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Digital
Media FX News Archives
Friday
- March 2, 2001
- Disney Merchandising Extends
to Checks
- Robert Zemeckis Center for
Digital Arts Opens at USC School of Cinema
- Baldur's Gate II: Throne
of Bhaal
- News Link of the Day
- Hundred Acre Wood Comes to Virtual Life
 Disney
Merchandising Extends to Checks
(by digitalmediafx.com) You can now write checks featuring Disney
animated characters thanks to a deal struck last month between
Disney and the Deluxe Corporation.
The introduction
of the new line of personal checks -- which Deluxe expects to
be one of its most popular designs -- marks the first time Disney
characters have been available to the general public on checks
and personal-finance accessories.
Disney checks
from Deluxe will be available in four different designs: Mickey
and Pals; Pooh and Pals; Classic Pooh; and Disney Film Magic,
which includes images from The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Lady
and the Tramp and other Disney animated movies.
"Disney
checks have long been one of our most requested items," said
Bo Boyd, chairman of Disney Consumer Products. "We're happy
to be working with Deluxe on this new line, which lets consumers
choose their favorite Disney characters to show their individuality
and style to the world."
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Robert
Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts Opens at USC School of Cinema
(by digitalmediafx.com) A new state-of-the-art digital facility
was officially opened yesterday at the USC School of Cinema. Called
the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts, the facility located
across from the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles, houses
the latest in nonlinear production and post-production equipment,
as well as production stages, a 50-seat screening room and the
USC student-run television station, Trojan Vision. It was made
possible by a generous gift from alumnus and Academy Award winning
director Robert Zemeckis. It is believed to be the countries first
digital training center.
"The
opening of the Zemeckis Center is a milestone in the School of
Cinema-Television's evolution, further enriching the curriculum
with the most advanced tools in digital filmmaking," said
Dean Elizabeth Daley. "We are deeply grateful to Robert Zemeckis
and all of our donors for ensuring that our students stay ahead
of the curve in the new technology of storytelling."
Besides containing a laboratory with 60 Avid Xpress DV systems,
the Zemeckis Center also contains an impressive array of visual
effects equipment, including blue and green screen technology,
digital stages with motion control computers, CGI classrooms and
digital compositing equipment, such as a Quantel Edit Box special
effects workstation. In addition, it has five studio-quality sound
stages; nonlinear digital shooting systems; multimedia cable connections;
a screening room with 16mm, 35mm and digital production capabilities,
a THX sound system and a Pro Tools station for audio editing.
"I am
thrilled to share in the first educational venture to embrace
all aspects of digital production, leading filmmakers from concept
through completion," said Zemeckis. "Our goal is to
offer the next generation of USC Cinema-Television students a
new palette of technical tools with which to enhance the vision
and scope of their storytelling."
Other notable
contributors to the project include George Lucas, Steven Spielberg,
David Geffen, and Ron Howard. The 35,000 foot center project began
in 1998 with a $5 million donation from Zemeckis.
The USC School
of Cinema offers degrees in five areas: animation and digital
arts, critical studies, film and television production, producing
and writing.
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Baldur's
Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
(by digitalmediafx.com) Fans of Baldur's Gate II have something
to cheer about. Black Isle Studios, the role-playing game division
of Interplay Entertainment Corp., and BioWare Corp. announced
today plans to develop an expansion product for Baldur's Gate
II: Shadows of Amn.
The expansion
is titled Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. It adds several new
locations to the game as well as new characters and spells. According
to a press release put out by Black Isle Studios, "Throne
of Bhaal is the ultimate conclusion of the Baldur's Gate legend
as
gamers fulfill their destiny as the child of Bhaal."
According
to Black Isle Studios, "Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
takes players through an all-new storyline rich with intrigue
and treachery as they unravel the mysteries of the Dungeon of
Watcher's Keep and explore other new areas such as the City of
Saradush, the Fortified Monastery of Amkethran, Sendai's Underdark
Fortress and the player's own Abyssal Stronghold. Throughout their
journey, characters may reach up to level 40, made possible with
a raised experience cap of 8 million points, quite possibly the
highest level ever achieved by characters in any Advanced Dungeons
& Dragons computer game."
The expansion
pack is expected to ship this summer.
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News Link
of the Day - Hundred Acre Wood Comes to Virtual Life
According to The Bergen Record:
"A daily
smackeral of sweetness and charm: That, in Pooh-speak, sums up
"The Book of Pooh."
A brand-new showcase for the storied cuddle toy, this live-action
series is as lovable as its hero, as lush and inviting as the
Hundred Acre Wood... It's like a giant animation stage..."
Click
here for the full story.
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