Alias and HP sponsor Watershed’s SE3D showcase

Alias has partnered with HP to support Watershed’s SE3D, a new and unique showcase that will encourage UK 3D animation talent to push the boundaries of contemporary animation through the use of cutting-edge technology.
The co-funded SE3D (pronounced ‘seed’) showcase represents a significant investment by Alias and HP Labs in the 3D animation market, and combines the latest technologies and experimental services from both companies. SE3D will investigate how multi-user utility computing services are set to improve the technology and economics of media production, and the potential to uncover new talent for the animation industry at large.
SE3D is offering ten groups of animators from across the UK free access to HP Labs’ experimental Maya Rendering Service to produce a 3D short. Participants will receive the use of Maya licenses, training and mentoring in advance of and during production, and take part in an eight-month educative programme of workshops and film festival events. UK Film funding agencies will provide financing for showcase participants.
With today’s emphasis on improved productivity and cost-effective workflow, utility computing enables animation companies to rent rendering services on-demand, paying only for what they use.
The HP Labs rendering service, developed by HP Labs in Bristol, UK, and Palo Alto, California, will allow SE3D participants to take full advantage of Maya’s sophisticated special effects and rendering capabilities, via the power of hundreds of processors at HP Labs’ utility data centre. Experienced Maya specialists from Alias will deliver technical support, and a team of researchers from HP Labs will manage the render farm throughout the programme.
The SE3D advisory group, which will also provide on-going mentoring, is chaired by David Sproxton of Aardman Animations Ltd and includes Steve Hinde of HP Labs, Andy Payne of Alias, Shelley Page of DreamWorks, Dick Penny of Watershed, Sarah Jane Meredith of South West Screen, Craig Howarth of 422 South and Toby Barnes of EM Media. The UK Film Council, Sgrin and S4C have all expressed strong interest in commissioning films.
“SE3D is a unique opportunity for the UK’s most talented animators to immerse themselves in creative technologies and cutting-edge services from world leading companies, with the additional benefit of expert guidance from professionals along the way,” said Mark Cass, Entertainment Business Manager at Alias UK. “For the animation community at large, SE3D will provide a fascinating insight into the future of animation production.”
The SE3D showcase will be publicly launched at Brief Encounters International Short Film Festival, Bristol, November 17 - 21 2004, and culminates in a series of public screenings at Animated Encounters, Bristol, in April 2005.
(GB)