– AstralTech 2-D animation expands

Demand for AstralTech’s computerized 2-D animation services is booming and the center expects to have 250 employees working on 60 workstations by the fall, says president Hubert Harel.

The $3-million center offers digital scanning servics, cel colorization and delivery in film and video formats, and other services previously farmed out to contactors in Asia.

The growth in business reflects the general increase in animation series work being done in Montreal and a decision by the Quebec government to phase out the production tax credit benefit for animation work done offshore. Astral estimates the colorizing market represents annual revenues of $7 million to $10 milion and AstralTech intends to promote the service nationally in the near future, says Harel.

The center uses US Animation software from Montreal’s Toon Boom Technologies.

-Features set for Ottawa

Two features are being prepped for summer startups in the Ottawa region, Soapy Films’ Two’s A Mob and Atkinson Entertainment’s Through Golden Fields, according to the latest news out of the Ottawa-Hull Film & Television Association.

Barry Atkinson will direct Through Golden Fields, a story of three escapees from a mental asylum, starting Aug. 1, with Cherylyn Brooks producing. Derek Diorio is slated to direct Two’s A Mob, a gangster spoof from producer Bruce Earland.

In other ohfta news, Floating Fools, the association’s 1st annual ‘Schmooze Cruise’ on the Ottawa River, takes place Friday, July 18.

-50 Lifers move to Cinevillage

Approximately 50 Life Network and hgtv (Home and Garden Television) employees will be moving into the new studios at Cinevillage in Toronto between Aug. 1 and Aug. 25.

The networks are currently building a production control room, an audio control room, a vtr equipment room and an editing suite – all in and around Studio e.

Shows that will be shooting at the new Cinevillage studios are Just Ask, Real Life With Erica Ehm, and two Life shows and one hgtv daily program still to be determined.

-PNA begins shooting two films in Toronto

The Producers Network Associates (PNA) will kick off its ’97-98 production slate with two films shooting concurrently in Toronto this summer. Shepherd begins shooting July 7 and Men of Means starts principal photography July 21.

Shepherd continues with PNA’s sci-fi/action adventure genre track record. Set in the 21st century, Shepherd is a science fiction action film about powerful religious cults fighting for control of the masses by employing assassins known as shepherds to protect their flocks. The film stars C. Thomas Howell, David Carradine and wrestling champ Roddy Piper.

Producer/director Peter Hayman will be making his feature film directorial debut on the picture.

The mobster flick Men of Means will star PNA veteran actor Michael Pare.