AWN Headline News

Passion Pictures has created a new fully computer generated spot starringWilly Wonka (WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY). Launching Rowntree'snew Wonka Xploder chocolate bar, the :20 spot shows Wonka and his chocolatefactory where teams of robots stir vats of bubbling chocolate, and brightlycolored machines create delicious chocolates. Willy tests his newinvention, the Wonka Xploder, on two boys who are inside a sealed testingroom. The boys are startled when the chocolates explode and the secret

REALVIZ S.A. has announced the availability of its MatchMover softwaresolution for animation and special effects professionals on Microsoft,Windows, NT and GI IRIX platforms. Using MatchMover, computer-generated 3Dimages can be easily integrated with video or film to create SimulatedReality. Using computed 3D coordinates and geometric constraints,MatchMover transforms original live-action footage into an accurate 3Dspace. The transformed 3D live-action space can be precisely matched to 3D

Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis' short film, WHEN THE DAY BREAKS (TheNational Film Board of Canada), won the Palme d'Or at the recentlyconcluded 52nd Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France. Ittook four years for Forbis and Tilby to finish the softly colored,wordless, but musical, story of a pig whose world shifts after a caraccident kills a stranger (a chicken) on her block. Forbis and Tilby beganthe production of "When the Day Breaks" by shooting High-8 video of the

THE PHANTOM MENACE finished first in last week's Memorial Day weekend USboxoffice race, taking in an estimated $64.8 million to bring its total to$204.8 million. Based on this, experts are now predicting that the filmwill eventually pass $400 million in North Amercian receipts. THE MUMMYfinished in third place, taking in $12.7 million, for a total of $117.1million. Newcomer THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR, an effects driven thriller aboutvirtual reality, finished fifth, taking in $4.3 million. THE MATRIX

CAROL MCGOVNEY has been recruited for Vice President, U.S. Licensing &Merchandising by BKN, a US broadcast kids network. McGovney was formerlyDirector of Domestic Licensing & Promotions at the Harvey EntertainmentCompany; Director of Licensing at Leisure Concepts, Inc.; and Senior SalesManager, Licensing & Merchandising for Saban Entertainment.

NADIA NARDONNET has been promoted by BKN to be President of InternationalSales & Coproductions. She will be responsible for managing all staff and

Don Spielvogel, President of VirtualMagic Animation, Inc., and JeffreyHarrison, Chairman/CEO of ImagineAsia Studio, announce the formation ofVirtualMagic ASIA, a new digital ink, paint and compositing service in thePhilippines that will operate as a subsidiary of VirtualMagic Animation,Inc. headquartered in North Hollywood, California. VirtualMagic ASIA is acorporate venture between two animation and digital service studios,VirtualMagic Animation, Inc. and ImagineAsia Studio, of Manila.

On July 6 Kid Rhino and Cartoon Network celebrate tunes from some of thebest-loved cartoon TV shows of this century with CARTOON MEDLEY, acollection of 38 of Cartoon Network's greatest hits. The collectionfeatures themes from JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS, THE FLINTSTONES, SPEED RACER,THE JETSONS, SPACE GHOST COAST-TO-COAST, SCOOBY-DOO WHERE ARE YOU?,DEXTER'S LABORATORY, and the current cult favorite THE POWERPUFF GIRLS.Lyrics are included in the CD booklet. CARTOON MEDLEY will retail for

Nelvana Communications has announced several key personnel changes. STEVEGALLOWAY has been recruited for Vice President of Development for NelvanaCommunications. He comes from Universal Studios/Music Group where he servedfor eight years as Vice President Longform Programming & Production. Hewill be responsible for overseeing the development of Nelvana's newanimated series for television.

DAVID HARLESTON has been named Vice President of Business and Legal Affairsfor Nelvana Communications. He was formerly General Counsel for Carter

The 40th Annual Clios, which are given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the advertising industry, have been announced for 1999. The following list includes only animation related awards. For a complete list of winners, visit www.clioawards.com.

ENTRY TYPE: TELEVISION/CINEMACATEGORY: ANIMATIONCOMPUTER

BRONZE AWARDS: Advertiser/Product/Service: Nature's Resource Title: 'Echinacea'Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, ChicagoProduction Company: Blue Sky/VIFX, Harrison

Jan Nagel has been named Interim President of the non-profit, professional organization Women in Animation. Nagel replaces Women In Animation founder Rita Street until elections are held later this year. Nagel, formerly Vice President of the organization, has worked hand-in-hand with Street since WIA's inception in 1994. "As the Interim President, I will work with everyone in Women in Animation to help nurture the organization through this transition," commented Nagel.

eToys Inc., an Internet retailer of children's products, reports that DarthMaul tops their list of most popular action figure characters. Samuel L.Jackson's Mace Windu, despite limited screen time, is number two. The leastpopular action figure characters at eToys are Senator Palpatine and theNaboo space craft pilot Ric Olie. Hasbro paid $590 million, and gave GeorgeLucas a 7.4% stake in the company, for the licensing rights to STAR WARSEPISODES ONE, TWO, and THREE.

Top Ten Action Figure Characters at eToys