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Digital Media FX News Archives

Sunday - June 24, 2001
- Dr. Dog Animated TV Series Announced
- Images From Cats & Dogs
- Rolling Stone: A.I. "Fascinating Wreck"
- News Link of the Day - Ireland's Piggley Pooh Puts Disney to Shame

Dr. Dog Animated TV Series Announced
(by digitalmediafx.com) Silver Lining Productions and France Animation have entered into a co-production agreement for the creation of 52 13-minute animated episodes of "Dr. Dog." The program, an irreverent, kid-friendly approach to everyday living, is designed for kids ages 6-12. The series is based on the Dr. Dog children's book by Babette Cole.

"Babette Cole's books have a huge international following," commented Giovanna Milano of France Animation. "We are happy to be working with Silver Lining, whose production and marketing expertise in the kids arena will bring Dr. Dog to an even larger audience through this series."

Here's a synopsis of the series:

"Dr. Dog is one very busy Medical Dog. When he's not seeing patients in his clinic or doing rounds at St. Bernard's Hospital, he's taping his popular TV talk show, Ask Dr. Dog, lecturing at international conferences, or conducting important medical research. But he's never too busy to run to the aid of his emergency-prone family, the happily dysfunctional Gumboyles -- who tend to ignore Dr. Dog's fame (and his advice) and simply treat him like a dog. If it weren't for his eminent colleague and friend, Dr. Jack Russell, and his lab assistant, Goldie, Dr. Dog would spend much of his spare time licking his wounds."

Distribution details have not been released, however Silver Lining Productions does have other animated series airing in several countries, including PBS in the U.S.

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Images From Cats & Dogs
(by digitalmediafx.com) Here are some images from Warner Bros. upcoming FX film Cats & Dogs which uses a variety of computer and robotic techniques to bring the animals to life in the movie:

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Rolling Stone: A.I. "Fascinating Wreck"
(by digitalmediafx.com) Rolling Stone has delivered the first negative media review of AIsaying, the movie, "despite being freighted with clunky exposition, windbag moralizing and thumping self-importance, is a far darker and more disturbing piece of science fiction than its marketing campaign lets on."

The review also says that AI is "the most schizoid film in modern cinema," emphasizing that Steven Spielberg was the wrong person to take over Stanley Kubrick's original vision, stating the two directors come from "different planets." The movie is called a "fascinating wreck" by the publication.

Rolling Stone is the first major media to release a negative review on the film. Newsweek, Time, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter have all released glowing reviews.

Although Spielberg is in charge of the film, it is being distributed in the U.S. by Warner Bros. and overseas by DreamWorks.

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News Link of the Day - Ireland's Piggley Pooh Puts Disney to Shame

According to The Sunday Times (Ireland):

"An Irish couple is set to earn millions from a cartoon character called Piggley Pooh after winning a court battle against Disney Enterprises over copyright.

Denise Fitzpatrick, a 35-year-old housewife from Co Meath, and her husband, Francis, have landed a four-year television deal in America…"

Click here for the full story.

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