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| New York Times' Bestselling Author/Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds Widens Mission to Rescue the "Creatively Challenged" with New Animation-ish Software Program Innovative Animation Program Developed by US/Canadian Partners FableVision & Toon Boom Designed to Unlock Creativity in Kids and "Grown-Up Kids" BOSTON, MA - May 2008 - Boston-based educational media developer FableVision and Montreal-based Toon Boom have announced the launch of Animation-ish, an innovative software program that allows people of all ages to unleash their creativity through easy, "do-it-yourself" animation. The program is hosted by New York Times bestselling children's book author/illustrator and creativity advocate Peter H. Reynolds. The PC/Mac software application brings to life the "ish" concept that Reynolds popularized in his bestselling books The Dot and Ish, published by Candlewick Press, which are now printed in over twenty languages around the world. Reynolds uses his playful, low-stress approach to coach children and adults to think "ishfully" about their art and be braver about expressing their creativity and originality. "Too many people say, 'I can't draw' - but I constantly remind kids and adults that their creations don't have to be perfect, they just have to be 'perfect-ish,' which is where the name 'Animation-ish' came from," says Reynolds. To help users overcome their possible reluctance towards drawing, Reynolds personally guides users through the program with dozens of video clips featuring drawing tips, and samples of his own artwork. FableVision's Executive Vice-President Gary Goldberger, Director of Production & Technology on Animation-ish, notes, "It's a bit ironic that Animation-ish was built using the most sophisticated, professional animation tools available, thanks to our amazing partners at Toon Boom Animation, to make something so simple even a grown up can use it." Goldberger adds, "The key to our development approach is what we call 'deliberate simplicity'." Engineered by Toon Boom Animation's code development team, Animation-ish's developmentally leveled, three-tiered system is designed to help even the most novice artist create and share finished animations in just minutes. "Working with FableVision on Animation-ish was fantastic, combining our expertise in developing easy-to-use animation technology with their inspirational approach and creative philosophy," stated Joan Vogelesang, President and Chief Executive Officer at Toon Boom. "Its potential to inspire parents, kids, educators, and businesspeople is enormous." Running on Mac and PC, Animation-ish is offered in two versions: retail and educational. The price for the retail version of Animation-ish is $59.95 for a single copy, available at http://www.animationish.com. The Educational version that includes a printed Classroom Edition User's Guide is offered at $59.95 for a single user, $499.95 for a 10-computer license, or $999.95 for a 25-computer license, available at http://www.fablevision.com/animationish. The launch of an online social networking community connecting Animation-ish users, as well as plans for an annual animation festival, are also under way for 2008. FableVision (www.fablevision.com) creates and distributes positive media and software for learning and cause-related organizations. Co-located at the Boston Children's Museum in Boston, the West Coast and London, the FableVision team enjoys an international reputation for its unique brand of innovative, technology-delivered storytelling and learning. Among its K-12 software products are Animation-ish, Stationery Studio, and Get A Clue, designed to promote creativity, self-expression, and essential 21st century skills. Developed for learners of all types, BrainCogs, Essay Express, and SmartMoves have been recognized as being particularly effective for students with learning differences. FableVision also creates media and interactives with key players on the education landscape, including PBS Kids, Maryland Public Television, MIT Education Arcade, Sesame Workshop, Scholastic, KCET, Carnegie Hall, National Academy of Sciences, WGBH, Random House, Simon & Schuster, Pearson Education, the Girl Scouts USA, the Research Institute for Learning and Development, Boston University and the Jim Henson Company. About Toon Boom Animation Inc. Toon Boom Animation Inc. is the worldwide leader in animation software solutions. Toon Boom carries user-friendly animation applications for all and develops new geographies to make the animation community as global as can be. In that market segment, Toon Boom caters to the needs of children, home users, creative professionals as well as students, educators and schools. As importantly, Toon Boom is fully dedicated to the needs of independent animators and studios, offering a wide product range from powerful pre-production tools to leading-edge animation production solutions. Relying on its extensive expertise in animation production, Toon Boom provides consulting services in the fields of optimization, pipeline integration, production assistance and custom development. In 2005, Toon Boom was granted the Primetime Emmy® Engineering Award by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for its significant contribution made to the animation industry targeted for television. In 2006, the IT Federation of Quebec (FIQ) awarded an OCTAS 2006 in the Multimedia - educational and cultural sector category, for Toon Boom Studio. In 2007, FIQ awarded an OCTAS 2007 in the Technological Innovation category, for Toon Boom Storyboard Pro. Toon Boom's client base ranges from major studios creating Hollywood blockbuster animated films to individual animators creating their first masterpieces. Market-leading studios using Toon Boom's products include Nelvana, Warner Bros., Mercury Filmworks, China Central Television, Toonz Animation India, eMation, Rough Draft Korea, Alphanim, Cosgrove Hall, Cromosoma and Enarmonia, to name a few. Some of the prestigious productions done with Toon Boom's technology include Les Triplettes de Belleville, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, The Rugrats, SpongeBob The Movie, Curious George, Go West: A New Lucky Luke Adventure and Simpsons The Movie. About Peter H. Reynolds Author/Illustrator, inspirational speaker and educational technology pioneer Peter H. Reynolds (www.peterhreynolds.com) founded FableVision in 1996 to create media, storytelling and technology to help ALL learners navigate their full potential. With countless awards to his name, Reynolds is also a globally recognized children's book author/illustrator whose bestselling "stories for all ages" include The Dot, Ish, Judy Moody, So Few of Me and the storybook Someday, which he illustrated, spent four months at number one on the 2007 New York Times Bestseller Children's List and was chosen at Amazon's #1 Best Picture Book of 2007 based on customer orders. FableVision,
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Additional FableVision Helps Autism Community With New Book & DVD FableVision Continues to Expand Boston-Based Studio With Key Additions to Executive Creative Team Innovative Education Publishers Join Forces to Form the Constructivist Consortium FableVision CEO Peter H. Reynolds Receives Honorary Doctorate Ninth Annual North Star Children's Ramble Set for Sunday, April 29th Boston Serves Up Artful Twist to National EntrepreneurshipWeekUSA Initiative FableVision's Peter H. Reynolds Lands on NY Times Best Seller List Educational Media Producer & Publisher FableVision Moves Headquarters to Boston Children’s Museum FableVision’s Online Vocabulary Program Get A Clue® Expands with Powerful Distribution Alliance FableVision’s Stationery Studio® Lands in the Apple Cart FableVision's Essay Express Lands American Library Association Notable Computer Software Honors FableVision's Boston Development Group Continues Expansion FableVision Launches West Coast Office Verizon Awards Grant for North Star Musical Stage Production FableVision Announces "Make Your Mark" Professional Development Series FableVision Announces Acquisition of GET A CLUE The Dot Film Wins Prestigious 2005 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence
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