AMD announced that the digital backbone of the new Lucasfilm Animation Singapore digital animation center is powered by AMD64 processor technology. The Singapore facility is Lucasfilm Ltd.s first animation studio in Asia and complements its new Letterman Digital Arts Center at the Presidio in San Francisco.
All facilities rely on AMD64 processors for their artists workstations and mission-critical render farms. Both facilities are designed to produce state-of-the-art digital animated content for movies, television programs and games for global audiences. Asian cinema and animation has had a profound effect on the work of George Lucas. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore hopes to blend animation styles of east and west to offer audiences something never seen before. Integrating our new Singapore and San Francisco facilities into one virtual studio and handling the massive amounts of data we push around our network every day is an unprecedented feat in our industry and requires the best technology available, said Cliff Plumer, cto for Lucasfilm.
Building on top of AMD64 processors was an easy decision because they are the only processors to meet our strict needs. AMD64s cutting edge 32-bit performance for our existing software, simple 64-bit upgrade path, low power consumption, world class reliability and scalability and clear roadmap to next-generation performance with dual core technology are must-haves to continue our steep trajectory up the visual effects innovation curve.
The power of AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture in the hands of digital artists at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore increases efficiencies in the production pipeline while raising the quality level of finished work. One artist can now perform multiple tasks that in the past would have required six to a dozen artists. We look for vendors like AMD who thrive on challenges, who like to be innovative and who like to push the technology envelope, continued Plumer. AMD has been right there beside us pushing the technology to create things that havent been seen before by our audiences.
As the processor innovator setting new standards, its extremely important for AMD to work with the very best like Lucasfilm, the company that revolutionized the visual effects industry, said Charlie Boswell, director of Digital Media and Ent. at AMD. With AMD64 technology, Lucasfilm and its IT department led by Cliff Plumer have created possibly the most sophisticated collaborative IT environment in the world. With the availability of AMD64 technology as close as your local PC retailer, its exciting to know that next-generation artists have access to the same AMD64 technology the top pros are using.
AMD (www.amd.com) designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries.
Lucasfilm Animation Singapore was established in August 2004. Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the worlds 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 productions, the companys global businesses include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound; LucasArts; Lucas Licensing; Lucasfilm Animation and Lucas Online. Lucasfilms feature films have won 19 Oscars and its television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
