AWN Headline News

On July 20, 2000, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences released its primetime Emmy nominations with FAMILY GUY receiving two nods, more than any other animated series. Edgy humor has long hampered GUY. Yet, the Academy looked past all the turmoil and gave the series nominations for outstanding animated program for one hour or less for the "Road to Rhode Island" episode and an outstanding music and lyrics nomination for the song "We Only Live To Kiss Your Ass" from composer Ron Jones and lyricist Chris Sheridan.

Composer and sound designer Andy Bloch tuned in the newest KeyCorp commercial for JSM. The 30-second spot, "Airplane," features special effects by Digital Domain and highlights KeyCorps retirement planning services. The airy tune follows the flight of a paper airplane on its journey from a New York office building to a sunny beach, where a man unfolds the plane and reads the message, "Im on my way!" Andy Bloch said of the project, "The picture demanded a lyrical approach, a feeling of lightness since we are following the flight of a paper airplane.

Alex Zamm has been brought on to help William Robertson rewrite the direct-to-video sequel to Disneys INSPECTOR GADGET. Most likely Zamm will helm the $10 million redux with Disney-based Fountain Prods. Charles Hirschhorn and Peter Green developing the project. Disney senior VP Gregg Hoffman is overseeing the film for the studio. Casting has not begun, but with such a slim budget the likeliness that the stars of the original like Matthew Broderick will not return.

Walt Disney will be releasing a sing along version of Walt Disney's Academy Award-winning classic MARY POPPINS. At Disneys El Capitan in Hollywood, a restored 35mm Dolby Stereo print of the classic 1964 film will feature on-screen lyrics of all the songs so that audiences can join in. Like a family-friendly ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW screening, moviegoers are encouraged to dress as their favorite character from the film. Prizes for best costume will be awarded at each show.

Eyeball finished a series of two-minute promos for USA Network. Creative director and art director Jory Hull created a slick style for the project that showcases USA Networks fall line-up of original movies, first-run Hollywood features, sporting events and USAs demographics. Eyeball created the design elements that linked the footage provided by USA. The promos were used as a visual representative of USA Networks for media buyers in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Shur said, "This was somewhat of a departure for USA Networks.

J.J. Sedelmaier Productions brings the green world of Pete the Gardner to life again for Ortho. The spot entitled, "Bookworm Pete," starts off with Pete reading a book about the hungry hordes of bugs nibbling on his lawn. Finally, in frustration Pete throws down the book and grabs Orthos Bug-B-Gon. "The concept underwent some development during production," said director J.J. Sedelmaier. "The client wanted the bugs to appear more threatening than they did in the initial boards.

* Monday, October 30 Friday, November 3, 2000. Bourg-en-Bresse, France.

Entry Deadline: August 25, 2000.

The British Film Office has appointed visual effects veteran Meg Guidon as their visual effects marketing executive. The newly created position was created to increase the visibility of U.K. F/X houses with U.S. production companies. The hope is to bring more high-profile work to the U.K. like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 and GLADIATOR, both of which were done in London. Guidon will be based out of the British Film Office at the Consulate General in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Previously Guidon worked at some of the UK's leading visual effects firms including Cinesite and Mill Film.

* Saturday, August 5, 2000. Cupertino, California, U.S.A.

* Thursday, July 20 Sunday, July 23, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Honkworm International has named veteran producer Rhonda Moore as creative director. Moore will head the development and production of new Honkworm series and reviewing properties for potential acquisition. In 1994, Moore was part of the team that designed and implemented the multimedia site "Megadeath, Arizona" for the band Megadeath and Capital Records, as well as Web sites for the L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Kings and the House of Blues. In 1994, she also served as associate producer for the House of Blues Foundation's landmark Webcast of the star-studded "I Have A Dream Day" tribute to Dr.

AtomFilms has signed a deal with Paramount Television Group, Paramount Digital Entertainment and Claude Brooks' C To The B Productions to produce a new Web series entitled FORTY AND SHORTY. The deal will see 26 initial 2-3 minute Webisodes, airing every Wednesday starting July 26, 2000. FORTY AND SHORTY chronicles two 13-year-old misfit friends, one black, one white, who live across the street from each other - one in the ghetto, the other in a trailer park. The show is created by Claude Brooks and Rick Gomez.