Your Animation Art Could Be Our Cover!

Reel-Exchange.com and Digital Content Producer magazine are teaming up to promote Student Animators at Siggraph 2008 in Los Angeles, August 12-14—and you and your work could be the cover of the July ‘08 Digtial Content Producer issue!

If you think your animation, CG, VFX, or Game art is up to the task follow these guidelines for submission: Click here for all of the info

LA JOLLA, CA – High‐end cartoon effects for video are no longer the exclusive domain of Hollywood big boys thanks to video special effects creator NewBlue, Inc. Now anyone using leading desktop video software can take advantage of this free plugin download to “toonup” live‐action video with NewBlue Cartoonr, the company’s fast, easy and free way to give scenes a cartoon look. Users seeking effects for Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Liquid, Adobe After Effects, Avid Media Composer, Avid Xpress Pro, Canopus Edius, Pinnacle Studio and Ulead VideoStudio can download this free video effects plugin at http://www.newbluefx.com/cartoonr. more

World’s Stock Imagery Sales Leader Will Offer Industry’s Easiest Way to Purchase all Types of Multimedia Under One Account

CALGARY, Alberta, May 14, 2008 –Today, iStockphoto, the company that revolutionized the stock photography market by offering images online for prices as low as $1, announced it will add royalty-free audio tracks to its collection of downloadable stock content in September 2008. In so doing, iStockphoto will become the first company to offer stock imagery, video footage, vector illustrations, Flash files and audio for purchase under one payment model, on one convenient site. more

IRVINE, CALIF.—With members of the automotive press corps standing by in eager anticipation, Nissan revealed its all-new 2009 Maxima at the New York Auto Show in spectacular fashion. A 40-foot wide high definition video screen lit up with dramatic views of the car muscling through pristine all-black and all-white environments. Punchy graphics proclaimed its dual nature: “powerful” yet “sophisticated,” “exhilarating” yet “elegant.” “The 4-door sports car” it said, “lives.” more

Yamaha Corporation of America has updated their famed 01V96V2 and 02R96V2 Digital Mixing Consoles. While there is no change in the retail price, the new 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models retain the powerful V2 features and add a host of powerful VCM effects pre-installed.

Previously available as “add-on” effect packages for top-line digital consoles, Yamaha’s highly regarded VCM Channel Strip processors and REV-X reverb are now standard features on the 01V96VCM. These extraordinary effects are based on innovative Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology that actually models the original analog circuitry — right down to the last resistor and capacitor. VCM effects are capable of capturing subtleties that simple digital simulations cannot even approach, going beyond simple simulation and delivering the truly musical performance that makes classic analog gear invaluable even in today’s digital production environment. more

New Facility’s Services Include Stereoscopic DI and Post for Features and TV

BURBANK (May 12, 2008)—Responding to Hollywood’s growing demand for 3D production and post-production, Stereoscope has opened its doors to serve the creative community. Equipped with the new version of Quantel’s Pablo 4K color grading system, which can handle real-time stereoscopic post-production, the studio has been designed from the ground up to provide a full range of stereo3D digital content services, from development through distribution. more

So very much happening with Wes Plate and Automatic Duck; a busy production schedule and a busy travel schedule are keeping Wes, well, very busy. Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on with the Duck:

Pro Import FCP 2.04

Pro Import FCP 2.04 is now available for download from our website at http://www.automaticduck.com/support/updates/ more

Today, Blackmagic Design announced that it is the proud recipient of five awards at the recent National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) 2008 electronic media show. This is the fourth consecutive year that Blackmagic Design has been being recognized by post-production, broadcast users and the media for important innovation in video technology. more

Free for existing Final Effects Complete 5.0 customers a new point release that includes; Blur Dissolve, Lens Wipe, Spherize Wipe, Griddler Wipe, Pin Wipe, Slant Wipe, and Rain Wipe

Marlborough, Ma – May 7 2008 - Boris FX, the leading developer of integrated effects technology for video and film, today announced that Final Effects Complete 5.0.1 for FxPlug (FEC 5 FxPlug) and Final Effects Complete 5.0.1 for AE (FEC 5 AE) are now available as free updates for FEC 5.0 customers. The 5.0.1 updates add seven new transitions as well as provide important improvements to the existing 108 FEC transitions. more

ERLANGER, KY, May 7, 2008—The latest video scaler added to TVOne-task’s inventory is the 1T-VS-626. It can accept audio embedded in the incoming HDMI signal or from the separate Toslink or analog stereo inputs. The HDMI output can then be scaled to the same or a different resolution. Output audio is simultaneously present embedded in the HMDI signal and separately as Toslink and analog stereo providing maximum flexibility for systems integration. more