Daily News

Deluxe & HP enter film distribution partnership

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

LONDON — Deluxe Digital Cinema EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) is working with HP (www.hp.com) to improve the speed, security and quality of its feature film and trailer distribution. Under the terms of the seven-year agreement, Deluxe Digital (www.bydeluxe.com) will use HP Business Exchange Services (BES) content distribution systems, combined with HP Enterprise Cloud Services, to improve distribution of the latest feature films. The deal initially includes 3,000 cinemas across Europe in the next 18 months, with potential growth to 8,600 cinemas within five years.

John Knoll appointed ILM's CCO

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Lucasfilm Ltd. Has promoted John Knoll to chief creative officer of Industrial Light & Magic (www.ilm.com). Knoll joined the company in 1986 and has served as a visual effects supervisor since 1991. He will serve alongside ILM president Lynwen Brennan in his new role.

London's Nexus partners with animation producer Claire Jennings

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

LONDON — Animation studio Nexus (www.nexusproductions.com), here, has entered into a partnership with animation producers Claire Jennings, Christopher O’Reilly and Charlotte Bavasso to develop and produce original animated features. Nexus’s credits include short films, series and commercials. It’s work on This Way Up was garnered an Oscar nomination.

Scout launches in NYC with former Superfad talent

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK — Visual effects, design and content company Gravity has launched a new division made up of three key former creative and production executives from Superfad NY. Scout (www.scoutnyc.tv) is led by creative directors Chace Hartman and Brian Drucker, along with head of production Whitney Green.

Rampant Design Tools releases four editorial FX packages

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

ORLANDO — Rampant Design Tools (www.rampantdesigntools.com) has launched four new libraries of QuickTime-based drag-and-drop elements that provide realtime effects, transitions and animated mattes. The company’s solutions are compatible with all editing platforms and compositing applications that are able to read QuickTime files, including Adobe’s After Effects and Premiere; Sony Vegas; Media 100; Apple Motion; Final Cut Pro and FCP X; The Foundry’s Nuke; and Avid Media Composer.

Royale expands to Seattle, adds to team

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

SEATTLE — LA-based motion design and production studio Royale (www.weareroyale.com) has expanded with the opening of a new office in Seattle. The company has added three former Superfad alumni to head the new venture. Executive producer Chris Volckmann, head of digital production Beck Henderer-Peña, and senior art director Loren Judah all join the team and will head the new Seattle location.

Todd Soundelux donating creative services to 'Cinemability'

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

HOLLYWOOD — Creative talent from Todd-AO, Soundelux and Modern Music are donating post production sound and music services to the documentary project Cinemability. Directed by Jenni Gold and produced by Jeff Maynard, the film (www.cinemability.com) takes a humorous and thought-provoking look at the evolution of the portrayal of “disability” in film and television.

Indonesian post house grows with Small Tree

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

JAKARTA, INDONESIA — Prodigi House, here, was founded in 2012 to handle post production on two feature film projects. It soon took on additional clients, such as Samsung and Honda, that were seeking support with TV commercials. The additional work and tight deadlines called for the company to upgrade their storage needs, so they purchased a Titanium16 from Small Tree (www.small-tree.com).

Man Made Music hosts Primetime Salon

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK — Sonic branding agency Man Made Music (www.manmademusic.com) hosted their Primetime Salon last night at New York City's Soho House. The series is designed to provided the brand, music and media industries with an opportunity to get together and enjoy live performances by emerging bands.

Dell adds to Precision workstation line

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

ROUND ROCK, TX — Dell (www.dell.com) has introduced new workstation models for both the high-end and entry-level user. The company’s new R7610 is the next model in its rack workstation line and follows the existing R5500.

Digital-Tutors adds to training library

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Digital-Tutors (www.digitaltutors.com), which serves as a training resource for CG, VFX and digital art technology, released 43 new tutorials recently. The update brings the Digital-Tutors training library to over 1,100 tutorial options and 22,000 video lessons.

Editors' Lounge to highlight Avid's latest gear

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

BURBANK — On May 17, AlphaDogs Post Production will host the Editors’ Lounge, giving attendees a chance to get an up-close look at all the latest tools from Avid. Product designers and managers of Media Composer and Sphere are coming from Avid’s Massachusetts office to give demonstrations throughout the evening and will be available to answer questions.

Kodak's Richter named 'film lab/studio relationship manager'

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

ROCHESTER, NY — Kodak (www.kodak.com) has appointed Christian Richter to the newly-created role of film lab and studio relationship manager. The move is part of Kodak’s ongoing effort to support the motion picture film infrastructure.

ITV acquires High Noon Entertainment

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

LONDON — ITV (www.itvstudios.com) has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in High Noon Entertainment, a supplier of non-scripted entertainment shows in the US. The move is another step in ITV’s strategy of building a strong international content business and is a significant addition to the group’s growing portfolio of production companies. Last December, ITV acquired Gurney Productions in the US.

NFTS partners with Aardman on 'Character Animation' course

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

BRISTOL, UK — The NFTS has launched a new animation course in partnership with the Aardman Animations (www.aardman.com), here, in an effort to meet the growing demand for animators in the UK. The three-month “Certificate in Character Animation” course will be taught by lead by Aardman’s head of animation Loyd Price and supervising senior CG animator Mathew Rees.

SGO broadens Mistika's reach via Tokyo reseller

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

TOKYO — SGO (www.sgomistika.com) is working to expand the presence and availability of its Mistika post production system with the recent appointment of Kyoshin Communications (www.kycom.co.jp), here, as an official reseller partner in Japan. The company will promote Mistika's post, DI and stereo 3D capabilities, as well as the newly-launched Mistika Air. Mistika Air is a broadcast system designed for HD, Ultra HD and 8K workflows.

'I Love Jenni' completing post at AlphaDogs

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

BURBANK, CA — AlphaDogs Post Production (www.alphadogs.tv) is currently working on Season 3 of the late Latin music icon Jenni Rivera’s reality show,I Love Jenni. Rivera died in a plane crash late last year. The final season of I Love Jenni premiered in April on Mun2.

Luma Pictures suits up for 'Iron Man 3'

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

SANTA MONICA — Luma Pictures (www.lumapictures.com) recently contributed to Marvel Studios' new Iron Man 3 film, creating full-body CG armor replacements for both Iron Man and Iron Patriot. The studio, which also has a location in Melbourne, also added weaponry, environmental and particle effects, and CG backgrounds.

NYC's Phosphene adds to core creative team

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK — VFX and design house Phosphene (www.phosphenefx.com) has expanded its core creative team with the addition of CG supervisor Vance Miller, lead digital artist Eddie Porter, and lead compositor Scott Winston. In addition, lead digital artist Aaron Raff has been promoted to VFX supervisor.

VFX pioneer Ray Harryhausen dies at 92

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Visual effect pioneer Ray Harryhausen has doe at the age of 92. His Facebook page made the announcement and included the following details: