Leading London-based post-production facility, Rushes, has placed a landmark order with Autodesk, as part of its multi-million pound expansion. The project includes the replacement of the facilitys entire visual effects kit with the latest state-of-the-art systems, as well as doubling its capacity for visual effects work.
Rushes is initially installing five new suites as well as upgrading its five existing ones. The mammoth project is due to be completed in April when the eight new Discreet Flame 2K visual effects systems and two new Discreet Smoke HD editing systems will be ready for use. Each Flame system is powered by 64-bit dual-core IBM workstations running the Linux operating system. The Smoke systems run on quad CPU SGI Tezros.
The new multi-purpose, fully HD-capable suites allow Rushes to house in one room multiple artists working on the same project. The rooms will include a mix of visual effects and CG tools, including Flame, Smoke, Combustion, Maya and Shake. This creates numerous advantages for Rushes, including greater communication and workflow, improved turnaround on large projects and increased efficiency, all of which means Rushes can offer the best service possible and the most cutting edge technology available. Integrated with Rushes telecine and 3D departments, the multi-purpose suites gives Rushes a better competitive edge.
Tim Wharton, technical director at Rushes, said: This is a fantastic investment for Rushes and a huge leap forward technically. The systems were now running are the best available and with 2006 being the year HD really makes a big impact on the U.K., were completely ready for any demands our clients may have.
Now that the Flame systems are running on Linux its fantastic because it means we are combining the most state-of-the-art hardware with the best commercials compositing software, he added. The Linux version also allows us to more easily integrate the Flame environment with our CG department. All the vfx and CG artists can hot desk using the Linux systems and we can run all of the Flames and CG software under one unified infrastructure. This will speed up our workflow and allow greater collaboration on large projects.
Rushes is one of the worlds leading visual effects and post-production houses, and has built a reputation for creativity and excellence from its start in 1977. Located in Soho, the heart of Londons film and television district with a talented staff of 80, many with international industry experience and uses the most comprehensive lineup of top-end post-production technology in London. Rushes places great emphasis on leading edge, working practices and is frequently first in Europe with new innovations.
Rushes (www.rushes.co.uk) organizes and runs the acclaimed Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival. It is a cool, creative and relaxed annual event where the work of both established filmmakers and newcomers is viewed and judged on a completely level platform. Over the past eight years, it has taken its place at the forefront of the international short film festival circuit, with free daily screenings of all short-listed films in bars, cafes and cinemas throughout the west end, concentrating on Soho, the center of the U.K.s filmmaking and creative industries It offers sold-out film seminars and a star-studded awards night.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
