Multi-Touch Screen Demo at TED 2007

Jeff Han demonstrates the latest iteration of his multi-touch screen technology on an eight-foot-long display wall at TED 2007.

(Via David Pogue.)

Animax Awards Goes Pan-Asian

Animax Awards

If you’re in East or Southeast Asia, and you want your crazy anime script idea realized by the animators of Fullmetal Alchemist, read on.

Always dreamt of creating a blockbuster animation like Howl’s Moving Castle or Death Note that will take the world by storm? Dream no more! You now have a rare and golden opportunity to tell the world a story you have longed to be made into an animation, and possibly join the ranks of iconic animators like Hayao Miyazaki and Osamu Tezuka.

Animax, the leading youth channel for the latest and hottest anime, has launched its debut pan-Asia scriptwriting competition, Animax Awards, for both amateurs and established artists to showcase their work and ‘break out’ on the international stage!

Animax Awards has been staged in Japan for five consecutive years since 2002, and has become a prestigious competition where the grand prize is coveted by many in the industry. For the very first time, Animax Awards is expanding its scope across Asia to call for talents to the animation industry.

The extension of the competition only means good news for aspiring animators beyond Japan. Animax Awards is now open to applicants from seven regions across Asia. The regions are Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Philippines and South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand). Top entries from each region will enter the Finals where the grand prize winner will have his or her entry developed into an original production by a top Japanese animation studio!

Now keen animators have the chance to tell the stories they have been waiting to share with the world. Going on the theme, “A Story I Wish to be Animated”, contestants are free to create scripts that may be in script, novel or comic format for a 30-minute short film. They also have the option of incorporating original characters created by Animax into the scripts to form unique and creative works of art.

The winner of this year’s Animax Awards will not only take home JP¥ 2 million (approximately US$18,000), but will bag the golden opportunity to have his or her winning entry developed into an original production by leading Japanese animation studio, A-1 Pictures of Aniplex (famous work like Full Metal Alchemist) and broadcast Asia-wide on the Animax network. Finalists from each region will also be awarded with US$2,000 prize money.

Each region will have home-grown talents – people who are passionately and professionally connected to the creative world of animation, film and design - judge the script entries from their region. These illustrious judges have been selected as they are recognized leaders in their respective fields.

Representing the Philippines are three well-known innovators in their field – Quark Henares, film director at the forefront of the new Filipino cinema scene and famous for his 2006 fantasy flick Super Noypi; Grace Dimaranan, the President of the Philippines Animation Council; and Lenil Francis Yu, a Filipino comic artist who has worked on famous Marvel comic titles like Wolverine, X-Men and Fantastic Four.

From there, top entries from each region entering the Finals will be judged by creative professionals from Japan, including renowned sci-fi and adventure writer Baku Yumemakura.

Animax is calling for all keen contestants to submit their original script for a 30-minute short film, from now to May 31, 2007. Visit www.animaxawards.com for more information on how to participate and to find out more about Animax’s original characters.

First Cartoon Network’s SnapToons, and now the Animax Awards. Good to see both American and Japanese animation houses tap the growing base of global otaku creativity.

Perhaps Danny Choo would like to submit a script for Mirai Suenaga. Better yet, how about Alodia Gosiengfiao make a comic starring, well, herself (Think Cosplay Complex.).

(Via Grace Dimaranan.)

Let Dinosaurs Die Deluded

You’re a dinosaur and people like watching you die.

Joey Alarilla proposes a great way to deal with dinosaurs: let them die in their delusions. I agree: at least they’ll die happy.

So let the dinosaurs make believe they still rule the earth, while you, the one who matters most, the one that relic Time magazine declared Person of the Year in 2006, blog away; create your own videos and upload them; nurture thriving communities; and express your opinions online. And drive another nail in the coffin of those who refuse to change.

You know the truth, the truth that those clinging to their privileged positions are still trying to deny. The power no longer resides with the rich and powerful of Old Media.

It is back where it truly belongs, where it has aways belonged. In the people. In you.

Of course, sometimes you don’t want a dinosaur to die happy. Sometimes you just want to violently slaughter it.

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