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Ascension Technology has announced the addition of the X-IST FaceTracker to their line-up of motion-capture tracking devices. The X-IST FaceTracker is a lightweight, head-coupled facial expression tracker using 36 reflective markers to collect real-time motion data on strategic locations such as lips, cheeks and eyelids. Its automatic search, labeling and marker tracking are designed to accelerate production time. The real-time data, transferred to an animation workstation, integrates with Filmbox, Maya, Typhoon, Softimage and other leading software programs.

- New images and information have been posted for "(it was...)Nothing At All", Buzzco's latest short. The film has just won 1stprize from the Big Muddy Film Festival in Carbondale, Illinois. Ithas also shown at the London Film Festival, Tricky Women FilmFestival and others. Based on an original song written by Candy Kugeland Lanny Meyers, the film asks why is it easier to mourn the loss ofan object than the loss of a loved one. The film is traditionally

In this issue, Animation World Magazine kicks off Catherine Winder andZahra Dowlatabadi's new book "Producing Animation" with a specialindepth look at how animation is produced. From feature films totelevision from Europe to the U.S. we detail how schedules andbudgets are put together. Sylvia Edwards compares traditionalanimation television show schedules and budgets to CGI TV series, arapidly growing trend. Feature film producer Steve Walsh takes usinside putting together a European feature film, while Evan Backus

Toon Boom Technologies, a leading supplier of 2D animation software for major film and television studios, announced Toon Boom Studio 1.0, a new software program the brings high-end 2D animation tools and capabilities to the Web. Targeted at Web designers, advertising agencies and other online content creators, the software is designed to simplify the creation process by automating traditional animation tasks. The new software derives its high-end features from Toon Boom Technologies' acknowledged expertise in the animation market.

Cartoon Network scored the highest first-quarter prime time ratings and delivery performance of its history, landing in fourth place among all ad-supported cable networks, with a 1.7 prime household rating. The January-March '01 quarter also saw the largest net gain (177,000) in total day delivery among all ad-supported cable networks. Additionally, the network charted double-digit increases among households and all key demographics for total day rating and delivery, earning fourth place for the quarter, with a 1.1 total day rating.

DIRECTV Latin America announced on Friday, April 6, 2001 the official debut of the Disney Channel to all DIRECTV subscribers in Brazil. The Disney Channel is a new, 24-hour Portuguese television network with entertainment for kids and families created specially for the Brazilian market. The Disney programming block includes exclusive and original productions, a two-hour live, daily show, movies, animated and live-action series, concerts and special events.

Animation production house Renegade Animation has designed and produced the main title sequence for TOMCATS, the new feature film from Revolution Studios. The 2-minute title sequence is fully cel-animated and features a cat and dog in pursuit of a buxom woman who blows them away -- literally. Darrell Van Citters directed the title sequence for Renegade Animation. Ashley Postlewaite was executive producer. TOMCATS, written and directed by Gregory Poirier, is the first release from Revolution Studios since its founding last year by producer Joe Roth.

* Friday, May 11, 2001. North Hollywood, California, U.S.A.

* Friday, April 20 Friday, June 8, 2001. Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.

* Wednesday, April 25, 2001. Toronto, Ontario, Canada

John Kricfalusi's WEEKEND PUSSY HUNT is just one of many Webisodes scheduled to be shown this coming Sunday, April 15, on the premier of MTV DOWNLOADED. Hosted by Gimpy, one of the stars of the upcoming MTV animation series UNDERGRADS, MTV DOWNLOADED will showcase a number of Webtoons, including Joe Cartoon's SUPERFLY II, Aardman Animations' ANGRY KID, Mondo Media's HAPPY TREE FRIENDS and HEAVY METAL GUY, BullsEyeart's MISS MUFFY and Film Roman's HAIRBALLS. Following the 9 pm (ET/PT) premier, viewers will be able to log-on to mtv.com to watch, review and rate each complete Webisode.

A group of five former founders and senior executives of Icebox.com have purchased key assets from the defunct company, and plan to relaunch as a syndicator and developer of properties for the Web and television. The April 10, 2001 announcement also details a new syndication deal Icebox has inked with Mondo Media, creators of the Mondo Mini Show distribution network, which ensures distribution for many Icebox properties, including ZOMBIE COLLEGE and POKER NIGHT.