iXL Digital Finishes Four 20/20 Opens
New York-based IXL DIGITAL VIDEO GROUP, a subsidiary of the Internet and
video solutions company iXL, Inc., produced four distinct openings for the
new 20/20 weekly line-up. Each version of the news show is on four separate
nights and features different hosts. The openings mirror the style of each
version of the show and feature different takes on the 20/20 and ABC News
logos. iXL's veteran Designer and Animator Ron Wissing worked closely with
ABC'S Art Director Kelly Clauson on the concept for the openings.
Three Companies Produce Campbell's Popeye Spot
Popeye the Sailor makes his newest appearance in the Toronto-based
TOPIX/MAD DOG, Chuck Gammage Animation and Generator Film produced spot for
Campbell's Soup. The 30 second spot for new Chunky Prime Rib features
integrated 3D animation, live-action and cel animation. Our hero Popeye
opts for a can of Chunky soup over his standard spinach to save the lovely
Olive Oyl. The spot was produced for Toronto-based ad agency Young &
Rubicam. TOPIX/Mad Dog producer Anne Deslauriers oversaw the 3D animation
Nelvana Goes Public With $40M Deal
Nelvana Limited has announced a deal with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
to produce the network's first Saturday morning children's cartoon block.
The deal is worth approximately US$40 million. Nelvana will produce six
book-based children's series for the U.S. public network's Fall 2000
season. The multi-year deal will also include the commission of a minimum
of two of the six series for weekly runs featured in PBS KIDS. Licensing
rights for at least four of the six character brands will be mainly handled
Entertaindom Summons More Superman Shows
Entertaindom, the Time Warner on-line broadcasting channel, has exercised
its option with Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc. to add 15 additional
new 5-8 minute "Webisodes" for the 3D animated MULTIPATH ADVENTURES OF
SUPERMAN. This extends the first season of SUPERMAN to a full 30 Webisode
commitment. Entertaindom has also agreed to give distribution to Brilliant
Digital's new 3D animated series based on the character XENA: WARRIOR
PRINCESS, plus eight Webisodes of a new series entitled KISS IMMORTALS
Boris FX Launches Boris RED
The creators of Boris FXT and Boris AET, recently launched a new resolution
Canadian Drawn Screening
* Tuesday, January 25, 2000. Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
Canadian Drawn, a screening of animation from the Canadian Film Board, will
be presented at 7:30 pm. The event highlighting the amazing work of the
Film Board will be held at Macquariam, 1800 Peachtree St. NW. This
screening is sponsored by ASIFA-Atlanta, a social organization for people
interested and professionally involved in animation. For information
contact Joni Strandquest at (770) 457-3455.
Toonz Animation Names New Exec Tom Tilbury
Trivandrum, India-based TOONZ ANIMATION INDIA PVT. LTD. named TOM TILBURY
to their exec staff. Base of operations for Tilbury will be Los Angeles,
where he will helm all sales and marketing for the studio's operations in
India and the U.S. Tilbury joins Toonz Animation from Cambridge Animation
Systems were he served as VP of International Distribution.
ITE secures new territories for HUGO JUNGLE
Interactive Television Entertainment (ITE) has secured two new
territories for its show HUGO JUNGLE. The show will start airing March
1, 2000 on Nat 7 in Malaysia and January 17, 2000 on BKTV in Serbia and
Montenegro. Extensive use of the Animation Mask System, and animated
links between each playing scenario, make HUGO JUNGLE a unique live
interactive cartoon show.
In
Nelvana to start production on MAGGIE AND THE FEROCIOUS BEAST
Nick Jr. and Teletoon have asked Nelvana Limited to start production on
MAGGIE AND THE FEROCIOUS BEAST, based on the mother and son team of
Betty and Michael Parakevas' storybooks. The adventures of 5-year-old
Maggie in Nowhere Land will hit Nick Jr. in Summer 2000 and Teletoon
next fall.
DECODE ENTERTAINMENT expands international distribution division
Toronto-based DECODE ENTERTAINMENT has announced DOMINIQUE BAZAY and
CAROLINE DORRIS to its recently formed international distribution
division. As Director of International Sales, Bazay, who will be based
in Toronto, will head distribution activities and sales to Scandinavia,
Spain, Portugal, Eastern Europe and South Africa, among other
territories. Bazay previously served in sales for BBC Worldwide
Americas, Paragon Entertainment, and the CBC. Dorris will also serve as
ATTIK appoints DRIVER
British-based ATTIK, a commercial and broadcasting production house, has
appointed PAUL DRIVER as Design Director at Attik's New York branch.
Formerly the Creative Director at Attik/Huddersfield, Driver will head
day-to-day creative decisions at the New York studio.
JOHNS joins INTERFACE MEDIA GROUP
CRAIG M. JOHNS was named to INTERFACE MEDIA GROUP's Client Services
Department. Interface Media provides Washington D.C. with film and video
production services. Formerly Locations Coordinator for the Iowa Film
Office, Johns will work with clients on a day-to-day basis scheduling
resources and coordinating client's needs.
LOCONTE upgrades to LOCONTE.2.
Maria LoConte has launched her upgraded
visual strategies company, LoConte.2 (L.2). Formerly LoConte co-headed
Boston-based LoConte Goldman Design, Inc. with former partner Patrice
Goldman. After parting ways with Goldman and closing their company, LoConte
designed the new L.2 group dedicated to high-end visual solutions for
television and advertising. The company will be based at the National
Boston facilities. National Boston is one of the largest production and
STUART LITTLE leaps back into the top spot
After slipping to third over
the Christmas weekend, STUART LITTLE, with primary FX by Sony Pictures
Imageworks, additional animation by CFX and Rhythm & Hues, and miniatures
by Thunderstone, leaped back into the top spot at the U.S. box office. Our
little hero brought in US$16.02 million over the New Year's weekend
bringing its total to $79.4 million. Picking up some steam again, TOY STORY
2 finished #3 with a gross of $12.34 million making its total take $208.8
Big ratings rise for MEN IN BLACK: THE SERIES
MEN IN BLACK: THE SERIES has been picking up steam on Kids WB! The Sony
Pictures Entertainment show has increased its ratings by 110% since its
second season last year. It has earned a 4.2 rating with kids 2-11 and a
5.0 rating with kids 6-11.
THE IRON GIANT to air on Cartoon Network and TNT
In a move much like a parent buying their child a toy and then receiving
money from their kids allowance for it, Warner Bros. Features has sold
THE IRON GIANT to Cartoon Network and TNT. Cartoon Network couldn't
handle the license fee of US$3 million, so sister Turner channel, TNT,
came in to help out on a six-month pre-Cartoon Network window. TNT will
get six runs of the critically acclaimed box-office disappointment
within that six month time period. Both networks plan to promote the
VOELPEL joins BLACK LOGIC
New York-based BLACK LOGIC, a production and post-production house, has
hired 3D animator MARK VOELPEL. As R/GA Digital Studios' Director of
CGI, Voelpel directed commercials for Dodge, Bell South, S.C. Johnson,
LG and Orkin. Mark won a Clio for his work on the Orkin campaign. His
feature film credits include 3D effects supervision on flicks like
DEMOLITION MAN, THE LAST ACTION HERO, and THE SHADOW.
VIZ announces new Internet partnerships and web site relaunch
Viz Communications, a leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and
comics (anime and manga), including titles such as POKEMON, DRAGON BALL
Z, and Hayao Miyazaki's NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF WIND, announced new
Internet partnerships and the relaunch of their chief Web sites.
www.viz.com will provide the latest news and information on anime and
manga series. www.j-pop.com will feature reviews on the latest in
Japanese pop culture including anime, manga, games, music and film.
Salsa creates MUPPET TIME block for FETV
Salsa Distribution has put together a deal that will create a new Jim
Henson programming block entitled MUPPET TIME in Panama. FETV will air
MUPPET TIME starting January 3, 2000 in a deal that lasts 2 years. The
block will include the MUPPET SHOW, MUPPETS TONIGHT, MUPPET BABIES,
FRAGGLE ROCK and JIM HENSON'S ANIMAL SHOW.
WILD THORNBERRYS recreational vehicle to tour US
The Nickelodeon toon THE WILD THORNBERRYS will be coming to a town near
you beginning February 14, 2000. Starting at Toy Fair in New York City,
the Commvee recreational vehicle from the series is making its real
world debut. After Toy Fair, the Commvee will make appearances at Nick's
"All That Music and More" tour venues, "The Big Help" events, and
various "Lucky 10" markets across the U.S. So when picking up wild
berries at the local Lucky 10 don't miss out on meeting the wild
CRAWFORD promotes THOMPSON
Atlanta-based CRAWFORD COMMUNICATIONS, a service provider for all
aspects of television, film, Internet, audio and satellite
communications, has announced that BILL THOMPSON has been promoted from
Production Services Division's Director of Operations to VP of
Post-Production. The 10-year veteran of the company will oversee
editing, audio, graphics, telecine and the film labs. While no longer
servicing the day-to-day operations, Thompson will still head Crawford's
production services.
Art Director, Storyboard Artist, and Vice President of Production wanted
Atlanta-based Fathom Studios, which creates compelling graphic elements
for distribution on television, film or computer platforms, is looking for
a STORYBOARD ARTIST...
Gnoman School of Visual Effects begins registration for Winter Term 2000
Gnomon has a series of new classes scheduled for the upcoming Winter Term,
which runs from January 10 to March 19, 2000...
Animation Foundation interviews ILM's Rob Coleman
Animation Foundation interviews Rob Coleman, ILM Animation Director on
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace...
The spectacular January 2000 Millennium issue of Animation World Magazine
AWN's January 2000 Millennium issue of Animation World Magazine is now online...
