Macromedia Introduces Freehand 9
Macromedia, the leading provider of web design tools, recently announced a
major upgrade to its famous FreeHand design and layout software. FreeHand 9
is set to change the way designers approach their work by offering a
powerful toolset for their vector graphics, regardless of whether their art
is intended for print or Web. FreeHand 9 is expected to ship in March on
both Macintosh and Windows platforms, and will be offered as both a
stand-alone product and in the new Macromedia Flash 4 FreeHand 9 Studio,
Director Buckley Rides With LastMinute's e-Cowboy Spot
Director Dick Buckley of FLYING TIGER FILM and visual effects director Alex
Seiden of CYCLOTRON@POST PERFECT N.Y. rounded-up the e-Cowboy's for the
Super Bowl debuted LastMinuteTravel.com spot. Produced for New York-based
agency, Burkhardt & Hillman, the 30-second commercial is a modern spin on
the Sergio Leone spaghetti western. Reinforcing LastMinuteTravel.com's
message that great things happen at the last-minute, the e-Cowboys find
themselves quickly departing on a cyber-booked vacation, to escape an
Ring Of Fire Walks With Christopher Reeve in Super Bowl Spot
RING OF FIRE made the crippled walk in Nuveen & Co.'s Super Bowl spot.
Andrew Douglas of SATELLITE was brought in to direct the futuristic spot
where paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve walks to a podium to receive an
award. The super feet was done for Minneapolis, Minnesota-based ad agency
Fallon McElligott. Ring of Fire's founder, Jerry Spivack, served as
creative director and visual effects supervisor for the commercial. Ring of
Fire isn't new to creating outstanding Super Bowl spots, their 1999
Much Grief, Charles Schulz Passes
On the eve of the final PEANUTS comic strip, creator Charles Schulz died of
a heart attack at his Santa Rosa, California home. He was 77 years old. As
reported [AF 11/21/99], Charles Schulz had decided to retire from drawing
his weekly comic strip after several strokes and newly diagnosed cancer had
left him partially blind in one eye and too weak to keep up with the
rigorous routine. A private funeral will be held later this week. He is
survived by his wife, Jeannie; two sons Monte and Craig; and daughter Jill
A Closer Look: AWN Increases Speed
Animation World Network has been acquired by Creative Planet, a network of
business-to-business Web sites for creative professionals focusing on the
art, technology and business of content creation...
DreamWorks Acquires Pacific Data Images
Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, officially announced on
February 9, 2000 that his company has acquired the majority of interest,
approximately 80%, in Pacific Data Images (PDI). As reported [AF 2/8/00],
this deal comes on the heals of PDI founder and Chairman, Carl Rosendahl's
departure from the company to pursue "other creative interests." However,
Rosendahl will remains as a consultant for the newly named company,
PDI/DreamWorks. Katzenberg said that Palo Alto-based business will remain a
Chairman Rosendahl Leaves PDI
On February 4, CARL ROSENDAHL, founder and chairman of Pacific Data Images,
announced to his staff that he is exiting PDI after 20 years "to pursue
other interests." Rosendahl's remaining stake in the visual effects house
has been acquired by DreamWorks. Previously owning 40% of the Palo Alto,
California-based facility, DreamWorks now commands 80% of the company. More
details are soon to be announced.
Minter Promoted To VP At PDI
PDI has recently promoted DENISE MINTER to vice president of production.
Minter will now oversee all of Pacific Data Images' production efforts
around the world. Most recently, she was been senior producer on PDI
commercials for Sega Dreamcast and Coca-Cola. Since joining the company in
1993, Minter has also served as production manager on the DreamWorks and
PDI feature ANTZ.
Nickelodeon Seeks Talented Professionals
Job Opportunities For AFTER EFFECTS CHARACTER ANIMATORS, STORYBOARD
ARTISTS, TRADITIONAL ANIMATORS, DIGITAL DESIGN/INK & PAINT and ANIMATION
PAs...
ASIFA-Hollywood's Animation Expo Announces Workshop Program
ASIFA-Hollywood will host its 7th Annual Animation Expo on March 3-4, 2000,
in Glendale, California. The Expo is a two day animation industry trade
show focusing on the exhibition of animation related products and services
and the recruitment of related talent and personnel. Confirmed workshops
include: master teacher and layout artist Glenn Vilppu's "Capturing the
Pose with Line;" Ralph Sanchez, Director of Animation Development at
Nickelodeon Animation Studio, providing insight into developing and
Ottawa Festival Pass Order Form Now Available
Accommodation information and pass order forms for Ottawa '00 (September
19-24, 2000) are now available on the festival web site...
More Bill Plympton
Bill Plympton has updated his
In March, "Surprise Cinema"
will be appearing in various festivals and other events in the US, Canada,
Belgium, Germany and Australia. Bill will be appearing at the Zagreb World
Festival of Animated Films in Zagreb, Croatia, June 12-25, 2000.
What's New In the Student Corner?
No matter what your level, you will enjoy the animation lessons, character
designs and tips offered on the Toon Institute web site...
New at Visual Magic Magazine
Check out the latest "behind the scenes" features and tutorials from Visual
Magic Magazine...
Plympton's Comic of the Week
Plympton's new series of comics extracted from the comic book, "Sleazy
Cartoons of Bill Plympton," is for ADULTS ONLY...
This Week's Animation Trivia Quiz
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz...
And the Winners Are...
The results of AWN's drawing to win a copy of Giannalberto Bendazzi's
reference book "Cartoons: One Hundred Years Of Cinema Animation" are in.
Following are the names of the ten winners: Eric Beckman, Carla Cobb, Peter
Dougherty, Andrea Moore, Scott Nelowet, Gail Noonan, Mary Peng, Stephen
Rapley, George Roy and Peter Westoby. Congratulations and thank you to all
the Animation Flash subscribers who participated.
WIA Production Management Group Meeting
* Wednesday, March 1, 2000. Burbank, California, U.S.A.
Ideas, new properties and pitching will be the topic of discussion at this
month's Women In Animation Production Management Group Meeting (PMG). The
event will be held at Nickelodeon in Burbank at 7 pm. Monthly meetings will
be on the 1st Wednesday of each month at Nickelodeon. To attend please RSVP
to Kellie-Bea Cooper at (818) 623-0020 or E-mail:
kellie-bea@kellie-bea.com. For more information on WIA events please visit
Art Of Directing 3D Computer Animation Workshop
*Saturday, March 4, 2000. New York, New York, U.S.A.
The School of Visual Arts will feature a workshop entitled "Art of
Directing 3D Computer Animation" taught by Isaac Victor Kerlow, director of
digital talent at Walt Disney. The SVA alumni will lead the one-day event
explaining the day-to-day processes of art directing 3D computer animation
productions. In addition, Kerlow will discuss the various markets for 3D
computer animation such as TV, interactive and the Web. The class will be
The Santa Clarita International Film Festival
* Friday, March 10 - Friday, March 17, 2000. Santa Clarita, California, U.S.A.
The Santa Clarita International Film Festival is strictly dedicated to
family entertainment. It includes a film and screenplay competition,
student filmmaker award, as well as panel discussions. Co-sponsored by
FOCUS Institute of Film, the winning screenplay will be mentored and
developed for future production with a later-announced studio. For more
Acting For Animators Workshop
* Saturday, March 18, 2000. San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
The 10th International Trickfilm Festival
* Thursday, March 16 - Tuesday, March 21, 2000. Stuttgart, Germany.
The 10th International Trickfilm Festival will present the best animated
productions from the past two years. More than 500 films will be screened
at the festival. The Best of Animation includes a selection of the most
interesting films in the history of artistic, animated film. Young
Animation is a competition featuring animated film schools and colleges.
The festival will also present the International Panorama, Tricks for Kids,
The Third Brisbane International Animation Festival
* Thursday, April 6 - Sunday, April 9, 2000. Brisbane, Australia.
The Third Brisbane International Animation Festival represents Australia in
an international animation festival alliance with Ottawa, Holland, Fantoche
and Anima Mundi. It is Australia's only festival dedicated exclusively to
animation in all o
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Cruise
* Sunday, April 9 - Sunday, April 16, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Comic book fans can hobnob with the best in the business on a 7 day/7 night
cruise benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit
organization protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics community.
The "Making WAVES" cruise will stop at three Mexican ports -- Puerto
Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan. The event will feature week-long
American International Toy Fair
* Sunday, February 13, 2000 - Thursday, February 17, 2000. New York, New
York, U.S.A.
The American International Toy Fair, one of the world's leading toy trade
shows, features over 1,800 exhibitors and highlights the newest and most
exciting toys on the market. Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc., the
industry trade association, brings the 97th annual event to several
showrooms all across the Manhattan area. Three new showplaces have joined
