AWN Headline News

SensAble Technologies announced the release of version 3 of their FreeForm modeling system. The new release expands on the previous version's shape creation capabilities while maintaining the fundamental FreeForm touch advantage. When combined with the FreeForm system's unique ability to create complex blends and highly sculpted details, the result is a very powerful modeling solution. The new version also features new surface creation tools, which make the transition downstream to production easier then ever before.

Nickelodeon has ordered 26 additional episodes of their popular new preschool show DORA THE EXPLORER. The English/Spanish toon broke Nick Jr. debut records in August and has averaged 1.1 million viewers daily. "DORA THE EXPLORER was an instant success for both Nick Jr. and CBS," said Nick executive vice president and general manager Cyma Zarghami. "We are very proud to have created a strong Latina preschool role model that has been overwhelmingly embraced by our audiences."

DIC Entertainment has named Melissa Bomes executive vice president of worldwide consumer products. Bomes will oversee the growth of the division, including such areas as licensing and merchandising, promotions and retail marketing. Bomes recently served as VP of business development at estyle.com and before that was an executive at Walt Disney working in strategic alliances and business development for its retail stores.

GASARAKI 2: THE CIRCLE OPENS arrives on video from ADV Films November 28, 2000. In this sequel, giant robots battle to uncover the secrets of the T.A. team, which is attacked by a mysterious unknown enemy. The film will be released in an English-dubbed VHS version and on DVD, which will contain both an English-dubbed and English-subtitled edition. Volume 3 is set for release on January 23, 2001 with Volume 4 available on March 27, 2001. The VHS tape will sell for US$19.98 and the DVD for $29.98.

Right Stuf International will release three new CAPTAIN TYLOR collections on video November 28, 2000. The final volume of THE IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR will contain part one and two of the "From Here to Eternity" tale, which concludes the bumbling war between UPSF and Raalgon forces. The humorous series continues in the release of THE IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR "Music Video Collection," which features Captain Tylor belting out funny tunes with the crew of the Soyokaze.

Manga Video is releasing anime classic WINGS OF HONNEAMISE on DVD November 28, 2000. At the time of the production in 1987, HONNEAMISE marked the highest budget for any Japanese animated feature ever at ¥800 million (approximately US$8 million). The DVD's special features are: three language tracks, one in English, one in Japanese and one in Japanese with English subtitles; director commentary; an original promotional short; a deleted scene; conceptual artwork; and storyboards.

Disney's in-development animated feature SWEATING BULLETS has gained a voice cast. Oscar winners Cuba Gooding Jr. and Judi Dench will join Sarah Jessica Parker and Ja'Net DuBois on the cast of the Western-themed musical. Randy Quaid is also in talks to voice a character. The story chronicles a group of cows who team together to save their farm. No production date has been announced, but the film has been in development for about three years.

Turkey's health minister, Osman Durmus, has urged TV stations to remove POKEMON from their line-up in light of two children suffering injuries copying the actions of the cartoon's characters. On Friday, November 24, 7-year-old Seda Aykanat suffered a broken leg when she leapt off the fifth-floor balcony of her apartment. Previously this year, a 4-year-old boy in Turkey also sustained injuries copying the super-powered stunts of POKEMON characters.

Continuing the revamping of its finance division, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has announced three top-level finance appointments. Peter Halt was appointed senior VP and chief financial officer of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, which was formed last spring. Previously he served as VP finance and corporate controller at SPE. Filling Halt's old role will be Mark Rudolph, who is currently VP finance at Sony Pictures Imageworks. Simon Baker was named VP finance and corporate treasurer at SPE. Prior to Sony, Baker was the VP of finance at Fox Entertainment Group.

New York design studio hey! designed and produced the new ID campaign for the TNN networks' transformation from The Nashville Network to The National Network. All five of the 5-second IDs contain the tag line, "We've got pop!" "Each element in the series took a slightly different approach to defining what 'pop' is and how it looks, feels and sounds," said hey! creative director Josh Pelzek. "In three of the IDs, we interpreted 'pop' as an action - popcorn exploding like fireworks, a button popping off a large man's shirt and bubbles - which contain the TNN logo - popping in mid-air.