Perfect Storm Shakes Up The International Box Office
With MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 still holding on in many countries, PERFECT STORMs debut in Hong Kong and the U.K. shook up the international box office. Finishing at the top spot in the U.K., STORM grossed US$2.86 million over the weekend and $3.25 million since its Wednesday nod. Slipping to #2, STUART LITTLE grossed $2.08 million, advancing its British cume to $9.59 million. The U.K. sensation, CHICKEN RUN, amassed another $1.82 million in third, bringing its cume to $28.85 million.
Animation Stock Ticker For Tuesday, August 1, 2000
AWN's stock ticker features the most prominent publicly traded companies in the world of animation. AWN, Inc. makes available certain financial information from third party information providers. AWN does not give advice in any such fields, and has not reviewed, and in no way endorses the validity of such data. This information is provided solely as a means to keep our readers informed of the market performance and trends of certain companies. AWN strongly suggests that one seek advice from a competent professional regarding any investment or financial issues.
Pulse and Exmachina Sign Distribution Deal
Pulse Entertainment has signed a deal with Paris-based digital post-production company, Exmachina, which will have the French post house resell Pulse technology to developers, designers, agencies and corporate clients in Europe. Exmachina first utilized the Pulse software to create a Web character, Akinia, who helps on-line gamers solve riddles in a treasure hunt. "We are making Pulse technology one of the cornerstones as we build our Web business," said Pierre Noizat, general manager of Exmachina.
Toon In: Web Animation Guide For Monday, July 31, 2000
Rick's Picks!
Over at Wildbrain.com, the new JOE PARADISE is simply great. The slick and interesting design creates a visually impressive piece of toonage. Created by Roque Ballesteros, this action/comedy is one of the smartest, coolest and most innovative series on the Net. Watch for the subtle visual metaphors. Theres not much action in this episode, but if you havent seen this series before I highly recommend you check out the archives.
hey! Raps Bumpers & Opens For The History Channel
hey!, a design and production studio, finished new opens, bumpers and background elements for five History Channel shows. The firm created an open for SPY WEB, revised opens and bumpers for HISTORYS GREATEST BLUNDERS and WEAPONS AT WAR, and opens for MOVIES IN TIME and HARDCOVER HISTORY. For SPY WEB, hey! used a mainly gray palette and added bits of color to evoke a feel of coded messages. "We had this coding going on in a textured background, with letters that cycle and change and evolve into the SPY WEB logo," said creative director Laura Tolkow.
Ring Of Fire Lights Up Unisys Commercials
Ring of Fire finished the visual effects for two 30-second commercials for Unisys. "Pigeons" starts with a man sitting down on a park bench next to a Unisys specialist. As the ad progresses, the female specialist gets wrapped up in telling the man all about e-business, and her head becomes encased in a monitor. When she calms down the monitor disappears and the tag line says, "At Unisys, we eat, sleep and drink this stuff!" Again in "Golf," Bob, the Unisys specialist, has his head encased in a monitor as he tells his friends about e-business on the golf course.
New Tinkerbell Inc. Sues Disney Over Fairy Rights
New York-based New Tinkerbell, Inc. has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Walt Disney Co. in regards to the Tinkerbell trademark. As reported in the on-line magazine, INSIDE, New Tinkerbell and its several affiliates claim they purchased the rights to the character from the then rights holder, the Hospital for Sick Children of London, in 1952 a year before Disneys PETER PAN was released. For 13 years, New Tinkerbell has been producing various products with the image of Tinkerbell on them.
Prima's Widow Sues Disney
Late swing-jazz singer Louis Primas widow, Gia Prima, has filed suit against the Walt Disney Company for unpaid royalties from video and DVD sales of THE JUNGLE BOOK, in which her husband voiced the character King Louie of the Apes. The Prima estate has received royalties on audio recordings of the soundtrack, however Disney contends the contract Prima signed was for audio recordings only and that Disney has "met all contractual obligations to Mr. Prima's estate." However, new technologies, like videocassettes and DVDS, were not invented when Prima signed the contract.
Nutty Klumps Up The US Box Office Charts
In typical summer blockbuster fashion, the newly released NUTTY PROFESSOR II: THE KLUMPS has dethroned last weeks U.S. box office champion WHAT LIES BENEATH. The KLUMPS Eddie Murphy-marathon, with primary visual effects by Double Negative Ltd., finished in first place with a gross of US$42.52 million. WHAT LIES came in at second with a gross of $22.86 million. The Harrison Ford haunter, with primary visual effects by SPI, has rounded up $69.35 million in only 10 days in release. In third, THE X-MEN grossed $12.68 million.
Disney’s New Hawaiian Feature Goes Into Production
Disneys newest animated feature LILO AND STITCH has begun production. The long in the works project has begun initial production at Disneys Orlando animation studio. Some of the production is scheduled to be done in Hawaii where the story is based. The film tells the tale of a Hawaiian girl who adopts a dog that is really an evil space alien. Jason Scott Lee (RUDYARD KIPLING'S THE JUNGLE BOOK) has signed on to voice a muscular, tanned surfboard salesmen, while Tia Carrere (WAYNES WORLD) will voice Lilo's sister.
Adam Sandler and MediaTrip To Create Shnorff.com
Adam Sandler has signed a deal with MediaTrip.com to produce a new comedy Web site entitled Shnorff.com. As part of the deal, MediaTrips parent company Joe Roths Revolution Studios has a first look agreement to produce any of the material created for the site in other mediums. Sandler will create the site with longtime producing partner Jack Giarraputo. In addition, former CAA and Endeavor agent, Doug Robinson, has been named Shnoff.coms CEO. Shnorff will feature animation, live-action shows, short films and games.
Star Wars Exhibit Comes To Chicago
* Saturday, July 15, 2000 Sunday, January 7, 2001. Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Spike & Mike’s Sick & Twisted Fest Invades Southern California
* Friday, July 28 Saturday, August 26, 2000. Santa Monica & Pasadena, California, U.S.A. Friday, August 25 Thursday, August 31, 2000. San Diego, California, U.S.A. Friday, September 1 Saturday, December 16, 2000. West Hollywood, California, U.S.A. Friday, September 1 Saturday, November 18, 2000. La Jolla, California, U.S.A. Friday, September 1 Saturday, November 18, 2000. Riverside, California, U.S.A.
Atomic Sushi Serves Up Raw Anime Art
* Friday, September 1 Saturday, September 30, 2000. Sydney, Australia.
MadCat Fest Sinks Its Claws Into Top Women Filmmakers
* Tuesday, September 5 Tuesday, September 26, 2000. San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Friday, September 8 Saturday, September 9, 2000. Berkeley, California, U.S.A.
Cartoonist’s Union Presents A Free Portfolio Lecture
* Wednesday, August 2, 2000. North Hollywood, California, U.S.A.
Sony In The Red, PlayStation 2 & New Accounting Rules Are Factors
On Wednesday, July 27, 2000, Sony Corp. announced it fell into the red in the first quarter ended June 30, 2000 as one-off charges from a change in U.S. accounting rules eroded profits. The electronics and entertainment company posted a group net loss of ¥88.26 billion (US$808.2 million) in the quarter, versus an ¥18.43 billion ($168.8 million) profit a year prior. Sony had ¥101.65 billion ($930.8 million) in extraordinary losses from film advertising costs and canceled projects development expenses in the first quarter of this year due to new U.S.
Avid Second Quarter Revenues See Some Increase
Avid Technology, Inc. announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2000. Revenues for 200O were US$120 million up from $116.4 million a year ago. For the quarter, the company recorded a net loss of $18.1 million, or $.07 per share, including amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared to a net loss of $8 million, or $.34 per share in the second quarter of 1999.
Vivendi, Canal + & Seagram Merger Approved In France
The Conseil Superieur de lAudiovisuel (CSA), a French broadcasting watchdog, has approved the three-way merger between Vivendi, Canal + and Seagram, the parent of Universal Pictures. The okay came on the heels of Vivendi chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Messiers decision not to fold Canal +s subscriber base into Vivendi Universal, thus avoiding French television ownership laws prohibiting a single shareholder from owning 49% or more of a TV network.
Rushes Soho Festival Quickens Shorts Recognition
* Saturday, July 29 Friday, August 4, 2000. London, U.K.
Lucasfilm To Make Anime Flick
Lucasfilm and fledgling Japanese anime company, Anime World Osaka, have agreed to co-produce an animated feature film entitled, THE TINY FAIRY MIRUN. As reported in YOMIURI SHIMBUN, George Lucas will executive produce the project. Osaka is set to provide the US$18.5 million budget. Lucas is scheduled to go to Osaka in September after production calms down on STAR WARS EPISODE II to sign the official contract. In a flip-flop of the usual process, Anime World will create the master illustrations in Osaka and ship the drawings to Lucasfilm for in-betweens.
Eyeball Flows With Forum Credit Union Spot
Eyeball has created eye-popping effects and animation for two spots highlighting Forum Credit Union. In the commercials showcasing the banks change of name from Telco Credit Union, Eyeball artists created an underwater feel with floating numbers. The spots open with numbers, icons and computer symbols streaming rapidly across the TV screen.
Spontaneous Combustion Spruces Up Aube Cosmetics Ads
Spontaneous Combustion has spruced up the CGI product shots and on-line edit for two Aube Cosmetics ads. "Lipstick" and Eyeshadow" were produced for Aube, one of Japans foremost cosmetic companies. Creative director Sam DeWitt said, "We built models and textures for the new compacts containing the make-up.
San Luis Obispo Festival Spots Short Talent!
* Thursday, October 26 Sunday, November 5, 2000. San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.A.
Entry Deadline: August 1, 2000.
Animation Stock Ticker For Wednesday, July 26, 2000
AWN's Stock Ticker features the most prominent publicly traded companies in the world of animation. AWN, Inc. makes available certain financial information from third party information providers. AWN does not give advice in any such fields, and has not reviewed, and in no way endorses the validity of such data. This information is provided solely as a means to keep our readers informed of the market performance and trends of certain companies. AWN strongly suggests that one seek advice from a competent professional regarding any investment or financial issues.
