Glendale, California-based Galaxy Digimation has created a thirty-minute
animated newscast for Universal Studios' The Amazing Adventures of
Spider-Man ride in Orlando, Florida. The Spider-Man ride integrates
roller-coaster thrills, realistic motion simulation, and stereographic 3D
computer-generated effects while immersing riders in a story that
transforms them into active photojournalists. Galaxy Digimation's newscast
plays on monitors while riders wait in line inside the newsroom of The
Daily Bugle, the publication where Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, works as a
reporter. The newscast reports a fast-breaking story: New York City is in a
dire state since the evil Doctor Octopus and his gang of villains, known as
the Sinister Syndicate, have stolen the Statue of Liberty. Riders are
briefed about the experimental news-gathering vehicles known as Scoops that
they must board in order to take photos for The Daily Bugle. They will be
on the scene to capture the action as Spider-Man fights the Sinister
Syndicate for control of the city. This introductory segment required
seamless integration of 2D and 3D animation. Galaxy Digimation used
Cambridge System's Animo software for the entire project, from line tests
to compositing scenes involving 3D elements integrated with 2D animation.
Galaxy Digimation is a full-service 2D and 3D animation company that uses
digital and traditional ink-and-paint methods. The company's experience
includes TV animation, direct-to-video, feature films, interactive CD-ROMs,
commercials and promotional sequences. Galaxy Digimation has studios in
Glendale, California; Seoul, Korea; and Manila, Philippines.
Joe Szadkowski wrote about the Spider-Man ride in
"Watch Out Disney!
Spider-Man is Coming to Orlando" in the May 1999 issue of Animation World
Magazine.
