August 2009 Archives

Harmonix and MTV Games to Offer Exclusive Five-Song Preview of
The Beatles™: Rock Band™ to Participating Bars
 
New York, NY (August 31, 2009) - Harmonix Music Systems and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the launch of "Rock Band Bar Nights," a ground-breaking initiative providing tools for U.S. bar owners to host their own Rock Band™ Nights.  The program gives bars a cutting-edge in-bar entertainment option to help increase foot traffic and provide Rock Band fans with the opportunity to take the stage for a true rock star experience.
 
Rock Band - featuring a full band performance with guitar, bass, drums and mic - is revolutionizing the standard karaoke night in bars. The Rock Band Bar Nights program expands the Rock Band social experience for current fans and gives new fans the opportunity to try the game in an authentic performance setting with a live crowd cheering them on.
 
To help venues host and promote their own Rock Band Bar Nights, the program offers support to registered bars with everything from exclusive Rock Band product offerings to multiplatform marketing support.  Through an exclusive e-commerce store, the program will also provide bars with a full music solution to easily rock their bar with the extensive Rock Band catalogue featuring more than 800 tracks and growing every week!
 
To kick off the program, Harmonix and MTV Games are providing bars that sign up before September 8th with an exclusive five-song preview disc from The Beatles: Rock Band, allowing their customers to experience the highly anticipated game before it hits stores on September 9th.
 
In addition to offering in-bar support for this new entertainment option, the Rock Band Bar Nights program extends online and gives members direct access to the Rock Band community with hundreds of thousands of fans, as well as the chance to stay connected on Rock Band's official Facebook and Twitter pages.  In the coming months, Rock Band fans will be able to find official Rock Band Bar Nights in their area through an online application searchable by zip code and a mobile version available for download as a free iPhone application.
 
Interested bar owners or fans can check out www.RockBand.com/BarNights for registration and more information.
 
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Mocap Pioneer Spearheards Pipeline Development

Los Angeles, CA (August 31, 2009)--VICON, developer of Academy
Award(r)-winning motion capture systems, announced today that DJ Hauck has
signed on as Technical Supervisor at the company's Los Angeles motion
capture studio, VICON House of Moves. Hauck has had a long career in motion
capture that includes innovative pipeline development solutions for such
features as "Beowulf," "Monster House" and "The Polar Express."

"DJ brings a vast wealth of knowledge about mocap workflows to House of
Moves, and we couldn't be more ecstatic about his return," said Brian
Rausch, Vice-President of Production, VICON House of Moves. "He'll have the
same title, but it's a very different position now. In my two years here
the company has changed dramatically, and we needed to bring in someone
with DJ's proven success in developing high-end motion capture and
animation pipelines to address the complex issues of digital filmmaking and
evolving content. He's the ideal person for the job."

A pioneer in full-body and facial motion capture, Hauck re-joins VICON
House of Moves from Digital Concepts Group, where as co-founder he
developed DCG Face, a toolset for cleaning and re-targeting facial motion
capture. Prior to co-founding DCG, Hauck worked at Sony Pictures
Imageworks, where he served as Senior Technical Animator and Motion Capture
Technology Lead. In this position, he was recruited to implement the motion
capture system and pipeline for "The Polar Express," which he continued to
manage and develop through both "Monster House" and "Beowulf." Hauck began
his career in motion capture in 1999, starting out as a Motion Editor at
House of Moves in the years before the facility was purchased by VICON. He
was promoted to Technical Supervisor in 2000 with oversight of delivery of
all motion capture files, a position he returns to today in its
much-expanded capacity.

"Over the years, I have witnessed a complete transformation of House of
Moves. Brian has taken a technically based mocap facility and transitioned
it into an integrated team that services the full range of animation
possibilities, from motion capture to key-frame and everything in-between,"
said Hauck. "The environment at House of Moves encourages dedication,
technical expertise and creativity among employees. I'm thrilled about the
opportunity to work with such a dynamic team."

About VICON House of Moves
VICON House of Moves is a division of VICON, the Academy Award(r)-winning
supplier of precision motion tracking systems, serving customers in film,
visual effects, computer games, and broadcast television, as well as
engineering and life science industries.

VICON is the largest holding of OMG (Oxford Metrics Group - LSE: OMG), plc.
VICON House of Moves provides professional motion capture services, stock
3D data, and 3D animation services for the entertainment industry.  With
expertise dating back to 1985 and credits ranging from game titles
Resistance 2 and Unchartered to films including Spider-Man 2 to Titanic,
VICON House of Moves has contributed to hundreds of animation projects. For
more information, call (310) 306-6131 or visit www.moves.com.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Think Services, organizers of the industry-leading Game Developers Conference (GDC), has assembled an esteemed advisory board for the 2009 Game Developers Conference (GDC) China. The advisory board includes industry executives from leading Chinese development studios including NetEase, Ubisoft Shanghai, XPEC, Shanda and many others. The 2009 event marks the second GDC China conference dedicated to the art, science and business of games by returning to the Shanghai International Convention Center, October 11-13 of this year.

The full list of advisory board members includes industry veterans Ding Yingfeng, product director of NetEase's popular Chinese free-to-play MMO Fantasy Westward Journey, Eric Chang, CTO and co-founder of XPEC Entertainment, Xu Xiao Yue, the lead engineer of Ubisoft Shanghai and Joe Zuo, vice president of Shanda Games, the Shanghai-based licensed publisher of MapleStory, Ragnarok Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online and several others.


The 2009 GDC China advisory board is:

Ding Yingfeng
Deputy Director of Online Game Department & Product Director, Fantasy
Studio (Fantasy Westward Journey) of NetEase

Raymond Neoh
Founder, TQ-Global Ltd

Billy Hsu
CEO, DJL Worldwide

Xu Xiao Yue
Lead Engineer, Ubisoft Shanghai

Eric Chang
CTO & Co-Founder, XPEC Entertainment Inc.

Joe Zuo
Vice President & Partner of "18 Fund," Shanda Games


"GDC China is the ideal venue to explore the groundbreaking frontier of Chinese game development," says Meggan Scavio, event director for GDC China, "and there's no group better qualified to act as our guides than the expert developers and executives of the GDC China advisory board. They helped craft the content that makes GDC China the must-attend event for anyone interested in the Chinese game industry."

GDC China has extended their early bird registration to September 15, 2009. For more information on the 2009 Game Developers Conference® China, please visit www.gdcchina.com.

About the Think Services Game Group
A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the Think Services Game Group offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, GameCareerGuide.com, WorldsInMotion.biz and other Gamasutra Network websites, the Game Developers Conference®, the Game Developers Conference® Austin, the Game Developers Conference® Europe, the Game Developers Conference® China, the Game Developers Conference® Canada, GDC Mobile, the Game Career Seminars, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. To learn more, visit www.tsgamegroup.com.

About Think Services, a division of United Business Media
Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using educational events, consulting, training, certification, membership, and innovative media. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity with its products and services. The division's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer Management Institute (ICMI), and HDI. Think Services is a subsidiary of United Business Media, a global media and marketing services company with a market capitalization of more than $1.6 billion. To learn more, visit www.think-services.com.

Los Angeles, CA (August 29, 2009) -- The Jim Henson Company will be back directly distributing its world-renowned Family Classics and Fantasy library titles to the international marketplace at MIPCOM 2009 now that the agency agreements with HIT Entertainment and Warner Brothers have expired.  The announcement was made today by Peter Schube, President and COO, The Jim Henson Company.
 
"The MIPCOM market this year is a great opportunity to once again share our portfolio of family classics and fantasy brands. Together with our new properties, we look forward to working with our partners across all broadcast and digital platforms to deliver this incredible slate of new and classic Jim Henson Company branded programming to viewers across the globe," commented Schube. 
 
The sales effort at MIPCOM Jr. and MIPCOM will be spearheaded by Sam Ewing, Head of International Sales, who said, "With broadcasters continuing to seek out top quality, evergreen programming with brand appeal, MIPCOM this year provides the perfect platform to share this library of classic properties which have enormous worldwide recognition." Ewing added,
"We'll be actively working on our own as well as with our agents in specific territories to expand the reach and impact of our efforts.  As a group we'll be working very hard to ensure that we and our broadcast partners achieve maximum results."
 
The Jim Henson Company's extensive catalog of award-winning Family Classics includes the ACE Award-winner and five-time Emmy Award-winning Fraggle Rock™ (96 x 30).  This fan favorite currently has both film and television projects in development.  Also in the Family Classics library are Emmy Award-winning Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories (39 x 8) featuring familiar nursery rhymes; the ACE Award-winning animated feature Emmet Otter's Jug - Band Christmas™, based on a book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, a groundbreaking series featuring the first radio-controlled puppets; BAFTA Award-winning Jim Henson's The Hoobs™ (250 x 30), who investigate different worlds to learn "everything Hoobs could ever want to know about the Universe"; BAFTA-nominated Jim Henson's Construction Site™ (26 x 30), a special place beyond the fence where, through the antics of machines, children are exposed to important messages about the nature of learning, thinking, and behaving; and Jim Henson's Mopatop's Shop™ (260 x 8), a wondrous shop where kids are introduced to a variety of concepts such as circles and squares and musical sounds by the use of imagination, humor and the inventive use of language.
 
Fantasy brand properties include the full-length feature Labyrinth™ (1 x 102), produced by The Jim Henson Company with creatures brought to life by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, and directed and co-written by Jim Henson who worked closely with acclaimed artist and conceptual designer, Brian Froud and executive producer, George Lucas; the masterful live-action fantasy The Dark Crystal™ (1 x 93), for which Jim Henson served as co-writer and co-director and Jim Henson's Creature Shop worked to build both animatronics and soft puppets, marking it as the first ever all-puppet full length feature; and the groundbreaking award-winning sci-fi production Farscape™ (series: 88 X 60; miniseries: 2 X 120), named by TV Guide as one of television's best cult shows ever and known for the overwhelming fan-based campaign that led to the miniseries production.
 
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Blu-ray™ High-Def versions of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal in the U.S. on September 29, 2009.  And in November, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Farscape, A&E Home Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company will re-launch the DVD franchise in the U.S. with the release of the first-ever COMPLETE SERIES MEGASET™ featuring all four seasons of the series.

The news follows The Jim Henson's Company's announcement earlier this year that the company's new in-house consumer products division, helmed by Melissa Segal, Senior Vice President, Global Consumer Products, will be establishing licensing and merchandising programs for the Company's well-known fantasy brands and Family Classics. 

ENDS
 

The Japanese manga and animation powerhouses Shogakukan Inc., Shueisha Inc. and
Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. (Shogakukan & Shueisha Group) announced
today their joint acquisition of Kaze S.A.S. (Kaze) and Anime Virtual S.A. (Anime
Virtual), two of Europe's leading distributors and licensees of Japanese animation.  With
this acquisition, the group positions itself as a major multi-media force throughout
Europe for manga-based Japanese animation and entertainment. Paris-based subsidiary
VIZ Media Europe (VME, President, John P. Easum) will helm the group's Europe
activities, with Kaze and Anime Virtual now part of its stable.

Prior to acquiring Kaze and Anime Virtual, Shogakukan & Shueisha Group managed
VME's European operations through its U.S. based subsidiary VIZ Media, LLC (VMC,
President, Hidemi Fukuhara).

Since the launch of VIZ Media Europe in 2007, Shogakukan & Shueisha Group, in
cooperation with VMC and VME has continued to study the European market for
opportunities to grow the fan base and to offer a greater range of Japan's highest quality
manga and anime content.  Kaze and Anime Virtual were chosen to be the key drivers of
this pan-European strategy and the timing is perfect as a rising demand for manga-
based animation meets the growth of multi-platform distribution channels.

Kaze (President, Cedric Littardi) mainly operates in French speaking territories and
Anime Virtual (President, Nicolas Weber-Krebs) operates primarily in German speaking
territories.  Their combined core businesses include TV sales, DVD and music
distribution, film distribution, consumer products, and new digital distribution and
broadcast platforms, as well as manga publishing in French speaking territories.

This acquisition provides Shogakukan & Shueisha Group with several critical tools:
o Direct DVD publishing and distribution in France and Germany.
o TV broadcast and distribution through various new platforms and technologies.
o Development and licensing of consumer products.
o Direct manga publishing and distribution ability throughout French speaking Europe.
o Innovative brand building across a full spectrum of media, including manga publishing,
animation licensing, animation broadcasting, consumer product licensing and new digital
platforms.  

The new company, which will be wholly owned by Shogakukan & Shueisha Group, will
integrate VME, Kaze, Anime Virtual and their subsidiary companies under a unified
infrastructure and administration. John P. Easum, has been named President/Gérant of
the new company and will head up the group's European operations. The head office will
remain in Paris. Cedric Littardi and Nicolas Weber-Krebs have been appointed managing
directors.

Explains Mr. Easum, "This is a very exciting development for all parties involved in this
venture. Kaze and Anime Virtual are proven pioneers and leaders in the distribution of
Japanese content. This acquisition benefits Shogakukan & Shueisha Group with Kaze and
Anime Virtual's proven local market expertise, marketing innovation and experienced
management.  We will now be in a much better position to support our many partners,
while proactively developing the market by bringing a greater variety of content to our
fans in a much more effective and timely manner."

Mr. Masahiro Oga, President of Shogakukan Inc. adds: "Through this venture, the new
company will be able to dedicate itself to serving a growing market for Japanese manga
and animation.  By building a closer bridge between Japan and our partners and markets
in Europe, we are confident the new company will succeed in delivering more excitement
for our fans while growing new markets for Japanese content."

August 28, 2009 - Today the highly anticipated Batman: Arkham Asylum™ game has been awarded a Guinness World Record for the 'Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever'.
 
Batman: Arkham Asylum has been given top scores across the board from National newspapers and specialist game reviewers.  The game has broken the Guinness World Record in this category by achieving the highest average score of 91.67 from reviews around the world.*
Developed by Rocksteady Studios and based on DC Comics' Batman license, Batman: Arkham Asylum offers players diverse gameplay that pushes the envelope for action, adventure and superhero games and exposes players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure taking them to the depths of Arkham Asylum.
 
Gaz Deaves from Guinness World Records states, "We are so pleased to be awarding Batman: Arkham Asylum a Guinness World Record. It is a fantastic new game and due to the reaction of gaming experts we believe it has a well deserved place in the Guinness World Records book."
 
In Batman: Arkham Asylum, BATMAN finds himself trapped inside the confines of Gotham's psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane, ARKHAM ASYLUM.  THE JOKER has set a trap for the DARK KNIGHT and has conspired with the deranged inmates to eliminate BATMAN once and for all.  Adding to the authenticity of the game are veteran animated Batman voice talents Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy, who reprise their roles as The Joker and Batman respectively.
 
Batman: Arkham Asylum features an original story by Paul Dini, Batman writer and five-time Emmy Award winner whose credits include Lost and Batman: The Animated Series.  Gamers will move in the shadows, instill fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City's most notorious villains, including HARLEY QUINN, BANE, KILLER CROC, POISON IVY and SCARECROW, who have taken over the asylum.
 
Batman: Arkham Asylum, co-published in North America by Eidos Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, is rated "T" for Teen and is available for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for the suggested retail price of $59.99.  It will also be available for Games for Windows® LIVE at retail outlets for the suggested retail price of $49.99 on September 15, 2009.  For more information, please visit www.batmanarkhamasylum.com.
 

Strike.TV will host the US premiere for the 3D-animated video blogger "theGoob". TheGoob is produced by the Swedish-based Assorted Nuts Animation Studio. During the series initial release in Europe, theGoob was distributed by Sony Ericsson and has to date seen more than 5 million mobile downloads.
               
In the first episode of this online series, the main character, Dwayne "theGoob" Gundersen decides to leave the safety of his home on a peanut farm in Alabama to pursue his dream of becoming an actor in Hollywood.
 
Strike.TV will release three to six episodes per week, giving the theGoob a two month initial run. The final episode, currently in production, will air in early October.
 
-                 "'We are so proud to be adding such a beautifully animated series to
the family of series on Strike.TV.  'The Goob' stands out as something
totally fresh and lovingly crafted.  I have yet to see this level of
independently produced computer animation for the Web and can't wait
to share this find with our audience.", said Strike.TV's CEO, Peter
Hyoguchi.
 
-          Strike.TV is a great partner for us and we are very pleased with the platform
      they can offer for this new form of interactive animated series, says Erik Öhrner
      CFO & Business Manager, Assorted Nuts Animation Studios.
 
-          We are working on some exciting things for theGoob's career. This seasons
      final video, currently in production, will be a big clue of what's to come, says
      Magnus Jansson, CEO and Creative Director at Assorted Nuts Animation Studios.
 

London, UK. August 28th 2009 -- Leading visual effects software developer, The Foundry, has announced the latest release of its powerful compositing application Nuke.
 
Nuke 5.2, now shipping, features new pre-comp tools that facilitate structured and collaborative workflow through referencing of external scripts; Python improvements for the creation of custom user interface panels and script driven actions; metadata support direct in the node graph; and the ability to register multiple 'Viewer Process' Gizmos for user-defined viewer processing, including new GPU support for 3D LUTs and GLSL shaders.
 
In addition Nuke 5.2 enables video monitor preview through Blackmagic Decklink, AJA Kona and Xena cards and introduces a RED R3D Redcode format reader that brings the full range of picture information into a full 32bit float-processing environment.
 
Viewer playback performance has been significantly improved, with flexible disk caching introduced at script nodes, and numerous bugs fixed.
 
Richard Shackleton, Nuke product manager at The Foundry commented: "We are continually working with, and listening to, our customers to ensure we understand their needs, wants and priorities. Nuke 5.2 and our future development programme will deliver productivity and workflow gains, as well as expand the production and creative tasks that can be tackled within the platform.
 
"I am very excited about delivering a wide range of new features in this release to support our customers ever-increasing breadth of challenges and complex deliverables. Nuke 5.2 and our future development roadmap will continue to deliver productivity and workflow gains as well as expanding the production and creative tasks that the Nuke platform can achieve."
 
This philosophy of continual innovation focused on solving VFX and production requirements continues at The Foundry with Nuke 6.0 and NukeX 6.0 due for release in Q4 this year.   For a pre-release peek, visit us on stand 7.F28 at IBC, where you can also see in depth customer demonstrations and talk directly with our team.
 
For more information on Nuke see www.thefoundry.co.uk.
 
-ENDS-
 

Award-Winning Celebrities Featured in BioWare's Dark Fantasy Epic
                                                        
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA - August 27, 2009 - Leading video game developer BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) has secured a star-studded voiceover cast for its upcoming blockbuster game, Dragon Age™: Origins.  Featuring Tim Curry, star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Broadway's Spamalot, as well as Kate Mulgrew, well-known for her role as Capt. Kathryn Janeway in "Star Trek: Voyager", Dragon Age: Origins also includes notable cast members Tim Russ ("Star Trek: Voyager," "Samantha Who?"), Claudia Black ("Stargate SG-1," "Pitch Black") and Steve Valentine ("Estate of Panic," "Crossing Jordan").  Dragon Age: Origins marks BioWare's return to fantasy, created from the ground up to take players through a dark epic tale filled with violence, lust, and betrayal.

Tim Curry will play the villainous Arl Rendon Howe.  Howe is the calculating villain, cultured and charming, with an insatiable lust for power who never hesitates to harm anyone who gets in his way.  Kate Mulgrew will lend her vocal flair to Flemeth, a powerful witch who maintains her immortality through the darkest of means, and who plays a pivotal role in the player's survival.  Both roles provide the actors with the opportunity to bring their considerable talents to bear in their portrayal of these characters.
 
"Dragon Age: Origins has the largest cast of characters of any game BioWare has ever made," said Mark Darrah, Executive Producer, BioWare.  "By working with an incredibly talented cast of actors we are able to bring reality and depth to the characters, their back stories, motivations, and dreams that our talented writers have created for them."
 
In Dragon Age: Origins, players take on the role of a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians who have served as protectors throughout the centuries.  Only they have the power to unite the shattered lands, defeat the Archdemon and drive back the darkspawn that threaten to destroy the world.  Players will interact with many interesting characters who may join them in their quest, and they will choose whether these characters become friends, foes, or even a romantic interest.  Featuring a deep and compelling story where every choice can have a dramatic impact on the game, Dragon Age: Origins is scheduled to release on November 3, 2009 in North America, for the PC and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and later in November for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
 
Dragon Age: Origins is rated M by the ESRB.  For more information about Dragon Age: Origins, visit www.dragonage.com.  Pre-order the game now at www.eastore.ea.com.

###

About BioWare
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld, mobile and online video games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's best-selling titles, including the award-winning Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ and Sonic™ Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (for the Nintendo DS™). Original BioWare-created intellectual properties include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect™. With studios in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec), and Austin (Texas), BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy roleplaying game, Dragon Age™: Origins, Mass Effect 2™, the epic sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, as well as several unannounced projects. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world's leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com.
 
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
 
BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.  "PLAYSTATION" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment  Inc. Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
 

Justice League: The New Frontier writer brings Jeph Loeb comic to life
in all-new DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie for distribution
Sept. 29


Screenwriter Stan Berkowitz guides another classic DC Comics graphic
novel to animated glory with the September 29 Warner Home Video
release of Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.

Berkowitz brought Darwyn Cooke's landmark Justice League: The New
Frontier from pages to screen in 2008, and this year he's converted
the words of Jeph Loeb into a summer popcorn-style blockbuster with
the crafting of the script for Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.

Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation will present the
all-new Superman/Batman: Public Enemies in a Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def edition,
a special edition 2-disc DVD, and a single disc DVD. Warner Home Video
will distribute the action-packed movie, which will also be available
OnDemand and Pay-Per-View as well as available for download on Sept.
29.

In Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, United States President Lex Luthor
uses the oncoming trajectory of a Kryptonite asteroid to frame
Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty on the heads of the Man of
Steel and his "partner in crime," Batman. Heroes and villains alike
launch a relentless pursuit of Superman and Batman, who must unite -
and recruit help - to stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the
asteroid, and uncover Luthor's devious plot to take command of far
more than North America.

Berkowitz has been actively writing for 30 years, focusing his efforts
on animated properties for the past dozen years. His animated credits
range from Superman: The Animated Series and Batman: The Animated
Series to Justice League, The Batman and Legion of Super Heroes, with
stops on shows like Static Shock, Batman Beyond and Spider-Man along
the way. Prior to moving into the animated realm, Berkowitz garnered
credits writing episodes of T.J. Hooker and the latter-day versions of
Dragnet and Adam 12.

Berkowitz pushed the keyboard aside to discuss the differences between
his film and Loeb's initial take on the tale, the importance of great
voice actors and a fine director, reaching into the DC vault for his
childhood memories, the little things Alan Burnett does to make a big
impact, and the ideal writing environment. Read on ... Stan Berkowitz is
speaking.

cFF Launches New Viral Campaign Targeted To Young International Filmmakers
and College Students
New York, NY-- Highly anticipated by independent filmmakers and movie
lovers from around the world, the second annual chashama Film Festival
explores global expression through filmmaking. Festival of the Worlds is
scheduled to honor and screen provocative movies from England, Germany,
Australia, Canada, Spain, Taiwan, Norway, Italy, France, Belgium, China,
Columbia and Israel.
Among the politically charged subjects: conquering war torn politics in
Lebanon with a sports marathon; preserving children while their parents are
dying of AIDS in Africa; exposing the detrimental tyrannical antics of Bush
Administration officials in the Middle East; and the importance of food as a
vehicle to unknown cultures.
As a critical component of cFF's campaign to broaden its outreach to
younger filmmakers and patrons, the festival launched Shanece's Compass, a
blog column written by Shanece Taylor, a Recent graduate from Boston
University's College of Communication. It aims to offer a fresh perspective
to veteran moviemakers while educating the youth film community. The blog
features film previews, commentaries, interpretations and festival news.
Shanece's Compass will simultaneously be syndicated on www.chafilmfest.com,
Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.
The chashama film festival is a platform for a wide spectrum of political,
cultural and philosophical ideologies, presented in an environment designed
to foster creative and intellectual expansion. Last year's festival screened
54 films out of more than 200 submissions, and reached an audience of
approximately 500.  The chashama Film Festival will take place from October
22, 2009 to October 26, 2009 at the flagship chashama theater space, located
at 217 East 42nd Street, and other theatres to be announced. There will be
screenings Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2am. There will be a
public opening night reception on Thursday, October 22 at 6pm. The complete
screening/venue schedule will be listed at www.chafilmfest.com.

TORONTO: August 26, 2009...  Mr. X, one of Canada's leading post houses, created visual effects for director Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock, which opens in theatres Aug. 28. Based on Elliot Tiber's autobiographical book, the film is a coming-of-age story set in the social upheaval of 1969. The narrative follows the progress of a young man returning home to help out at his parents' motel in upstate New York. There he becomes involved in organizing the seminal Woodstock concert. Mr. X completed visual effects for the film, including faithful recreations of the concert venue as it takes shape, and a visually stunning 10-minute acid trip sequence.

VFX supervisor Brendan Taylor led a team of 45 artists at the Mr. X facilities in Toronto and Montreal over a period of eight months, delivering 138 shots on the project. Previously, Taylor had collaborated with Ang Lee on Lust, Caution for a series of detailed shots recreating WWII-era Hong Kong and Shanghai. The work was completed at Mr. X in 2007. "I do a lot of research for sequences like these. I want to find out everything I can about the time and place. Getting the details right does a huge amount to set the mood for a film," explained Taylor.

"At Mr. X we've created a unique environment where we engage with the filmmakers," explained company founder, Dennis Berardi, "Our team leaders work with the director to interpret and understand the work. That vision permeates the culture here for the time that we're on the job and informs our work, both technically and artistically."

Industry professionals planning to attend the 2009 Television Animation Conference (TAC) will want to order their passes soon so not to miss this year's keynote speaker lineup.  David Silverman, best known for directing numerous episodes of The Simpsons as well as The Simpsons Movie, and Josh Selig, founder and president of Little Airplane Productions, Inc. will headline this year's Conference and provide their unique insight into the world of animation.
 
TAC takes place October 14-15 at the elegant Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa.  Running alongside the Ottawa International Animation Festival, this annual event attracts animation professionals in content creation, production, distribution and marketing.  TAC '09 is shaping up to be one the industry won't want to miss.  Passes sell out every year, so don't wait to register.
 
"We are excited and honoured to announce that Selig and Silverman will be on hand to present at this year's Conference", says TAC Director, Azarin Sohrabkhani. "Their expertise and success speaks for itself and it's a real privilege to have them as our keynote speakers."
 
Opening the conference is Josh Selig.  Josh started his career as a preschooler on Sesame Street, returning many years later as a writer, and worked his way up the ladder to producer.  He has won ten Emmy® awards as a member of the writing team for Sesame Street, and founded Little Airplane Productions, Inc. in 1999.  Some of his many accomplishments include creating and producing the critically acclaimed series "The Wonder Pets!", as well as "Oobi!", "Go, Baby!" and "3rd & Bird".
 
The second day of the event will start off with David Silverman. Much of David's career has revolved around The Simpsons.  He started out directing the shorts on the Tracy Ullman Show which eventually led to directing the first episodes when it became a series.  He is largely credited with creating the rules for drawing The Simpsons and is considered one of the most instrumental behind-the-scenes craftsmen of the sitcom family.  David became Producer as well as Supervising Animation Director for the series, directing 22 episodes and winning four Emmys® along the way.  Other directing credits include the highly successful The Simpsons Movie (2007), DreamWorks' The Road to El Dorado (2000), and Pixar's Monsters, Inc. (2001).
 
Always entertaining and worthwhile, there's no doubt this year will be bigger and better. Last year TAC featured Robot Chicken creators Seth Green and Matt Senreich.  Check out our podcast to catch a glimpse of these highly entertaining and memorable guests.  www.animationfestival.ca/podcast
 
 
About TAC
The Television Animation Conference is an animation business forum designed for professionals in content creation, development, production, distribution and marketing. TAC brings together key players in North America and international markets and provides a forum for active networking, practical information exchange, and trade in a comfortable and intimate environment.  TAC '09 will be held October 14-15 in Ottawa.  For more information about TAC, please visit http://www.animationfestival.ca/tac
 
 
About OIAF
The Ottawa International Animation Festival is one of the world's leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976.  The annual five-day event brings art and industry together in a vibrant hub that attracts artists, production executives, students and animation fans from across Canada and around the world. In 2008, more than 1700 industry delegates flocked to the capital to take part in the festival.  A similar crowd is expected to attend OIAF '09, which will be held from October 14-18 in Ottawa.  For more information and to experience OIAF online, please visit http://www.animationfestival.ca
 
 

The Number One Online Destination for Anime and Asian Entertainment and
Award Winning U.S. Anime Distribution Company Team Up!

San Francisco, CA (August 26, 2009) --U.S. Anime distribution company, Bandai
Entertainment Inc., and the number one (1) online destination for Anime and
Asian Entertainment, Crunchyroll, to stream the hit mecha Anime series
EUREKA SEVEN (episodes 1-50; subbed and dubbed) to Crunchyroll anime members
and fans worldwide starting today, August 26, 2009.  More information can be
found at www.crunchyroll.com/EurekaSeven
<http://www.crunchyroll.com/EurekaSeven> .

Bandai Entertainment Inc., has garnered record numbers accolades in both
2008 and 2009 from the fan selected SPJA Industry Awards, with EUREKA SEVEN
winning in 2007 for Best Mechanical Design and Best Manga.  Bandai
Entertainment Inc. will also be releasing, for one (1) night only, the
EUREKA SEVEN theatrical movie on Thursday; September 24, 2009 in selected
theaters nationwide on a first-come and first-served basis (with priorities
provided to online reservations).  More information can be found at
www.ncm.com/Fathom/Anime/EurekaSeven.aspx
<http://www.ncm.com/Fathom/Anime/EurekaSeven.aspx> .

"We are excited to be working with Crunchyroll bringing Eureka Seven back to
so new and old fans alike can enjoy the series once again," said Ken
Iyadomi, President of Bandai Entertainment inc.

"We are extremely honored and ecstatic to be working with U.S. Anime
power-house Bandai Entertainment Inc.", states Crunchyroll executive Mr.
Brady McCollum, "Bandai Entertainment Inc. titles have been a staple in U.S.
fandom. Any Anime fan will have a large number of Bandai Entertainment Inc.
titles in their collection and we are excited to be bringing a Bandai
Entertainment Inc. fan favorite, EUREKA SEVEN, to the Crunchyroll fan base."

This title will be available in subbed and dubbed formats and available in
the following territories: USA, Canada, and their respective territories.

Comedy Central, the home of animated hits such as South Park, Futurama and Drawn Together, has hired on Lisa Leingang as SVP of Original Programming and Development, East Coast. In her new position, Leingang will oversee all original pilots and series in production on the East Coast and report to Lauren Corrao, President--Original Programming and Dev. Leingang comes to Comedy Central from a VP programming and development post at CBS, where she oversaw development of scripted series and pilots. Her comedy chops where also honed at NBC, where she was VP of comedy development for seven years and sealed deals for Flight of the Conchords and comedian Demetri Martin.

Discovery has moved Sara Kozak from her production post at the brand's Discovery Health channel into their Emerging Networks branch, where she will serve as VP Production for  Science Channel, Investigation Discovery and Military Channel. Kozak most recently acted as senior producer on the main network's Destroyed in Seconds and Two Weeks in Hell. Kozak came to the Discovery family from the BBC after collaborated with them on American adaptations of such BBC series as  What Not to Wear.

Director of The Flintstones & Beethoven puts new, live-action spin on Scooby crew;

Cartoon Network premiere is Sept. 13; Warner Home Video distributes Sept. 22

 

 

For four decades, Brian Levant has been at the creative helm of many of the most beloved franchises in modern family entertainment - making him the perfect choice to direct the first-ever telling of the Mystery Inc. origin story in Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins.

 

An all-new, live-action/CGI film, Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins premieres Sunday, September 13 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network, and will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def Combo Pack on September 22 from Warner Home Video.

 

A co-production of Warner Premiere and Cartoon Network, Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins uses adventurous storytelling and stylized visuals of both live-action and CGI technology to entertain fans of all ages. Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins follows the Mystery Inc. gang, a mismatched quartet of unlikely teenage pals, uniting for the first time to solve the haunting of their high school. Along the way, fans will discover the backstory of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo.

 

The Sept. 13 premiere coincides with the 40^th anniversary of the Scooby-Doo franchise - Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! made its CBS debut on that date in 1969.

 

The live-action cast features Robbie Amell (Cheaper By The Dozen 2, True Jackson) as Fred along with Kate Melton as Daphne, Hayley Kiyoko as Velma and Nick Palatas as Shaggy. Frank Welker, a member of the original Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! voice-cast, provides the voice of Scooby-Doo. The film is produced by Brian Gilbert (Skinwalkers).

 

Levant began his career at age 23 as a story editor on Happy Days and went on to produce Mork & Mindy and The Bad News Bears series before returning to Happy Days as the series' supervising producer.  After winning a CableACE Award as Best Director of a Comedy Series for The New Leave it to Beaver, which he developed and served as executive producer, Levant turned his attention to feature films.

 

In 1991, Levant made his feature directorial debut on Problem Child 2, which he followed with the original Beethoven.  In 1994, Levant directed the star-studded film adaptation of Hanna-Barbara Productions The Flinstones for executive producer Steven Spielberg, as well as its 1999 prequel.  Levant's other film credits include the hits Snow Dogs; Are We There Yet;, Jingle all the Way, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; and the upcoming Jackie Chan vehicle The Spy Next Door.

 

Levant, who has nine large dogs of his own running around his ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, spent some time discussing the latest incarnation of the Scooby-Doo franchise, the all-new live-action cast, and the joys and challenges of adding a new chapter to a 40-year legacy.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., August 13, 2009 - Autodesk, Inc., will exhibit at the
2009 Game Developers Conference (GDC) Europe and gamescom events in
Cologne, Germany, from August 17-19 and August 19-22, respectively. The
events will both be held at the Cologne Congress Center East. In Hall 4.2,
stand G20, the company will showcase its latest middleware and art creation
tools for creating innovative game experiences. Autodesk will also host a
discussion with games industry veteran, Don Daglow.

Autodesk was recently named "Best Tools Provider" at the 2009 Develop
awards. The company's game authoring and runtime solutions have been used
to create hit titles, including "Rock Band 2," "Prince of Persia,"
"Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning" and "FIFA 09."

"GDC Europe and gamescom are two of the most important games conferences in
Europe," said Marc Stevens, vice president, Autodesk Games Group. "These
events provide a great opportunity for European developers to learn how
Autodesk games products can help solve both creative and technical
challenges, so they can really focus on the game."

Product Showcase
Autodesk offers game developers a broad set of technologies that can be
used across the game art creation, animation and runtime environments.
These tools help developers spend less time building workflows or solving
redundant problems, and more time realizing their vision for the game. At
its stand (Hall 4.2, stand G20), Autodesk will showcase the latest versions
of its art creation and middleware products.

A Discussion with Don Daglow
On August 17, 2009, at 1 p.m. in the Europa Hall, show goers can attend a
candid discussion between Don Daglow, an award-winning games industry
veteran with four decades of experience in game design and development, and
Mary Beth Haggerty, senior industry manager for Games at Autodesk. The
conversation will explore storytelling, believable characters and the games
business.

Autodesk and InterSense at gamescom
During the gamescom event, InterSense will be presenting its virtual camera
- the InterSense Vcam - at the Autodesk stand (Hall 4.2, stand G20). Using
the camera in combination with Autodesk MotionBuilder real-time animation
software, artists can rapidly generate and test camera movements and track
shots for films or games. This complementary toolset can help to accelerate
the production workflow, as well as reduce costs.

About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment
markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has
developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping
solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real.
Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize,
simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to
save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional
information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD and MotionBuilder are registered trademarks or trademarks
of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA
and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks
belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter
product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not
responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this
document.

© 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

####

Big Fat Slabs of Metal Headed Your Way with All New Rock Band Tracks
from Motörhead, Hawkwind, Nazareth, Blue Öyster Cult and More
 
Cambridge, MA - August 13, 2009 -- Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks, (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced plans to release Rock Band® Metal Track Pack™, a thrashtastic standalone disc that will be available October 13, 2009 at retail stores nationwide for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii™ system from Nintendo. The suggested retail price for Rock Band Metal Track Pack is $29.99.
 
Summoning power from the metal gods on high, the Rock Band team has assembled 20 on-disc tracks exploding with bone-crushing, ear-lashing, face-melting metal including anvil-heavy cuts from Godsmack, Children of Bodom, Evile, Judas Priest, Bullet For My Valentine and more! Six of the on disc tracks are brand new to the Rock Band platform and will be exclusive to the Rock Band Metal Track Pack disc for a limited time before joining the Rock Band® Music Store as downloadable content.
 
Rock Band Metal Track Pack, like all Rock Band software, is compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other third party music video game peripherals and microphones.
 
In addition, fans who buy the Rock Band Metal Track Pack for Xbox 360 or PLAYSTATION 3 system can play directly from the disc or download the songs onto their consoles' hard drives through a free offer with Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network or the PlayStation®Network. Once downloaded, the songs will automatically appear in the player's custom Rock Band library and can be integrated into setlists and played in all game modes. With more than 800 tracks available in the Rock Band music catalogue and regular releases of downloadable content every week, Rock Band Metal Track Pack is yet another way music-lovers can continue to expand and customize their music libraries.
 
Complete Track List:
 
 
Artist
Song Title
1.    
All That Remains
Two Weeks
2.    
At the Gates
Blinded By Fear
3.    
Black Tide
ShockWave
4.    
Blue Öyster Cult
Transmaniacon MC*
5.    
Bullet For My Valentine
Waking the Demon
6.    
Children of Bodom
Are You Dead Yet
7.    
Evile
Thrasher
8.    
Godsmack
I Stand Alone
9.    
The Haunted
D.O.A.
10.  
Hawkwind
Master Of The Universe*
11.  
I Mother Earth
Levitate*
12.  
In This Moment
Forever
13.  
Judas Priest
Screaming for Vengeance
14.  
Lacuna Coil
Closer
15.  
Lamb of God
Laid to Rest
16.  
Motörhead
Killed by Death*
17.  
Nazareth
Hair of the Dog*
18.  
Queens of the Stone Age
3's & 7's
19.  
Rage Against The Machine
Bulls On Parade*
20.  
Yngwie Malmsteen
Red Devil
 
* Denotes exclusive track
 
The Rock Band franchise is the ultimate platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune - all while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. Featuring the most master recordings of any music game ever by the world's biggest rock artists, the Rock Band music catalogue includes tracks that span every genre of rock, ranging from alternative and classic rock, to heavy metal and punk.

Rock Band Metal Track Pack is rated "T" for Teen with a descriptor of Mild Lyrics by the ESRB. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are currently available for Xbox 360,
PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and Wii.
 
 
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.
 
#####
 
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products.  The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.
 
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
 
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit www.harmonixmusic.com.
 
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA MobileTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

© 2009 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., a MTV Networks company. Rock Band developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.  EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox. Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.. "PlayStation" and "PLAYSTATION" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. Guitar Hero is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
 

Workflow Integration Between Mixamo and Gamebryo® LightSpeed™ Provides a Powerful, Time-saving 3D Character Animation Solution for Emergent Customers

SAN FRANCISCO and CALABASAS, Calif. - Aug. 11, 2009 - Raising the bar for fast, cost-effective and high-quality 3D game animation, Mixamo Inc. and Emergent Game Technologies announced today that users of Gamebryo® LightSpeed™ will now have a seamless integration of character animations when using Mixamo's online service within their game development pipelines.

LightSpeed developers who purchase Mixamo's new animation services have access to a brand new technique for directing, customizing and integrating animation. Emergent customers are now able to significantly reduce production time and cost, while developing premium-quality animations by leveraging this technology integration.

"We are delighted to have Mixamo join our partners program. Mixamo's collection of production-quality, customizable motions and entirely new approach to animation techniques gives LightSpeed users another option for adding great character animations to their games," said John Austin, Vice President of Partners, Emergent Game Technologies.

With an accessible and intuitive interface, Mixamo allows animators to browse through an extensive collection of 3D character motions developed from actual motion capture data. After selecting a desired animation, users may customize the motion using slider-based controls. Mixamo's advanced retargeting capabilities let animators apply the motion directly to their character rig in real-time. Upon completion, the finished animation is downloaded for seamless integration into the LightSpeed pipeline. By alleviating the need for expensive motion capture services and substantially reducing keyframe animation production time and cost, Mixamo significantly accelerates the game development process.

"Emergent and Mixamo share a similar goal to provide powerful time-saving solutions to game developers," says Stefano Corazza, co-founder and CTO of Mixamo. "Our collaborative efforts provide LightSpeed customers with a seamless workflow, improving their overall productivity and allowing more time for creative control."

Emergent's LightSpeed is the newest leap forward in game development technology delivering the only professional technology for start-to-finish multi-genre/multi-platform game development. Enabling rapid prototyping, rapid iteration and rapid production, LightSpeed simplifies game development through a data driven framework that opens doors to exciting game-play possibilities.

Monster Distributes is finding that the recession has increased demand for its dialogue-free programming with broadcasters delighted to save on dubbing costs. 

 

Non-dialogue animated series Jungle Beat, 13 x 5 mins, produced by South African based Sunrise, has just sold to M-Net South Africa, Sinovision in China, C4U Media Korea and Incomsa Columbia. Currently in production with series two, the series has sold into over 170 territories around the world including RTL2 Germany, NHK Japan, NRK Norway, DR Denmark, SVT Sweden and RAI Italy as well as numerous airlines.

 

M-Net, Incomsa Columbia and C4U Media Korea have also taken Gazoon, 30 x 3'30, with Knowledge Network Canada also recently taking the series. A non-dialogue animation series produced by Sparkling and co-produced with TFI France, Gazoon is already broadcasting around the world including TV2 Denmark, YLE Finland, NRK Norway, Al Jazeera in the Middle East and Cartoon Network Japan.

 

And non-dialogue animated short, The Happy Duckling, which recently won the Pulcinella Award for Best Short Film at Cartoons on the Bay among many other awards, has been picked up by RAI Tre, as well as TV3 Catalunya and Telepool Switzerland.

 

Monster is also have a busy summer with the rest of its animation catalogue:

 

Knowledge Network Canada has just renewed pre-school animations I'm an Animal and Why?, while BBC Latin America and Astro Entertainment Malaysia have also acquired I'm an Animal.

 

As well as taking Jungle Beat and Gazoon, M-Net South Africa have also acquired Lifeboat Luke, 52 x 5 minutes and Middle-Eastern produced Ben and Izzy, 13 x half hour as part of a HD package.

 

DVD company Urania S.R.O. has just acquired animated series Hermie & Friends for the Czech Republic, while the inflight market continues to be successful with Inflight Dublin taking two episodes of Ben and Izzy for Aer Lingus.

 

Disney Australia and New Zealand have recently acquired animated pre-school series Slim Pig. Produced by Irish-based Cheeky and commissioned by CBC Canada, the 39 x 7 minute series is topping the ratings on Canadian TV in its timeslot, while the first 13 episodes of the series has already aired in the UK and Scandinavia on CITV, Cartoon Network, SVT and TV2 and in 35 other territories worldwide.

 

CTO Simon Mack to Present Sessions on Animating with morpheme


SAN FRANCISCO and OXFORD, England, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- NaturalMotion, the animation technology and game development studio behind the euphoria engine, will be attending both GDC Europe and gamescom in Cologne, Germany from Tuesday 18th - Friday 21st August 2009.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090811/NY59196 )

NaturalMotion's CTO Simon Mack will be presenting two 50 minute sessions in GDC Europe's programming track. Through a practical demonstration of the newly released morpheme 2.2, the session will look at how runtime character animation is authored in morpheme and how the same tools are used to integrate character physics techniques with traditional animation. The session is targeted at all levels of experience.

Authoring Runtime Animation and Character Physics with Morpheme
August 18, 2009 - 9:00am to 9:50am
August 19, 2009 - 10:10am to 11:00am
Location - Congress-Saal 3, 4th Level

NaturalMotion will also be in attendance at gamescom 2009 and would be happy to meet with game developers and publishers of all platforms, as well as technology and games industry press that are interested in how NaturalMotion's technologies bring game characters to life. Interested game developers and publishers should contact NaturalMotion by email at sales@naturalmotion.com to arrange a meeting. Press enquiries should be sent to contact@naturalmotion.com.

About NaturalMotion

NaturalMotion Ltd. is a leading entertainment software company with offices in Oxford (England) and San Francisco (California). The company produces the widely-adopted animation technologies euphoria, morpheme and endorphin, used across the game and movie industries by companies such as Rockstar Games, LucasArts, Disney, Bioware and many others. Backbreaker, the company's first in-house game is currently in production.

For further information please contact Rob Donald, PR & Marketing Manager at NaturalMotion on +44 (0)1865 250 575 or visit www.naturalmotion.com.

MONTREAL, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Take note! The early bird catches the worm! Today, the Montreal International Game Summit has revealed the five main speakers who will be giving presentations to the 1,500 attendees expected at the sixth edition of the event. Yoichi Wada, President and CEO, Square Enix, Paul Holden, Lead Architect, Media Molecule, Jason Holtman, Director of Business Development, Valve, Heather Chaplin, Author and Chris Hecker, Technology Fellow, Maxis/EA will be at the Hilton Bonaventure Hotel, Montreal on November 16th and 17th .

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090811/NY59551LOGO )

Main speakers in view!
Yoichi Wada is President and CEO of the Square Enix Group, which has the corporate philosophy: to spread happiness across the globe by providing unforgettable experiences. During his conference, Mr. Wada will share the steps the group has taken in order to build a new, group-wide game development environment in an effort to make full use of the unique individual characteristics of its three core brands -- SQUARE ENIX, TAITO and EIDOS and will share his vision of the future of video game development.

Paul Holden is Lead Architect at Media Molecule, a British-based studio. It is to him and his team that we owe the 2008 hit, Little Big Planet. Paul will speak to attendees about the challenges of the premise of LBP: to employ user-generated content to its fullest.

Jason Holtman is Director of Business Development for Valve. Among other things, he manages the distribution of Steam, an online platform enabling more than 15 million gamers to access hundreds of games, and video game development via the SOURCE engine.

Heather Chaplin, is the author of the hit book Smartbomb: The Question for Art Entertainment & Big Bucks in the Videogame Revolution. A Professor of journalism at The New School, she also collaborated on All Things Considered as a video game specialist.

By popular demand, Chris Hecker will be returning to the Summit this year to give the closing talk. Hecker works at Maxis/EA as Lead Architect solving problems found at the intersection of gameplay, aesthetics, and engineering. This experienced speaker will attempt to answer the question: "Can video games be considered as cultural products in the same way as literature or theatre?", with the help of data, analyses and, of course, plenty of humor.

The Indian summer promises to be baking hot in Montreal, something which will be reflected in each of the conferences. In order to get the most out of them, we invite video game industry professionals to join us and take advantage of our special "early-bird" prices by registering online before 25th September at sijm.ca.

About MIGS
The summit was set up in 2004 to serve members of the video and electronic games industry. Adapted to the sector's needs, MIGS aims to become the main yearly event for game development specialists from all over the world.

MIGS was created in 2004 to meet the needs of the video game industry which, today, represents 7,000 workers in Quebec. It aims to develop the transfer of knowledge and expertise, to increase the influence of Quebec industry overseas and to encourage exchanges and communication between the industry's stakeholders. Specialist and high-level, MIGS covers numerous fields from artistic creation to design, production, programming and business.

To find out more, register, or receive the MIGS newsletter, consult the website: www.sijm.ca.

Attendees to Have Access to Key Learnings and Wisdom from Respected Leaders of the Virtual World, Online Social Network and MMO Communities


Early Registration Discounts End August 13th




SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Game Developers Conference® Austin (GDC Austin) will focus on the online gaming space with a suite of speakers from BioWare Austin, Sony Online Entertainment, Cartoon Network and many other influential players in the world of connected games. GDC Austin will host three days of content centered around the evolution of online gaming, the growing importance of social networking platforms for building and promoting successful titles, and the burgeoning business opportunities on the horizon. Presented by Think Services, GDC Austin also includes four two-day summits - the Game Writers, Game Audio, iPhone Games and Independent Games Summits. The event takes place at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas September 15-18, 2009. Conference goers wanting to take advantage of early registration discounts should register online by August 13.

Among the many notable sessions taking place at GDC Austin are BioWare technical director Bill Dalton's talk on the complexities and struggles of developing massively multiplayer online (MMO) titles and Cartoon Network's Richard Weil's session on the financial complications of online games for younger children. Other topics include viral growth tactics, best practices for creating sticky game designs, harnessing community feedback to improve game design, micro-transaction security, and developing recognizable IP that appeals to all generations of gamers.

Featured speakers include:

-- Craig Alexander , VP, Product Development, Turbine
   MMOs to Consoles - Challenges, Opportunities and Emerging Trends

-- Brandon Barber, VP Marketing, Zynga
   What Are The Stickiest Design Models and How Are They Monetized?

-- Bill Dalton, Technical Director, BioWare Austin
   Come and See the Elephant - Challenges Encountered Growing an MMO

-- Raph Koster, President, Metaplace
   Games are Math: 10 Core Mechanics That Drive Compelling Gameplay

-- Jeffrey Kesselman, Chief Technology Officer, Rebel Monkey
   The Monkey Wrench: Design and Architecture of an Online Environment

-- Jesse Schell, Faculty, ETC Carnegie Mellon, CEO, Schell Games
   Laralyn McWilliams, Creative Director, Sony Online Entertainment
   Matthew Schwartz, Senior Designer, Cartoon Network
   Reaching A New Demographic: Kids AND Their Parents

-- Craig Sherman, CEO, Gaia Online
   Next Phase of Casual Games: How to Make the Free-To-Play Model Work for
    You

-- Richard Weil, Director of Community Relations, Cartoon Network
   Rebecca Newton, Head of Safety, CrispThinking.com
   Kids and Gaming -- One Year Later. Still Keeping up with your ABCs?


"One of the unique challenges of GDC Austin is staying ahead of the next trend in the ever changing online gaming space. We have seen the industry expand and morph from MMOs to virtual worlds to online social networked free-to-play casual MMOs," says Izora De Lillard, event director at Think Services Game Group. "This September, we are proud to present a program focused on the lessons you need to harness current opportunities and the inspiration to develop the next breakthrough."

Learn more about the complete listing of speakers and sessions for GDC Austin 2009 at www.GDCAustin.com.

Oak Park, CA August 10, 2009 -- Digital Film Tools releases Composite Suite Pro v1 for Adobe After Effects, Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid Editing Systems.

For detailed product information, go to  http://www.digitalfilmtools.com/cs/

The successor to Composite Suite v3, Composite Suite Pro adds twelve new plug-ins: Blur Depth, Colorize, Colorize Gradient, DeFocus, DeFog, Distortion, F-Stop, Glow Edges, Glow Effects, Gobo, Printer Points and Temperature. In addition, there are many enhancements to the the existing plug-ins and there is now support for Apple's fxPlug format.

Composite Suite Pro features a well rounded collection of visual effects plug-ins that were previously only available in-house at a Hollywood based feature film effects facility. Tested in the rigors of everyday production, Composite Suite Pro provides all that is needed to combine multiple images by utilizing compositing tricks and techniques, color correction, blur, grain, matte manipulation, lens distortion, lighting effects and edge blending. Eradicate the most common effects problems or employ specialized compositing tools for combining imagery such as fire, smoke and explosions. Cutout or isolate objects using a proprietary matte generator or pick from a variety of color correctors and natural lighting effects to spice up your images.

Composite Suite Pro includes the following plug-ins: Blur, Blur Depth, Camera Flash, Color Correct, Colorize, Colorize Gradient, Color Paste, Composite, DeArtifact, DeFocus, DeFog, Distortion, Drop Shadow, DVE, Edge Composite, Film Masks, Frame Averager, F-Stop, Gobo, Grain, Glow Edges, Glow Effects, HDTV Masks, Holdout Composite, Light, Light Wrap, Math Composite, Matte Generator, Matte Repair, Non-Additive Mix, Optical Dissolve, Ozone, Printer Points, Selective Color Correct, Temperature and Title Blur.

Created for rigorous production demands by digital artists for digital artists, Composite Suite Pro v1 is available for download or purchase at: www.digitalfilmtools.com for $395. Upgrade pricing is available for existing customers.

Digital Film Tools brings together the unbeatable combination of superior software designers, motion picture visual effects veterans, video editors and photographers. Add three Emmy Awards and experience in creating visual effects for hundreds of feature films, commercials and television shows and you have a recipe for success.

Starting Labor Day, PBS KIDS continues to build on science exploration with the launch of The Jim Henson Company's DINOSAUR TRAIN and PBS KIDS GO! strengthens its literacy content with the hit series THE ELECTRIC COMPANY as it begins to air every weekday. Much more is highlighted below.  Please let us know if you are interested in more details.
 
For Preschoolers:
 
PBS KIDS will debut the all-new CGI-animated series, DINOSAUR TRAIN, on September 7th. This new series embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills as the audience learns about natural science, natural history and paleontology. DINOSAUR TRAIN is seen through the eyes of Buddy, a preschool-aged Tyrannosaurus Rex. Buddy and his adoptive family of Pteranodons go for adventures on the Dinosaur Tr ain to meet all kinds of dinosaurs in different eras and learn fascinating new facts about these incredible creatures.
 
PBS KIDS is further extending science learning with a new curriculum-themed season from life science series IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD, introducing live-action "Snook on the Road" segments and a new character, Riona the baby sloth.BARNEY & FRIENDS introduces a green-themed special focusing on the animals, plants and insects that live in the rainforest. SESAME STREET debuts it's 40th season on PBS KIDS on November 10 with a focus on green themes and a series of celebrity guests.  In a week of new episodes about weather beginning September 14, SID THE SCIENCE KID and his friends will look to the skies for answers when a playdate is canceled due to rain.
 

The Number One Online Destination for Anime and Asian Entertainment Bring
the Best of Hong Kong Entertainment to Fans

San Francisco, CA (August 10, 2009) -- Enjoy an explosion of Cantonese
entertainment ,from Crunchyroll and Tai Seng Entertainment, as Hong Kong
entertainment talk, variety and music shows stream for free today to U.S.
and U.S. territory audiences with show favorites 'CLUB SPARKLE', 'SUPER TRIO
SUPREME' and 'JADE SOLID GOLD'.  More information can be found at
http://www.crunchyroll.com/publisher/TAI_SENG_ENTERTAINMENT.

These titles are available to all Crunchyroll fans and members residing in
the U.S., American Samoa, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and
Virgin Islands.

Smedley to Discuss the Success and Lessons Learned from hit free-to-play MMO, Free Realms(TM)



SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Game Developers Conference® Austin (GDC Austin) will host a keynote by John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), creators of popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) games EverQuest®, EverQuest II® and Free Realms(TM). In his keynote, entitled "From Dragons and Daggers to Kart Racing, Cooking and Concerts ... It's a Whole New MMO World", John Smedley will discuss how the critically-acclaimed freely available tween and teen title Free Realms, originally announced during GDC Austin 2007, has worked to expand the base of players engaging together in online worlds. Presented by Think Services, GDC Austin returns with three days of main conference content focused on connected games, online games, virtual worlds, and social networking game play and four two-day summits including the Game Writers, Game Audio, iPhone Games and Independent Games Summits. The event takes place at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas September 15-18, 2009. Early registration discounts for the event will end on August 13.

Using empirical research and hard-won insight, John Smedley's keynote will inform attendees about the challenges and lessons learned when creating a full-blown MMO for younger audiences. The keynote will speak to the challenges and boundless opportunity of connected games and will also describe how to re-educate development teams to move away from stagnant MMO designs towards mass market success.

"There's no better speaker than John Smedley to discuss redefining MMO gameplay and the expanding MMO audience," says Izora de Lillard, event director at Think Services Game Group. "The success of the Free Realms is a testament to the evolving nature of the connected gaming space and the growing player base that is drawn to this new iteration of the MMO. It isn't just teens or parents playing games, it is teens and parents now playing together."

As President of Sony Online Entertainment, John Smedley oversees the company's overall vision and growth. He has more than a decade of experience in the interactive entertainment industry, including positions with ATG, Knight Technologies and five years with SOE as Director of Development. While at SOE, Smedley was instrumental in the creation and development of the original, groundbreaking EverQuest. Under Smedley's leadership, SOE has grown from a small developer with a single online PC game to an industry leader which has had millions of subscribers and multiple titles published on PC, PlayStation, PSP, wireless and handheld platforms.

Learn more about the complete listing of speakers and sessions for GDC Austin 2009 at www.GDCAustin.com.

GameStreamer's White Label Partners Will Now Be Able Get Up to the Second Financial Data


TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- GameStreamer, Inc. today announced it will be implementing Netsirk Technologies Real-Time Payment and SAP Financial Reporting System for access by its White Label Customers.

"We are looking to work with only the Best in Breed technology providers. Netsirk Technologies was recently named SAP Business One South East Regional Partner of the Year and working with a group of such quality helps ensure that our customers are going to be well taken care of both now and in the future," stated Tim Roberts, CEO of GameStreamer, Inc.

Netsirk Technologies will allow GameStreamer the ability to offer its white label partners (WLP) a look at how their own game stores are doing in real time. Having that type of information can be a very powerful tool and will allow WLPs to adjust their sites to help maximize their revenues.

"GameStreamer's is a perfect example of how customers quickly benefit from SAP's best-fit strategy for small businesses and midsize companies. SAP Business One as an international and comprehensive business solution forms the stable basis. Businesses like GameStreamers need software that allows them to keep pace with their larger customers and suppliers, but which is affordable and easy to use for a smaller enterprise," said Quincy Faison, president, Netsirk Technologies. "With SAP Business One we were able to develop a custom fit solution that allows GameStreamers to manage its business and maintain its competitive advantages."

"GameStreamer's goal is to make the process of managing, selling and buying PC games easy and efficient. We have spent years developing this idea and with each new partner we move closer to achieving our vision of the gaming future," continued Tim Roberts.

"Unreal" Franchise Now Available to White Label Partners



TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- GameStreamer, Inc., a leading innovator in digital distribution and streaming solutions for game publishers, developers and gamers, today announced that Epic Games, Inc.'s award-winning "Unreal" series of games has been added to its rapidly growing games catalog.

Tim Roberts, CEO of GameStreamer, Inc. stated, "One of the secrets of our success is our ability to attract top-level publishers and developers, such as Epic Games, to our service. We've been able to do this due to our ability to support worldwide currencies, geo-targeting for licensing rights broken down by territory and also geo-targeting for the local currencies. We have created a simple way for publishers/developers to upload their catalogs, secure them with DRM, and create a database of loyal users. On the other side of the equation, we give our white-label partners the ability to build a gaming store customized for their clientele with super-fast downloads and streaming capabilities. It's a win-win situation for both sides."

Jay Wilbur, vice president of Epic Games, added, "GameStreamer's platform provides the high-end features we need for online distribution. From load capacity to redundancy to ease of use, we're leveraging GameStreamer's strengths to give players yet another way to access the 'Unreal' series."

Mr. Roberts continued, "We are extremely excited to add Epic Games to our list of content providers. Besides being the creators of one of my all time favorite games, their name is synonymous with great gaming and innovation. Their willingness to join our service speaks volumes for what we have been able to achieve so far. This is only the beginning."

US Premiere Of Film Drawn By One Man
 
Norwalk, CT, August 6, 2009: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced it will host the US Premiere of Aniplex's Cencoroll animated motion picture.  The 2009 New York Anime Festival, an anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture convention from the creators of New York Comic Con, will take place September 25-27, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Center and features Yoshiyuki Tomino -- the Director of Mobile Suit Gundam -- and Yui Makino -- the voice of Sakura in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle -- as Guests of Honor.
 
Cencoroll is a 30-minute movie created entirely by one man, award-winning artist Atsuya Uki.  Uki originally created a Cencoroll short in 2007 and distributed the animation via the internet.  Overwhelmed by the praise and support of fans of this original short, Uki decided to single-handedly create a full film which will debut later this month in theaters in Japan -- and debut in the USA at NYAF this September.  Cencoroll is the story of a provincial Japanese town under attack by a mysterious monster, and the young girl -- Yuki -- and boy -- Tetsu -- who hold the secret to fighting back: a strange and even-more-mysterious pet called Cenco.  For more information and footage of Cencoroll, please visit the film's official site (www.cencoroll.com).
 
"The New York Anime Festival is honored to premiere Cencoroll in the USA," NYAF Show Manager Lance Fensterman said.  "NYAF screened the original Cencoroll short at our first show in 2007, and we count ourselves as very fortunate to now revisit this world and present the American premiere of the full film."
 
Cencoroll's USA Premiere will take place on Friday, September 25 at 9 PM EST in the ANA Theater inside the New York Anime Festival.  To learn more about Cencoroll and Aniplex's other upcoming titles, fans are encouraged to attend Aniplex's panel at 6:30 PM on September 25 in Panel Room 4 at NYAF.
 
For more information on NYAF or to purchase tickets, please visit the show's official site (www.nyanimefestival.com).  For the latest announcements, please visit NYAF's official blog (www.mediumatlarge.net) or follow NYAF on Twitter (www.twitter.com/NY_Anime_Fest).
 
ABOUT ANIPLEX INC.:
ANIPLEX Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan) is a leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan. Established as Sony Pictures Entertainment Visual Works Inc. in 1995, as a joint-venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., it became ANIPLEX, Inc. in 2003 after the company became a subsidiary completely owned by Sony Music Entertainment Japan. ANIPLEX Inc. has introduced a variety of properties including such hits as Gurren Lagann, Fullmetal Alchemist, Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X), R.O.D -THE TV-, and Blood+, all of which are licensed and distributed worldwide. The company launched ANIPLEX of AMERICA in Los Angeles, CA in 2004 to handle licensing and co-production business in North and Latin America. In 2005, the company established A-1 Pictures, currently the largest and most technically advanced animation studio in Japan.
 
ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL:
The New York Anime Festival takes place September 25-27, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con.  The New York Anime Festival showcases the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explores the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life.  Further information can be found at newyorkanimefestival.com.
 
ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS POP CULTURE GROUP:
The Pop Culture Group at Reed Exhibitions owns and operates the New York Comic Con (NYCC), the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), and the New York Anime Festival (NYAF).  New York Comic Con was launched in 2006 and quickly became a dominant presence in the pop culture world of public events.  In 2009, 452 companies exhibited at NYCC for a total of 84,000 square feet of paid exhibit space, and it has been ranked by Crain's New York Business as the second-largest annual event in NYC.  C2E2, which will debut April 16 - 18 at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center, is modeled after NYCC and will provide fans the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite writers, creators, and artists, as well as to see, hear and learn about the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. The Pop Culture Group also operates the recently-launched UFC Fan Expo in partnership with the UFC - the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization - and it formed a strategic partnership with Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in 2008 and will work closely with PAX on the launch of PAX East in Boston in 2010.
 
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London, August 5th, 2009 - Leading visual effects software developer, The Foundry (www.thefoundry.co.uk), has announced the release of RollingShutter, a brand new plug-in tool for After Effects and Nuke, which tackles the image-distortion problems often experienced by users of CMOS cameras.

Rolling shutter effects are commonly found with video cameras employing CMOS image sensors, which record every frame line-by-line from top to bottom of the image, rather than as a single snapshot of a point in time.

As parts of the image are recorded at different times, moving objects can become distorted and appear skewed. Problems can also arise with flashing or strobing lights. Aside from not looking great, 3D tracking during VFX post production can become a very difficult task as the tracking points themselves are unstable.

The Foundry's RollingShutter plug-in tackles skew and perceived 'wobble' problems from the VFX artist's perspective. The plug-in will often vastly improve the look of distorted footage, by either minimising or eradicating image distortions.

Lowry Digital Relies on NVIDIA GPUs to Recover Historic Video by Upgrading 1960s Television Footage to 21st Century High-Definition

SANTA CLARA, CA-AUGUST 5, 2009- When NASA's original Apollo 11 moon landing video was accidentally destroyed, it seemed the world had lost a visual record of one of man's greatest achievements. Fortunately, unique digital video restoration technology from Lowry Digital, powered by NVIDIA®® Tesla™ GPUs (graphics processing units) with CUDA™ technology, has enhanced television coverage of the original video so that we can now watch Neil Armstrong take a giant leap for mankind in high-definition (HD).

"NVIDIA CUDA has enabled Lowry Digital to develop and use, in a practical and efficient manner, far more complex image processing algorithms than would otherwise be possible, providing great value for our customers." said John D Lowry, founder, Lowry Digital. "This has significantly increased both our image quality and our operational efficiency."

NVIDIA Tesla GPUs are high performance parallel processors and work together with CPUs in a co-processing model. Computationally intensive applications like digital video restoration use the massive computational capabilities of the GPU while the sequential part of the application's code runs on the CPU, speeding up the overall process and decreasing time to completion.

- Double Negative uses Xsens MVN for upcoming titles -

 

London, (UK), Enschede (The Netherlands) -- August 5^th, 2009 -- Xsens Technologies, creator of MVN, the leading camera-less motion capture solution, announces Double Negative Visual Effects as a new customer. This confirms further acceptance of MVN as a proven motion capture technology in the mainstream film industry.

 

Double Negative (known for Angels & Demons, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, The Boat that Rocked, Fast &Furious, Quantum of Solace, a.o.) will be using Xsens MVN (formerly Moven) during production of their upcoming film projects. The MVN system seamlessly integrates with their existing production pipelines and provides extremely short turn-around times.

 

Double Negative, currently working on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Iron Man 2, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time a.o., has deployed Xsens MVN for on-set performance capture and real-time previs for their latest cutting edge film productions.

 

'Double Negative is a leader in their industry. We are very proud to have them as customer', says Casper Peeters, CEO of Xsens Technologies 'Their studio not only recognizes the flexibility, quality and ease of use that Xsens MVN brings, but also its cost efficiency, bringing positive bottom line results.'

 

Littleloud create slick, top-down, racer game to excite fans over the release of Paramount's summer action movie, G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra.

'Delta 6 Dash', Littleloud's high-speed action game, will take the fan experience even further for the movie that is set to be Paramount Pictures' action adventure of the summer.

Players are transported into the fast-paced world of the G.I.s- an elite team of secret agents chosen for their special skills to fight against evil. Choosing to play as either Captain Duke or Lieutenant Ripcord they arrive just in time to help save the Eiffel Tower from a deadly terrorist attack. Racing through the busy motorways of Paris, the player must dodge traffic, trains and missiles to build speed and catch up with the terrorist van. If the player sustains too much damage to their high-tech Delta 6 accelerator suit they will fail the mission.

On completing the game the player has the option to enter their high score into the global leader board and access bonus content and clips from the film. Built in Flash, this original Littleloud game recreates the futuristic feel of the movie and allows players to play their own part in the G.I. Joe adventure. Play Delta 6 Dash on the movie site http://www.gijoemovie.com/intl/racing_game/uk/.

Littleloud Studios are a BAFTA award winning creative agency producing Digital Entertainment for the film, broadcast and gaming industries. Productions are delivered to work over multiple formats including TV, Web, Mobile, Game Consoles and emerging hand held devices. Our clients include BBC, Channel 4, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Sony Entertainment and Universal Pictures. For further information and high resolution images please contact alice@littleloud.com

·                    Countdown to launch of new second series on CBeebies
·                    Numberjacks debut on Red Button service
·                    New DVD Special release during summer holidays
Open Mind Productions announce several new developments as part of on-going expansion plans for award-winning property, Numberjacks (www.numberjacks.co.uk <http://www.numberjacks.co.uk/> ). A second series for the hit children's show is set to premiere on CBeebies from October 2009 and will include 20 x 15 minute new episodes in addition to the original 45 x 15 minutes, aimed at preschoolers and parents.  Numberjacks will also debut on the Red Button service from October 2009, offering the young audience a fully interactive experience with a new quiz.  Open Mind Productions and ITV DVD have also co-produced a DVD Special, Numberjacks: Seaside Adventure, scheduled for release on 3 August 2009.
 
Following the popularity and ratings hit of the first series which began airing on CBeebies in October 2006, Numberjacks continues to build on its success with a brand new series premiering from the week commencing October 2009 The new series will follow the same award-winning format with a mix of animation and live action that offers children an early introduction to numbers, maths and problem solving, combined with adventure, comedy and entertainment.  In addition, children will be able to press the Red Button to access a new Numberjacks interactive quiz available for the first time in October 2009.
 
Open Mind Productions continue to enjoy a strong relationship with ITV DVD who have successfully sold over 200,000 DVDs since 2007.  The next DVD release, Numberjacks: Seaside Adventure, will feature a special 45-minute episode that will be available from 3 August 2009.  This co-production between ITV DVD and Open Mind Productions has also opened up opportunities for other licensees including Egmont who have produced a 'seaside' themed edition of Numberjacks Magazine featuring a raft of offers and features.

Over a Dozen New Major Features Make 3D Figure Art and Animation Creation Easier Than Ever with Eight New Characters

NEW ORLEANS, SIGGRAPH 2009 - August 4, 2009 - Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMSI) Productivity and Graphics Group, today announced the availability of Poser 8, the next generation of the popular 3D figure design and animation solution. Poser 8 enables hobbyists, artists, and graphic professionals to create and digitally shape humans, animals and entire scenes in 3D. Visit booth #2407 for a quick demo of the new software in action.

Poser 8 allows artists to work with avatars and all types of 3D characters, such as giant ogres and talking chipmunks that proliferate in advertising, video games, television and full-length feature films. Poser 8 acts as a virtual stage, offering eight new, ready-to-pose, fully-textured humans of different ethnicities and body types to give artists a starting point in designing their characters. The new Poser content library provides more than 2.5 gigabytes of human and animal figures accompanied by a wide range of accessories including hair, clothing, sets and real-world props and elements such as lights and cameras to produce complete scenes.

For many years, creating 3D characters was beyond the budget and ability of novice users. Many amateur 3D artists inspired by the stunning images shown in computer-generated films could not afford the expensive and complex software needed to create animations. With Poser 8, new users and hobbyists can create entire, professional-quality scenes in minutes that utilize automatically- generated walking, running or dancing sequences and lifelike speaking capabilities. Once created, users can post their animations to YouTube or any of their favorite social networking sites.

Previews New Features and Performance Improvements of MachStudio Pro 1.2 and Announces Bundle of New AMD ATI FirePro V8750 3D Workstation Graphics Accelerator

SIGGRAPH 2009 (Booth #2417) — New Orleans, LA — August 4, 2009 — StudioGPU is showcasing at SIGGRAPH 2009 the powerful next-generation features and performance benefits of MachStudio™ Pro on the all new, industry-leading AMD ATI FirePro™ V8750 3D workstation graphics accelerator. MachStudio Pro provides a seamless way to create and interact with cinematic 3D objects and environments in a non-linear workspace, leveraging the horsepower of off-the-shelf professional graphics processing units (GPUs) to deliver real-time and near real-time workflow performance on a desktop workstation.

The MachStudio Pro workflow is akin to a virtual 3D real-time studio environment, allowing artists, designers, engineers, directors, and technical directors (TDs) to work with lighting, camera views and multi-point perspectives for a real-time view of frames as they will appear in the final rendered format. Users can easily manage and interact with complex lighting, caustics, cameras, shaders, materials, ambient occlusion, and color grading for real-time shot finaling and compositing.

Visit StudioGPU in the AMD booth (#2417), at SIGGRAPH 2009 in New Orleans, August 4-6 to see the next-generation MachStudio Pro features, including:

- Displacement Mapping Using Hardware Tessellation, exclusively on qualified ATI graphics workstation accelerators: Offers real-time hardware-based geometry tessellation in conjunction with displacement maps, allowing for unbelievable surface detail in 3D models while also reducing render times. By utilizing the tessellation library included with ATI 3D workstation graphics accelerators, MachStudio Pro can even create sub-pixel geometry tessellation, allowing for greater efficiency and better control over surface geometry. Leveraging the immense power of the ATI graphics accelerators, MachStudio Pro can actually increase the polygon count exponentially, in some cases to more than one billion polygons, without any material drop in the render speed.

NVIDIA OptiX Engine Joins Groundbreaking Suite of Application Acceleration Engines


SIGGRAPH 2009, NEW ORLEANS-Aug. 4, 2009- NVIDIA, the leader in GPU computing, today introduced the NVIDIA®® OptiX™ ray tracing engine, part of a suite of application acceleration engines for software developers. NVIDIA acceleration engines make it easy to incorporate valuable, high-performance capabilities into applications, while simultaneously reducing development time.

NVIDIA application acceleration engines unveiled at Siggraph 2009 include:

NVIDIA®® OptiX™ engine for real-time ray tracing
NVIDIA®® SceniX™ engine for managing 3D data and scenes
NVIDIA®® CompleX™ engine for scaling performance across multiple GPUs
NVIDIA®® PhysX®® 64-bit engine for real-time, hyper-realistic physical and environmental effects
As the world's first interactive ray tracing engine to leverage the GPU, the NVIDIA OptiX engine is a programmable ray tracing pipeline enabling software developers to easily bring new levels of realism to their applications using traditional C programming. By tapping into the massively parallel computing power of NVIDIA®® Quadro®® processors, the OptiX engine greatly accelerates the ray tracing used across a spectrum of disciplines, including: photorealistic rendering, automotive styling, acoustical design, optics simulation, volume calculations and radiation research. Application developers are utilizing the OptiX engine to redefine what's possible for designers, engineers and researchers.

"In one year, NVIDIA has gone from proving interactive GPU ray tracing is possible, to making it available to all," said Jon Peddie, founder and president of Jon Peddie Research. "Intricate design tasks, such as examining the play of reflection and refraction across surfaces and within glass, can now be examined in real-time by utilizing the OptiX acceleration engine running on Quadro processors. This is a phenomenal milestone for developers and designers alike."

G.I.R.L. Scholarship Program Offers Another Educational Opportunity
 
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - August 4, 2009- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) announced today that Rebecca Gleason of Indianapolis, IN won the 2009 G.I.R.L. Scholarship. This marks the second year of the scholarship program, encouraging students toward career paths in the creative and applied arts, ultimately resulting in the development of video games that are more enticing for women to play.
 
Gleason, a Game Art & Design student, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship to be applied toward tuition and other educational expenses at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and an optional paid internship of up to 10 weeks at SOE's headquarters in San Diego, working on the newly released and highly successful free to play game, Free Realms™.
 
"I feel so honored to be given this opportunity," said Gleason.  "I can't wait to make the most of it by really diving in, absorbing what I learn and working to promote the mission of the G.I.R.L. program."
 
Gleason was one of more than 160 applicants vying for the scholarship.  Finalists were asked to submit original concept art depicting a new game environment and new characters for Free Realms, and compose two essays discussing their art and views on women in the video game industry.
 
"The invaluable combination of education and experience is the exact formula Rebecca needs to become successful in this competitive video games industry," said Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, SOE. "We are thrilled to open yet another door for a female gamer and we plan to continue to expand the presence of women in gaming by carrying on the tradition of the G.I.R.L program for years to come."
 
Julia Brasil, the first-ever G.I.R.L. Scholarship recipient, recently returned to SOE's Seattle studio for another internship.  Brasil will graduate from The Art Institute-San Francisco in 2010.
 
For more information about G.I.R.L., please visit girl.soe.com. To follow G.I.R.L. on Twitter, go to https://twitter.com/SOE_GIRL.
 
About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Tucson, AZ and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest and PlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Untold Legends and Legends of Norrath are trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
 

Mesa, AZ--August 3, 2009: The LuMaxArt Stock Image Collection of over 40,000+ images will soon be available as part of The3dStudio.com (http://www.the3dstudio.com) resource collection. Over 10,000 LuMaxArt images have already been added and more coming every day.

LuMaxArt's "Gold Guys and Friends" stock images are suitable for many projects including promotional and business literature, advertising, education, video games, etc. Themes are numerous and varied and include financial, technical, industrial, and lifestyle concepts. The Gold Guys images join the traditional stock photos in the Stock Photography and Image Category at The3dStudio.com.

The3dStudio.com currently offers over 322,000 resources in 2D and 3D, making it a one-stop-shop for all types of free and priced royalty-free resources, including 3D models, textures, tutorials, plug-ins, blueprints and software, as well as stock photos and images. Expert custom work and free file conversion are available.

Mesa, AZ--August 3, 2009: The LuMaxArt Stock Image Collection of over 40,000+ images will soon be available as part of The3dStudio.com (http://www.the3dstudio.com) resource collection. Over 10,000 LuMaxArt images have already been added and more coming every day.

LuMaxArt's "Gold Guys and Friends" stock images are suitable for many projects including promotional and business literature, advertising, education, video games, etc. Themes are numerous and varied and include financial, technical, industrial, and lifestyle concepts. The Gold Guys images join the traditional stock photos in the Stock Photography and Image Category at The3dStudio.com.

The3dStudio.com currently offers over 322,000 resources in 2D and 3D, making it a one-stop-shop for all types of free and priced royalty-free resources, including 3D models, textures, tutorials, plug-ins, blueprints and software, as well as stock photos and images. Expert custom work and free file conversion are available.

A panel of experts will choose the best games from a total of four categories in Cologne

At the premiere of this year's gamescom - the trade fair and event highlight for the international interactive entertainment industry - Koelnmesse will be calling the gamescom Award 2009 into being. The award distinguishes the best games introduced at gamescom and presented to the general public for the first time.

Categorised according to platforms, the games submitted by the exhibiting companies will be assessed, distinguished and awarded a prize by a panel of experts. The gamescom Award will thus distinguish outstanding products in the computer and video games segment. All companies exhibiting at gamescom are eligible to participate and can submit their games for the gamescom Award until 7 August. A panel of six experts from the publishing and media industries will evaluate the entries and award the prizes. Exhibitors can choose from a total of four categories: PC games, console games (PS2, PS3, Xbox, Wii), mobile games (Gameboy, PSP, PSP Go, NDS, NDSi, iPhone, mobile phones) and online games. In addition, a platform-independent "best of gamescom" award will be announced. All entries must be full products.

The 2009 jury comprises Michael Trier, Editor in Chief, IDG Entertainment Media; Petra Fröhlich, Project Manager, Computec Media; Christian Bigge, Deputy Editor in Chief, Computer Bild Spiele; Jürgen Hilse, Permanent Representative of the Oberste Landesjugendbehörden [Supreme Youth Authorities of the Federal States], Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) [German Self-Monitoring of Entertainment Software]; Oliver Hartmann, Project Manager, spieletipps.de (Brot und Spiele); and Bernhard Schneider, Central Buyer, Multi Media Müller.

Fans of All Ages Will Sing and Play Their Way to Superstardom with the Chart-Topping Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist This November
 
Fan Sweepstakes Will Award Tickets and Opportunity to Meet Taylor Swift in Person
 
Santa Monica, CA - August 4, 2009 - Taylor Swift, global music sensation and best selling artist of 2008, will ascend an all-new virtual stage this November in Band Hero™, the ultimate party game featuring a wide assortment of today's popular hits and most recognizable pop anthems, created by Guitar Hero® and Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI).  Budding music stars, their families and friends, will all live their musical fantasy on the Band Hero stage, playing as Taylor Swift or alongside the singer/songwriter and guitarist, as she performs her smash-hits "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me" from her latest album Fearless as well as "Picture to Burn" from her self-titled debut record.
 
"Anything that encourages people to pick up an instrument and play, I'm fully behind. And, I'm really excited about Band Hero, because not only are fans getting to play my songs, but I'm actually in the game," said Swift. "There are so many awesome things that go into being in Band Hero, like getting to customize my band to look like my touring band, and it's so cool for people to feel like they are experiencing one of my concerts.  This is one of the closest things out there to going to see me perform!"
 
Taylor Swift and Band Hero will award 20 lucky fans the opportunity to see a Taylor Swift Concert and four of those fans will win the opportunity to meet Taylor Swift in person. Watch for more details on this sweepstakes this summer at BandHero.com.
 

Dr. Sassi, World Renowned 3D Authority and Filmmaker, to Use JET as Real-World Case Study to Create New Series of Tutorials for MAXON's Education and Resource Website - Cineversity


Dr. Sassi to Show 'Sneak Peek' of JET at the MAXON Booth During SIGGRAPH 2009, August 4 - 6 in New Orleans


Newbury Park, Calif. and New Orleans - August 4, 2009 - MAXON Computer, a leading developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions, today announced Dr.-Ing.V.Sassmannshausen (aka Dr. Sassi), a world renowned 3D authority, computer animator and artist, is creating a short animated feature film entitled, Junior Extraterrestrial (JET) relying on its award-winning CINEMA 4D toolkit . Dr. Sassi, who has been working with MAXON's CINEMA 4D since 1996, is a leading contributor to the company's Cineversity resource and education website. He will be making the film as a solo venture.

A three-minute 3D animated short feature film, JET is the story of a curious little space alien whose adventurous spirit takes him on an extended voyage when he visits Earth for the day. Throughout the production of the film, Dr. Sassi has been diligently documenting the entire creative and technical process of animating a short feature. The result will be a contribution of over 200 new tutorials that provide step-by-step instruction as well as various aspects of filmmaking theory. The tutorial series will post to MAXON's revamped Cineversity website scheduled to go live towards the end of this year.


Dr. Sassi will make guest appearances at the MAXON booth, #3219, during the SIGGRAPH 2009 Expo, August 4 - 6, in New Orleans where he will show sneak-peeks of the "making of" JET and completed tutorials.

Optical Technology Developer Sets Sights on Q4 Launch of V-Screen for PSP®
 
Los Angeles, Calif., (July, 2009) - RealView Innovations Ltd., a developer of optical technology located in Ireland, has announced that it will launch its V-Screen for the Sony™ PSP® handheld video game console in time for the Q4 Christmas buying season. The V-Screen is a consumer-friendly attachment that enhances the perceived depth of the 2D screen image on the PSP®.
 
Founded in 2001, RealView Innovations (RVI) has developed a unique 3 dimensional screen technology that enhances the perceived depth of 2 dimensional screen images. Currently the company is focused on providing this technology to the personal entertainment and video game accessory market.
 
RVI has developed optical technology that does not rely on software or electronics, but rather offers a simple attachment that renders a fully 3 dimensional experience from the PSP screen.
 
"The innovation uses special optical components in unconventional ways," states Eamonn Ansbro, an Optical Engineer who is co-Executive Director of RVI. "No software, electronics or headgear is required. Nonetheless, the optical results are astonishing." Continued Ansbro: "The video game industry is a perfect fit for our technology. The V-Screen offers consumers a tremendous leap forward in optical enhancement."
 
RVI has been working with a variety of US-based companies in preparation of the V-Screen launch, including Red Lion Interactive (http://www.redlioninteractive.com), and plans to deliver the V-Screen to retail in time for the Holidays.
 
About RealView Innovations, Ltd.
Founded in 2001, RealView Innovations Ltd. is a privately owned research & development company based in Ireland. RVI's management team has specialized in high-volume production and optics, advanced industrial and military optics, and scientific instrumentation.
Presently, RVI's focus is on applications in the personal entertainment and video game markets. Its technology will also be integrated into other areas including mobile phones, televisions, arcade games, ATM's, and flight simulators. Since 2009, RealView Innovations Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RealView Manufacturing Ltd. 
 

SHEFFIELD, UK (3 August 2009) - Lightworks, the world's leading supplier of rendering solutions for developers of advanced 3D computer graphics software, is exhibiting at the SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana.
 
As the show opens, visitors to the Company's booth - 2635 - will be able to find out about all our latest developments:
 
New Product Preview
Responding to current market needs, Lightworks is previewing a new market focused solution on the Lightworks booth.  'Lightworks Artisan' is part of a new range of products from Lightworks which includes solutions for small to medium sized software developers looking for a 'drop-in' integrated rendering package.  Lightworks Artisan will also be applicable to existing Lightworks customers wanting to easily add new functionality to their existing implementation.  Artisan incorporates Lightworks SnapShotsTM - an exciting new Lightworks technology which provides views with materials and lighting conditions, and can be saved with the model and recalled later, bringing in the same applied conditions as previously stored.  Lightworks SnapShotsTM is a key feature of the new Artisan product set.
 
Special Show Announcement
Lightworks is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with Caustic Graphics, creators of CausticRT (see individual release).  CausticRT is an interactive ray tracing application platform, giving users the ability to create photorealistic images in a computationally fast and economical way.  A demonstration of Caustic working with Lightworks is being shown on the Lightworks booth - 2635.
 
Lightworks New 'Look & Feel'
Now in its 20th anniversary year, Lightworks has been given a new corporate 'look & feel' for the future.  The new look will be unveiled at Siggraph as part of the worldwide launch.
 
David Forrester, Managing Director at Lightworks, commented; "It's great to be here in the vibrant city of New Orleans showing all our exciting new technology to the computer graphics community.  We're really excited about our latest Lightworks solutions and partnerships, and invite people to come along to our booth to see for themselves."

Lightworks will be on booth 2635 at Siggraph, New Orleans.
For more information about Lightworks or to arrange a meeting with the team, please email pr@lightworkdesign.com or go to www.lightworkdesign.com/our_company/siggraph_2009

 

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 3, 2009 - At SIGGRAPH 2009, Autodesk, Inc., has announced
the Connection Extension for Autodesk 3ds Max 2010 and Autodesk 3ds Max
Design 2010 modeling, animation and rendering software. The release makes
it easier and more cost-effective to turn designs into more accurate,
creative advertisements or realistic visualizations. This is achieved by
delivering new levels of interoperability - based on intelligent data
workflows - between 3ds Max and design packages from Autodesk and other
third parties.

Connectivity and Intelligent Workflows
Improved interoperability with several popular applications helps artists
to create compelling content more efficiently. The addition of new,
high-fidelity data translators for SKP and SAT file formats, along with a
rewritten OpenEXR translator delivers:
o    Importing and exporting of SAT files for moving solids-based design data
between 3ds Max and Autodesk Inventor Professional, the Alias family of
products or certain third-party design products.
o    More efficient, accurate importing of files from Google SketchUp
sketching software - a common tool in the architecture and design
communities - and support for reading the thousands of 3D objects in
Google's 3D Warehouse.
o    Importing and exporting of multilayer OpenEXR files with advanced options
for transferring extra elements (camera information, scripted data) to
support high dynamic range (HDR) workflows with advanced compositing
applications. This helps to reduce the number of iterations required to
achieve the final result.

Feature Films and Exclusive Clips Screen in RealD 3D at Computer Animation Festival
 
Los Angeles, CA (August 3, 2009) - RealD 3D has been selected as the official 3D provider for SIGGRAPH 2009, August 3-7 in New Orleans.  The premier international event on computer graphics and interactive techniques, SIGGRAPH will feature 3D footage from movies including the highly anticipated Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Sony Pictures Animation), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (20th Century Fox), Monsters vs. Aliens (DreamWorks Animation), Coraline (LAIKA/Focus Features) and more in industry-leading crisp, clear RealD 3D.
 
"We're excited to bring RealD 3D to SIGGRAPH and showcase stereo animation from some of the world's most talented filmmakers," said Joshua Greer, RealD president.  "RealD 3D is exploding in popularity worldwide and we look forward to working with the thousands of artists in attendance that will be displaying their work on RealD's global platform for years to come."
 
Far and away the world's largest 3D cinema platform, RealD's network of theatres includes over 8,700 screens contracted and over 3,200 screens installed in 46 countries with over 200 exhibition partners.  Expanding at a breathtaking clip, RealD is the leading 3D cinema provider in North America, Latin America, Europe and Australia, having achieved 100% growth in its worldwide installation base and 400% growth in Europe in the first half of 2009.
 
A driving force in this year's elevated box office totals, RealD 3D consistently delivers multiple times per screen revenue of the same film on 2D screens, with blockbusters including DreamWorks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens, Disney●Pixar's Up and 20th Century Fox's Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs having earned over $100 million on RealD 3D screens this year.
 
For a full list of screenings and panel discussions featuring RealD 3D visit www.siggraph.org.
 
About RealD
RealD is the global leader in 3D, bringing the most advanced and realistic 3D experience to cinemas worldwide. RealD's new generation technology, deployed across the world's largest 3D platform, provides a high-quality, stunningly lifelike viewing experience. Beyond cinema, RealD is the worldwide inventor and provider of key stereoscopic technologies used in science, manufacturing, marketing, and other industries, with thirty years of scientific development behind its systems. RealD's mission-critical 3D visualization technologies are used by organizations such as NASA, Pfizer, BMW, Boeing and more. www.realD.com
 

Innovatively Integrating Skype & ISDN Technology Allowing Director Mark Simon
To Work Face-to-Face With an
Accomplished Cast Of New York-based Voice Over Talent

New York: Hyperbolic Audio was recently called upon by award-winning Florida-based animation director Mark Simon, when he needed to direct a who's who of New York-based voiceover talent for a new animated pilot entitled, Enchanted Thyme, a series based on award-winning playwright Ariane Smith's popular children's book of the same name.

Hyperbolic's engineer, Jeannine Guenther, and recently signed veteran mixer, Steve Bucino collaborated on the project. The team innovatively integrated Skype technology into Hyperbolic Audio's ISDN capabilities to provide the director and talent with a virtual on-site experience, which enabled Simon to evoke the kind of spot-on performances that could only be achieved with a face-to-face, on-site session.

Guenther recorded the accomplished roster of talent for the pilot, as Skype was employed utilizing a laptop with a built-in camera, positioned outside the recording booth window.

Although ISDN lines are commonly used to facilitate long-distance direction, this was the first time that this accomplished group of actors had ever had an opportunity to record a session with the benefit of real-time video feedback from an off-site director - And they all concurred that the one-to-one interaction that this technology allow them to maintain raised the caliber of performances.

Hyperbolic Audio's mixer Steve Bucino notes, " While I was finding sounds and building scenes in Mix Room A, Jeannine was in Studio B, editing together the dialogue and finding some extra walla to incorporate where appropriate. Since she was also the recording engineer, Jeannine was privy to Andy and Mark's directing sessions with the actors - so the efficiency of the entire process was maximized."

Enchanted Thyme initially came to Hyperbolic Audio as an animated storyboard. From the beginning of the project it was clear that the client's vision was to blurs the line between reality and fantasy.  Bucino knew that the shaping of the sound was key to creating a balance between the fusion of realism and flights of imagination that drove the style of the animated story.

"We see objects and actions that are grounded in a realistic existence, so I wanted to exaggerate their characteristics with some obvious- as well some unexpected - sound references," adds Bucino.  "I had a lot of fun experimenting with the sounds in Hyperbolic's Yamaha S90ES synthesizer, as well as experimenting with a variety of sound effects from our ever-expanding library," notes Bucino.

New Version Offers Increased Model Quality, New Presentation Capabilities
and Easier Integration with Digital Entertainment Workflows

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 3, 2009 - At SIGGRAPH 2009, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK)
has launched Autodesk Mudbox 2010 software, the latest version of its
digital sculpting and painting application. The 2010 release makes it
easier for artists to use Mudbox alongside Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Maya,
Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Softimage software. Mudbox 2010 now also
features a host of new creative tools and workflows, as well as a software
development kit (SDK) that enables production teams to customize and
integrate Mudbox into pipelines.

Mudbox 2010 will ship as a part of the Autodesk Entertainment Creation
Suites, making it more affordable to incorporate the technology into film,
games and television workflows.

"Autodesk Mudbox gives artists the freedom to create 3D digital artwork as
easily as working with clay and paint," said Stig Gruman, vice president,
Autodesk Digital Entertainment Group. "The software empowers artists to add
a level of detail to their 3D characters, objects and environments that can
be difficult to achieve in traditional 3D modeling applications."

Christoph Schädl, character artist at RABCAT Computer Graphics GmbH, was a
beta tester for Mudbox 2010. "I love to work with Mudbox because the
intuitive user interface lets me focus entirely on my creative vision,"
said Schädl. "My favorite feature in the 2010 release is the ability to
paint across multiple texture maps, in different paint channels without any
seams. That means you can paint really huge textures - up to 50K and more."

Also Features Optimized Core Architecture and Enhanced ICE System

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 3, 2009 - At SIGGRAPH 2009, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK)
has launched Autodesk Softimage 2010 3D modeling, animation rendering and
compositing software for games, film and television visual effects.
Softimage 2010 features an optimized core architecture, integration of the
Softimage Face Robot facial rigging and animation toolset, and an expanded
and customizable Interactive Creative Environment (ICE) system.

"Over the past year, we've made Softimage faster, easier to use and more
powerful," said Stig Gruman, vice president, Autodesk Digital Entertainment
Group. "This version provides integrated solutions for digital
entertainment creation with the inclusion of Face Robot, scene complexity
management tools and improved interoperability with Autodesk Maya, Autodesk
3ds Max and Autodesk MotionBuilder software."

Artists have used Softimage to help create stunning movies, commercials and
video games, including commercials for BMW, Coca Cola, Kellogg's and
Monster.com. Janimation, an award-winning animation and motion graphics
studio, relied on Softimage to help create Activision's latest James
Bondbased hit video game, "Quantum of Solace." Greg Punchatz, senior
creative director at Janimation, remarked, "If you only looked at the huge
performance increases and workflow enhancements, Softimage 2010 would be a
very solid release, but add Face Robot to the mix and you have a home run."

Prime Focus brings Hollywood VFX veteran to India

Mumbai, August 3, 2009 - Michael Fink, Hollywood visual effects veteran and
Academy Award winner, has directed his first Indian TV commercial for Lotte
Coffy Bite candy. Fink is president, VFX Worldwide at Prime Focus, India's
leading visual entertainment services company. The Mumbai-based company was
appointed by Rediffusion-Y&R and MAD Entertainment for the toffee brand's
latest TV commercial.

The commercial shows that the Coffee-Toffee argument propagated by the
Coffy Bite brand has moved beyond humankind and into the realm of the
animal kingdom. The ad shows two frogs - Leo and Dino - vying for a Coffy
Bite. Because the frogs needed to emote and converse, they had to be
completely created using CGI and visual effects, with each frog having its
own unique and distinct characteristics.

Commenting on his first time experience directing a commercial in India,
Michael Fink, president VFX Worldwide, Prime Focus said, "It was a
delightful experience to be working on an Indian TV commercial. This is a
tipping point for Indian advertising with increased exposure and
involvement of global specialists in Indian advertising projects. I hope to
be associated with many more challenging projects like the Coffy Bite
commercial in the future."

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 3, 2009 - At SIGGRAPH 2009, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK)
debuted its Suites for Digital Entertainment Creation. The product Suites
gives artists, production facilities and educators access to more creative
tools at a cost savings of more than 35 percent*, when compared to
purchasing each product license separately. Used together, the products in
these Suites help artists increase creative capability and optimize
productivity.

"Autodesk is introducing affordable Suites of its popular 3D tools to
better help artists create innovative entertainment in today's tough
economic conditions," said Stig Gruman, vice president, Autodesk Digital
Entertainment Group. "The Suites significantly expand artists' capabilities
by providing them with an amazing range of creative tools - from
highly-detailed modeling and sculpting to advanced real-time animation - so
that they can tackle creative problems in new ways."

Autodesk is introducing the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites and the
Autodesk Real-Time Animation Suites for commercial use. The company has
also launched the Autodesk Education Suite for Entertainment Creation for
postsecondary educators, and Autodesk Animation Academy 2010 for secondary
schools.

Asian Martial Arts Stars Chen Kwun-Tai, Bruce Li, and Lo Lieh to Appear on
the Number One Online Destination for Anime and Asian Entertainment

San Francisco, CA (August 3, 2009) -- Crunchyroll and Tai Seng Entertainment
continue to launch more new kung-fu action titles on the number one (1)
online destination for anime and asian content ... Crunchyroll!  More
information can be found at
http://www.crunchyroll.com/publisher/TAI_SENG_ENTERTAINMENT.

Titles that are/will-be-shortly streaming for free on the highly popular and
legal site include:

·     THE INVINCIBLE KUNG FU TRIO
·     KILLER FROM ABOVE
·     THE LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE
·     CHALLENGE OF DEATH

These titles are available to all Crunchyroll fans and members residing in
the U.S., American Samoa, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and
Virgin Islands.

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 3, 2009 - At SIGGRAPH 2009, the world's largest annual
computer graphics convention, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has unveiled
several initiatives to provide entertainment customers with greater
creative capability, value and efficiency in their pipelines. Autodesk is
also hosting an extensive Virtual SIGGRAPH event on the AREA, its online
community for digital entertainment and visualization - enabling customers
around the world with limited time and travel budgets to participate.  

New Suites for Digital Entertainment Creation: Offering More than 35
Percent* in Savings
o    Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites: Ideal for handling tough
production challenges, these suites include a choice of either Autodesk
Maya 2010 software or Autodesk 3ds Max 2010 software, in addition to
Autodesk Mudbox 2010 and Autodesk MotionBuilder 2010 software.
o    Autodesk Real-Time Animation Suites: Designed for animation-intensive
productions, these suites include a choice of either Maya 2010 or 3ds Max
2010, in addition to MotionBuilder 2010.
o    Autodesk Education Suite for Entertainment Creation: Helps educators
prepare students for professional careers in the increasingly competitive
3D job market. The suite includes access to flexible learning resources,
Maya 2010, 3ds Max 2010, MotionBuilder 2010, Mudbox 2010, Autodesk
Softimage 2010 and Autodesk SketchBook Pro 2010 software. Available for
both institution and student purchase.
o    Autodesk Animation Academy 2010 Suite: The suite offers software and
curriculum that helps secondary school students learn 3D technology while
exploring new ways to visualize ideas. It includes 3ds Max 2010, Maya 2010,
MotionBuilder 2010, Mudbox 2010 and SketchBook Pro 2010 software, as well
as a Curriculum Resources DVD and access to online community resources.
*International savings may vary.

Latest version of ArtVPS's interactive rendering plug-in for 3ds Max includes improved MELT-change super-sampling and support for 3ds Max 2010

Rendering solutions expert ArtVPS has launched version 0.2 of Shaderlight, its ground-breaking interactive rendering plug-in for 3ds Max. Building on the success of Shaderlight 0.1, which has received over 1,000 unique downloads since its launch in June, the latest release includes support for 3ds Max 2010 and a number of significant performance and quality improvements.

At the heart of Shaderlight is the ability to make interactive changes to key image attributes that would conventionally require the rendering process to be started again from scratch. Changes to materials, environments, lights and textures (MELT changes) can be made at any stage in the rendering process, even on high-resolution production images. As well as introducing support for 3ds Max 2010, Shaderlight 0.2 includes improvements to MELT change functionality and improved performance for the core progressive ray-tracer.

"Since entering the software market earlier this year we have been delighted by the reception Shaderlight has had," says Kate Marshall, Marketing Director at ArtVPS. "It is clear that in freeing the 3D artist from the restrictions of having to re-render every time they make a change to a scene, we have homed in on a source of frustration and inefficiency in the industry. This latest release encompasses some key technical changes we wanted to make to the underlying rendering technology as well as some more general usability improvements that have been largely driven by our enthusiastic early adopters. As we move towards the first full release in December, new features and improvements will continue to be added in response to customer feedback."

News features in Shaderlight 0.2 include:

Support for 3ds Max 2010: Shaderlight 0.2 supports 3ds Max 2010, the latest version of the leading 3D modelling tool from Autodesk.
Improved sampling: Significant improvements have been made to image sampling quality and performance.
Improved MELT change super-sampling: MELT changes that introduce more detail into the image now have improved image quality.
Improved progressive rendering performance for glossy materials: The progressive ray-tracing of scenes containing glossy materials has been improved, providing faster image updates while making non-MELT changes.
Always on top: Based on customer feedback, Shaderlight can now be kept on top of the 3ds Max window.
Shaderlight 0.2 is available for download from www.artvps.com. With the launch of Shaderlight 0.2 ArtVPS has introduced a nominal introductory pricing scheme. New customers will pay $75 for version 0.2 but will be able to upgrade to interim versions for free, as well as receiving a significant discount on the purchase of Shaderlight 1.0 to be released at the end of the year.

To help new users get to grips with Shaderlight, a number of scenes that demonstrate its capabilities are available from: http://www.artvps.com/content/resources#sample-scenes

Latest Versions of Krakatoa and Deadline Unveiled at Annual Computer
Graphics Confab

New Orleans, LA - SIGGRAPH 2009, Booth #3500 (August 3, 2009) - Prime Focus
Software (formerly Frantic Films Software) will be showcasing the newest
versions of its award-winning software products at SIGGRAPH 2009. This
year's annual computer graphics conference will take place at the Ernest N.
Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA from August 3rd through August
7th. Prime Focus Software will be exhibiting from booth #3500 and will be
giving attendees a sneak peek at Krakatoa 1.5, its high-volume particle
renderer, and a prototype iPhone application for Deadline, Prime Focus
Software's popular render queue management tool. For more information,
please visit: http://software.primefocusworld.com.

"Frantic Films VFX and Frantic Films Software were acquired by Prime Focus
in 2007, and this year, we are relaunching Frantic Films Software under a
new name - Prime Focus Software," said Chris Bond, president and senior VFX
supervisor, Prime Focus VFX. "It's a new name, but our product line-up and
R&D team will remain the same. We are delighted to be exhibiting at
SIGGRAPH again this year - it's an opportunity to connect with our user
base and learn about the tools and techniques that will shape our
industry."

Prime Focus Software will unveil Krakatoa 1.5 at SIGGRAPH 2009, a major
release for the high-volume point-based particle rendering, manipulation
and management toolkit that enables VFX artists to create dust, smoke,
silt, ocean surface foam, plasma and even solid objects, all at
unprecedented speeds. The new release will include crucial performance
improvements and numerous feature additions, including a new voxel engine,
Magma (a node-based channel editor) and Fume FX integration. Krakatoa 1.5
will be available for purchase as of Monday, August 3rd.

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands, and HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--August 3, 2009-- Xsens Technologies B.V., the leader in 3D tracking systems, and Time Domain Corporation, the leader in ultra wideband (UWB) real-time location systems (RTLS), today announced a partnership that will advance the entertainment industry's 3D tracking and motion capture systems. Xsens will unveil the new tracking system's capabilities at this week's SIGGRAPH conference (August 3 - 7) in New Orleans at booth 2819.

SIGGRAPH, NEW ORLEANS - Aug. 3, 2009 - Luxology® LLC, an independent technology company developing next-generation 3D content creation software, will have a presence at a variety of events throughout SIGGRAPH 2009. President and Co-founder of Luxology, Brad Peebler, will be holding a presentation on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 4 p.m. in Intel booth #2217 on how "many-core" processing can accelerate image creation. Peebler's modcast interview with six-time Academy Award winning artist Rick Baker is also available at http://www.luxology.com/modcast/audio.aspx?id=89.

Luxology's Learning Tools Division Manager, Andy Brown, and 3D artist Ryan Drue will also be showcasing modo® 401, the company's latest 3D content creation software, at Intel booth #2217 in the Exhibit Hall throughout the week. Luxology will also present its implementation of COLLADA for modo 401 in a demonstration by Drue and Luxology developer Pete Segal on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel - Versailles Room.

In addition, Luxology is furthering its dedication to the DCC space by co-sponsoring the Jon Peddie Research luncheon for press and analysts. Featuring eight panelists from top technology companies, this year's theme of "How does the world change when you can see what you're thinking?" will focus on how changes in graphics hardware and software are affecting the scientific research community. For more information, or to register as press, please visit http://jonpeddie.com/events/details/siggraph-2009.

To schedule a meeting with Luxology or to view a demonstration of modo 401 and other licensable Nexus® technologies during SIGGRAPH, please contact sales@luxology.com for an appointment. Meetings will be taking place at Luxology's private technology suite in New Orleans, with supplied transportation to and from the Convention Center.

For more information on Luxology or the modo 401 software, please visit http://www.luxology.com/modo/product_information/.

About Luxology
Based in San Mateo, Calif., Luxology® LLC is an independent technology company developing next-generation 3D content creation software that enhances productivity via artist-friendly tools powered by a modern underlying architecture called Nexus®. Founded in 2002 by Allen Hastings, Stuart Ferguson and Brad Peebler, Luxology is home to some of the top 3D engineering expertise in the industry. More information on the company, its licensable Nexus technology, its flagship product modo® and a gallery of artists' images from the active modo community is available online at www.luxology.com.

Internationally Renowned Festival Takes Place During SIGGRAPH Conference,
August 3rd through August 7th at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans
__________________________________________________________________________________

Newbury Park, Calif. and New Orleans - August 3, 2009 New Orleans - SIGGRAPH 2009 - MAXON Computer, a leading developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions, today announced that two of its customers, Nucleus Medical Art, and artist Betsy Kopmar, have created film projects using MAXON software that will be included in the prestigious SIGGRAPH 'Computer Animation Festival', taking place during the SIGGRAPH 2009 Conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The Computer Animation Festival, celebrating its 36th year, is an internationally renowned forum for presentation of the world's most innovative and stimulating computer-generated animated films; festival screenings run today through August 7th. {Editors' note: see screening schedule below.}

Nucleus Medical Art's film, "Atherosclerosis", is part of the festival's Juried Films category. Juried Films include visual effects, animated shorts, student animations, scientific and musical visualizations, experimental subjects and more. The Best in Show Award qualifies the winner to be considered for nomination in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 'Best Animated Short Film' category. Betsy Kopmar's work, "Night Fishing with Cormorants", is a curated entry in the Visual Music category, which features films marrying music and imagery.

"The SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival is legendary for showcasing some of the world's most stunning 3D animation and we're honored that two of our customers are represented in this year's program," said Paul Babb, president, MAXON USA. "These diverse pieces clearly demonstrate CINEMA 4D's broad range of capabilities which enable creative professionals to attain even their most complex 3D animation goals."

Though vastly different in nature and scope, both Nucleus Medical Art and Kopmar chose MAXON CINEMA 4D to take their projects from concept to creation. On the reality-based end of the 3D animation spectrum is Atherosclerosis, a three-and-a-half minute-long animation that provides a realistic view of how plaque forms within a coronary artery over time; eventually breaking free and causing a heart attack. It is the most complex project that Nucleus has created to-date. The studio's creative team relied heavily on CINEMA 4D's Studio Bundle, and most particularly the MoGraph module, to quickly and efficiently develop the ultra-dense models required to create repeat structures such as blood flow, LDL, and blood vessel walls made of hundreds of cells. With realism paramount, Nucleus artists turned to MAXON BodyPaint 3D to simulate the texture of a living heart and utilized several other CINEMA 4D modules, including HAIR, for generating cellular pseudopods, the arm-like extensions on cells, and Dynamics to create the natural bounce that occurs when migrating cells bump into each other. In addition to direct application benefits, the Nucleus team also noted CINEMA 4D's intuitive workflow, ease-of-use and tight integration with Adobe After Effects as critical elements for the project's success.

From the Studio that Brought You NARUTO, BLEACH and YU YU HAKUSHO ... the Next
Highly Anticipated Hit to Stream on the Number One Online Destination for
Anime and Asian Entertainment

San Francisco, CA (August 2, 2009) -- Romance and drama are all the critical
ingredients used in formulating the highly anticipated Studio Pierrot's new
anime, HANASAKERU SEISHONEN to be streamed on the number one (1) online
destination for anime and asian content ... Crunchyroll!  More information can
be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Hanasakeru_Seishonen
<http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Hanasakeru_Seishonen> .

"We are thrilled to be working with Studio Pierrot once more," states Vince
Shortino Crunchyroll K.K. President, "A title such as HANASAKERU SEISHONEN
is a definite gem and will most definitely be a Crunchyroll fan favorite."

These titles are available to all Crunchyroll fans and members residing in
the U.S. and Canada.

PASADENA, Calif. (August 2, 2009) - PBS KIDS today announced its CURIOUS GEORGE Coloring Book App for the App Store. The CURIOUS GEORGE Coloring Book App is an interactive art supply kit for iPhone and iPod touch designed to encourage color experimentation across a full spectrum of hues. The announcement was made at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena.
 
"PBS KIDS wants to surround a child - whether at home, in school or on-the-go - with opportunities for learning and exploration," said Lesli Rotenberg, SVP, Children's Media, PBS. "As parents look for positive, educational media choices on a variety of platforms, PBS KIDS provides a trusted, safe haven for preschoolers and positive role models who learn alongside, and with, a child."
 
"The CURIOUS GEORGE Coloring Book App for iPhone and iPod touch extends a growth strategy centered on launching innovative new content, including original video, games, and apps," said Jason Seiken, SVP, PBS Interactive. "We're leading the industry by embedding interactive games into popular shows such as WORDGIRL (PBSKIDSGO.org/video) and we have other innovations in the pipeline. Over two years, traffic to PBS KIDS sites has nearly doubled, which is proof that kids can't get enough of PBS on digital platforms."
 
The CURIOUS GEORGE Coloring Book App was developed in partnership with Mobile Deluxe and series producers, NBC Universal. Features include:
• Color wheel with a palette of 45 colors and a set of virtual stickers.
• Forty-eight unique coloring pages.
• Personal art gallery to store favorite pictures and add to Photos with a single tap, including the capability to email artwork, upload to parents' Facebook pages, or set as the wallpaper.
 
The CURIOUS GEORGE Coloring Book App is available for $2.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.