Ascension Technology Corporation, manufacturer of motion tracking devices, has introduced winBIRD, a versatile program that allows users to experiment with Ascensions products in a standard Windows environment. For use with single and multi-sensor or multi-transmitter configurations, winBIRD lets users change all major device and system options while monitoring how the changes affect returned data.
The Walt Disney Company has formed a new business unit, the Buena Vista Game Entertainment Studio, a new organization created to leverage and combine new and emerging technologies, such as broadband and wireless, with video consoles, PCs, other technological innovations, and online games to deliver integrated interactive entertainment for a new consumer experience. Jan E. Smith has been installed as its president. Smith, a 14-year Disney veteran, will also continue to serve in her current role as president of Disney Interactive.
Buena Vista International Television has licensed its "Classic Treasures" collection of animated box office hits to the BBC. For the first time ever on UK terrestrial television, viewers will now be able to enjoy some of the most popular animated movies of all time - TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, MULAN, A BUG'S LIFE and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. These titles combined have grossed over $2 billion in worldwide box office and have been watched by over 121 million people at cinemas in Europe alone.
Renegade Animation has produced a fully-animated 30-second television spot for Target, Nickelodeon and The Martin Agency, Richmond, Virginia, featuring the popular Nickelodeon cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants. The commercial, titled New Home, casts SpongeBob as the newest employee of an underwater Target store as a means of promoting kids merchandise related to the character. The assignment required Renegade Animation to recreate the look and attitude of an existing cartoon series with a very distinct style.
NewKidCo, has shipped E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL for Game Boy Advanced, the first in the company's highly anticipated line of games based on one of the most beloved and successful films of all time, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in March 2002 with a long-awaited re-release. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL is an action-packed adventure game that captures the excitement and strength of the characters that made the film so popular and pits them against the same challenges faced in the film like assembling the transmitter to "phone home," breaking E.T.
The LEGO Company, makers of the world's best-selling construction toys, has created 11 new LEGO sets that capture the magic of the upcoming Warner Bros. film, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE. The sets are available now at retail. The LEGO Harry Potter sets include eight of the most popular characters from the magical world of Harry Potter - including Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Draco Malfoy and Professors Dumbledore, Snape and Quirrell, as mini-figures, as well as a variety of other characters including animals, ghosts and imaginary creatures.
Anark Corporation is seeking beta testers for its public beta program of Anark Studio, an integrated media platform that combines 3D and 2D graphics, video, audio, text and data into an interactive, television-quality presentation.
Infogrames, Inc., a global publisher of interactive entertainment software, has announced operating results for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2001. Full-year net revenue, which includes publishing and distribution revenue, was $310.5 million or virtually even with full-year net revenues of $313.2 million for the prior year. Publishing revenue for the period rose to $232.1 million from $188.4 million in the comparable year-earlier period. Distribution revenue was $78.4 million in fiscal 2001 as compared with distribution revenue of $124.8 million in the same 2000 period.
The great writer, E.B.White became my friend and regular correspondent until his death...
All new information about the upcoming SAS annual conference has been posted on the SAS Website...
Due to concerns over ongoing world events, the panel discussions and seminars with the "Masters" will be cancelled at the 3rd annual "Week With The Masters" Animation Celebration, taking place in Trivandum, India, from October 31 to November 2, 2001. The Animation Celebration will scale up its festivities surrounding its InSea Competition film screenings, Childrens Animation Workshop screenings, MAC India Awards Ceremony and the Indian premier of "Shrek".
Affiliate animator Stephen X. Arthurs spot "Sony: Blind Man" to appear this fall on Dash's Animation House on TechTV...
Come celebrate the release of a brand new compact disc of vintage cartoon soundtracks from the classic Hollywood cartoons of Elmo Aardvark...
This week, we're asking more questions about 2001 Features...
Plympton's new series of comics is extracted from the comic book "Polls Apart How To Tell A Democrat From A Republican"...
According to a VARIETY report, Clive Smith, veteran animator and Nelvana senior executive VP, has resigned from the Toronto-based animation company to pursue other projects. Smith started Nelvana in 1971 with Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert, who will remain at the company as co-CEOs. Smith was the creative force behind such shows as BABAR, RUPERT and CARE BEARS and most recently was involved in the development of HEIDI, a feature adaptation of the classic childrens story.
Sav! The World Productions brings its latest animated program to MIPCOM with MOLLY, STAR-RACER. Described by the creators as Japanimation meets European 3D, MOLLY is an explosive mix of comedy and epic racing scenes in 3D CGI animation. Strongly influenced by their childhood memories of anime series like DRAGON BALL and LUPIN THE 3RD, as well as by cult classics like Hanna Barberas WACKY RACES or Saint Exupérys LE PETIT PRINCE, the creators of MOLLY have mixed styles and techniques to create a fresh new kind of entertainment.
Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) Latin America, Inc. has reached an agreement with DIRECTV Latin America, LLC (DIRECTV) for satellite distribution in Latin America of Boomerang, the 24-hour network that offers classic animated entertainment. Launched into the Latin American region in July of 2001, Boomerang continues to expand its reach in the market by adding DIRECTV's satellite distribution. Reaching more than 1.4 million direct-to-home customers, DIRECTV Latin America becomes one of the largest distributors for Boomerang in the region.
Class-Key Chew-Po Commercials, a division of Klasky Csupo, Inc., has signed animation director Chris Prynoski for commercial representation. Prynoski recently finished directing a Budweiser spot for Class-Key Chew-Po Commercials and DDB Chicago called, Foot-Long Hot Dog Inventor. Prynoski has previously worked for MTVs animation division as a storyboard artist, designer, layout artist, animator and director. During his stint at MTV, he worked on shows including BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD, THE HEAD and DARIA.
Hayao Miyazaki's film PRINCESS MONONOKE was the top grossing film in Japan until TITANIC was released in 1998 and broke box office records, becoming the highest grossing film in that country. This week VARIETY reported that Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature SPIRITED AWAY has set a new audience record in Japan, surpassing the mark held by TITANIC. Since its July 20, 2001 debut, SPIRITED AWAY has been seen by 16.9 million viewers, while TITANIC saw 16.8 million admissions total after its release.
Prague, Czech Republic's Animax is looking for 2D ANIMATORS to animate a preschool series . . .Ottawa, Ontario's Dynomight Cartoons, an animation production studio, is looking for a PRODUCTION COORDINATOR, PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR, SCRIPT COORDINATOR . . . Independent animation studio, Flyboy is looking for a COMEDY WRITER . . . Canton, Connecticut's FUNNYBONE Interactive, publisher of entertainment and educational titles, is looking for a PROGRAMMER . . . Production and postproduction facility ida grove entertainment is looking for a HEAD OF SALES (POSTPRODUCTION SERVICES/FILMPRODUCTION) . . .
The Sundance Channels Sonic Cinema series is airing an episode that focuses on animation for music videos. SONIC CINEMA: ANIMATORS delves into the rich and ever-expanding universe of animated music. The program is made up of music videos, short films and short-form documentaries and features the talents of Bill Plympton, Mark Brierley, Jamie Hewlett, Tomas Apodaca, Tim Hope and the Toei Animation Studio. SONIC CINEMA: ANIMATORS airs on The Sundance Channel on October 19, 2001 at 11 pm and Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 1 am.
DIC Entertainment and Celedor International have joined together to produce, distribute and merchandise an animated series inspired by the popular game show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Capitalizing on the enormous success of the game show, which is broadcast in over 100 countries, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE: THE ANIMATED SERIES features an animated host that will launch game show winners on fantastic journeys as they fulfill their millionaire dreams. The program will be introduced at MIPCOM 2001.
Here is a viewers guide to the notable animation and special effects releases on DVD and VHS for the month of October, 2001:
October 2:
