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Game Headline News

DeVry University Offers Online Game & Simulation Programming Degree Program

Building on the success of the game and simulation programming (GSP) baccalaureate degree program at 11 of its campuses nationwide, DeVry University will offer the GSP degree program online beginning in spring 2006.

The relatively young academic specialty of computer game technologies has grown in popularity in response to the skyrocketing videogame industry. According to the NPD Group, Inc. a global leader in sales and marketing information, videogame sales have grown from $6.6 billion in 2000 to $9.4 billion in 2004.

Comedy Headline News

Director Kenan Moran Signs with Curious Pictures

Comedy director Kenan Moran has signed with Curious Pictures for exclusive TV commercial representation.

Moran, who recently directed a seven-spot Comedy Central image campaign through the company on a freelance basis, was working with Czar U.S. An alumnus of MTVs on-air promo department, he brings a comic sensibility and solid live-action experience to a production company long associated with animation and mixed media work.

Series Headline News

VTV Producing 100 Volume Historical Cartoon

Vietnam Television (VTV) is set to produce the first two volumes of a historical cartoon series in celebration the 1,000th anniversary of the ancient capital Thang Long, now known as Hanoi, reports VietnamNet.vn. The series, entitled CHIEC GIENG THOI GIAN, (THE WELL OF TIME) includes 100 volumes representing different historical periods in Vietnam since the establishment of the country.

Nickelodeon Headline News

THQ Links Nickelodeon Videogames Titles

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 12:00am

THQ Inc. announced a new design feature that links multiple titles in THQ's Nickelodeon videogame lineup for the PlayStation 2, enabling expanded game play and special features for consumers who own more than one of the titles. THQ's Nickelodeon games that incorporate this special Cross Save feature include TAK: THE GREAT JUJU CHALLENGE, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: LIGHTS, CAMERA PANTS!, NICKTOONS UNITE! and BARNYARD, based on Paramount Pictures'/Nickelodeon Movies' upcoming theatrical release.

Anime Headline News

Central Park Media & New England Anime Society Celebrate 2006

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 12:00am

New England Anime SocietyBoston, Massachusetts, USADecember 31, 2005

Boston is home to America's longest running First Night celebration, and for the past two years, the city's New England Anime Society has been a part of this tradition. This year, the New England Anime Society is back and hopes to have its largest and most successful First Night anime event yet. On Dec. 31, 2005, the New England Anime Society will be welcoming in 2006 this time with a little help from Central Park Media.

Licensing Headline News

4Kids Not Renewing Pokemon License

By Rick DeMott | Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 12:00am

4Kids Ent. Inc. and Pokemon USA Inc. announced that they have agreed not to renew the POKEMON representation agreement set to expire on Dec. 31, 2005. Beginning in 2006, Pokemon USA Inc.'s in-house licensing group will handle all POKEMON licensing outside of Asia.

Disney Headline News

Disney Orders 4th Season Kim Possible

Disney's KIM POSSIBLE the animated hit comedy/action series from Walt Disney Television Animation, resumes production for a fourth season of 22 new episodes. KIM POSSIBLE airs in the U.S. on Disney Channel, Toon Disney and the ABC Television Network's "ABC Kids" daypart.

The international hit, KIM POSSIBLE, is from multiple Emmy-nominated creators/exec producers Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle. Emmy nominee Steve Loter also returns as director and producer of the fourth season.

Headline News

NewTek Releases Free Update to VT[4] Integrated Production Suite

NewTek Inc. announced the release of a free update for VT[4] owners, version 4.6. The new version of the award-winning VT[4] Integrated Production Suite includes improved 3D animation and motion graphics tools, enhanced support for multiple monitors, improvements to the NewTek codec and all computer sources, including attached DV cameras, and can be used as a downstream key (DSK). The feature and maintenance update is a free download for registered VT[4] users.

Headline News

Color Astro Boy Now on DVD

While fans still await the original black-and-white ASTRO BOY series from 1963, the 83 color remake of Osamu Tezukas iconic work will have to suffice. ASTRO BOY COLLECTION BOX SET (Manga Ent., $39.98) contains 51 episodes spread across eight DVDs, with both the English language dialogue, and, for the first time, the original Japanese audio tracks.

Business Headline News

Carrie Dumont to Run Business Affairs for Cookie Jar

Carrie Dumont joins Cookie Jar Ent. as vp of its business affairs group to lead its expanding property acquisition, development and merchandising activities. Dumonts immediate focus will be in overseeing agreements with the ever-expanding roster of partners involved in Cookie Jars latest global television and merchandising sensation, THE DOODLEBOPS, as well the companys other renowned classic preschool brand, CAILLOU.

Animation Headline News

Computer Animation Studios In Ontario Form CASO Assoc.

The Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO) has been formed to address the issues and opportunities of computer animation studios in Ontario. There are an estimated 50 studios in the Canadian province that produce computer animation and visual effects for feature films, television programs and television commercials. These studios employ anywhere from a few to hundreds of employees who use the latest in computer equipment and software to create world leading animation and digital visual effects.

Headline News

BVHEI Appoints Jerome Le Grand SCP/Deputy GM of Europe, Middle East and Africa

Buena Vista Home Entertainment International (BVHEI) has appointed Jerome Le Grand to the newly created position of svp/deputy gm of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Le Grand's responsibilities will include the management of the following departments: Finance, Operations/ESCO, Commercial Planning and Distribution, Emerging Markets Group for the EMEA. He will also serve as business contact for the European Legal Department.

Games Headline News

Vivendi Universal Games Announces Ice Age 2 Game

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at 12:00am

Vivendi Universal Games announced that a videogame is in development based on 20th Century Fox's upcoming family film, ICE AGE 2: THE MELTDOWN.

The videogame will be available in stores spring 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and PC. It will sell for $19.99 on PC, $29.99 for Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance and $39.99 for consoles.

Show Headline News

Big Machine Titles X-Testers For The Learning Channel

By Rick DeMott | Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at 12:00am

Big Machine Design (BMD) has produced a new main title opening sequence and show graphics package for the TV program X-TESTERS, which airs on The Learning Channel. For X-TESTERS, BMD produced a main title opening sequence combining graphics and live action. BMDs client for the program was Lee Toft, post supervisor at Mike Mathis Prods.

Brickyard Headline News

Brickyard VFX Expands Workload for Volkswagen Shorts

Brickyard VFX expanded its work for Volkswagen from visual effects to end-to-end creative direction with 14 short films to promo the 2006 Volkswagen (VW) Passat. VW and advertising agency Arnold Worldwide tapped Brickyard as one of a handful of production entities to conceive and produce the clever and artsy :15-second films, each of which focuses on one of the features of the new "beyond-loaded" Passat. The Volkswagen Passat Feature Films Project has been rolled out via www.vw.com and traditional broadcast media.

Motion Headline News

RE:Vision Effects Releases Twixtor for XSI

RE:Vision Effects offers Twixtor, their popular retiming solution, for SOFTIMAGE|XSI animation software.

Twixtor 4.5 raises the bar in motion estimation. Nick Brooks, Oscar and Emmy winner for visual effects, said, "Twixtor 4.5 represents a new touchstone in retiming. The difference in accuracy means that retiming artifacts are either drastically reduced or disappear on the hardest to retime footage. "

Twixtor runs as an FxTree operator within SOFTIMAGE|XSI and provides the following features:* Calculation of motion vectors at each pixel.

Digital Headline News

Framestore CFC Alters Landscape for Nanny McPhee

NANNY MCPHEE, the new children's fantasy film, directed by Kirk Jones and starring Emma Thompson and Colin Firth, from a screenplay by Thompson, opens Jan. 27 through Universal Pictures. A team of more than 80 artists and technicians at Framestore CFC in London worked for nine months on the films digital vfx, providing some 150 shots. In addition, Framestore CFC's Digital Lab facility created the film's distinctive Digital Intermediate.

Mill Headline News

The Mill Names Marc Ruxin COO

Marc Ruxin has been hired as the coo of The Mill Group North America and Alistair Thompson has been promoted to md of The Mill New York.

Ruxin will be responsible for the growth, management and development of new products and services for The Mill and BEAM.TV. Ruxin brings 13 years of experience leading strategy, business development and marketing efforts on both the client and agency side of the technology and entertainment business.

Creative Headline News

Sharon Ngoi New Creative Director on Disney Channel's Marketing Team

Sharon Ngoi joins Disney Channel's marketing team as creative director and will work on promoting the Playhouse Disney-branded block, a learning-focused daypart for preschoolers, their parents and caregivers.

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