Digital Media FX Newsletter
Vol. 1, No. 10- August 1, 2001

Table of Contents:

(1) Welcome Message
(2) Osmosis Jones Opens August 10, 2001
(3) Several Animated Shows Make HBO Family Lineup
(4) Cartoon Network: The Magazine
(5) Top News Stories of the Past Two Weeks
(6) Sneak Peek - Animated Television Advertising: The Early Years

Welcome Message
Welcome to another edition of the Digital Media FX (dFX) newsletter, covering the world of animation and visual effects. This newsletter is published on or near the 1st and 15th of each month with original animation/FX content, insider news, and sneak peeks at new dFX features.

This issue contains stories on Osmosis Jones, several HBO Family animated series, and Cartoon Network: The Magazine. In there's a sneak peek of Noell Evans news feature, this one on early animated TV advertising. Enjoy! -- Joe Tracy

Osmosis Jones Opens August 10, 2001
(by digitalmediafx.com) Osmosis Jones is set to hit theaters on August 10 during a competitive month, but not a competitive weekend. On Thursday, August 2, Digital Media FX will publish several more images from the movie that you can access from the dFX Website at www.digitalmediafx.com. While the images will be scaled down to fit on the page, we've published one rather large one just for newsletter readers. You can access it by clicking here.

Also, if you missed the images dFX exclusively posted in early July, here are the links:

Click Here for Set 1

Click Here for Set 2

Several Animated Shows Make HBO Family Lineup
(by digitalmediafx.com) HBO Family has released its lineup of fall programming, which includes several animated series. Here's a breakdown of the animated programs:

"Babar" -- Based on the beloved children's books by Jean de Brunhoff and his son Laurent de Brunhoff, the animated series follows the adventures of the lovable elephant King Babar, Queen Celeste and the citizens of Celesteville. Seen daily (6:00-6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-noon ET), beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"George and Martha" - With voices from Nathan Lane ("The Producers") and Andrea Martin ("SCTV"), this animated series follows the adventures of two hippopotamuses who are the best of friends. Adapted from James Marshall's popular books, the series is executive produced by Maurice Sendak.

"A Little Curious" -- An original animated series for pre-school children, featuring original music, focusing on basic learning concepts by bringing to life inanimate objects such as Bob the Ball, Mr. String, Doris the Door, Pad and Pencil, and the Shoe Family. The half-hour show employs a variety of animation techniques, such as computer, traditional cel and stop-motion. Part of the morning programming block for pre-schoolers, with an episode each day (7:00-7:30 a.m., 12:30-1:00 p.m.) beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"Anthony Ant" -- This animated series features the adventures of Anthony Ant and his friends in the amazing underground city of Antville, as they search for buried treasure, digging up trouble along the way. The 13-episode series is part of the morning programming block for pre-schoolers, with episodes appearing weekdays (8:00-8:30 a.m., 1:30- 2:00 p.m. ), beginning Monday, Aug. 27.

"Storybook Musicals" - Editions of this animated series bring to life such classic tales as: "The Little Match Girl," "The Dancing Frog," "The Red Shoes," "A Child's Garden of Verses," "Ira Sleeps Over," and "Lyle, Lyle Crocodile," among others. The 10-episode series is part of the morning programming block for pre-schoolers, with episodes Saturdays and Sundays (8:00-8:30 a.m., 1:30-2:00 p.m.), beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child" -- Narrated by Robert Guillaume, the animated show features ethnically diverse versions of classic fairy tales, highlighted by the voices of top entertainment talent, hip original songs and bold animation. With 39 episodes, the show can be seen daily (8:30-9:00 a.m., 2:30-3:00 p.m.), beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"The Little Lulu Show" -- Bringing Marjorie Henderson Buell's beloved 1935 comic strip to life, new animated episodes feature the resourceful little girl in the signature red dress and corkscrew curls. With 52 episodes, this series plays daily (9:00-9:30 a.m., 2:00-2:30 p.m.) beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"The Adventures of Paddington Bear" -- Based on Michael Bond's famous books, the beloved bear with the trademark blue coat and wide-brimmed rain hat comes to life in this animated series. With 39 episodes, the show is part of the morning programming block for pre-schoolers, with episodes each day (9:30-10:00 a.m.), beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"Rainbow Fish" -- This animated series brings to life the best-selling book series by Marcus Pfister. With 26 episodes, the show is part of the morning programming block for pre-schoolers, with episodes each day (10:00-10:30 a.m.), beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"The Neverending Story" -- A magical storybook leads a young boy into the wonderful world of Fantasia, where adventure awaits him with every turn of the page, in this animated series, based on the popular novel and movies. Part of the morning programming block for pre-schoolers, seen each day (10:30-11:00 a.m.), beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"The Adventures of Tintin" -- From the internationally popular illustrated stories by Hergé, this animated series follows intrepid reporter Tintin in search of mysteries and exciting adventures throughout the world. Part of the after-school programming block, with an episode each day (5:30-6:00 p.m.), beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.

"Animated Tales of the World" - Folk tales from 26 countries around the globe impart life lessons and entertain young viewers in this 13-part animated series. Each half-hour comprises two 15-minute adaptations from different countries, and features a variety of innovative animation techniques, from cel animation to puppetry. Part of the evening block, debuting two new editions per month beginning Wednesday, Sept. 5 (8:30-9:00 p.m.).

Cartoon Network: The Magazine
(by digitalmediafx.com) The Cartoon Network is building overseas circulation for its magazine that features a variety of comic strips, articles on cartoon characters, schedules, puzzles, competitions, videogames, movies and news. So far the Cartoon Network magazine is available in UK, Denmark, France, Holland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Eastern Europe, Norway, and Spain. The publication can be picked up at most newsstands in those countries. In the UK the magazine is now selling 85,000 copies a month putting it into the top three comic strip magazines in the country.

Top News Stories of the Past Two Weeks
(digitalmediafx.com) Digital Media FX is updated 365 days a year including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. If you don't visit daily you may have missed some important news. Here is a list of what we consider the top five news stories (in order of importance) of the past two weeks, including links to each story.

1. Ted Berman Passes Away

2. Final Fantasy May End Box Office Run With Only $35 Million

3. Don Bluth: "Disney Gets Away With Violence"

4. New Miyazaki Movie Takes Japan by Storm

5. Joe Johnston Thought of Quitting Jurassic Park 3

Sneak Peek - Animated Television Advertising: The Early Years
(digitalmediafx.com) Digital Media FX feature writer Noell Wolfgram Evans has delivered another excellent article for dFX readers, this one covering the early years of animated television advertising. As a reader of the dFX Animation and Visual Effects newsletter, you are being given an advance look at the article several days before it is linked to from the Website. To see the article, click here.

Thank you for being a part of the Digital Media FX team through your daily visits to www.digitalmediafx.com. I hope that you've enjoyed this edition of the Digital Media FX newsletter and I look forward to providing you with continued coverage of the animation and visual effects industries.

Best Wishes,

Joe Tracy, Publisher
Digital Media FX - The Power of Imagination

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All stories in this newsletter are ©Copyright 2001 by Joe Tracy / Digital Media FX and may not be reprinted in any form without the expressed written consent of Joe Tracy. To request such consent, click here, and provide details of which article you wish to republish and the Website location where it will be published. You will receive a response within 48 hours with whether your request has been accepted and, if so, the proper credit wording that must appear with the article.

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