Universal/Amblimation Toonz in to Softimage

Montreal-based Softimage has sold its Creative Toonz cel animation system to Universal/Amblimation.

The deal includes the sale of Softimage’s flagship product, Creative Environment 3D software, and Eddie and Eddie Paint systems.

Amblimation’s first project using its new Canadian animation systems is Balto, currently in production in London, Eng.

Creative Toonz software incorporates many of the features of traditional cel animation while automating the time-consuming and costly steps of inking, compositing and special effects production.

According to Bill Perkins, Creative Toonz product manager, the system sports several new features designed to make it ‘more intuitive for traditional animators.’

The new input module recognizes non-standard paper formats while the new xsheet feature allows users to easily edit and refine work, add special effects, set and control camera stand movements, and refine layer interaction. The information-load capability of the system’s Production Manager module has also been expanded, says Perkins.

Max-imum impact

Paragon International is now representing worldwide television rights from cpi for the imax feature film, Rolling Stones – At the Max. The film is being made available immediately to correspond with the rock band’s imminent tour. Paragon president Isme Bennie says there is serious interest in Canada, but nothing has been finalized. ‘The options are wide open,’ she says, ‘with anything from pay-per-view to a straight television sale.’

Also at Paragon, Laura Polley has been promoted to vice-president of corporate affairs from her previous position of director of business affairs.

Pencil in a new

name for Crayon

Crayon Animation, a wholly-owned division of Cinar Films, Montreal, has changed its name to Cinar Animation. The company has relocated to new offices at 1055, boul. Rene Levesque, est, Suite 700, Montreal.

He’s on a mission

Alan Clark, head of CBC Sports, has been named chair of a joint CBC/ Radio-Canada committee charged with preparing coverage for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Exotica sold to Miramax

Atom Egoyan’s Cannes winner, Exotica, has been sold to Miramax Films for American release. The deal is not part of Alliance Communications’ five-year contract with the New York-based distributor whereby Alliance will release 50 Miramax titles in Canada and Miramax will release five Alliance titles.

Miller is CCA president

Jan Miller, executive director of the National Screen Institute – Canada, has been elected president of the Canadian Conference of the Arts.

Miller, who is entering her third year as executive director of nsi, was one of the original forces behind the creation of the institute and the Local Heroes International Screen Festival. She was also a founding member of Edmonton’s local film co-op, the Film and Video Arts Society, and was president of the local ACTRA board for three years.

YTV names Armstrong

Liz Armstrong has taken a contract position as media relations co-ordinator at YTV. Armstrong, formerly promotions manager of Marketing Magazine, takes over for Ruth Dyer who moved to Atlantis Communications as unit publicity manager.

Newswatchers

Lynn Desjardins will anchor Late Newswatch, the CBC Montreal 11 p.m. weekday regional newscast, beginning this fall.

And Paul Carvalho, a senior reporter with Newswatch, has been named winner of the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship Award.

Apple Box moves

Apple Box Productions, Toronto, has picked a new home. As of Aug. 1, its address will be 54A Scollard St., Toronto, Ont. M5R 1E9. Phone and fax are the same, with phone (416) 966-2488 and fax (416) 966-9551.

And congratulations to exec producer Barbara Griffin who is getting married and changing her name to Barbara Griffin Walker.

Magnetic rep

Catching up with Magnetic Enterprises, it has added sales rep Peter Campbell to its staff. Campbell will sell the strengths of Enterprises’ four individual divisions – Magnetics North, South and Music and Master’s Workshop – ‘while presenting a combined package of services’ offered through the combined talents at the various divisions.