor, has launched a campaign to license its shorts in the U.S. and Latin America. Morphe Art Pictures has agreements with such British animation institutions as The Royal College of Art, the National Film and TV School and the French animation studio Lardux Films. Other independent productions represented by the company are the Prix Arts nominee MOVING ILLUSTRATIONS OF MACHINES, as well as BAFTA New Talent Awards nominee THE LONELY WIDOW, REANIMACION and THE GIFT.
Electronic Arts Releases First Quarter Result
Electronic Arts announced its results for the first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2001. Consolidated net revenues were US$182 million compared to $154.8 million for the same quarter last year, an increase of 18%. On an as-reported basis, consolidated net loss and diluted loss per share were $45.3 million and $0.33, respectively, compared to a net loss and diluted loss per share of 42.3 million and $0.33, respectively, in the same period of the prior year.
New Exec VP Named For Walt Disney Imagineering
Tom Fitzgerald, head of Theme Park Productions Inc., has been promoted to executive vice president, senior creative executive, for Walt Disney Imagineering. In his new role, Fitzgerald will run the day-to-day creative operations of Walt Disney Imagineering. He will continue his current responsibilities for Theme Park Productions, which produces film media for Disney's Theme Parks. Marty Sklar, vice chairman and principal creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, said, "When I hired Tom 23 years ago, I saw in him something special in the way of initiative and creativity.