A N I M A T I O N  F L A S H

Tuesday, November 25, 2003                           Volume 08, Issue 35
________________________________________________________________________

                  The Animation Flash E-mail Newsletter

                 an Animation World Network publication


                     ****Industry News Headlines****

Business 
    1. CINAR SETS TAKEOVER BID MEETING WITH SHAREHOLDERS.
    2. U.S. CONGRESS AGREES TO SET 39% CEILING FOR BROADCASTERS.
People
    3. BIRD TO ROOST AT MOUSE HOUSE.
    4. BURRELL JOINS CAFEFX AS ANIMATION SUPERVISOR.
    5. MARKETING VET RICE REJOINS DISNEY; PUBLICIST TROTTA PROMOTED.
In Passing
    6. SEAQUEST STAR & ALADDIN VOICE ACTOR BRANDIS DEAD BY SUICIDE.
Film
    7. NEMO IN, SINBAD OUT AMONG ANIMATED FEATURE OSCAR CONTENDERS.
    8. KAENA: THE PROPHECY GETS U.S. RELEASE.
    9. H2V SPRINGS SLINKY ANIMATED PROPERTIES.
   10. BLUR UNVEILS ROCKFISH.
   11. GOLLUM ACTOR TO BECOME KING KONG.
   12. THE RISQUE CAT'S OUT OF THE BOX OFFICE BAG.
   13. CINESITE (EUROPE) ANNOUNCES VFX SLATE.
   14. CAFEFX SCARES UP FIERY GOTHIKA.
Television
   15. BASIL BRUSH HEADED FOR GERMANY.
   16. 3DBOXX USED ON THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION<BEYOND CONSPIRACY
Commercials
   17. SOHO AND GROUNDZERO TEAM ON FISHERMAN¹S FRIEND SPOT.
   18. HRA PLAYS WITH FOOD FOR BRANSTON SPOT.
Internet & Interactive
   19. ATARI SHIPS DRAGON BALL Z: TAIKETSU.
   20. NYKO RE-LAUNCHES WEBSITE WITH ONLINE CONTEST.
   21. NEW CREATURE COMFORTS SHOP NOW OPEN.
   22. ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA LAUNCHES GAMING INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER.
Home Video
   23. X2: X-MEN UNITED EXPLODES ONTO DVD.
Licensing
   24. DIC, BANDAI & ADV CONVERGE ON KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC LAUNCH.
   25. DISNEY CHARACTERS JUMPS INTO LEAPPAD LEARNING SYSTEM.
   26. HAUNTED MANSION COMES TO MCDONALD'S HAPPY MEALS.
Education
   27. DVGARAGE AND GNOMON RELEASE FIRST MAYA TUTORIAL.
Technology
   28. MAXON SUPPORTS KAYDARA FBX IN CINEMA 4D.
   29. BAUHAUS SOFTWARE LAUNCHES MIRAGE FOR MAC OS X PRE-RELEASE.
Awards
   30. ROBBIE THE REINDEER NABS INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD.
   31. HARVIE KRUMPET TAKES FOUR AWARDS AT CINANIMA.
Call for Entries
   32. SEND YOUR SHORTS TO DURANGO FILM FESTIVAL.
   33. GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL DEADLINE NEARS.
   34. WORLDFEST HOUSTON 2004 BECKONS! SEND YOUR FILMS.
   35. INTERNATIONALE KURZFILMTAGE OBERHAUSEN PUTS OUT CALL.
   36. SEND YOUR SPIRITED FILMS TO CINEMA EPICURIA.
   37. JUDEO CHRISTIAN FILMS WANTED FOR ENVOY FILM FESTIVAL.
   38. DEADLINE FOR FILMSTOCK IN FEBRUARY.
   39. GIVE YOUR FILMS THE HOLLYWOOD FESTIVAL TREATMENT.
Events
   40. GEORGE H. NICHOLAS EXHIBITION IN FORT WAYNE
   41. VAN EATON GALLERY HOLDS CARTOON NETWORK CEL SALE.
   42. HAUNTED MANSION ATTRACTION TO DISPLAY VFX, MAKEUP, SETS,
       COSTUMES. 
   43. MICROCINEMA SHORT FILM SCREENINGS EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT.
   44. NORTH AMERICAS BEST INDEPENDENT ANIMATED SHORTS SCREENING.
   45. WRITING THE SCREENPLAY 101 WORKSHOP.
   46. SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY TO PRESENT AT HAVANA FILM FEST.
   47. THE MISSING SCREENING WITH RON HOWARD.
   48. POLITICALLY INCORRECT CARTOONS SCREENING.
   49. EARLY 1930S "RUBBER HOSE" ANIMATION SCREENING.
   50. FESTIVAL OF CINEMA AND TECHNOLOGY TO SCREEN 40+ ANIMATED SHORTS.
   51. BIG FISH SCREENING WITH TIM BURTON.
   52. WORLD WAR II CARTOONS SCREENING.
   53. THE NEW YORK "SCHOOL" OF ANIMATION SCREENING.
   54. KILL BILL - VOL. 1 SCREENING WITH QUENTIN TARANTINO.
   55. VISIT THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE.
   56. UPCOMING EVENTS IN ANIMATION.
Upcoming Films
   57. UPCOMING THEATRICAL RELEASES.


                   ****SUBMIT YOUR NEWS!!!!****

If you have news, review materials, events or other items of interest for
the Animation Flash send it to: Sarah Baisley or Bill Desowitz, Animation
Flash, 6525 Sunset Blvd., Garden Suite 10, Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA.
E-mail: editor@awn.com; or Fax: 1-323-466-6619.

                      ****Industry News****

Business

1. CINAR SETS TAKEOVER BID MEETING WITH SHAREHOLDERS.
CINAR Corp. will hold a special meeting of shareholders on Jan. 15, 2004 at
the Omni Hotel in Montreal to obtain approval for a $143.9 million
acquisition by an investor group comprised of former Nelvana execs Michael
Hirsh and Toper Taylor with TD Capital Canadian Private Equity Partners.

CINAR is an integrated entertainment and education company involved in the
development, production, post-production and worldwide distribution of
non-violent, quality programming and educational products for children and
families. It has been the subject of government investigations for talent
improprieties, tax fraud and improper investments by its former management
for the past three years.

Litigation involving the company, co-founders and former co-ceos Micheline
Charest and Ronald Weinberg and current CINAR management, still needs to be
resolved and could affect the purchase price.

Only shareholders duly registered as of the close of business on Dec. 12,
2003, will be entitled to vote at this special meeting. The management proxy
circular describing this transaction in detail, as well as the proxy form,
the letter of transmittal and related documents will be mailed to
shareholders at least 21 days prior to the meeting.

The information will also be available on the System for Electronic Document
Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com and on CINAR's Website
www.cinar.com. The management proxy circular can also be obtained from the
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR) at
www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. Copies can be obtained as well from the company's
secretary, tel: (514) 843-7070.

2. U.S. CONGRESS AGREES TO SET 39% CEILING FOR BROADCASTERS.
The U.S. Congress, under Republican leadership, and the White House agreed
late Nov. 24, 2003 in Washington DC to a new limit on the number of
television stations one company can own, a compromise reached to help make
way for approval of a massive spending bill that will keep the government
running for a year.

The agreement allows a single broadcaster to reach up to 39% of the nation's
TV audience, industry sources report. Both the House and Senate had agreed
to a 35% ceiling, but faced a Bush administration threatened veto of the
entire $390 billion spending bill if the cap was set at that level. The deal
reportedly makes the 39% cap permanent.

The congressional action comes following protests from both parties after
the FCC agreed to raise the audience-reach cap to 45% on a 3-2 party-line
vote June 2. 

Protests are not over. "I think that's wrong," said Senate Democratic Leader
Tom Daschle of South Dakota. "To open it back up is unacceptable."

The debate over raising the cap has divided the U.S. broadcast industry.
Networks contend that the limit is outdated in the modern media marketplace
while smaller broadcasters and producers fear monopolistic, lack of
competition if major media outlets¹ powers go unchecked.

Viacom Inc., which runs the CBS and UPN television networks, and News Corp.,
which runs the FOX network, already own local stations that reach more than
35% of the national television audience.

People

3. BIRD TO ROOST AT MOUSE HOUSE.
Andy Bird leaves Warner¹s TBS International to join Walt Disney as the new
president of Walt Disney International effective January 12, 2004. The U.K.
native will be based in Burbank, California.

³From a strategic perspective, one of Disney¹s most significant long-term
growth opportunities resides in markets outside of the United States, and it
is crucial that the company continue to have a well-coordinated approach to
business development around the world,² said Michael Eisner, Disney
chairman/ceo. 

³Andy is a talented executive with strong media, entertainment and business
experience who has built businesses in Europe, Latin America and Asia,²
added Robert Iger, Disney president/coo. ³Andy brings a diverse portfolio of
skills and experiences that, coupled with the strength of Disney¹s existing
International team, will allow us to capitalize on the business development
and further growth opportunities in markets around the world.

Bird will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing growth
opportunities for Disney outside the U.S., and for targeting new businesses,
growing and increasing penetration of existing businesses, and leading the
development of business and operations in emerging markets.

Bird joined Time Warner, in 1994 as svp/gm of Turner Entertainment Networks
Ltd., the TBS Europe arm that produced Cartoon Network, which he helped grow
to 13 channels across Europe from one.  He rose to president of TBS
International in 2000, and became responsible for all TBS broadcasting
outside of the continental U.S.  In addition, he was leading a new
initiative for Time Warner in the wireless arena.

Bird started his career with Piccadilly Radio in Manchester, England, as
breakfast show producer.  After that, Bird moved to London to join the
Virgin Broadcasting working at Music Box, a Pan-European music channel. Bird
to helped launch and program a satellite-delivered national radio service
called Radio Radio, where he produced radio shows for leading comedians and
television presenters.

Between 1989 and 1994, Bird helped start a music channel, producing and
directing a popular London-based morning TV program as well as a Saturday
morning children¹s TV show.  In 1992, Bird was tapped by Unique Broadcasting
in the U.K. to start up and operate Unique Television.

4. BURRELL JOINS CAFEFX AS ANIMATION SUPERVISOR.
Veteran motion picture and television animator Everett Burrell has joined
CafeFX as animation supervisor. Burrell comes to CafeFX from Cantina
Pictures Inc. He brings 18 years experience managing teams of 3D animators,
3D digitizers, texture artists, compositors, technical directors and
freelance artists, and working collaboratively with directors, producers,
art directors and software engineers in defining the creative and technical
direction of projects.

At Cantina Pictures, Burrell handled multiple responsibilities, including
visual effects supervisor, 3D supervisor, 3D animator, modeler and texture
artist and 2D compositor.  He also was an on-set supervisor working with
directors and Ps, supervising bluescreen and motion-control shoots.
Previous, Burrell held a similar position at television and film effects
house Flat Earth Prods. Inc. There, he pioneered early 3D creature
techniques and established the company's 3D department and render farm,
which evolved form Amiga computers to Pentium III's.

Burrell is a visual effects Emmy award contributor for the 2001 sci-fi
mini-series, DUNE, for which he painted texture maps and set up 3D
environments, executed character setups for animation and managed 3D assets.

As president and co-founder of Optic Nerve Studios Inc., Burrell pioneered
early computer generated design work as he built an Emmy award-winning
(BABYLON 5, 1994) make-up effects company, which specialized in prosthetic
and creature effects for film and television.

CafeFX, a division of the ComputerCafé Group, is headquartered in Santa
Maria, California, and has a studio in Santa Monica, California. The company
was founded as ComputerCafé in 1993 by Jeff Barnes and David Ebner to
produce broadcast promotions and television ID packages. Today CafeFX
(MASTER AND COMMANDER) attracts clients from all aspects of the
entertainment world.

5. MARKETING VET RICE REJOINS DISNEY; PUBLICIST TROTTA PROMOTED.
Marketing veteran Dennis Rice has been named svp, publicity for Buena Vista
Pictures marketing and Heidi Trotta has been elevated to the position of
svp, communications for The Walt Disney Studios.

In making the announcement Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook said, "Heidi
has done a tremendous job overseeing the publicity department and the film
publicity campaigns, which certainly have contributed to the enormous
success the studio is enjoying this year. She is a team player and knows the
studio inside and out and I am extremely happy that she will now be
overseeing all areas of studio communication. "Cook added, "We are very
fortunate that Dennis is returning to the Disney family, with his knowledge
of films and his vast marketing experience; I know the publicity group is in
the best of hands."

In his position, Rice, who will report directly to Oren Aviv, president,
BVPM, will oversee all areas of film publicity, including national
publicity, field marketing, creative materials (both broadcast and photo)
for both live-action and animated films. Additionally, Rice will formulate
and execute all publicity campaigns.

"Returning to Disney is like coming home," said Rice. "To have an
opportunity to work for the best and most successful marketing and publicity
organization in the business is, both, an honor and a privilege. I look
forward to working with Oren (Aviv) and the rest of his terrific team."

Trotta, reporting directly to Cook and working closely with Zenia Mucha,
svp, corporate communications for The Walt Disney Co., will be responsible
for the overall communication and publicity strategy for the studio,
including legit, feature films, music and home entertainment divisions.
Trotta will also oversee all award campaigns.

"I can't thank Dick enough for the extraordinary opportunity he has given me
at Disney. First, by putting the incredible publicity teams for both the
feature and home entertainment areas in my hands, and now the tremendous
opportunity that lies ahead with this expanded role at the studio,"
commented Trotta. "Working with Oren over the past four years has been the
most invaluable professional experience of my careerS I look forward to
working with him and his amazing marketing team in my new capacity."

Prior to joining Disney, Rice was founder and president of Entertainment
Marketing and Licensing Inc., where he worked as a consultant with various
companies, including The Walt Disney Studios, MGM, Walden Media, The
Anschutz Entertainment Group, Crusader Entertainment, Intermedia/Summit
Entertainment, among many others. His most recent accomplishments include
the successful releases of Jim Cameron's GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS and Disney's
HOLES. From 1999 to 2002, Rice was president of theatrical marketing for
Miramax. He was responsible for the release of more than 30 films per year,
including such successes as SCREAM 3, SCARY MOVIE, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES,
CHOCOLAT, SPY KIDS, BRIDGET JONES' DIARY and NOTTING HILL.

Rice also served as president, worldwide marketing and publicity, Universal
Studios, October Films division from 1997 to 1999. Prior to that he was svp
of marketing for Buena Vista Home Entertainment, where he helped triple the
division's sales. He marketed such Disney video properties as ALADDIN,
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING and HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS.

Trotta, joined The Walt Disney Studios in 1990 as director, publicity,
advertising and promotions for both Walt Disney and Touchstone Television.
She was promoted to vp in 1995. During her tenure, she oversaw campaigns for
such television series as EMPTY NEST, SPORTS NIGHT and FELICITY.

She devised the publicity campaign for the re-launch of The Wonderful World
of Disney franchise, which produced such films as CINDERELLA, starring
Whitney Houston and Brandy, and ANNIE, starring Kathy Bates. She was named
svp, publicity for The Walt Disney Studios in 1999, overseeing publicity
campaigns for both Buena Vista Pictures Marketing and Buena Vista Home
Entertainment divisions, including REMEMBER THE TITANS, THE ROOKIE, SIGNS,
LILO AND STITCH, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, TOY STORY 2, MONSTER'S, INC., FINDING
NEMO, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, FREAKY FRIDAY, OPEN RANGE and PRINCESS
DIARIES.

Prior to joining Disney, Trotta was a publicist at Warner Bros. Television,
where she launched such series as CHINA BEACH and LIFE GOES ON. She in turn
was honored with the Maxwell Weinberg Showmanship Award for her publicity
campaigns on both series, the first publicist to ever receive the
prestigious honor two years in a row. Trotta began her publicity career in
1981 at Columbia Pictures Television and later moved to MGM, launching the
successful series, THIRTYSOMETHING.

In Passing

6. SEAQUEST STAR & ALADDIN VOICE ACTOR BRANDIS DEAD BY SUICIDE.
Jonathan Brandis, who landed numerous roles as a child actor in television,
commercials and film, including THE NEVERENDING STORY 2: THE NEXT CHAPTER,
SEAQUEST DSV and was the voice of Mozenrath on DISNEY¹S ALADDIN TV series
(1993), took his own life at the age of 27 and died Nov. 12, 2003 at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Police report a friend of Brandis called 911 from the actor's apartment just
before midnight on Nov. 11 to report Brandis had attempted suicide.
Paramedics took Brandis to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but he died the next
day, police Detective Gene Parshall said. The autopsy investigation ruled
his death a suicide by hanging, it was announced Nov. 25. However, the young
actor did not leave a note, confusing friends and fans as to his motive.

Born April 13, 1976 in Danbury, Connecticut, Brandis got his start at age
six, when he landed a recurring role on the soap ONE LIFE TO LIVE and
appeared in numerous commercials. He moved to Los Angeles with his family at
age nine, and made guest appearances on shows such as L.A. LAW, WHO'S THE
BOSS? and MURDER, SHE WROTE.

Other film credits included the Rodney Dangerfield comedy LADYBUGS, and the
martial arts comedy SIDEKICKS with Chuck Norris, and a small part in the
2002 film HART'S WAR, starring Bruce Willis.

Brandis became a teen idol when he starred as crewmember Lucas Wolenczek in
the Steven Spielberg¹s underwater sci-fi series SEAQUEST DSV.

Film

7. NEMO IN, SINBAD OUT AMONG ANIMATED FEATURE OSCAR CONTENDERS.
FINDING NEMO (Disney/Pixar) fittingly leads the pack of 11 eligible Oscar
contenders for Best Animated Feature announced by the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences on Nov. 19, 2003. The entries include three other
Disney films (BROTHER BEAR, THE JUNGLE BOOK 2 and PIGLET'S BIG MOVIE) along
with JESTER TILL (TILL EULENSPIEGEL a 2D/3D hybrid, Solo Film), LOONEY
TUNES: BACK IN ACTION (Warner Bros.), THE MILLENNIUM ACTRESS (DreamWorks' Go
Fish specialty division), POKEMON HEROES (Miramax), RUGRATS GO WILD!
(Paramount), TOKYO GODFATHERS (inspired by John Ford's classic THREE
GODFATHERS, Goldwyn Films) and THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (Sony Classics).

Conspicuously missing is DreamWorks' SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS, which
performed poorly at the box office despite some critical praise and signaled
the end of traditional animation at the studio. "Based on the critical
response the film received in the marketplace, we decided not to pursue an
academy campaign," explained DreamWorks animation head Ann Daly.

Also missing was the critically acclaimed COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE. On the
other hand, while there was some concern that LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION
might not qualify because of its live-action presence, it obviously
contained enough animation (both 2D and 3D) to make the initial cut.

Which films will be nominated alongside NEMO -- the sure-bet to win based on
its enormous popularity and record-breaking box office (nearly $340 million
in North America)? The smart money so far is on TRIPLETS and MILLENNIUM,
based on their artistic merit and critical buzz.

Films submitted in the Best Animated Feature category also may qualify for
Academy Awards in other areas, including Best Picture, provided they meet
the rules criteria governing those categories.

The eligibility of three of the films, "JESTER TILL, TOKYO GODFATHERS and
TRIPLETS is subject to their opening in Los Angeles prior to December 31.
TRIPLETS opened Nov. 21 and JESTER TILL and TOKYO GODFATHERS (the latest
from MILLENNIUM ACTRESS director Satoshi Kon) opens on Dec. 5. TOKYO
GODFATHERS will open commercially on Jan. 16, 2004.

The 76th Academy Award nominations will be announced at the Academy's Samuel
Goldwyn Theater on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004. The Academy Awards ceremony will
take place on Feb. 29.

8. KAENA: THE PROPHECY GETS U.S. RELEASE.
The long in the works French production KAENA: THE PROPHECY will be getting
a U.S. theatrical run from IDP Distribution starting July 4, 2004. The film
debuted in France September 2003.

The film was produced by Chaman Productions, Studio Canal and TVA
International with Pascal Pinon and Chris Delaporte making their debut as
directors. It boasts an impressive voice cast that includes Kirsten Dunst
(SPIDER-MAN) as Kaena, Richard Harris (HARRY POTTER) and Anjelica Huston
(ROYAL TENEBAUMS). The tree world Axis is in danger of running out of sap,
which leads rebellious Kaena to disobey her tribe¹s laws and venture to the
deepest roots of Axis to find the source of the trouble.

IDP Distribution was established as a partnership of Fireworks Pictures,
Samuel Goldwyn Films, and Stratosphere Entertainment to market and
distribute motion pictures. For more information, contact the company at
1133 Broadway, Ste. 926, New York, NY 10010; tel: (212) 367-9435; or fax:
(212) 367-0853

9. H2V SPRINGS SLINKY ANIMATED PROPERTIES.
As if they hadn¹t sprung enough new animated features on us already (three
in 2004), Montreal-based H2V Entertainment plans to produce two more
theatricals starring one of the world¹s most well-known toys, the Slinky.
H2V Kids, a new addition to H2V and its partner UKFS, have signed a deal
with DoubleTake Spring Partners, Inc. and James Industries, Inc. to launch
the legendary toy into the world of animation with two movies and a TV
series based on characters from the hit collection of Slinky Pets toys.

The first film, THE MAGIC QUILT, starts production in February 2004 for a
fall 2005 delivery. It is targeted for family audiences, offering
enchantment and adventure as the hilarious cast of Slinky spring toys and
Slinky Pets follows a trail from patch to patch on the mysterious Magic
Quilt. The features and TV series (26x26) will combine 2D and 3D animation
to be produced at H2V¹s studios in Montreal, Spain and Argentina.

One of the most recognizable toys in the world, the Slinky has changed
little and is still made in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, with the original
equipment Richard James created in 1945. The toy has changed little and more
than a quarter billion have been sold to date. Slinky and Slinky Pets toys
are sold in more than 20,000 stores worldwide.

Slinky¹s previous appearances on the silver screen include: ACE-VENTURA-WHEN
NATURE CALLS, DEMOLITION MAN, OTHER PEOPLE¹S MONEY and HAIRSPRAY. In
Disney¹s animated features TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2, the Slinky Dog played
a key role in the story.

³This is a great way to kick off our kids division,² said H2V¹s ceo Henrique
Vera-Villanueva. ³Working with the people at James Industries and DoubleTake
is a dream come true. Several new Slinky and Slinky Pets characters will be
introduced through our stories, allowing another generation of kids to fall
in love with this beloved toy.²

Al Lowenheim, president of DoubleTake added, ³Slinky is magical, very
special and a true part of our culture ­ everyone grew up with Slinky!
Working closely with James Industries, and with H2V¹s powerful creative,
production and distribution team¹s lead, we will give birth to a brand new
family of Slinky characters and stories ­ bringing the animated world of
Slinky adventures ­ and the Slinky magic ­ to the next generation.²

H2V Ent. is producing MANGA LATINA, PIÑATAS and MONICA MADE IN AMERICA. H2V
Ent. has a staff of 250 animators, a management team of 15 and studios in
Montreal (Manga Latina Productions), Castellón, Spain (Excalibur Animación),
Bilbao, Spain (Pit-A-Pat) and Argentina (Animatoon). The mission of H2V is
to create and distribute superior quality films appealing to a global
audience, and to gradually expand into additional channels such as
television, videogames, multi-media, licensing and merchandising. For more
information, visit www.h2ventertainment.com.

U.K. Films Services Ltd. (UKFS) is the producer and financer of a diverse
slate of feature films, in which the company is investing $125 million in
2003. UKFS is headed by md Owen Lynch and by head of production Robert
Sidaway. 

Doubletake Prods., headed by Al Lowenheim and David Hamby, seeks out rights
to books, toys and other properties which have a large upside media
potential ­ such as Slinky ­ then targets and assembles the right financing,
design and production partners around that property to bring it to life in
the marketplace. For more information on DoubleTake, visit
www.doubletakecom.com.

10. BLUR UNVEILS ROCKFISH.
ROCKFISH, the second computer-animated short from Blur Studio, currently on
the short-list for Oscar consideration, was screened publicly for the first
time, Nov. 21, 2003 for a confab of journalists and animators at the Charles
Aidikoff Screening Room in Beverly Hills, California. Far more ambitious
than last year's award-winning AUNT LUISA, the 9-minute ROCKFISH is a
widescreen sci-fi adventure about a blue-collar worker (Kirk) and his
faithful alien buddy (Argent, a cross between a dog and a monkey). Set on a
barren planet in a distant corner of the galaxy, Kirk rounds up creatures
that "swim" through rocks below the planet's surface and menace the local
miners. Kirk and Argent wind up confronting the mother of all underground
predators- a prehistoric-looking fish  -- in a battle of survival.

"We think there's a niche between FINDING NEMO and FINAL FANTASY, and I
personally like over-the-top, [heroic] adventures," explained
writer-director Tim Miller, who is also co-founder and creative director of
Blur. "It's nothing deep and we didn't try and do photoreal characters. It's
too hard and I'm not interested in photoreal."

ROCKFISH was the product of an internal contest, though Miller originally
conceived it. It took four months to make and was supervised by a staff of
eight (with 40 other staffers contributing). ROCKFISH offers realistic
surfaces, lighting, effects and stylized characters. The look of the alien
desert planet, credited to art director/visual effects supervisor Jeremy
Cook, is a cross between PITCH BLACK and ROAD WARRIOR. The film utilized 3ds
max for animation, Photoshop for textures, Digital Fusion for compositing,
Brazil for rendering, Premiere for editorial and Vicon for motion capture.

Speaking of which, Blur experimented with a new motion capture technique in
which the filter keys were kept down (every 10th, fifth or third) and Kirk
was keyframed on top of that. Plus Blur did a digital intermediate pass on
rock, sky and light for detailed shadows and ambiance.

ROCKFISH credits include:
Director & Writer: Tim Miller
Story: Tim Miller, Jeremy Cook, Paul Taylor, Chuck Wojtkiewicz
Visual Effects Supervisor & Art Director: Jeremy Cook
Animation Supervisors: Jeff Weisend, Tim Miller
Producer: Sherry Wallace
Storyboards & Concept Art: Chuck Wojtkiewicz, Sean McNally
Layout Animator: David Nibbelin
Animators: David Nibbelin, Luc Degardin, Jean Dominique Fievet, Makoto
Koyama, Davy Sabbe, August Wartenberg, Remi McGill, Jeff Wilson, Jeff
Weisend, Wim Bien, Onur Yeldan, George Schermer, Jeff Fowler, Jason Taylor,
Derron Ross, Cemre Ozkurt.
Modelers: Heikki Anttila, Irfan Celik, Jeremy Cook, Jerome Denjean, Kevin
Margo 
Finishing & Lighting: Jerome Denjean, Heikki Anttila, Kevin Margo, Jeremy
Cook, David Stinnett, Dave Wilson, Sebastoen Chort
Visual Effects: Daniel Perez Ferreira, Seung Jae Lee, Kirby Miller,
Sung-Wook Su 
Rigging & Cloth Simulation: Paul Hormis
Animation Technical Director: Jon Jordan
Motion Capture Supervisors: John Bunt, Jeff Weisend
Title Design: Jennifer Miller, Wonhee Lee
Motion Capture Actor: James Silverman
Production Coordinator: Debbie Yu
Production Assistant: Amanda Powell
Programming & Systems Administration: Duane Powell, Dave Humpherys, Daemeon
Nicolaou, Matt Newell, Barry Robison
Music: Rob Cairns 
Sound Design and Recording: Gary Zacuto, Richard Gray, Pete Kneser,
Shoreline Studios 
Digital Film Recording: Title House Digital
Film Processing: Fotokem

The 76th Academy Award nominations will be announced at the Academy's Samuel
Goldwyn Theater on Jan. 27, 2004. The Academy Awards ceremony will take
place on Feb. 29.

Venice, California-based Blur Studio, the 3D animation, vfx and design
house, was founded in 1995. For more info, call (310) 581-8848.

11. GOLLUM ACTOR TO BECOME KING KONG.
In an interview with the TORONTO STAR, actor Andy Serkis, the man behind
LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWER¹s scene-stealing CG character Gollum,
alluded to his re-teaming with RINGS director Peter Jackson as the big ape
in KING KONG. The article stated, ³Serkis has an even bigger assignment
ahead of him. Rumour has it he'll be the face of King Kong in Peter
Jackson's planned 2005 remake of the legendary ape epic. OESsssh!¹ he says,
giving another mischievous smile < and a thumbs-up gesture.² Only time will
tell if this will pan out, but it creates an interesting new dimension to
the world of cinema ­ digital acting superstars.

12. THE RISQUE CAT'S OUT OF THE BOX OFFICE BAG.
Though well short of the opening gross for the live-action HOW THE GRINCH
STOLE CHRISTMAS, Universals THE CAT IN THE HAT still attracted enough tikes
and their families to pull in a sizable $38.3M in its debut. The Imagine
Entertainment production, with vfx by Rhythm & Hues, ruled the box office
for the weekend ended Nov. 23, 2003. Warner Bros.' Halle Berry ghost flick,
GOTHIKA (with vfx by CafeFX), debuted in second place with $19.2M, and New
Line's surprising ELF (with vfx by Rhythm & Hues, Chiodo Bros. Prods. and
Amalgamated Pixels) continued to roll with $18.7M, good enough for a third
place finish with $94.7M. Fox's best picture Oscar contender, MASTER AND
COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD, is just getting by, finishing fourth
with $15.2M. Peter Weir's seafaring adventure with Russell Crowe, boasting
vfx by Asylum and ILM, has earned $47.2M after two weekends. Universal's
LOVE ACTUALLY (with vfx by Framestore) moved up to the fifth spot, but is
not exactly lighting up the box office, scoring $8.6M and $30.4M to date.
Warner Bros.' THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (with vfx by ESC FX, Animal Logic, BuF
Compagnie, Giant Killer Robots, Tippett Studio and Tweak Films) continues to
disappoint, bringing in just $7M and dropping to sixth place for a cume of
$125.3M. Disney's BROTHER BEAR managed $5.3M in its fifth week, dropping to
seventh for a so-so bounty of $70.3M. At number eight, Warner Bros.' LOONEY
TUNES: BACK IN ACTION drew only $4.2M in its second weekend for a
disappointing cume of $14.8M. Dimension's SCARY MOVIE 3 came in ninth with
$3.1M and a nice total of $106M. And Sony's heart-warming RADIO came in 10th
with $2.6M for a modest cume of $47M. Box office information obtained from
boxofficemojo.com.

13. CINESITE (EUROPE) ANNOUNCES VFX SLATE.
Cinesite (Europe) Ltd announced that it has moved into production on visual
effects for several major feature films, which will complete throughout
2004.  These include TROY (Warner Bros.), HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF
AZKABAN (Warner Bros.), ALIEN VS. PREDATOR (Fox), AROUND THE WORLD IN 80
DAYS (Walden Media), SAHARA (Paramount), KING ARTHUR (Buena Vista) and ALFIE
(Paramount).

Cinesite's work on these productions covers a wide variety of effects,
including complex CG, animation, compositing, digital effects, digital matte
paintings and high volumes of film scanning and laser recording.

Cinesite chairman Colin Brown says "Our early prediction of how busy the
next few months would be ensured that Cinesite's move into new, larger and
better equipped offices [last] summer was timely.  This is a very buoyant
time for the U.K. film industry, and the large slate of films (U.K.
co-productions and U.S. funded) shooting and post producing in the U.K. is
indicative of the key position that U.K. visual effects suppliers have
earned globally.  I expect that the next few months will be amongst the
busiest Cinesite has ever had."

Cinesite (Europe) moved to new Soho offices at Medius House in August 2003,
bringing their total U.K. office and studio space (including both Effects
Associates at Pinewood Studios and Cinesite Models at Shepperton Studios) to
around 50,000 square feet.  Since January 2003, Cinesite's management and
creative teams have been largely restructured, including the addition of the
models team behind the success of the previous two HARRY POTTER films, and
many of the lead creatives previously at Mill Film, which contributed to the
Oscar-winning effects on GLADIATOR.  Cinesite's production team has expanded
by around 40% over recent weeks.

Managing director Antony Hunt says, "Cinesite has won some highly
challenging projects for 2004 and this is a great opportunity for our
creative teams to show what they are capable of.  It is also a fantastic
opportunity for us to strengthen our teams of artists by recruiting highly
talented individuals from around the world.  I am pleased to announce that
recent recruitment drives by Cinesite are proving very successful and we are
looking forward to welcoming some key international talent over the next few
weeks."

Since completing the substantial model build and unit photography on THE
PRISONER OF AZKABAN in September, Cinesite's models unit have moved straight
into production on THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Warner Bros.).  Cinesite's
physical effects company Effects Associates are currently working on Sahara,
having completed work on WIMBLEDON, ALFIE and THUNDERBIRDS earlier in the
year.

Established in 1992, Cinesite (www.cinesite.com) is a Kodak subsidiary and
part of the company's Entertainment Imaging division. Cinesite (Europe) Ltd.
in London offers visual effects and physical effects through their
subsidiary Effects Associates. Cinesite Hollywood offers digital mastering,
digital restoration and scanning and recording services.

14. CAFEFX SCARES UP FIERY GOTHIKA.
Warner Bros.' GOTHIKA, the contemporary ghost story starring Halle Berry,
Robert Downey Jr. and Penelope Cruz, marks the debut of new digital fire
effects created by CafeFX.  With fire a central motif in the movie, CafeFX
was challenged to develop custom software for fire shading and motion in key
sequences, and with creating effects that heighten the impact of other
frightening scenes.

CafeFX was the primary house for GOTHIKA, completing almost 60 vfx shots for
the thriller whose provocative tag-line is  "Because someone is dead doesn't
mean they're gone."

"We haven't seen extensive use of digital fire before," noted Jeff Goldman,
CafeFX's digital effects supervisor.  "It's usually 2D fire composited onto
a moving stunt man.  But with that method you can't adjust what you get; the
performance is fixed. GOTHIKA director Mathieu Kassovitz wanted the fire to
have a specific look and to use it in close-ups.  Our approach provided an
underlying structure we could control and enhance with live-action elements
in strategic places for a more realistic feel.  We were able to offer all
the benefits of reality with all of the control of CG."

"Digital fire has never been done at this level before," echoed David Ebner,
CafeFX senior digital effects supervisor.  "These aren't quick shots of a
running man on fire but close-ups of bare skin, with the fire moving in slow
motion and the skin blistering and charring. We were confident we could
develop the software," notes CafeFX's vfx producer Vicki Galloway Weimer.
"Our artists really hung in there during an extremely intense R&D process
and pulled it off."

The most extensive and dramatic use of digital fire came in the climax where
the killer is revealed.  While shooting at his pursuer, the murderer hits a
computer monitor that explodes in a shower of CG glass and sparks, which
were created with LightWave 3D.  Another shot ruptures a gas line, spraying
liquid propane into the room in a practical mist effect to which CafeFX
added animated noise patterns and real smoke to drive distortion tools in
eyeon's Digital Fusion compositing program.  Finally, the killer shoots out
a TV screen, which sparks and ignites the room in a fireball, setting him
ablaze in the process.

"Our digital fire had to track to the actor as he moved and the flames
envelop him," Ebner added.  "Although burn make-up was applied to the actor,
it couldn't grow with the progression of the burn.  Eyetronics scanned the
actor and provided a model and textures, which we modified and created maps
of skin burning and changing color as it charred." The maps were applied to
the CG model and match-moved to the actor's performance so audiences could
see the burn's horrifying progress.

"One of the hardest things to do was match-move the fire to the actor,"
recalled Ebner.  "We had to track rigid parts of the body as well as soft
tissue.  We had to be really accurate because the fine details of the flesh
burning and blistering couldn't slide around on his skin."

"This was the first time I had the pleasure of working with CafeFX," says
Richard Mirisch, who co-produced GOTHIKA with Joel Silver and Robert
Zemeckis.  "One of the hardest tasks we could have put in front of a visual
effects company was to make a man burn believably.  CafeFX came throughS"

CafeFX demonstrated its versatility by creating a number of other stunning
effects shots. In one sequence Berry joins inmates in a communal shower
where the ghost manifests itself in the faces of the other women.  CafeFX
employed Digital Fusion to create facial distortions from Berry's panicked
point of view.  Rachel's spirit is indeed in the shower, but only Berry can
see her.  The ghost moves toward her and begins to slash her upraised arm.
CafeFX used LightWave and Photoshop to craft the blood and scars, which were
tracked in Digital Fusion.  A pool of blood was later added under Berry's
body where she collapses onto the shower floor.

"We had to stay away from a straight morph approach as these are more
stylized morphs and image manipulation," Goldman explained.  Different
elements of Rachel's face and head were tracked and warped with Elastic
Reality then composited over Berry's moving head with Digital Fusion.
Photoshop was used to paint areas of blood which pool in Berry's eyes and
drip down her face.  During the scene lightning flashes reveal a smoky,
atmospheric background, which was also painted in Photoshop.

CafeFX finished the job by pulling off a moody sequence at the beginning of
GOTHIKA, which gives audiences their first glimpse of the exterior of the
asylum.  Matte painter Robert Stromberg designed the shot and CafeFx
animated it in LightWave and composited in Digital Fusion.  The shot opens
with cars driving on a rain-slicked street as the camera rises from the road
over the tops of bushes, signage and a forested hill to the illuminated
building.

"All of the foreground elements are 3D because there was a lot of
perspective moving from one foot to 300 feet off the ground," Goldman
explains.  "We were given a plate with two vehicles driving by the camera
and a dolly move over an existing parking lot filled with production trucks
and equipment.  We discarded about 80% of the plate and rebuilt the
environment in 3D."

Looking ahead, CafeFX is exploring the further development of its digital
fire shaders.  "Everyone is interested in seeing our fire effects," Ebner
reported.  "Our goal is to be able to use digital fire as another tool in
our tool box," Goldman concluded.

GOTHIKA served as a virtual test bed for the technology of Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD), "a physics-based simulation now moving into the
effects world," said Goldman.  "Previous methods for creating digital fire
were 2D or particle simulations."

CafeFX R&D supervisor Taron didn't really like the particle approach to
creating the complex patterns of fire simulations.  "We felt there was a
good chance we could come up with a principle to visualize heat," Taron
says.  "We initially did 2D research then attempted to make our first
results three dimensional.  During the course of doing that, we found papers
in SIGGRAPH supporting the principle.  The major advance we were making was
putting it into 3D.  Then it was a matter of how to apply the fire shaders
to geometry."

Chris Reid developed an interface allowing artists to control color and
motion behavior on an intuitive level, Taron explained.  "We were using
fluid dynamics not to create a physically-correct fire simulation but an
artistically-convincing fire simulation.  We needed to be able to serve the
ideas of the director and be flexible in the creative visualization of
fire."  Heat distortions could also be fabricated using the results of the
fluid dynamics calculations.

Since fluid dynamics are time dependent they can only be calculated on one
computer, posing a problem for an effects-intensive motion picture.  "When
you want to render high-resolution sequences you need to render on several
machines simultaneously," Taron noted.  "So we developed a unique way to do
network rendering for large sequences that was powerful and fast."

CREDITS
Sr. Digital Effects Supervisor: David Ebner
Executive Producer: Jeff Barnes
Digital Effects Supervisors: Jeff Goldman, Danny Braet
Digital Effects Producer: Vicki Galloway Weimer
Digital Effects Coordinator: Phillip Moses
R&D Supervisor: Taron
Programming and Development: Chris Reed
Digital Effects Artists: Akira Orikasa, Minory Sasaki, Gabriel Vargas, Votch
Levi, Steve Arguello, Greg Jonkajtys, Everett Burrell, Toby Newell, Jeremy
Cho, Lee Carlton
Digital Compositing: Mike Bozulich

CaféFX, a division of the ComputerCafé Group, is headquartered in Santa
Maria, California, and has a studio in Santa Monica, California. The company
was founded as ComputerCafé in 1993 by Jeff Barnes and David Ebner to
produce broadcast promotions and television ID packages. Today CafeFX
(MASTER AND COMMANDER) attracts clients from all aspects of the
entertainment world.

Television

15. BASIL BRUSH HEADED FOR GERMANY.
THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW has been sold to German public service broadcaster ZDF.
This deal coincides with Basil's first ever Christmas music single, the
double A-side ³Boom Boom² and ³Christmas Slide² that will be released on
Dec. 15, 2003 in Germany. The songs will be released in the U.K. on Dec. 8.
The 16-year-old singing sensation, India Beau, performs on ³Boom Boom² with
Basil. The series will also air on the top rated children's digital channel
KIKA, starting fall 2004. As Germany's largest public broadcaster, ZDF,
provides BASIL with Europe's largest TV audience of up to 83 million people.

The series airs in the U.K. on BBC1 and CBBC, attracting an audience share
of 42% of kids 4-9. Since its Australian launch in September, the show has
dominated the ratings in its timeslot with 77% of children 5-12. THE BASIL
BRUSH SHOW has also been secured in Indonesia, Singapore, Canada, New
Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa and The Middle East.

In addition, like other famous celebs, Basil Brush has insured his bushy
foxtail for £1M at London insurance brokers, Lloyds of London. This is part
of Basil¹s publicity tour to promote his new TV series, the launch of the
DVD, BASIL BRUSH - UNLEASHED! and his new music singles.

Basil comments, "As a young cub I caught my tail in a car door when I was on
my way to audition to be part of FOX STARS, you can imagine my distress at
having to sing in front of the judges with a bent tail. The memory has
stayed with me for life; it is such a relief to know that if this ever
happens again at least I will be financially secure!"

The rights to Basil Brush are held by Entertainment Rights PLC, one of the
U.K.'s leading media companies specializing in the ownership, development,
distribution and merchandising of children's and family programming,
characters and brands.

16. 3DBOXX USED ON THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION < BEYOND CONSPIRACY
For ABC¹s PETER JENNINGS REPORTING: THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION < BEYOND
CONSPIRACY, the 3D animation was created by Dale K. Myers, an Emmy-winning
animator and author, with a BOXX 3DBOXX workstation, running Newtek¹s
LightWave 3D software. The workstation contained dual Intel Xeon 3.06
processors, 4GB RAM and a 3Dlabs Wildcat 4 7210 graphics board. Myers, an
expert on the Kennedy assassination, used the infamous Zapruder film along
with medical evidence and other physical evidence to create the forensic
animation for the ABC special, which aired Nov. 20, 2003 at 9:00 pm.

Myers said, ³I was under an extremely tight deadline to get this animation
finished and my 3DBOXX was a life saver. I had other machines that were
breaking down on me left and right, but I knew I could rely on my BOXX. It
worked beautifully throughout the entire project.²

Rick Krause, president/ceo of BOXX, added, ³BOXX is pleased to be powering
the forensic animation of the JFK assassination that Dale Myers has
recreated < we anticipate it will add a new perspective to a tragic moment
in our nation¹s history. Powerful hardware is a vital component in all types
of animation < from forensic to entertainment < and 3DBOXX proves once again
to be the underlying force in animation history.²

BOXX Technologies, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a leading developer
and manufacturer of XXtreme high-performance, high-bandwidth Microsoft
Windows and Linux-based hardware and software solutions for the gaming, 3D,
animation, digital film and HDTV broadcast markets. For more information,
visit www.boxxtech.com.

Commercials

17. SOHO AND GROUNDZERO TEAM ON FISHERMAN¹S FRIEND SPOT.
Toronto-based Soho and groundzero have teamed up to complete a series of CG
commercials for Fisherman's Friend cough lozenges. The spots include :30 and
:15 versions in English and French.

Tony Cleave, Soho creative director, said, ³Our mandate was clear --
reinforce the Fisherman's Friend brand while providing a visual platform to
introduce a new Fisherman's Friend lozenge flavor.²

Soho's creative team developed a storyboard and choreographed an animated
sequence using Maya based on groundzero writer's Bill Keenan and Roy Levine
script, which centered on the original Fisherman's Friend flavor and the
introduction of a new cherry flavor. The spot features a crowd of cheering,
dancing cherries celebrating the arrival of a new package. Soho's animators
created several virtual elements incorporating the Fisherman's Friend
original and cherry packages, various cherry configurations and a stage.

Soho¹s exec producer, Doug Morris, said, ³Working with a great script and
the versatility of a CG world proved an effective way to enhance the
Fisherman's Friend brand and create a memorable spot.²

The client was TFB & Assoc. Ltd. groundzero marketing communications¹ team
consisted of Bill Keenan, creative director/writer; Levine, writer; Jennifer
Hedley, account manager; and Sharon Nelson, producer. Soho¹s team included
Doug Morris, exec producer; Tony Cleave, creative director/designer; Davor
Celar, lead animator; Derek Gebhart, senior animator/technical director; Lee
Maund, Discreet ­ fire artist; and Josa Porter, producer. Music was provided
by Tattoo Music.

Soho is a visual effects, animation and design studio that works in the
areas of commercial, broadcast and feature film production. For more
information, contact Soho at 26 Soho St., Toronto, Ontario M5T 1Z7 or tel.:
(416) 591-1400

18. HRA PLAYS WITH FOOD FOR BRANSTON SPOT.
Director Jerry Hibbert at Hibbert Ralph Animation (HRA) has turned out a new
:30 commercial, JUGGLING BEETS, for Branston pickle/condiment products with
some pretty fun visuals and a catchy soundtrack.

The commercial features Branston food products such as piccalilli, pickled
onions and pickled beetroots, taking shape as fun faces and characters in
sandwiches as people have fun preparing a snack.  The preparers are never
visible, keeping the focus on the food.

Two pickled onions on forks form two eyes that react to the soundtrack.
Piccalilli is spread onto a cold meat sandwich and the sandwich is then used
to form a mouth that sings along to the soundtrack.  Other elements such as
the pickled beetroots, a floret of cauliflower, lettuce leaves, etc., are
used to form various faces.  It ends with the three jars sliding into frame
with the tagline, ³Bring on the Branston Tang!² The live-action footage was
manipulated in After Effects to make the humorous faces.

Graham Perkins of Pennies Music reworked the First World War hit song ³A
Little Bit Of Cucumber,² song by Harry Hill.

Hibbert remarked, ³As a commercials director, you hope that just once in a
while, a script that's a bit special or a bit unusual will land on your
desk.  And once in a while it does.  This time it was Branston's.  It was
the dream combination of a strong creative idea backed by a brave client.
All I had to do was to make it.  Although it was technically quite a complex
shootS the enthusiasm and the fun from all involved has filtered through the
production process and ended up on screen - where it should be!²

McCann Erickson¹s launch commercial for Branston was created by art director
Rob Neilson and copywriter Jack Stephens.  The agency producer was Hannah
Plumb. HRA Animation producer was Sue Lyster. Greg Mills was live action
producer for the Democracy production company.

HRA (www.hra-online.com) is a London-based studio that specializes in
commercials, television graphics and promos.

Internet & Interactive

19. ATARI SHIPS DRAGON BALL Z: TAIKETSU.
Atari has shipped DRAGON BALL Z: TAIKETSU for the Game Boy Advance featuring
15 DBZ fighters, including, for the first time in the U.S., the legendary
super Saiyan, Broly.

"DRAGON BALL Z is the consummate tale of good versus evil, and nothing
depicts that tension better than Atari's newest DBZ fighting game, Dragon
Ball Z: Taiketsu," said Nancy MacIntyre, vp of marketing for Atari.

DRAGON BALL Z: TAIKETSU, created by WebFoot Technologies, allows players to
choose from single-player mode or challenge friends using the Game Boy
Advance Game Link cable in multiplayer mode, and unleash blistering combos
and super moves. Gamers may battle opponents on the ground or in the air
with DBZ flight action and power-up well-known characters such as Goku,
Vegeta, Cell and Buu into their strongest forms.

Rated "T" for Teen, DRAGON BALL Z: TAIKETSU for the Game Boy Advance is
available for a suggested retail price of $29.99. For additional information
on Dragon Ball Z, visit www.dbzgamer.com.

DRAGON BALL Z is managed by FUNimation Prods., Ltd. is a full-service brand
management company with in-house production, licensing, Internet, marketing,
and home video sales and distribution divisions.

New York-based Atari develops interactive games for all platforms and is one
of the largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software
in the U.S. Atari Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based
Infogrames Ent. SA, the largest interactive games publisher in Europe. For
more information, visit www.atari.com.

20. NYKO RE-LAUNCHES WEBSITE WITH ONLINE CONTEST.
Nyko Technologies will re-launch its Website, www.nyko.com, with an online
contest "Online Gamer's Ultimate Fantasy." Running through Jan. 25, 2004,
the contest has three levels of participation: fans can simply enter to win;
sign up friends and family for additional points; or, play Nyko's mini-game
AIR FLO BLAST for increased chances to win. Nyko will give the Grand Prize
winner of the contest its flagship product, the Wireless Net Extender, which
puts broadband Internet securely in any room of the house, without cables or
programming. Other prizes include gear as well as PC, PlayStation and Xbox
games. As part of the re-launch, Nyko has also redesigned its logo.

"Since its founding, Nyko has been a pioneer of inventive peripherals," said
Susan Corben, director of marketing, Nyko Technologies. "We want the
re-launched site to reflect Nyko's continued dedication to provide an
unsurpassed gaming experience, as well as the company's new direction into
consumer electronics and personal computing."

Nyko Technologies is a leader in peripherals for interactive entertainment,
personal computing and consumer electronics products. Nyko is headquartered
in Los Angeles and has been in business since 1996. For more information,
visit www.nyko.com.

21. NEW CREATURE COMFORTS SHOP NOW OPEN.
The CREATURE COMFORTS TV series¹ Website (www.creaturecomforts.tv) has
opened a new store. Customers can buy goodies including the making of book,
DVD or video, plush toys, beanies, mugs, key rings, calendars and more. Also
available in the new AardMarket is WALLACE AND GROMIT merchandise and 2004
calendars. 

22. ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA LAUNCHES GAMING INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER.
Ziff Davis Media Inc. has announced the launch of GAMING INDUSTRY NEWS
(GIN), a monthly newsletter and a weekly e-mail, with an integrated online
component (www.gamingindustrynews.com). GAMING INDUSTRY NEWS will feature
up-to-date news, inside analysis, business and technology trends, opinions
and commentary on the business of electronic videogames. GIN will be part of
Ziff Davis Media's Game Group, based in San Francisco, California.

Jimmy Guterman has been appointed as editor-in-chief of the new publication.
He has extensive experience running newsletters, having edited MEDIA GROK
and MEDIA UNSPUN for THE INDUSTRY STANDARD. He has written and edited for
more than 100 periodicals, among them THE BOSTON GLOBE and FORTUNE. Guterman
was also founder and president of The Vineyard Group, a media consultancy,
where he advised some of the technology companies on marketing and strategy.
He began his career at eWEEK, the "enterprise newsweekly."

Guterman said, "Ziff Davis Media is the number one electronic videogame
publisher and one of the most influential players in the market today. I'm
excited to be working with a talented group of editors to continue the
editorial quality that Ziff Davis brings to the market."

Dale Strang, evp of Ziff Davis Media's Game Group, added, "GAMING INDUSTRY
NEWS provides essential b-to-b news, insight and research about the
electronic gaming and interactive industries, and we're excited to add it to
our portfolio of consumer video and PC game publications. The sector needs a
focused publication covering issues facing the industry and we're confident
that we have the resources to make that vision real."

GIN will cost $995 for an annual subscription, but at launch the
subscription rate will be only $695.

Ziff Davis Media Game Group is the largest independent publisher of video
and PC game magazines in the U.S. It publishes ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY,
THE OFFICIAL U.S. PLAYSTATION MAGAZINE, GAMENOW, XBOX NATION and COMPUTER
GAMING WORLD. Ziff Davis Media is a global special interest media company
focusing on the technology and electronic videogame markets. Additional
information is available at www.ziffdavis.com.

Home Video

23. X2: X-MEN UNITED EXPLODES ONTO DVD.
X2: X-MEN UNITED (Fox Home Entertainment, $29.98) has arrived on DVD. The
highly anticipated follow-up to X-MEN has director Bryan Singer and crew
surer footed with both the comic book conventions and demanding vfx,
supervised by Michael Fink, who recently wrote about the history of previs
for VFXWORLD.

Extras on the two-disc set include commentary by Singer, 11 deleted scenes
that flesh out the war between humans and mutants, a doc on the making of X2
and 11 featurettes, including "FX2 - Visual Effects" and "Introducing the
Incredible Nightcrawler." Speaking of vfx, the work was divided among such
houses as Rhythm & Hues, Pixel Magic, Frantic Films, CIS Hollywood, Cinesite
Inc., EYETECH Optics, 4-Ward Prods., Hammerhead Prods., Kleiser-Walczak
Digital Effects, Lidar Services Inc., Pacific Title, Tanguay Technologies,
Visual Concept Engineering and Whodoo EFX Inc.

Licensing

24. DIC, BANDAI & ADV CONVERGE ON KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC LAUNCH.
DIC Entertainment (DIC), Bandai America Inc. (Bandai) and ADV Films (ADV)
navigating a course for the 2004 U.S. retail launch of the anime property,
KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC, across all platforms with a comprehensive marketing
and promotional campaign supporting the rollout.

KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC is a fast-paced, futuristic action-adventure series,
which pits the forces of good against evil as the Knights of Athena battle
the Knights of Aries for control of the sacred Golden Armor of Sagittarius
and the world.

DIC has retained an extensive roster of key U.S. licensees in all major
categories to launch merchandise throughout 2004 with many additional
licensees currently negotiating for rights. In,

Master Toy Licensee Bandai will lead the merchandise rollout in January
2004, introducing a product line of action figures, role-playing toys and
collectible card games. VIZ Publications, a leading U.S. publisher of
Japanese animation and comics, will launch a series of graphic novels based
on KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC following a featured preview of excerpts in the
January issue of popular anime magazine, SHONEN JUMP.

Coinciding with the Bandai toy release in January 2004, leading North
American anime distributor ADV Fims (www.advfilms.com) begins releasing 13
volumes (totaling 40 episodes) of KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC on DVD and VHS. The
DVD packaging will include collectible trading card inserts from Bandai.

In June 2004, KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC will be featured in a six-week packaging
promotion with a major consumer brand, which will be announced in first
quarter 2004, according to Nancy Bassett, svp, worldwide consumer products.
National television, print and radio advertising will support the upcoming
promotional campaign.

In August 2003, DIC launched the interactive Website
www.knightsofthezodia.com, supporting the television series debut on Cartoon
Network¹s Saturday night action block.  The site includes online gaming
competitions, promotional sweepstakes and tie-ins with other boy-targeted
sites.

³With KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC already an international success, Bandai is
thrilled to exclusively introduce the toy line in the U.S,² said Beebe. ³We
anticipate KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC to be the next boy¹s action brand to take
the country by storm.²

After its broadcast debut in 1986, KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC has been among the
top-rated series for boys since its debut in 1986 in Japan, Latin America
and Europe where it became the second highest-rated show in France.  In
addition to 114 television episodes, four KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC feature
films have collectively topped the box office charts in Brazil.

25. DISNEY CHARACTERS JUMPS INTO LEAPPAD LEARNING SYSTEM.
LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. has teamed with Disney Publishing Worldwide to
bring Disney character to its LeapPad Learning System. Children place the
Disney books on the LeapPad player, pop in the cartridge and touch any page
with the Magic Pen to have LeapFrog read the words. These books also work
with the LeapPad Plus Writing Learning System and the Quantum Pad Learning
System.

"We brought Disney favorites to the LeapPad Library because we know that
children learn with characters they know and love," said Jeff Cronk,
LeapFrog director of marketing. "The LeapPad learning system brings Disney
characters to life and adds a layer of learning that is both fun and
engaging."

The LeapFrog/Disney books include: DISNEY/PIXAR FINDING NEMO, DISNEY'S
BOUNCE, TIGGER, BOUNCE, DISNEY'S LOTS AND LOTS OF HONEY POTS, DISNEY'S POOH
GETS STUCK, DISNEY'S THE LION KING, DISNEY PRINCESS, DISNEY/PIXAR MONSTER
INC. and DISNEY/PIXAR TOY STORY 2.

Disney books, designed for the LeapPad system, are available at major
retailers nationwide, including Toys "R" Us, Target, Wal-Mart and Kmart. The
books retail for $14.99.

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of
technology-based learning products and related proprietary content,
dedicated to making learning effective and engaging for all ages, at home
and in schools. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Emeryville,
California. For more information, visit http://www.leapfrog.com.

Disney Publishing Worldwide is the largest children's publisher in the
world, with 274 children's magazines and 120 million children's books sold
each year. DPW publishes books, magazines and continuity programs in 55
languages in 74 countries, reaching more than 100 million readers each
month. Global headquarters are in New York City.

26. HAUNTED MANSION COMES TO MCDONALD'S HAPPY MEALS.
Walt Disney Pictures and McDonald's have teamed up to bring THE HAUNTED
MANSION movie to Happy Meals. Launching Nov. 26 and running until Dec. 18,
Happy Meals will feature six different toys from the movie including
Ramsley's Trunk, Zombie Surprise, Madame Leota, Singing Bust, Gracey's
Camera and Mortifying Mirror.

"McDonald's is thrilled to partner with Walt Disney Pictures and bring the
fun of The Haunted Mansion theme park ride and the new live-action movie to
life for kids and collectors," said Karlin Linhardt, senior director kids
and family marketing. "Our funny, surprised-filled toys capture the
imagination and creativity of the original theme park and are designed to
enhance the imagination of kids of all ages."

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000
restaurants serving nearly 46 million people in 100 countries each day.
Approximately 80% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated
by independent, local businessmen and women. For more information, visit
http://www.mcdonalds.com.

Education

27. DVGARAGE AND GNOMON RELEASE FIRST MAYA TUTORIAL.
dvGarage teams up with the Gnomon School of Visual Effects up to make Maya
more accessible to new users. THE MAYA LAB: VOLUME 1 provides a visual
step-by-step introduction to the powerful but sometimes complicated
application.

"We get requests for step-by-step training," explained Gnomon founder Alex
Alvarez, "but we wouldn't be able to cover everything that we do if we built
this kind of training day to day. It's really a daunting task to get it
right."

The disk contains training that takes users through the basics of modeling,
surfacing and lighting a pill bottle. Each tutorial provides video and
illustrated acrobat files that carefully cover every step necessary to be
successful.

"We wanted to make sure that anyone could get started and at the same time,
make sure that what they were learning was high-end," explained dvGarage
founder Alex Lindsay

THE MAYA LAB: VOLUME 1 is compatible with both the Full and PLE versions of
Maya 4.5 and 5.0. It is normally priced at $59 but available for $39 until
Dec. 5, 2003 at www.dvgarage.com. VOLUME 2 is due January, 2004.

Founded by Lindsay, former member of Industrial Light & Magic's "Rebel
Unit," dvGarage is dedicated to building training and tools for the "Next
Generation of Visual Artists."

Gnomon School of Visual Effects (www.gnomon3d.com) is a professional
institute specializing in training of vfx for film, television and games.
Gnomon offers a full curriculum for individuals wanting careers in 3D,
professionals in need of specialized training and custom training for
production studios. Courses include introductory to advanced digital 3D and
traditional art classes geared toward 3D production The Gnomon curriculum
has been approved by the Alliance for Digital Production Trainers (ADEPT)
whose members include training managers from such studios as Rhythm & Hues
Studios, Cinesite, DreamWorks and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Founded by Alex
Alvarez in 1997, Gnomon is located at 1015 North Cahuenga Blvd, Suite 5430i,
Hollywood, California 90038. On Additional training DVDs are available from
The Gnomon Workshop at www.thegnomonworkshop.com.

Technology

28. MAXON SUPPORTS KAYDARA FBX IN CINEMA 4D.
Kaydara Inc. and MAXON Computer GmbH announced full integration of Kaydara's
versatile FBX 3D interchange format into the new CINEMA 4D R8.5 upgrade,
MAXON's premier high-end 3D modeling and animation tool. Kaydara FBX allows
for the universal interchange of 3D data between every major 3D package and
a significant number of second-tier applications. Support for FBX in CINEMA
4D gives MAXON users in the film and television industries access to the
wealth of content available through Kaydara's extensive network of FBX
partners.

MAXON Computer develops professional solutions for 3D modeling, painting,
animation and rendering. Its award-winning products have been used
extensively in film, television, science, architecture, engineering and
other industries.

"Finally, the full import and export of the FBX format is available and
should allow users of CINEMA 4D 8.5 and MotionBuilder 5 the best possible
interchange of 3D content," said Marco Tillmann, product manager at MAXON
Computer. "With the native support of FBX, 3D content creators will be able
to integrate CINEMA 4D into their 3D animation pipelines, greatly enhancing
the overall production workflow."

FBX has quickly distinguished itself in 3D File Interchange Format. It is a
powerful new way to work with 3D content from a wide variety of applications
and source material providers. FBX allows users to maximize their content
creation pipeline by letting them create cutting edge content without having
to worry about inter-package compatibility.

"MAXON Computer and CINEMA 4D are strategic additions to the growing number
of FBX partners," said Jean-Jacques Hermans, Kaydara's vp of marketing and
business development. "FBX lets 3D artists achieve a new level of
flexibility and creativity in their work, and MAXON's tools add a
significant functionality to this network of 3D interoperability. The
possibilities for doing creative work on time and on budget are practically
limitless."

FBX is a binary file format that supports all the major 3D data, as well as
2D, audio, and video media elements, and allows users to maximize their
content creation pipeline by letting them create cutting edge content
without having to worry about inter-package compatibility. Used for more
than five years in production studios worldwide, FBX has proven itself a
versatile, accurate and dependable authoring and data transfer format.

Kaydara FBX-CINEMA 4D plug-in is available through MAXON's CINEMA 4D R8.5
upgrade. To celebrate this occasion, Kaydara and MAXON have agreed to offer
a special deal to their users. Starting Dec.
1, 2003 in Europe/Asia and on Jan. 1, 2004 in the Americas, Kaydara and
Maxon will ship a bundle and sidegrade deals combining both company's state
of the art applications, CINEMA 4D and MOTIONBUILDER. Full details will
follow shortly on the MAXON and Kaydara Websites.

Over the course of the past decade, Kaydara Inc. (www.kaydara.com/fbx) has
become a leader in the development of realtime 3D animation software
solutions for the entertainment industry. Kaydara's product portfolio serves
a vast range of clients in the TV, film, game development and Web content
industries, including Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Midway Games,
Acclaim, Mainframe Entertainment, Capcom and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
Kaydara is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

MAXON Computer (www.maxon.net) is the developer of professional 3D modeling,
painting, animation and rendering solutions. MAXON has offices in
Friedrichsdorf (Germany), Newbury Park (California), Bedford (U.K.) and
Tokyo.

29. BAUHAUS SOFTWARE LAUNCHES MIRAGE FOR MAC OS X PRE-RELEASE.
Bauhaus Software Inc. announced the immediate availability of Mirage for Mac
OS X Pre-Release, the first release of its unified environment for animated
graphics and special effects creation on the Mac platform. Designed for
artists, Mirage integrates realtime video paint, animation and effects
functionalities into a single product. Using Mirage, visual artists are free
to explore entirely new creative ideas and techniques, combining tools such
as animated paint, natural-media drawing tools, volumetric lights,
particles, keying, color correction and pixel tracking within the same
project. Designed for resolutions ranging from HDTV and film to Web video,
Mirage provides a creative solution for 2D animators, broadcasters and video
professionals. 
 
"As an animated paint and effects solution, Mirage is a perfect complement
to Apple's Final Cut Pro and Shake products, providing a seamless pipeline
for professional video and film production," remarked Paul Ford, president
of Bauhaus
 
Using Mirage, broadcasters benefit from the speed and ease with which motion
graphics can be created, animated and deployed. Cartoon and 2D animators use
Mirage as a unified paint and effects solution, allowing them to sidestep
traditional scan/ink/paint workflows, and move directly from digital pencil
tests to editing within a single product. Video producers use Mirage to
manipulate, enhance and create effects for HDTV and film footage.
 
"Finally Mirage for OS X is here! No need to go in and out of individual art
programs anymore; now we can use Mirage for our inking, coloring and
compositing," said Andy Collen, director and owner of Happy Trails Animation
LLC. "Mirage for OS X is not just a great production tool, but a great
creative art tool as well, not to mention the fact that Mirage is making
production fun again. I'm tired of making artistic choices based on software
limitations..."
 
In addition to paint and animation tools, Mirage also includes a powerful
effects system that incorporates 2D particles, volumetric lights and
hundreds of other effects that can be fully animated. Mirage's suite of
video tools includes comprehensive color correction, histogram controls,
keying with spill suppression and matte controls and multi-point pixel
tracking/stabilization.
 
Bauhaus Mirage for OS X Pre-Release is available immediately to customers
for an introductory price of $395 directly from Bauhaus Software or through
the company's authorized reseller channel; the final release version of
Mirage for OS X will be provided free of charge to all Pre-Release
customers. Mirage for OS X Pre-Release requires a G3 or higher processor,
and Mac OS X v10.2.6 or higher. A demonstration version of Mirage is
currently available through the Bauhaus Software Website at
www.bauhaussoftware.com.
 
San Antonio, Texas-based Bauhaus Software was founded to become a leading
provider of products and technologies to the digital visual effects and
animation markets. Bauhaus is focused on providing professional digital
artists with the ultimate tools for producing next-generation animated
graphics and special effects.

Awards

30. ROBBIE THE REINDEER NABS INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD.
On November 24, 2003 in New York City, the International Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners of the 31st Annual
International Emmy Awards. The BBC was the big winner of the night taking
home three awards, including the Children & Young People Award for the
newest Robbie the Reindeer adventure, LEGEND OF THE LOST TRIBE. The project
was co-production between BBC Bristol and Comic Relief.

The evening was highlighted by a program from Denmark being honored for the
second year in a row in the Drama Series category -- NIKOLAJ AND JULIE from
Danish Broadcasting Corporation. Additionally, programs from Germany were
awarded in two categories. Colonia Media Filmproduktion GmbH's MEIN VATER
(COMING HOME) captured the TV Movies/Mini-Series category and DAS LEBEN GEHT
WEITER (LIFE GOES ON) took the Documentary category for Starcrest Media
GmbH.

The Arts Programming Award went to ARENA: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF COUNT
LUCHINO VISCONTI from the BBC. WITHOUT PREJUDICE? -- Episode 1.1 from 2 Yard
Prods for Channel 4 took home the Popular Arts Non-Scripted Award and the
Popular Arts Scripted prize went to THE KUMARS AT NO 42 (Series 3, Show 1
"Donny Osmond & Westlife"), produced by Hat Trick Prods. for the BBC.

This year's Directorate Emmy Award was presented to Greg Dyke, director
general of the BBC. The International Emmy Directorate Award honors
organizations or individuals in management, administration, engineering,
news, programming, and/or international relations for outstanding
contributions over a period of time to the arts and sciences of
international television. The Founders Emmy Award was presented to HBO. The
Founders Award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations whose unique
creative accomplishments contribute to the quality of global television
production. 

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the International
TV Academy), a division of the National Television Academy, is the largest
organization of global broadcasters, with representatives from more than 60
countries on its board. It was chartered in 1969 with a mission to honor and
encourage excellence in television programming outside the U.S. by
presenting the International Emmy Award. For more information, visit
www.iemmys.tv. 

31. HARVIE KRUMPET TAKES FOUR AWARDS AT CINANIMA.
Adam Benjamin Elliot (BROTHER, COUSIN, FATHER) has received four awards for
his newest short, HARVIE KRUMPET, at the 2003 Cinanima Festival, which ran
Nov. 10­16. This year was the 27th edition festival, which took place in
Espinho, Portugal. Besides the international competition, the event holds
panorama sessions, retrospectives, sessions with last edition's winners and
special screenings. One of the retrospectives this year was dedicated to the
work of Joanna Quinn.

The prizes were awarded by the International Jury: Nag Ansorge
(Switzerland), Beatriz Pacheco Pereira (Portugal), Paul de Nooijer (The
Netherlands), Ian Harvey (United Kingdom) and João Botelho (Portugal ­
president of the jury).

Below is a complete list of winners:

GRAND PRIX CINANIMA 2003/ Prize Caixa Geral de Depósitos
HARVIE KRUMPET by Adam Benjamin Elliot (Australia)

JURY¹S SPECIAL AWARD/ Prize City of Espinho
TIM TOM by Christel Pougeoise & Romain Segaud (France)

PRIZE CLASS A (films under 7 minutes) - ex-aequo
THE POND by Huang Ying (China)
THE GOD by Konstantin Bronzit (Russia)

Honorable Mention in CLASS A
PETIT by Louise-Marie Colon (Belgium)

PRIZE CLASS B (films between 7 and 21 minutes)
RED GATE RASHOMON by Alexander Tatarsky & Valentin Telegin (Russia)

PRIZE CLASS C (films between 21 and 52 minutes)
HARVIE KRUMPET by Adam Benjamin Elliot (Australia)

PRIZE CLASS E (first film)
INTIMATE FEELINGS WITH MY FRIEND by Kim Joon (South Korea)

Honorable Mention in CLASS E
HOW TO COPE WITH DEATH by Ignacio Ferreras (United Kingdom)

PRIZE CLASS F (publicity)
HEWLETT PACKARD OEBANG OLUFSEN¹ by Tim Hope (United Kingdom)

PRIZE CLASS G (series)
HUMAN CONTRAPTIONS (²Law² and ³Global²) by Bruce Petty (Australia)

Honorable Mention in CLASS G
POLAR BEARS (³Artic Grip² & ³Gary¹s Fall²) by Pierre Coffin (United Kingdom)

PRIZE JOSÉ ABEL (Quality of Animation)
INSTINCT by Rao Heidmets (Estonia)

PRIZE YOUNG PORTUGUESE DIRECTOR (films directed by children) ­ ex-aequo
SONHO TÓXICO by Alunos de Beja (Portugal)
AMOR TERRORISTA by Colectivo (Portugal)

PRIZE YOUNG PORTUGUESE DIRECTOR (films directed by youngsters)
A FANTASISTA by André Ruivo (Portugal)

Honorable Mention PRIZE YOUNG PORTUGUESE DIRECTOR (films directed by
youngsters)
RELATIVIDADE by Luís Mouta (Portugal)

PRIZE FOR THE BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
CATCH THE WIND directed by Ori Naor/ Inbal Leitner, composed by Liran El-Al
(Israel)

PRIZE FNAC (Best Portuguese Film in International Competition)
VORAGEM by Rui Cardoso (Portugal)

PRIZE FNAC (Best Portuguese Script in International Competition)
VORAGEM directed by Rui Cardoso (Portugal), written by Humberto Santana
(Portugal)

PRIZE ALVES COSTA (Prize of the Journalists)
THE SEPARATION by Robert Morgan (United Kingdom)

PRIZE ATALANTA FILMES
ABOUT GIRL by Lena Chernova (Russia)

PRIZE 2: ONDA CURTA  - ex aequo
HARVIE KRUMPET by Adam Benjamin Elliot (Australia)
TIM TOM by Christel Pougeoise & Romain Segaud (France)

Honorable Mention in PRIZE 2: ONDA CURTA
FAST FILM by Virgil Widrich (Austria)

PRIZE OF THE AUDIENCE
HARVIE KRUMPET by Adam Benjamin Elliot (Australia)

Call for Entries

32. SEND YOUR SHORTS TO DURANGO FILM FESTIVAL.
Durango Film Festival 2004
Durango, Colorado, USA
March 6-14, 2004
Deadline: December 1, 2003

The 4th Annual Durango Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating the art of
cinema, enjoying flickering images on the screen and honoring the talented
filmmakers for their passion, vision and work. Located in historic downtown
Durango nestled in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of southwest Colorado, the
juried 9-day festival presents independent narrative features,
documentaries, animation, shorts, experimental, children and regional films,
showcasing the work of filmmakers that embody the passion and distinctive
voices in independent film. Also featured are speaker panels, educational
salons, panels comprised of directors and producers of films in competition.
For more information, visit www.durangofilmfestival.com.

33. GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL DEADLINE NEARS.
Garden State Film Festival
Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA
March 25-28, 2004 
Deadline: January 1, 2003

Garden State Film Festival takes place on the boardwalk and features
independent films from around the world. The event features a screening for
high school students, opening reception and live music. For more
information, visit 
http://www.filmfestivalspro.com/bulletin/03/october/garden_state.shtml.

34. WORLDFEST HOUSTON 2004 BECKONS! SEND YOUR FILMS.
WorldFest Houston 2004
Houston, Texas, USA
April 16-25, 2004
Deadline: January 15, 2004

Founded in August 1961, WorldFest is the third oldest competitive
International film festival in North America. It gave first honors and
awards to Spielberg, George Lucas, Randall Kleiser, Ridley Scott, Ang Lee,
The Coen Brothers, Robert Rodriguez and many more. It screens 50-60 new
features and around 100 new shorts, in 35mm and digital video DLP projection
in a large commercial theater complex. The event provides great networking
as more than 450 international filmmakers attend, and the general audience
exceeds 25,000 at the 10-day event. There is an awards gala, parties, Texas
BBQ, regatta on the bay, VIP tour of NASA, Festival Club (no stinkin' badges
required) and six professional production seminars. For more information,
visit http://www.filmfestivalspro.com/bulletin/03/oct/houston.shtml.

35. INTERNATIONALE KURZFILMTAGE OBERHAUSEN PUTS OUT CALL.
Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen
Oberhausen, Germany
April 29 - May 4, 2004
Deadline: January 15, 2004

The Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen is not only the oldest short film
festival in the world, it is also one of the most important, alongside
Clermont-Ferrand. The festival is dedicated to cutting-edge and artistic
short films, with a special focus on technical innovations. The festival
hosts one of the biggest short film markets with about 4,600 submissions for
buyers and presents a rich variety of workshops. The festival is also
committed to exploring new ideas for short film distribution. For more
information, visit   HYPERLINK "http://www.kurzfilmtage.de"
www.kurzfilmtage.de.

36. SEND YOUR SPIRITED FILMS TO CINEMA EPICURIA.
Cinema Epicuria, 7th Sonoma Valley Film Festival
Sonoma Valley, California, USA
April 1-4, 2004
Deadline: January 15, 2004

Cinema Epicuria is a celebration of independent filmmaking set amidst
Sonoma¹s epicurean pleasures of fine food, award-winning wine, soul-stirring
art and unparalleled natural beauty. The Seventh Annual Sonoma Valley Film
Festival will feature more than 50 works comprising new independent films,
fascinating documentaries, quirky shorts and student films, as well as a
series of intimate panel discussions. In addition, the festival features
wine and food pairings at each screening, special events and receptions for
patrons, sponsors and filmmakers, as well as the Imagery Honors Tribute
Program, recognizing outstanding achievements in film. The Film Society also
develops and produces video and film production classes and workshops for
local youth. For more information, visit www.cinemaepicuria.org.

37. JUDEO CHRISTIAN FILMS WANTED FOR ENVOY FILM FESTIVAL.
Envoy Film Festival 2004
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
April 16-19, 2004
Deadline: January 15, 2004

The Envoy Film Festival highlights films and that demonstrate a Judeo
Christian worldview. Categories include feature, documentary, animation and
comedy, all with short and long formats. There are two divisions student and
professional. All submissions must be either in DVD or VHS format. For
further information, e-mail envoymedia@juno.com.

38. DEADLINE FOR FILMSTOCK IN FEBRUARY.
5th Filmstock International Film Festival
Luton, U.K.
June 1-15, 2004
Deadline: February 28, 2004

Filmstock is an annual film festival produced by Zero Balance. Conceived and
developed by Neil Fox and Justin Doherty, the festival remains their baby
and each year they go all out to bring the best two weeks of film they can.
Not without some valuable assistance, and that is provided by business
partner and financial director Damian Blow, the third man in the Zero
Balance clan. For more information, contact tel.: +44 (0)1582 752908, fax:
+44 (0)1582 423347, e-mail: Contact@filmstock.co.uk, or Web:
www.filmstock.co.uk.

39. GIVE YOUR FILMS THE HOLLYWOOD FESTIVAL TREATMENT.
8th Hollywood Film Festival
Hollywood, California, USA
October 12 - 18, 2004
Deadline: March 31, 2004

The 8th Hollywood Film Festival is a celebration of the art of film. The
event features a three-day Hollywood conference from Oct. 15-17, featuring
networking with Hollywood pros. Each year top executives, producers, agents
and others from such companies as Columbia/TriStar, Paramount, Walt Disney,
Miramax, New Line, Fox Searchlight, the Samuel Goldwyn Co., NBC, Overseas
Filmgroup, CAA, ICM, Metropolitan, William Morris, Writers & Artists, and
many others, participate as panelists. HFF screens the finalist features,
documentaries and shorts. Festival parties and special events include an
Opening Night Premiere and a Closing Night Premiere. The Hollywood Movie
Awards Ceremony takes place on the final day of the festival. The event also
offers a screenwriting contest. For more information contact the Hollywood
Film Festival at 433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 600, Beverly Hills, California
90210, tel: (310) 288-1882, or visit www.hollywoodfilmfestival.com.

Events

40. GEORGE H. NICHOLAS EXHIBITION IN FORT WAYNE
George H. Nicholas Exhibition: "From Mickey to the Grinch: Art of the
Animated Film"
Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
November 22 ­ January 11, 2004

Fort Wayne Museum of Art is holding an exhibition of the artwork of the late
veteran animator George H. Nicholas, entitled "From Mickey to the Grinch:
Art of the Animated Film." Nicholas¹ credits include FANTASIA, PINOCCHIO,
BAMBI and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. The Animation Station, located in
the Eckrich Education Gallery, will allow participants to bring life to
their own drawings.

A Family Day, on Nov. 30, will be held in conjunction with Holidayfest, from
noon to 5:00 pm and will include hands-on activities. Charles Shepard III,
Fort Wayne Museum of Art executive director, will lead a free Gallery Talk
event at 12:15 pm Dec. 3. As well, the museum will offer lectured and guided
tours, with flip-books to illustrate animation, on Dec. 7 and Jan. 4, during
the museum's free Sundays. General admission is $5 for adults, $3 for
students and $10 for families. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art, is located at
311 E. Main St. For more information, call (260) 422-6467, ext. 342 or visit
http://www.fwmoa.org.

41. VAN EATON GALLERY HOLDS CARTOON NETWORK CEL SALE.
Van Eaton Galleries will be holding a Cartoon Network CEL-ebration Saturday,
Dec. 13 from 2:00 ­ 6:00 pm. Artwork is available for pre-order in the
gallery or online (http://vegalleries.com/cartoonnetwork.html) as of Nov. 20
with additional artwork to be added Nov. 24.

Artwork from such series as SAMURAI JACK, JOHNNY BRAVO, DEXTER¹S LAB, ADULT
SWIM, MIKE, LU AND OG, ED EDD AND EDDY, COW AND CHICKEN I AM WEASEL, ROBOT
JONES, FAMILY GUY, FUTURAMA and POWERPUFF GIRLS will be available.

The following artists will be signing artwork at the event.
Phil LaMarr ­ Voice of Samurai Jack
Catherine Cavadini ­ Voice of Blossom
Tara Strong ­ Voice of Bubbles
Elizabeth Daily ­ Voice of Buttercup
Tom Kane ­ Voice of Professor Utonium
Tom Kenny ­ Narrator of THE POWERUFF GIRLS
Jennifer Martin ­ Voice of Miss Bellum
Jeff Bennet ­ Voice of Johnny Bravo
John DiMaggio ­ Voice of Bender and the Scotsman from SAMURAI JACK
Van Partible ­ Creator of JOHNNY BRAVO

If you would like to attend, RSVP by calling (818) 788-2357.

42. HAUNTED MANSION ATTRACTION TO DISPLAY VFX, MAKEUP, SETS, COSTUMES.
Moviegoers attending the special engagement of Disney's THE HAUNTED MANSION
at Hollywood's historic El Capitan Theatre (Nov. 26, 2003 through Jan. 4,
2004) will have the opportunity to explore a rare behind-the-scenes
attraction about the making of the movie. "The Haunted Mansion - Hollywood"
features the actual sets, costumes and vfx designed and built by the film's
Academy Award-winning team of artists at Sony Imageworks.

"The Haunted Mansion - Hollywood" will display a visual effects show about
the ghosts (Jay Redd was the visual effects supervisor), exhibit works by
director of photography Remi Adefarasin and opportunities to design a set
and storyboard a scene. Plus there will be a step-by-step demo on "building
a zombie by celebrated makeup designer Rick Baker. In addition, viewers will
be able to learn how costume designer Mona May got her outfits to glow and
how Madame Leota's head got into the crystal ball.

All attractions are located around the actual sets used in the film -- built
by Oscar-winning production designer John Myhre (CHICAGO)-- which audiences
will have the chance to see up close and explore.   Guides will be on hand
to answer questions about the sets, props and costumes, and explain how each
was used in the film. Numerous effects, photo opportunities, displays and
games round out this special attraction.  For tickets and information, call
1-800-Disney 6 (1-800-347-6396), stop by the El Capitan box office or visit
the El Capitan Web site (www.elcapitantickets.com).  Show times daily 9:30
am 12:15 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:35 pm and 8:00 pm.

43. MICROCINEMA SHORT FILM SCREENINGS EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT.
Microcinema Short Film Screenings
Houston, Texas, USA
November 21 - February 28, 2004

Microcinema International and the Downtown Entertainment District Alliance
are presenting weekly outdoor short film screenings, highlighting the work
of Texas and international artists, every Friday and Saturday night. The
weekly exhibition, organized by Microcinema International founder and
curator, Patrick Kwiatkowski is part of the Entertainment District
Alliance¹s ³Main Event² in which Main Street is turned into a pedestrian
zone for Friday and Saturday evenings. The screenings will feature artistic
film and video from the extensive Microcinema Collection, which spans more
than eight years, and also will include guest programming by local curators
and media artists. The works are being technically displayed by
Houston-based Laser Technetics who also is projecting a laser light show as
part of the event. For more information, visit www.microcinema.com.

44. NORTH AMERICAS BEST INDEPENDENT ANIMATED SHORTS SCREENING.
North Americas Best Independent Animated Shorts (NABIAS)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
November 29, 2003

Raider Prods. will present the world premiere of its first animated shorts
compilation feature, North Americas Best Independent Animated Shorts, at the
Pacific Cinematheque theater. Featuring 16 of the very best independent
animated shorts culled from a search that covered Canada, the U.S. and
Mexico, North America's Best Independent Animated Shorts (NABIAS), is the
brainchild of exec producer Aaron Keogh. The film, which features animation
styles in clay animation, computer graphics and traditional animation, is
the first of a new series of animation shorts compilation films to be
released each year. It is a project designed to give independent animators a
much needed distribution outlet for their work. NABIAS is scheduled to have
two screenings at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm at the Pacific Cinematheque located at
1131 Howe St. Tickets are $5 at the door and are purchased at the box office
or in advance by calling Aaron at (604) 291-7727. For more information,
visit http://www.nabias.com.

45. WRITING THE SCREENPLAY 101 WORKSHOP.
Writing The Screenplay 101 Workshop
World Wide Web
December 1 - 22, 2003

Chris Wehner, editor-n-chief of SCREENWRITER'S MONTHLY, author of
SCREENWRITING ON THE INTERNET: RESEARCHING, WRITING & SELLING YOUR SCRIPT ON
THE WEB (2000) and WHO WROTE THAT MOVIE? SCREENWRITING IN REVIEW: 2000-2002
will be conducting an online writing workshop entitled, "Writing The
Screenplay 101." Classes meet every Monday for four weeks from 7:00 pm -
8:00 pm (MST). Students will accomplish at least 10 pages, not exceeding 30
pages, of script development. Students will learn the basics of
screenwriting and ascertain enough knowledge to continue writing their
screenplay and finish. For more information, visit
http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/store/intro_screenwriting.html.

46. SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY TO PRESENT AT HAVANA FILM FEST.
25th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema
Havana, Cuba
December 2 -12, 2003

The 25th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema highlights
films from around the world. As part of this year's event, the San Francisco
Film Society will present a selection of award-winning films from the 46th
San Francisco International Film Festival. The 46th San Francisco
International Film Festival Awards section of the Havana Film Festival will
include LOST BOYS OF SUDAN, Golden Gate Award Best Bay Area Documentary
Feature; THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, Golden Gate Award Best Documentary
Feature; HEART OF THE SEA: KAPOLIOKA�EHUKAI, VIRGINMEGA Audience Award Best
Documentary Feature; WHALE RIDER, VIRGINMEGA Audience Award Best Narrative
Feature and THE MAN OF THE YEAR, SKYY Prize for best first feature. For more
information, visit www.sffs.org.

47. THE MISSING SCREENING WITH RON HOWARD.
The Missing Screening with Ron Howard
Hollywood, California, USA
December 4, 2003

The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre will be screening THE
MISSING with director Ron Howard in attendance. The film is set in the
starkly beautiful but isolated and lawless wilderness of the American
Southwest in 1885 and tells the story of Maggie Gilkeson (Cate Blanchett)
and her estranged father Jones (Tommy Lee Jones) and how they are reunited
by a terrifying crisis. The theater is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard
between Highland and Las Palmas in Hollywood. More information be obtained
by contacting tel.: (323) 466-FILM, fax: (323) 461-9737, or Web:
http://www.egyptiantheatre.com.

48. POLITICALLY INCORRECT CARTOONS SCREENING.
Politically Incorrect Cartoons
New York, New York, USA
December 5, 2003

As part of its "Toons Gone Wild!" series, the Two Boots Pioneer Theatre will
be screening vintage "golden age" cartoons that are rarely shown anywhere.
Many have not been shown on TV since the 1950s and are unlikely to be ever
be available on DVD. A special ToonTalk will follow immediately after each
screening. At 10:00 pm, "Politically Incorrect Cartoons" will screen rare
vintage cartoons with attitudes of a different earlier era. Tickets are
$9.00 and $6.50 members. The Two Boots Pioneer Theater is located at 155
East 3rd Street (at Avenue A), New York, New York 10009. For more
information, call (212) 254-3300.

49. EARLY 1930S "RUBBER HOSE" ANIMATION SCREENING.
Early 1930s "Rubber Hose" Animation
New York, New York, USA
December 6, 2003 

As part of its "Toons Gone Wild!" series, the Two Boots Pioneer Theatre will
be screening vintage "golden age" cartoons that are rarely shown anywhere.
Many have not been shown on TV since the 1950s and are unlikely to be ever
be available on DVD. A special ToonTalk will follow immediately after each
screening. At 8:00 pm, "Early 1930s 'Rubber Hose' Animation" will screen
great cartoons from that brief period when toons were really wacky and
featured characters with no perceivable skeletal structure who jived to the
synchronized beat. Tickets are $9.00 and $6.50 members. The Two Boots
Pioneer Theater is located at 155 East 3rd Street (at Avenue A), New York,
New York 10009. For more information, call (212) 254-3300.

50. FESTIVAL OF CINEMA AND TECHNOLOGY TO SCREEN 40+ ANIMATED SHORTS.
The International Festival of Cinema and Technology
New York, New York, USA
December 6-10, 2003

The International Festival of Cinema and Technology will showcase a wide
variety of independent cinema including dramas, comedies, documentaries,
features, experimental films and animation. As the International Festival of
Cinema and Technology's goal is to screen a variety of films, which include
new technologies, animated projects make up a large part of the line-up. The
festival features more than 40 animated projects featuring a variety of new
animations created using a variety of new software and incorporating new
talents and rising stars in the animation industry. Animation segments at
the festival include "The Character: Visionary Future," "The Inanimate-
Animated!" "Animation's Focus on the Character," and "Focus on Time." The
event will take place at the Remote Lounge Screening Room, 237 E. Bowery
Street, starting at 6:00 pm. The final night of events will take place from
7:00 pm-11:00 pm at the Tribeca Grand "Grand Screen" located at the Tribeca
Grand Hotel, Two Avenue of the Americas. Tickets are $10 for each evening.
For more information, visit www.ifct.org or call (877) 277-2209.

51. BIG FISH SCREENING WITH TIM BURTON.
Big Fish Screening with Tim Burton
Hollywood, California, USA
December 9, 2003

The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre will be screening a sneak
preview of BIG FISH with director Tim Burton in person. This story about a
fabled relationship between a father and his son stars Albert Finney and
Ewan McGregor. The theater is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard between
Highland and Las Palmas in Hollywood. More information be obtained by
contacting tel.: (323) 466-FILM, fax: (323) 461-9737, or Web:
http://www.egyptiantheatre.com.

52. WORLD WAR II CARTOONS SCREENING.
World War II Cartoons
New York, New York, USA
December 12, 2003 

As part of its "Toons Gone Wild!" series, the Two Boots Pioneer Theatre will
be screening vintage "golden age" cartoons that are rarely shown anywhere.
Many have not been shown on TV since the 1950s and are unlikely to be ever
be available on DVD. A special ToonTalk will follow immediately after each
screening. At 10:00 pm, "World War II Cartoons" will screen films where
cartoon characters fight fascism abroad and fifth columnists on the home
front while waving the red, white, and blue. Tickets are $9.00 and $6.50
members. The Two Boots Pioneer Theater is located at 155 East 3rd Street (at
Avenue A), New York, New York 10009. For more information, call (212)
254-3300.

53. THE NEW YORK "SCHOOL" OF ANIMATION SCREENING.
The New York "School" Of Animation
New York, New York, USA
December 13, 2003 

As part of its "Toons Gone Wild!" series, the Two Boots Pioneer Theatre will
be screening vintage "golden age" cartoons that are rarely shown anywhere.
Many have not been shown on TV since the 1950s and are unlikely to be ever
be available on DVD. A special ToonTalk will follow immediately after each
screening. At 6:00 pm, "The New York 'School' Of Animation" will screen
cartoons made in the New York City area, or by transplanted native New
Yorkers in Hollywood, with the urban rough-and-tumble New York sensibility.
Tickets are $9.00 and $6.50 members. The Two Boots Pioneer Theater is
located at 155 East 3rd Street (at Avenue A), New York, New York, 10009. For
more information, call (212) 254-3300.

54. KILL BILL - VOL. 1 SCREENING WITH QUENTIN TARANTINO.
Kill Bill - Vol. 1 Screening with Quentin Tarantino
Hollywood, California, USA
December 13, 2003

At the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre, director Quentin
Tarantino will appear in person for a discussion following a screening of
KILL BILL - VOL 1. This tale of one woman's quest for justice after being
left for dead on her wedding day is influenced by Asian gangster and samurai
films. The theater is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard between Highland
and Las Palmas in Hollywood. More information be obtained by contacting
tel.: (323) 466-FILM, fax: (323) 461-9737, or Web:
http://www.egyptiantheatre.com.

55. VISIT THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE.
Los Angeles Film School Open House
Los Angeles, California, USA
December 13, 2003

The Los Angeles Film School will be hosting the ³Get Exposed to Filmmaking²
open house event. Attendees will get a first-hand look at our
state-of-the-art facilities, meet our faculty of industry professionals and
learn more about our unique 1-Year Immersion Filmmaking Program. The event
begins at 10:00 am. For more information, e-mail info@lafilm.com or call
(323) 860-0789. 

56. UPCOMING EVENTS IN ANIMATION.
Search AWN's expansive Calendar of Events section for a list of animation
and visual effects events spanning into the year 2004. 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

57. 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 special effects flicks!

__________________________________
Animation news written and compiled by AWN.com editor Sarah Baisley.
Visual effects news written and compiled by VFXWorld.com editor Bill
Desowitz.
Additional news written by managing editor Rick DeMott.
Publishers: Dan Sarto and Ron Diamond.

__________________________________
Copyright 2003 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:
Sarah Baisley or Bill Desowitz
Animation Flash
6525 Sunset Blvd., Garden Suite 10
Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA
E-mail: editor@awn.com; or Fax: 1-323-466-6619.

_________________________________
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