IndependentFilm.com

TORONTO, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Alias(R) announced today that its Maya(R) software has been chosen as the chief 3D animation technology at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore. The animation studio, which opened today, is gearing up to produce digital animated content - including films and television for global audiences. The choice of Maya not only gives the company access to world-leading 3D modeling, animation and visual effects technology, it assists them in drawing top animation talent to their facility.

When Lucasfilm decision-makers - such as Chief Technology Officer, Cliff Plumer - began the process of determining the new facility's animation infrastructure, their goal was to find robust products that could handle the demanding requirements of feature film and television production. Says Plumer: "We needed a 3D solution with a proven track record and solid user base. We were also looking for the software that would give our animators the greatest possible amount of creative flexibility. Maya was the obvious choice."

One of the first projects the new facility plans to tackle using Maya software is a fully-animated television series, based on the Star Wars(R) universe. As the core animation software at the facility, Maya will be used for all of the modeling and character animation in each episode.

Attracting the World's Best Animators

In addition to the technical benefits that Maya brings to projects, the software's ability to attract top animation talent was another key selling feature for Lucasfilm. Rob Coleman, animation and development director at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore commented: "One of the benefits of choosing Maya is the enormous talent base using the software. It is wonderful to know that we can find Maya animators and technical directors in the United States, Canada, Singapore, and the rest of the world. Maya is highly regarded in the world-wide animation community; so, between the draw of the software and the appeal of the Lucasfilm name, we've already been able to attract some top talent."

Lucasfilm Animation Singapore will be continuing to recruit experienced Maya artists in the coming months.

Alias and Lucasfilm

Alias software has been helping Lucasfilm Ltd. to create digital content for blockbuster projects since 1989 when their renowned California-based special effects division, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) was working on The Abyss. Other notable Lucasfilm projects that have been fueled by Alias technology include Terminator II: Judgment Day, Jurassic Park(R), The Mask, Perfect Storm, Pearl Harbor and Star Wars Episodes: I, II and III.

Maya is used by all of the Lucasfilm divisions creating digital visual content: Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, ILM, and LucasArts - the company's electronic games division.

About Maya

Maya is the world's most popular professional 3D modeling, animation and rendering solution. Film and video artists, game developers, multimedia (print and web) artists, design visualization professionals, and 3D enthusiasts use Maya to create engaging, lifelike digital images; realistic animation; and extraordinary visual effects. On March 1, 2003, for the awards year 2002, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded Alias|Wavefront(TM) an Oscar(R) for scientific and technical achievement for the development of Maya software, the professional 3D animation and effects package. Not only has the software merited its own Academy award, it has also assisted in the creation of numerous Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning films including: Spider-Man(R) I and II; Ryan; The Incredibles; Star Wars Episodes I and II, and all of the films in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings(R) series.

About Alias

As the world's leading innovator of 3D graphics technology, Alias develops software for the film and video, games, web, interactive media, industrial design, automotive, architecture and visualization markets. Alias has headquarters in Toronto and a custom development center in Santa Barbara with offices worldwide. Please visit the Alias web site at http://www.alias.com.

About Lucasfilm Animation

Lucasfilm Animation Singapore was established in 2004. It is part of Lucasfilm Ltd., one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual effects and audio post-production; LucasArts, a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems and PC; and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses.

(C) Copyright 2005. Alias Systems Corp. All Rights Reserved. Alias, the
swirl logo and Maya are registered trademarks and the Maya logo is a
trademark of Alias Systems Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries. Star Wars is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. Lord
of the Rings is a registered trademark of the Saul Zaentz Company,
the DBA Tolkien Enterprises Corporation. Spider-Man is a registered
trademark of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. Jurassic Park is a
registered trademark of Amblin' Entertainment, Inc. Oscar and Academy
Award are registered trademarks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property
of their respective owners.

Source: Alias