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AWN Headline News

Police Headline News

Animator Billy Greene Victim Of Homicide

Award-winning stop-motion animator Billy Greene was found shot dead just outside of his apartment in the 4300 block of Adeline St. in Emeryville, California on September 10, 2001. He was 33 years old. Police say there was evidence the killer tried to remove his wallet, but had fled without it or its contents. His body was found just after midnight. No suspects were seen and no arrests have been made.

Effects Headline News

Primetime Emmy's Rescheduled

Due to the terrorist attacks suffered by the United States on September 11, 2001, the 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards presentation has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 7, 2001. However, the Emmys for animation and visual effects have already been awarded on September 8, 2001 as previously published here. The winners for individual achievement in animation were Rodney Clouden for FUTURAMA; Curt Enderle and Brad Schiff for GARY & MIKE; and Kyle Menke for INVADER ZIM. The winners in the voiceover performance category were Hank Azaria in THE SIMPSONS and Ja' Net DuBois in THE PJS.

Visual Headline News

Discreet Announces New Products

Discreet, a division of Autodesk Inc., announced a variety of new products at the 2001 International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) held in Amsterdam September 14-18, 2001. Among the new products unveiled to the European community were frost 3, the latest version of Discreet's real-time 3D-broadcast graphics creation and delivery system and combustion 2, the latest version of its paint, animation and 3D-compositing software for Windows and Macintosh platforms. Both products are expected to begin shipping by end-of-year 2001.

Sega Headline News

Sega Announces New Marketing Divisions, New Group Marketing Director

As part of the company's transition from video game hardware manufacturer to platform-agnostic third party publisher, Sega of America is expanding its marketing organization into two focused divisions -- sports and entertainment properties. Sega will also begin hiring personnel immediately into the expanded marketing organization. To this end, Sega announced the addition of Mike Fischer to the Sega marketing team as group director of product marketing for the entertainment division. Fischer brings more than eleven years of experience in video game marketing to Sega.

Headline News

Westwood/EA HR Director Joins Recruiting Firm

Marilyn Rebman, former HR director for Westwood/EA, has joined Virtual Search, Inc., a game industry recruiting firm. In her new role as recruiter, Rebman will continue to utilize her more than two decades of HR experience in bringing the right person to the right position. Prior to joining Westwood, Rebman owned her own HR consulting firm, working with a variety of clients and established companies to lead their hiring initiatives. Today, however, her focus is clearly on the game industry. "This industry is in a league of its own -- cutting-edge, challenging and fun all at the same time.

Animation Headline News

Reelworks Creates Pinny For Let's Bowl. Reelworks

Animation Studio has created several animated segments for the new comedic series, LET'S BOWL, which began airing August 19, 2001 on Comedy Central. The segments were created using USAnimation and feature a bowling pin character created by Realworks named "Pinny." The program's producers approached Reelworks in the early stages of development about the show's concept: The airing and resolving of personal grievances at a bowling alley.

Time Headline News

THQ And Saban Ship Power Rangers Time Force For PC

THQ Inc. and Saban Consumer Products have announced the release of POWER RANGERS TIME FORCE for PC. Now in its 9th television season, POWER RANGERS is still one of the highest rated TV shows for boys 2-11 according to the Nielsen ratings. POWER RANGERS TIME FORCE for PC and Game Boy Color is now available at retail outlets nationwide. The Game Boy Advance and PlayStation versions will be released this fall. POWER RANGERS TIME FORCE for PC will allow players to assume the role of their favorite hero in a variety of arcade-style games including side-scrolling action and puzzles.

Visual Headline News

Box Office Slumps

With only two new films in wide release this weekend and in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, North American box office totals fell to their lowest level this year. Last week's number one film THE MUSKETEER, with primary visual effects by Das Werk, slipped two places to land at number three, adding $5.3M for $17.6M total to date. JEEPERS CREEPERS, with primary visual effects by E=MC2 and Max Ink Cafe LLC, continued its downward slide coming in seventh with $3.9M and $29.7M total.

Headline News

Infogrames And Codemasters Announce Distribution Agreement

Interactive entertainment company Infogrames, Inc. has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with UK-based game publisher, Codemasters. Under the terms of the one-year deal, Infogrames will be the sole distributor of Codemasters' interactive entertainment titles throughout North America. Codemasters expects to publish 17 SKUs between September 2001 and August 2002. The first title Infogrames distributed under the agreement is OPERATION FLASHPOINT, a realistic military action game for the PC.

Headline News

Midway Games Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter And Fiscal Year Results

Midway Games Inc. announced its results of operations for the fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2001.The company also reported preliminary details of its product release schedule for the period September 2001 through December 2002. Fiscal 2001 fourth quarter revenues were $20,215,000 compared with revenues of $24,724,000 in the prior year period.

International Headline News

Stephen Moore Named President, Twentieth Century Fox International

Twentieth Century Fox has united its international theatrical and international home entertainment units under the supervision of Stephen Moore. Moore has been president of Twentieth Century Fox, Home Entertainment International (TCFHEI) since June 1997. In his new position as president of Twentieth Century Fox International, Moore will continue to oversee TCFHEI and will also oversee the company's international theatrical marketing and distribution operations, which will continue to be managed by Scott Neeson, president, Twentieth Century Fox International Theatrical.

Entertainment Headline News

Gullane Appoints David Snyder Senior VP, Entertainment

Gullane Entertainment, the UK-based developer and marketer of such childrens based entertainment as BRITT ALLCROFT'S MAGIC ADVENTURES OF MUMFIE and THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE AND FRIENDS, has named David Snyder senior vice president of entertainment as part of the company's ongoing expansion efforts. In this newly appointed position, Snyder will oversee Gullane Entertainment's global production, distribution and development activity and will be based in the company's New York office.

Channel Headline News

Cartoon Network A Favorite In France

In France, Cartoon Network joins the top 10 most popular cable and satellite channels in the country and stands out as the number one channel for kids ages 4 to 10 in CanalSatellite homes (reaching 68.8% of this age group during one week). Findings from Mediacabsat, the cable and satellite channel survey by Médiamétrie, is promising news for the channel that went on air less than two years ago. Cartoon Network now has an 8.9% audience share of 4 to 10 year olds watching CanalSatellite.

Headline News

Ring Of Fire Artists Set Anti-Smoking PSA Ablaze

Director Harry Karidis of Tropix and Karidis Productions called on creative digital effects company Ring of Fire to create a new anti-smoking PSA entitled "Living Mural." The PSA was created for the Arizona Department of Health Services and TEPP (Tobacco Education and Prevention Program) and showcases the work of muralist Judith Baca of SPARC (Social and Public Arts Resource Center). "Living Mural" begins with a young man walking past a mural on a busy neighborhood street. He carelessly throws down his cigarette and the mural is set ablaze.

Headline News

Spongebob Squarepants Makes A Splash With Major Retail Debut

Target Stores and Nickelodeon announced an exclusive marketing partnership for the fall retail launch of Nickelodeon's popular animated character, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS. Available in all 1,019 Target stores nationwide, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS merchandise includes school supplies, men's, women's and children's apparel, toys and more. Select items also are available online at target.com.

Events Headline News

New Additions To AWN's Calendar Of Events.

This week's updates to the Calendar of Events include: Silver Lake Film Festival featuring Saturday Morning Cartoons: Sunday, September 16 - Sunday, September 23, 2001, Los Angeles, California USA; Women in Animation SF/Bay Area Resurrection Meeting: Tuesday, September 25, 2001, San Francisco, California USA; Future Animators Of The Future 2nd Annual Animation And Video Festival: Friday, November 02 - Friday, November 16, 2001, Boston, San Francisco and New York USA.

Production Headline News

Job Opportunities For Animators, 3D Modelers, Production Coordinators & More

Toronto, Ontario's Chelsea Road Productions Inc., a creative and music production and audio post company, is looking for 3D MAX-4 MODELER/COMPOSITOR, SENIOR ANIMATOR 3D MAX-4, JUNIOR ANIMATOR 3D MAX-4, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT, and SENIOR ANIMATOR 2D. . . Toronto, Ontario's Evil Clown Animation is looking for a PRODUCTION COORDINATOR to coordinate an independent animated short production. . . Hollywood, California's Toonshoppe is looking for an onsite FLASH ANIMATOR & ILLUSTRATOR. . .

Drawing Headline News

The Return Of Sketching Tours Of Italy With Life Drawing Instructor Glenn Vilppu

Take a tour of Italy where you will draw the sights and receive personal instruction from world class life drawing master Glenn Vilppu. Participants will go to places where most tourists never dream of going! When traveling through Venice and the Northern Lakes of Italy, Glenn will lecture on the local art. Everyone is welcome; it isn't necessary to be an artist. The 13-day tour is scheduled June 13-25, 2002.

Licensing Headline News

Humphrey’s Corner Gains Italian And Aussie Licensees

The Sharpe Company has appointed Italys BIC Licensing and Australian apparel company Barrymores Pty. Ltd., as licensing agents for Great Britains popular pre-school program HUMPHREYS CORNER. These agents join the HUMPHREYS CORNER licensing team headed by Charles Day, president of The Sharpe Company, worldwide licensee of the elephant character. HUMPHREYS CORNER is based on characters created and written by Sally Hunter in a series of books for preschool children about an elephant named Humphrey.

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