AWN Headline News

Three new films held the top spots this weekend, with Arnold Schwarzeneggers terrorist drama COLLATERAL DAMAGE leading the pack. The film, with visual effects by Digital Film Works, earned $15.1M in its first weekend out. A remake of the 1975 film ROLLERBALL managed to debut in the number three spot despite generally lackluster reviews. The futuristic actioner took in $9M. BLACK HAWK DOWN, last weeks number one film, fell to fourth. The war epic, with visual effects by The Mill and Asylum, earned $8M for a total of $86.7M to date.

Here is the full list of the nominees for the British Animation Awards (BAA).

Best Pre-School Childrens Series

BOB THE BUILDER: MUCKY MUCK Directed by Sarah Ball

BILL AND BEN:THE RAINBOW Directed by Tim Collings

64 ZOO LANE: KEVIN THE CROCODILE Directed by An Vrombaut

Best Childrens Series

THE CRAMP TWINS Directed by Becky Bristow, Produced by Cartoon Network

ALBIE Directed by Francis Vose,

A Fox network representative confirmed that FUTURAMA has not been renewed for the 2003 - 2004 season. The Annie Award winning comedy series from Matt Groening was renewed in January 2001 for 18 episodes and a 4th season. Those episodes have all been completed by production company Rough Draft and will air during the next year. The network says there is a possibility they will order more episodes, but the current plan is to air only what they have.

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 . . .