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AWN Headline News

Super Headline News

Pac-Man Lives At Super 78

Hollywood, California's boutique animation house Super 78 created the animated cinematics for the recently released videogame titles PAC-MAN PARTY and PAC-MAN WORLD 2 for Namco and game developer Mass Media. The titles feature 8 1/2 minutes of animation by Super 78 featuring some of the game's popular characters including Ms. Pac-Man and Pac-Man. Creative director Brent Young's interest in video games helped Super 78 conceive and complete the project.

Animated Headline News

Animated Mr. Bean Debuts

MR. BEAN, the eccentric character created by writer/actor Rowan Atkinson, is set for his animated television debut, March 2, 2002 on UK channel ITV1 beginning at 5:50 pm. After previously bringing Bean to life in a live-action series and a feature film, Atkinson was closely involved with the animated version of his character as well. "As a live-action character, Mr. Bean always possessed a cartoon-like quality," said Atkinson, who was filmed for every episode of the series so animators could use his distinct movements when creating the animated MR. BEAN.

Animation Headline News

This Week At Animation World Magazine

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

- History In The RoundMartin "Dr. Toon" Goodman takes a look at the DVD as a source of animation history.

- A Retro-future Metropolis

Animation Headline News

Job Opportunities For Animators, Game Developers, Instructors And More

A Los Angeles, California-area Animation Production Company is looking for a PRODUCTION ASSISTANT . . . San Francisco, California's Cinema Dept. San Francisco State University is looking for an ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ANIMATION . . . Atlanta, Georgia's Fathom Studios is looking for a LEAD ANIMATOR . . . Nottingham, Nottinghamshire's Free Radical Design is looking for a CHARACTER ANIMATOR . . . New Delhi, India's GameEDU is looking for an ANIMATION PROJECT LEADER and a GAME DEVELOPER . . . Lexington, Massachusetts' Helixe is looking for a 3D CHARACTER ANIMATOR . . .

Headline News

Richard Williams -- Mini-Masterclass And Book Signing

The Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) welcomes Richard Williams, director of WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, to Toronto for a special engagement. Williams has been in the animation business for more than 40 years and is the author of the recently published book THE ANIMATOR'S SURVIVAL KIT, an instructional book on the art of creating animation. In addition to the book signing, Williams will give a mini-masterclass, showing samples from his films and demonstrating animation principles. Wednesday, March 13, 2002, 6:30 pm. Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street, Toronto, Canada.

Events Headline News

New Additions To AWN's Calendar Of Events

This week's updates to the Calendar of Events include: "Missing Persons" - 3D Animated Feature Film Premiere: Friday, March 01 - Saturday, March 02, 2002, San Jose, California USA . . . In Person: Cordell Barker Presents "Strange Invaders": Sunday, March 03, 2002, San Francisco, California USA . . . DigiFest 2002: Wednesday, March 20 - Tuesday, March 26, 2002, Toronto, Ontario Canada . . . Animation Generation 2002: Thursday, April 11 - Friday, April 12, 2002, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey UK . . .

Headline News

NewTek Ships Video Toaster 2

NewTeks Video Toaster 2, a Windows 2000-based live video production environment, is now available. The Video Toaster 2 includes a real-time nonlinear editor, live Web streaming, character generation, 2D painting and compositing, 3D animation and effects, real-time keying, video and audio processing, and a full range of production tools in an integrated package. It retails for US$2995 with a switcher expansion module available for US$1995. The upgrade from Video Toaster 1 is US$495. For more information about the Video Toaster 2s capabilities, visit www.newtek.com.

Entertainment Headline News

Raven Moon And Hacker-Rumsey In The Works On CG Kids Show

Raven Moon Entertainment, Inc. is collaborating with Hacker-Rumsey Entertainment to develop and market a slate of three projects for television over the next two years. The first project on tap is a CG-animated kids' project called THE ICELY BROTHERS, a mix of live-action and animated characters. Hacker-Rumsey is completing the pilot and will begin domestic and international marketing in spring 2002.

Series Headline News

Varga Kicks Off The Year With Ballerina, Bean And Bosom Pals

International animation studio Varga Holdings has begun production on 13 episodes of ANGELINA BALLERINA, a 2D animated series based on the adventures of a ballet-dancing mouse. Following the successful launch of the pre-school series in October 2001 on the UK's CITV producers HIT Entertainment/Grand Slamm have requested a further 13 episodes. Delivery is scheduled for September 2002. Varga also commenced production in January 2002 on the ANGELINA BALLERINA 44-minute direct-to-video special, which will feature the voices of Academy Award winner Judi Dench and her daughter Finty Williams.

Animation Headline News

Pulse Animation Gets In Sync

San Francisco-based interactive 3D media provider Pulse has incorporated the ProductionSync and InstantSync technologies from Automatic Sync Technologies into their Pulse Animation Studio v. 5.03. ProductionSync is used in the Pulse Creator module as an off-line animation tool. Speech is converted into animation as a production step that an animator can then enhance with expressions, gestures and behaviors. InstantSync is used in the Pulse Player to animate a face in real-time in response to the speech, which can either be downloaded or streamed to the player via streaming audio.

Headline News

The Tale Of The Floating World Wins Top Prize At Imagina

Imagina 2.0 the International Festival for Digital Images, was held in Monaco on February 12 - 14 , 2002 and THE TALE OF THE FLOATING WORLD, directed by Alain Escalle, won the Grand Prix Imagina over such prestigious nominees as AMÉLIE, SHREK and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. The Grand Prix Imagina rewards a unique production that reflects current trends in animation, both technical and artistic. The 24 minute short film, co-produced by Mistral Films and TEVA, combines animation and live-action with modern digital techniques and special effects.

Disney Headline News

David Stainton Promoted To President, Walt Disney Television Animation

David Stainton has been upped from his current position of executive vice president to president, Walt Disney Television Animation. Stainton's responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations for the division's animated television series and specials, Disney video premieres and February theatrical features (sequels like RETURN TO NEVER LAND). He continues to report to Thomas Schumacher, head of Walt Disney Television Animation and Walt Disney Feature Animation, in his new position.

Headline News

Boomerang Honors Chuck Jones With 24-Hour Tribute

To honor Chuck Jones (1912-2002) great cartoon legacy, Cartoon Network's all-classic satellite network, Boomerang will host a 24-hour tribute to the legendary creator beginning Friday, March 1, 2002. Featuring many of the beloved Looney Tunes shorts and characters he created over his 60-year career, the marathon will run 8:00 am Friday, March 1 to 8:00 am Saturday, March 2. In addition to screening his classic Warner Bros.

Japan Headline News

Xbox Debuts In Japan

Three months after its North American debut, the Xbox video game system launched in Japan on February 22, 2002. Bill Gates was on hand to present the first Xbox sold, and many gamers camped out overnight in the Shibuya District of Tokyo to make sure they were among the first in the country to get their hands on a console. Xbox is now on sale at thousands of Japanese retail outlets, and 12 game titles are available including PROJECT GOTHAM RACING, TENKU, JET SET RADIO FUTURE and DEAD OR ALIVE 3. A total of 22 titles are scheduled to be available in Japan by the end of March.

Headline News

Alias|Wavefront Makes 3D Computer Graphics Available To All

Alias|Wavefront has made a personal-use, non-commercial version of its award-winning Maya software available free to users of Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Maya Personal Learning Edition 3D animation software can now be downloaded from the Alias|Wavefront Website. Maya Personal Learning Edition gives 3D graphics and animation students, current industry professionals, and those interested in breaking into the world of computer graphics an opportunity to explore Maya Complete software in a non-commercial capacity.

Awards Headline News

Goya Award Winners Announced

The 16th Annual Goya Awards, the Spanish Film Academys equivalent to the U.S. Academy Awards, were presented February 2, 2002. The awards honor Spanish produced films. Independent animated feature EL BOSQUE ANIMADO (THE LIVING FOREST) directed by Manolo Gómez & Angel de la Cruz won two awards, Best Original Song and Best Animated Film. The Best Animated Short Film was POLLO, directed by Manuel Sirgo.

Headline News

Hornet Taps Executive Producer Michael Feder, Expands Spot Roster

Design, animation and visual effects studio Hornet, Inc., is expanding its operations in the commercial arena with the addition of several directors, designers and animators. New additions include animator and director Steve Talkowski, character designer and director Peter de Séve, director and designer Brian Koons, title designer Deborah Ross and the collective design team HONEST.

Effects Headline News

Company 3 Takes Two

Santa Monica-based visual effects house Company 3 has hired Henry artist and visual effects supervisor Alex Brodie and visual effects producer Christine Carr. Both arrive from 525 Post Production, which curtailed operations in December. Brodie has a list of high profile credits in music videos and commercials including recent efforts like the Garbage music video "Cherry Lips," which featured an "invisible" band. In the spot, Brodie removed the bands heads and limbs to make it appear as though empty suits were playing guitars and other instruments.

Headline News

MADD Uses Animation To Send A Message About Drunk Driving.

A four-minute animated short film about the dangers of drinking and driving has been created to teach elementary school children about the importance of making the right choices when it comes to drinking. Stone Soup produced the film for the Texas-based Gulf Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Animated in a limited but colorful style, the character "Dudeasaurus," a half teen/half dinosaur, morphs into a super hero called MADDasaurus after saving a mans life.

Mobile Headline News

Scooby Doo In The Palm Of Your Hand

Cartoon Network will launch three pay-to-play games based on the SCOOBY-DOO cartoon series in early summer 2002, to coincide with the release of the SCOOBY DOO movie. Cartoon Network has partnered with mobile entertainment service provider Digital Bridges Ltd., to launch the Scooby mobile games and others based on Cartoon Network characters, throughout North America and Europe. The titles will encompass the entire range of current mobile gaming technologies available today including SMS, WAP, Java and BREW, allowing the vast majority of mobile handset owners the chance to enjoy the games.

Game Headline News

Gorillaz Are Game For Interactive TV

EMI recording artist and virtual band Gorillaz has teamed with media company Static 2358 to develop interactive TV content. A new game called Zombie Kong, featuring all four of the animated band members, will debut to more than 5.7 million digital satellite homes in the U.K., Friday, February 22, 2002 on Static's interactive television channel PlayJam. Game play involves viewers using their TV remote to control Gorillaz band member Noodle and help her find her way through 12 different levels.

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