BILLERICA, Massachusetts (January 31, 2008) The Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN), a known authority in the field of hydrodynamics, has purchased four Broadcast Pix Slate 100 switchers through dealer, Burst Video, to augment their research programs and create a new digital video workflow within the research facility. The Slate 100 switchers replace analog legacy switchers in its main research facilities. more

ZOIC STUDIOS HELPS MAKE AMERICAN IDOL PROMO LARGER THAN LIFE

Los Angeles, CA – (January 30, 2008) — Fox recently tapped Zoic Studios and the company’s creative acumen to produce a high-energy promo for the pop culture phenomenon American Idol that seamlessly combines live action, stock footage and visual effects. With VFX Supervision by Zoic Studios Creative Director Andrew Orloff, “Big People” is a pure expression of American Idol, with larger-than-life competitors performing in the heart of various American locations, giving it their all from dawn to dusk. more

For the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA), ZONA Design, the New York-based, full service design agency, created the design, identity, event marketing, environmental graphics, print and signage for “POP 8 ½: La Dolce Vita,” the museum’s 5th annual fundraiser. The February 9th extravaganza, inspired by the genius of Italian Director Federico Fellini, will gather together 800 movers and shakers, patrons and the aficionados who make up the Miami art community. The evening’s proceeds will benefit MOCA’s Permanent Collection Acquisition Fund. more

Debut Project, “Choisir d’aimer,” Takes Prize at Festival of Angers

Paris: January 31, 2008 … Amazing Digital Studios, one of the top French digital postproduction facilities, has selected SpeedGrade DI as the finishing system for their 2K/4K pipeline. This is the first installation of IRIDAS’ high-end grading application in France. Following extensive in-house testing, Amazing Digital Studios threw a real challenge at SpeedGrade for its first project in December 2007. That project was the film “Choisir d’aimer,” by director Rachid Hami, which was awarded the Prix du Public at this month’s Festival of Angers. more

Iroquois, ON, Canada-January 31, 2008-The Legislative Yuan Republic of China has invested in Ross, purchasing a Synergy 2 MD Multi-Definition Digital Production Switcher. They will use the switcher to provide feeds from each discussion hall to TV stations wishing to broadcast the parliament meetings. more

Medialon Manager V4 Pro scored at the Opening Ceremony of the 13th World Soft Tennis Championship in Anseong, South Korea where it controlled sound, video and special effects in a three-minute multimedia show.

The six-day tournament, held last September, was hosted by the International Soft Tennis Federation, which welcomed players from 40 countries. Soft tennis is a fast-moving racquet sport, played in singles and doubles matches, primarily in Asia. It features a rubber ball, which is filled with air and is quite soft; but it can be hit extremely hard which makes for exciting game play. more

NEW YORK— Multi-disciplinary creative studio Thornberg & Forester has added Guillaume Alix to its growing roster of design and animation talent. Alix, 24 years old, resided in Paris before moving to New York last fall. His specialty is creating visual identities and animation, and has already earned a reputation as a talent to watch based on the print ads and spot work he has created for such premier international and European brands as L’Oreal and Galeries Lafayette. more

GLENDALE, CALIF.—Renegade Animation has tapped entertainment sales and marketing specialist Al DiNoble to head new business development. DiNoble, whose background includes senior marketing posts with Cynergy, Eastman Kodak’s Cinesite and MetroLight Studios, will seek to grow Renegade’s film and television business and create opportunities for it in new markets, including location-based entertainment and new media applications. He will also seek to develop third party business relationships for the production and distribution of original animated content. more

VENICE, CALIF.—Motion graphics design studio Fish Eggs (www.fisheggs.tv) has added Creative Director Jeffrey Pittle to its senior design team. Formerly with Las Vegas production studio Media Underground, Pittle will assist Executive Creative Director Chris Roe in overseeing design projects, supervising artists and designers, and making new business presentations.

Fish Eggs specializes in broadcast design, with its recent credits including the ABC series Duel and Dance War: Bruno vs Carrie Ann and NBC’s American Gladiators. more

Leicester, UK. –January 30, 2008. Cooke Optics Ltd., a premier manufacturer of precision lenses for the motion picture industry, noted that cinematographers recognized for creating some of 2007’s most lasting images used Cooke lenses to help them achieve their vision. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, American Gangster, and The Bourne Ultimatum — all recognized for multiple awards by the ASC, BAFTA, and AMPAS–were shot using Cooke S4 Prime lenses. more