Dreamworks

Mrs. Doubtfire Scribe To Pen DreamWorks Toon

MRS. DOUBTFIRE-writer Leslie Dixon has signed a US$1.5 million deal to pen the newest DreamWorks animated feature. The working title is CHAKULAN and is based on the fact that male Bengal tigers have a biological animosity toward female tigers and their cubs. The premise came from DreamWorks execs, whom recommended Dixon because she is well known for her witty banter. No producers have been asigned to the project yet, but Lance Young, DreamWorks animation development head, is overseeing the project currently.

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Imax Headline News

DreamWorks´ Shrek Shines On Imax

Imax Corp. has struck a deal that will bring DreamWorks and PDIs newest 3D animated feature SHREK to the giant screen. Opening December 2001, six months after its initial theatrical release, the ogre odyssey will arrive in Imaxs 150 digital 3D theatres. Imax will foot the US$10 million bill to transfer the two-dimensional cartoon to eye-popping 3D. SHREK follows the misadventures of an annoyed ogre and his new frustratingly friendly fairy-tale neighbors.

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Film ANIMATIONWorld

Aardman's First Feature Egg-stravaganza!

Watch out Feathers McGraw! Aardmans got a whole new flock. Andrew Osmond visits Aardman Animations as they put the final touches on Chicken Run, the studios first feature film.

In Production, AWN Profiles | ANIMATIONWorld

Dreamworks Headline News

DreamWorks Rides W/ Max Howard

Veteran animation producer and executive Max Howard has finalized a first-look production deal with DreamWorks. Launching his new production company, Melwood Pictures, Howard will be developing both live-action and animated features. Therefore, he will be stepping down as producer on DreamWorks Pictures' upcoming animated release SPIRIT, STALLION OF THE CIMARRON. Howard came to DreamWorks from Warner Bros. where he served as president of feature animation. During his tenure, the studio produced the award-winning animated feature THE IRON GIANT, as well as QUEST FOR CAMELOT and SPACE JAM.

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Dreamworks Headline News

Chicken Run Web site Deal

DreamWorks allowed Reel.com to design and host the Web site for its upcoming stop-motion feature CHICKEN RUN. Launched April 3, 2000, www.reel.com/chickenrun contains the movie trailer, screensavers and downloadable "desktop adventures" created by ToggleThis, which created the successful Virgin Atlantic/Austin Powers Web toons of last summer. DreamWorks has recently licensed out its official Web sites for AMERICAN BEAUTY and GALAXY QUEST to Amazon.com. Reel.com is an e-commerce site that sells videos and DVDs.

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Film ANIMATIONWorld

El Dorado: The Old World Meets the New in Tradigital Animation

DreamWorks SKG is seeking box-office gold with their new film, The Road to El Dorado. J. Paul Peszko goes behind the scenes to reveal a new production process, a new type of artist and why this film might just reach the promised land.

In Production, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld

Interactive Headline News

EA Acquires DreamWorks Interactive

Electronic Arts, one of the world's largest interactive entertainment

software companies, announced the acquisition of multimedia developer

DreamWorks Interactive, LLC. In terms of the deal, DreamWorks Interactive

will become a complete subsidiary of Electronic Arts. Financial terms were

not disclosed. Formed in March 1995 as a joint venture between Microsoft

and DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks Interactive has produced such PlayStation

titles as LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK and MEDAL OF HONOR. Steven Spielberg,

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Dreamworks Headline News

DreamWorks Acquires Pacific Data Images

Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, officially announced on

February 9, 2000 that his company has acquired the majority of interest,

approximately 80%, in Pacific Data Images (PDI). As reported [AF 2/8/00],

this deal comes on the heals of PDI founder and Chairman, Carl Rosendahl's

departure from the company to pursue "other creative interests." However,

Rosendahl will remains as a consultant for the newly named company,

PDI/DreamWorks. Katzenberg said that Palo Alto-based business will remain a

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Dreamworks Headline News

Chairman Rosendahl Leaves PDI

On February 4, CARL ROSENDAHL, founder and chairman of Pacific Data Images,

announced to his staff that he is exiting PDI after 20 years "to pursue

other interests." Rosendahl's remaining stake in the visual effects house

has been acquired by DreamWorks. Previously owning 40% of the Palo Alto,

California-based facility, DreamWorks now commands 80% of the company. More

details are soon to be announced.

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Animation ANIMATIONWorld

The Genuine Aardicle

The most famous stop motion studio in the world -- Aardman Animations -- is poised and ready for even greater success. Wendy Jackson Hall reports.

In AWN Profiles, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld

DREAMWORKS brings NATHAN NEVER to the screen

DreamWorks has obtained the screen rights to Nathan Never, a comic published in Italy by Bonelli Editore and imported by Platinum Studios. The story focuses around Nathan Never, a 21st Century Dirty Harry, who, in the wake of a terrible crime, is charged to protect the lone witness. The comic was acquired by DW's Walter Parkes and Glenn Williamson. The pic will be produced by Platinum chairman Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, co-produced by Platinum pres Ervin Rustemagic and senior VP Gregory Noveck. Parkes and Rosenberg teamed up together on MEN IN BLACK.

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Animation Headline News

Aardman signs four picture deal with DreamWorks

DreamWorks SKG, the company behind THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, and distributor ofPDI's ANTZ, has expressed their pleasure with Bristol, England-basedAardman Animations' forthcoming CHICKEN RUN by signing the Peter Lord/DavidSproxton/Nick Park company to a four feature deal. DreamWorks isdistributing the clay animated CHICKEN RUN, set to be released June 23,2000, in the US. CHICKEN RUN, which is described as THE GREAT ESCAPE withchickens, is being co-directed by Peter Lord (ADAM, WAT'S PIG) and Nick

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Dreamworks Headline News

DreamWorks sponsors chariot race on Hollywood Boulevard

DreamWorks Home Entertainment is hosting a chariot race on Tuesday,September 14 at 7:50-9 am to celebrate the release of DreamWorks' 1998animated feature THE PRINCE OF EGYPT on home video and DVD. In the race,which will be known as the Pharaoh's Cup Championship, Egyptian chariotswill race through two blocks of Hollywood Boulevard, between Cherokee andMcCadden, in Hollywood, California as part of an effort to raise donationsfor The Eastside Boys and Girls' Club of America, Children's Action

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Dreamworks Headline News

DreamWorks pulls out of studio deal

DreamWorks SKG, the Hollywood film studio co-founded in 1994 by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen, pulled out of a deal to build a new $250 million studio on July 1, 1999 because it could not reach a financing agreement. DreamWorks said it was unable to reach a financing deal that "makes good business sense." The closely held company also cited rising construction costs and tougher financing terms due to the rebound in the Los Angeles real estate market. Last year DreamWorks signed a deal with developer Playa Capital Co.

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Dreamworks Headline News

Gerry Lewis takes on new role at DreamWorks

Gerry Lewis, currently the co-head of international distribution andmarketing for DreamWorks, will retire from that post in September 1999 toplay a new role for the company, it was announced today by DreamWorksprincipal Jeffrey Katzenberg. Lewis has entered into a three-yearagreement, under which he will consult on the international marketingactivities of all films directed by Steven Spielberg (for DreamWorks andother studios), as well as any sequels to or other versions of projects

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Dreamworks Headline News

Slow weekend at the box office

This year's final and quite possibly, most anticipated, animated feature, DreamWorks' "The Prince of Egypt" debuted this past weekend at number two with a respectable but not stellar $14.5M. While DreamWorks reps blame the impeachment proceedings, the White House affair didn't seem to have much effect on the strong $18.4M number one opening for the live-action Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan film, "You've Got Mail." It is too early to make any guesses on the success of DreamWorks' 'Prince' and the next few holiday weeks will be integral in determining the film's profitability.

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Dreamworks Headline News

PDI and Dreamworks announce their third film, “Tusker”

Coming off their successful animated feature, Antz, Pacific Data Images (PDI) and DreamWorks have announced that their next collaboration will be Tusker, directed by Tim Johnson (co-director of Antz) and Brad Lewis (producer of Antz). The film will be PDI/DreamWorks third project and will follow the release of Shrek, which is currently in production. Tusker follows a herd of elephants as they make a perilous trek across Southeast Asia confronting numerous dangers including a malevolent group of poachers.

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Dreamworks Headline News

DreamWorks is having a picnic; “Antz II” marching on

DreamWorks animated feature film, Antz has grossed over $36 million in the past 10 days since its U.S. theatrical release, topping two weeks box office charts. Reeling from this success, DreamWorks is developing a direct-to-video sequel to Antz. The film would, like its predecessor, be produced by computer animation studio Pacific Data Images (PDI). It is also being considered for theatrical release. Either way, a studio spokesperson confirmed that if the production is green lit, it would be 18-24 months before its release.

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Animation Headline News

Sito joins Warner Bros.

TOM SITO has left his post as head of story at DreamWorks Feature Animation, entering a one-year development deal with WARNER BROS. FEATURE ANIMATION. At Warner Bros. he will join development on the animated feature, Osmosis Jones, which sources say will be directed by Sito if the film is green-lit. As president of the Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists Union (M.P.S.C.) Local 839 and vice president of ASIFA-Hollywood, Sito is an influential force in the animation industry.

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Film ANIMATIONWorld

Antz: The First Biggie from DreamWorks

DreamWorks Pictures and PDI bring this much-awaited CG wonder to screens this month. Jerry Beck reviews what is hoped to be another animated blockbuster.

In Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld

Dreamworks Headline News

"Antz" Arrivez

DreamWorks Pictures and Pacific Data Images' computer-animated feature film, "Antz" opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, October 2. The film's 78 minutes of animation (112,320 frames) took two and a half years and a staff of over 200 people to produce. Character voices featured in the film include Woody Allen, Dan Akroyd, Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone and Christopher Walken.

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