fmx/08: Expanding the Global Animation & VFX Connection
Johannes Wolters dives into fmx/08, which this year offered an even greater number of stimulating discussions on the state of artistic and technological visual content.
Category: People
Hasbro Gets New Motion Pictures Head
Hasbro, Inc. announced that Bennett Schneir, most recently VP of Creative Affairs for ImageMovers Digital, is joining Hasbro in the newly-created position of SVP and Managing Director, Motion Pictures.
3D Supervisor Paul Ghezzo Joins Zoic Studios
Zoic Studios has welcomed 3D supervisor Paul Ghezzo to the company. Ghezzo is part of Zoic's award-winning episodic division and is currently supervising production on a variety of pilots, new shows and name brand programs for the fall television season.
Over the past several years Ghezzo has held supervisory positions at several award winning commercial companies. The position at Zoic marks his return to episodic television.
HIT Ent. Strengthens Home Entertainment Ranks
HIT Entertainment has announced expansion plans and promotions within its International Home Entertainment business. Led by Gavin Metcalfe and supported by Luciana Bianchi, the EMEA team will now be responsible for the Asia/Japan region and helping to drive future growth for the region. Also with immediate effect, Metcalfe has been promoted to Senior Director International Home Entertainment and will be responsible for all sales and business development in this wider region.
New Exec Rounds Out 4Kids Marketing Team
Helen Round has been named to the position of International Marketing and Communications Manager at 4Kids Ent. International. Round will report to Senior International Marketing and Communications Manager Charlotte Hill.
Round will manage 4Kids' brands and agents in a number of EMEA territories including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Benelux, Portugal, Turkey, Israel, the Middle East, and Africa. She will work alongside Hill, who focuses on France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Greece and Eastern Europe at the company's European office.
Offutt Now SVP of Nick's Creative Operations
Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group has named Brian Offutt to the new position of SVP of Creative Operations. Offutt will report to Russell Hicks, EVP and Exec Creative Director, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, and Sarah Kirshbaum Levy, COO, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.
Horton Director Signs With UTA
HORTON HEARS A WHO! helmer Jimmy Hayward has signed with UTA, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Previously, he has no agency representation. Hayward made his feature debut on HORTON, which has grossed over $275 million worldwide thus far.
Hayward began his career working on REBOOT, before moving to Pixar where he worked on such films as TOY STORY, A BUG'S LIFE, TOY STORY 2, MONSTERS, INC., and FINDING NEMO. He started working for Blue Sky on ROBOTS.
Marvel Execs Reap Benefits of Iron Man Success
In the wake of IRON MAN's success, Marvel Studios execs Kevin Feige and David Maisel are reaping the benefits. According to VARIETY, Feige has been upped to president and Maisel has signed on as the chairmen of the film unit through 2010.
PorchLight Ups Fontana To Manager Of Kids Programming
Shea Fontana has been named Manager, Children's Programming, it was announced today by Bruce Johnson, company President and CEO. Her responsibilities will include the development of preschool programming, in addition to focusing on girl-related children's program development and sales.
"Shea has been working on most of the animation projects that have come through PorchLight over the past two years, including "early stage" development on several properties as well as assisting in various stages of production. She has made a great contribution to our team," said Johnson.
Dennis Hoffman Named SVP Of CIS Vancouver
Dennis Hoffman has been named SVP and General Manager of CIS Vancouver, it was announced today by Don Fly, President of the CIS Visual Effects Group. Hoffman has been CIS Vancouver's Head of Production since the beginning of 2007.
Fly has also announced that Marianne O'Reilly, currently President of CIS Vancouver (formerly Rainmaker Visual Effects) and a nine year veteran of the company, will relocate to the East Coast where she will consult on new business opportunities for the company.
SVG Hires David Burchi To SVP Of Content
SVG Distribution / Crave Ent., a leading distributor and specialty publisher of console video games, today introduced David Burchi as its new Senior Vice President of Content and Strategic Development.
In his new role, Burchi is responsible for the general management of SVG / Crave's proprietary content business, which includes both the Crave Ent. publishing group and SVG's Exclusively Distributed content, as well as the purchasing function for SVG's non-proprietary product. Burchi reports to SVG / Crave President & CEO Michael Maas.
Capcom Promotes Mark Beaumont To COO
Mark Beaumont has been promoted to COO of both Capcom Ent. in North America and Capcom Ent. Europe, as well as maintaining his position on the Capcom Board of Directors.
Beaumont had been serving as Executive VP, Officer, and head of the consumer software publishing business in North and South America and Europe.
Martin Tremblay Named President, Warner Bros. Interactive Ent.
Martin Tremblay has been named President, Warner Bros. Interactive Ent., it was announced today by Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Ent. Group, to whom he will directly report.
In his new post, Tremblay will set the long-term direction of the studio’s worldwide interactive entertainment strategy. He will oversee publishing, marketing, sales and distribution, licensing and business development of the Studio’s interactive entertainment product. Tremblay will begin work at Warner Bros. in July 2008.
Judson Leaving Warner Bros. Animation
Lisa Judson is leaving her position as head of Warner Bros. Animation after just 10 months on the job, according to VARIETY. Her duties will be consolidated under Warner Bros. Television president Peter Roth.
The studio confirmed the change, saying Judson intended to return to New York, from which she relocated to take the job. The job was a significant leap for Judson, who previously served as SVP of marketing at AOL. She also worked at Nickelodeon.
RTT USA Adds Creative Director To Team
RTT USA, a leading provider of realtime 3D visualization software and services for product design and marketing, recently hired Jeffrey Bergmann as creative director at its Royal Oak, Michigan, USA location.
In his new role as creative director, Bergmann will head the Film & Print Department and will oversee all creative content produced by the Royal Oak office. Working closely with clients, Bergmann will aid in the overall development of their marketing materials using RTT's 3D product visualization technology.
In People, Visual Effects, People, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America
Marvel Appoints Ira Rubenstein Executive VP Of Global Digital Media Group
Marvel Ent. has appointed Ira Rubenstein to the position of Executive Vice President of Marvel's newly launched Global Digital Media Group. In this newly created position, Rubenstein will oversee Marvel's digital distribution strategy across all media and platforms. Rubenstein will relocate to Marvel's New York headquarters and report to John Turitzin, Executive Vice President, Office of the Chief Executive.
Image Metrics Appoints Michael Starkenburg As COO
Image Metrics, the leading developer of performance-driven CG facial animation in video games and film, announced it has appointed Michael Starkenburg to the position of Chief Operating Officer.
Starkenburg, who has served as a consultant to Image Metrics for the past year, will provide leadership for all operations of the company in the U.S. and U.K.
Big Stage Hires Ent. Veteran Jonas Gray
Chuck Huebner, president and CEO, Big Stage, announced an addition to the company's executive ranks with industry vet Jonas Gray as SVP of marketing.
Gray, who has spent nearly 20 years creating synergies between brands and consumers, will help identify and implement strategic marketing partnerships for Big Stage, and drive overall branding, product marketing, and communications efforts on behalf of the company.
Marvel Promotes Eric Rollman To President, Marvel Animation
In a move designed to further strengthen the company's presence in the animation and home entertainment markets, Marvel Entertainment has promoted Eric Rollman to President, Marvel Animation.
In his new role, Rollman -- who was most recently Executive Vice President, Home Entertainment & TV Production for Marvel Studios -- will oversee Marvel's animation slate, as well as partnerships with key broadcasters and home entertainment studios. Rollman will report directly to Simon Philips, President of Marvel Entertainment International.
'The Forbidden Kingdom': VFX and the Chi Energy Effect
Director Rob Minkoff and Senior VFX Supervisor Ron Simonson tell Thomas J. McLean what's behind The Forbidden Kingdom.
Jeff Blake Extends Employment With Sony Pictures Through 2012
Jeff Blake has signed a long-term contract with Sony Pictures in which the respected industry veteran will continue to serve as chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group through 2012.
In addition to his role overseeing the studio's worldwide marketing and distribution division, Blake continues to serve as vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Jetix Europe Appoints New Director Of Original Series And Co-Productions
Jetix Europe today announced that Daniel Wineman has been appointed to the newly created position of Director of Original Series and Co-productions. He will join Jetix Europe in April 2008 and will report to Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President of Programming for Jetix Europe.
Wineman will be in charge of all creative aspects of Jetix Europe's original series and co-productions. He and his team will ensure that Jetix's vision and brand consistency are carried throughout the development and production process.
Why You Should Experience fmx/08 This Year
Peter Plantec previews the speakers, presentations and parties that will make fmx/08 the most fun media conference of the year.
Bonilla Named To New Position At Nickelodeon
Gary Bonilla has been hired to the new position of SVP of Creative Strategy for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.
The announcement was made by Leigh Anne Brodsky, President of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products; and Russell Hicks, Executive Vice President and Executive Creative Director, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, both to whom Bonilla will report.
Time Warner Cuts 450 Jobs From New Line
VARIETY reports that Time Warner is cutting 450 jobs from New Line, which was widely expected since February.
The cuts, announced Monday afternoon, leaves New Line with about 40 to 50 employees. A Time Warner spokesman told VARIETY about 40 New Line employees will be offered jobs within Warner Bros.
Dismissal notifications began Monday and will continue Tuesday.
