Not-So-Daily Link of the Day: Fintecs, a Tokyo-based firm that has been making manuals for other companies since 1987, launched its new manga manual service on September 28. Instead of a traditional manual with text and diagrams, FINTECS offers to draft an "easy-to-understand" manga with its new "Manga de Tsukuru Manual" service. It also offers to turn pamphlets, catalogs, flyers, websites, and sales and promotional materials into either story-telling manga or four-panel manga.
With over 200 contracted manga creators, the company says it can delivery a 24-page monochrome manga in any desired art style in about 30 days. (Color is optional.) The company has a five-step pipeline that begins with hearing the client's goals and creating the story and characters. Then the company takes care of the actual drawing of the manga, coloring or other finishing touches, and delivering the completed work.
On Thursday, a different company called KaBa Net launched its "Manga no Shimbun" website in which it reports on daily news by drawing new pages of manga every day.
2009年10月18日星期日
2009年10月14日星期三
Summer Wars, Life-Size Gundam Statue Win Awards
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-14/summer-wars-life-size-gundam-statue-win-awards
Mamoru Hosoda's Summer Wars anime feature has won the highest award within the Anima't section at this year's Sitges film festival, which critics consider to be the most prestigious festival in the world for fantasy cinema. It has been three years since a Japanese work won the Spanish festival's highest animation award; not coincidentally, Hosoda also won the Gertie for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time in 2006. "Le Petit Dragon" by French director Bruno Collet won this year's Gertie in the animated short category, while "Panique au village" by fellow French directors Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar won the children's animation category.
The festival also screened the world premiere of Kazuyoshi Katayama's anime film adaptation of Yuji Iwahara's King of Thorn manga. Mizuho Nishikubo's Musashi: The Dream of the Last Samurai and Takashi Miike's live-action Yatterman film competed in the Sitges Film Festival's Official Fantastic Film Competition. Along with Summer Wars, the Official Fantastic Panorama Section featured Miike's live-action Crows Zero II film. Yukihiko Tsutsumi's second and third live-action 20th Century Boys films joined Kazuaki Kiriya's live-action Goemon in the Orient Express-Casa Asia program.
My Neighbor Totoro, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror, and Yona Yona Penguin were part of the Anima't Nens section. Besides the King of Thorn film, the festival's Anima't program screened Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (Evangelion Shin Gekijōban: Ha), First Squad - The Moment Of Truth, and Genius Party Beyond. The live-action films Tetsuo: The Bulletman, Samurai Princess, Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl, and Yamagata Scream completed the lineup of films from Japan.
In a separate development, Green Tokyo Gundam Project's 18-meter-tall (59-feet-tall), "life-size" Gundam statue won one of this year's Best 15 Good Design Awards in Tokyo on October 1. The robot statue stood at Tokyo Bay's artificial Odaiba island this past summer. The judges from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization praised the project for bringing an element from the virtual world of anime into reality and noted that it "moved the hearts of 4.15 million people." Most of the winners are on display at the Good Design Exhibition 2009 in Tokyo — although a 1/30 scale mockup substituted for the already disassembled Gundam statue.
This year's other Good Design Award winners include the Panasonic EP-MS40 massage chair, the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius hybrid cars, Toto's Restroom Item 01 public toilet, and two flat-screen televisions from Samsung and Sony.
Summer Wars and the life-size Gundam statue also won awards this year's Digital Content Awards.
News Corp., Libery Media Show Interest in NBC Universal
www.awn.com
Comcast might have a fight on its hands. News Corp. and Liberty Media are both interested in a deal with NBC Universal even while Comcast tries get its own deal locked down, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing a report by CNBC.
Comcast is reportedly in talks with General Electric, the parent of NBC Universal, to buy a controlling stake in the broadcast, cable and movie company, but other suitors could stymie those plans.
News Corp. would almost certainly face antitrust concerns since it already owns the Fox TV network and The Wall Street Journal and Liberty Media might be interested in taking a minority stake as it has done with other big media companies of late.
Comcast might have a fight on its hands. News Corp. and Liberty Media are both interested in a deal with NBC Universal even while Comcast tries get its own deal locked down, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing a report by CNBC.
Comcast is reportedly in talks with General Electric, the parent of NBC Universal, to buy a controlling stake in the broadcast, cable and movie company, but other suitors could stymie those plans.
News Corp. would almost certainly face antitrust concerns since it already owns the Fox TV network and The Wall Street Journal and Liberty Media might be interested in taking a minority stake as it has done with other big media companies of late.
2009年10月10日星期六
Cartoon Network Asia Announces Partnership with Animasia
according to www.awn.com
Press Release from Cartoon Network Asia
HONG KONG (October 8, 2009) Cartoon Network Asia announced a strategic content partnership with Animasia, one of Malaysia’s leading creative studios, to produce a cricket based property about a group of local Indian kids who aspire to play in the biggest inter-school cricket championships. The film is slated to premiere on Cartoon Network in India in the second half of 2010.
At a special ceremony at MIPCOM, Mark Eyers, Vice President, Content, Cartoon Network, and Edmund Chan, Managing Director, Animasia presented the Guest of Honour, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak with a golden cricket bat to symbolize the partnership with Animasia, as well as Cartoon Network’s commitment to nurturing creative talent in Malaysia.
Mark Eyers said, “Just as in cricket, being number one in the kids’ space requires an understanding of the pitch conditions, regular innovations and getting the big hits out there. In this creative venture we are striving for a six and in Animasia, we have found the right partner to take the score to the next level, by producing popular original content.
We are delighted to be supporting not only the creative talent from this dynamic studio but also the Malaysian animation industry as a whole.”
Edmund Chan, Managing Director, Animasia said, “Being able to partner with Cartoon Network to further develop one of Animasia’s original concepts makes me very proud of our Malaysian talents. This collaboration will bring great benefits and confidence to the Malaysian animation industry. Let us bowl for a good start with Cartoon Network and trust that this animated cricket concept will score great success for both Animasia and Cartoon Network.”
About the property
Sachin is a young boy who eats, sleeps and dreams cricket. The only problem is his school doesn't think so. Sachin decides to do it on his own and picks his team of 11 students. Together they work hard towards making enough time and opportunities to convince the school to send them to the biggest cricket championship in the city. But without hard work, no dream can be achieved. And to teach them just that they have a coach who thinks they have it them to make it big. This is the story of a motley bunch of kids with their own aspirations and problems and how they work together to become winners. It's a story filled with hope and it's a journey of the underdog's dream of making it to the top!
About Cartoon Network
Launched in the Asia Pacific in 1994, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS) Cartoon Network (www.cartoonnetworkasia.com) offers the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles, the Network also showcases original series including BEN 10, BEN 10: Alien Force, Chowder, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Powerpuff Girls and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. Cartoon Network is the number one channel for kids in Asia Pacific and is currently enjoyed by over 91 million viewers in the region. Online, Cartoon Network reaches close to 3 million unique visitors a month in Asia Pacific.
About Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd (ASSB)
Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd (ASSB) (www.animasia-studio.com) is an award-winning content creation studio specializing in animation and multimedia services. A fully certified multimedia company by the Malaysia Government and a studio awarded with FINAS Licenses and Treasury (Kewangan) Licenses, Animasia Studio provides one-stop solutions for the production of digital content for the government and private sectors, both locally and abroad.
Press Release from Cartoon Network Asia
HONG KONG (October 8, 2009) Cartoon Network Asia announced a strategic content partnership with Animasia, one of Malaysia’s leading creative studios, to produce a cricket based property about a group of local Indian kids who aspire to play in the biggest inter-school cricket championships. The film is slated to premiere on Cartoon Network in India in the second half of 2010.
At a special ceremony at MIPCOM, Mark Eyers, Vice President, Content, Cartoon Network, and Edmund Chan, Managing Director, Animasia presented the Guest of Honour, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak with a golden cricket bat to symbolize the partnership with Animasia, as well as Cartoon Network’s commitment to nurturing creative talent in Malaysia.
Mark Eyers said, “Just as in cricket, being number one in the kids’ space requires an understanding of the pitch conditions, regular innovations and getting the big hits out there. In this creative venture we are striving for a six and in Animasia, we have found the right partner to take the score to the next level, by producing popular original content.
We are delighted to be supporting not only the creative talent from this dynamic studio but also the Malaysian animation industry as a whole.”
Edmund Chan, Managing Director, Animasia said, “Being able to partner with Cartoon Network to further develop one of Animasia’s original concepts makes me very proud of our Malaysian talents. This collaboration will bring great benefits and confidence to the Malaysian animation industry. Let us bowl for a good start with Cartoon Network and trust that this animated cricket concept will score great success for both Animasia and Cartoon Network.”
About the property
Sachin is a young boy who eats, sleeps and dreams cricket. The only problem is his school doesn't think so. Sachin decides to do it on his own and picks his team of 11 students. Together they work hard towards making enough time and opportunities to convince the school to send them to the biggest cricket championship in the city. But without hard work, no dream can be achieved. And to teach them just that they have a coach who thinks they have it them to make it big. This is the story of a motley bunch of kids with their own aspirations and problems and how they work together to become winners. It's a story filled with hope and it's a journey of the underdog's dream of making it to the top!
About Cartoon Network
Launched in the Asia Pacific in 1994, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS) Cartoon Network (www.cartoonnetworkasia.com) offers the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles, the Network also showcases original series including BEN 10, BEN 10: Alien Force, Chowder, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Powerpuff Girls and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. Cartoon Network is the number one channel for kids in Asia Pacific and is currently enjoyed by over 91 million viewers in the region. Online, Cartoon Network reaches close to 3 million unique visitors a month in Asia Pacific.
About Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd (ASSB)
Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd (ASSB) (www.animasia-studio.com) is an award-winning content creation studio specializing in animation and multimedia services. A fully certified multimedia company by the Malaysia Government and a studio awarded with FINAS Licenses and Treasury (Kewangan) Licenses, Animasia Studio provides one-stop solutions for the production of digital content for the government and private sectors, both locally and abroad.
VIZ Media Announces The Captivating Epilogue to Boys Over Flowers
According to www.awn.com
Press Release from VIZ Media
San Francisco, CA, October 8, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, delights fans of shojo manga (graphic novels for girls) with the announcement of the upcoming release of BOYS OVER FLOWERS: JEWELRY BOX on October 13th. The new volume is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.
BOYS OVER FLOWERS: JEWELRY BOX is a collection of two new short stories by Yoko Kamio, the creator of the acclaimed BOYS OVER FLOWERS series. The new epilogue takes place one year after the end of the original BOYS OVER FLOWERS story, which concluded with Volume 36. It also contains a section with some of the important events in the series that show the characters maturing, plus a special bonus strip!
“Yoko Kamio, one of the most beloved shojo manga creators of all time, just couldn't stay away from some of her favorite characters and we’re proud to announce the publication of BOYS OVER FLOWERS: JEWELRY BOX,” says Candice Uyloan, Product Marketing Director, VIZ Media “This volume serves as a fitting conclusion to a series that helped to establish the shojo manga genre in the U.S. and fans won’t want to miss this chance to get reacquainted with main character Tsukushi.”
Creator Yoko Kamio made her manga debut in 1986 with WAITING UNTIL 20 and her other notable manga series includes I REALLY REALLY LIKE YOU and MARY’S LAMB. Her seminal title BOYS OVER FLOWERS (published in the US by VIZ Media), followed the romantic and social dramas of a girl in high school, broke sales records selling over 35 million copies and went on to become the best-selling shojo manga in Japan. The series went on to win the 1996 Shogakukan Comic Award in the shojo category. BOYS OVER FLOWERS was also adapted into a successful animated series and live action film.
For more information on this title as well as other shojo titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages.
Press Release from VIZ Media
San Francisco, CA, October 8, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, delights fans of shojo manga (graphic novels for girls) with the announcement of the upcoming release of BOYS OVER FLOWERS: JEWELRY BOX on October 13th. The new volume is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.
BOYS OVER FLOWERS: JEWELRY BOX is a collection of two new short stories by Yoko Kamio, the creator of the acclaimed BOYS OVER FLOWERS series. The new epilogue takes place one year after the end of the original BOYS OVER FLOWERS story, which concluded with Volume 36. It also contains a section with some of the important events in the series that show the characters maturing, plus a special bonus strip!
“Yoko Kamio, one of the most beloved shojo manga creators of all time, just couldn't stay away from some of her favorite characters and we’re proud to announce the publication of BOYS OVER FLOWERS: JEWELRY BOX,” says Candice Uyloan, Product Marketing Director, VIZ Media “This volume serves as a fitting conclusion to a series that helped to establish the shojo manga genre in the U.S. and fans won’t want to miss this chance to get reacquainted with main character Tsukushi.”
Creator Yoko Kamio made her manga debut in 1986 with WAITING UNTIL 20 and her other notable manga series includes I REALLY REALLY LIKE YOU and MARY’S LAMB. Her seminal title BOYS OVER FLOWERS (published in the US by VIZ Media), followed the romantic and social dramas of a girl in high school, broke sales records selling over 35 million copies and went on to become the best-selling shojo manga in Japan. The series went on to win the 1996 Shogakukan Comic Award in the shojo category. BOYS OVER FLOWERS was also adapted into a successful animated series and live action film.
For more information on this title as well as other shojo titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages.
2009年10月7日星期三
The Simpsons Sequel Will Have to Wait
According to http://www.awn.com/
THE SIMPSONS creators have ruled out making a sequel for the big screen, at least until the TV series ends, Variety reports.
Matt Groening and showrunner Al Jean were being interviewed at MIPCOM when they said a sequel would be unlikely since it was so exhausting making the series while producing the first film.
"It took 18 years to get around to doing the movie," Groening said. "We got very frustrated. We thought it would take two years but it ended up taking four. Some day maybe we'll do another one -- but don't hold your breath."
The pair made no prediction as to when the cartoon, which is now in its 21st season, might come to an end.
"We cannot predict the end because we can't believe we are still here today," Groening said.
Jean added, "We are contracted to do two more seasons following this one. I gave up predicting the end a long time ago."
THE SIMPSONS creators have ruled out making a sequel for the big screen, at least until the TV series ends, Variety reports.
Matt Groening and showrunner Al Jean were being interviewed at MIPCOM when they said a sequel would be unlikely since it was so exhausting making the series while producing the first film.
"It took 18 years to get around to doing the movie," Groening said. "We got very frustrated. We thought it would take two years but it ended up taking four. Some day maybe we'll do another one -- but don't hold your breath."
The pair made no prediction as to when the cartoon, which is now in its 21st season, might come to an end.
"We cannot predict the end because we can't believe we are still here today," Groening said.
Jean added, "We are contracted to do two more seasons following this one. I gave up predicting the end a long time ago."
Revolving Door For Many Studio Executives in Hollywood
According to http://www.awn.com/
The Los Angeles Times has a long feature about the recent trend of studio executives getting sacked wherein it compares the turmoil in Hollywood to that of a slasher flick.
"Hollywood is in a state of panic-producing turmoil," the LA Times writes, adding that studio executive turnover has reached an "epidemic level."
Dick Cook was recently fired as studio chief at Disney and Universal Pictures dismissed chairmen Marc Shmuger and David Linde on Monday.
Popular opinion blames plummeting DVD sales for the dry spell that's making most media companies crack under the pressure. DVD sales have dropped by as much as 25 percent at some studios, which wouldn't be so bad if outside financing was more readily available.
The article's three writers make strong predictions as to where the new studio executives will look for solutions: "Expect an even greater emphasis on so-called "branded entertainment": sequels and movies based on toys, old television shows and other familiar themes. Movies already in development include one based on the View-Master children's toy and an adaptation of the board game BATTLESHIP, scheduled for release July 2011, the same month as a third TRANSFORMERS film. There also will likely be far fewer adult dramas and less reliance on movie stars -- many of whom can no longer draw ticket buyers, and are seeing their guaranteed salaries slashed."
The LA Times also notes that just half of Hollywood's major studios -- Warner Bros., Sony and 20th Century Fox -- have not suffered any significant leadership shake-ups this year.
"There's been more change in the last 18 months than in the preceding 18 years," Mark Gill, CEO of the Film Department, an independent film finance company, told the LA Times.
The Los Angeles Times has a long feature about the recent trend of studio executives getting sacked wherein it compares the turmoil in Hollywood to that of a slasher flick.
"Hollywood is in a state of panic-producing turmoil," the LA Times writes, adding that studio executive turnover has reached an "epidemic level."
Dick Cook was recently fired as studio chief at Disney and Universal Pictures dismissed chairmen Marc Shmuger and David Linde on Monday.
Popular opinion blames plummeting DVD sales for the dry spell that's making most media companies crack under the pressure. DVD sales have dropped by as much as 25 percent at some studios, which wouldn't be so bad if outside financing was more readily available.
The article's three writers make strong predictions as to where the new studio executives will look for solutions: "Expect an even greater emphasis on so-called "branded entertainment": sequels and movies based on toys, old television shows and other familiar themes. Movies already in development include one based on the View-Master children's toy and an adaptation of the board game BATTLESHIP, scheduled for release July 2011, the same month as a third TRANSFORMERS film. There also will likely be far fewer adult dramas and less reliance on movie stars -- many of whom can no longer draw ticket buyers, and are seeing their guaranteed salaries slashed."
The LA Times also notes that just half of Hollywood's major studios -- Warner Bros., Sony and 20th Century Fox -- have not suffered any significant leadership shake-ups this year.
"There's been more change in the last 18 months than in the preceding 18 years," Mark Gill, CEO of the Film Department, an independent film finance company, told the LA Times.
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