Buzz Hays has been appointed senior producer for Sony Pictures Imageworks recently formalized Imageworks 3-D stereoscopic pipeline. This pipeline is dedicated to the creation of three-dimensional stereoscopic versions of standard release films for the IMAX 3-D and Real D platforms.
Hays first projects are the 3-D stereoscopic adaptations for Columbia Pictures MONSTER HOUSE for Real D theaters and the first CG feature from Sony Pictures Animation, OPEN SEASON, in IMAX 3-D.
Throughout his career, Buzz has always been focused on delivering a premium entertainment experience for audiences, said Tim Sarnoff, president, Sony Pictures Imageworks. In the late 80s, he was responsible for THX engineering and installation which, from a sonic perspective, blew audiences away. Now, in his newly announced position, he is leading the Imageworks 3-D team to create an even more immersive movie-going experience for consumers.
Imageworks has always considered 3-D stereoscopic production an integral part of delivering something completely new and exciting to the audience. Its very exciting to join a company that is so dedicated to taking this platform to the next level, added Hays.
Before joining Imageworks, Hays worked for Radium, where he exec produced visual effects for numerous music videos and broadcast commercials worldwide. Prior to working at Radium, Hays was exec producer at yU+co, where he produced title sequences for films such as CATWOMAN, THE TERMINAL and THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK. Earlier, Hays co-founded TriBeCa Interactive with Robert De Niro. In 1993, Hays co-produced the independent film, SWIMMING WITH SHARKS.
Between 1987 and 1993, Hays served as director of engineering at Lucasfilm THX where he was responsible for all research and development efforts including the THX Sound System and Home THX. Hays also oversaw the design, construction and installation of more than 600 movie theaters and film dubbing stages worldwide.
Imageworks prior work in 3-D stereoscopic formats includes THE POLAR EXPRESS: AN IMAX 3-D EXPERIENCE, the highest grossing and most successful IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) release to date. With a gross of more than $60 million, it has become the first digitally re-mastered event film to reach this milestone.
Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc. (www.imageworks.com) is an Academy Award-winning, state-of-the-art digital production studio dedicated to the art of visual effects production and character animation. Imageworks production environment facilitates four diverse pipelines, including live-action visual effects and character work, Imagemotion performance capture, all-CG animation and Imageworks 3-D stereoscopic. The company has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Oscars for its work on SPIDER-MAN 2 and the CG-animated short film THE CHUBBCHUBBS!, as well as nominations for THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, SPIDER-MAN, HOLLOW MAN, STUART LITTLE and STARSHIP TROOPERS.
Current projects include SUPERMAN RETURNS, CLICK, MONSTER HOUSE (also in Imageworks 3-D), GHOST RIDER, SPIDER-MAN 3 and BEOWULF, as well as the first two features from Sony Pictures Animation: OPEN SEASON (also in IMAX 3-D) and SURFS UP!
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
