Digital Media FX News Archives

Monday - April 9, 2001
- Strike Deadlines Near
- Release Charts: Animated, FX, and Anime DVDs
- Film Roman: "No Deal"
- News Link of the Day - AOL TW ON THE PROWL

Strike Deadlines Near
(by digitalmediafx.com) A one-two punch nears as the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild are both prepared to possibly strike if deals with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), ABC, CBS and NBC are not reached soon.

The current Writers Guild of America contract expires in a few weeks. No negotiations have taken place since March 1 when meetings were abruptly terminated due to both sides not being able to reach an agreement.

The Screen Actor's Guild contract expires on June 30 and is considered more serious because it could stop production of many high-profile movies like The Matrix 2 & 3. Other movies are being delayed until new contracts are signed.

The President of the Screen Actor's Guild, Bill Daniels, issued a statement to its members which says, in part:

"As you no doubt have heard, writers and producers have just held 30 days of talks on their contract without reaching a settlement. What does that mean for us? The fact is no one knows for sure. While we do have several common contract areas of interest, our final package of proposals is still in development and we have no idea what proposals the industry will present to us.

However, let there be no doubt whatsoever that SAG and AFTRA stand solidly behind the Writers Guild in their pursuit of a fair contract."

SAG punishes members who cross picket lines as was the case in the recent commercial strike. SAG says it found "guilty" the following people who crossed picket lines and did commercial work: Tiger Woods, Ben Brunkow, Kevin Buzzard, Elizabeth Hurley, Steve Perkins, and David Gene Garrison. SAG holds "trials" before finding members guilty of strike violations. SAG says its penalty is the following:

"The penalties available to the Trial Board are reprimand, censure, fine, suspension from the rights of membership, and/or a recommendation to the National Board of Directors that the member be expelled from the Guild."

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Release Charts: Animated, FX, and Anime DVDs
(by digitalmediafx.com) It is a slow week for new DVD releases related to animation, anime, and FX. Only three titles, including a Walking With Dinosaurs special on the Allosaurus, are being released:

Allosaurus - A Walking With Dinosaurs Special (2001 - animation/FX)
Lost Universe Vol. 6 (1998)
Sailor Moon S - Heart Collection II: TV Series, Vols. 3 & 4 (1995 - uncut)

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Film Roman: "No Deal"
(by digitalmediafx.com) Film Roman has issued the following statement in regards to news reports that it had been acquired by Pentamedia Graphics Ltd:

"Film Roman Inc, the leading U.S. producer of prime-time television animation, today announced that it appears Pentamedia Graphics Ltd., the company with which Film Roman had executed a definitive stock purchase agreement on Jan. 31, 2001, will be unable to close the transaction on the terms agreed upon by the two companies and approved by the Film Roman stockholders.

Film Roman's board has rejected Pentamedia's alternative proposals to restructure the transaction. However, Film Roman has extended the closing date until April 13, and discussions between the two companies are continuing. Under the terms of the existing agreement, Pentamedia would acquire a fully diluted 60 percent stake of Film Roman in the form of newly issued common stock for $15 million in cash.

Film Roman produces 'The Simpsons' and 'King of the Hill' for Fox, 'The Oblongs' for Warner Bros., 'X-Men' for Marvel Entertainment, 'Doomsday' for UPN and has other projects now in production for Showtime, The Disney Channel and others, as well as multiple in-house projects in development for both live action and animation.

Pentamedia, which is India's largest multimedia production company and is publicly traded in India, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg, specializes in animation, special effects and Internet broadcasting for the global entertainment marketplace."

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News Link of the Day - AOL TW ON THE PROWL

According to the New York Post:

"AOL Time Warner CEO Jerry Levin yesterday said his company is talking to DreamWorks about a wide-ranging partnership - one that sources say would include online distribution and equity stakes.

Sources said DreamWorks is talking about being roped into the AOL Time Warner fold by the offer of an equity stake and America Online distribution..."

Click here for the full story.

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