C.O.R.E. Feature Animation-- the newly launched division of C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures -- will deploy BlueArc Corp.'s leading Titan SiliconServer on its first computer-animated feature, THE WILD, a joint project with Disney and San Francisco-based Hoytyboy. As a result, C.O.R.E. Feature Animation is using more than 50 terabytes of storage across three Titan systems to save valuable rendering time and simplify storage management, allowing quicker delivery.
Directed by Steve "Spaz" Williams, who also helmed the Blockbuster Video spot with the two lovable hamsters, Carl and Ray, and penned by Ed Decter and John Strauss (THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY), THE WILD follows a teenage lion that hails from the New York Zoo, which turns zany when the animals are all alone. It's scheduled for a summer 2005 release.
C.O.R.E.'s rendering process of each movie frame requires hundreds of processors to access large image files concurrently in order to generate the required colors, textures, lighting and shading, placing tremendous demands on the storage network infrastructure. C.O.R.E.'s render farm of more than 1,000 central processing units (CPUs), each pulling in excess of 500 megabytes per frame of artist-driven content, was too intense for traditional network storage to manage. Following a multi-vendor evaluation, BlueArc's Titan proved itself the only network storage system capable of handling C.O.R.E.'s massive data needs.
"In a deadline-driven industry like feature animation, down-time can mean the difference between a project's success or failure," said Tom Burns, director of technology for C.O.R.E. Feature Animation. "Titan was by far the best storage solution we tested and the only one that could handle the throughput demands associated with the rendering process. Without its unwavering ability to perform under pressure, C.O.R.E. would have been forced to completely redesign our storage infrastructure, which would have meant additional time and money we couldn't afford."
The throughput capabilities of Titan enable C.O.R.E. Feature Animation to render an entire frame of animation rather than adding complexity to the process by splitting each individual animation frame into component parts simpler to render. Titan's throughput speeds and reduced latency eliminate render failures, allowing C.O.R.E. to stay on schedule saving time and resources.
"By leveraging BlueArc's proven experience in delivering reliable and scalable storage solutions to the animation and postproduction industries, C.O.R.E. Feature Animation can focus its efforts on creating a superior digitally animated film," said Geoff Barrall, evp/cto for BlueArc. "We are confident that the cost and time savings experienced using Titan will prove to be a valuable asset to C.O.R.E. Feature Animation and its customers both now and in the future."
BlueArc's Titan allows a single file system to grow up to 256 terabytes and delivers throughput of up to 20 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) - providing the best performance and return on investment in the storage industry, according to the company. BlueArc's unique SiliconServer architecture allows customers to scale a single Titan far beyond any other product available today, adapting to changing application or capacity needs, simplifying management, accelerating productivity and protecting long-term investment.
BlueArc Corp. (www.bluearc.com) changes the economics of network storage by helping customers manage more information with less effort. BlueArc's SiliconServer storage systems enable organizations to maximize performance and reduce operating costs through the movement of software functions into programmable hardware. Since 1998, BlueArc has provided scalable and reliable products, services and solutions to help enterprises achieve unmatched productivity and profitability from their data. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, California, with U.K. operations based in Bracknell, England.
In the spring of 1994, Bob Munroe, John Mariella, Kyle Menzies and actor, director and writer William Shatner founded C.O.R.E., a Toronto-based company and leading creator of digital vfx and animation for feature film and television. Almost a decade later, C.O.R.E. has successfully built three divisions with a staff of more than 400 people: C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures, C.O.R.E. Toons and C.O.R.E. Feature Animation. Over the years, with the underlying philosophy that a studio designed by artists for artists fosters the best creative environment, C.O.R.E. has produced award-winning work for more than 55 features, 24 TV series and 24 MOWs.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
