Delgo in action. © 2002 Fathom Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Delgo — A Hero's Journey
Marc F. Adler, Producer/Executive Producer, and Jason F. Maurer, Director, Co-Writer
Fathom Studios

Marc F. Adler: Delgo is largely the result of the right people coming together at the right time with the right technology. We've spent a decade honing our skills and processes in animation with broadcast and commercial work. We've pulled together talent from around the globe from varying disciplines. And, we've developed software uniquely catered to our needs.

Most importantly, Jason and I have worked with our writer, Scott Biear, to create a unique fantasy epic story that will engage the imaginations of young and old audiences alike. In addition, we've teamed with industry insiders for strategic counsel and have recruited a strong ensemble cast. It's as much a daily education as it is an adventure.

Jason F. Maurer: Delgo is a fully-financed feature produced for theatrical release. By putting together our own funding and maintaining our independence, we've enjoyed many creative freedoms and it shows in the story and look of our film. Throughout the process, the Fathom Studios team works closely together, each person touching many aspects of the production and not limiting their talents to one area.

We are creating this feature using Maya and Deep Paint 3D. Because collaboration is key for a project like this, we've created newsgroups for animation, reference, story, music (for the composer), tips and tricks and the major one, Digital Dailies, which we've opened up to the public via our Website, www.delgo.com. Using the newsgroups, everyone on staff can post an image or a movie of their work and get instant feedback from others, with the added bonus of the feedback being documented for later reference. This gives us the liberty to be anywhere at anytime and see what is happening with the film.

MFA: It's been a goal of mine to make a feature film since I was a teenager. I had planned to attempt it much earlier in my career, but was sidetracked by other opportunities and, instead, formed an interactive agency called Macquarium Intelligent Communications, which today focuses on business solutions employing Internet, CD-ROM/DVD and wireless technologies. However, I never lost sight of my filmmaking goals and one fateful day in 1996 when viewing a CG animation test produced by Jason, who was then the head of our broadcast group (later to be named Fathom Studios), the idea for our CG fantasy epic was born.

© 2002 Fathom Studios. All Rights Reserved.

JFM: We came up with a general concept and plot points and conducted anthropological and sociology research to ensure the world we created was as logical as it was fantastical. Our art directors, Mark Jackson and Jang Chol Lee, began designing the world: the characters, creatures, structures, flora and fauna, etc. Scott Biear and I wrote the script while the Fathom team spent many months developing a ninety second proof-of-concept, which we took to Hollywood for industry feedback. The reaction was positive, so Marc gave us a green light to expand our staff while he put our financing in place. We hired additional talent and started pre-production. Fathom Studios and Macquarium Intelligent Communications are based in Atlanta, Georgia.

MFA: We knew we wanted to tell an epic, action-packed fantasy adventure through computer animation and agreed that it should also provide strong moral virtues, so we developed an original story about a world's struggle for unity. We've spent years refining the script and the look of the characters and environments and today are in the process of final animation. While Jason is working on completing the film, I have been exploring ancillary channels to expand Delgo's reach. We are all very excited to see the fruits of our labor on the silver screen.

JFM: Marc is a high-tech business leader with many successes under his belt. He is known as the guy to call when you need things done — particularly anything that merges creativity and technology. Years ago, before we embarked on the making of this film, Marc pulled together financing from a number of investors who believe in the project. It is with this funding and company earnings from past projects that we are able to bring Delgo to life.

MFA: I'm reluctant to reveal our marketing and distribution strategy in advance of our execution, however, I can tell you we've developed a strong following via our Website and the Digital Dailies, which enable our fans to follow the making of Delgo as it happens. Whether a fan is an industry professional, student, parent or child, we want them to be able to be a part of every facet of Delgo's production.

To aid us in achieving our goals for the Delgo project, we are employing many outside resources including a diverse cast composed of some of Hollywood's most respected and beloved actors, remarkable, multi-platinum musicians from different genres creating original works for the soundtrack, and Macquarium, which is working on the next iteration of the Delgo site and interactive components of the DVD and CD-ROM. In addition, we are exploring book and comic deals as well as videogames and other ancillary products tied to the film.