IDW Publishing has announced the launch of IDW Limited, a new division that will specialize in producing high-end, collectible editions of their wide catalog of books. Catering to the loyal and committed fans that have helped make IDW a success, IDW Limited books will feature unique elements like original sketches and creator signatures on luxuriously designed packaging not available anywhere else.

These top-of-the-line rarities will aim to enhance and expand existing books, providing beautiful reading and collecting experiences fans will be proud to display on their shelves.The first book offered from IDW Limited will be the four-issue collection of IDW’s best-selling new series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1, Change Is Constant.

The Deluxe Limited Edition will be released in three tiers, each with extremely low quantities available exclusively through the IDW limited website, IDWLimited.com. Fans can expect original signatures from TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, series artist Dan Duncan, and series writer Tom Waltz, as well as unique sketch art from Dan Duncan packaged with each book in a specially hand-constructed, deluxe case.

“This edition of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1: Change Is Constant is nothing short of spectacular,” said Kevin Eastman, co-creator of TMNT. “The Turtles have been presented in a variety of formats over the years, but this book is truly a prized collector’s item for Turtle fans.”

IDW Limited books are offered in multiple tiers so that fans can select the degree of collectability that is important to them. Each print run is hand-numbered and strictly limited. All three tiers include a signature plate signed by the book’s creators. In addition to signatures, collectors can expect the following:

• Red Label Edition is limited to 175 copies, features a custom cover, is housed in a limited edition slipcase and paired with an artist’s portfolio containing a unique, spot-color sketch of one of the Ninja Turtles done by series artist Dan Duncan.
• Black Label Edition is limited to 25 copies featuring the IDW Limited custom cover and is housed in a hand-built traycase, along with an artist’s portfolio containing a multi-color illustration of two classic TMNT characters by series artist Dan Duncan.
• Blue Label Edition, the rarest tier being offered, is limited to only 10 copies. For this special version, series artist Dan Duncan will be creating full-color illustrations of the entire Turtle team in action. Each book is packaged with the IDW Limited cover inside a hand-built tray case.

According to Jerry Bennington, IDW Limited’s Director, “We wanted to give fans a top-of-the-line creative experience with the books they love in a truly special format.” He went on to add, “These rare editions will not only be special and limited in quantity, they’ll also include unique content found nowhere else. This may be the only way most fans could ever hope to own a signature, sketch or illustration from one of their favorite artists or creators.”

In addition to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, fans can also expect a complete line of limited edition books and merchandise of their favorite titles including Transformers, G.I. Joe, Alan Robert’s Crawl To Me and menton3’s Monocyte this fall, and many more to follow.

Fans are encouraged to visit http://www.idwlimited.com/ to sign up for their free newsletter

to receive updates and learn more about the company and its top selling books.

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Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and NASA will explore cutting-edge film techniques and virtual voyages using animation on Tuesday, July 10, at 7:30 PM at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Hosted by five-time Oscar-nominated producer Frank Marshall, “Capturing the Final Frontier” will feature film clips and conversations with such filmmakers as Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar and leading NASA animators and scientists. This list of prominent names in the field of film and science include Eric De Jong, Principal Investigator of the Solar System Visualization Project; Bobbie Faye Ferguson, The Director of Multimedia at the Department of Homeland Security and former NASA Public Affairs Multimedia Manager; Tom Jacobson, Producer of “Mission to Mars;” Dave Lavery, NASA Program Executive of Solar System Exploration; Dan Maas, the Art and Technical Leader of “Roving Mars;” Lisa Malone, Director of Public Affairs at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center; Toni Myers, the Director of “Hubble 3D;” Dr. Frank Summers, an Astrophysicist for the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute; and Bert Ulrich, Liason for the Multimedia Film and TV Collaborations at NASA’s Headquarters.

Presented by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council, the event will take a journey through the space program’s breakthroughs in animation with NASA “Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s” Eric De Jong, who began his career creating Voyager animations. The evening features a look at Mars rover Curiosity graphics in anticipation of its landing on the Red Planet in August 2012.

NASA animators and image specialists regularly take these visual concepts a step further by joining forces with Hollywood filmmakers to create new wonders for the big screen.”Capturing the Final Frontier” will examine some of these collaborations, exploring the documentary films “Hubble 3D” (2010) and “Roving Mars” (2006) along with feature films “Mission to Mars” (2000) and the Oscar-nominated “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (2011).

Tickets for “Capturing the Final Frontier” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID, and may be purchased online at www.oscars.org, in person at the Academy box office, or by mail.

Image Courtesy of  Scott Beale

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California, U.S.A - Universal Studios Hollywood debuts The Making Of “Transformers: The Ride—3D,” a 30-minute must-watch television special with spotlights, vignettes and never-before-seen commentary from the masterminds of Michael Bay, award-winning filmmaker and Creative Consultant on the “Transformers: The Ride—3D” attraction; Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Oscar Award winning visionary special effects luminaries; and the inspired theme park ride technology experts at Universal Creative.

Based on the electrifying Transformers blockbuster movie franchise and celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and ingenious special effects, “Transformers: The Ride—3D” will break new ground in the world of theme park attractions, stretching the medium’s potential as a powerfully engaging storytelling vehicle.

In the Transformers movies, Earth’s humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between alien robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons that morph into a variety of common objects, from cars, trucks and planes, to weapons and other technological machinery.

As “Transformers: The Ride—3D” is designed to completely immerse guests in the 3D-HD action-packed world of TRANSFORMERS, The Making Of “Transformers: The Ride—3D” television special will reveal the back story that propelled director Michael Bay, ILM, Hasbro Inc. and Universal Creative to push their synergistic talents above-and-beyond to ultimately deliver Universal Studios Hollywood’s new technologically advanced motion-based, flight simulator thrill ride.

The half-hour “Making Of” special invites viewers into a start-to-finish insider’s journey on the creative development of “Transformers: The Ride—3D.” Opening scenes cue viewers up for Bay’s first appearance in the special, “I had a great experience helping to make this ride.  This movie is totally meant to be a ride experience.”

Succeeding episodes in the made-for-television program follow with one-on-one interview spotlights with leading creative visionaries at ILM and Universal Creative. Dedicated fans of the global film franchise will be rewarded with split-screen visuals featuring the film’s original voice talent including Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime, heroic leader of the Autobots; and Frank Welker as the voice of Megatron, leader of the menacing Decepticons. Cullen and Welker provide engaging commentary on their experiences in developing these iconic voiceover roles.

“It was essential for us to work with the authentic voice actors that created the Transformers characters. The fans will really appreciate that,” said Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President of Universal Creative.

An added bonus to the “Making Of” invites viewers to witness the introduction and evolution of Autobot EVAC, a one-time action figure and animated character never before included in the Transformers film storyline. Viewers will learn firsthand EVAC’s role as the central Autobot of the “Transformers: The Ride—3D” experience.

Fans of the blockbuster Transformers trilogy can tune-in to watch The Making Of “Transformers: The Ride—3D.” Program dates and times as follows:

• KNBC Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 7:00 – 7:30pm
• KNTV San Francisco, Saturday, May 19, 6:30 – 7:00pm
• KNSD San Diego, Sunday, May 27, 3:30 – 4:00pm

“Transformers: The Ride—3D” opens Friday, May 25, 2012, with early park entrance for Memorial Day Weekend beginning Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28. Gates will open at 7:30am for early access to “Transformers: The Ride—3D” and the world-famous Studio Tour.

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Picking up the story twenty-one years later, IDW Publishing, in association with Hasbro, is pleased to announce Transformers: Regeneration One, an all-new monthly series continuing from the original Generation One Transformers comics.

IDW will kick off the event by offering fans a free Transformers: Regeneration One #80.5 for Free Comic Book Day, May 5, 2012, as a Gold Sponsorship comic—then continue with Transformers: Regeneration One #81 in July.

Writer Simon Furman and legendary Transformers artist Andrew Wildman are back to their original roots with all-new stories, beginning with the free Transformers: Regeneration One #80.5. Starting after 1991’s Transformers #80 comic epic conclusion, the free issue picks up as Optimus Prime watches over a Cybertron that hasn’t faced Megatron for decades. But that peace shudders to an end and dives headlong into July’s new series. “The original Transformers saga is back—with a vengeance!” exclaimed Furman, “‘epic’ doesn’t cover it!”

Transformers: Regeneration One #81 comic will feature many fan-favorite Generation One Transformers characters including Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Kup, Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus and more. “Its always nice to complete unfinished business, even after 20 years,” said Wildman. Artist Stephen Baskerville, the original inker on the classic issues, joins Wildman on interiors as inker, as Wildman also provides eye-catching covers.

“Transformers: Regeneration One comic is an important book to Transformers fans,” IDW Senior Editor John Barber commented, “and expectations are high. Fortunately Simon, Andrew, and Stephen have only gotten better since the last issue!”

Transformers: Regeneration One #80.5 (Free, 32 pages; full color) will be available on May 5, 2012 as part of Free Comic Book Day.

Transformers: Regeneration One #81 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in July 2012.

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Universal Studios Hollywood prepares for battle with the debut of an innovative, national 30-second commercial for its exciting, new motion-based thrill ride, “Transformers: The Ride-3D,” debuting May 2012. The spot, which airs on February 5 during NBC’s Super Bowl Pre-Game coverage, will also introduce PrepareForBattle.com, an interactive website designed to engage fans with exclusive intel as the campaign’s momentum escalates.

The evocative spot marks Universal Studios Hollywood’s inaugural consumer awareness effort for its marketing campaign launching “Transformers: The Ride-3D.” When NBC’s Super Bowl game coverage once again transcends sports to captivate the nation, Universal Studios Hollywood’s spot will capture consumer imagination as the movie-based theme park sets the stage for its epic new ride, envisioned to completely and uniquely revolutionize the next generation of immersive themed rides.

The spot will culminate with a call to action, challenging viewers to enlist at PrepareForBattle.com as N.E.S.T. volunteers within an elite Autobot–human combat force. The PrepareForBattle.com website includes an interactive, online game in which fans and theme park enthusiasts will compete to rise up the military ranks by successfully completing missions involving exclusive videos, downloads and trivia.

Players achieving the highest accumulated point totals will win prizes including original Transformers collectibles and a grand prize trip to experience “Transformers: The Ride–3D” at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Larry Kurzweil, President, Universal Studios Hollywood said, “We’re very excited to introduce our new breakthrough advertising campaign for ‘Transformers: The Ride-3D’ during the coveted Super Bowl and to be a part of the edge-of-your-seat suspense surrounding these spots for millions of viewers. In just thirty thrilling seconds, we’ll be able to capture how exhilarating this mega-attraction will be when it officially opens at Universal Studios Hollywood this May.”

“Transformers: The Ride–3D” is based on the iconic brand from Hasbro and electrifying film franchise, directed by Michael Bay, and celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and amazing special effects. The most recent movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon has become the fourth largest grossing movie of all time at the global box office.

The thrill ride will tell a new “Transformers” story using original, photo-realistic 3D-HD media, sophisticated special effects masterminded by Industrial Light & Magic, and one of the most elaborate roaming flight simulator ride systems ever created.

Fusing high-tech elements with an epic new “Transformers” tale, “Transformers: The Ride–3D” will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s most ambitious ride ever created and will set a new standard in the world of theme park attractions, stretching the medium’s potential as an immersive and powerful storytelling vehicle.

In the “Transformers” movies, Earth’s humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between alien robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons that physically convert from common mechanical devices, such as cars, trucks and planes to robotic warriors. ”Transformers: The Ride–3D” is being created under a license between Universal Parks & Resorts and Hasbro.

The ride’s pioneering photo realistic 3D media is being created by multiple Oscar -winning Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilms, the ground-breaking visionary special effects company behind such acclaimed films as “Transformers” “Avatar,” “Iron Man” and “Star Wars.”

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie

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The new Transformers movie just came out and everyone is wondering who will be better as Shia Labeouf’s love interest? Megan Fox or Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington? Megan Fox was recently let go from the Transformers movie after a confrontation with director Micheal Bay. According to Megan Fox, it was her decision not to return for the third movie, which to some is hard to believe. The Transformers movie not only made her career, but also helped her gain more opportunities as an actress instead of a model. Both Megan Fox and Rosie Huntington are not known for the acting abilities, but for they’re beauty. Therefore will Rosie Hunington surprise everyone and top Megan Fox’s performance in Transformers 1 and 2?

Shia Labeouf said the third movie will be the best one out of them all. Is this because of Rosie Huntington? Micheal Bay stated that Megan Fox was not one of the easiest people to work with on set and she showed that after comparing the producer to Hitler. He also stated that it makes sense for Shia Labeouf’s character to have a new love interest anyway so why Rosie Huntington? First, there is no doubt that she will fulfill the sexy persona while running away from robots. Also, she is nothing but excited to work with Micheal Bay.

Recently, at the MTV music awards 2011, Rosie Huntington was interviewed on her relationship with the director. She went on to say she loves his humor and his work ethic, much like her own. Rosie is defiantly giving hollywood a run for her money. Micheal Bay and all of the costars all stated that she is a great actress and that she is making the new love interest between herself and Shia Labeouf very much real. She also stated that to be an actress in this type of a movie, you have to be one of the guys. This is suprising coming from a Victoria’ Secrets Angel. She is known as the tomboy out of all of the angels and she is not afraid to come out of her comfort zone. Going from a model to an actress can be difficult, especially when the movie is as action packed as Transformers. Even Victoria Secret Inc. knows she will not fail to disappoint  any Transformers’ fans. After getting the part, Victoria Secret released a congratulations video. The 90 second video can be found on the Victoria’s Secret fan page. The video is a series of pictures and video clips of the model on the runway, and on photoshoots with explosions and fire in the background to give it that “Transformers Feel.”

It is hard to say whether America will judge Rosie’s performance in the new movie based on her looks or her talent. Megan Fox was never hyped up to be a great actress, especially after Jennifer’s Body premiere. To say the least, being a Victoria Secrets Angel is nothing but easy, so Rosie Huntington should be perfect for the role. I must say, it is a little weird watching the Transformers 3 trailer with a new model as Shia Labeouf’s love interest but it is hard to tell whether she pulled it off without seeing the movie. So, America will just have to go see the movie to make the decision whether or not Rosie Huntington will be the next great thing in Hollywood.

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Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon is rolling out in theatres on June 29, 2011, but will it live up to the hype? The first Transformers movie was an enormous hit. Even people who do not like Michael Bay’s blow’em up action style had a pretty enjoyable time watching the first movie. It was clear and had a straightforward story that had nice, subtle comedic tones to it. The following movie did well in the box office, but did not have the story to back up the numbers. Recycling the plot with the Allspark and lacking depth in the characters led to many people feeling angry and unsatisfied when coming out of the theatre. With two Transformers movies finished, and with polarizing outcomes for both, the third and final film will be the wild card of the three.

Michael Bay has had his fair share of criticisms. Some say he is all explosions and no talk. Some say he cuts shots too quickly. No matter what the criticisms he receives, he sticks by his style. Complete with robot monstrosities, big explosions, and a beautiful damsel in distress, it feels like a Michael Bay flick. So, if you hated the last two Transformers, or any other Michael Bay movie, then this movie is not for you.

Speaking of damsels in distress the movie franchise has a new romantic interest replacing Megan Fox. Playing the new female lead is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a Victorian Secret’s model turned actor. This is her first movie she has acted in, and it seems like a gamble. Will she have the necessary expertise or feel for acting in movies? In an interview with Access Hollywood, Huntington-Whiteley said she did not know much about Transformers, but Shia LaBeouf had held her hand  through the whole process, answering her various acting and transformer questions.

With the rise of 3D movies, Paramount/DreamWorks wanted Transformers to jump on the bandwagon. Although, Bay believes that 3D movies are gimmicks, he reluctantly agreed. He shot the majority of the movie on James Cameron’s 3D camera (the PACE) on the set of Transformers 3. This is a marvelous thing for 3D fans. When shot on a 3D camera, the images have a better quality to them than when converted to 3D during post-production. This is mainly because when converting to 3D in post-production, it is harder to get a visual for the left eye. So there is a picture for your right eye, but not for your left. Doing this is difficult, so the image quality usually suffers. Shooting with the PACE is an excellent camera to capture 3D. In fact, it is the same camera that James Cameron used to shoot Avatar, so the 3D images will look phenomenal on the big screen.

With many people bashing Micheal Bay’s film style and the risk with having a rookie film actor, Transformers 3 raises a lot of questions. The movie seems to be walking a very fine line between landing flat on its face or its feet. The pros and the cons seem to balance each other out. Having a rookie film actor on set can be a challenge, but with a veteran on set like Shia LaBoeuf helping Huntington-Whiteley every step of the way it may turn out well. This goes for the visuals as well. Even with Bay’s over the top explosions and effects, the 3D will look extremely crisp if done right. What it comes down to is that the movie will have exciting energy and enticing effects, but will the story be powerful enough to pluck the audience’s heartstrings?

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