AWN Headline News

Another Philip K. Dick Story Cinematically Golden

Revolution Studios has announced that Nicolas Cage will star and Lee Tamahori will direct the action thriller NEXT, based on sci-fi author Philip K. Dicks THE GOLDEN MAN, reports VARIETY. TOTAL RECALL scribe Gary Goldman optioned the story and wrote the screenplay on spec, taking the finished tome to Saturn. The film should start filming next summer.

Cage and Saturn Films partner Norm Golightly will produce. Goldman will exec produce, along with Jason Koornick, who owns the rights to Dick's short story. Derek Dauchy will head up the project for the studio.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Steve Jobs Lays Out Pixar Plans

On Nov. 11, 2004, in an investor conference call, Pixar ceo Steve Jobs laid out the companys potential plans for the future. One of the major revelations was that Pixar will not be releasing a film in 2006. The companys first non-Disney film, rumored to be RATATOUILLE, will not hits theaters until 2007.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Kids Headline News

Kids’ WB! Offers Role in Next Harry Potter Film

Kids' WB! and Warner Home Video are hosting "I Wanna Be A Wizard Sweepstakes," which will give a winner a walk-on role in the next HARRY POTTER film. From Nov. 22 - 26, 2004, 500 wizards-in-training will win a HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN DVD. Plus, on Nov. 27, the ultimate wizard will be awarded the Grand Prize -- an exclusive walk-on role in HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE.

In Licensing, Visual Effects, Licensing, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Holiday Headline News

Rudolph Celebrates Holidays with CBS Stars & DVD Deals

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, the longest-running holiday special in television history, will air its 40th anniversary broadcast Dec. 1 at 8:00 pm on the CBS Television Network. To celebrate, CBS announces its first-ever animated on-air promotional campaign that will feature 3D caricatures of current network personalities along with Rudolph and friends.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Australia

Headline News

Gnomon Workshop to Release Four Mead Concept Design DVDs

The Gnomon Workshop, in conjunction with Design Studio Press, will release four new DVDs from Concept Design legend Syd Mead on Nov. 15, 2004, priced at $69. This invaluable addition gives artists and art enthusiasts their first opportunity to see behind the process of this concept design master, whose work span four decades and have appeared in TRON, BLADE RUNNER and 2010.

*THE TECHNIQUES OF SYD MEAD VOLUME 1: THUMBNAIL SKETCHING AND LINE DRAWINGS:

In Home Entertainment, Visual Effects, Home Entertainment, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Nickelodeon Headline News

Geraci to Head Nickelodeon Research

Ron Geraci has been promoted from up to svp of research for Nickelodeon, overseeing all programming and advertising sales research for Nickelodeon and digital channels Noggin, The N, Nickelodeon Games and Sports (Nick GAS) and Nektons.

"Ron is a well-respected and talented executive who continually succeeds in keeping the entire Nickelodeon network abreast of audience and competitive research," said Laura E. Wendt, svp of research, Nickelodeon Networks, to whom he reports. "His new role acknowledges his expertise and contribution to the success of the network."

In People, People | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Online Headline News

FOX Brings THE O.C. Hit Show to Online Videogame

WildTangent, one of the leading online game publishers, has created a branded game for FOX's hit show. THE O.C. Fans of the show can now SKATE THE O.C. by logging onto www.fox.com/oc/skatetheoc/.

SKATE THE O.C. is a customized online skateboarding videogame featuring interactive gameplay in THE O.C.'s backyard environment. The game was developed and published by WildTangent, utilizing WildTangent's Web Driver technology to deliver a rich, dynamic entertainment experience for consumer PCs.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Films Headline News

New York Court Favors Films by Jove Over Russian Film Dupes

On Nov. 5, 2004, a New York Federal Court upheld its August 2001 summary judgment granted in favor of Films by Jove, ruling it was improper for the Russian government to try to influence the outcome of the litigation by retroactively changing its laws. The Hon. David G. Trager found in favor of Films by Jove filed suit in 1998 to prevent illegal duplication of Soyuzmultfilm Studio's animated film library by Joseph Berov, a Russian émigré video distributor from Brighton Beach, NY. Films by Jove vs. Joseph Berov, Case No. 988-CV-7674 (DGT).

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America

Headline News

Tom Goes to The Mayor Joins Adult Swim Nov. 14

TOM GOES TO THE MAYOR, a new animated comedy series from creators Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim and exec producer Bob Odenkirk, redefines limited animation with its odd mix of photoreal cutouts in a fully-realized suburban environment. The half-hour comedy joins Cartoon Networks Adult Swim on, Nov. 14, 2004, at 11:30 pm.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Movie Headline News

New Updates To The Theatrical Release Database

This week in AWNs Theatrical Release Database, we have new trailers some of the most highly anticipated animated and visual effects films of 2005.

In Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

This Week’s Animation Trivia Quiz for Nov. 12, 2004

Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz.

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Animation Headline News

AWN Discussion Forums - What's New? for Nov. 12, 2004

This week in AWN's Forums, the big debates say that THE INCREDIBLES is brilliant and DRAWN TOGETHER isnt.

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Headline News

Double Negative Captures Lonely London for Bridget Jones Sequel

London-based vfx house, Double Negative, developed a series of CG shots for BRIDGET JONES: THE END OF REASON, opening Nov. 12, 2004, including one of the films pivotal sequences: The Lonely People. Alex Hope, co-founder, Double Negative, said: For both of these shots, the brief was to very subtly push the limits of realism to create an effect that bordered upon fantasy.

In Films, Visual Effects, Films, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

Christmas Animation Cels On Sale at TheDeepArchives

New York/New Jersey's premiere Animation art gallery TheDeepArchives will be holding a release of Christmas holiday related cartoon animation cels, as well as original art by MAD MAGAZINE artist Paul Coker Jr. and Don Duga, the original designer and storyboard director of the Rankin/Bass holiday classic, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN.

In Licensing, Licensing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

Comedy Central Picks Up Second Season of Drawn Together

It looks like TVs hottest format works in animation as Comedy Central orders up a second season of drawn together, television's first animated reality series after only three episodes of cable's new sensation have aired. The second season of DRAWN TOGETHER, created by Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser, will premiere during the fourth quarter of 2005 and consist of 15 episodes, including a reunion special.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Animation Headline News

Geneon Entertainment Nabs Toei Animation DVD Rights

Geneon Entertainment landed an important deal with leading Japanese anime producer Toei Animation to distribute the company's animation programs on DVD in the U.S. and Canada. The first titles slated to be distributed under the agreement are, Air Master, Interlude and Slam Dunk.

In Anime, Home Entertainment, Anime, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, North America

Game Headline News

Halo 2 Marks the Biggest 24 Hours in Entertainment Retail History

HALO 2 broke entertainment retail records in its first 24 hours on store shelves. Microsoft Game Studios announced that the highly-anticipated game sold through 2.4 million units in the U.S. and Canada, driving cash register receipts to the $125 million mark.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Film Headline News

Birthday Boy, Return of the King & Wicked Science Win AFI Awards

The 2004 AFI Awards were held in Melbourne, at the Regent Theatre on Oct. 29, 2004. Sejong Parks BIRTHDAY BOY, which recently won the animation prize at the Chicago International Childrens Film Festival, received the AFI Award for Best Animation. The Moonlight Projects AFI Award for Best Foreign Film went to LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING.

In Awards, Awards | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

BOXX Workstations to Feature Maya & Maya Unlimited

BOXX Technologies announced it has entered an agreement with Alias to offer Maya Complete and Maya Unlimited software as a 3D software solution to its series of award-winning workstations.

In Technology, Technology | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

LooneyTunes.com Posts New Toons

Warner Bros. Online has officially unveiled the new LooneyTunes.com Website with the first original Looney Tunes shorts (online or offline) in more than a year. In addition, the site has more games, a new Showcase section where fans can get the latest Looney Tunes news, an updated Looney Shop and more Looney Loot.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Disney Headline News

Disney Animation Opens Lab In Chicago Magnet School

The Disney Elementary Magnet School dedicated its new state-of-the-art computer facility on Nov. 9, 2004, reports NBC5. All of the school's 1,600 students will have the chance to make animation on the computer. Walt Disney's daughter, Diane Disney Miller, was a major sponsor of the lab, in addition to IBM.

"You know, my dad always said, 'Education should not be boring; it should be entertaining!' And that was kind of the key word to everything he did," she said.

In Education and Training, Education and Training | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

Kellogg's Blasts Incredible Snacks

Kellogg's, Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios have joined forces to bring THE INCREDIBLES to breakfast tables. Kellogg Co. has released a variety of limited edition Kellogg's products inspired by the film. including cereal, Pop-Tarts toaster pastries and fruit snacks.

In Licensing, Licensing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Drawing Headline News

DFN Gallery Features Animated Short Without Wings

DFN Gallery presents Rick Finkelsteins exhibition of large-scale charcoal and pastel drawings and his animated short film, WITHOUT WINGS. This film explores the relationship between the artists need to create, the process of creation and the need to revisit past traumatic experiences. Once a drawing is completed, it is photographed and then reworked, with no trace of the original drawing except the filmed record.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Headline News

GoldenEye Director to Return to Bond

GOLDENEYE-director Martin Campbell is in talks to helm the 21st installment in the Bond series, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Like Campbell did with Pierce Brosnan, the helmer will introduce a new actor to the iconic role. Though every British (British Kingdom included) actor with a pulse has been rumored to be taking over the role, producers MGM and Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson have not made any casting calls. Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who wrote DIE ANOTHER DAY and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, have penned the new script and the film is scheduled to hit theaters in 2006.

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Media Headline News

Quest for Camelot Scribe Sailing with Noah

QUEST FOR CAMELOT scribe William Schifrin has been hired to write the CG animated feature, NOAH'S ARK. NARNIA-producers Walden Media and Creative Battery are producing. The film will tell the Biblical tale from the point of view of an unlucky camel, who must help save the animals aboard the ark.

Walden Media is committed to producing entertainment that makes a real impact on young audiences, inspiring them to explore the world around them. For more information, visit www.walden.com.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All