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AWN Headline News

Years Headline News

U.S. Primetime TV Ratings For The Week Of December 25-31, 2000

This past week animated shows saw primetime animation in a New Year's mood. In a three way tie at #54, THE SIMPSONS New Year's special was the top toon, drawing a 5.5 rating/11 share. The KING OF THE HILL New Year's special came right behind at #57 with a 5.4 rating/10 share. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS aired for the last time on CBS on Christmas Day December 25, 2000. The holiday special finished 64th with a 5.0 rating/11 share. The classic cartoon had scored an impressive 10.8 rating/16 share when it aired on Monday, December 11, 2000.

Headline News

Alias|Wavefront To Preview Maya For OS X At Macworld

Alias|Wavefront announced recently that they would be previewing Maya 3 for Apples OS X at Macworld in San Francisco, January 8 12, 2001. Scheduled for shipping some time this year, Maya is the only high-end 3D modeling and animation product slated for release on the Mac. "We are very excited to be able to offer the Mac community their first glimpse of Maya on the Mac," said Alias|Wavefront director of Maya Technologies, Richard Kerris. "Macworld attendees will have an opportunity to stop by our booth and get an up-close look at how successful the port has been to date.

Festival Headline News

Brussels Festival's 20th Anniversary Program

The Brussels Animation and Cartoon Festival has concocted an exceptional program for its 20th anniversary (February 28 - March 3, 2001). 575 films were submitted for selection, a record number of entries. To date, 113 of them have been selected. The complete list of selected films will be available in January. The feature film program includes: "The Emperor's New Groove" by Mark Dindall (USA); "Heavy Metal 2000" by Michaël Coldewey and Michel Lemire (Canada/Germany); "My Neighbours The Yamadas" by Isao Takahata (Japan) (TBC); and "Otesanek" by Jan Svankmajer (Czech Republic).

Entertainment Headline News

Pentamedia Acquires Media Dreams

Continuing its rapid growth, Chennai-based Pentamedia Graphics has acquired three additional India-based companies, including entertainment production house Media Dreams. Pentamedia purchased all three firms in a share swapping deal. Media Dreams produces television, theatre and Internet content and has recently expanded into post-production. The company boasts deals with Indian sci-fi writer Sujatha Rangaraja. In addition, Pentamedia has bought sports entertainment company, Krish Srikkanth Sports & Entertainment Pvt.

Animation Headline News

Havana Film Fest Awards Go To Gods & Cinema

The Havana Film Festival, Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano, is traditionally the major cinema event in Latin America, and is still one of the major events in the region in spite of the growing problems to organize it. The number of films, audience members and guests is very impressive. The latest 22nd edition was held from December 5 - 15, 2000. The ten-day event focused on feature films, but also included a separate competition for Latin American animation. The selection is comprehensive, but not too big, however the films are not always new.

Series Headline News

Schoolhouse Rock Co-Creator Passes

Thomas G. Yohe, co-creator of the classic interstitials "Schoolhouse Rock," passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2000. Yohe had pancreatic cancer and was 63 years old. Yohe and partner George Newall produced 40 editions of "Schoolhouse Rock" from 1973-1985. The three-minute musical lessons aired between cartoons on ABC's Saturday Morning line-up. A revival of the series came in the early 1990s when new episodes where commissioned and current alternative bands covered the series' songs for a tribute album.

Interactive Headline News

Find New Opportunities At The Interactive TV & Mobile Games Conference

* Monday, February 19 Wednesday, February 21, 2001. London, U.K.

Interactive TV & Mobile Games Conference is set up to look at the potential of games on interactive TV and digital TV. In addition, the event will address how advertisers will capitalize on this new market. For more information contact Hannah at: Tel.: ++44(0) 207 840 2700; E-mail: hannah@access-conf.com; or Web: www.access-conf.com/TB114.

Media Headline News

Stan Lee Media Probed Over Stock Trades

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched an informal inquiry into stock trades at Stan Lee Media, which may have attributed to the company's stock plunging from $12 to $0.12. The SEC is looking into large trades made by executives and investment partners. In addition, the government agency is investigating possible misuse of company funds by former employees. The alleged misuse was uncovered during a recent internal investigation. Stan Lee Media has terminated executive VP operations Stephen Gordon and its consulting pact with Paraversal Inc.

Headline News

Animation Stock Ticker For Tuesday, January 2, 2001

AWN's stock ticker features the most prominent publicly traded companies in the world of animation. AWN, Inc. makes available certain financial information from third party information providers. AWN does not give advice in any such fields, and has not reviewed, and in no way endorses the validity of such data. This information is provided solely as a means to keep our readers informed of the market performance and trends of certain companies. AWN strongly suggests that one seek advice from a competent professional regarding any investment or financial issues.

Million Headline News

Dinosaur Still Roars At IBO, Pokemon Claims Germany

Continuing its lucrative path through the international box office, DINOSAUR is still roaring with POKEMON 2000 making strong debuts, including a first place finish in Germany. In Japan, DINOSAUR took the top spot with a gross of US$1.15 million, increasing its cume to $3.62 million. In third, VERTICAL LIMIT collected another $980,996 to raise it Japanese cume to $3.05 million. THE 6TH DAY claimed the fifth slot with a gross of $870,359, advancing its Japanese cume to $1.54 million. In sixth, WHAT LIES BENEATH floated $665,857 more, pushing its Japanese cume to $1.97 million.

Internet Headline News

A Closer Look: Dotcom, Mortal Combat

What a year it has been for Internet content. In January, it was like someone had found and removed the flaming sword, opening the gates of Eden to the masses. Now at year-end, Web entertainment providers look more like confused, panic-struck animals scurrying around Noah's place looking to hitch a ride. Let's take a look at what we've learned in 2000 about Internet entertainment. You can't pay big salaries to lure in big executives in the case of the first major dotcom disaster at DEN.com.

Animation Headline News

The January Issue Of Animation World Magazine Is Now On-line!

Without one Y2K fear we are slipping into 2001 already. This issue we are taking on the big questions that are facing the animation industry on the brink of the new year. For instance, Eric Oldrin discusses everyone's favorite topic, the Internet, and its current identity crisis. Michael Hurwicz is ponders whether or not the Internet is actually helping independent animators. Are there increased distribution outlets in this new age or are our fearless independents still in an unfunded jam? Finally, we take a long hard look at the U.S.

Effects Headline News

New Jobs: Animators, Digital Artists, Directors, Visual Artists And More...

New York's Curious Pictures, a commercial animation and effects studio, is looking for a LEAD AFTEREFFECTS COMPOSITOR for miniseries. . . Kirkland, Washington's KnowWonder, a digital media works company specializing in the production of computer games and "edutainment" for children and young adults, is looking for a CHARACTER ANIMATOR/MODELER. . . Den Haag, The Netherlands' LetsLook, a company providing services for 3D visualization of real estate, is looking for a MODELER/ANIMATOR. . . Rome, Italy's Mamut is looking for a 2D ANIMATOR and a LAYOUT ARTIST for a television series. . .

Dreamworks Headline News

DreamWorks Signs 5 Year Gaming Pact With TDK

DreamWorks has signed a five-year production deal with Calabasas, California-based TDK Mediactive to produce games for current and next-generation gaming consoles. The first project for TDK will be the gaming adaptation of PDI/DreamWorks' 3D animated feature SHREK. Already DreamWorks has signed a deal to have a Nintendo Game Boy version arrive on shelves in conjunction with the release of the film in May. TDK also produces games for Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Universal, Harvey and New Line.

Headline News

Electronic Arts To Support Microsoft Xbox Console

Microsoft Corp. and Electronic Arts (EA) announced that EA will provide its games for the Xbox video game system, Microsoft's highly anticipated, next-generation video game console. Initial titles will be MADDEN NFL FOOTBALL, NASCAR 2000, FIFA and F1 2000. Under the terms of the multiyear pact, EA will publish up to 10 titles in support of the console's launch in fall 2001. In addition, EA has ordered 500 Xbox Development Kits (XDKs) from Microsoft.

Series Headline News

Fox TV Taps Gear-CGI For New 3D Series

Fox TV Studios has tapped Los Angeles-based Gear-CGI to develop and produce a new action/adventure TV series entitled XERONINE. The series follows the mishaps and adventures of a simple-minded robot, a mad half-cockroach-half human scientist and the president of the United Earth. Providing voices for the series will be Gary Coleman (DIFF'RENT STROKES) as Xeronine, Clancy Brown (STARSHIP TROOPERS, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION) as Dr. Canard and Pam Grier (JACKIE BROWN) as the president of the United Earth.

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