diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/cast/builder/SpritePanel.java b/src/java/com/threerings/cast/builder/SpritePanel.java
index eb4fa6a64..f3383804f 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/cast/builder/SpritePanel.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/cast/builder/SpritePanel.java
@@ -1,14 +1,24 @@
 //
-// $Id: SpritePanel.java,v 1.9 2002/01/08 22:16:58 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: SpritePanel.java,v 1.10 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.cast.builder;
 
-import java.awt.*;
+import java.awt.Color;
+import java.awt.Dimension;
+import java.awt.Graphics;
+import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
 
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.*;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimatedPanel;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimationManager;
+import com.threerings.media.sprite.Sprite;
+import com.threerings.media.sprite.SpriteManager;
 
 import com.threerings.cast.Log;
-import com.threerings.cast.*;
+import com.threerings.cast.CharacterDescriptor;
+import com.threerings.cast.CharacterManager;
+import com.threerings.cast.CharacterSprite;
+import com.threerings.cast.StandardActions;
 
 /**
  * The sprite panel displays a character sprite centered in the panel
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimatedPanel.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimatedPanel.java
similarity index 74%
rename from src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimatedPanel.java
rename to src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimatedPanel.java
index 307d93624..47b98a7c3 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimatedPanel.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimatedPanel.java
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 //
-// $Id: AnimatedPanel.java,v 1.6 2002/01/08 22:16:58 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: AnimatedPanel.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
 
-package com.threerings.media.sprite;
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
 
 import java.awt.AWTException;
 import java.awt.BufferCapabilities;
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import java.awt.Rectangle;
 
 import java.awt.image.BufferStrategy;
 
+import java.util.List;
+
 import com.threerings.media.Log;
 
 /**
@@ -36,12 +38,14 @@ public class AnimatedPanel extends Canvas implements AnimatedView
     // documentation inherited
     public void paint (Graphics g)
     {
+        // Log.info("AnimatedPanel paint");
         update(g);
     }
 
     // documentation inherited
     public void update (Graphics g)
     {
+        // Log.info("AnimatedPanel update");
         paintImmediately();
     }
 
@@ -56,7 +60,7 @@ public class AnimatedPanel extends Canvas implements AnimatedView
     }
 
     // documentation inherited
-    public void invalidateRects (DirtyRectList rects)
+    public void invalidateRects (List rects)
     {
         // nothing for now
     }
@@ -97,13 +101,27 @@ public class AnimatedPanel extends Canvas implements AnimatedView
         _strategy.show();
     }
 
+    // documentation inherited
     public void createBufferStrategy (int numBuffers)
     {
-        // for now, always use un-accelerated blitting.  page-flipping
-        // seems to result in artifacts in certain conditions, and the
-        // buffer strategy's volatile images are irretrievably lost when
-        // the panel is hidden.
+        // explicitly avoid trying to create a page-flipping strategy, as
+        // page-flipping seems to result in artifacts in certain
+        // conditions, and the buffer strategy's volatile images are
+        // irretrievably lost when the panel is hidden.
+
+        // try an accelerated blitting strategy
         BufferCapabilities bufferCaps = new BufferCapabilities(
+            new ImageCapabilities(true), new ImageCapabilities(true), null);
+        try {
+            createBufferStrategy(numBuffers, bufferCaps);
+            Log.info("Created accelerated blitting strategy.");
+            return;
+        } catch (AWTException e) {
+            // failed, fall through to the next potential strategy
+        }
+
+        // try an un-accelerated blitting strategy
+        bufferCaps = new BufferCapabilities(
             new ImageCapabilities(false), new ImageCapabilities(false), null);
         try {
             createBufferStrategy(numBuffers, bufferCaps);
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimatedView.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimatedView.java
similarity index 85%
rename from src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimatedView.java
rename to src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimatedView.java
index 210f2d163..71adb6445 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimatedView.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimatedView.java
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 //
-// $Id: AnimatedView.java,v 1.6 2002/01/08 22:16:58 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: AnimatedView.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
 
-package com.threerings.media.sprite;
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
 
 import java.awt.Rectangle;
-import javax.swing.JComponent;
+import java.util.List;
 
 /**
  * A view that wishes to interact with the animation manager needs to
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public interface AnimatedView
      *
      * @param rects the list of {@link java.awt.Rectangle} objects.
      */
-    public void invalidateRects (DirtyRectList rects);
+    public void invalidateRects (List rects);
 
     /**
      * Invalidates a rectangle in screen pixel coordinates in the scene
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/Animation.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/Animation.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2458f50bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/Animation.java
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+//
+// $Id: Animation.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+
+import com.threerings.media.Log;
+
+/**
+ * The animation class is an abstract class that should be extended to
+ * provide animation functionality for use with the {@link
+ * AnimationManager} and an {@link AnimatedView}.
+ */
+public abstract class Animation
+{
+    /**
+     * Constructs an animation.
+     *
+     * @param bounds the animation rendering bounds.
+     */
+    public Animation (Rectangle bounds)
+    {
+        _bounds = bounds;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Called by the {@link AnimationManager} to allow the animation to
+     * render itself to the given graphics context.
+     */
+    public abstract void paint (Graphics2D gfx);
+
+    /**
+     * Called periodically by the {@link AnimationManager} to give the
+     * animation a chance to do its thing.
+     */
+    public abstract void tick (long timestamp);
+
+    /**
+     * Invalidates the animation's bounds for later re-rendering by the
+     * {@link AnimationManager}.
+     */
+    public void invalidate ()
+    {
+        _animmgr.addDirtyRect(_bounds);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns whether the animation has finished all of its business.
+     */
+    public boolean isFinished ()
+    {
+        return _finished;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Adds an animation observer to this animation's list of observers.
+     */
+    public void addAnimationObserver (AnimationObserver obs)
+    {
+	// create the observer list if it doesn't yet exist
+	if (_observers == null) {
+	    _observers = new ArrayList();
+	}
+
+	// make sure each observer observes only once
+	if (_observers.contains(obs)) {
+	    Log.info("Attempt to observe animation already observing " +
+		     "[anim=" + this + ", obs=" + obs + "].");
+	    return;
+	}
+
+	// add the observer
+	_observers.add(obs);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Notifies any animation observers that the given animation is
+     * finished.
+     */
+    public void notifyObservers (AnimationEvent e)
+    {
+        int size = (_observers == null) ? 0 : _observers.size();
+        for (int ii = 0; ii < size; ii++) {
+            ((AnimationObserver)_observers.get(ii)).handleEvent(e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Return a string representation of the animation.
+     */
+    public String toString ()
+    {
+        StringBuffer buf = new StringBuffer();
+        buf.append("[");
+	toString(buf);
+        return buf.append("]").toString();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * This should be overridden by derived classes (which should be sure
+     * to call <code>super.toString()</code>) to append the derived class
+     * specific animation information to the string buffer.
+     */
+    protected void toString (StringBuffer buf)
+    {
+        buf.append("bounds=").append(_bounds);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Called by the animation manager when an animation is added to said
+     * manager for management.
+     *
+     * @param animmgr the animation manager.
+     * @param view the animated view.
+     */
+    protected void setAnimationManager (AnimationManager animmgr)
+    {
+        _animmgr = animmgr;
+    }
+
+    /** Whether the animation is finished. */
+    protected boolean _finished = false;
+
+    /** The animation bounds. */
+    protected Rectangle _bounds;
+
+    /** The list of animation observers. */
+    protected ArrayList _observers;
+
+    /** The animation manager. */
+    protected AnimationManager _animmgr;
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationCompletedEvent.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationCompletedEvent.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..215ef52f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationCompletedEvent.java
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+//
+// $Id: AnimationCompletedEvent.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+/**
+ * An animation completed event is dispatched when an animation has
+ * completed all of its business.
+ */
+public class AnimationCompletedEvent extends AnimationEvent
+{
+    public AnimationCompletedEvent (Animation anim)
+    {
+        super(anim);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationEvent.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationEvent.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8f643460a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationEvent.java
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+//
+// $Id: AnimationEvent.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+/**
+ * An animation event is sent to all of an animation's observers whenever
+ * one of the various possible animation events takes place.
+ */
+public class AnimationEvent
+{
+    /**
+     * Create an animation event.
+     *
+     * @param animation the involved animation.
+     */
+    public AnimationEvent (Animation anim)
+    {
+	_anim = anim;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the animation involved in the event.
+     */
+    public Animation getAnimation ()
+    {
+	return _anim;
+    }
+
+    /** The animation associated with this event. */
+    protected Animation _anim;
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimationManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationManager.java
similarity index 52%
rename from src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimationManager.java
rename to src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationManager.java
index 9a75680a9..abd13c8e7 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/AnimationManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationManager.java
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 //
-// $Id: AnimationManager.java,v 1.21 2001/12/18 09:46:07 mdb Exp $
+// $Id: AnimationManager.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
 
-package com.threerings.media.sprite;
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
 
-import java.awt.Graphics;
 import javax.swing.JComponent;
 import javax.swing.SwingUtilities;
 import javax.swing.event.AncestorEvent;
@@ -13,6 +18,7 @@ import com.samskivert.util.Interval;
 import com.samskivert.util.IntervalManager;
 
 import com.threerings.media.Log;
+import com.threerings.media.sprite.SpriteManager;
 import com.threerings.media.util.PerformanceMonitor;
 import com.threerings.media.util.PerformanceObserver;
 
@@ -74,6 +80,64 @@ public class AnimationManager
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Adds a rectangle to the dirty rectangle list.  Note that the
+     * rectangle may be destructively modified by the animation manager at
+     * some later date.
+     *
+     * @param rect the rectangle to add.
+     */
+    public void addDirtyRect (Rectangle rect)
+    {
+        _dirty.add(rect);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Registers the given {@link Animation} with the animation manager
+     * for ticking and painting.
+     */
+    public void registerAnimation (Animation anim)
+    {
+        if (_anims.contains(anim)) {
+            Log.warning("Attempt to register animation more than once " +
+                        "[anim=" + anim + "].");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        anim.setAnimationManager(this);
+        _anims.add(anim);
+        // Log.info("Registered animation [anim=" + anim + "].");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Un-registers the given {@link Animation} from the animation
+     * manager.
+     */
+    public void unregisterAnimation (Animation anim)
+    {
+        // un-register the animation
+        if (!_anims.remove(anim)) {
+            Log.warning("Attempt to un-register animation that isn't " +
+                        "registered [anim=" + anim + "].");
+        }
+
+        // dirty the animation bounds
+        anim.invalidate();
+        // Log.info("Un-registered animation [anim=" + anim + "].");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Renders all registered animations to the given graphics context.
+     */
+    public void renderAnimations (Graphics2D gfx)
+    {
+        int size = _anims.size();
+        for (int ii = 0; ii < size; ii++) {
+            Animation anim = (Animation)_anims.get(ii);
+            anim.paint(gfx);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Called by our interval when we'd like to begin a tick.  Returns
      * whether we're already ticking, and notes that we've requested
@@ -130,10 +194,17 @@ public class AnimationManager
         long now = System.currentTimeMillis();
 
         // call tick on all sprites
-        _spritemgr.tick(now);
+        _spritemgr.tick(now, _dirty);
 
-        // invalidate screen-rects dirtied by sprites
-        DirtyRectList rects = _spritemgr.getDirtyRects();
+        // call tick on all animations
+        tickAnimations(now);
+
+        // perform a single pass merging overlapping rectangles.  note
+        // that this will also clear out the contents of our internal
+        // dirty rectangle list.
+        List rects = mergeDirtyRects(_dirty);
+
+        // invalidate screen-rects dirtied by sprites and/or animations
 	if (rects.size() > 0) {
 	    // pass the dirty-rects on to the scene view
 	    _view.invalidateRects(rects);
@@ -142,8 +213,11 @@ public class AnimationManager
             _view.paintImmediately();
 	}
 
+        // remove any finished animations
+        removeFinishedAnimations();
+
 	// update refresh-rate information
-	// PerformanceMonitor.tick(AnimationManager.this, "refresh");
+	PerformanceMonitor.tick(AnimationManager.this, "refresh");
 
         if (finishedTick()) {
             // finishedTick returning true means there's been a
@@ -154,6 +228,40 @@ public class AnimationManager
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Calls tick on all animations currently registered with the
+     * animation manager.
+     */
+    protected void tickAnimations (long timestamp)
+    {
+        int size = _anims.size();
+        for (int ii = 0; ii < size; ii++) {
+            ((Animation)_anims.get(ii)).tick(timestamp);
+//             if (anim.isFinished()) {
+//                 anim.notifyObservers(new AnimationWillCompleteEvent(anim));
+//             }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Removes any finished animations from the list of animations and
+     * notifies their respective animation observers, if any.
+     */
+    protected void removeFinishedAnimations ()
+    {
+        int size = _anims.size();
+        for (int ii = size - 1; ii >= 0; ii--) {
+            Animation anim = (Animation)_anims.get(ii);
+            if (anim.isFinished()) {
+                // let any animation observers know that we're done
+                anim.notifyObservers(new AnimationCompletedEvent(anim));
+                // un-register the animation
+                unregisterAnimation(anim);
+                Log.info("Removed finished animation [anim=" + anim + "].");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Queues up a tick on the AWT event handler thread, iff we are still
      * operating.
@@ -165,12 +273,51 @@ public class AnimationManager
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns a new list of dirty rectangles representing the given list
+     * with any intersecting rectangles merged.  The given list is
+     * destructively modified and cleared of all contents.
+     *
+     * @return the list of merged dirty rects.
+     */
+    protected List mergeDirtyRects (List rects)
+    {
+        ArrayList merged = new ArrayList();
+
+        while (rects.size() > 0) {
+            // pop the next rectangle from the dirty list
+            Rectangle mr = (Rectangle)rects.remove(0);
+
+            // merge in any overlapping rectangles
+            for (int ii = 0; ii < rects.size(); ii++) {
+                Rectangle r = (Rectangle)rects.get(ii);
+                if (mr.intersects(r)) {
+                    // remove the overlapping rectangle from the list
+                    rects.remove(ii--);
+                    // grow the merged dirty rectangle
+                    mr.add(r);
+                }
+            }
+
+            // add the merged rectangle to the list
+            merged.add(mr);
+        }
+
+        return merged;
+    }
+
     // documentation inherited
     public void checkpoint (String name, int ticks)
     {
         Log.info(name + " [ticks=" + ticks + "].");
     }
 
+    /** The list of animations. */
+    protected ArrayList _anims = new ArrayList();
+
+    /** The dirty rectangles. */
+    protected ArrayList _dirty = new ArrayList();
+
     /** The ticker runnable that we put on the AWT thread periodically. */
     protected Runnable _ticker;
 
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationObserver.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationObserver.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..069e8e3be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationObserver.java
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+//
+// $Id: AnimationObserver.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+/**
+ * An interface to be implemented by classes that would like to observe an
+ * {@link Animation} and be notified of interesting events relating to it.
+ */
+public interface AnimationObserver
+{
+    /**
+     * This method is called by the {@link AnimationManager} when
+     * something interesting involving the animation happens.
+     *
+     * @param event the animation event.
+     */
+    public void handleEvent (AnimationEvent event);
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/BobbleAnimation.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/BobbleAnimation.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5cb673123
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/BobbleAnimation.java
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+//
+// $Id: BobbleAnimation.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+import java.awt.Color;
+import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Image;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
+
+import com.threerings.media.Log;
+import com.threerings.media.util.RandomUtil;
+
+/**
+ * An animation that bobbles an image around within a specific horizontal
+ * and vertical pixel range for a given period of time.
+ */
+public class BobbleAnimation extends Animation
+{
+    /**
+     * Constructs a bobble animation.
+     *
+     * @param image the image to animate.
+     * @param sx the starting x-position.
+     * @param sy the starting y-position.
+     * @param rx the horizontal bobble range.
+     * @param ry the vertical bobble range.
+     * @param length the time to animate in milliseconds.
+     */
+    public BobbleAnimation (
+        Image image, int sx, int sy, int rx, int ry, int length)
+    {
+        super(new Rectangle(sx - rx, sy - ry, sx + image.getWidth(null) + rx,
+                            sy + image.getHeight(null) + ry));
+
+        // save things off
+        _image = image;
+        _sx = sx;
+        _sy = sy;
+        _rx = rx;
+        _ry = ry;
+
+        // calculate animation ending time
+        _end = System.currentTimeMillis() + length;
+
+        // calculate the dirty rectangle bounds
+        int wid = image.getWidth(null), hei = image.getHeight(null);
+        // _bounds = new Rectangle(sx - rx, sy - ry, sx + wid + rx, sy + hei + ry);
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    public void tick (long timestamp)
+    {
+        _finished = (timestamp >= _end);
+        invalidate();
+
+        // calculate the latest position
+        int dx = RandomUtil.getInt(_rx);
+        int dy = RandomUtil.getInt(_ry);
+        _x = (_sx + dx) * ((RandomUtil.getInt(2) == 0) ? -1 : 1);
+        _y = (_sy + dy) * ((RandomUtil.getInt(2) == 0) ? -1 : 1);
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    public void paint (Graphics2D gfx)
+    {
+        gfx.drawImage(_image, _x, _y, null);
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    protected void toString (StringBuffer buf)
+    {
+        super.toString(buf);
+
+        buf.append(", x=").append(_x);
+        buf.append(", y=").append(_y);
+        buf.append(", rx=").append(_rx);
+        buf.append(", ry=").append(_ry);
+        buf.append(", sx=").append(_sx);
+        buf.append(", sy=").append(_sy);
+    }
+
+    /** The current position of the image. */
+    protected int _x, _y;
+
+    /** The horizontal and vertical bobbling range. */
+    protected int _rx, _ry;
+
+    /** The starting position. */
+    protected int _sx, _sy;
+
+    /** The image to animate. */
+    protected Image _image;
+
+    /** The ending animation time. */
+    protected long _end;
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/ExplodeAnimation.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/ExplodeAnimation.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d72d0a12c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/ExplodeAnimation.java
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+//
+// $Id: ExplodeAnimation.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+import java.awt.Color;
+import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Image;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
+import java.awt.Shape;
+
+import com.threerings.media.Log;
+
+/**
+ * An animation that displays an image exploding into chunks.  The
+ * animation ends when all image chunks have exited the animation bounds.
+ */
+public class ExplodeAnimation extends Animation
+{
+    /**
+     * Constructs an explode animation.
+     *
+     * @param bounds the bounds within which to animate.
+     * @param image the image to animate.
+     * @param sx the starting x-position.
+     * @param sy the starting y-position.
+     * @param vel the initial chunk velocity.
+     */
+    public ExplodeAnimation (
+        Rectangle bounds, Image image, int sx, int sy, float vel)
+    {
+        super(bounds);
+
+        // save things off
+        _image = image;
+        _sx = sx;
+        _sy = sy;
+        _vel = vel;
+
+        // save the animation starting time
+        _start = System.currentTimeMillis();
+
+        // determine chunk dimensions
+        _cwid = image.getWidth(null) / X_CHUNK_COUNT;
+        _chei = image.getHeight(null) / Y_CHUNK_COUNT;
+
+        // initialize the chunk positions
+        int cx = sx + (image.getWidth(null) / 2);
+        int cy = sy + (image.getHeight(null) / 2);
+        int cpos = (cx << 16 | cy);
+        for (int ii = 0; ii < NUM_CHUNKS; ii++) {
+            int xpos = ii % X_CHUNK_COUNT;
+            int ypos = ii / X_CHUNK_COUNT;
+            _cpos[ii] = ((sx + xpos) << 16 | (sy + ypos));
+        }
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    public void tick (long timestamp)
+    {
+        // figure out the distance the chunks have travelled
+        long msecs = timestamp - _start;
+        int travpix = (int)(msecs * _vel);
+
+        // move all chunks and check whether any remain to be animated
+        int inside = 0;
+        for (int ii = 0; ii < NUM_CHUNKS; ii++) {
+            // retrieve the current chunk position
+            int x = _cpos[ii] >> 16;
+            int y = _cpos[ii] & 0xFFFF;
+
+            // determine the chunk movement direction
+            int xpos = ii % X_CHUNK_COUNT;
+            int ypos = ii / X_CHUNK_COUNT;
+            int mx, my;
+            switch (xpos) {
+            case 0: mx = -1; break;
+            case X_CHUNK_COUNT - 1: mx = 1; break;
+            default: mx = 0; break;
+            }
+            switch (ypos) {
+            case 0: my = -1; break;
+            case Y_CHUNK_COUNT - 1: my = 1; break;
+            default: my = 0;
+            }
+            // deal with the center point for odd dimensions
+            if (mx == 0 && my == 0) {
+                my = 1;
+            }
+
+            // update the chunk position
+            x = _sx + (travpix * mx);
+            y = _sy + (travpix * my);
+            _cpos[ii] = (x << 16 | y);
+
+            // note whether this chunk is still within our bounds
+            if (_bounds.contains(x, y)) {
+                inside++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        _finished = (inside == 0);
+        invalidate();
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    public void paint (Graphics2D gfx)
+    {
+        for (int ii = 0; ii < NUM_CHUNKS; ii++) {
+            // get the chunk location on-screen
+            int x = _cpos[ii] >> 16;
+            int y = _cpos[ii] & 0xFFFF;
+
+            // get the chunk position within the image
+            int xpos = ii % X_CHUNK_COUNT;
+            int ypos = ii / X_CHUNK_COUNT;
+
+            // calculate image chunk offset
+            int xoff = -(xpos * _cwid);
+            int yoff = -(ypos * _chei);
+
+            // draw the chunk
+            Shape oclip = gfx.getClip();
+            gfx.clipRect(x, y, _cwid, _chei);
+            gfx.drawImage(_image, x + xoff, y + yoff, null);
+            gfx.setClip(oclip);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    protected void toString (StringBuffer buf)
+    {
+        super.toString(buf);
+
+        buf.append(", sx=").append(_sx);
+        buf.append(", sy=").append(_sy);
+    }
+
+    /** The number of horizontal chunks from the image to animate. */
+    protected static final int X_CHUNK_COUNT = 3;
+
+    /** The number of vertical chunks from the image to animate. */
+    protected static final int Y_CHUNK_COUNT = 3;
+
+    /** The total number of chunks. */
+    protected static final int NUM_CHUNKS = X_CHUNK_COUNT * Y_CHUNK_COUNT;
+
+    /** The current position of each chunk. */
+    protected int[] _cpos = new int[NUM_CHUNKS];
+
+    /** The individual chunk dimensions in pixels. */
+    protected int _cwid, _chei;
+
+    /** The chunk velocity. */
+    protected float _vel;
+
+    /** The starting position. */
+    protected int _sx, _sy;
+
+    /** The image to animate. */
+    protected Image _image;
+
+    /** The starting animation time. */
+    protected long _start;
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/FadeAnimation.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/FadeAnimation.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..198b20361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/FadeAnimation.java
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+//
+// $Id: FadeAnimation.java,v 1.1 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+import java.awt.AlphaComposite;
+import java.awt.Color;
+import java.awt.Composite;
+import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Image;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
+
+import com.threerings.media.Log;
+
+/**
+ * An animation that displays an image fading from invisibility to full
+ * opacity, or vice-versa.  The animation is finished when the target
+ * opacity is reached.
+ */
+public class FadeAnimation extends Animation
+{
+    /**
+     * Constructs a fade animation.
+     *
+     * @param image the image to animate.
+     * @param x the image x-position.
+     * @param y the image y-position.
+     * @param alpha the starting alpha.
+     * @param step the alpha amount to step by each millisecond.
+     * @param target the target alpha level.
+     */
+    public FadeAnimation (
+        Image image, int x, int y, float alpha, float step, float target)
+    {
+        super(new Rectangle(x, y, image.getWidth(null), image.getHeight(null)));
+
+        // save things off
+        _image = image;
+        _x = x;
+        _y = y;
+        _startAlpha = _alpha = alpha;
+        _step = step;
+        _target = target;
+
+        // create the initial composite
+        _comp = AlphaComposite.getInstance(AlphaComposite.SRC_OVER, _alpha);
+
+        // save the animation starting time
+        _start = System.currentTimeMillis();
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    public void tick (long timestamp)
+    {
+        // figure out the current alpha
+        long msecs = timestamp - _start;
+        _alpha = Math.min(_startAlpha + (msecs * _step), 1.0f);
+        _comp = AlphaComposite.getInstance(AlphaComposite.SRC_OVER, _alpha);
+
+        // check whether we're done and dirty ourselves
+        _finished = ((_startAlpha < _target) ? (_alpha >= _target) :
+                     (_alpha <= _target));
+        invalidate();
+
+        // Log.info("Ticked fade [anim=" + this + "].");
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    public void paint (Graphics2D gfx)
+    {
+        Composite ocomp = gfx.getComposite();
+        if (_comp == null) {
+            Log.warning("Fade anim has null composite [anim=" + this + "].");
+        } else {
+            gfx.setComposite(_comp);
+        }
+        gfx.drawImage(_image, _x, _y, null);
+        gfx.setComposite(ocomp);
+    }
+
+    // documentation inherited
+    protected void toString (StringBuffer buf)
+    {
+        super.toString(buf);
+
+        buf.append(", x=").append(_x);
+        buf.append(", y=").append(_y);
+        buf.append(", alpha=").append(_alpha);
+        buf.append(", startAlpha=").append(_startAlpha);
+        buf.append(", step=").append(_step);
+        buf.append(", target=").append(_target);
+    }
+
+    /** The composite object used to render the image with desired opacity. */
+    protected Composite _comp;
+
+    /** The current alpha of the image. */
+    protected float _alpha;
+
+    /** The target alpha. */
+    protected float _target;
+
+    /** The alpha step per millisecond. */
+    protected float _step;
+
+    /** The starting alpha. */
+    protected float _startAlpha;
+
+    /** The image position. */
+    protected int _x, _y;
+
+    /** The image to animate. */
+    protected Image _image;
+
+    /** The starting animation time. */
+    protected long _start;
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/DirtyRectList.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/DirtyRectList.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 1e22a8445..000000000
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/DirtyRectList.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,41 +0,0 @@
-//
-// $Id: DirtyRectList.java,v 1.3 2001/12/16 08:05:20 mdb Exp $
-
-package com.threerings.media.sprite;
-
-import java.awt.Rectangle;
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-
-import com.samskivert.util.StringUtil;
-
-/**
- * The dirty rect list is used to maintain a list of dirty rectangles. It
- * differs from a plain old list only in that it provides a convenient
- * mechanism for appending a dirty rectangle to the list if and only if
- * that rectangle is not already on the list.
- */
-public class DirtyRectList extends ArrayList
-{
-    /**
-     * Appends the specified dirty rectangle to the list only if a
-     * rectangle of the same position and size is not already in the
-     * list.
-     *
-     * @return true if the rectangle were appended, false if she weren't.
-     * Har!
-     */
-    public boolean appendDirtyRect (Rectangle rect)
-    {
-        if (contains(rect)) {
-            return false;
-        } else {
-            add(rect);
-            return true;
-        }
-    }
-
-    public String toString ()
-    {
-        return StringUtil.toString(iterator());
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteManager.java
index e1cd1b511..1149b612d 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteManager.java
@@ -1,13 +1,23 @@
 //
-// $Id: SpriteManager.java,v 1.16 2001/10/25 01:40:26 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: SpriteManager.java,v 1.17 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.media.sprite;
 
-import java.awt.*;
-import java.util.*;
+import java.awt.Graphics;
+import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Polygon;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
+import java.awt.Shape;
+
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Comparator;
+import java.util.Iterator;
 import java.util.List;
 
+import com.samskivert.util.CollectionUtil;
 import com.samskivert.util.Tuple;
+
 import com.threerings.media.Log;
 
 /**
@@ -22,7 +32,7 @@ public class SpriteManager
     {
         _sprites = new ArrayList();
 	_notify = new ArrayList();
-        _dirty = new DirtyRectList();
+        _dirty = new ArrayList();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -89,39 +99,6 @@ public class SpriteManager
         sprite.setSpriteManager(null);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Return the list of dirty rects in screen pixel coordinates that
-     * have been created by any sprites since the last time the dirty
-     * rects were requested.
-     *
-     * @return the list of dirty rects.
-     */
-    public DirtyRectList getDirtyRects ()
-    {
-        DirtyRectList merged = new DirtyRectList();
-
-        while (_dirty.size() > 0) {
-            // pop the next rectangle from the dirty list
-            Rectangle mr = (Rectangle)_dirty.remove(0);
-
-            // merge in any overlapping rectangles
-            for (int ii = 0; ii < _dirty.size(); ii++) {
-                Rectangle r = (Rectangle)_dirty.get(ii);
-                if (mr.intersects(r)) {
-                    // remove the overlapping rectangle from the list
-                    _dirty.remove(ii--);
-                    // grow the merged dirty rectangle
-                    mr.add(r);
-                }
-            }
-
-            // add the merged rectangle to the list
-            merged.add(mr);
-        }
-
-        return merged;
-    }
-
     /**
      * Render the sprites residing within the given polygon to the given
      * graphics context.
@@ -163,7 +140,7 @@ public class SpriteManager
      * queue by the {@link AnimationManager}.  Handles moving about of
      * sprites and reporting of sprite collisions.
      */
-    public void tick (long timestamp)
+    public void tick (long timestamp, List rects)
     {
 	// tick all sprites
 	tickSprites(timestamp);
@@ -181,6 +158,13 @@ public class SpriteManager
 	// observers may take, such as sprite removal, won't screw us
 	// up elsewhere.
 	handleSpriteEvents();
+
+        // add all generated dirty rectangles to the passed-in dirty
+        // rectangle list
+        CollectionUtil.addAll(rects, _dirty.iterator());
+
+        // clear out our internal dirty rectangle list
+        _dirty.clear();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -312,7 +296,7 @@ public class SpriteManager
     protected ArrayList _sprites;
 
     /** The dirty rectangles created by sprites. */
-    protected DirtyRectList _dirty;
+    protected ArrayList _dirty;
 
     /** The list of pending sprite notifications. */
     protected ArrayList _notify;
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteObserver.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteObserver.java
index 658c9ef65..e2ca19895 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteObserver.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sprite/SpriteObserver.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: SpriteObserver.java,v 1.3 2001/09/13 19:36:20 mdb Exp $
+// $Id: SpriteObserver.java,v 1.4 2002/01/11 16:17:33 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.media.sprite;
 
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ public interface SpriteObserver
      * This method is called by the {@link SpriteManager} when something
      * interesting is accomplished by or happens to the sprite.
      *
-     * @param sprite the sprite involved.
      * @param event the sprite event.
      */
     public void handleEvent (SpriteEvent event);
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/IsoSceneView.java b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/IsoSceneView.java
index 153f31d28..5cfaef017 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/IsoSceneView.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/IsoSceneView.java
@@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
 //
-// $Id: IsoSceneView.java,v 1.82 2002/01/08 22:16:59 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: IsoSceneView.java,v 1.83 2002/01/11 16:17:34 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.miso.scene;
 
+import java.awt.BasicStroke;
 import java.awt.Color;
+import java.awt.Font;
+import java.awt.FontMetrics;
 import java.awt.Graphics;
 import java.awt.Graphics2D;
+import java.awt.Point;
 import java.awt.Polygon;
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
 import java.awt.Shape;
 import java.awt.Stroke;
-import java.awt.Rectangle;
-import java.awt.FontMetrics;
-import java.awt.Point;
-import java.awt.Font;
-import java.awt.BasicStroke;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Iterator;
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 
 import com.samskivert.util.HashIntMap;
 
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.DirtyRectList;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimationManager;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.Path;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.SpriteManager;
 
@@ -45,14 +45,19 @@ public class IsoSceneView implements SceneView
     /**
      * Constructs an iso scene view.
      *
+     * @param animmgr the animation manager.
      * @param spritemgr the sprite manager.
      * @param model the data model.
      */
-    public IsoSceneView (SpriteManager spritemgr, IsoSceneViewModel model)
+    public IsoSceneView (AnimationManager animmgr, SpriteManager spritemgr,
+                         IsoSceneViewModel model)
     {
+        // save off references
+        _animmgr = animmgr;
         _spritemgr = spritemgr;
-
         _model = model;
+
+        // give the model a chance to pre-calculate various things
         _model.precalculate();
 
         // create our polygon arrays and create polygons for each of the
@@ -106,6 +111,9 @@ public class IsoSceneView implements SceneView
         // render the scene to the graphics context
         renderScene(gfx);
 
+        // render any animations
+        _animmgr.renderAnimations(gfx);
+
         // draw frames of dirty tiles and rectangles
         // drawDirtyRegions(gfx);
 
@@ -366,7 +374,7 @@ public class IsoSceneView implements SceneView
     }
 
     // documentation inherited
-    public void invalidateRects (DirtyRectList rects)
+    public void invalidateRects (List rects)
     {
         int size = rects.size();
         for (int ii = 0; ii < size; ii++) {
@@ -625,4 +633,7 @@ public class IsoSceneView implements SceneView
 
     /** The sprite manager. */
     protected SpriteManager _spritemgr;
+
+    /** The animation manager. */
+    protected AnimationManager _animmgr;
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneView.java b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneView.java
index 4a4cb00ad..0877fa5a4 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneView.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneView.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: SceneView.java,v 1.21 2002/01/08 22:16:59 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: SceneView.java,v 1.22 2002/01/11 16:17:34 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.miso.scene;
 
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import java.awt.Point;
 import java.awt.Rectangle;
 import java.util.List;
 
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.DirtyRectList;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.Path;
 
 /**
@@ -24,7 +23,7 @@ public interface SceneView
      *
      * @param rects the list of {@link java.awt.Rectangle} objects.
      */
-    public void invalidateRects (DirtyRectList rects);
+    public void invalidateRects (List rects);
 
     /**
      * Invalidate a rectangle in screen pixel coordinates in the scene
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneViewPanel.java b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneViewPanel.java
index 7af40c56d..32ebfc11f 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneViewPanel.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneViewPanel.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: SceneViewPanel.java,v 1.22 2002/01/08 22:16:59 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: SceneViewPanel.java,v 1.23 2002/01/11 16:17:34 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.miso.scene;
 
@@ -7,10 +7,12 @@ import java.awt.Dimension;
 import java.awt.Graphics;
 import java.awt.Rectangle;
 
+import java.util.List;
+
 import com.samskivert.util.Config;
 
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.AnimatedPanel;
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.DirtyRectList;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimationManager;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimatedPanel;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.SpriteManager;
 import com.threerings.miso.util.MisoUtil;
 
@@ -27,6 +29,12 @@ public class SceneViewPanel extends AnimatedPanel
      */
     public SceneViewPanel (Config config, SpriteManager spritemgr)
     {
+        // save off references
+        _spritemgr = spritemgr;
+
+        // create an animation manager for this panel
+        _animmgr = new AnimationManager(_spritemgr, this);
+
         // create the data model for the scene view
         _viewmodel = new IsoSceneViewModel(config);
 
@@ -35,7 +43,7 @@ public class SceneViewPanel extends AnimatedPanel
         _viewmodel.addListener(this);
 
 	// create the scene view
-        _view = newSceneView(spritemgr, _viewmodel);
+        _view = newSceneView(_animmgr, spritemgr, _viewmodel);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -50,9 +58,9 @@ public class SceneViewPanel extends AnimatedPanel
      * Constructs the underlying scene view implementation.
      */
     protected IsoSceneView newSceneView (
-	SpriteManager smgr, IsoSceneViewModel model)
+	AnimationManager amgr, SpriteManager smgr, IsoSceneViewModel model)
     {
-        return new IsoSceneView(smgr, model);
+        return new IsoSceneView(amgr, smgr, model);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -78,7 +86,7 @@ public class SceneViewPanel extends AnimatedPanel
     }
 
     // documentation inherited
-    public void invalidateRects (DirtyRectList rects)
+    public void invalidateRects (List rects)
     {
         // pass the invalid rects on to our scene view
         _view.invalidateRects(rects);
@@ -113,4 +121,10 @@ public class SceneViewPanel extends AnimatedPanel
 
     /** The scene view we're managing. */
     protected SceneView _view;
+
+    /** A reference to the active sprite manager. */
+    protected SpriteManager _spritemgr;
+
+    /** A reference to the active animation manager. */
+    protected AnimationManager _animmgr;
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SwingSceneViewPanel.java b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SwingSceneViewPanel.java
index d92bbe7e4..a5dbff467 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SwingSceneViewPanel.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SwingSceneViewPanel.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: SwingSceneViewPanel.java,v 1.1 2002/01/08 22:19:29 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: SwingSceneViewPanel.java,v 1.2 2002/01/11 16:17:34 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.miso.scene;
 
@@ -10,11 +10,14 @@ import java.awt.Rectangle;
 
 import javax.swing.JComponent;
 
+import java.util.List;
+
 import com.samskivert.util.Config;
 
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.AnimatedPanel;
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.DirtyRectList;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimatedView;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimationManager;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.SpriteManager;
+
 import com.threerings.miso.util.MisoUtil;
 
 /**
@@ -30,7 +33,7 @@ import com.threerings.miso.util.MisoUtil;
  * do not depend on use of the animation manager to refresh the display.
  */
 public class SwingSceneViewPanel extends JComponent
-    implements IsoSceneViewModelListener
+    implements AnimatedView, IsoSceneViewModelListener
 {
     /**
      * Constructs the scene view panel.
@@ -44,8 +47,11 @@ public class SwingSceneViewPanel extends JComponent
         // the scene display has changed and needs must be repainted
         _viewmodel.addListener(this);
 
+        // create an animation manager for this panel
+        AnimationManager animmgr = new AnimationManager(spritemgr, this);
+
 	// create the scene view
-        _view = newSceneView(spritemgr, _viewmodel);
+        _view = newSceneView(animmgr, spritemgr, _viewmodel);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -60,9 +66,9 @@ public class SwingSceneViewPanel extends JComponent
      * Constructs the underlying scene view implementation.
      */
     protected IsoSceneView newSceneView (
-	SpriteManager smgr, IsoSceneViewModel model)
+	AnimationManager amgr, SpriteManager smgr, IsoSceneViewModel model)
     {
-        return new IsoSceneView(smgr, model);
+        return new IsoSceneView(amgr, smgr, model);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -89,7 +95,7 @@ public class SwingSceneViewPanel extends JComponent
     }
 
     // documentation inherited
-    public void invalidateRects (DirtyRectList rects)
+    public void invalidateRects (List rects)
     {
         // pass the invalid rects on to our scene view
         _view.invalidateRects(rects);
@@ -101,6 +107,12 @@ public class SwingSceneViewPanel extends JComponent
         _view.invalidateRect(rect);
     }
 
+    // documentation inherited
+    public void paintImmediately ()
+    {
+        repaint();
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns the desired size for the panel based on the requested
      * and calculated bounds of the scene view.
diff --git a/tests/src/java/com/threerings/miso/viewer/ViewerSceneViewPanel.java b/tests/src/java/com/threerings/miso/viewer/ViewerSceneViewPanel.java
index d8c903abf..5efffddec 100644
--- a/tests/src/java/com/threerings/miso/viewer/ViewerSceneViewPanel.java
+++ b/tests/src/java/com/threerings/miso/viewer/ViewerSceneViewPanel.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: ViewerSceneViewPanel.java,v 1.37 2002/01/08 22:16:59 shaper Exp $
+// $Id: ViewerSceneViewPanel.java,v 1.38 2002/01/11 16:17:34 shaper Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.miso.viewer;
 
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import com.threerings.cast.CharacterManager;
 import com.threerings.cast.ComponentRepository;
 import com.threerings.cast.util.CastUtil;
 
-import com.threerings.media.sprite.AnimationManager;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimationManager;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.LineSegmentPath;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.PathCompletedEvent;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.SpriteEvent;
@@ -45,9 +45,6 @@ public class ViewerSceneViewPanel extends SceneViewPanel
     {
 	super(ctx.getConfig(), spritemgr);
 
-        // create an animation manager for this panel
-        _animmgr = new AnimationManager(spritemgr, this);
-
         // create the character descriptors
         _descUser = CastUtil.getRandomDescriptor(crepo);
         _descDecoy = CastUtil.getRandomDescriptor(crepo);
@@ -213,9 +210,6 @@ public class ViewerSceneViewPanel extends SceneViewPanel
     /** The character descriptor for the decoy characters. */
     protected CharacterDescriptor _descDecoy;
 
-    /** The animation manager. */
-    protected AnimationManager _animmgr;
-
     /** The sprite we're manipulating within the view. */
     protected MisoCharacterSprite _sprite;