Animated

Katz Gets New Animated Pilot

Fox has optioned a new animated pilot from DR. KATZ creators Jonathan Katz and Tom Snyder of Soup to Nuts in conjunction of Touchstone Television, reported DAILY VARIETY. The untitled comedy will be written by Katz and Snyder with Touchstones Nina Wass and Gene Stein serving as exec producers. This comes on the heels of Fox commissioning another animated pilot from the FAMLY GUYS team of Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, titled AMERICAN DAD. Fox has also put out an open call for concepts from artists in its Pitch-a-Thon contest.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animated Headline News

Sarbakan Produces Mystery of the Batwoman Web Game

Sarbakan has announced the completion of a new Flash-animated BATMAN Web game. The online adventure will coincide with the release of the new animated direct-to-DVD feature, BATMAN: MYSTERY OF THE BATWOMAN. The realtime action title was produced for Warner Bros. Online. The 2D interactive animated game will go live at www.wbonline.com in November.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Films Headline News

Stuttgart Wants Your Films!

12th Stuttgart International Festival of Animated FilmStuttgart, GermanyApril 1-6, 2004Deadline: December 1, 2003

In Call for Entries, Call for Entries | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Macfarlane Headline News

MacFarlane Goes For Two Series At FOX

FOX Broadcasting gave Matt Groening two tries at animated series and was amply rewarded with THE SIMPSONS and FUTURAMA. Now Seth MacFarlane, creator of FAMILY GUY, which aired on FOX for three seasons, is creating a pilot sitcom tentatively titled, AMERICAN DAD, according to VARIETY. If greenlit, the series could launch in fall 2004.

MacFarlane plans to provide several voices on AMERICAN DAD, as he did on FAMILY GUY. Helping him create, write and exec produce the pilot are FAMILY GUY veteran writers Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman.

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Animation Headline News

Enter Your Toons in Cartoombria 2003!

Cartoombria 2003 - New Animated Images International ExhibitionPerugia, ItalyDecember 4 6, 2003Deadline: October 31, 2003.

In Anime, Call for Entries, Flash, Anime, Call for Entries, Flash | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Special Headline News

Animation History Special to Air on Bravo

Sit back and get ready for 100 years of animation history in Bravos special THE ANIMATED CENTURY. Hosted by animated teacher Professor Elderberry and his student Horace, the show presents clips from the most important animated films of all time. The special delves into all forms of animation from cel to puppet to sand. Included in the special are works from Emile Reynaud, Winsor McCay, the Fleischer Bros., Walt Disney, Chuck Jones, Bob Clampett, Jiri Trnka, Raoul Servais, Yuri Norstein and many more.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Films Headline News

Telluride Screens Three Animated Films

Considered one of the most difficult festivals to get into, the 30th edition of the Telluride Film Festival took place on August 29 September 1, 2003. Unlike the redheaded stepchild treatment that animated films get at other live-action focused festivals, the non-competitive Telluride gave three lucky animated entrees the same worthy reception that other more high profile live-action films received.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Effects Headline News

Bauhaus Releases Pre-Release Version of Mirage

Bauhaus Software Inc. has announced the launch of its flagship product, Mirage, a unified environment for creating animated graphics and special effects. Mirage seamlessly integrates realtime video paint, animation and effects functionalities into a single product. Designed for projects of any resolution, ranging from HDTV and film to web video, Mirage provides a common sense, powerful alternative to expensive proprietary solutions and complex software workflows. Mirage is based on technology formerly distributed as NewTek's Aura Video Paint.

In Anime, Technology, Anime, Technology | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animated Headline News

Taylor Flashes Pink Panther for MGM

Adam Taylor, partner and creative director for Topanga, California-based Taylor Entertainment Group LLC recently completed three new PINK PANTHER animated promotional shorts for MGM Studios. Animated in Flash, these 90-second shorts promote PINK PANTHERs worldwide consumer products and licensing business. Adam animated, storyboarded and directed these special edition promos.

In Commercials, Flash, Commercials, Flash | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animated Headline News

Paradise Financial Group Launches New Toon Firm

Paradise Financial Group has launched a new animated production firm called Paradise Family Pictures LLC. The El Segundo, California-based company will produce animated 3D TV and feature film projects for the worldwide market. The new company will have three divisions: development, production and marketing. An international sales division will launch in May 2004. The toon house is in production on two 22-minute shows, COOL CAT ROCKY and IT'S A VERY MERRY JOLLY CHRISTMAS. Both projects will be completed early 2004.

In Business, Flash, Business, Flash | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Film ANIMATIONWorld

Animated Encounters 2003

Andrew Osmond struggles from the crowds to report on Bristol's fourth Animated Encounters festival, with guest appearances from Ray Harryhausen and Bob Godfrey.

In ANIMATIONWorld

Animated Events

French Animation Shorts Screening

Begins: July 16, 2003

In Association with ASIFA-Hollywood, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Animated Film Centre (Cica) in collaboration with Association of French Animated Cinema (AFCA) are presenting two screenings back-to-back of French animated cinema, at 7:30 pm. The first program will include such films as Philippe Arc's TORO DE NUIT, Francois P. Guillou's ZOB DE MOOR, Federico Vit's GUANO, Isabelle Faivre's DU ZERO DES ARENES, Guillaume Casset's LA VACHE QUI VOULAIT SAUTER PAR-DESSUS L'

In Event Types: Screenings, Animation, Short Films

Series Headline News

AMC Gets Off on New Animated Foot with Wrong Coast Series

AMC has committed to its first original animated series, THE WRONG COAST, which lampoons the world of celebrity entertainment news shows. Set to debut December 3, 2003 at 10:00 pm on the cablenet, the show promises to make the surreal world of celebrity news even more absurd with stop-motion animation by Toronto-based Cuppa Coffee (www.cuppascoffee.com) and edgy comedy writers, including head writer Glenn Eichler of BEAVIS & BUTT-HEAD and DARIA, as well as A.D. Miles of GIRL GO BOOM.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Free Headline News

First 20 Readers Get Free Passes to French Animation Screening

The American Cinematheque is offering AWN readers free passes to the French Animation Shorts screening at the Egyptain Theater on July 16, 2003. The first 20 people to e-mail GWEN@americancinematheque.com will receive free admission.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Animated Events

Animated 'Worlds'

Begins: July 10, 2003

What do we mean by the term

In Event Types: Conferences, Animation, Special Effects

Cartoon Network Presents Its Worst Foot Forward In Bloopers Special

Does an animated star like Johnny Bravo flub a line? What happens when an anvil does not fall the right way? Cartoon Network digs through the archives of animated outtakes for a one-hour special that delivers some goofy goof-ups during CARTOON NETWORK BLOOPERS AND OTHER EMBARRASSING MOMENTS, airing Friday, June 6, 2003 at 7:00 pm (ET/PT). We're not talking bad paint jobs and characters floating off their baseline, but hilarious mess-ups like live-action pros do. Tom Kinney, the animated voice of SpongeBob SquarePants and The Mayor in THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, hosts the special. Included will be the funniest blown lines, a cavalcade of mishaps starring Wile E. Coyote and shots to the groin. Among the stars contributing outtakes are Ed, Edd and Eddy, The Flintstones, Samurai Jack, Foghorn Leghorn and The Jetsons. For more on Cartoon Networking programming go to CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).

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Film Headline News

Animated Asterix Film To Be Europe Most Expensive Production

Based on the popular comic strip, ASTERIX AND THE VIKINGS will boast a $25 million budget, making it the most expensive European animated feature in history, reported THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The film is an adaptation of a 1967 album, which has Vikings kidnapping little warrior Asterix, so they can learn fear, thus gaining the power to fly. The film will be completely financed by French firm M6 and Denmark's Stefan Fjeldmark (HELP, I'M A FISH) will helm the 75-minute film. Fjeldmark also co-wrote the script with Belgian Jean-Luc Goossens.

In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Animated Headline News

Call For Entries! San Diego Asian Film Festival 2003

Call for Entries ANIMATED SHORTS for SDAFF2003(San Diego Asian Film Festival 2003)

In Call for Entries, Flash, Call for Entries, Flash | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Headline News

George Lucas Starts Animation Unit

George Lucas has divided his empire in Point Richmond, California into a new animation division to focus on the creation of digitally animated feature films reportedly due to his frustration over studio-controlled animated projects that have fallen through over the past six years. Lucas-film Animation will be given its own identity and autonomy to develop and generate full-length CG cartoons.

In Business, Business | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America

Animation Headline News

Rugrats & Teacher's Pet Take Top Daytime Animation Emmys

RUGRATS and DISNEY'S TEACHER'S PET were the big animation winners at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' 30th Annual Creative Arts Daytime Emmy Awards, presented during simultaneous ceremonies held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York and the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles, May 10, 2003. RUGRATS from Klasky Csupo won for Outstanding Children's Animated Program while DISNEY'S TEACHER'S PET from Disney TV Animation won for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. Gregory Hines won the Emmy as the voice of Big Bill in LITTLE BILL.

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Events Events

Animated Encounters 2003

Begins: May 9, 2003

British grandmasters of animation Ray Harryhausen, Oliver Postgate and Bob Godfrey are set to share the stage at the fourth annual Animated Encounters at the Watershed Media Center in Bristol, England May 9-10, 2003. Last year more than 5,000 attended the festival offering a mix of international and U.K. premieres, industry seminars and events. The audience will vote for their favorite film that will then become a nominee for the European Cartoon D'Or film award at Annecy. More than 50 films will be screened in addition to all five BAFTA nominees in the short animation category.

In Event Types: Competitive Festivals, Animation, Features, New Media, Visual Effects

Show Events

ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD to Screen Groundbreaking 1956 Animated TV Series

Begins: April 26, 2003

Direct from the hit screening room at the 2002 Ottawa Animation Festival, ASIFA-Hollywood will be presenting the 1956 TV series THE BOING BOING SHOW at the American Film Institute in the Ted Ashley Screening Room on Saturday, April 26, 2003 at 3 pm. The event will be hosted by ANIMATION BLAST Webzine editor Amid Amidi, and include special guest Fred Crippen, animator of MR. MAGOO and GERALD MCBOING BOING.

In Event Types: Screenings, Animation

Festival Events

Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema (WFAC)

Begins: April 23, 2003

The Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema is an annual film festival founded to promote appreciation for animation as a viable medium for sophisticated, cinematic storytelling, and to review, celebrate and enjoy animated feature films as works of art.

The Festival is currently non-competitive, but Festival viewers vote for and appoint a "People's Choice" for their favourite film.

In Event Types: Non-competitive Festivals, Animation

Interactive Headline News

GE Gets Blitzed

General Electric is known for being on the conservative side, so it must have done some serious thinking when it recently chose how best to re-brand itself. It chose Blitz Digital Studios (www.blitzDS.com) for its online re-branding, using the well-known interactive marketing agency to bring fun and clarity to staid GE product areas such as aircraft engines, resin plastics and wind power. Blitz, undaunted, came up with lively animated interactive games for these areas, which can be seen at http://geimaginationatwork.com.

In Interactive, Games, Interactive | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Sofitimage Puts More In New SOFTIMAGE|BEHAVIOR v.1.1

Montreal-based Sofitimage, a subsidiary of Avid Technology, is beta testing its next version of its animation tool, SOFTIMAGE|BEHAVIOR v.1.1, and demoing it at NAB 2003 in Las Vegas. The tool is used primarily to create intelligent characters and realistic 3D animated crowds that behave in a natural and believable way. The new version, scheduled for release in June 2003, features support for Linux and many enhancements to the API, making integration with a wide variety of 3D production pipelines easier.

In Technology, Technology | Headline News | Geographic Region: All