Crater Software, a Spanish-Canadian software development collaboration, announced plans to launch a series of "satellite" versions of CTP, the company's 2D animation software, at this years' Siggraph. The launch of four CTP Satellites - Paint, Scan, Render and the already-released Pencil-test - will coincide with the release of CTP Version 1.3, also being showcased at the show.
Crater Software, a Spanish-Canadian software development collaboration, announced plans to launch a series of "satellite" versions of CTP, the company's 2D animation software, at this years' Siggraph. The launch of four CTP Satellites - Paint, Scan, Render and the already-released Pencil-test - will coincide with the release of CTP Version 1.3, also being showcased at the show.
Dr. William Moritz, noted authority on experimental animation and visualmusic, will introduce a selection of 16mm and 35mm films from TheiotaCenter's collection of experimental and abstract films. The programincludes: a hand-painted film record from 1903 of a dance by visual musicartist, Loïe Fuller, the darling of Paris' Folies Bergère, a film record ofCharles Dockum performing live on the visual music instrument he inventedin 1939, the Dockum Mobilcolor Projector, HIGH VOLTAGE by James Whitney and
The Ottawa School of Art (OSA) has launched an innovative, structured program teaching basic animation skills. The Animation Certificate Program has grown from courses run over several years.
The Ottawa School of Art was founded in 1879 and incorporated in 1976 as a non-profit charitable organization. School focus is high caliber visual art training.
Among the events at this year's ComicCon International, the US's largestcomic book convention, will be a celebration of the AnimationRenaissance. Chris Prynoski, creator of the new series MTV DOWNTOWN,will host a panel discussion with three of the show's writers, andpresent an episode from the series. The convention takes place Thursday,August 12 - Sunday, August 15 in San Diego, California, USA. For moreinformation visit www.comic-con.org.
Newly launched Atlanta,Georgia-based Giant Studios is a performance animation studio. Theirproprietary Motion Reality? system utilizes the latest advancements inmicroprocessor technology and interfaces with the best animation software.A state-of-the-art motion capture studio is available with a 50' x 50' x24' open floor space. The system can capture and process multiple,subject-object interactions in real-time, as well as the intricate detailof hand and facial captures. The studio offers fully integrated
Among the events at this year's ComicCon International, the country'slargest comic book convention, will be a celebration of the AnimationRenaissance which will include previews of upcoming animation from MTVAnimation, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and more, as well as discussionswith the creators who are shaping the future of animation. Among thescheduled guests are voice actress June Foray (ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE) andBATMAN BEYOND series producer, Paul Dini. Chris Prynoski, creator of the
This year, SIGGRAPH '99, the International Conference on Computer Graphicsand Interactive Techniques, is being held in downtown Los Angeles at theL.A. Convention Center. The conference program will include papers, panels,courses, sketches, and applications. The event will also include ananimation festival; art gallery: technOasis; Emerging Technologies: TheMillennium Motel; Creative Applications Lab: The Digital Cafe; and TheStudio showcasing the latest implementations of technology. The Electronic
The fifth annual Anima Mundi festival has had its run July 9-18 in Rio deJaneiro, Brazil. At this festival the audience is the jury, and they havechosen:
Best Brazilian Film - DE JANELA PARA O CINEMA (RAINBOW'S END) by QuiáRodrigues.
Best Film of the Official Selection - GOGWANA by Deiniol Morris, UK.
Second Best Film of the Official Selection - AU BOUT DU MONDE (AT THE ENDSOF THE EARTH) by Konstantin Bronzit, France.
Third Best Film of the Official Selection - RECI, RECI, RECI (WORDS, WORDS,
On September 14, Kid Rhino will release the soundtrack album for the upcoming feature length Scooby-Doo video, SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE WITCH'S GHOST, which is scheduled for release on October 5. In SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE WITCH'S GHOST, Scooby and Mystery Inc. travel to a small New England town to learn why it's being spooked by witches' ghosts. Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Machine will appear in the flesh at the Rhino Retrofest, August 13 to 15, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California, USA. Suggested retail price for the CD is US$13.98 and US$9.98 for the cassette.
IMAX Corporation, owner of the large format film theater chain, hasannounced the closing of its strategic investment in Vancouver,Canada-based Mainframe Entertainment Inc., a producer of CGI animation.Under the terms of the agreement, IMAX invested CDN$8 million to acquire a19% equity stake in Mainframe and CDN$8 million to acquire convertiblesenior debt which, if converted, could bring IMAX's ownership up to 30% ofMainframe. Simultaneously, Mainframe announced that two leading Canadian
Vancouver, Canada-based Mainframe Entertainment, Inc. has announced anoption agreement with Sirius Entertainment to develop a computer animatedtelevision and direct-to-video series based on comic book artist/writerJill Thompson's SCARY GODMOTHER comic books. SCARY GODMOTHER was firstpublished by Sirius Entertainment for Hallowe'en, 1997 as a hardcovergraphic novel. Since then Sirius has published a new graphic novel everyHallowe'en in addition to black and white one-shot comic books at other
* Friday, July 23, 8 am. Hollwyood, California, USA.
Ray Harryhausen will appear at a screening of JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS.Tickets (donations) are $20, which includes a souvenir booklet. Location:Mann's Chinese Theatre. For more information contact The ArgonautFoundation, 10153 1/2 Riverside Dr. #290, No. Hollywood, CA 91602. Tel:818-890-4492; fax: 818-896-6613; e-mail: argonautfound@webtv.net; or visitwww.zwebb.com/7thvoyageprod/argonaut/index.html.
Don't miss out on your chance to save by registering your exhibit early forAnimation Expo 2000. The deadline for registration at the Early Bird ratesis July 30, 1999. ASIFA-Hollywood's Animation Expo 2000 will be held at theGlendale Civic Auditorium in Glendale, California, USA on March 3 and 4,2000. This 7th annual animation trade and technology show focuses on therecruitment of animation related talent and personnel, demonstrations ofcomputer technology, animation related products and services, and the sale
* Wednesday, July 21, 7 pm. Beverly Hills, California, USA.
Ray Harryhausen, director Nathan Juran, and genie actor Richard Eyer willbe on-hand for the screening of a newly restored print of THE 7TH VOYAGE OFSINBAD. Tickets (donations) are $20, which includes a souvenir booklet.Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949Wilshire Blvd. For more information contact The Argonaut Foundation, 101531/2 Riverside Dr. #290, No. Hollywood, CA 91602. Tel: 818-890-4492; fax:
ASIFA-Hollywood's ANIFEST '99 is a free 2-day festival of animation. Eventsinclude a hands-on animation experience for kids; a stage show by voiceartist Lucille Bliss and others; SIMPSONS comic book artist Phil Ortiz,Warner Bros. Feature Animation director Tom Sito, storyboard artist BobMiller, plus other professionals will also offer individual animationindustry insight through engaging stage presentations; demonstrations fromanimators, storyboard artists and character layout artists; and a silent
Once again, Bill Plympton has updated his appearances page. This month, "I Married a Strange Person" will be appearing in various festivals and other events in Canada, Germany, Finland and Ukraine. "Mondo Plympton" will be screened in the US, Brazil and Germany. Bill will also be attending the events in Canada, Brazil and Germany.
One year old Vancouver-based Mercury Filmworks, a fully equipped digitalanimation facility, has added 3D production to its list of in-houseservices. Currently, the 3D animation department at Mercury is working onthe television series D'MYNA LEAGUES, which has been created and developedby Vancouver-based animation house Studio B, and is slated to air onCanada's CTV/VTV in January 2000. With the addition of the new 3Ddepartment, Mercury is now unique in its ability to take not just a single
The Voice Over Group meets Monday, July 12, and every second Monday of themonth at Monday, July 12, 7 pm in Burbank, California, USA. Contact MJLallo at (818) 980-6576 or Murel Whitaker at (310) 412-2719.
Beginning July 2, star characters from Nickelodeon's popular BLUE'S CLUESand RUGRATS shows, "character breakfasts" featuring Woody Woodpecker,Spiderman, and other world-famous cartoon stars are part of the fun plannedfor kids this summer at Universal Studios Hollywood. "Blue's Clues Live"follows the format of the children's television show. Guided by cluessupplied by "Blue," kids solve puzzles, play games, and sing songs alongwith Blue. "Woody Woodpecker's Clubhouse" features a themed playground
Workout your character voices July 10, and every second Saturday of themonth, at Aliso Creek Productions in Burbank, California, USA. Directed byMJ Lall, voice over actor, coach, and producer, you'll read scripts byWomen In Animation writers, and do voice-to-picture workouts for WIAartists. Voice over artists, writers, and artists are encouraged to attendand participate with samples of their work. Call Aliso Creek to register at(818) 954-9931.
The WIA Writers' Seminar Group meets Thursday, July 8, 7:30 pm at SabanEntertainment, 10960 Wilshire Blvd. at the corner of Midvale in LosAngeles, California, USA. Brian Casentini from Saban Development will beguest speaker. He'll discuss the development process at the Fox FamilyChannel, pitching, and what you should include in a presentation bible.Admission: $5 at the door. RSVP required to Jean Wright at 818-360-8321.
The Walt Disney Company has named four executives to new positions. ETIENNE DE VILLIERS has been named president and managing director, Walt Disney International Europe; MICHAEL O. JOHNSON has been named president and managing director, Walt Disney International Asia; DIEGO LERNER has been named president and managing director, Walt Disney International Latin America; and PAUL SALEH has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer, Walt Disney International.
New York City-based BLACK LOGIC and AFCG have created Cinnaburst gum's"Snowboarder" spot for agency Bates USA. The spot features a bouncing CGcreated piece of gum in a snowboarding environment. Floyd Gillis directedthe CGI for AFCG, Michel Suissa directed the visual effects for BlackLogic, and Geoff McGann directed the spot for Manifesto which combineslive-action with CGI.
The Association of Independent Commercial Producers' (AICP) Eighth AnnualAICP Show, The Art & Technique of the American Television Commercial,debuted at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City on June 9th, and willtour in the United States and internationally until April 2000. The showconsists of about fifty live-action and animated spots. Selections weremade by more than 400 judges throughout the US, as well as a panel composedof members of the industry from advertising agencies, production companies,
