[FLASH] 09/23/08 Animation Flash Newsletter
Dan Sarto
A N I M A T I O N F L A S H
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Volume 13, Issue 26
________________________________________________________________________
The Animation Flash E-mail Newsletter
an Animation World Network publication
****Industry News Headlines****
Business
1. ONTARIO INDUSTRY SURVEY REVEALS PICTURE OF VFX AND ANIMATION
ECONOMY.
2. DREAMWORKS, RELIANCE DEAL COMPLETE.
3. NVIDIA TO CUT 6 PERCENT OF WORKFORCE.
4. EL CAPITAN THEATRE FOR SALE.
People
5. W!LDBRAIN PROMOTES AMY CAPEN.
6. NICKELODEON GAMES APPOINTS MANAGEMENT POSITIONS.
Films
7. BOX OFFICE WONDERS WHAT COULD BE SAFER THAN LIVING NEXT TO A COP.
8. RHINOFX DOES VFX FOR DREAMWORKS' GHOST TOWN.
9. LITTLE AIRPLANE TAKES OFF INTO FEATURES.
10. GREEN HORNET STINGS STEPHEN CHOW.
11. DWAYNE JOHNSON TO VISIT TOMORROWLAND.
12. MONSTER HOUSE PARTNERS REUNITE FOR AIRMAN.
13. VOICE CAST ANNOUNCED FOR CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS.
Television
14. DENNIS & GNASHER GET STICKY.
15. SCI FI SENDS SECRET SERVICE TO WAREHOUSE 13.
16. THE FLASH FORWARD NOT JUST ON LOST ANYMORE.
17. BLUE ROOM UPDATES GRAPHICS PACKAGES FOR MILLIONAIRE.
18. AMBIANCE MOWS THE LAWN WITH LARRY THE LAWNMOWER.
19. NICKELODEON GOES DARK FOR WORLDWIDE DAY OF PLAY.
20. LOST HITS BIG ON THE SCI FI CHANNEL.
21. FOXWORTHY, FOX TEAM FOR NASCAR ANIMATED PILOT.
22. NICKELODEON PICKS UP TWO NEW SERIES, RENEWS MIGHTY B.
23. BABYTV TO LAUNCH IN NIGERIA NEXT MONTH.
Commercials
24. TH1NG CREATES LONDON FILM FOR RUN-UP TO 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES.
25. NTROPIC CREATES VFX JOURNEY THROUGH TIME FOR CHEVROLET.
26. L.INC DESIGN CREATES WHIMSICAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGN FOR
MERVYN'S.
27. S4 STUDIOS GEARS UP 2008 AST DEW TOUR.
28. BRICKYARD VFX PLAYS MOTHER NATURE FOR MASS MUTUAL.
29. DIGIT BRINGS THE WORLD TOGETHER IN PSA.
Internet & Interactive
30. LIVE LIFE WITH PLAYSTATION 3.
31. RESIDENT EVIL RESURRECTED WITH NEW MOBILE TITLE.
32. MARVEL LAUNCHES NEW IRON MAN, HULK COMICS FOR ONLINE ONLY.
33. NBC SHOWS RETURN WITH ARRAY OF ONLINE CONTENT.
34. JAMAN.COM ADDS POPULAR JAPANESE ANIMATION TITLES.
35. WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING IN STORES NOVEMBER 13.
36. ANIMATED SERIES BEST ED GETS NUTTY WEB SITE.
Places
37. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OFFERS LOOK AT THE WOLFMAN.
Home Entertainment
38. SHREK THE THIRD ON BLU-RAY.
39. MADAGASCAR ON BLU-RAY.
40. THE GODFATHER COLLECTION -- THE COPPOLA RESTORATION DVD AND BLU
RAY.
41. LEATHERHEADS ON DVD AND BLU-RAY.
42. ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS CLASSIC HOLIDAY GIFT SET ON DVD.
43. CAILLOU'S WINTER WONDERS ON DVD.
44. PEANUTS HOLIDAY COLLECTION ON DVD.
45. SCOOBY-DOO & THE GOBLIN KING ON DVD.
46. THE TRANSPORTER TWO-DISC SPECIAL DELIVERY EDITION WITH DIGITAL
COPY ON DVD.
47. FOX DEBUTS BD-LIVE WITH I WANT TO BELIEVE.
Technology
48. THE9 ADOPTS ALLEGORITHMIC'S PROFX FOR UPCOMING FREE2PLAY MMOG.
Awards
49. OTTAWA ANIMATION AWARDS ANNOUNCED.
50. MOUSE'S TALE WINS CARTOON D'OR.
Licensing
51. ENTERTAINMENT RIGHTS GETS HOME VIDEO RIGHTS TO FRANKENSTEIN'S CAT
IN U.K.
52. JIM HENSON CO. TO DEBUT TWO NEW ANIMATED SHOWS AT MIPCOM.
53. BREAKTHROUGH LICENSES BETTY, DUDLEY.
Call For Entries
54. THIRD ANNUAL ANIBOOM AWARDS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS.
55. EASTGATE FILMS WRITE-A-SCENE.
56. DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE CHARACTER?
Events
57. TRI CITY HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
58. POETRY FOR ZEBRAS AND HUMANS.
59. FROM THE LENS TO THE EYE.
60. SHOWING THE WORLD, ONE FILM AT A TIME.
61. DIGITAL DOMAIN AND RHYTHM AND HUES TALK MUMMIES.
62. COMING SOON, TO A MALL GALAXY NEAR YOU.
63. TONY OLIVER LEADS VOICE-ACTING WORKSHOP.
64. WORLD CINEMA, RETROSPECTIVES AND TIDBITS IN WATERLOO.
65. ANIMATION, GAMING AND MORE IN HYDERABAD.
66. RICH MEDIA HITS THE DESERT.
67. UPCOMING EVENTS IN ANIMATION.
Upcoming Films
68. UPCOMING THEATRICAL RELEASES.
****SUBMIT YOUR NEWS!!!!****
If you have news, review materials, events or other items of interest
for the Animation Flash, send them to: Editor, Animation Flash, 6525
Sunset Blvd., Garden Suite 10, Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA. E-mail:
edi...@awn.com; or Fax: 1-323-466-6619.
****Industry News****
Business
1. ONTARIO INDUSTRY SURVEY REVEALS PICTURE OF VFX AND ANIMATION ECONOMY.
Computer Animation Studios of Ontario Association (CASO) President Neil
Williamson announced the results of the first animation and vfx industry
survey Thursday night at a reception held during the Ottawa
International Animation Festival.
The study, entitled "Economic Profile of the Ontario Computer Animation
and Visual Effects Industry," examines the economic profile of the
computer animation and vfx industry in Ontario and develops financial,
corporate and employment baseline indicators for future market analysis
and comparison. The research develops estimates of total industry
revenue, operating expense, output volume, number of employees and
future market opportunities.
"After CASO was formed three years ago and we started talking to people
about the industry, it became clear that very little distinct
information existed about its makeup. With this survey, we are now
beginning to form a clear picture of operations in Ontario animation and
visual effects studios," said Ron Estey, Past President of CASO.
"This study underscores the growing importance of the animation and
visual effects industry to the Ontario economy," said Karen Thorne-
Stone, President and CEO of the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
"Industries in Ontario's entertainment and creative cluster are the
cornerstone of the new knowledge-based economy and CASO's members will
play a pivotal role in ensuring Ontario is a leader in the global
marketplace."
Conducted by Nordicity Group, the project received funding assistance
from the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), York University,
Royal Bank of Canada, the City of Toronto -- Economic Development, and
CASO.
Among the key findings of the project:
--The majority of computer animation and vfx studios in Ontario are
Canadian-owned, privately-held corporations that have been in existence
for more than seven years.
--The Ontario computer animation and vfx industry employed a total of
1,600 to 1,900 people in 2007.
--Total Ontario computer animation and VFX industry revenues are
estimated to be between $170 million to $200 million annually.
--The number of computer animation minutes produced in Ontario in 2007
is reported to have been between 18,000 and 21,600; the number of shots
for vfx was between 7,400 and 8,900.
--Market segments were as follows: 16 percent of computer animation
studios' revenue was derived from feature films, 45 percent from TV
series and 17 percent from commercials. For vfx companies it was the
reverse: 44 percent of revenue was derived from feature films and 16
percent from TV series; 13 percent was allotted to commercials.
--The conventional market segments of television series and feature
films continue to be regarded as general growth opportunities for the
industry. Emerging market segments such as games, web and mobile content
production are also seen as growth opportunities. About 20 percent of
respondents regard Web and mobile content production as a growth
opportunity for their company.
A full report can be downloaded from www.casont.ca.
2. DREAMWORKS, RELIANCE DEAL COMPLETE.
DreamWorks and Indian media company Reliance have completed their deal
to create a $1.2 billion stand-alone studio, reports the WALL STREET
JOURNAL.
According to insiders, DreamWorks co-founder Steven Spielberg and
DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider can now leave Paramount Pictures to start
their own film company. In the signed agreement, Reliance ADA Group,
based in Mumbai, will invest $500 million equity and another $700
million in debt through J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. The venture is expected
to produce a slate of around six films per year.
Talk of the deal first surfaced in June, and dragged on for longer than
insiders had thought initially. DreamWorks was sold to Viacom in 2006
for $1.6 billion, and has had a contentious relationship with Paramount
from the beginning.
Spokespersons for both DreamWorks and Reliance had no comment on the
deal to the JOURNAL.
Now that DreamWorks is free from Paramount, the question remains who
will distribute those six films a year. Universal, despite recently
denying funding for Spielberg's TINTIN epic, is still considered a
likely top choice as the famed director's offices still remain on their
lot. DreamWorks is also planning on a deal with HBO.
Once the dust has settled, DreamWorks principal David Geffen will likely
resign from Paramount, but is not expected to be part of the new
venture. He reportedly is saying wants out of the film business
altogether.
Paramount will continue their professional relationship with Spielberg
and Snider, however, including sharing rights to upcoming sequel
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN. At one point, insiders thought
Spielberg would take projects with him, but it is now likely that those
films will remain at Paramount with Spielberg receiving payment for his
involvement.
Reliance has stakes in telecommunications, financial services and
entertainment, and hopes to create a name for itself in Hollywood. At
Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, Reliance's entertainment
division, Reliance Big Ent., announced they would invest $1 billion over
the next 18 months to make that a reality.
Since DreamWorks' arrival at the Paramount lot, tensions have run high.
Geffen and Spielberg clashed with Paramount's CEO Brad Grey, and when it
became public knowledge that DreamWorks was trying to leave Paramount
last fall, tensions boiled over when Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman publicly
said the departure was "completely immaterial" to the company's
financials.
Paramount released a statement (via Nikki Finke's DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD
DAILY) on Friday saying, "We congratulate Steven, David and Stacey, and
wish them well as they start their newest venture. Steven is one of the
world's great story-tellers and a legend in the motion picture business.
It has been an honor working closely with him and the DreamWorks team
over the last three years and we expect to continue our successful
collaboration with Steven in the future."
"To facilitate a timely and smooth transition, Paramount has waived
certain provisions from the original deal to clear the way for the
DreamWorks principals and their employees to join their new company
without delay."
"The acquisition of DreamWorks has been beneficial both creatively and
financially for Paramount and accelerated our strategy of focusing on
our world-class franchises and brands. It gave us a solid slate of films
to fill out our lineup, a valuable catalog we were able to monetize, and
a development pipeline that will bear fruit for us for years to come.
The acquisition jump-started our rebuilding plans, which are now well
underway and include promising upcoming releases such as STAR TREK by
J.J. Abrams, G.I. JOE by Stephen Sommers, TRANSFORMERS 2 by Michael Bay,
David Fincher's THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, and Jon Favreau's
IRON MAN 2, among many others."
Finke also reports that her sources said the deal was done last week and
was likely to be signed any day. Further, her sources say DreamWorks
informed Paramount within the last 24 hours that the deal with Reliance
was done. Today, Paramount waived certain provisions from the original
deal to clear the way for DreamWorks to leave.
3. NVIDIA TO CUT 6 PERCENT OF WORKFORCE.
THE NEW YORK TIMES reports that graphic chip maker NVIDIA will lay off
about 6.5 percent of their employees, or close to 360 people.
Spokesman Hector Marinez told the TIMES the layoffs will hit all of
NVIDIA's global offices and departments and should be complete by
October. NVIDIA has plans to take a $7 million to $10 million charge in
its third quarter to cover the restructuring.
4. EL CAPITAN THEATRE FOR SALE.
The owner of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood has put the historic
building up for sale for $31 million, per THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (via
VARIETY).
Disney restored the theater, originally built in 1926 for stage
productions, in 1991, and will remain the long-term tenant. Disney
showcases one children's film release at a time, with pre-show
entertainment.
Owner CUNA Mutual Group, a financial services company, is based in
Wisconsin and got the building in 1994 when the previous owner walked
away after the Northridge Earthquake.
El Capitan is a designated national landmark just across Hollywood
Boulevard from Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The $31 million price tag also
includes the six-story office building above the theater where JIMMY
KIMMEL LIVE has its studio and offices.
People
5. W!LDBRAIN PROMOTES AMY CAPEN.
W!LDBRAIN Animation Studios has promoted Amy Capen to Head of Commercial
and New Media Production. In her new position, Capen is charged with
developing new business, recruiting creative and production talent as
well as overseeing commercial and short form production. Capen will
report to Marge Dean, General Manager, W!LDBRAIN Animation Studios.
"Amy has already played a leadership role in guiding W!LDBRAIN's efforts
in commercial and new media production," said Dean. "This promotion
recognizes not only her achievements to date, but will allow her to
concentrate her considerable knowledge, expertise and skill to our
ongoing commercial and new media projects."
Capen joined W!LDBRAIN in 1999 as Exec Producer of Content for
wildbrain.com. Since 2002, she has held the position of Senior Producer
within the company's short format division, producing campaigns and
pilots for clients including Kraft Foods, Microsoft, Esurance, Honda,
Disney and Virgin Airlines. Her work has received numerous awards,
including an Emmy, an Annie and a number of honors from the Broadcast
Designers Association and the International Animated Film Association.
Her campaigns are continually recognized for their originality and
creativity by top media outlets worldwide.
Prior to joining W!LDBRAIN, Capen was Senior Producer at Colossal
Pictures, overseeing production for television and commercial clients
including Cartoon Network, The Disney Channel, Leo Burnett USA and
Ogilvy & Mather. She served as associate producer on 26 half hour
episodes of MTV's groundbreaking LIQUID TELEVISION, the Emmy award-
winning program that first introduced BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD and AEON FLUX
to television viewing audiences.
6. NICKELODEON GAMES APPOINTS MANAGEMENT POSITIONS.
The Nickelodeon Kids and Family Games Group, recently formed to provide
its audiences with innovative gaming experiences, made several new key
management appointments. David Bergantino has been named VP of Premium
Games Production; Shaan Kandawalla, VP of Retail and Licensed Games; and
Pete Banks, VP of Engineering. The announcements were made by Dave
Williams, SVP and GM, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Games Group, to whom
the team will continue to report.
In Bergantino's new role, he will oversee the production and creative of
all licensed and self-published premium games across Nickelodeon Kids
and Family Games Group's many platforms. He will be responsible for
building the publishing business for AddictingGames and Shockwave, as
well as Nick's self-publishing business on connected console and new
platforms such as: XBLA; Nintendo's WiiWare; and Apple platforms.
Additionally, Bergantino will manage production relationships with
partners including: THQ; 2KPlay; Capcom; Microsoft; Nintendo; and Sony.
A veteran of the interactive industry, Bergantino has been an
independent producer, designer and writer for clients including: Sony
Computer Ent. - Europe; Midway Games; Eurocom Developments; Gizmo Games;
Westwood Games; Surfmonkey.com; and The Learning Company. Prior to
joining Nickelodeon, Bergantino was Head of Game Design for Visual
Science in Scotland. He began his career with Disney Interactive and has
held positions with The WB Network and Jim Henson Interactive. He holds
a bachelor of fine arts degree in screenwriting from New York's School
of Visual Arts.
In Kandawalla's newly expanded role, she will act as the liaison between
the games team and related Consumer Product group overseen by Manuel
Torres, SVP, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products. She will be
responsible for console and retail game partnership development across
the Kids and Family portfolio and Shockwave, AddictingGames, Nickelodeon
and Nick Jr. properties, including: ICARLY; THE NAKED BROTHERS BAND;
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS; and DORA THE EXPLORER; among others.
Previously as Director of Digital Games, she successfully helped build
and manage partnerships with companies including: THQ; Take Two
Interactive; Capcom; and Activision. Kandawalla played a key role in the
business development of co-branded digital games like SPONGEBOB
MONOPOLY, SPONGEBOB GAME OF LIFE, and DORA CANDYLAND, and managed the
licensing negotiations for the first GO! DIEGO, GO!, THE BACKYARDIGANS
and THE WONDERPETS! video game deals. She is currently working on
partnership opportunities for NI HAO, KAI-LAN and AddictingGames.
Kandawalla began her career at Goldman Sachs and most recently came to
Nickelodeon from Hasbro. She holds a master's of business administration
degree from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in economics from
Wellesley College.
Banks will lead the technical strategy and product planning for the
Games Group's online businesses which includes: Shockwave;
AddictingGames; and the Nick and Nick Jr. Arcade e-commerce sites. In
his new role, he will oversee all site development and continue to
evolve new e-commerce, community and social networking platforms to
support the Group's online product initiatives. Banks has had more than
six years of experience at Shockwave, where he has led major site
development initiatives including the Shockwave Unlimited subscription
platform and current site publishing systems. He began his career as the
Engineering Manager at Rent.net, Move.com and Realtor.com, and is a
graduate of Northwestern University.
As the Nickelodeon Kids and Family Games Group solidifies its structure,
Kate Connally and Ambra Wellbeloved will continue to grow the Shockwave
and AddictingGames business in their roles as VP of AddictingGames and
Shockwave, respectively.
Connally, in her role of VP of AddictingGames, runs the site's and
brand's business. She has grown the site's library to more than 3,000
titles and has overseen enormous traffic growth in the past two years.
AddictingGames recently celebrated its highest trafficked month ever
with 10.7 million unique users in July (comScore July 2008). Connally
has lead the addition of new community and social networking-oriented
features to the AddictingGames website, and is currently spearheading
the development of the first-ever multiplatform awards show for online
games: The 2009 Most AddictingGames Awards.
Prior to AddictingGames, Connally was Senior Director of Business
Development for Atom Entertainment, where she managed opportunities for
international expansion and identified key partnerships with Comcast,
Time Warner's Roadrunner, MSN, Bell South, Bell Canada, Nokia, Webshots,
and more. She began her career with Volpe, Welty & Company, and has held
posts with Advent International and Macromedia, Inc. Connally graduated
cum laude from Princeton University with a bachelor's degree in history.
As VP of Shockwave, Wellbeloved manages all daily business functions and
revenue lines of the site for the Nickelodeon Kids and Family Games
Group, including oversight of its advertising programs, download and
premium game subscription offerings, content development and production.
She leads the development of product-related strategies including its
recent push into community with the launch of rich profile pages,
animated talking avatars, chat functionality and game favorites, which
helped to increase the time on site by 30 percent in the last year.
Wellbeloved, a 13-year veteran in the digital entertainment industry,
has held numerous management positions, including: VP of Operations for
Atom Entertainment; Director of E-commerce for Shockwave with
Macromedia; posts in Sony Signatures e-commerce websites; and Organic
Inc. and Publicis International digital web agencies. She holds a
bachelor's of science degree from the University of Utah.
Films
7. BOX OFFICE WONDERS WHAT COULD BE SAFER THAN LIVING NEXT TO A COP.
Samuel L. Jackson-led domestic thriller LAKEVIEW TERRACE (Screen Gems)
won the weekend (ending September 21) box office with $15.004 million in
its debut.
Last week's winner, BURN AFTER READING (Focus Features, vfx by Big Film
Design and Brainstorm Digital), came in second with $11.03M and a two-
week gross of $36.14M.
Dane Cook comedy MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL (Lionsgate) opened in third place
with $8.27M.
Fourth place went to animated IGOR (MGM/Weinstein), which opened with
$7.8M.
Overture Films' RIGHTEOUS KILL placed fifth with $7.4M and a two-week
gross of $28.53M. In sixth place was TYLER PERRY'S THE FAMILY THAT PREYS
(Lionsgate) with $7.27M and$28.13M in two weeks.
THE WOMEN (Picturehouse, vfx by Custom Film Effects) came in seventh
with $5.42M and a $19.3M over two weeks.
Ricky Gervais' comedy GHOST TOWN opened in eighth place with $5.01M. The
film's vfx were by RhinoFX.
Ninth place went to Warner Bros.' THE DARK KNIGHT (vfx by Double
Negative, BUF, Gentle Giant Studios and New Deal Studio) with $2.92M and
a 10-week gross of $521.89M.
THE HOUSE BUNNY (Sony) placed tenth with $2.66M and $45.59M in five
weeks in release.
In animation, FLY ME TO THE MOON (Summit) earned $776,759 ($11.M in six
weeks) and STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS (Warner Bros.) earned $393,460
($34.48M in six weeks).
Disney-Pixar's WALL-E earned $310,469 for a 13-week gross of $220.5M.
KUNG FU PANDA (DreamWorks) made $248,524 for a 16-week gross of $214.9M.
Fox's SPACE CHIMPS did $178,712 and a 10-week gross of $29.6M.
Box office information from BoxOfficeMojo.com.
8. RHINOFX DOES VFX FOR DREAMWORKS' GHOST TOWN.
rhinofx recently completed extensive effects work on DreamWorks' GHOST
TOWN, the sole vfx creator for the supernatural romantic comedy. The
film, released September 19, is written and directed by David Koepp,
best known for lending his award-winning writing talents to action
blockbusters INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, SPIDER-
MAN, JURASSIC PARK, and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE.
In the story, a surly dentist (Ricky Gervais, creator of THE OFFICE)
dies for seven minutes in a colonoscopy gone awry, and awakens with the
unwelcome ability to see and help ghosts. The rhinofx team's role
expanded as the film went through development, with VFX Supervisor Arman
Matin and Compositing Supervisor Jim Rider leading over 50 effects
shots, including a very intricate opening scene and introducing an
entirely new 3D collision modeling approach to simulate ghosts moving
through buildings, buses, and even people.
While Koepp's work includes several action-packed visual spectacles,
GHOST TOWN, filmed in NYC incorporates cool and understated VFX not
usually found in comedies, making the supernatural storyline life-like
and believable. The rhinofx team spent a month on set to supervise and
help construct the effects-heavy paranormal scenarios. The film opens
with a high-angle, moving boom shot showing NYC's 5th Avenue normally
overflowing with people and cars. To complete the extremely intricate
scene, Rhino used 3D tracking, modeling and photogrammetry to recreate
the scene in 3D, removing all traffic and people, completely
reconstructing an empty cityscape.
Elsewhere, 3D photogrammetry was also used to transform a standard
locked off time lapse shot into a moving "helicopter" shot over Central
Park. 3D tracking, modeling, lighting and animation were also used to
create the innovative "pass through" effect which allowed ghosts pass
through anything and everything.
To produce the complex pass throughs, the team created a 3D virtual
world and physically collided them in the CG environment. VFX Supervisor
Arman Matin explained, "The 3D tracking process allowed us to extract
three-dimensional measurements from the 2D footage. For each pass
through, we filmed both actors using a motion control camera. The
"ghost" actors were shot on a greenscreen, with the motion control
camera ensuring that the two camera moves could be seamlessly blended.
The scene would then be tracked in 3D using visual information derived
from the footage. We would then model the scene in 3D, creating a
physically correct intersection-even complete with proper lighting and
shadow interaction. Elements from 3D would then be passed onto Jim in
Flame to finalize the composite."
A similar process and approach was used for when ghost actors pass
through inanimate objects such as walls and buses.
Arman and Compositing Supervisor Jim Rider worked closely to complete
the project. Jim elaborates, "The project's intricate effects and heavy
compositing allowed us to really take advantage of our broad production
experience. Leveraging my background in live action and motion control
and Arman's extensive history with the world, we were able to make
seamless transitions between actual footage and Computer Generated
Imagery." The team worked in Autodesk's Flame to complete the heavy
compositing needed to integrate the CG elements and live action.
Commenting on the project, rhinofx COO/EP Camille Geier noted, "Film is
such a dynamic medium, demanding an extremely high quality of work, and
entailing great challenges. It was a very involved process, with rough
comps and several iterations to really nail the shots. Ultimately, we
were able to create a series of complex shots that aren't overt or
flashy, but use innovative elements that really add to the storyline."
Arman added, "The entire project was completed in an environment of
tremendous collaboration and creativity, even beyond our team. From the
very beginning, David appreciated our ideas and really understood our
approach. We worked together to make every shot happen and developed a
great creative relationship that allowed us to work freely to deliver
the best visual solutions." The team also worked extensively with
Cinematographer Fred Murphy, brainstorming the set up and execution of
each VFX shot.
The company completed the project out of their Connecticut studio,
dedicated to large-scale feature film ventures.
Credits:
VFX/Animation: rhinofx
VFX Supervisor: Arman Matin
Compositing/Plate Supervisor: Jim Rider
COO/EP: Camille Geier
Producer: Cara Buckley
Production Executive: Karin Levinson
Lead TD/Timelapse Plate Supervisor: Bogdan Mihajlovic
Timelapse Flame Compositor(s): David W. Reynolds, Ronen Sharabani
Flame Compositors: Yoshiko Hirati, Brad Scott
Lighting TD: Jasmine Katatikarn
Dynamics TD: Ivan Guerrero
Animators: Sean Curran, Goran Ognjanovic
Match Mover: Chris Hill
Modeler: Piotr Glabinski
3D Matte Painter: Bora Jurisic
Timelapse VFX Still Photographer: Yaron Eini
Head of IT: Paul Tsung
Flame Assistant: Barry Furlano
Production Coordinator: Gerta Xhelo
9. LITTLE AIRPLANE TAKES OFF INTO FEATURES.
New York-based animation boutique Little Airplane Prods., best known for
Nickelodeon show THE WONDER PETS, is developing three feature film
projects, per VARIETY.
Of the three, one is live action, one is animated and one is a mix, all
aimed at their usual family audience. Little Airplane Films will be led
by head of production Tom Brown and be based out of the company's studio
in a 200-year-old granary in South Street Seaport, which currently
employs 70 people.
"WONDER PETS showed us that we had the ability to create longform
stories and evergreen, classic family films," said Little Airplane
founder and president Josh Selig. "People have preconceptions about
family films, that parents are going to be bored by them, but we really
see a way to interest them too."
Little Airplane produced 3RD AND BIRD for the BBC this year and
previously had OOBI for Noggin and GO, BABY for the Disney Channel.
10. GREEN HORNET STINGS STEPHEN CHOW.
Stephen Chow will star as Kato and make his American directorial debut
in THE GREEN HORNET, opposite Seth Rogan as the Green Hornet.
Chow's hire gives a hint to the type of movie THE GREEN HORNET will be,
as his style (as described in THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) in KUNG FU HUSTLE
and SHAOLIN SOCCER is kung fu-meets-Bugs Bunny.
Masked crime fighter Green Hornet, to be played by a slimmed-down Rogan,
was a 1930s radio star who later appeared on film, TV and comic books.
The also-masked Kato is Green Hornet's sidekick and driver.
Neal H. Moritz is the producer through his Original Film production
company. he screenplay is by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, who will also
exec produce the film, set to come out on June 25, 2010.
"THE GREEN HORNET is a dream project, and it's come together in a dream
way," Moritz said. "Seth will be fantastic in the lead role, and Stephen
was the only name on the list for Kato. The material is a perfect match
for his sensibilities -- Stephen in the director's chair is the best
thing for the film."
Rogen added, "Stephen was always my and Evan's first choice for director
and to play Kato. We just hope that he never finds out we're not the
Wachowski Brothers."
"When Seth, Evan and Neal said they wanted Stephen Chow to be part of
THE GREEN HORNET, it was a fantasy," Columbia co-president Matt Tolmach
said. "Now that it's happening, it's almost too good to be true.
Stephen's been an important part of the Sony family for many years, so
it's truly serendipitous for us to be moving forward with him directing
the movie and starring as Kato."
In tapping Chow to helm THE GREEN HORNET, Sony Pictures Ent. continues a
long association with the star and director. Under its local language
initiative, Sony co-produced and released Chow's KUNG FU HUSTLE, which
went on to gross over $100 million worldwide and received a Golden Globe
nomination as well as six Hong Kong Film Awards and five Taiwan Golden
Horse Awards. Sony also released CJ7.
Chow added, "I'm excited to be taking on THE GREEN HORNET -- obviously,
I've been a huge fan of the show since I was a kid. The idea of stepping
into Bruce Lee's shoes as Kato is both humbling and thrilling, and to
get the chance to direct the project as my American movie debut is
simply a dream come true. I'm grateful to my friends at Sony, who have
shown so much faith in me for so many years. I'm looking forward to
working with Seth, Evan, Neal, and the team at Sony, and I'm eager to
get started."
Chow, Asia's number one comedy star and one of the region's most beloved
entertainers, has directed five feature films, most recently CJ7.
His previous feature KUNG FU HUSTLE was the third highest grossing film
in Hong Kong history after TITANIC and JURASSIC PARK. Chow made his
directorial debut with GOD OF COOKERY in 1996, followed by KING OF
COMEDY in 1999, both of which he also wrote and starred in. In 2001 Chow
directed, wrote, and starred in SHAOLIN SOCCER, the fourth-highest
grossing film of all time at the Hong Kong box office, which also broke
box office records across Asia. SHAOLIN SOCCER went on to win seven
major awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Actor, Best
Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound Design and
Best Visual Effects.
A native of Hong Kong, Chow grew up as a Bruce Lee fan and a martial
arts fanatic, but he remembers that as a child his own kung fu training
had to stop after six weeks when his family could no longer afford
lessons. Chow started his entertainment career as the host of a TV
children's show, 430 SPACE SHUTTLE. He quickly made a name for himself
with his witty style, but it was not until 1988 that he began acting in
films.
In 1989, in the movie FINAL JUSTICE, he played a supporting role, which
won him the best supporting actor award at the Taiwan Golden Horse
Awards and established him in the Hong Kong film world. The key turning
point in his career came only a year later, when he had his first
starring role in the 1990 Chow Yun-Fat spoof ALL FOR THE WINNER. In this
movie, Chow's unique and hilarious onscreen persona -- playing his first
in a series of lovable underdogs -- made him an overnight sensation in
Hong Kong and throughout Asia. Asian film observers also say that in
that film Chow gave birth to the "Mo Lei Tau" ("nonsense") comedy style,
now considered a fully established genre of Hong Kong comedy.
Since ALL FOR THE WINNER, Chow has gradually but firmly established
himself as Hong Kong's comedy king. Among his 50 some movies, JUSTICE MY
FOOT won him the best actor award at the 1992 Asian Pacific Film Awards,
and A CHINESE ODYSSEY won him the best actor award at the 1996 Hong Kong
Critics Society Awards as well as at the Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia Film
Awards.
Stephen Chow's Star Overseas recently formed a new multi-feature
collaboration with Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, under which
Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute the features
produced by Star Overseas worldwide.
Original Films' Ori Marmur is exec producing THE GREEN HORNET.
11. DWAYNE JOHNSON TO VISIT TOMORROWLAND.
Actor Dwayne Johnson has been tapped to star in a new sci-fi action
adventure flick from Disney -- based on the theme park land Tomorrowland
at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, per VARIETY.
Writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore have been hired on the project, which
the studio says is not entirely based on Tomorrowland, which includes
rides such as SPACE MOUNTAIN, ASTRO ORBITERS and STAR TOURS, but is an
original script. This comes after the success of its previous ride-
turned-movie PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.
Johnson recently starred in Disney's THE GAME PLAN and just wrapped RACE
TO WITCH MOUNTAIN; the space-themed film is a vehicle for him. Mayhem
Pictures partners Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray will produce.
12. MONSTER HOUSE PARTNERS REUNITE FOR AIRMAN.
MONSTER HOUSE partners Gil Kenan and Robert Zemeckis will again work
together on a performance-capture film adaptation of children's
adventure novel AIRMAN by ARTEMIS FOWL author Eoin Colfer, per THE
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Kenan will direct, Zemeckis will produce with his ImageMovers partners
Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey. A writer has not been hired yet.
AIRMAN is about a young man named Conor Broekhart, who was born in a hot
air balloon under a king who liked to look skyward for inspiration. Once
his tutor and the king are murdered, Broekhart spends two years in jail,
then escapes and ponders whether to fight those who are plotting to
overthrow the government.
13. VOICE CAST ANNOUNCED FOR CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS.
A voice cast headed by Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg,
Bruce Campbell, Mr. T, and Tracy Morgan, will bring to life the
characters of Sony Pictures Animation's CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF
MEATBALLS, set for release January 15, 2010, in mouthwatering 3D.
The Columbia Pictures film is written and directed by Chris Miller and
Phil Lord, based on the bestselling children's book written by Judi
Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett about a town where food falls
from the sky like rain. Pam Marsden is the producer.
Hader will voice Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating
something that will improve everyone's life. Faris takes on the role of
Sam Sparks, a weathergirl covering the phenomenon who hides her
intelligence behind a perky exterior.
Caan plays Tim Lockwood, Flint's technophobic father. Samberg plays
Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Campbell
plays Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint's invention can put
the town, and more importantly himself, on the map. Mr. T plays the by-
the-rules town cop Earl Devereaux, and Morgan takes on the role of
Earl's rule-breaking son, Cal.
Television
14. DENNIS & GNASHER GET STICKY.
Australian production company Sticky Pictures and Scottish animation
studio Red Kite Animation have kicked off production on the new animated
comedy series DENNIS & GNASHER (26x24/52x12).
DENNIS & GNASHER is an action-packed comedy series about a mischievous
boy Dennis and his ever faithful dog Gnasher aimed at children ages 6 to
11. The series is based on the iconic U.K. children's strip DENNIS THE
MENACE published in The Beano comic by DC Thomson.
Sticky Pictures Exec Producer Donna Andrews said, "We're very excited to
be producing Dennis & Gnasher. It's a famous, heritage brand, known
throughout the world and we're thrilled to be bringing it to new
audiences both locally and internationally. Our team is relishing the
true classic boy skewed series and its energetic, 'fun before all else'
storylines."
The animation team in Sydney is headed by director Glenn Kirkpatrick
(from Funnyazhell Animation). Andrews is producing the series, along
with Jane Schneider and Sueann Smith (Red Kite Animation). Sticky's Stu
Connolly is the Australian script editor.
DENNIS & GNASHER is an Australian production for the Nine Network and
CBBC in the U.K., with delivery due in 2009. Exec Producers are Ben Gray
(DC Thomson), Ken Anderson (Red Kite Animation), Jo Rooney (Nine
Network) and Andrews.
15. SCI FI SENDS SECRET SERVICE TO WAREHOUSE 13.
Sci Fi Channel has greenlit production on the new original drama series
WAREHOUSE 13, ordering 11 hours including the previously produced two-
hour pilot.
After saving the life of the President, two Secret Service agents find
themselves abruptly transferred to Warehouse 13 -- a massive, top secret
storage facility in windswept South Dakota that houses every strange
artifact, mysterious relic, fantastical object and supernatural souvenir
ever collected by the U.S. government. The Warehouse's caretaker Artie
(Saul Rubinek) charges Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly)
with chasing down reports of supernatural and paranormal activity in
search of new objects to cache at the Warehouse, as well as helping him
to control the warehouse itself.
Production is slated to begin this February in Toronto for a July 2009
premiere and will be a companion series to Sci Fi's hit EUREKA.
WAREHOUSE 13 is produced by Universal Cable Productions and exec
produced by David Simkins (BLADE: THE SERIES, THE BOOK OF DANIEL). It is
based on a story by Brent Mote and Jane Espenson; the teleplay was
written by Brent Mote and Jane Espenson and David Simkins. It is
directed by Jace Alexander.
16. THE FLASH FORWARD NOT JUST ON LOST ANYMORE.
FLASH FORWARD, a spec script by David S. Goyer and STAR TREK vet Brannon
Braga is close to a pilot order and series penalty at ABC, per THE
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
If the deal closes, ABC could finally have a companion show to LOST in
2009, which also utilizes the flashback and flash forward. ABC Studios
is in negotiations to produce.
FLASH FORWARD, a novel by Robert J. Sawyer follows the chaos that ensues
after everyone in the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and
has a mysterious vision of the future. Goyer is set to direct the pilot,
also exec producing with Braga and Jessika Borsiczky Goyer along with
Vince Gerardis and Ralph M. Vicinanza, who owns the rights to the book.
HBO originally developed FLASH FORWARD, and still retains a piece of the
backend. The pay-cable network's leadership liked the project but
thought a network would be a better fit. With HBO's consent, Goyer and
Braga took it out to the market, where ABC beat Fox in a bidding war.
The sale does create a conflict for Braga, who is in a deal with 20th
Century Fox Television as co-exec producer on 24 for FOX. ABC Studios
and 20th TV discussed co-producing FLASH FORWARD, but Braga eventually
pulled out of the day-to-day involvement on the project to help it move
forward. He will be an exec producer on FLASH FORWARD while retaining
his full time job at 24.
Goyer and Braga both exec produced CBS' sci-fi series THRESHOLD. Goyer
co-wrote the story for THE DARK KNIGHT and wrote and directed upcoming
thriller THE UNBORN.
Braga worked on several STAR TREK series, including creating ENTERPRISE
and wrote two STAR TREK films.
17. BLUE ROOM UPDATES GRAPHICS PACKAGES FOR MILLIONAIRE.
To revamp Disney-ABC Domestic Television's game show WHO WANTS TO BE A
MILLIONAIRE, Blue Room updated the show packaging and game play graphics
including logo and in-show graphic effects. The format changes will
debut this fall with host Meredith Vieira, premieres its seventh season
in national syndication on September 8, 2008.
MILLIONAIRE offers cash prizes for correctly answering successive
multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty. This season,
MILLIONAIRE will showcase several format updates, including a clock on
the questions and two new lifelines -- "Ask The Expert" via a face-to-
face Skype video call and "Double Dip," which enables a contestant to
take two guesses on any question. Also new this season, contestants will
see a "Millionaire Menu," which will reveal the categories of the 15
questions that they will face in the hot seat.
Blue Room, the creative services agency, was asked to update the entire
game play graphic package and also integrate a clock concept into the
overall graphics palette.
"This program is very well branded, and the average watcher is very
familiar with the game and supporting graphics. We really wanted to
bring a new level of excitement to the show, to provide both innovative
design and function," explained Brian Aumueller Creative Director of
Blue Room, the award-winning creative services agency. "To update the
elements of the show the Blue Room team employed 3D-based geometry and
beveled edges. Going 3D really gave us a lot of freedom and range to add
textural and lighting effects that provide great emotion to the various
elements of the show's established brand," he continued.
"We provided a new but totally integrated graphic look. Viewers will
recognize the game they have come to love but at the same time, will
feel there have been some exciting changes," added Mark Mutschler, Blue
Room Executive Producer.
"Blue Room's work is always impressive, but they totally blew me away on
this project," said MILLIONAIRE Exec Producer, Michael Davies. "I can't
think of any graphics company that would have worked so diligently and
cooperatively with such a complicated job."
Credits:
Production Company: Blue Room NYC
CEO/Executive Producer: Chris Gargani
Creative Director: Brian Aumueller
Executive Producer: Mark Mutschler
Animators/Designers: Steve Harper, Chieh Yien, Jorge Peschiera, Jason
Krilovich
3D Animator: Christian Day, Roger An
Hardware/Software: Maya 3D, Adobe After Effects, Illustrator and
Photoshop
Client: Valleycrest Productions
City/State: New York, NY
Executive Producers: Michael Davies and Leigh Hampton
Co-Executive Producer: Meredith Vieira
Director: Matthew Cohen
18. AMBIANCE MOWS THE LAWN WITH LARRY THE LAWNMOWER.
Australian production company Ambience Ent., creator of ERKY PERKY, GO
GO STOP and THE POP PUPS, is in production on a new children's property,
LARRY THE LAWNMOWER.
LARRY THE LAWNMOWER (65x30) will be broadcast on the Seven Network in
Australia and is a unique live action pre-school series that uses five
colorful friendly puppets based on everyday garden tools.
The characters include Larry the Lawnmower, a bright red lawnmower who's
fast, friendly and great at solving problems. Joining Larry are Wheelie,
the big blue wheelbarrow; Flash, the hard working yellow spade; Rosie,
the fussy and cautious rake and Tangles the green nervous garden hose.
Larry the Lawnmower and his friends live in "Greenwood Gardens," a
hyperreal magical place where our characters work, play and often get up
to mischief as they have fun adventures and make great discoveries as
they learn about life, the environment, team work and friendship.
Children's entertainer Jay Laga'aia narrates the series. Ambience Ent.
is partnering with Tony Bugg of Bugg Marketing Solutions to co-ordinate
a merchandising and marketing rollout for the series.
19. NICKELODEON GOES DARK FOR WORLDWIDE DAY OF PLAY.
Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group will go off the air and offline on
Saturday, September 27, from 12 to 3 p.m. (ET/PT), across all its TV
properties and related web platforms for its signature Worldwide Day of
Play.
This marks the first time ever that all Nickelodeon television networks
and its related websites -- Nickelodeon, The N, Noggin, Nicktoons
Network, Nick.com, Noggin.com, Nicktoonsnetwork.com, and The-N.com --
will go dark to inspire kids to participate in the fight against
childhood obesity. More than 250,000 kids in 10 different countries are
expected to participate in Nickelodeon's fifth annual Play Day, and more
than 1,000 local events worldwide are scheduled to take place.
Nickelodeon will return to the air at 3 p.m. (ET/PT) with healthy
messaging, all-new programming, and the finale of the extreme sports
competition, My Family's Got GUTS!, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
"Our annual Worldwide Day of Play has encouraged millions of kids all
over the world to be active," said Marva Smalls, Exec VP of Public
Affairs, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group. "We are making our biggest
commitment yet this year, utilizing all of our media assets and strong
partnerships. This day truly exemplifies how kids and families can take
charge of their health by taking time to be active together."
On Worldwide Day of Play, Nickelodeon will kick off the programming day
at 6 a.m. (ET/PT) with a Saturday morning cartoon line-up and a series
of interstitials with the final My Family's Got GUTS! families
highlighting the benefits of active play. At noon (ET/PT), the three
GUTS! families will "turn off" Nickelodeon to encourage kids across the
country to get up, go out and play. Viewers will be directed via a
Worldwide Day of Play loop to go play until 3 p.m. (ET/PT), when the
network will be "turned on" again by cast members of Nickelodeon's tween
series ICARLY and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Natalie Coughlin.
The health and wellness messaging will continue at the top of the 4 p.m.
and 5 p.m. hour (both ET/PT) with spots featuring the cast of ICARLY. At
8 p.m. (ET/PT), Nickelodeon will present the exciting hour-long finale
of My Families Got GUTS!, where three families will face off in several
action sports events for ultimate GUTS supremacy. A complete schedule
for Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play follows.
Noggin, Nickelodeon's 24-hour preschool network, will go dark at noon
(ET/PT) with favorite preschool characters Moose and Zee encouraging the
little ones to get up and active. In addition to going dark on Sept. 27,
Nicktoons Network will air spots during the day encouraging kids to get
up and be active. The N, Nickelodeon's 24-hour teen programming network,
will air similarly themed spots throughout the week leading up to
Worldwide Day of Play, encouraging viewers to get active on Sept. 27.
More than 250,000 kids are expected to participate in more than 1,000
Worldwide Day of Play events in all 50 states and 10 countries.
Nickelodeon has partnered with several organizations for its Worldwide
Day of Play, including its signature partner, Boys & Girls Clubs of
America, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City and the
NFL. Boys & Girls Clubs of America will host more than 550 Worldwide Day
of Play events in 50 states and 10 countries, reaching more than 60,000
kids.
Throughout the week leading up to the Worldwide Day of Play, nine NFL
teams will host events themed around healthy activity. Additionally, in
New York City, Nick is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters for
their annual Race for the Kids at Riverside Park, with media support by
Time Warner Cable. Play Days, presented by local Nickelodeon channels
around the globe, have also taken place in more than 40 countries around
the world this year.
Worldwide Day of Play is part of the Nickelodeon's overall Let's Just
Play health and wellness campaign. Launched in 2002 to give back to kids
the right of play, Let's Just Play has evolved to include a TV mini-
series -- The Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge -- focusing on real
kids adopting healthier eating habits; a grants program, which awarded
more than $2.5 million to local schools and community organizations; to
Websites and games that empower kids and parents with information to
help navigate good nutrition.
Nickelodeon has committed more than $30 million and 10 percent of its
air to pro-social messaging. Through the Let's Just Play campaign, more
than 750,000 kids have pledged to get healthy. Nickelodeon announced
last year that it will limit the use of its licensed characters on food
packaging to products that meet the "better for you" criteria as
established by marketing partners in accordance with governmental
dietary guidelines, beginning in 2009.
For more information about Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play and how
to participate, visit http://www.worldwidedayofplay.com/.
20. LOST HITS BIG ON THE SCI FI CHANNEL.
Sci Fi Channel's newly acquired series LOST scored in syndication with
audiences Monday night averaging a 1.0 HH rating and 1.266 million total
viewers (P2+) across the 7-11 p.m. stack in Live + Same Day Nielsen
data. In addition the telecast delivered 719,000 P25-54s and 658,000
P18-49s.
--In 8-11 p.m., Sci Fi was the #6 cable entertainment network for
P25-54s and ranked #8 for P18-49s.
--The 8-11 p.m. prime average of 653,000 P18-49s is the Network's best
Monday prime performance with series programming since January 1, 2007.
--Compared to the June 2, 2008 Monday stack debut of STAR TREK: THE NEXT
GENERATION, the 7-11 p.m. LOST stack is up +42% in P18-49s and +46% in
P25-54s
--Compared to the full summer 2008 average for STAR TREK: THE NEXT
GENERATION, LOST's 7-11 p.m. average is up +39% in P18-49s and +29% in
P25-54s.
The multiple Emmy Award-winning LOST is an action-packed mystery-
adventure series set on a tropical island. Plane crash survivors must
battle the bizarre island -- and each other -- to stay alive. LOST stars
Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as
Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as
Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as
Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic
Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O'Quinn as Locke.
LOST was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof.
LOST is from ABC Studios and is exec produced by Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan
Burk, Jack Bender and Carlton Cuse. The series is filmed entirely on
location in Hawaii and premiered on ABC in September 2004. The show's
vfx over four seasons are by Eden FX and LOOK! Effects.
21. FOXWORTHY, FOX TEAM FOR NASCAR ANIMATED PILOT.
Jeff Foxworthy, already a FOX staple with game show ARE YOU SMARTER THAN
A 5TH GRADER, got an animation pilot greenlit from the network about a
dysfunctional NASCAR family, per VARIETY.
Twentieth Century Fox TV will produce the pilot, which is yet untitled,
from the comedian and Nancy Hower and John Lehr (10 ITEMS OR LESS), who
will write and exec produce. Parallel Ent.'s J.P. Williams will also
exec produce.
Foxworthy will give his voice to the show as well. This new blue-collar
series could potentially replace Fox's long-running KING OF THE HILL
when it eventually winds down. Foxworthy has voiced characters on THE
FOX AND THE HOUND 2 and RACING STRIPES.
FOX's Sunday night animated lineup returns September 28 with new
episodes of THE SIMPSONS (its 20th season premiere), KING OF THE HILL,
FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD. FAMILY GUY spinoff THE CLEVELAND SHOW and
the beleaguered SIT DOWN, SHUT UP will debut in the spring.
22. NICKELODEON PICKS UP TWO NEW SERIES, RENEWS MIGHTY B.
Nickelodeon has ordered 26 episodes of FANBOY AND CHUM CHUM, a new CG
animated comedy series spinning off from the upcoming Nicktoons Network
anthology series Random! Cartoons.
Combining classic squash and stretch animation with CG technology,
FANBOY AND CHUM CHUM centers on a fearless, comic book-loving 10-year-
old named Fanboy and his best friend and trusty sidekick, Chum Chum,
whose wide-eyed acceptance of the bizarre is the perfect complement to
his friend's hyper imagination. For Fanboy, there is nothing more normal
than living life in tights and a cape, and the concept of an ordinary
day is one where anything and everything can happen.
The series was created by Eric Robles (NI HAU KAI LAN, THE X'S, GRIM
ADVENTURES OF BILLY & MANDY) and exec produced by Robles, Steve Tompkins
(THE BERNIE MAC SHOW, ENTOURAGE, THE SIMPSONS) and Fred Seibert
(Frederator's Random! Cartoons).
David Hornsby voices Fanboy with Nika Futterman as Chum Chum, joined by
a star-studded cast including Jamie Kennedy, Josh Duhamel and Estelle
Harris as Fanboy's untrusting wizard friend Kyle, Fanboy's uber-geek
mentor Oz and Oz' mother, respectively.
FANBOY AND CHUM CHUM joins Nickelodeon's slate of animated series
including BACK AT THE BARNYARD from Steve Oedekerk, Emmy Award-nominated
THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS from animation veteran Butch Hartman, THE MIGHTY
B! co-created by and starring actress/comedian Amy Poehler and top-
ranked SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS. Production of FANBOY AND CHUM CHUM is
based at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank.
Nick Jr. has commenced production on the new original series, TEAM
UMIZOOMI, which combines 2D and 3D animation with live action to create
a uniquely patterned urban environment where miniature action heroes
help real preschoolers solve everyday problems by using math. The 20-
episode interactive series is created by a team of BLUE'S CLUES
veterans: Jennifer Twomey (Co-Creator/Exec Producer), Soo Kim (Co-
Creator/Producer/Design Director/Writer) and Michael T. Smith (Co-
Creator/Producer/Writer). TEAM UMIZOOMI (formerly called THE UMIZUMIZ)
is set to premiere on Nick Jr. in 2009.
In the heart of Umi City, a team of miniature animated math-powered
action heroes await their next mighty mission. When the Umi alarm
sounds, siblings Milli and Geo and their robot best friend, Bot, help
live-action preschoolers in a pinch. Team Umizoomi needs their
Umifriends (home viewers) to use their math powers to help solve
everyday problems and keep Umi City running smoothly.
Each episode explores math in a variety of real life contexts, while set
to a catchy soundtrack of preschool pop rock that helps the team along
the way. In Umi City math is everywhere. By making math the key to
solving preschool relatable problems, the show will develop and enhance
kids' interest in, excitement for and enjoyment of math. The series is
designed to build upon preschoolers' conceptual understanding of math as
they are exposed to core mathematical concepts like numbers, counting,
computations, measurement, patterns and shapes.
Twomey started working with Nickelodeon in 1996 on the landmark
interactive series BLUE'S CLUES. Twomey was an exec producer and writer
for the Peabody Award-winning, Emmy-nominated series and co-developed
the puppet-based spin-off, BLUE'S ROOM, while serving as exec producer
and writer for the latter as well. In 2004, Twomey was exec in charge of
development and production for Nickelodeon Preschool Television,
overseeing current series on both Nick Jr. and NOGGIN and developing new
content for the channels.
Kim joined the Nickelodeon family in 1995 when she jumped aboard the
design team at the start of the first season of Nick Jr.'s
groundbreaking BLUE'S CLUES. Her love of the simple preschool aesthetic
and the challenge of the digital medium propelled her into the role of
Digital Design Director. She played an integral role in the evolution of
the production process and developing the signature visual style of the
well-loved series. Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Soo was on the
production team at MTV Animation, working on a range of development
projects and animated pilots as well as contributing to the web design
for MTV.com.
Smith, who also produces and writes for TEAM UMIZOOMI, first joined
Nickelodeon in 1995. While working for BLUE'S CLUES, Michael developed
content, wrote scripts including BLUE'S BIG MUSICAL SHOW (co-written
with Angela Santomero) which garnered a Young Artist Award in the
category of Best Animated Family Feature Film. Smith has also been
nominated for three Daytime Emmy awards in the category of Outstanding
Writing for a Children's Program.
Nickelodeon's animated comedy THE MIGHTY B!, created by comedian Amy
Poehler and exec producers/Nickelodeon animation veterans Cynthia True
and Erik Wiese, has been picked up for a second season of 20 new half-
hour episodes.
Poehler will continue to exec produce the series and star as the voice
of determined Bessie Higgenbottom, while Andy Richter will reprise his
role as her brother Ben. THE MIGHTY B! airs regularly Saturdays at 10:30
a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.
Since its debut, THE MIGHTY B! has attracted on average 3.1 million
total viewers 2+, including 1.8 million kids 2-11, 1.2 million kids 6-11
and 764,000 tweens 9-14 on Saturday mornings. Reaching 50% of boys 2-11
and 50% girls 2-11, the series ranked among the top five animated
properties on all of television: third among kids 2-11 and second among
kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14 in second quarter 2008.
Bessie Higgenbottom (voiced by Poehler) is the world's most ambitious
and loveably unhinged 9 3/4-year-old member of the Honeybee troop for
girls. As a member of the Honeybees, Bessie wears her uniform every
single day, leads her troop with a zeal General Patton would have
admired and has earned more badges than any other Honeybee in history.
Bessie is sometimes accompanied on her adventures by her ever-loyal
younger brother Benjamin (voiced by Andy Richter), her very opinionated
and somewhat reluctant dog Happy (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker), one of
her closest pals, her imaginary friend Finger and Rocky Rhodes (voiced
by Kenan Thompson), the cool, older skater kid who works part-time at
the counter at Bessie's mother's eatery, Hilary's Cafe.
Co-Creator, Exec Producer and voice of Bessie Higgenbottom, Amy Poehler
is currently in her eighth season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (her fifth as
the co-anchor of "Weekend Update") and will star in a new NBC comedy
from Greg Daniels and Mike Schur. Poehler has starred in numerous
feature films, including DR. SEUSS' HORTON HEARS A WHO! and SHREK THE
THIRD as Snow White.
Co-Creator, Exec Producer and Story Editor Cynthia True has written for
a number of shows, including Nickelodeon's NED'S DECLASSIFIED SCHOOL
SURVIVAL GUIDE and MY LIFE AS A TEENAGE ROBOT; The N's O'GRADY and WB's
JOHNNY TEST. She was also a staff writer for Nickelodeon's THE FAIRLY
ODDPARENTS.
Co-Creator, Exec Producer and Creative Director Erik Wiese is an Emmy
and Annie-nominated storyboard artist and writer who worked on SPONGEBOB
SQUAREPANTS for four seasons. Wiese's other credits include THE
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE, DANNY PHANTOM, SAMURAI JACK, SAMMY and the
animated Bjork music video I MISS YOU.
THE MIGHTY B! is produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in
Burbank, California.
23. BABYTV TO LAUNCH IN NIGERIA NEXT MONTH.
BabyTV extends its reach in Africa with a launch on DAARSAT in Nigeria
on October 7.
DAARSAT, a new satellite DTH in the region, will be launched by Daar
Communications who currently operate major terrestrials, Africa
Independent Television and Ray Power Radio Station.
DAARSAT will be the first satellite pay TV platform offering service in
Nigeria and operating wholly from Nigeria and will commence with 40
channels, amongst them BabyTV. BabyTV is already available in Africa
through MyTV and TrendTV.
Commercials
24. TH1NG CREATES LONDON FILM FOR RUN-UP TO 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES.
th1ng has created a short film to help raise the profile of London's
film industry and talent in the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic
Games. The film was commissioned by London Development Agency and
overseen by Film London.
To watch the film visit: http://www.th1ng.com/newsletter/london.mov.
The clip, first shown at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, promotes
London's creative industries to international business audiences. It
will be screened nationwide and worldwide as part of London Development
Agency's wider campaigning initiative.
The brief was to make a promotional film that embodied the edge and
glamour of London. The film had to showcase the wealth and breadth of
London's creative expertise and reaffirm its world class reputation for
combining quality and skills with high end innovation. The production
features sequences of iconic London themes and highlights the city's
cultural diversity. Directing the film was th1ng's Martyn Pick.
Five minutes long, the film uses a distinct artistic approach to capture
the essence of London. It portrays a slice of London life, depicting a
number of its typical inhabitants, including city boys, fashionistas and
a rock band. The main idea is based around the journey of a free
newspaper, which is folded into the shape of a boat and floats along the
river Thames.
Live-action sequences are the core of the film and these are enhanced by
a range of effects including a series of time lapse, motion blurs, and
light variations.
Most of the film was shot in HD although some scenes were treated with
Minidv and then blown up to create a smeary motion blur. The sequences
were edited in Final Cut Pro and compositing was completed in After
Effects. After Effects was also used to do transitions while other
elements were created in 3ds Max. Corel Painter was used for hand
painting into live action.
The ad heavily relies on Pick's "fine art" credentials to hand paint
images into the texture of live action. The hand painting technique was
used to artistically capture the essence of London. The film was
entirely storyboarded, directed, edited, and composited in-house at
th1ng.
Pick said, "Our main challenge was to use a distinct artistic approach
to create a film which captures the timeless feel and essence of London.
Hence, we relied on unique painterly manipulation of live action."
David Adam, Head of Emerging Markets at the LDA, said: "When you see
London you recognise it instantly as one of the world's most vibrant and
creative cities and the leading location for business, investment and
tourism. Through this film more people across the world will see what
London has to offer."
Credits:
Project: LONDON
Client: London Development Agency
Brief: To use a distinct artistic approach to capture the essence of
London in the build up to the 2012 London Olympics
Creative Agency: Film London
Media Agency: Film London
Media Planner: David Adam
Planner: David Adam
Writer: Martyn Pick
Production Executive: Maggie Ellis
Account Manager: Alessandra Grignaschi
Digital painting: Martin Oliver, Martyn Pick
Compositing: Bill Porter, Marc Knapton, Ravi Swami
CGI: Tim Marchant
Editor: Danny Atkinson
Lighting Cameraman: Dan Lumb
Art Director: Martyn Pick
Director: Martyn Pick
Production Company: th1ng
Post Production: th1ng
Producer: Mark Farrington
Executive Producer: Dominic Buttimore
Audio Production: Oliver Davies
Audio Post Production: Tom Russell
Exposure: London House, Beijing Olympics; future U.K. screenings in the
run up to London 2012 Olympic Games.
25. NTROPIC CREATES VFX JOURNEY THROUGH TIME FOR CHEVROLET.
With the fanfare of the Olympics over, a buzz still remains over the new
Chevy DISAPPEAR spot, which was created by ad agency Campbell-Ewald and
directed by Eric Saarinen of TWC. VFX company Ntropic was commissioned
to create the complex and intensive vfx in the :60 spot.
Using time-lapse techniques, the spot showcases the evolution of a gas
station over the years, culminating in the reveal of Chevy's electric
Volt car in 2010.
To view DISAPPEAR, go to
http://www.interdubs.com/r/ntropic/index.php?al=YU4RqY
For Ntropic, the spot involved a high level of detail to the visual
effects typically reserved for feature films. Ntropic Creative
Director/Lead CG Artist/Set Supervisor Andrew Sinagra worked very
closely with Saarinen in pre-production, using CG to determine the exact
layout and design of each gas station, as well as the concepts and
vignettes prior to shooting. Ntropic also studied extensive reference
material for fonts, wardrobe and signage from the different eras for
accuracy in the final product.
"We wanted to balance the spot so the viewer felt a continuing
progression of time with all of the activity that would take place, but
still be able to concentrate on our hero vignettes, which truly captured
each iconic time period," Sinagra explained. "There is also the varying
concept of time throughout the different elements. The background
mountains, gas stations and vignettes are each moving at their own rate.
Each one is designed to tell the story of progress while maintaining all
the key moments in each section."
The piece was created through a single lock-off as if someone truly
planted a camera back in 1920. This created some interesting challenges
for design and layout on how to best showcase each gas station with its
ever-expanding size while still being able to feature the Chevy Aveo,
Tahoe, and Volt without ever cutting or moving the camera. There was
also the continuing discussion of how much was too much.
"This is a beautiful high-concept spot," added Nathan Robinson, Ntropic
Creative Director, "and one that we knew people were going to watch
frame by frame. You cannot possibly catch everything in one view. We
reviewed the spot one frame per second to make sure the visual elements
would stand up under close scrutiny. The most rewarding part has been
the comments on YouTube -- people really take notice of the smallest of
details."
The five-day production involved a two-day time-lapse shoot in Wyoming
for background plates; two days in Los Angeles against an exterior
greenscreen for all of the foreground elements such as cars and people;
and a one-day shoot in Detroit for the Volt prototype. Shooting the
foreground elements posed a particular challenge because the lighting
conditions needed to match as time evolved for each element. Saarinen
wanted to use real sunlight to illuminate the foreground elements.
To meet this challenge, in previsualization Ntropic determined that they
would have a sun cycle of roughly two days so each time period had to be
shot linearly in its appropriate section of time. In addition to
lighting challenges, elements were shot at different frame rates. Some
of the background elements were shot between 1.5fps to 6fps while hero
foreground vignettes were shot at 24fps with the knowledge that many
frames would be discarded.
"Every frame in the spot is handpicked," Sinagra said. "We knew there
would only be a few frames devoted to each element. By shooting at
24fps, we could pick and choose the exact moments in time that will tell
the story. Eric was so great on set. The CG for the gas stations was
happening simultaneously as we were shooting so he would provide
elements for me as needed. The creatives at Campbell-Ewald were very
involved and hands-on through the entire process. They were as
passionate about the details as we were. We went through a lot of
iterations to hit the fine points in the spot."
"We were really excited about this concept," Robinson concluded. "The
complexity and condensed timeline of the VFX was an opportunity for us
to show what we're capable of. We've worked with Eric Saarinen on
several campaigns now. Creatively, we've gained his trust and he knows
that we'll make the right decision. We look at the piece as a whole --
how the film looks, how the sound is incorporated, and how they play
together -- rather than just from the vfx perspective. It was a nice
validation to receive praise from the Campbell-Ewald creatives for the
work that we had done."
The final stages involved one week of edit and four weeks of
postproduction. The technology utilized by Ntropic included Autodesk
Maya, Shake, After Effects, Silhouette, Flame, Inferno, and Smoke.
DISAPPEAR began airing during the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Credits:
Client: Chevrolet
Spot Title: DISAPPEAR :60
Ad Agency: Campbell-Ewald
Creative Directors: Michael Stelmaszek and Robin Todd
Art Director: Bob Guisgand
Copywriter: Duffy Patten
Producer: Joe Knisely
Production Company: TWC
Director: Eric Saarinen
Managing Director: Mark Thomas
Executive Producer: Steve Ross
Producer: Craig Repass
Production Designer: Sean Hargreaves
Editorial: Beast
Editor: Igor Kovalik
Assistant Editor: Amanda Elliott
Executive Producer: Valerie Petrusson
Producer: Ashley Hydrick
VFX: Ntropic
Creative Directors: Nathan Robinson and Andrew Sinagra
Executive Producer: Dana Townsend
Producers: Kara Holmstrom and Esther Gonzalez
Lead Inferno Artist: Nathan Walker
Inferno Artists: Dominik Bauch, Maya Korenwasser-Bello, Matt Tremaglio,
Jesse Boots
CG Supervisor: Peter Hamilton
CG Artists: Deb Santosa, James McCarthy, Dustin Zachary, Javier Bello,
Thomas Briggs, Robert Hubbard
Compositors: Marie Denoga, Ed Anderson
Telecine: Company 3
Colorist: Mike Pethel
Music: Amber Music
Composer: Soviet Science
Executive Producer: Michelle Curran
Producer: Patrick Oliver
26. L.INC DESIGN CREATES WHIMSICAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGN FOR MERVYN'S.
Motion, print and interactive design company L.inc Design was recently
tapped by Mervyn's to execute an ambitious back-to-school campaign,
which includes colorful graphics-driven branding and promo spots.
L.inc Design was tasked with creating three branding spots, one in
English and two in Spanish, as well as 24 unique :15 promo spots, all
directed by Julie St. Clair, Mervyn's Associate Creative Director of
Broadcast Media. Fusing hand-drawn-style fonts and colorful graphics,
the spots feature real children as they interact and dance with
illustrations of cityscapes, birds, flowers and paint splatters.
"Mervyn's came to us with initial ideas derived from their overall back-
to-school print campaign, such as the hand-drawn fonts and flower
graphic elements," explained Lisa Berghout, L.inc Design Creative
Director and President. "The scripts were in place, but we worked with
them in advance of the production to determine how we would shoot and
layout the graphics for the spots. The illustrations had to carry out
the idea of the campaign in a kid-friendly and narrative way."
With a tight timeframe of five weeks and more than 50 different spots to
create, the L.inc Design team did not have time to plan every scenario
and create shooting boards for the three-day shoot. Berghout provided
on-set supervision, working closely with St. Clair to discuss the shoot
and tracking elements needed for the design.
"Julie and I understand each other, which made our process much more
fluid," continued Berghout. "We were shooting a spot every 45 minutes,
so we really had to be in sync creatively. While we were shooting, we
made spontaneous decisions about the volume of graphic elements we were
going to achieve in post."
Once the shoot was completed, detailed storyboards were created to
determine the editorial flow and animation layout. L.inc collaborated
with the editors at Radium to ensure the graphics worked cohesively
within each spot.
"This was a fun opportunity for us," concluded Berghout. "Mervyn's is
such a great client, and we've been doing retail campaigns together for
a long time. This project wasn't about typical sales promos. We were
able to take it to another level, using graphics and animation to bring
the stories to life in each spot. We enjoyed the creative collaboration
immensely."
Adobe After Effects was the main tool used in the campaign for VFX,
design and tracking.
Credits:
Project: Mervyn's Back-To-School 2008 Campaign
Client: Mervyn's
VP: Neil Ptashkin
Senior Writer/Producer of Broadcast: Kay Streit
Associate Creative Director, Broadcast Media: Julie St. Clair
Manager, Broadcast Production: Jennifer Girard
Hispanic Agency: Rod Cervera
Production Company: Roaring Tiger Films
Director: Julie St. Clair
Executive Producer: Tom Ruge
Producer: Lisa Ewald
Concepting, Design, Animation and Post Company: L.inc Design
Creative Director: Lisa Berghout
Executive Producer: Anastacia Maggioncalda
Producer: Valerie Tuffy
Designers & Animators: Ed Apodaca, Mont Watanasiriroch, Kevin Head, Ryan
Berkey, Adam Patch, Adam Hicks, Peter Sharp and Cameron McEfee
Editorial Company: Radium
Editors: Alan Chimenti, Mahoko Kuramasu and Quan Tran
Audio Post Company: Crescendo
27. S4 STUDIOS GEARS UP 2008 AST DEW TOUR.
S4 Studios has designed and animated GEAR UP for Universal HD, a
maniacally energized 45-second HD animation and live action spot
promoting the 2008 AST Dew Tour, the largest tour in action sports, now
in its fourth kinetic coast-to-coast summer tour. The spot was produced
and directed by S4 partner Geoffrey Kater and designed/envisioned by S4
Creative Director Thomas Helmintoller.
According to Helmintoller, despite the spot's free-form appearance, the
graphic approach was highly structured. "Chad Mallam, the 'Preditor' at
NBC Universal, supplied us with an already completed temp edit of
original footage, consisting mostly of skateboarding and BMX action. We
had designed the 2007 Dew Tour promotions, but our client, NBC Universal
Emerging Networks, asked us to create the polar opposite of last year's
work, which had way more of a street grunge style. Instead, we went with
a clean, colorful and sharp hyperactive graphic look that made heavy use
of 1980s-style animated geometric patterns -- stripes, circles,
checkerboards of colored lights, cutout effects -- along with a lot of
different filters and lighting effects."
Mainly using After Effects 7.0 for assembly, design and animation,
Kater, along with junior compositor Sarah Keturah utilized the Wacom
Cintiq tablet to rotoscope a total of 58 shots from the live action
footage. "We placed everything in a series of different perspectives
that would lend themselves to those shots; the treatment of each image
affected the design of the one that followed it. The idea was to create
a completely immersive graphic experience for the Dew Tour's younger
demographic," Helmintoller said.
View the spot at www.s4studios.com.
28. BRICKYARD VFX PLAYS MOTHER NATURE FOR MASS MUTUAL.
Artist owned-and-operated bicoastal effects boutique Brickyard VFX
completed work on FISHING and ENTREPRENEUR, the newest spots from Mass
Mutual Financial Group, directed by Anonymous Content's Robert Logevall
for agency Mullen in Boston.
Both commercials feature moody lighting and weather effects. The :30
ENTREPRENEUR opens on a businessman inside a high-rise office building
looking longingly at a photo of his daughter while peering out the
window into the dark city. The scene transitions to a shot of the same
man looking out the window in his sunlit home, watching his daughter
leap into the backyard pool. A child's crayon scrawl on construction
paper reads "Daddy's Office."
The :30 FISHING opens on two fishermen enjoying a quiet, sunny
afternoon. A peal of thunder rumbles and dark clouds encroach on the
idyllic scene as the two men give each other anxious looks and speed
their motorboat back to the pier. The spot closes with a shot of a
window being gently pelted with the first drops of rain. Both spots
close with the voiceover, "What is the sign of a good decision?" and end
with the Mass Mutual logo and tag.
Brickyard VFX performed extensive compositing for the spots, creating
day for night looks in ENTREPRENEUR and adding storm clouds and
lightning effects to FISHING.
"In addition to overall effects, for ENTREPRENEUR, we added the element
of a woman sitting at the edge of the pool with her legs dangling in the
water. This was filmed matching lighting conditions with our RED camera.
The element was acquired without the use of water, we added photo-real
water displacement and color correction," said Brian Drewes, exec
producer, Brickyard VFX.
Credits:
CLIENT:
MassMutual Financial Group
Spot Title: FISHING :30
Spot Title: ENTREPRENEUR :30
AGENCY:
Account Supervisor: Amanda Chandler
Chief Creative Officer: Edward Boches
Executive Creative Director: Mark Wenneker
Creative Director: John Wolfarth
Copywriter: Karen Schwartz Alpert
Art Director: Jim O'Brien
Executive Producer: Zeke Bowman
PRODUCTION:
Production Company: Anonymous Content
Director: Rober Logevall
Executive Producer: Jeff Baron
Line Producer: Nadine Brown
EDITORIAL COMPANY:
Editorial Company: Bug Edit
Editor: Andre Betz
Producer: Joy Copeland
POST PRODUCTION:
VFX Company: Brickyard VFX
VFX Compositing Artist: Jimi Simmons
VFX Compositing Artist: Geoff McAuliffe
VFX Executive Producer/Producer: Brian Drewes
AUDIO:
Audio Mix/Engineering: Soundtrack Boston
MUSIC: FISHING
Music Company: Stimmung
Music Composer: Jason Johnson
Executive Producer: Kelly Fuller
Producer: Jack Catlin
MUSIC: ENTREPRENEUR
Music Title: CATCH THE WIND
Music Artist: Donovan
29. DIGIT BRINGS THE WORLD TOGETHER IN PSA.
Director Sylvain White recently sought out Digit's Creative Director
Elad Offer to help illustrate the idea of human connectedness for the
respected humanitarian organization One World. White and Offer have
collaborated on numerous projects -- from music videos to feature films
-- and this time they turned their creative collaboration to the greater
good.
"Veteran French producer Raymond Blumenthal, with whom I have worked on
many films, approached me about the project," explained Director Sylvain
White. "The idea of participating in this project simply seemed like a
fun and meaningful challenge. I have been working with Elad for years.
For this particular project, we simply talked about the ideas over the
phone -- the tone, feel, and so on -- and I trusted him to run with it.
What he brought to the project is apparent in the beautiful imagery he
created."
White provided Offer with live action footage of different people and
asked him to enhance the portraits in a manner that would both
illustrate what makes them distinct and connects them at the very core
of their being. Elad and a team of artists, including graphic artist Roi
Werner, Flame artist Maya Kornwasser and CG Lead Yuji Yagasaki worked on
the overarching design.
The heart became a natural transition image, carrying a dual meaning of
compassion for others and the elemental oneness humanity biologically
shares. Meanwhile, iconic visual styling highlights each person's unique
cultural roots, offering both a metaphoric and literal background for
every individual.
The team spent weeks developing the detailed multi-layered imagery
including the CG heart, which began as a hyperreal organ and then, under
Sylvain and Elad's direction, moved to the abstract final image. Elad
then united the various elements and orchestrated the final spot. The
tools utilized on the project were a combination of Photoshop,
Illustrator, Shake, Combustion, Flame and Maya.
The film is part of a collection of 12, all by different European
directors, evoking counter-racism ideas and destined for networks
throughout Europe.
"This was an amazing project for many reasons," Offer said. "Sylvain
gave me the creative freedom to explore any direction I wished. It was
great to do something together and to contribute to the fight against
intolerance."
Internet & Interactive
30. LIVE LIFE WITH PLAYSTATION 3.
Sony Computer Ent. has released Life with PlayStation for PlayStation 3
worldwide. Life with PlayStation is a new lifestyle service that offers
users a new visual and interactive way to use their PS3 to access news
and information from around the world, only possible on the PS3's
feature-rich platform.
Initial content LIVE CHANNEL will be released for Life with PlayStation.
Through network connected PS3, it delivers worldwide news and
information centering on two themes, "place" and "time" on a world map
interface. Some of the live content includes; cloud imagery (provided by
University of Wisconsin-Madison Space Science and Engineering Center),
along with weather information (provided by The Weather Channel), news
headlines (provided by Google News), and live camera images (partially
provided by The Earth Television Network) of nearly 60 cities around the
globe.
Through LIVE CHANNEL, PS3 users will be able to enjoy worldwide news and
live information free of charge. In addition to LIVE CHANNEL, Life with
PlayStation will continually deliver a wide variety of interactive
content and channels to living rooms through network connected PS3s.
PS3 users can join Life with PlayStation by clicking the Folding@home
icon on the network column of XMB (XrossMediaBar) that will update to
Life with PlayStation.
With the latest update, Folding@home will support more advanced
simulation of protein fold, and will also support PS3's unique
Folding@home ranking system, which enables users to see where they stand
among the worldwide contributors based on their level of contribution.
Folding@home is a distributed computing project run by Stanford
University which aims to understand protein folding and misfolding, and
how these are related to diseases and many forms of cancer. PS3 provides
approximately 74 percent (as of February 2008) of the computing power in
Folding@home and more than 1 million PS3 users have participated in this
project.
Distributed computing is an approach adopted by universities and
research laboratories to utilize immense computing power without the use
of central supercomputers. Small computing tasks are assigned to each
user's computer and the results are collected after computation is
complete.
For more information, go to www.playstation.com/life/.
31. RESIDENT EVIL RESURRECTED WITH NEW MOBILE TITLE.
RESIDENT EVIL DEGENERATION will be released on N-Gage later this year
from Capcom and Nokia. With gameplay optimized for N-Gage, including two
separate play modes, plus multiple mission types and 3D quality
graphics, RESIDENT EVIL DEGENERATION illustrates the unique capabilities
of the N-Gage platform.
The game, partly based on the upcoming October theatrical release in
Japan full-length CG motion picture of the same name, focuses on the
release of a deadly virus by a terrorist at a U.S. airport and follows
series favorites Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, as they attempt to
destroy the virus and prevent it from being spread across the country.
RESIDENT EVIL DEGENERATION is the first full-length CG motion picture
from the RESIDENT EVIL series, widely considered to be the benchmark of
the survival horror videogame genre.
32. MARVEL LAUNCHES NEW IRON MAN, HULK COMICS FOR ONLINE ONLY.
For the first time, Marvel Ent. is creating comic book series
exclusively for the Web with new IRON MAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK series
coming this fall. They will only available via an online subscription
service, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited at
www.marvel.com/digitalcomics.
Already featuring more than 5,000 comic books from Marvel's archives,
Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited will now enable fans to enjoy two
digitally-exclusive tales featuring the untold stories of IRON MAN and
THE INCREDIBLE HULK, which tie directly into movie continuity. The
series are being produced under the guidance of Marvel Studios, the
creative force behind this summer's feature films that grossed more than
$800 million combined at the global box office.
IRON MAN: FAST FRIENDS brings insight into the bond between Tony
Stark/Iron Man and his best friend, Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes. Weaving in and
out of the events in the feature film, the digital comic series explores
the kinship of the two through the eyes of Rhodey. Featuring original
storylines by Paul Tobin, with art by Ronan Cliquet and covers by Dave
Bullock, the weekly series launches September 17, 2008, in advance of
the September 30 DVD release of the IRON MAN feature film. Read it on
http://marvel.com/digitalcomics/titles/Iron_Man~colon~_Fast_Friends.2008
.1 now.
INCREDIBLE HULK: THE FURY FILES follows S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury
as he finds out why it's a bad idea to make Bruce Banner angry. Written
by Frank Tieri, with art by Salva Espin and covers by Steve Lieber, the
weekly series will launch on October 8, leading up to the October 21
release of THE INCREDIBLE HULK on DVD. The series picks up when Nick
Fury receives intel that Thunderbolt Ross's Super Soldier program has
finally produced an unstoppable warrior. A hands-on guy, Fury wants see
this "hulk" for himself. So he does... and that's when stuff starts
breaking.
The new comics represent the premier releases in a continuing slate of
comics available only to subscribers of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
Digital-only exclusives will be published regularly on Wednesdays at the
pace of three or more comics per month. Upcoming titles include top
Marvel characters and creative teams, fan-favorite holiday-themed
specials, explorations into science fiction, martial arts and Westerns
genres and more.
Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited subscribers already gain access to an
ever-growing library of Marvel comics featuring an array of titles from
every era of Marvel's publishing history. Marvel Digital Comics
Unlimited is curated by Marvel editors, and serves as an ultimate
digital comic Internet destination, allowing access to thousands of
titles from Marvel's historic comic book archives. From the first issues
of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, THE X-MEN, INCREDIBLE HULK, FANTASTIC FOUR and
other favorites, to recent storylines, mini-series and special issues.
The Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited site presents each digital comic in
the highest-resolution available.
33. NBC SHOWS RETURN WITH ARRAY OF ONLINE CONTENT.
Each new NBC Ent. show will launch with digital entertainment offerings
available on www.nbc.com.
The show's online content includes:
AMERICA'S TOUGHEST JOBS -- Deleted and bonus scenes, plus extended
contestant profiles.
THE BIGGEST LOSER -- In addition to the recently announced "Biggest
Loser League," fans will find extended versions of the elimination
scenes, exclusive weekly bonus scenes, a new season of Alison McSweeny's
blog and recipes from Rocco deSpirito.
CHUCK -- New CHUCK Webisodes and an interactive social network
experience -- Inside Buy More -- which includes games, quizzes and
career advice from Big Mike.
CRUSOE -- Weekly "making of" featurettes focusing on Crusoe's tree
house, gadgets, locations and costumes.
DEAL OR NO DEAL -- Weekly Beat the Banker interactive game as well as a
new season of the snarky Banker Blog.
ER -- For the final season, the site will feature an "ER Remembered"
section featuring favorite moments, user polls, memorable characters and
synopses of every season up until now.
HEROES -- More micro-sites that delve into secrets revealed on air, more
graphic novels, more cast commentaries and more Webisodes in December. A
"heroes versus villains" social networking experience launches in
October.
KATH & KIM -- "Are you a Kath or a Kim?" quiz, Kath and Kim paper dolls
for users to dress and "Wine Time" Webisodes where the characters dish
on tabloid headlines.
KNIGHT RIDER -- Investigate the back stories of characters in the Knight
Industries micro-site. Plus, a new behind-the-scenes production blog
featuring the writing staff and Billy's Blog will provide even more
insight. Additionally, users will find a new KITT game and interactive
Attack KITT and KITT cave.
LAW & ORDER: SVU -- Go behind the scenes with the weekly production blog
and find answers to fans' burning questions.
LIFE -- Ted Early's Blog, which Ted is keeping as research on his book
about life inside and outside of prison with Charlie Crews. A user-
generated Conspiracy Wall went live this summer with weekly updates.
LIPSTICK JUNGLE -- Monthly Web-only Bonfire Magazine issues, this season
featuring models from The Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency. The site
will also continue to offer the "Get the Look" fashion feature, where
fans can click to buy the looks from the show.
MY NAME IS EARL -- Randy's blog and special features tied to specific
episodes.
MY OWN WORST ENEMY -- Janus Corporation micro-site for more information
on the agents. Exclusive Webisodes will introduce a new character trying
to unravel the Janus/AJ Sun conspiracy.
THE OFFICE -- It's Dunder Mifflin Infinity 2.0! The social network will
feature new branches, new tasks and new prizes. Additionally, the site
will include a new Meredith blog, Angela and Andy's wedding planning
micro-site, a Serenity by Jan micro-site, ongoing updates to the Quotes
game and Office trivia, weekly deleted scenes and the second installment
of Webisodes slated for November.
30 ROCK -- Kenneth the Page weekly Webisodes, more "Ask Tina" video
responses, "Under the Bleachers with John Riggi" that will spotlight
weekly guest stars and a new feature -- "Ask Tracy Jordan," in which
Tracy gives users his own unique brand of advice.
34. JAMAN.COM ADDS POPULAR JAPANESE ANIMATION TITLES.
Jaman.com is now airing film and episodic content from anime distributor
Starz Media's Manga Ent.
Among the Manga Ent. titles that are now available for download at
Jaman.com are: GHOST IN THE SHELL, considered one of the most
influential and visionary animated films of all time; ROBOTECH, the
landmark anime series made popular in the United States in the 1980s,
and other well-known series such as ASTRO BOY, STREET FIGHTER II V,
NOEIN, KARAS and TACTICS.
Premium feature-length films from Manga Ent. will be available for
$2.99, while all series episodes will be available for $1.99.
35. WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING IN STORES NOVEMBER 13.
Blizzard Ent.'s WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING, the second
expansion for its award-winning subscription-based massively multiplayer
online role-playing game (MMORPG), will arrive in stores on November 13
in North America, Europe, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Russia, and
November 14 in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and
Thailand.
The expansion will be available in Korea and the regions of Taiwan, Hong
Kong, and Macau on November 18. Details regarding the launch of WRATH OF
THE LICH KING in mainland China will be announced at a later date.
WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING sends players to the cold,
forbidding continent of Northrend, where the fearsome Lich King Arthas
Menethil, last seen in WARCRAFT III: THE FROZEN THRONE, works from his
secluded citadel to bring all of Azeroth under his twisted dominion.
Players will battle the Lich King's undead army from the shores of
Howling Fjord and Borean Tundra to the seat of his unholy power in
Icecrown Glacier.
In addition, players will be able to advance characters to level 80 and
gain powerful new abilities while exploring several new zones and
dungeons. The expansion also introduces a number of exciting new
features, including an achievement system, expanded player-vs.-player
combat options such as siege weapons and destructible buildings, and the
game's first Hero class -- the necromantic death knight.
WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING will be available on DVD-ROM
for Windows XP/Windows Vista and Macintosh in two packages: a standard
edition, which will sell for a suggested retail price of $39.99, and a
Collector's Edition (in select regions) priced at $69.99. The limited
Collector's Edition package will contain:
--THE ART OF WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING, a 208-page book
with new images from the game.
--In-game pet Frosty, the baby frost wyrm.
--A behind-the-scenes DVD containing an hour of developer interviews and
the WRATH OF THE LICH KING intro with director's commentary
--Soundtrack CD with 21 tracks from the game, along with bonus tracks.
--A mouse pad featuring a map of the newly opened continent of
Northrend.
--Two WORLD OF WARCRAFT Trading Card Game MARCH OF THE LEGION starter
decks, along with two cards available only in the Collector's Edition.
The WRATH OF THE LICH KING expansion requires the original WORLD OF
WARCRAFT game, available now for a suggested retail price of $19.99,
along with WORLD OF WARCRAFT: THE BURNING CRUSADE, which sells for
$29.99. These two products are combined in the WORLD OF WARCRAFT BATTLE
CHEST, available for $39.99. WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING
has received a Teen rating from the ESRB.
Since launching in November 2004, WORLD OF WARCRAFT has become the
world's most popular MMORPG, with more than 10.9 million subscribers.
The game's first expansion, THE BURNING CRUSADE, broke PC-game sales
records in North America and Europe by selling nearly 2.4 million copies
in its first 24 hours of availability and approximately 3.5 million
copies in its first month.
For more information on WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF THE LICH KING, visit
the official Website at www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath. With multiple
games in development, Blizzard Ent. has numerous positions currently
available. Visit www.blizzard.com/jobs for more information and to learn
how to apply.
36. ANIMATED SERIES BEST ED GETS NUTTY WEBSITE.
marblemedia Interactive and 9 Story Ent. have partnered to create an
innovative Website for the animated children's series BEST ED (52x11),
produced and distributed by 9 Story. Fans can play in the world of best
buddies Ed (a dog) and Buddy (a squirrel) when the BEST ED Web site
launches in February 2009.
The website will centre around the world of Swellville, where Ed and
Buddy work and play every day, featuring six immersive game-based
environments where users can explore the world of BEST ED, targeting
ages six to eleven. Six activities are being developed, all of which are
inspired by actual episodes from the series -- like "Crossing Dog,"
where users help Ed get kids across the street to school. Character
personality traits are also on display such as Buddy's love for nuts in
the game "Golden Acorns." As a bonus for users, the more they play on
the site, the more nuts they collect, which can be cashed in to watch
additional animated content.
TELETOON (Canada), Cartoon Network EMEA and the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation (ABC) have licensed the interactive component in addition to
the television series. This endeavor between marblemedia and 9 Story
also involves the financial participation of the Bell Broadcast and New
Media Fund.
Places
37. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OFFERS LOOK AT THE WOLFMAN.
A first look at Universal Pictures' re-imagining of the genre classic,
THE WOLFMAN, will debut at Universal Studios Hollywood's "Halloween
Horror Nights" as part of the theme park's "Terror Tram."
The "Terror Tram: The Nightmare Tour" -- which expands this year to
double the length of previous Halloween tram experiences -- will offer
an exclusive preview of THE WOLFMAN on the tram's LED screens.
"The Terror Tram" experience will take guests off the familiar studio
tram and lead them on foot past such infamous landmarks as the Bates
Motel and Psycho House and into remote and menacing locations of
Universal's legendary backlot. For the first time, the "Terror Tram"
will also incorporate a series of spine-chilling mazes as part of the
trek through the sets from PSYCHO, and the tortured landscape of WAR OF
THE WORLDS set into an unforgettable experience that will raise the bar
of terror to a level that only an authentic Hollywood studio can equal.
Issuing a dare to "Live Your Worst Nightmare," Universal Studios
Hollywood has ratcheted up the intensity level to present a new
"Halloween Horror Nights" for 2008. This year's event will pair
Hollywood's top entertainment scenic and special effects artists with a
cast of thousands to create terrifying new experiences including a
bloodcurdling new NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET maze, all contributing to
Southern California's most intense Halloween experience.
"Halloween Horror Nights" begins on Friday, October 3 and will extend
over an expanded 13-night run concluding Saturday, November 1. Tickets
to "Halloween Horror Nights" are on sale now at
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/.
Halloween Horror Nights" will continue on consecutive weekends beginning
on Friday, October 3 through Saturday, November 1. Event dates are:
October 3-4, 10-11, 17-19, 24-26, 30-31 and November 1. The event will
begin nightly at 7 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the
event. Tickets to "Halloween Horror Nights" are $54 and are available
for purchase online at http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/.
Tickets will also be sold in advance at Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Hot
Topic, where consumers can save up to $20 per ticket with the purchase
of any Coca-Cola product. Guests can save up to $20 with any Coke can or
special coupon from Jack in the Box restaurants.
Inspired by the classic Universal film that launched a legacy of horror,
Universal Pictures, THE WOLFMAN brings the myth of a cursed man back to
its iconic origins. Benicio Del Toro stars as Lawrence Talbot, a haunted
nobleman lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes.
Reunited with his estranged father (Anthony Hopkins), Talbot sets out to
find his brother, and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. THE
WOLFMAN opens nationwide on April 3, 2009.
Home Entertainment
38. SHREK THE THIRD ON BLU-RAY.
In SHREK THE THIRD, from Paramount Home Ent. and DreamWorks Animation,
when Shrek married Fiona the last thing he had in mind was becoming the
next King of Far Far Away. But when Shrek's father-in-law, King Harold,
suddenly croaks, that is exactly what he faces. Unless Shrek (with the
help of his trusted companions Donkey and Puss in Boots) can find a
suitable King for Far Far Away, the Ogre could be stuck with the job.
The most promising candidate, Fiona's cousin Artie, an underachieving
Medieval high school slack, proves to be more of a challenge than he
bargained for.
"Overcast lighting was hard on SHREK 2, proclaimed Production Designer
Guillaume Aretos. "Global illumination [throughout the pipeline] was key
in making it easier. Aretos collaborated with art director Peter Zaslav
in adding 65 new locations for SHREK THE THIRD, in which the iconic
green ogre prepares for fatherhood and encounters a gawky teenager named
Artie, who eventually becomes the legendary King Arthur. The sets are
moodier and, for the first time, the artists could animate overcast
skies with no direct light for the funeral of King Harold.
"CG is still in its infancy," Zaslav added, "but technology is fairly
pushed at DreamWorks. Lighting is very controlled and global
illumination is used with a bounce card as a tool, not an end in itself.
It's close to live-action cinematography."
Special Features include:
--The Animators' Corner
--Shrek's Trivia Track
--The World of Shrek
--Shrek's Guide to Parenthood
--Meet the Cast
--Lost Scenes: The Fauxly Grail, Hot Lunch, Cyrano De Artie,
Doppelgangers
--Tech of Shrek
--Donkey Dance
--Big Green Goofs
--My Menus
--DreamWorks Animation Video Jukebox
--DreamWorks Kids: Merlin's Magic Cystal Ball, Learn the Donkey Dance,
How to Be Green
39. MADAGASCAR ON BLU-RAY.
A pack of not-so-wild animals experience some serious culture shock when
they move from the Big Apple to the Mighty Jungle in this computer-
animated comedy from Paramount Home Ent. and DreamWorks Animation. Alex
(Ben Stiller) is a lion who enjoys a charmed life as one of the leading
attractions at a zoo in New York City's Central Park.
While Alex and his pals Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo
(Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) are happy
with their lot in life, they occasionally have a certain curiosity about
the outside world, and when the zoo's penguins decide to make a break
for it, Marty follows them into the city. Alex, Gloria, and Melman set
out to find Marty before he gets into trouble, but they're a bit too
late, and soon the zookeepers have decided that the animals are restless
and need to be returned to the wild. Soon the critters find themselves
living on the coast of Madagascar, where they quickly discover they
aren't quite suited for living in the wild. MADAGASCAR also features the
voice talents of Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, and Sacha Baron
Cohen (aka Ali G).
MADAGASCAR, the latest animated comedy from DreamWorks, was directed by
Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, and written together with Mark Burton and
Billy Frolick. Darnell, who previously directed ANTZ, relates that
production began four-and-a-half years ago, when hand-drawn animated
features were still in vogue.
When MADAGASCAR was developed, "I don't think it was pitched as any
particular medium," he said. "That kind of stuff, at least in those
days, came out of development as what made the most sense, with the
story that we were telling. Once I got involved (my own interest is in
CG), it was easy for me to motivate it and steer it in that direction."
MADAGASCAR marks McGrath's debut as a feature director. "With my
background, there's a little bit more to 2D," he said. "The CG realm was
all new to me. I learned a lot from Eric as well as PDI [Pacific Data
Images, officially PDI/DreamWorks]. Eric really wanted to tell the story
in a fantasy world that actually was tangible, that you could step into.
That's one of the things that CG can offer. The advancements that PDI's
had since SHREK, we were able to take this world, stylize it and
actually use the aesthetics of 2D in a 3D world, so you get the best of
both worlds."
Special Features Include:
--Commentary with Directors Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell
--Mad Trivia Pop-Up
--Penguins in a Christmas Caper
--Mad Mishaps
--Meet the Wild Cast
--Behind the Crates
--The Tech of Madagascar
--Penguin Chat
--Enchanted Island
--DreamWorks Animation Video Jukebox
--Trailers
--DreamWorks Kids: "I Like to Move It, Move It" Video, Learn to Draw
40. THE GODFATHER COLLECTION -- THE COPPOLA RESTORATION DVD AND BLU RAY.
From Paramount Home Ent. comes the full 4K digital restoration of THE
GODFATHER trilogy supervised by Robert Harris and done by Warner Bros.
Motion Picture Imaging, whose team was led by TD Jan Yarbrough, which
used Baselight software.
THE GODFATHER (1972):
Francis Ford Coppola's epic masterpiece features Marlon Brando in his
Oscar-winning role as the patriarch of the Corleone family. Director
Coppola paints a chilling portrait of the Sicilian clan's rise and near
fall from power in America, masterfully balancing the story between the
Corleone's family life and the ugly crime business in which they are
engaged. Based on Mario Puxo's best-selling novel and featuring career-
making performances by Al Pacino, James Cann and Robert Duvall, this
searing and brilliant film garnered ten Academy Award nominations, and
won three including Best Picture of 1972.
THE GODFATHER PART II (1974):
This brilliant companion piece to the original The Godfather continues
the saga of two generations of successive power within the Corleone
family. Coppola tells two stories in Part II: the roots and rise of a
young Don Vito, played with uncanny ability by Robert De Niro, and the
ascension of Michael (Al Pacino) as the new Don. Reassembling many of
the talents who helped make THE GODFATHER, Coppola has produced a movie
of staggering magnitude and vision, and undeniably the best sequel ever
made. Robert De Niro won an Oscar, the film received six Academy Awards,
including Best Picture of 1974.
THE GODFATHER PART III (1990):
One of the greatest sagas in movie history continues. In this third film
in the epic Corleone trilogy, Al Pacino reprises the role of powerful
family leader Michael Corleone. Now in his 60s, Michael is dominated by
two passions: freeing his family from crime and finding a suitable
successor. That successor could be fiery Vincent (Andy Garcia), but he
may also be the spark that turns Michael's hope of business legitimacy
into an inferno of mob violence. Francis Ford Coppola directs Pacino,
Garcia, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Eli Wallach, Sofia Coppola, Joe
Montegna and others in this exciting, long-awaited film that masterfully
explores the themes of power, tradition, revenge and love. Seven Academy
Award nominations for 1990 were the result, including Best Picture.
Special Features Include:
--Godfather World
--The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't
--...when the shooting stopped
--Emulsional Rescue Revealing the Godfather
--THE GODFATHER on the Red Carpet
--Four Short Films on THE GODFATHER: GF vs. GF Part II, Cannoli, Riffing
on the Riffing and Clemenza
--Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
--Additional Scenes
--Storyboards
--A Comprehensive Documentary on the Making of the Godfather Films
--Featurettes: Filming Locations, Cinematography
--The Corleone Family Tree
--The Music of THE GODFATHER
--THE GODFATHER Historical Timeline
--Profiles on the Filmmakers
--Photo Galleries
41. LEATHERHEADS ON DVD AND BLU-RAY.
Oscar winners George Clooney and Renee Zellweger match wits in
LEATHERHEADS, a rapid-fire sports comedy from Universal Studios Home
Ent. with vfx by CIS Hollywood. Clooney plays Dodge Connolly, a
swaggering, aging football hero who is determined to guide his team from
bar brawls to packed stadiums. But after the players lose their sponsor
and the entire league faces certain collapse, Dodge convinces a college
football star to join his ragtag ranks.
Welcome to the team Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski), a golden-boy war
hero, with dashing good looks and unparalleled speed on the field. But
if Dodge thinks this new champ is too good to be true, then Lexie
Littleton (Zellweger) can prove that's the case. A cub journalist
playing in the big leagues, Lexie is a spitfire newswoman who sniffs
holes in Carter's war story. While she digs, however, the two teammates
become off-field rivals for attention. As the hilarious rivalry grows,
Dodge fights to get the girl while he tries to keep his guys together.
One thing is certain for Connelly, he knows that you always keep one
final play from the defense.
Sole visual effects vendor CIS Hollywood completed 237 effects shots on
the 1920s-era film.
Tom Smith, visual effects supervisor, CIS Hollywood, was on set during
most of the North and South Carolina shoots.
"The bulk of our work included stadium extensions, crowd replications,
and environmental clean up to match the period," Smith said. "It was
great working with George Clooney and producer Grant Heslov. They
welcomed our input and trusted us to come up solutions that were fairly
authentic recreations of fan-filled stadiums and playing fields that are
very much an integral part of the story."
The story progresses from early professional football to the final game
at the end of the movie where 30,000 fans pack a stadium. Four playing
fields and stadiums introduced throughout the film that were either
enhanced or created: a Princeton college game, the first pro game played
in a Duluth cow pasture, Ennis Field with 15,000 fans and Chicago Field
stadium with 30,000 fans.
Smith added, "We worked closely with the production designer, Jim
Bissell, who created detailed 3D renders of the stadium extensions that
we ultimately used as a basis for our photo real environments. We also
took great care to photograph many of the extras in their period
clothing so that the final digital crowd scenes would look very
authentic and match the existing extras."
Special Features Include:
--Deleted Scenes
--"Football's Beginning: The Making Of LEATHERHEADS": An inside look at
the making of the film featuring interviews with George Clooney, Renee
Zellweger and John Krasinski.
--"No Pads, No Fear: Creating The Rowdy Football Scenes": This bonus
feature focuses on the preparation and execution of the film's intense
football moments, featuring footage from the actors' training camp.
--"George Clooney: A Leatherheaded Prankster": This bonus feature shows
one of the set's most elaborate and hilarious pranks orchestrated by
director George Clooney.
--Visual Effects Sequences: A side-by-side comparison of scenes with and
without their visual effects.
--Feature Commentary With Director George Clooney And Producer Grant
Heslov (also available on Blu-ray)
Blu-ray Only Special Features:
--U CONTROL: U-Control puts viewers one click away from going deeper
into the making of the film without ever leaving the movie.
--Picture In Picture: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the making of
the film while watching the feature.
42. ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS CLASSIC HOLIDAY GIFT SET ON DVD.
This DVD set from Paramount Home Ent. includes three discs: "Trick or
Treason," "A Chipmunk Christmas" and "Alvin's Thanksgiving Celebration."
"Trick Or Treason" DVD includes five adventurous and hilarious
Halloween-themed episodes from the classic ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS TV
series.
--"Trick or Treason"
--"Babysitter Fright Night"
--"Theodore's Life as a Dog"
--"Nightmare on Seville Street"
--"No Chipmunk is an Island"
"Alvin's Thanksgiving Celebration" includes:
--"A Chipmunk Celebration (Thanksgiving)"
--"Food For Thought"
--"Cookie Chomper III"
--"Dave's Getting Married"
"A Chipmunk Christmas" features three adventure- and music-filled
episodes, including the classic Chipmunk song, CHRISTMAS DON'T BE LATE.
--"A Chipmunk Christmas"
--"Merry Christmas Mr. Carroll"
--"Dave's Wonderful Life"
Also from Paramount Home Ent. comes the single disc of ALVIN AND THE
CHIPMUNKS: "Alvin's Thanksgiving Celebration," including episodes "A
Chipmunk Celebration (Thanksgiving)," "Food For Thought," "Cookie
Chomper III" and "Dave's Getting Married."
43. CAILLOU'S WINTER WONDERS ON DVD.
From Paramount Home Ent., join CAILLOU as he explores everyday life,
where ordinary daily events spark his and your child's imagination. Your
child will be inspired by Caillou's pretend play, and they will join in
the role-playing fun where beds become boats, a garden becomes a jungle
and Caillou and your child can become anything they can imagine.
Special Features Include:
--Interactive Games
--Character Bios
--Parents' Information
--Coloring Pages
44. PEANUTS HOLIDAY COLLECTION ON DVD.
Good grief! Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Linus, Snoopy, Woodstock
and the rest of the PEANUTS gang are back to celebrate your favorite
holidays when Warner Home Video releases the PEANUTS Holiday Collection
in a three-DVD collector set that will include A CHARLIE BROWN
THANKSGIVING, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and IT'S A GREAT PUMPKIN,
CHARLIE BROWN Peanuts TV classics on September 23.
Since 1950, PEANUTS, created by Charles M. Schulz has been one of the
most beloved comic strips in the world. Soon thereafter PEANUTS holiday
TV specials became instant hits and secured Charlie Brown's position as
a pop culture icon.
The PEANUTS Holiday Collection contains everyone's favorite PEANUTS
holiday titles in one set with the all-new deluxe editions. The
collector's set includes A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING Deluxe Edition, A
CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Deluxe Edition and IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN,
CHARLIE BROWN Deluxe Edition with the new remastered episodes as well as
all of the bonus features.
In addition to new packaging and the all-new Deluxe Editions, the
PEANUTS Holiday Collection will also include a CD with songs from the
original soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi. IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE
BROWN Deluxe Edition has the gang in the spooky spirit, dressing up to
go trick or treating and to crash Violet's spooktacular Halloween party.
While the crew goes out to collect their candy -- Charlie Brown in a
ghost costume (with more eyeholes cut out than needed), Lucy dressed as
a witch and Snoopy in a World War I flying ace costume, Linus decides to
hold vigil in the pumpkin patch as he awaits the Great Pumpkin. The
Halloween special includes a documentary focusing on the myth and
tradition of the Halloween staple television program.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Deluxe Edition features the remastered
Christmas special in an updated look that still maintains the integrity
and feel of vintage Peanuts. The Emmy and Peabody Award winning classic
features Charlie Brown who has the Yuletide blues. To get into the
holiday spirit, Lucy advises Charlie Brown to direct the Christmas play
and put up a great tree. Charlie Brown takes the advice, but the tree he
finds is short, spindly and not very green, prompting everyone to make
fun of him. However, the real meaning of Christmas works its magic on
the Peanuts gang and they all end up in the holiday spirit.
The Deluxe Edition contains bonus features including:
--A new featurette: "A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A CHARLIE BROWN
CHRISTMAS" -- An in-depth look at how the producers brought a newspaper
comic strip to animated life in a new medium. Under tense pressure and
with many doubters, the show creators were able to create Peanuts in a
new medium and make the show a smash success.
--Digital downloads of two songs from the popular soundtrack
--A bonus episode: IT'S CHRISTMASTIME AGAIN, CHARLIE BROWN
A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING originally aired on TV in 1973 and won an
Emmy Award for its incredible animation and heartfelt message. The fun
begins when Peppermint Patty invites herself and her pals to Charlie
Brown's house for a really big turkey party. Good grief! Is Charlie
Brown doomed? Will Thanksgiving be the same without turkey, cranberries
and pumpkin pie? Thankfully, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock all chip in to
save the Thanksgiving day. With such good friends, Charlie Brown -- and
all of us -- has so many reasons to be thankful. This Remastered Deluxe
Edition with improved picture and audio is guaranteed to bring on that
grateful glow and contains great bonus features including:
--A new featurette: "Popcorn & Jellybeans: Making a Thanksgiving
Classic" -- A look at the final installment of the Peanuts holiday
trilogy and what it meant to its creators and to us.
--Digital downloads of two songs from the popular soundtrack
--A bonus episode: MAYFLOWER VOYAGERS
45. SCOOBY-DOO & THE GOBLIN KING ON DVD.
Spirits will rise and consumers will be spellbound this Halloween season
with Warner Home Video's release of the delightfully spooky SCOOBY-DOO &
THE GOBLIN KING, the new original movie coming to DVD September 23.
Featuring a star-studded line up of celebrity voices, SCOOBY-DOO & THE
GOBLIN KING tells the story of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo as they embark on a
magic quest to save the Mystery Inc. gang from the spell of a wicked
warlock.
SCOOBY-DOO & THE GOBLIN KING follows that lovable Great Dane Scooby-Doo
and his pal Shaggy as they try to stop a second-rate, carnival magician
named the Amazing Krudsky (Wayne Knight) from turning everyone into
horrible Halloween monsters, after he steals the light magic from
Princess Fairy Willow (Hayden Panettiere). Scooby-Doo and Shaggy board
the Grim Reaper Railroad, which is bound for the fantastic world of
Halloween land to retrieve the powerful Goblin scepter from the Goblin
King (Tim Curry), before Krudsky can.
Along the way, the Mystery Inc. crew encounters several enchanting
creatures such as the infamous Headless Horseman, the helpful Jack
O'Lantern and a frisky broomstick that take them on the ride of their
life. The film also features the voice talents of Jay Leno, Lauren
Becall, Lary Joe Campbell, Wayne Knight, Wally Shawn, Russi Taylor and
Thom Adcox.
Special Features Include:
--"Scooby-Doo You Believe in Magic?" Featurette: Viewers learn the
secrets behind some cool magic tricks they can perform for family and
friends.
Aside from its debut on DVD, the SCOOBY-DOO & THE GOBLIN KING has also
been scheduled for national broadcast in the fall of 2008 on Cartoon
Network.
46. THE TRANSPORTER TWO-DISC SPECIAL DELIVERY EDITION WITH DIGITAL COPY
ON DVD.
From Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent., Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is
the best as what he does: transporting dangerous or illegal goods with
no questions asked. But his last shipment, a beautiful young woman
kidnapped by international slave traders, brings deadly complications to
his delivery plans. Now Frank must kick into overdrive in a nonstop
action-packed fight to save his precious cargo -- and his life. The 2002
theatrical release had vfx by Eclair Numerique.
Disc 1:
--Action Sizzle Consumer Montage trailer with I, ROBOT and AVP
--Inside Look
--TRANSPORTER 2 Trailer
--Making of TRANSPORTER 2
--Actor Jason Statham and Producer Steven Chasman commentary
--Behind the Scenes of THE TRANSPORTER
--Storyboard/Film Comparison
--Extended fight sequences with optional commentary by Jason Statham,
Steve Chasman and Cory Yuen)
--Wall Street's Housecontainer Fight
--Bus Station/Oil Fight
--Original Theatrical Trailer
--Original Making of Featurette
--Trailer: ONG-BAK THE THAI WARRIOR
Disc 2:
--Digital Copy
47. FOX DEBUTS BD-LIVE WITH I WANT TO BELIEVE.
THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE will be released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc
on December 2, Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent's first release on BD-
Live. THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE Blu-ray release uses the format's
Web-enhanced functionality with exclusive features, games, additional
content and connectivity to other BD-Live users and X-FILES fans
nationwide.
"THE X-FILES Dossier" allows BD-Live connected users to create their own
Special Agent avatar that can browse through Agent Dakota Whitney's case
files on clairvoyance and post their own notes and theories to her files
online and download other profiles directly to their Blu-ray player
memory files; plus fans can become an agent-in-training by helping Agent
Drummy solve several forensic challenges (with new cases posted weekly
to the studio supported BD-Live web portal for the first several weeks
of release). Additional Blu-ray-exclusive features include picture-in-
picture commentary with series creator Chris Carter and producer Frank
Spotnitz along with "THE X-FILES Complete Interactive Timeline" on-
screen track chronicling the entire series mythology.
Fans can delve deeper than ever before with "The Ultimate X-Phile
Edition" DVD and Blu-ray packed with more than three hours of bonus
features content including an unrated "Extended Cut" of the film with
never-before-seen footage seamlessly branched back into the movie plus
the all-new feature-length documentary "Trust No One" that reveals
exciting secrets about THE X-FILES universe.
A standalone story described as a "skillful thriller" (Roger Ebert;
Chicago Sun-Times) that picks up six years after the series ended, THE
X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE finds Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana
Scully (Gillian Anderson) reunited after leaving their careers at the
FBI behind them. Forgotten by their former employer that ignored their
unique investigations, the duo is called upon once again when several
women begin to disappear and body parts turn up buried in the snow of
the Virginia wilderness. With Mulder's steadfast belief in the
paranormal and Scully's ever present skepticism, the investigation leads
them to a shocking discovery that tests their faith and questions what
is truly possible.
Directed by series creator Chris Carter from a story he wrote with exec
producer Frank Spotnitz, THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE features an
ensemble cast that includes Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, Xzibit and the
return of series veteran Mitch Pileggi as FBI Assistant Director Walter
Skinner.
THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE will be available on single-disc DVD for
$29.98; the three-disc Special Edition DVD with Digital Copy will be
priced at $34.98 and the BD-Live enabled Blu-ray Disc with Digital Copy
for $39.99.
Technology
48. THE9 ADOPTS ALLEGORITHMIC'S PROFX FOR UPCOMING FREE2PLAY MMOG.
Emerging technology company Allegorithmic is expanding its customer base
into Asia with Chinese game company The9 adding ProFX to its game
development pipeline.
ProFX was chosen for its ability to quickly produce high-quality
textures with extremely small file sizes (typically 500 to 2,000 times
smaller than traditional textures) and will be used by The9 to help
reduce the file size and download time for its upcoming proprietary
massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) titles.
"In developing a successful title using the Free2Play model, there is a
direct relationship between the size of the game client and the success
of the game," said Liu Kun, senior director from the R&D center at The9.
"This means it is imperative that we offer players incredible graphics
and an improved gaming experience overall with a minimum download time
and storage footprint. ProFX helps us accomplish this goal quickly and
efficiently."
ProFX is the only middleware that allows game developers to
professionally render high-quality procedural textures that are very
small in size. With shorter download times and reduced online file
storage, ProFX textures work well in MMOGs, virtual communities, casual
and downloadable games.
"The new online gaming business models coming from Asia will redefine
the way games are going to be played and monetized in the entire world,"
said Sebastien Deguy, Allegorithmic's president and founder.
Awards
49. OTTAWA ANIMATION AWARDS ANNOUNCED.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival came to an end with the
highly anticipated closing ceremonies held Sunday night at the Museum of
Civilization in Gatineau. Organizers announced the winners of the
official competition during the ceremonies.
This year's event, held September 17-21, was a tremendous success with
packed screenings, sold out workshops, high profile networking events
such as the Television Animation Conference and the Recruiting Fair. The
festival is a major international film event that attracts 1,500
industry pass holders from across Canada and around the world with a
total attendance of more than 27,000. This year's festival likely
reached the highest attendance to date.
The 2008 international jury for Independent, Student and Commissioned
Films include: Marco de Blois (Canada), Jonas Odell (Sweden) and Duscha
Kistler (Switzerland) The international jury for School Showreel, and
Feature Films include: Amica Kubo (Japan), Christopher Mills (Canada)
and Heather Harkins (Canada).
The festival had a special jury made up of local children to select the
Best Short Animation Made for Children and the Best Television Animation
Made for Children. This year's kids jury included Miles Kempffer-
Hossack, Sophia Gayowski, Asha Swann, Gyasi Swann, Chioke Swann, Emma
Scout McDonald, Anupallavi Sinha, Austin Kinross, Sara MacPhee, Tegwyn
Hughes and Isabel Hunter.
NELVANA GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST INDEPENDENT SHORT ANIMATION
CHAINSAW (2007), directed by Dennis Tupicoff, Australia
GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Best Animated Feature Film: TERRA, directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas
Honorable Mention: Best Animated Feature Film: SITA SINGS THE BLUES,
directed by Nina Paley
GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST STUDENT ANIMATION
I SLEPT WITH COOKIE MONSTER (2008), directed by Kara Nasdor-Jones, U.S.
GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST-COMMISSIONED ANIMATION
Sony Bravia PLAY-DOH (2007), directed by Frank Budgen and Darren Walsh,
U.K.
CANADIAN FILM INSTITUTE AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN ANIMATION
DRUX FLUX (2008), directed by Theodore Ushev, Canada
ANIMATION SCHOOL SHOWREEL
Best Animation School Showreel: Rhode Island School of Design (U.S.)
Honorable Mention: Best Animation School Showreel: Supinfocom (France)
INDEPENDENT SHORT ANIMATION COMPETITION
Narrative Short Animation under 35 minutes: CHAINSAW (2007), directed by
Dennis Tupicoff, Australia
Experimental/Abstract Animation under 35 minutes: MUTO (2008), directed
by Blu, Italy
Honorable Mention: DIALOGOS, directed by Ulo Pikkov, DRUX FLUX (2008),
directed by Theodore Ushev, Canada
STUDENT ANIMATION COMPETITION
Adobe Prize for Best High School Animation: THE DEPOSE OF BOLSKIVOI
HOVHANNES, directed by Will Inrig, Canada
Undergraduate Animation: I SLEPT WITH COOKIE MONSTER (2008), directed by
Kara Nasdor-Jones, U.S.
Graduation Animation: CAMERA OBSCURA (2007), directed by Matthieu
Buchalski, Jean-Michel Drechsler and Thierry Onillon, France
COMMISSIONED ANIMATION COMPETITION
Promotional Animation: Sony Bravia PLAY-DOH (2007), directed by Frank
Budgen and Darren Walsh, U.K.
Music Video: Ultimo SPONG ICE (2008), directed by Bolos Quentes Design,
Duarte Amorim, Albino Tavares, Miguel Marinheiro and Sergio Couto,
Portugal
Television Animation for Adults: People from The Dark Years BATES
(2008), directed by John Halfpenny, Canada
ANIMATION MADE FOR CHILDREN
Best Short Animation: THE SWIMMING LESSON,(2008) directed by Danny De
Vent, Belgium/Netherlands/France
Honorable Mention: LEON IN WINTERTIME, (2007) directed by Pierre-Luc
Granjon and Pascal le Notre, France/Canada
Television Animation for Children: THE UPSTATE FOUR, (2007) directed by
Fran Krause, U.S.
Honorable Mention: THE BUNJIES (2008), directed by Andreas Hykade and
Ged Haney, Germany
OIAF 08 was held September 17-21, 2008 in Ottawa. Events at the OIAF
included screenings, panels, workshops parties and the Television
Animation Conference. The OIAF is a leading competitive animation film
festival, featuring cutting edge programming, catering to industry
execs, trend setting artists, students and animation fans. For more
information about the OIAF, visit www.animationfestival.ca.
50. MOUSE'S TALE WINS CARTOON D'OR.
Benjamin Renner's A MOUSE'S TALE (LA QUEUE DE LA SOURIS) has won the
Cartoon d'Or Award today in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
The 18th edition of the Cartoon d'Or, the only European prize specific
to animated short films. The finalists were: Vincent Bierrewaerts for
THE BRIDGE (LE PONT), Belgium/France; Arnaud Demuynck for BREAKOUT
(L'EVASION), Belgium; Pierre-Luc Granjon for THE WHITE WOLF (LE LOUP
BLANC), France; Benjamin Renner for A MOUSE'S TALE (LA QUEUE DE LA
SOURIS), France; and Matthew Walker for JOHN AND KAREN, U.K.
The Cartoon d'Or 2008 jury was composed by directors Enzo D'Alo from
Italy, Raul Garcia from Spain and Michael Coldewey from Germany.
For further information, visit www.cartoon-media.eu.
Licensing
51. ENTERTAINMENT RIGHTS GETS HOME VIDEO RIGHTS TO FRANKENSTEIN'S CAT IN
U.K.
Entertainment Rights has secured the U.K. home entertainment rights to
FRANKENSTEIN'S CAT. Produced by Mackinnon & Saunders, this (30x11)
animated comedy series targets 6-9 year old children.
The show is currently one of the top rated shows on CBBC and follows a
unique friendship between a girl, Lottie, who doesn't fit in, and a cat
called Nine, whose body parts don't fit together properly. As part of
the deal, ER has the option to distribute further series and spinoffs as
the show develops.
ER will launch the first FRANKENSTEIN'S CAT DVD "The Cat From A Kit" on
October 20, in time for Halloween. The initial DVD will contain eight 11
minute episodes and bonus content, including an interactive game.
FRANKENSTEIN'S CAT started out life as a children's picture book,
created by Curtis Jobling. Then followed a TV series, a co-production by
Mackinnon & Saunders (U.K.) and Kayenta Production (France), distributed
internationally by CCI Ent. (Canada). The production recently won a 2008
Pulcinella Award at Cartoons On the Bay.
The show features two worlds -- Castle Frankenstein, a center of mad
scientific excellence, also home to Nine, and the Village of Oddsburg
where Lottie lives. Oddsburg is a center of excellence for superstition
and small mindedness. The part of Nine is voiced by Joe Pasquale for
CBBC.
52. JIM HENSON CO. TO DEBUT TWO NEW ANIMATED SHOWS AT MIPCOM.
The Jim Henson Company will debut two new CGI-animated series, DINOSAUR
TRAIN and THE SKRUMPS, at MIPCOM Jr.
Created for 3- to 6-year-olds, DINOSAUR TRAIN, featuring a colorful
steam engine that carries dinosaurs to the many prehistoric eras, is
currently in development as 52x11 episodes for PBS Kids. The world of
DINOSAUR TRAIN is seen through the eyes of Buddy, a preschool-age
Tyrannosaurus Rex. Rescued and hatched by a female Pteranodon, Buddy
soon realizes that he looks quite different from his siblings. In
response to Buddy's enthusiasm to learn more about himself and other
dinosaurs, mom takes her family for adventures on the DINOSAUR TRAIN.
Kids will get on board with Buddy and his family to meet all kinds of
dinosaurs and learn new fascinating facts about these incredible
creatures.
Also debuting at the market for pre-sales is THE SKRUMPS, a series based
on characters created by artist John Chandler and made popular by his
line of collectible figures and illustrated storybooks. THE SKRUMPS, a
uniquely colorful troupe of Skrumpland residents, is currently in active
development for long-form direct-to-DVD production with a future
television series also anticipated. The characters are performed using
the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio. Several short videos, including a
music video and several character video-blogs were initially produced
and distributed on Yahoo Kids! in January 2007 to launch the brand. THE
SKRUMPS were also featured in their first interactive game launched on
Yahoo in March 2008.
"Based on input from paleontologists, science educators, and early
childhood education experts, DINOSAUR TRAIN has developed an ambitious,
creative curriculum and harnesses children's enthusiasm for and
curiosity about dinosaurs, sparking children's interest in life science
and natural history," said President and COO Peter Schube. "The
innovative and irreverent quality of THE SKRUMPS continues our legacy of
creating families of engaging characters that audiences around the world
will connect with and we are excited to launch this new property across
all media including online content and television productions, as well
as merchandising and licensing."
53. BREAKTHROUGH LICENSES BETTY, DUDLEY.
Breakthrough Ent. has closed several broadcast deals for its children's
programming with broadcasters, heading into this year's MIPCOM.
ATOMIC BETTY, season three (26x30) has been licensed to Cartoon Network
Latin America and THE ADVENTURES OF DUDLEY THE DRAGON (65x30) has been
licensed to APTN in Canada.
Call For Entries
54. THIRD ANNUAL ANIBOOM AWARDS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS.
Deadline: December 1, 2008
aniBoom has announced its Third Annual aniBoom Awards for submissions
from independent animators of all types around the globe. Submissions
are welcome from today through December 1, 2008, during which time the
animations will be viewed and ranked by the community on aniBoom.com and
by a select panel of entertainment industry luminaries.
At stake is a Grand Prize for the overall winner that includes a $25,000
investment in commercial development and a distribution deal with
aniBoom that will enable the winning animator to significant career-
making exposure through a variety of outlets and channels.
In addition, three selected Community Favorites will be selected based
on aniBoom's online animation community ranking, as well as three Top
Selections by the competition's panel of Judges. All six selections will
be awarded a share of the $50,000 in cash and prizes, including ToonBoom
software and CG Society books. All 50 of the top picks will receive
prizes.
The panel of judges for this year's aniBoom Awards competition includes
content and entertainment industry's execs:
--Yair Landau, former President of Sony Pictures Digital
--John Mass, Exec VP at the international William Morris Agency
--Peter Hirshberg, Chairman of the Exec Committee & CMO, Technorati Inc.
--Mauro Del Rio, Founder and Chairman of Buongiorno
--Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Founder and CEO of the Gotham Group
--Barbara Corday, Senior Television Producer at Columbia Pictures
--Yehuda Wurtzel, SVP, Content Development and Productization, aniBoom
Participants in the previous aniBoom Award competition have benefited by
the exposure associated with the program. Eric Lerner, one of the 2006
aniBoom Awards winners, leveraged his success to a top-notch job at
London film studio Partizan Lab, and recently created an animated
commercial for Coca-Cola, for its 2008 Beijing Olympics. Anita
Dreiseberg, a 2006 aniBoom Award Winner for her animation, BACK IN BUSH,
was approached by the CW Network, introduced to her RENO REYNOLDS
HOLIDAY SONG entry on aniBoom.com, with a proposal to air it on the
holiday episode of their new TV show ONLINE NATION.
Information: www.aniBoom.com.
55. EASTGATE FILMS WRITE-A-SCENE.
Deadline: January 15, 2009
Eastgate Films is looking for a handful of talented screenwriters to
write select scenes for a motion picture titled THE SHILOH PROPHECY,
open to anyone. Visit www.eastgatefilms.com/contests.htm for more
details. Contact: in...@eastgatefilms.com.
Entry Fee: $25 Dates reflect deadlines for electronic submission or
postmark of mailed scripts.
Awards: $1,000 first place. Your written scene (and four other
finalists) to be filmed and cut into THE SHILOH PROPHECY. A copy of
Final Draft 7 to all five contestants.
56. DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE CHARACTER?
Deadline: October 22, 2008
From September 21 through October 22, you can win a 3D model printing of
your very own creation.
Animation World Network is now running an exclusive contest for 3D
printing/prototyping. Once only available to an elite cadre of
engineers, medical modelers, and product development gurus, the next-
generation technology is being democratized by Shapeways.
The first step in lenticular printing for all... well, a contest of
course!
Not only can your animated figure be printed in real contoured 3D, but
all submissions will be put to the ultimate test. The user base will be
voting on the best character and the winner will receive a $250 gift
certificate to print your creation!
This is a premier online 3D printing event open to all animators, from
the professional to the enthusiast, and it will be decided by the best
judge of all -- the consensus of all Shapeways users.
To enter the contest, simply upload your design to Shapeways.com and add
the tag AWN to it. You can submit designs until Wednesday, October 22 at
midnight. The winner will be announced on October 30. The top three
designs will be featured on the Shapeways and AWN websites, while the
winner will receive $250 in free 3D printing from Shapeways!
Events
57. TRI-CITY HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
Tri-City Comic Con 2008
Pasco, Washington, USA
October 11, 2008
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM animated short, a stop-motion adaptation of
Edgar Allan Poe's classic short story, directed by animation veteran
Marc Lougee and exec produced by animation and vfx icon Ray Harryhausen,
is slated to screen over the Tri-City Comic Con weekend, October 11,
2008.
The 3rd Annual Tri-City Independent Fan Film Festival takes place Oct.
11, 2008 in conjunction with Tri-City Comic Con (TC3).
The creation of TC3 is for the promotion of art, media, literature,
gaming, and imagination, especially in the Science Fiction, Fantasy and
Comic genres. We support the education of the general public in these
areas by hosting events, fan-run conventions, and bringing guest
professionals to the community and into the local schools to educate and
encourage future artists and artisans.
The event includes appearances by comic book artists, media guests,
exhibitor hall and dealers room, independent film festival and assorted
gaming events.
Event to be held at Red Lion Inn, 2525 North 20th Avenue, Pasco,
Washington, 99301
Telephone: (509) 547-0701
Website: redlion.rdln.com
58. POETRY FOR ZEBRAS AND HUMANS.
Zebra Poetry Film Festival 2008
Berlin, Germany
October 9-12, 2008
The ZEBRA Poetry Film Festival has given poetry its own international
film festival, the festival itself becoming the most important forum for
an independent art form fusing poetry, film and new media. THE PIT AND
THE PENDULUM will be screened as one of the Zebra Poetry Film Festival's
official selections, October 9-12, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.
59. FROM THE LENS TO THE EYE.
3D Biz-Ex 2008
Los Angeles, California, USA
September 30-October 1, 2008
3D Biz-Ex will be held September 30-October 1 conference at the Sheraton
Universal Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., effectively covering the broad
range of 3D applications -- from the lens to the eye.
Headlining this large gathering of 3D professionals are several
experienced and successful creators of live action and animated 3D
movies including: producer Jed Weintrob, Buzz Hays of Sony Pictures
Imageworks, Domonic Paris, Gina Gallo and Mimi Maynard of Illuminata
Pictures and Jason Brenek of Walt Disney Studios.
3D TV Market & Trends: Direct view and projection televisions capable of
showing 3D content are available and on the shelf. This session will
cover how these products are being marketed, accepted and used by
consumers, including challenges and opportunities. Presenters include
Mitsubishi Digital, DDD and Insight Media.
3D Content Creation & Digital Cinema: The creation of entertainment
content will be studied from several angles, including currently
available equipment, along with the future direction and opportunities
for creative personnel and hardware/software providers from cameras,
through post-production and delivery to digital cinemas. Presenters
include Sony Picture Imageworks, Illuminata Pictures, MacGillivray
Freeman Films, VisuMotion, Stereoscope Studios, Walt Disney Studios, NEC
Digital Cinema, MKPE Consulting, Texas Instruments and Real D.
3D File Formats: Experts in 3D file formats will present several aspects
of the much-debated best method for handling 3D files. This session will
also include the latest thinking and activity on standards for
transferring 3D content between devices. Hear from Philips 3D, TDVision
Systems, SENSIO, PassmoreLab, HDMI and SMPTE.
Market Opportunities: Outside of the very fast moving cinema and home 3D
markets, other 3D markets/applications as well as component and
ancillary technology is also fueling the 3D frenzy. Market watchers will
examine the market opportunities for public displays, visualization
systems like cave environments, along with gaming. Also explored will be
the new hardware architectures and ancillary devices like 3D printing
and imaging. Hear from Holographika, Mechdyne, NVIDIA, Jon Peddie
Associates, and Veritas et Visus.
3D Around the World: Finally, speakers from five different geographical
centers of 3D activity will report on what activities are taking place
in their region. Organizations are springing up all over the world, so
understanding the dominant issues, key regional trends and status of
development activities will provide a full measure of the scope of the
3D phenomenon. Regions and countries include Japan, Korea, Taiwan,
Europe and the U.S.
3D Biz-Ex also features a full day of content-rich seminars open to
interested individuals on September 29, and a host of networking events,
including a special event on the evening of September 30 at the CityWalk
@Universal Studios, sponsored by IMAX, featuring a close look at the
inside filming of an IMAX film and their approach to 3D.
Exhibits will highlight the latest 3D equipment and software available
to the market. Exhibitors include, Mitsubishi, DDD, Magnetic 3D, Philips
3D Solutions, SENSIO, 3D@HOME Consortium, Big3D.com, Da-Lite Screen
Company, Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Planar Systems,
Scalable Display Technologies, TDVision Systems and VisuMotion.
Online registration closes on Tuesday, September 23. On-site
registration will be limited to available seats.
The event will take place at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, just outside
Universal Studios, in Los Angeles. Hotel arrangements can be made at
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/book/us128a or by calling toll free
1.888.627.7186 (or 818.980.1212).
For registration and more event information, visit www.3dbizex.com.
60. SHOWING THE WORLD, ONE FILM AT A TIME.
AFI FEST 2008
Hollywood, California, USA
October 30-November 9, 2008
AFI FEST, the longest running film festival in Los Angeles, features
international films from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of the
latest work from great film masters, nightly special screenings and red-
carpet gala premieres. Each year, AFI FEST presents international
competitions of features, documentaries and shorts, as well as regional
showcases as part of its broader world cinema section.
When: October 30 to November 9, 2008
Where: ArcLight Cinemas, 6360 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood and The
Mann 6, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood. Special AFI FEST events to
be held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood.
Cost: Passes range from $95 for daily attendance to $795 for all access.
Available by: Phone 1.866.AFI.FEST, Fax 323.460.7732 or purchase on site
at the AFI FEST 2008 main box office at Hollywood and Highland (third
floor).
Further information: www.afifest.com.
61. DIGITAL DOMAIN AND RHYTHM AND HUES TALK MUMMIES.
The Making Of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Los Angeles, California, USA
October 2, 2008
Join Gnomon School of Visual Effects, the VES and the Maya User Group
for this exceptionally full evening with special guests from Digital
Domain and Rhythm & Hues Studios showing how they created the stunning
effects and imagery in THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR using Maya
and other tools.
The event will be at Gnomon from 6-9 p.m. on October 2.
Speakers from Digital Domain include Hanzhi Tang (Lighting Supervisor),
Marten Larsson (Lead Effects Artist), Chad Finnerty (Procedural
Character Animation Lead) and Aruna Inversin (compositor. Gee Yeung,
Sequence Supervisor from Rhythm & Hues Studio, will also speak.
Tang's lighting supervision on MUMMY was integral in making the Emperor
and other CG characters appear seamless in their real-world
environments. Tang has five years experience in lighting at Digital
Domain, having worked on films as varied as I, ROBOT, PETER PAN, FLAGS
OF OUR FATHERS, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT
WORLD'S END, TRANSFORMERS and THE GOLDEN COMPASS. In addition to MUMMY,
Tang also worked with Rob Cohen on the 2005 action film STEALTH.
Larsson helped develop the innovative "cracking technique" used to
shatter the terracotta warriors in THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON
EMPEROR. Marten joined Digital Domain in 2004, and his first film credit
was on another Rob Cohen film -- the 2005 action/adventure STEALTH.
Since then he has also worked as an effects artist on FLAGS OF OUR
FATHERS, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S
END.
Finnerty was responsible for creating the elaborate A.I. "brain" that
governed a crowd of 6,500 warriors during MUMMY's climactic end battle
sequence. Since joining Digital Domain several years ago, Chad also
served a similar function on films such as FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, LETTERS
FROM IWO JIMA, and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END.
Inversin was a compositor on the challenging "end battle" sequence of
MUMMY, working to integrate thousands of CG characters and effects into
real environments shot on location in China. Aruna has 13 years of
experience as compositor on both television and feature film projects,
and he first joined Digital Domain in 2006 on Clint Eastwood's FLAGS OF
OUR FATHERS.
Yeung is a look development, lighting and sequence supervisor with 12
years of experience in the visual effects industry. Starting out as a
generalist at Blue Sky, he evolved to specialize in CGI lighting and
look development at Rhythm and Hues Studios. Yeung's credits include
such films as ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, SUPERMAN RETURNS, EVAN ALMIGHTY,
HARRY POTTER and TITANIC.
As Rhythm & Hues Sequence Supervisor, Yeung focused on the lighting and
compositing production for 150-plus shots on MUMMY 3, from detailed
information on the R&D process to individual scene development and final
shot delivery.
RSVP at http://www.gnomonschool.com/?p=99.
62. COMING SOON, TO A MALL GALAXY NEAR YOU.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Intergalactic Tour
Multiple Cities, USA
September 19-November 9, 2008
The STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Intergalactic Tour blasts off today in
malls around the country. The tour will run eight consecutive weekends,
making appearances in eight major cities across the country until it
completes its mission on Sunday, November 9.
The tour brings to life both favorite and new characters from the
upcoming animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS with interactive
activities. STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, the first weekly television
series from Lucasfilm Animation, premieres on Cartoon Network Friday,
October 3, at 9 p.m. (ET, PT).
Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm Ltd. and iris Experience will present a Jedi
experience at each mall stop specially tailored for "younglings."
The environment will blend STAR WARS characters and a variety of
entertainment stations, which will offer a range of fun, interactive
games and activities. Kids can choose to take a Lightsaber Skill Test,
preview the soon-to-be released CLONE WARS interactive game, take their
picture with favorite STAR WARS characters, get a sneak preview of the
weekly adventure series in a special screening area, and even get a
temporary STAR WARS tattoo.
Tour schedule is as follows:
--Chicago, Illinois: Gurnee Mills Mall on September 19-21
--New York, New York: Roosevelt Fields Mall on September 26-28
--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: King of Prussia Mall on October 4-5
--Washington, D.C.: Tyson Corner Center Mall on October 11-12
--Atlanta, Georgia: Lenox Square Mall on October 18-19
--Miami, Florida: Dadeland Mall on October 25-26
--Houston, Texas: Houston Galleria Mall on October 31-November 2
--Los Angeles, California: Brea Mall on November 8-9.
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premieres on Cartoon Network Friday, October 3
at 9 p.m. (ET, PT) with a special one-hour presentation that anchors the
network's all-new night of fantasy, action and adventure. New series THE
SECRET SATURDAYS and current hit BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE join STAR WARS: THE
CLONE WARS for a night of non-stop adventure, exciting storytelling and
innovative animation.
63. TONY OLIVER LEADS VOICE ACTING WORKSHOP.
Bang Zoom! Voice Acting Workshop
New York, New York, USA
September 28, 2008
Bang Zoom! Ent. will host a special intensive one-day voice acting
workshop taking place on Sunday, September 28 at John Marshall Sound in
New York City from 10 a. m. to 6 p.m. The session will be led by veteran
voice actor and director Tony Oliver and will offer attendees in-depth
instruction on every component of voice acting including character
development, basic acting skills, and how to use and project the voice
with a variety of emotions. Developing a compelling demo, studio
etiquette and protocol for auditions will also be examined. John
Marshall Sound (www.johnmarshallsound.com/facilities.htm) is located at
630 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10036.
64. WORLD CINEMA, RETROSPECTIVES AND TIDBITS IN WATERLOO.
Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema 2008
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
November 13-16, 2008
The Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema is a unique film festival
celebrating the artistry of the animated feature film. Founded in 2001,
the Waterloo, Canada-based festival routinely presents one of the most
comprehensive showcases of feature animation in the world.
The festival presents three main programs: World Cinema, a showcase of
the latest in feature animation; Retrospectives, rare screenings of
historically and artistically significant feature animation; and
Tidbits, a program of discovery of feature animation created by very
small teams -- sometimes even teams of one.
Further details at www.wfac.ca.
65. ANIMATION, GAMING AND MORE IN HYDERABAD.
Animation & Gaming India 2008
Hyderabad, India
November 5-7, 2008
NASSCOM's sixth edition of the Animation & Gaming India 2008 will be
November 6-7, 2008 at the Hyderabad International Convention Center,
Hyderabad. Over the years this event has become a premier event for this
emerging sector in India, attracting the industry leaders, analysts,
observers and media.
This is the opportunity for an organization to participate in one of the
biggest animation events, spread over two days. Participants get a
chance to interact with luminaries from the industry, listen to experts
debate on topical issues and trends, witness interesting case studies
and see the best of animation and gaming previews, in addition to
introductions to the latest animation and gaming technologies, most of
the time before it is out in the market.
The target audience for this event includes animators, producers,
program directors, broadcasters, production units involved in media and
entertainment, art and design schools, IT companies, investors,
government officials from Films Division/Information and Broadcasting
Departments, media and more. It will provide an ideal platform for
Indian animation, gaming, electronic media, mobile and console players
to participate at the event and demonstrate their competencies,
strengths and capabilities.
Information:
http://www.nasscom.in/Nasscom/Templates/CustomEvents.aspx?id=54718.
66. RICH MEDIA HITS THE DESERT.
2008 Digital Media Innovation Forum
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
October 15-17, 2008
Limelight Networks will host its second annual rich media summit, the
2008 Digital Media Innovation Forum. The event will take place at the
Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix on October 15-17, 2008.
With the theme "Innovation: From Creation to Consumption," the three-day
event will feature senior-level execs from the content publishing,
technology, and telecom sectors discussing the opportunities and
challenges in building a scalable and profitable online business.
Featured speakers will include senior-level execs from Adobe, Accenture
Digital Media Services, Associated Press, CNET Networks, Disney.com,
Forrester Research, Fox Interactive Media, MTV, Microsoft, Motorola, and
Veoh Networks. Attendees will learn about trends and innovations that
are impacting their companies and reshaping the digital media landscape.
Presentations and panel discussions will address topics and trends in
entertainment, social media and e-commerce. Forum sessions include:
--The future of digital media
--The six secrets of successful rich media
--Creating engaging online experiences
--How to meet the needs of today's "me-focused" online audience
--Emerging solutions for contextual video advertising
--Understanding next-generation mobile media consumption
The forum will not only provide insight into the opportunities and
challenges in online business, it will present real-life case-study
solutions to these challenges. For example, attendees will get a behind-
the-scenes look at large-scale Internet event delivery through a case
study on the largest online event in history, the 2008 Summer Games.
For more details on the conference and registration information, visit
the 2008 Digital Media Innovation Forum Web site at
http://www.dminnovationforum.com/.
67. UPCOMING EVENTS IN ANIMATION.
Search AWN's expansive Calendar of Events section for a list of
animation and visual effects events extending into the year 2009. Find
out about all the places where you can see the hottest toons or showcase
your own work at http://events.awn.com.
Upcoming Films
68. UPCOMING THEATRICAL RELEASES.
Want to know what's hitting your local movie house this weekend, or what
your favorite director is working on? Then go online to
http://releases.awn.com and check out AWN's new Upcoming Theatrical
Releases database to find out the release dates for the forthcoming
feature animated and visual effects flicks!
__________________________________
News written and compiled by AWN News Editor Annemarie Moody.
Publishers: Dan Sarto and Ron Diamond.
__________________________________
Copyright 2008 AWN, Inc. No part of this periodical may be reproduced
without the written consent of Animation World Network.
_________________________________
Send news, review materials, events or other items of interest to:
Annemarie Moody
Animation Flash
6525 Sunset Blvd., Garden Suite 10
Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA
E-mail: edi...@awn.com; or Fax: 1-323-466-6619.
_________________________________
Visit the Animation World Network website, which includes Animation
World Magazine in both HTML and Adobe Acrobat Editions.
__________________________________
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