Headbone Interactive has signed two deals to deliver animated series to cable outlets Discovery Channel and Fox Family Channel. HUGO TAKES A DETOUR is a series of one-minute interstitials that will start airing on the Discovery Channel in spring '99. Not only is this Headbone's first foray into animated programming for television but it is also the first animated program to air on the Discovery Channel.
One of the largest motion capture studios in the world, hOuse of mOves (HOM), has moved to a larger facility in Marina del Rey, California, situated near Los Angeles International Airport. The larger space includes a 3,500-square foot stage with a 24-foot ceiling, along with an additional 3,500 sq. ft. of space for executive offices and conference rooms. HOM has also upgraded their motion capture hardware to include a new system with 12 cameras capturing at anywhere from 60-240 frames per second.
* Monday, March 15 - Friday, March 19. San Jose, California, USA.
Digital ink, paint and compositing house VIRTUALMAGIC ANIMATION has hired CHRISIE RUSSELL as Production Manager and promoted Ryan Robertson to the same position. Russell joins VirtualMagic from Warner Bros. Feature Animation where she was Assistant Production Manager on their last three features, THE IRON GIANT, SPACE JAM and THE QUEST FOR CAMELOT. Ryan Roberston, previously the production manager and art editor of the bi-monthly magazine HOT LAVA, joined VirtualMagic in 1997 as an Administrative Assistant.
April 15 is the deadline to send in animation scripts for the 1999 Humanitas Prize recognizing "humanizing achievement in television and feature film writing." A $10,000 prize is given to the writer whose children's animation script most fully communicates human values. This year, the Children's Animation category now includes both non-primetime and primetime shows. Engraved trophies are also awarded to the winning shows producer, director, story editor, production company and network.
* Wednesday, March 10 - Sunday, March 14. Tampere, Finland.
The 29th Tampere International Short Film Festival features competitive screenings of over 80 short films from around the world. The special screenings include retrospectives of Frédéric Back and Pat O'Neill, a look at Russian animation in the '90s and screenings of five children's films such as Lotte Reiniger's 1926 film Adventures of Prince Achmed and the Iranian puppet animation film, Basaaritarinoita. For ticket information direct your browser to http://www.tampere.fi/festival/film/index2.htm.
Commercial director and graphic designer JAY VIGON has joined 3D animation and effects company RHYTHM & HUES STUDIOS. His most recent projects in the broadcast video graphics arena include spots for Ericcson Cellular, Miro's Wearever line of pots and pans, Deloitte Consulting and Janus Mutual Funds. His long history of work in the graphics field ranges from designing the logo for Gotcha Surf Wear and the third STAR WARS film, RETURN OF THE JEDI, as well as authoring two books on logo development and design: MARKS I and MARKS II.
Computer Animation Instructors needed at the Art Institute of Atlanta...
An ASSISTANT DIRECTOR is needed at Ubi Soft, a leading producer of video games, interactive entertainment software andmultimedia applications...
This week's comic is about the true dangers of a sex change operation...
Take a tour of Italy where you will draw the sights and recieve personalinstruction from world class life drawing master Glenn Vilppu! Participantswill also be among the first to receive Glenn Vilppu's newest book, "TheVilppu Sketching On Tour Manual," which is currently in developement anddesigned specifically for the trip. Participants will go to places wheremost tourists never dream of going! When traveling through major cities,Vilppu will lecture on the local art. Everyone is promised a lot of
Featured in the Animation World Store this week: Cartoon Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Thorson...
ANIMATOR - Canadian animator position open at major entertainment studio. Must reside in Canada. Please fax resume with cover letter to (602)423-8595, attn: Nella. Must be prepared to send demo tape if requested.
"ROCKWELL" ILLUSTRATOR - Illustrator with "Norman Rockwell" typeillustrations and talent needed for large entertainment company. Preferartist to reside in California, but not necessary. Please fax resume withcover letter to (602) 423-8595, attn: Nella.
The Hollywood Film Festival is currently accepting entries for its third annual festival at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, August 4-9, 1999. Both short and long-form animated films are being accepted for the animation category. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 1999 with an entry fee of U.S. $50 per film. For entry forms and additional details visit www.hollywoodfestival.com or call (310) 288-1882.
The Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF) is now accepting entries for its 16th annual festival, which will take place at Facets Multimedias theaters, October 14-24, 1999. The CICFF is the largest competitive festival of children's films and videos in North America, with screenings of over 150 films and videos created for children ages 6-13. The competition includes six animation categories for feature, short and kid-produced films and videos. The deadline for submissions is May 28 with entry fees ranging from U.S.$35 to $75 depending upon length.
The Kids' WB! has announced two new shows for their 1999-2000 fall lineup. The first is ON THE ROPES, a live-action high school wrestling series, from the producing/directing team of Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins (KENAN & KEL, ALL THAT, VARSITY BLUES). The second freshman show, DETENTION, is an animated entry from Warner Bros. Television Animation, a comedy about eight mismatched preteens who regularly end up in afterschool detention.
London-based Pearson launched their independent theatrical animated feature, A MONKEY'S TALE, at the American Film Market which ended last week in Santa Monica, California. The film, which is Pearson's first foray into the theatrical feature arena, is directed by Jean-Francois Laguionie. The $14 million family entry features the voice talents of John Hurt, Michael York, Rik Mayall and Michael Gambon, as well as the hit Irish group BOYZONE, who performs the end title song. The film took nearly eight years to complete and utilized the talents of 400 animators.
Steve Oedekerk has stepped down as the director of Warner Bros. big-budgeted live-action/animated remake of THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET after months of bickering between him and the studio. The script is currently being reworked by MULAN writer Rita Hsaio. Jim Carrey, the film's lead, will wait to see the new script before making any decisions on his involvement with the film. The film is being produced by Barry Levinson, Paula Weinstein and Bill Gerber.
SIGGRAPH 99, taking place in Los Angeles from August 8-12, is currently accepting entries for the Computer Animation Festival. The selected films and videos will appear in either the daily screening room, the Electronic Theater or in other special events. Entries can be sent in many areas including animation, entertainment, special effects, visualization, research and technique, education, architecture, art, music, dance, non-narrative and experimental works, commercial productions and student-produced works. Film submissions must be received by April 7, 1999.
The highly anticipated DISNEY'S MICKEY MOUSEWORKS will join the ABC Saturday morning children's lineup on May 1, 1999 at 12:00 noon (ET/PT). The new half-hour series features cartoons of varying lengths (12, 7-1/2, 6, and 1-1/2 minutes) featuring Disney's classic stable of stars such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Minnie Mouse.
Adobe Systems has began shipping Adobe After Effects 4.0, the latest version of the software tool for motion graphics designers and visual effects artists. Highlighting this release is tighter integration with other Adobe applications (e.g. Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator).
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has formed a new division (unnamed as of publication) to develop character-based entertainment primarily targeted to the kids market in live action, CGI, cel animation and other media. This is in addition to the family films, which will continue to be developed and produced by Columbia Pictures. Sander Schwartz has been named president of this new entertainment group, in addition to his current responsibilities as head of SPE's Columbia TriStar Television Children's Programming, which will fold into this new division.
Imax Corp. has agreed to make a strategic investment in Vancouver-based Mainframe Entertainment, producers of the 3D computer-animated REBOOT and BEAST WARS. The company will invest CAN$16 million (U.S.$10.6 million) into Mainframe to acquire an equity and convertible senior debt, giving Imax an approximate 30% stake in the company. As part of the deal, Imax and Mainframe will co-produce 3D animated films for release in IMAX theaters and other markets. Their first collaboration, GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, is expected to be released to IMAX theaters by summer 2001.
In a move to consolidate, DreamWorks Television Animation has closed down, and the direct-to-video unit has merged with the feature division. A DreamWorks spokeswoman stated, "We are currently reorganizing our animation divisions so we are all operating under one umbrella. While we have decided not to continue pursuing television animation opportunities at this time, we are continuing to develop and produce animation for both feature films and direct-to-video." The TV division, spearheaded by Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, opened shop in 1996 headed by Gary Krisel and David Simon.
Disney/Pixar's A BUG'S LIFE has passed $150 million in the overseas box office and $310 million worldwide making it the 11th highest-grossing animated feature of all time. The top ten spots are all held by Disney films. The film has been released in 26 countries so far and has been in the top ten consistently in most countries including Germany ($15 million), Italy ($5.5 million), Spain ($10.2 million), Sweden ($3.5 million), and Taiwan ($3 million). In the United Kingdom, the film set a new record for the highest animated opening, and the eighth largest opening ever.
