Heavy Metal Powerhouse Black Sabbath Debuts Master Tracks as Compatible Guitar Hero(R) 5 and Band Hero Downloadable Songs

Guitar Hero Music Library Further Expands with Hit Songs and New Music from 30 Seconds To Mars, Breaking Benjamin and Third Eye Blind

Guitar Hero® cranks up the heat in February with a strong lineup of weekly downloadable songs that are sure to satisfy fans’ musical appetites. For the first time in a music video game, master tracks from popular heavy metal band Black Sabbath are hitting center stage. In addition, top bands 30 Seconds To Mars, Breaking Benjamin and Third Eye Blind lend both hit songs and new music, to the vast Guitar Hero music library with downloadable content for Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero® 5 and Band Hero™.
Epic alt-rockers 30 Seconds To Mars return to Guitar Hero with searing vocals, imaginative percussion sequences and blazing guitar riffs in a three-song track pack on February 4. The 30 Seconds To Mars Track Pack features hit singles “Attack” and “From Yesterday” from the band’s sophomore album A Beautiful Lie as well as “Kings and Queens,” the first single off of their latest album, This Is War.
On February 11, breakout alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin makes their Guitar Hero debut with a three song track pack including “Sooner or Later” from their 2004 album We Are Not Alone and “Until The End,” off of the band’s third album Phobia. The Breaking Benjamin Track Pack will also have metal fanatics thrashing to the band’s newest single from their Dear Agony album, “Give Me A Sign.”
Heavy metal pioneer and Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee Black Sabbath brings their original music to a music game for the first time on February 18. With master tracks of the hard-hitting, crunching classics “After Forever,” “Into The Void” and “Sweetleaf,” all off of their certified-platinum album Master of Reality, the Black Sabbath Track Pack delivers an unforgettable and intense music experience where fans can enjoy music they love in a whole new way.
As a follow up to their recent appearance on Guitar Hero® Van Halen with their 1997 hit “Semi-Charmed Life,” Third Eye Blind returns to the Guitar Hero stage for an encore performance with a three-song track pack releasing on February 25. The Third Eye Blind Track Pack features “Can You Take Me” off of their latest album Ursa Major, as well as new versions of “Losing A Whole Year,” originally released on their 6x certified-platinum, self-titled debut album and “Never Let You Go,” the hit single released on the band’s 1999 album Blue.

SOURCE Activision Publishing, Inc.

12,000-PIECE COLLECTION FILLS COLLECTOR’S FAMILY’S ENTIRE HOUSE!

Twenty one year-old Lisa Courtney from Hertfordshire, England is celebrating this week after being officially recognised as the individual with the largest Pokemon animation memorabilia collection in the world, having accumulated 12,113 different items over 13 years. Her incredible record-breaking collection, which is still growing in size, has been featured in the new Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer’s Edition, now available in the U.S. and UK.

Commenting on her Guinness World Record-breaking achievement, Lisa said: “To be in the new Gamer’s Edition and to hold a world record for something you feel so passionate about is just an indescribable feeling. My family have been incredibly supportive considering the collection takes up the whole house, including my mother’s room! I’ve even named the room where my main collection resides ‘Pokemon Centre Europe!””
Pokemon is a hugely successful videogame series published by the video game company Nintendo. Lisa’s dedication to the cause of collecting the memorabilia has seen her visit Japan 5 times, and she has another trip planned for this year.

Described by critics as the “Video Game Bible”, Gamer’s Edition 2010 features interviews with key figures in the industry (including Shigero Miyamoto, creator of Donkey Kong and Nintendo Wii) and a broad range of content from classic arcade games to new developments in technology that will shape the future of gaming.
Unique to this year’s book are spreads on many of the best selling games of 2009 including Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, The Beatles: Rock Band, Assassin’s Creed II, Halo 3 ODST, New Super Mario Bros. and Madden NFL 10. Popular features in every edition include the Twin Galaxies high scores charts that allows gamers to see how they compare with the best in the gaming world and a guide on How to become a Guinness World Record-Breaker.

SOURCE Guinness World Records

THE HURT LOCKER comes to DVD and Blu-ray, MOON hits DVD and Blu-ray, cartoon animation classic THE SIMPSONS Season 20 comes to DVD and Blu-ray, GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 hits DVD, TRANSFORMERS Season 2, Vol. 2 comes to DVD, LAST ACTION HERO comes to DVD and Blu-ray, CLIFFHANGER comes to DVD and Blu-ray, HALLOWEEN II comes to DVD and Blu-ray, NARUTO: SHIPPUDEN, Vol. 5 comes to DVD, and HIDAMARI SKETCH: Season 1 comes to DVD.

Summit Entertainment is proud to announce the January 12, 2010 DVD release of The Hurt Locker, an intense war film filled with non-stop, groundbreaking realistic action. Come this January The Hurt Locker will be ideally placed to take advantage of the years best selling month for action films and will continue to thrive into awards season as a leading contender for a number of Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Director Kathryn Bigelow created this gripping film starring Jeremy Renner (Dahmer, The Assassination of Jesse James), Anthony Mackie (Half Nelson, We Are Marshall) and Brian Geraghty (We Are Marshall, Jarhead), with cameo appearances by Ralph Fiennes (The Reader), David Morse (“John Adams”), Evangeline Lilly (“Lost”) and Guy Pearce (Memento). The Hurt Locker is produced by Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Greg Shapiro and Nicolas Chartier. The screenplay is written by Mark Boal (In the Valley of Elah, story).

The Hurt Locker is an “adrenaline soaked tour-de force of suspense and surprise”, (New York Times) that “redefines war film electricity” (Baltimore Sun) and transports audiences to the dizzying 24/hour turmoil of an elite bomb squad struggling to survive Baghdad’s urban combat zone. A powerful, nerve-shredding, and “spellbinding film” (Chicago Sun Times), The Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark Boal, stars Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce in “an instant classic” (Wall Street Journal) “that takes on the dimensions of a mediation on war and human nature.” Audiences and critics across the nation are praising this epic as one of the most remarkable war movies ever made. The Hurt Locker is “about Iraq in the way that Full Metal Jacket is about Vietnam, and Paths of Glory is about World War II. It is a great movie, period.” (Washington Post).

THE HURT LOCKER (DVD)

Street Date: January 12, 2010

Run time: 130 minutes

Rating: R

Specifications:

DVD & Blu-Ray Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital & Español 5.1 Dolby Digital

DVD & Blu-Ray Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1

DVD & Blu-Ray SRP: $26.99 / $34.99

DVD & Blu-Ray UPC: 025192048555 / 025192048562

DVD Bonus Features:

* Audio Commentary with Director Kathryn Bigelow and Writer Mark Boal

* THE HURT LOCKER: Behind the Scenes

Source Summit Entertainment

New Photo, Web & Digi Cams from Sakar Include Software to Encourage Creativity

For young fans of Nickelodeon’s cartoons iCarly, Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants, Sakar International has released a series of digital cameras, video cameras and webcams themed with their favorite characters for creative play. Value-added extras like interactive software based on the shows and even the ability to take pictures underwater make for hours of fun.

Sized to fit kids’ hands, the new cameras let young ‘publishers’ create their own adventures in the house or outdoors and publish them for friends and family to view. The character-branded devices encourage children to be creative and imaginative – like the television characters that inspired them – as they build their own shows and communicate with friends.

The new cameras are immediately available at Toys ‘R Us with MSRPs of $29.99 to $49.99. They include:

iCarly Digital Video Cam with Faceplates (MSRP $49.99) – This compact, resilient video camera comes with different faceplates and interactive software based on the Emmy-nominated children’s show iCarly, which features teenager Carly Shay and the web show that she creates with her friends. With the digi cam, kids can videotape with their friends and create their own web shows. Ages 7-12.
iCarly Mini Web Cam with Faceplates (MSRP $29.99) – Also standard with changeable faceplates, this web cam includes a fun software suite based on Nickelodeon’s iCarly. Children can chat with friends, send video emails or record videos to create their own web show, just like Carly. Comes with integrated microphone. Ages 7-12.

Dora the Explorer Digital Video Cam (MSRP $49.99) – In honor of Dora’s 10th anniversary, this new digital video camera is extremely easy for younger children to use. A hand strap and resilient build give the camera an extra sturdy feel. Interactive software based on the show makes it simple for preschoolers to film their own backyard adventures. Ages 3-6.

Dora the Explorer Talking Digital Camera (MSRP $29.99) – Perfect for little kids, this organically shaped camera includes a software suite and interactive functionality as well as a number of built-in phrases from Dora, activated by pressing certain buttons. Ages 3-6.

SpongeBob SquarePants Underwater Camera (MSRP $29.99) – We all know SpongeBob lives in a pineapple under the sea, but how does he take pictures of his friends and family? Waterproofed for guaranteed pictures at the beach or pool, this underwater camera takes up to 152 photos and comes with a cool SpongeBob-branded design and case. Great for vacations to Bikini Bottom. Ages 5-11.

Source Nickelodeon

It was announced today that three-time Grammy Award winner and internationally renowned singer, songwriter, producer and designer Pharrell Williams will write original music for Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s upcoming 3D animation CGI feature Despicable Me. This marks the first time The Neptunes and N.E.R.D. artist will compose music for a film. He is joined in the feature’s composition duties by Oscar® winner Hans Zimmer and Heitor Pereira.

Despicable Me, which stars the vocal talents of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Danny McBride, Miranda Cosgrove, Jack McBrayer, Mindy Kaling, Jemaine Clement and Julie Andrews, arrives in theaters on July 9, 2010.

In addition to the title track for Despicable Me, which debuted with the feature’s teaser trailer, Williams has already begun to write the film’s orchestral score as well as several other songs to be incorporated into the score. Chris Meledandri (Ice Age, Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, Robots, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!) is producing Despicable Me through his new company – Illumination Entertainment, which has a longterm partnership with Universal to deliver live-action and animated all-audience films for the Universal slate.

About his involvement in the project, Pharrell Williams said: “I love cartoons and animation, and I’ve never seen such incredible 3-D CGI. To score Despicable Me along with Hans and Heitor and write original songs for the film is a dream come true.”

“Pharrell is one of the most important contemporary songwriters, Hans is one of the truly great film composers and Heitor is the next generation of Hans’ protégés. This is an extraordinary teaming of talent,” said Meledandri. “With every note they write, our film is being enriched.”

Source Universal Pictures

Cartoon animation icon The Simpsons, Barack Obama and Usain Bolt Rank Among the Decade’s Most Memorable Records According to Online Poll

The votes are in and the public has chosen their top Guinness World Records® of the decade! Since the launch of the newest book Guinness World Records 2010 edition this past fall, thousands of fans have cast their votes on the Guinness World Records website for their favorite achievements in entertainment, sports, technology, engineering and more. As Guinness World Records looks to the new decade they are revealing some of the most memorable events from the 2000s.

“With so many remarkable achievements over the past decade we decided to let the fans dictate the best of the best,” said Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief. “After thousands of votes the Top Records of the Decade does not disappoint.”

The Top 10 Guinness World Records of the Decade as chosen by readers are:
Claimants – Ashrita Furman (41%)
Since 1979, Ashrita Furman has set more than 200 records including Most Pogostick Jumps in One Minute (238), Fastest Mile Somersaulting (19 min. 11 sec), and Most Sit-Ups in an Hour (9,628). The 54-year old health food store manager from Queens, New York has broken records on every continent from standing on a Swiss Ball for the Longest Time at Stonehenge to Balancing a Pool Cue while Walking the Longest Distance at the Pyramids.
Stunts – Longest Chewing Gum-wrapper Chain (62%)
Since 11 March 1965, Gary Duschl of Virginia, USA, has been making a gum wrapper chain, which measures 17,760 m (58,266 ft) long and consists of 1,370,166 gum wrappers, 2,740,332 links and weighs 365.6 kg (806 lb), as of 11 March 2009.
Sports – Fastest 100 m (26%)
At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Usain Bolt achieved a landmark record when he ran the fastest 100 m in 9.69 seconds on 20 August 2008.
Arts & Entertainment – Longest Running Sitcom (24%)
In terms of episodes, the longest running sitcom in history is Matt Groening’s The Simpsons. The cartoon was first broadcast as short segments on the Tracey Ullman Show on 19 April 1987 but proved popular enough to warrant a half-hour show in its own right. The show debuted on 17 December 1989 and became an instant hit. To date the series has racked up 443 episodes and is in its 20th season

SOURCE Guinness World Records

As the momentous conclusion of the “Best. 20 Years. Ever.,” a year-long global celebration honoring all things THE SIMPSONS, approaches, FOX is toasting television’s favorite cartoon animation family by turning yellow for one week beginning Sunday, Jan. 3. The 20th anniversary will culminate on Sunday, Jan. 10 with the landmark 450th episode, “Once Upon a Time in Springfield” (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), followed by THE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE! (8:30-9:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Throughout the week, FOX will incorporate the famous SIMPSONS yellow into on-air graphics and promotional spots that will run on the network and will be provided to FOX affiliates. SIMPSONS yellow will also be featured prominently on the network’s website, FOX.com.

Highlights of the “yellow” campaign include:

On-Air

* The FOX logo and other on-air graphic elements such as lower-third promotional messaging will be turned yellow throughout the week

* SIMPSONS-themed animated lower-third graphics will appear in select primetime programming

* Promotional spots counting down to THE SIMPSONS anniversary celebration will air nightly

* SIMPSONS-themed FOX frames featuring Homer and “Simpsonized” messages will appear throughout primetime

* Congratulatory promotional spots featuring Anne Hathaway, Ryan Seacrest, Chris Martin, Ellen Page and Josh Groban, among others will air throughout the week

* SIMPSONS presence in FOX Sports NFL game

Source Fox

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, continues the momentum behind its hit INUYASHA brand with the announcement of the release of Rumiko Takahashi’s original manga series in new VIZBIG omnibus editions. Published by the company’s SHONEN SUNDAY imprint, INUYASHA VIZBIG Volume 1 debuts November 10th, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and carries an MSRP of $17.99 U.S. / $24.00 CAN.

Each omnibus edition features three volumes of the original graphic novel series presented in a larger 5-3/4 x 8-5/8 size (larger than the standard 5 x 7-1/2 manga). The new editions serve as comprehensive introductions for new readers to some best-known titles, and a great way for seasoned fans to revisit favorite manga series from a new perspective. The VIZBIG INUYASHA series is also presented in a right-to-left reading format, just like the original manga counterpart.

After falling into an old well and into ancient Japan, Kagome discovers that her destiny is linked to the dog-like half demon called Inuyasha! As Kagome learns more about her connection to the past and to Inuyasha, she comes into conflict with the terrible demons that are drawn to the Shikon Jewel, including Inuyasha’s own half brother, Sesshomaru. Finding the shards of the Shikon Jewel is going to require powerful magic, strange allies, and a strong heart. Kagome’s got plenty of heart, but she’s going to need Inuyasha’s help for the rest of it, and he may not be so willing to lend a hand!

“INUYASHA brought creator Rumiko Takahashi renowned fame throughout the world and the series has been enjoyed by millions of readers in Japan and North America,” says Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media. “Our new VIZBIG release is a comprehensive way for new and old fans alike to catch up on the adventures of Inuyasha and Kagome in a whole new way and also makes a wonderful gift for that extra special fan this holiday season.”

Source VIZ Media

Total Drama Action, the hit animated series with a reality twist, is down to its final two contestants. Who will win: Beth the gal, with a huge heart and unstoppable faith in herself or Duncan, the tough-looking kid with a rap sheet and an attitude? Starting now, viewers can log on to www.TotalDramaAction.com to vote for Beth or Duncan and tune in on Thursday, Dec. 10, 9 p.m., (ET/ PT) to see if their favorite will be announced the winner of Total Drama Action.

The drama came down to a pirate-themed challenge where Beth and Duncan raced through a series of obstacles before being launched out of a canon right back to the first set of the season. Duncan’s inability to answer trivia questions about his former cast mates cost him big, but Beth’s insecurity about deserving to be in the finale was almost more crippling. They wound up neck and neck, and now it’s up to Cartoon Network viewers to vote for the winner.

Total Drama Action is an animated comedy for kids 9-14 that showcases all the elements of tweens’ favorite reality TV shows within the framework of an exciting, larger-than-life elimination competition. The series delivers the best moments of reality television: romances and friendships; scheming and sabotage; death-defying stunts and stomach-curdling challenges. On this season, the 14 lead contestants from last season’s hit, Total Drama Island, faced thrilling challenges on an abandoned film studio back-lot – all inspired by the movies!

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired entertainment for young adults 18-34.

Source: Turner Broadcasting System

Moonscoop, the worldwide brand management and entertainment company representing properties from some of the leading animation producers across the globe, has signed a key sales deal with leading German broadcaster KI.KA for the animation series ToddWorld and SamSam.

KI.KA has picked up the second series of the colourful ToddWorld, based on the book by Todd Parr for broadcast in 2010 along with animated show SamSam, which is nominated for the 2009 TV France International Best Export Prize in the animation category.

Lionel Marty, President, Worldwide Sales at Moonscoop said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our relationship with major German broadcaster KI.KA. We are hopeful that both these shows will find a new audience and fanbase in the territory as they are already a major success in many countries around the world.”

Sebastian Debertin, Head of Fiction, Acquisitions & Co-productions at KI.KA adds: “We have already broadcast the first season of ToddWorld and it is one of my favourite animated shows on KI.KA! It is strong on both narration and animation and it is simply helping in a fantastic way to bring important social values to young kids! With SamSam we feel having a wonderful little superhero is a strong addition to our slate of new shows for 2010. Our little redcaped, not quite yet-superhero, is just what our kids will love!”

The Emmy and Humanitas Award-nominated ToddWorld (78×11’) is a fantastical animated series based on the books by Todd Parr. Each episode of the 2D animated preschool series is a celebration of imagination in a world where everyone is welcome!

In ToddWorld it’s okay to wear your underpants on your head, take a bath with a hippo, or invite a skunk to the movies. It’s a wonderful colorful world – come join in the fun! ToddWorld is co-produced by Taffy Productions, DQ Entertainment Limited, Telegael Teoranta and SuperTime Entertainment.

Preschool 3D-animated HD SamSam (52×6’30”), produced by Bayard Jeunesse Animation with ARANEO, Tiji, Gulli and France 5, follows the adventures of the smallest of heroes!

For a hero, he doesn’t quite yet have super powers. But it doesn’t mean he can’t fly his own SamSaucer into space or can’t deal with dirty-rotten monsters! Sometimes he does need a little help from his cuddly SamTeddy, SamMummy or SamDaddy, as well as his friends. And granted, sometimes, using his noggin and a bit of imagination gets the work done, too. The series is based on the successful comic-book series of the same name and is a popular show across Europe especially in Italy, Spain, the UK and France.

Source Moonscoop

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Nickelodeon UK was presented with four awards at the EA British Academy Children’s Awards which took place on Sunday 29 November. The awards ceremony, which celebrates the very best in Children’s Entertainment from the last year, saw Nickelodeon recognised with 11 nominations across a variety of categories.

Nickelodeon’s preschool animation channel Nick Jr UK was awarded as Channel of the Year beating off competition from CBBC, CBeebies and Cyw.

The Penguins of Madagascar won the International Award, up against fellow nominees Ben 10 (Cartoon Network), Phinias and Ferb (Disney) and Nickelodeon’s second category nomination, Dora The Explorer.

Anti-bullying campaign See Something, Say Something was awarded best Short Form. The category also included My Wish (CBBC) and fellow Nickelodeon nominees My Favourite Bedtime Story and Log Jam.

Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom collected best Pre-School Animation in a category which also included nominations for two other Nick Jr shows Humf and Peppa Pig, in addition to Five’s Little Princess: A Merry Christmas.

Howard Litton, Managing Director, Nickelodeon UK, said: “This is a great achievement for Nick Jr and the Nickelodeon UK network. It’s brilliant to have our work recognised in such a prestigious way and a true reflection of the passion, hard work and relentless focus on quality that defines our network.”

In addition to the aforementioned awards, Lost and Found, which Nick Jr will broadcast throughout December won best Animation and Astley Baker Davies who produce Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom for Nick Jr was awarded best Independent Production Company.

Source Nickelodeon UK

The newly expanded PBS KIDS video player giving free, online access to hundreds of streaming, full is now available.

Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the player will premiere two exclusive music videos from DINOSAUR TRAIN, the new hit animation series from The Jim Henson Company that celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills.

“Great Big Dinosaur Holiday in the Snow” is available starting today and “Elvisaurus” will launch mid-December. Both music videos are exclusive previews from the DINOSAUR TRAIN episode “Dinosaurs in the Snow/Cretaceous Conifers,” airing on December 14 (check local listings).

“This is the third in a series of innovative video experiences PBS has launched,” said Jason Seiken, PBS SVP of Interactive. “Our prime-time video site — video.PBS.org — broke new ground by providing full-length, full-seasons of all the favorite PBS programs. Our video player for early school-age kids — PBSKIDSGO.org/video — is the only site that integrates educational games directly into the videos themselves. The preschool video player will broaden accessibility to our fun, educational content and give parents what they’ve been asking for – more age-appropriate video content for preschoolers.”

The PBS KIDS video player initially showcases content from 14 different series including, CURIOUS GEORGE, SUPER WHY, DINOSAUR TRAIN, SID THE SCIENCE KID, SESAME STREET, ARTHUR, MARTHA SPEAKS, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, DRAGON TALES, BETWEEN THE LIONS, MAMA MIRABELLE’S HOME MOVIES, MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD, WORD WORLD and LOMAX, THE HOUND OF MUSIC. PBS KIDS original video shorts including HOOPER’S ADVENTURES, DOT’S STORY FACTORY and STEVE SONGS music videos will also be featured.

“As the #1 educational media brand and most trusted by parents, PBS KIDS is now providing greater access for families to its world-renowned library of educational preschool content,” said Lesli Rotenberg, SVP, Children’s Media, PBS. “PBS children’s media invites children to explore new worlds and broaden their horizons, no matter where they are, and leverages new technology and platforms to create learning opportunities anywhere, anytime.”

PBSKIDS.org is one of the most popular online destinations for children as they begin to explore technology, and is often parents’ first stop when their children are ready to experience the Web.
PBS KIDS conducted extensive research to understand how to guide preschoolers’ learning journeys in the most engaging way. The player helps parents and caregivers navigate video by subjects and curriculum to optimize their children’s experience. Features for parents include: educational summary of the goals of each show, links to relevant PBS Parents Web sites (PBSPARENTS.org), a Share-this-Clip feature, and the ability to browse clips by educational/themed-based topics.

A rotating, consistently-updated set of featured clips changes based on new shows and episodes. Seasonal and thematic clip channels based on children’s interests will also be featured. For example, Winter Holidays will be the theme in December. Beginning in January, features will change every week. Themes will include: Family, Eating Right, Team Work, Friends, Sports, Reading, Outdoors, Pets, Exercise, Exploring, and Vacation.
In September 2008, PBS KIDS GO! launched its video player for early elementary school kids (PBSKIDSGO.org/video), featuring hundreds of video clips and dozens of full-length episodes. The PBS KIDS GO! video player averages 1.3 million streams per week. PBSKIDS.org averages nine million unique visitors a month.

Available on both Macs and PCs, the PBS KIDS video player offers closed captioning on selected clips and episodes.

PBS KIDS, for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO!, for early elementary school kids, offer all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. With positive role models and content designed to nurture a child’s total well-being, PBS’s children’s media and family and educator resources – including PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! television series, PBSKIDS.org, PBSKIDSGO.org, PBS Parents (PBSPARENTS.org), PBS Teachers (PBSTEACHERS.org), PBS KIDS Raising Readers and literacy events across the country – leverage the full spectrum of media, technology and community to build knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity. Empowering children for success in school and in life, only PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! have earned the unanimous endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. In September 2008, PBS KIDS GO! launched its video player (PBSKIDSGO.org/video), featuring hundreds of video clips and dozens of full-length episodes. Since launch, the site is averaging 1.3 million streams per week. PBSKIDS.org averages nine million unique visitors a month. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation’s 356 public television stations, serving more than 115 million people on-air and online each month.

SOURCE PBS KIDS

Astral Media’s Family Channel presents the Canadian premiere of the third season of Handy Manny on Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 a.m. ET/PT. The premiere of the third cartoon animation season of this viewer favourite starring Wilmer Valderrama airs as part of a Handy Manny marathon, beginning at 6:10 a.m. ET/PT, and will be available on Family OnDemand beginning Tuesday, January 5.

The third season of the Emmy-nominated series includes a stellar cast of guest stars. Joining Handy Manny in Season Three are Rosario Dawson as a marine biologist, Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a race car driver, Jim Belushi as a drawbridge operator and Giada De Laurentiis as the owner of a pizza parlour. Lance Bass returns in the recurring role of klutzy surfer dude, Elliot.

With his raucous set of talking tools, hardworking handyman Manny Garcia (voiced by Wilmer Valderrama) helps his neighbors by taking on their repair projects, no matter how big or small. Handy Manny is set in a multicultural, multi-generational community and follows a curriculum that models problem solving. In addition to imparting life lessons about working together, communication and setting goals, the series also teaches viewers Spanish words and phrases and exposes them to aspects of Latin culture. Handy Manny is available in over 135 countries and in 23 languages.

Starring with Wilmer Valderrama are Carlos Alazraqui as Felipe, Dee Bradley Baker as Turner, Grey Delisle as Flicker, Nika Futterman as Stretch and Squeeze, Tom Kenny as Mr. Lopart and Pat, Kath Soucie as Dusty, Fred Stoller as Rusty and Nancy Truman as Kelly.

Handy Manny Season 3 will premiere on Playhouse Disney on Sunday, December 6 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.

Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering the best in family television entertainment in 6 million homes across Canada. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a fun experience for all, Family airs a unique mix of series, movies and specials, with a large portion of programming supplied by Disney. Family Channel also offers Family OnDemand in select areas, a Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service that features hit Disney movies and series, top-rated Canadian series and Playhouse Disney programming. Visit us at Family.ca.

Family Channel is an Astral Television Networks. Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and interactive media. Astral Media’s solid and dynamic presence in the country’s major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences.

Source: Astral Media

3D animation giant DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. announced today that Leonardo DiCaprio will make his animated feature film debut when he headlines the cast of the Company’s November 2, 2012 release, “The Guardians” (working title) as Jack Frost.

DiCaprio is the first actor announced for “The Guardians,” (working title) which is produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein, and directed by Peter Ramsey.

When an evil spirit called Pitch becomes bent upon taking over the world by inspiring fear in the hearts of kids everywhere, a group of our greatest heroes—Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost—band together for the first time, determined to stand in Pitch’s way. More than a collection of storybook subjects, “The Guardians” are also a band of superheroes, who possess their own special powers. Now joined in opposition of a common foe, the Guardians heed the call and combine their powers to defeat Pitch and protect the world from his campaign of fear. The film is based on “The Guardians of Childhood,” a series of highly anticipated books by William Joyce.

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 18 animated feature films, including the franchise properties, “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda.”

Source DreamWorks Animation

What happens when a reality show collides with a cartoon animation series? For the most part, the Canadian-based Total Drama Action of Cartoon Network has successfully shown us the great possibilities with its mix of wit and humor.

The show, which was a sequel of Total Drama Island, will now be making its season finale. And our 3D animation team here in Media Freaks is one of the select few to showcase this video for your eyes to see.

The cast includes the host Chris McClean, Chef Hatchet (the caterer and assistant), and the fourteen teens that make up the castmates. These cast-mates were divided into teams of six: The “Screaming Gaffers” and The “Killer Grips”.

More info at http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/tda. Now here’s the teaser video for the season finale:

Source: Cartoon Network

Ben 10: Alien Swarm is the second live-action film from Cartoon Network based on their immensely popular animated series franchise Ben 10. This time around the network wanted to push the limits and deliver an intense thrill ride for the audience.

The film is directed and executive-produced by Alex Winter, who also directed Cartoon Network’s first Ben 10 live-action movie, Ben 10: Race Against Time, which scored over 13 million viewers during its Thanksgiving weekend premiere in 2007.

“The original Ben 10 series was really geared towards younger kids and our first live-action film, Ben 10: Race Against Time, reflected that sensibility,” Winter recalls. “The new animated series, Ben 10: Alien Force, is aimed at an older audience. So we really wanted to bring a more grounded reality to this film. There’s also a lot more action and thus, more visual effects.”

In fact, with nearly 600 shots, the scope of Alien Swarm’s visual effects work was roughly triple the 2007 film, Race Against Time. Leading the charge was the project’s overall Visual Effects Supervisor, Evan Jacobs, who also served as VFX supervisor on Ben10: Race Against Time. “This time around we had many, many more shots and a great deal more complexity as well,” Jacobs said.

To tackle the challenges posed by the film, Jacobs decided to spread the work across several visual effects vendors; Zoic Studios in Culver City, Atlanta-based Turner Studios, Ghost VFX in Demark and Super78 in Hollywood.

“The producers approached us very early on to design the hero aliens that Ben transforms into as well as the villainous Queen and her chips,” Super78’s Creative Director, Brent Young said. “From working on the first film we saw how much the fans know these characters and there are things they expect to see. Still, Alex really wanted to stay away from anything cartoony so we worked hard to find that balance.”

Source Cartoon Network

When it comes to celebrating the magic and sparkle of the holidays with friends and loved ones, there’s no place like the Disneyland Resort where, now through Jan. 3, 2010, the holidays shine more brightly than ever.

This holiday season, guests will get to see and meet the newest Disney princess, Tiana of the cartoon animation The Princess and the Frog, the star of a new show in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park. In addition, they will enjoy the return of special holiday versions of “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion, along with beautiful holiday decor, “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and a nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.

With so much to celebrate this season, the Disneyland Resort is offering expanded park hours and special savings on vacation packages on selected days. For a preview of the holiday entertainment, along with games, video and special offers, visit www.disneyland.com/holidays.

For the first time during the holidays, guests in Disneyland Park will see “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!” – inspired by the new Walt Disney Pictures animated film “The Princess and the Frog.” The rousing, colorful show has a jazz-filled holiday celebration vibe. It begins with a Mardi Gras-style cavalcade from New Orleans Square to the Mark Twain Riverboat in Frontierland. At the landing, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and other “Princess and the Frog” characters move onboard and, as the boat takes to the river, Tiana and company entertain guests on shore with a musical show that includes songs from the motion picture. The show runs through Jan. 3, 2010.

Themed entertainment, sparkling decorations and tasty treats add festive warmth to holiday fun at both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure park.

SOURCE Disneyland Resort

Nickelodeon’s Friday night premieres of the cartoon animations SpongeBob SquarePants “Truth or Square” and Fanboy and Chum Chum scored big ratings as the star-studded SpongeBob TV event (Nov. 6, 8 p.m. all times ET/PT) drew 7.7 million total viewers, ranking as basic cable’s number-one entertainment show for the week; and Nick’s newest series, Fanboy and Chum Chum (Friday, Nov. 6, 9 p.m.), set a new record as Nick’s highest-rated series premiere ever with kids 6-11 and 2-11.

SpongeBob “Truth or Square” also ranked as the week’s number-one program on all of TV with kids 6-11, tweens and kids 2-11. “Truth or Square” averaged a 12.5/4.4 million K2-11 (+205% over last year), a 14.0/3.0 million K6-11 (+204%) and an 11.4/2.5 million T9-14 (+235%).

The Friday, Nov. 6, debut of Fanboy and Chum Chum (9 p.m.) ranked as basic cable’s number-two telecast for the night — only behind SpongeBob SquarePants “Truth or Square” — and drew 5.8 million total viewers and 2.5 million K6-11. The CG-animated series’ second episode–which bowed on Saturday morning (Nov. 7, 10:30 a.m.)–grabbed 5.4 million total viewers, second only to SpongeBob.
Fanboy and Chum Chum’s Friday debut averaged a 10.4/3.7 million K2-11 (+154%), an 11.9/2.5 million K6-11 (+159%) and an 8.9/1.9 million T9-14 (+134%). On Saturday, it averaged a 9.5/3.4 million K2-11 (+70%), a 10.4/2.2 million K6-11 (+89%) and a 6.9/1.5 million T9-14 (+86%).

SpongeBob SquarePants “Truth or Square”–featuring guest appearances by Rosario Dawson, Craig Ferguson, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, LeBron James, P!nk and Robin Williams–follows SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottom gang as they reminisce through a series of original, never-before-seen flashbacks. Ricky Gervais narrates the special and Cee-Lo Green (Gnarls Barkley) performs a cover of the SpongeBob theme song to an all-new stop-motion opening title sequence.

SOURCE Nickelodeon

For the first time, a 3D animation series is part of the “Sesame Street” television program. The program’s 40th anniversary season debuted today, including computer-generated (CG) segments delivered by SpeakeasyFX and made with Autodesk Softimage software from Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK: NASDAQ). The series features a digital version of the favorite Muppet fairy-in-training, Abby Cadabby. “Sesame Street” is the longest running children’s program on television.

SpeakeasyFX, an animation studio in New Jersey, worked on 13 nine-minute segments of “Abby’s Flying Fairy School.” These fully CG segments were created to foster preschoolers’ critical thinking and problem solving skills. Abby Cadabby, along with an eclectic gang of new friends, attends Fairy School with Mrs. Sparklenose. Abby and her friends solve problems using rhyme, reason and cooperation.

“Until now, Sesame Street used exclusively hand-driven Muppets. We went the CG route with ‘Abby’s Flying Fairy School’ so that we could bring to life all the wonderful physical action our writers envisaged such as underwater scenes,” explained Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer at Sesame Workshop. “As well, the CG format allowed us to produce many online game options for SesameStreet.org, extending the broadcast experience.”

SpeakeasyFX used Autodesk Softimage to model, animate, render and composite “Abby’s Flying Fairy School.” “We’ve been using Softimage since we opened our doors,” said Scott Stewart, executive director at SpeakeasyFX. “Our mandate was to bring movie-quality animation to ‘Sesame Street.’ Of course, we needed to do it quickly, easily and on budget. Softimage was key to achieving these goals, because we were able to do everything we needed to in the software. It was essentially a single software workflow we love Softimage for its versatility.”

SpeakeasyFX created over 500 new props and characters for the series. The team’s greatest challenge was the development of digital characters that behaved like real-world Muppets. This required advanced fur and cloth simulations, and complex rigging. Stewart said, “To preserve the creative vision, we decided to build our digital Muppet models as if a hand was manipulating them from inside. This was a breakthrough modification to our workflow and was critically important in helping us find the right balance between CG and traditional Muppet performances.”

Source Autodesk

Looks like Heathcliff is crossing over to the animated movie industry.

Magic Lantern Entertainment has concluded a $10 Million development funding arrangement with TF2 Ventures via its Innovation Entertainment label for up to 20 motion pictures to be selected by Magic Lantern/Innovation Pictures for production over the next three to five years; it was jointly announced by Magic Lantern Entertainment President Jeff Segal and TF2 Ventures Principal Jamison Stewart.

The first of the films on the Magic Lantern/Innovation-TF2 slate is “Bad Kitty,” a blended media/CGI animated comedy-adventure based on the popular feline character Heathcliff. Now in active pre-production with a target release in 2011, the script is being written by fourteen-time EmmyR Award-winning animation writer Tom Ruegger, and will feature an original song score, a well known voice cast, and very high production values.

“Our primary criteria will be that all of the films in our slate are ‘pre-sold’ in the market – a remake, sequel, adaptation of a book, comic book, graphic novel, musical play, video game, toy property, whatever,” explained Segal. “The pre-sold quality of our titles mitigates our risk and jump-starts our marketing and promotional campaigns in support of each release.”

“Our films are being produced within rational budgets,” said Jack Crosby, Chairman of Magic Lantern/Innovation, “but will have the kind of quality, casting and original music generally seen only in films with much larger budgets. I have known the TF2 team for a number of years, and have found them to be totally reliable and methodical about everything they are doing. We hope to build a long-term relationship with TF2 and expand the venture into a wide range of films.”

Speaking for TF2, Jamison Stewart commented, “Magic Lantern/Innovation fulfills all of our requirements for funding: a professional and experienced management team with great track records picking commercial titles.”

TF2 co-manager Noel Tristan added, “We are very impressed with the MLE/Innovation team, headed by Jack Crosby, Segal and Steve Waterman, and have full confidence in their ability to pick the right titles and develop and produce films economically but with enduring quality.”

“The TF2 Ventures’ model is very simple and logical,” said Stewart, “anchored in the basic premise that film investment does not have to be wildly speculative. If you work with the right people, who know what they’re doing, have commercial titles and distribution, then risk can be controlled, if not totally eliminated,” he added. “We’re excited about ‘Heathcliff’ and think it’s a strong title that will successfully launch our Magic Lantern/Innovation venture.”

Source Magic Lantern Ent.