AWN Headline News

Nickelodeon has created its first fellowship program designed to encourage participation from culturally and ethnically diverse new television and film writers. Under the guidance of Nickelodeon production executives, four fellows will get hands-on experience with Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.'s live-action, animated television and feature film divisions for one year. "The fellowship program gives us an opportunity to nurture the talented pool of writers in our industry whose cultural experiences have traditionally remained underrepresented in television and film.

Disney vice chairman Roy Disney has shut down production on the CGI feature WILD LIFE. According to the online magazine INSIDE, Disney decided to bail on the film because it had "an inappropriate adult sensibility" for a Disney animated feature, "sexual innuendo" and a "gay-friendly" tone. Reportedly the film had already eaten through US$20 million, spurring Disney chairman Michael Eisner to request reviews of every project in development.

* Tuesday, November 14 Thursday, November 16, 2000. London, U.K.

Stan Lee Media (SLM) and COPS producer John Langley are teaming to produce a new Webseries entitled, POLICE FORCE 2220. The toon will chronicle the exploits of a trio of elite crimefighters in the 23rd Century. Langley and SLM will co-create and co-own the show. The series will have an initial 13-Webisode run. The duo plans to take the series offline with Langley overseeing the project. The new toon will air on Langleys newly launched portal, Crime.com, and StanLee.net.

TOPIX/Mad Dog has just finished a new Alka-Seltzer ad for the Mexican market. Combining live-action and 3D animation, the 20-second spot, "Termita," features a hungry termite, who cures his upset stomach with Alka-Seltzer. TOPIX/Mad Dogs animation director Richard Rosenman said, "Our priorities were to illustrate the termite eating wood, plastic, becoming ill, and, of course, being cured by a dose of Alka-Seltzer.

Victory Entertainment, an Orlando, Florida-based multimedia production house, has named Michael Jay Solomon to its board of directors. Currently, Solomon is chairman and CEO of MAXX International, a broad-based rights management company. The television veteran has held executive positions at Warner Bros., Telepictures and has launched the television companies Solomon International Enterprises and Solomon Broadcasting International. Michael H.

* Wednesday, November 8 Sunday, November 12, 2000. Ajijic, Mexico.

Barcelona-based Neptuno Films has signed a deal to co-produce, with Planeta 2010, a childrens series entitled PUSS IN BOOTS. Based on the classic tale of Perrault, the story is being adapted by Neptuno director Josep Lluis Viciana. Neptuno also produces THE UGLY DUCKLING, THE THREE BEARS, THE GRAVEDIGGERS SQUAD and BANDOLERO. This production will be the first in what both companies hope to be a long-term co-production relationship.

To blur the lines even more between marketing adult themes to children, the animated characters from SOUTH PARK will be appearing on condoms. Comedy Central has signed a deal with the U.K.-based Licensing Company to provide the faces of Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny and Chef for Condomania prophylactics. The condoms will only be available in the U.K. for about US$20.

London-based rights holder Chorion is launching a new 3D animated childrens series entitled MAKE WAY FOR NODDY. Based on author Enid Blytons books, NODDY follows the Toyland gang as they try to teach children social values and simple life lessons. The NODDY books have sold over 200 million copies in forty languages worldwide. Chorion has commissioned Los Angeles-based SD Entertainment to produce the series, which will combine 2D and 3D animation. SD Entertainment is the animation house formed by former MGM Animation executives Paul Sabella and Jonathan Dern.

Walt Disney is adding BLACK CAULDRON and THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD & MR. TOAD to their Gold Classic Collection. Arriving in stores on October 3, 2000, the CAULDRON DVD will feature the BLACK CAULDRON Mystery Game, the Donald Duck short TRICK OR TREAT, still frame gallery and the original trailer. The ICHABOD & MR. TOAD DVD will include Mr. Toads Wild Ride Game; "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" DVD Storybook featuring music, graphics and animated page turns; a "Merrily On Our Way" sing-along; and the Mickey Mouse short LONESOME GHOSTS.

The newest installment of the SCOOBY-DOO direct-to-video franchise will be coming to DVD. SCOOBY-DOO AND THE ALIEN INVADERS will be released by Warner Home Video on October 3, 2000. ALIEN INVADERS has the Mystery Inc. gang stranded in a desert town crawling with alien invaders. The retail price will be US$19.96 (VHS) and $24.98 (DVD).