Wildform Inc. announced the release of WildPresenter Pro 3.1, a major update to its award-winning multimedia presentation software. The new update includes many of the features most requested by Wildform customers including:
* Full screen mode. WildPresenter output can now automatically scale to play at full screen size in both web browsers and in standalone projector files.
This week in AWN's Forums, moderator Larry L presents the question -- should the U.S. impose a quota system as other countries do on animation produced abroad? Others have begun posting their thoughts on the overseas trailers for RATATOUILLE. There's a debating going on pitting Aardman against DreamWorks. There's a thread on TOY STORY 3 as well as KidScreen Summit. Lots of members need help with various software including Maya 8.0, Flash and Toon Boom.
Nickelodeon has announced the new additions to its lineup at its upfront meetings in New York City.
MAKING FRIENDS is a new Flash series developed from Nickelodeon's TurboNick broadband platform. The series centers on two girls, Charlotte and Vendetta, who are two polar opposites. MAKING FIENDS was created by Amy Winfrey and is based on her popular MAKING FIENDS online films. The network has order six episodes to launch in 2008.
Nickelodeons newest Nicktoon, EL TIGRE: THE ADVENTURES OF MANNY RIVERA, premieres with two back-to-back all-new episodes on Saturday, March 3, 2007, 10:00-11:00 am, then will air regularly on Saturdays at 10:30-11:00 am. Nickelodeons first Flash animated comedy series comes from Mexican-born creators Jorge R. Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua.
The complete list of programs officially selected for Cartoons on the Bay 2007, the international showcase of the year's best productions for television animation, have been announced.
The selection includes 162 programs from 19 countries (13 countries were represented in 2006) and will be on display in the digital video library for artists and professional in the industry, buyers, distributors, multimedia publishers and journalists.
Warner Bros. Pictures has hired writing duo Kiernan and Michele Mulroney (MR. & MRS. SMITH) to script THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA as a live-action feature, according to VARIETY, which would combine some of DC Comics most iconic superheroes. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter are all members of the Justice League.
A 10-minute Flash-animated promotional webisode, UP LATE WITH STEWIE & BRIAN, will stream free on MySpace in a talk show parody Feb. 25, 2007, at 8:00 pm. From the Quahog Community Center, its UP LATE WITH STEWIE & BRIAN, features host Stewie Griffin and his martini-swilling sidekick Brian, an all-star FAMILY GUY band and a special appearance by celebrity guest Rob Corddry, plugging his new FOX comedy series, THE WINNER.
Warner Bros. Animation has begun production on new seasons of four returning series, all for air on Kids' WB! on The CW, the #1 rated Saturday morning kids broadcast slate.
Animatus Studio's Animation Workshop has leapt into the online video with the launch of its winter 2007 student reel online. Featured on YouTube Flash players, the student films can be viewed at animatusstudio.com/workshops/studentwork.html.
The Animation Workshop's spring workshops begin Saturday, March 3, 2007.
Canada-based Comet Ent. has sold its animated WRAPPY, SEX POLICE to MTV Latin America. SEX POLICE will have its premier in the Animatosis block during MTV's "sex month," The show has different timeslots throughout the region.
"Comet is extremely excited to be working with MTV," said Comet ceo Raquel Benitez. "Their projects are innovative, creative and our show, SEX POLICE, which is full of humor and action, will be a perfect fit in their programming. I am sure their audience will love it, we will fill an empty space in the adult animation industry."
Channel Frederator (www.channelfrederator.com), the world's original cartoon podcast, announced the winners of its First Annual Channel Frederator Awards. The awards, which mark the one-year celebration of Channel Frederator's cartoon podcasting, are the first of their kind to honor the films and filmmakers in the rapidly growing category of user submitted and user generated video on the Internet.
Lionsgate (HAPPILY N'EVER AFTER) goes viral this month in a partnership with HABBO to determine the fate of a HABBO animated release. Utilizing this interactive technology, Lionsgate will tap directly into HABBO's extensive online community of teens for feedback. Starting Jan. 15, "Habbos" will be able to view 10 very different animated shorts based on the Habbo World, which will be posted on Habbo.com and local Habbo sites around the world and voted on by the millions of registered users of these sites.
Christine Davis joins Cookie Jar Ent. as the company's newest in-house producer. Based in Cookie Jar's Toronto headquarters, Davis will report to Pamela Slavin, vp production and will be responsible for producing new series for the company's growing original production slate.
A 20-year producing vet, Davis' credits include LITTLE PEOPLE, THE NEWSROOM, THE WRONG COAST, ANNE; JOURNEY TO GREEN GABLES, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, BRUNO and SESAME STORIES.
YIN YANG YO!, has received an order for a second season of 26 half-hours, to air on Jetix, Toon Disney's comedy/action/adventure programming block.
In the second season, Yin and Yang will discover they possess more powers, additional mythology of Woo Foo will be uncovered, some of the old villains will have new motivations and new villains will be added to the landscape.
Sesame Workshop is gearing up for NATPE, where it will have four children's series on display. Located at Booth #1644, Sesame Workshop execs attending the show include Celia Schneiderman, manager, international television distribution and Frances Chu-Fong, manager, international distribution.
UCLA Extension is offering two new courses in animation. "Make It, Move It" is for designers and artists who want to make their art move. UCLA Extension is also offering a new online course that deconstructs 3D opening title sequences, on screens and graphic sequences.
Starting by storyboarding their animation, "Make It, Move It" students design and create a character, animal or object using mixed media and collage.
This week in AWN's Forums, debate has begun on the live-action TRANSFORMERS movie. There's a thread on storyboarding in Flash. Moderator Larry L. shares an article and thoughts about classic animated holiday specials. A member has a question about ink and paint on a PC. Others debate the pros and cons of moving to California. Lots of members debate their thoughts and memories of Joe Barbera. As well as, tools for teaching animation, the business of animation and, as always, brand new stuff to check out in show and tell!
Digital Video released TAB Kids, a software tool that introduces kids to the animation process.
Based on Toonz technology, TAB kids allows kids to create a cartoon using a user- friendly interface based on graphical elements instead of menus and commands. Any task can be performed by simply operating on icons and buttons that are self-explanatory, and by following simple steps that come from the professional production workflow. Features include:
FlickerLab, the New York-based design and animation studio, has created a pair of humorous, line-drawn, animated commercials for Frangelico, the distinctive premium hazelnut liqueur, and its distributor Osborne (Spain). Conceived by agency TBWAMadrid (Madrid, Spain), the two branding spots, the :30 "Comida empresa" and the :10 "Con Frangelico, nunca se sabe" will begin airing throughout Spain, on television and on the Internet, in mid-December.
Preparations for fmx/07, the 12th International conference on Animation, Effects, Realtime and Content, has a new advisory board, and The Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart will once again host the international digital community from May 1-4, 2007.
The website has been updated and companies are welcome to participate in fmx/forum, fmx/workshops or fmx/recruiting. You can receive a special offer until Dec. 31.
Joining the fmx/07 team are:
This week in AWN's Forums, members continue to address the myth that to succeed in animation one has to move to California. Another member is looking for good human anatomy books. There's a thread on good documentaries about animation. There's a question about storyboarding in Flash. Others are talking about character animation in Beijing. A member needs some help with a line test. And there's buzz forming about which film will win the Best Animated Film prize at the Golden Globes.
Kids 4 Truth has releases its latest "Dynamation" (dynamic animation) titled, LIFE OF CHRIST. Each "Dynamation" blends music, artwork, narration and scripture to present a Christian message. LIFE OF CHRIST tells a three-minute version of Christ's life, using Flash animation. The short can be views at www.kids4truth.com/gospel.
The latest Acrobat edition of Animation World Magazine is now online. Download your copy today while its still available for free. This issue we cover many topical subjects surrounding television. John Cawley looks at how, in a matter of a few years, TV animation production has moved to rely on Flash more and more as a cost alternative. Cawley also charts the changing landscape of Saturday morning animation programming in the U.S., which used to be the primetime for toons on TV.
CamTrack Animation ContestWorld Wide WebJan. 5, 2007Deadline: Dec. 31, 2006
DigitalPeers (www.digitalpeers.com), an industry-leading developer of video chat applications, has announced a Flash animation contest for CamTrack with $1,250 in prizes for winning animations. CamTrack is webcam add-on software that allows users to personalize their appearance in video chat environments with Flash animations that are overlaid on the webcam video.
Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film 2007Stuttgart, GermanyApril 26 - May 1, 2007Deadline: Dec. 1, 2006
