AMD and DreamWorks Animation SKG Announce Strategic Alliance Enabling Unprecedented CG Filmaking Advantages
DreamWorks Animation Selects AMD as its Preferred Processor Provider of Enterprise-Class Hardware
AMD (NYSE:AMD) and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (DWA.N) announced a three-year strategic alliance naming AMD the Preferred Processor Provider for DreamWorks Animation and enabling the company to experience significant advantages in their computer-generated ("CG") filmmaking process.
As the Preferred Processor Provider for DreamWorks Animation, AMD will provide the AMD Opteron(tm) processor with Direct Connect Architecture for DreamWorks Animation's next-generation enterprise servers, workstations, render farm nodes, enterprise desktops and enterprise laptops. The new agreement with DreamWorks Animation also includes marketing opportunities for AMD to utilize characters from DreamWorks Animation motion pictures as well as work with DreamWorks Animation to promote upcoming film and home video releases.
"The benefits of working with AMD have already had a substantial impact on our business, which is why selecting them as our preferred processor provider and building a strong partnership makes sense," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks SKG and CEO, DreamWorks Animation SKG. "AMD technology will bring new levels of detail and new capabilities to our animated feature films. We're also very excited about the future of AMD's technology and products."
"Innovators like DreamWorks Animation are discovering that AMD helps them break free of the limitations of today's computing solutions," said Hector Ruiz, AMD chairman of the board, president and CEO. "They choose AMD because of our clear leadership in both 64-bit computing and dual-core technology. AMD64 technology-based solutions will enable DreamWorks Animation's artists to expand their creative capabilities and continually push the boundaries of today's state-of-the-art digital animation process."
The AMD Opteron processor provides breakthrough performance that enables artists to create images never before realized, and as a result, create some of the most technologically advanced CG animation movies. For example, DreamWorks Animation's May 27, 2005 release "Madagascar" will include the largest crowd of furry characters in a CG film to date, with more than 900 moving creatures in a single scene. Prior to this movie, animal characters were often heralded as one of "the holy grails" of animation because of the complexity of animating fur in the CG world. As a result, utilizing furry characters in movies was limited to a handful per scene due to the complexity of the geometry. The faster rendering times and increased memory bandwidth made possible by the AMD Opteron processor have allowed DreamWorks Animation to meet this enormous challenge, and became an important creative component of
"Madagascar."
The AMD Opteron processor has already made significant contributions at DreamWorks Animation. This includes providing new levels of computation power enabling in the production of its hit motion picture "Shark Tale," the contribution to new animated innovations in the upcoming film "Madagascar," and the overall benefits to the operations of the company's complex data centers.
AMD and HP have jointly created systems for animation studios and plan to continue this successful collaboration with DreamWorks Animation. In addition to expanding its AMD and HP-based render farms, DreamWorks Animation is also utilizing the AMD Opteron processor-based HP xw9300 Workstation, a system that is enabled for the upcoming AMD64 dual core technology. The use of these workstations builds on the unique technology partnership HP and DreamWorks Animation formed in 2001 to explore new, creative frontiers and redefine the art of filmmaking.
Rendering is the process of completing one scene by adding detailed texture, lighting, shading, etc. The significant performance improvement delivered by the AMD Opteron processor can dramatically reduce render times, allowing artists to see the finished product much more quickly, further explore their creativity and maintain their creative rhythm and tempo. Faster rendering drives productivity and reduces the creative hurdles to animation, ultimately delivering unique and more visually stunning animation.
About DreamWorks Animation SKG
DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high-quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The company has theatrically released a total of eight animated feature films, including Antz, Shrek, Shrek 2 and Shark Tale. DreamWorks Animation's next release will be Madagascar, scheduled to open on May 27, 2005.
About AMD64
AMD64 evolves the industry-standard 32-bit x86 architecture to support the demanding 64-bit environment and enables next-generation functionality and productivity today. AMD designed the AMD64 platform to allow end users to enjoy reliable, best-in-class performance on the 32-bit software they own today while preparing for a seamless transition to high-performance 64-bit applications. Designed from the ground up to support multi-core capability, future AMD64 dual-core processors will amplify the elegance and power of AMD's current single-core solutions. The AMD64 architecture is also designed to enhance the security of your computing environment by integrating Enhanced Virus Protection technology enabled by advanced anti-virus features in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.
Since the introduction of the AMD64 architecture in 2003, the AMD Opteron processor for servers and workstations and the AMD Athlon 64 processor for desktop and notebook computers have earned more than 80 awards for innovation and performance, and the support of more than 2,000 OEMs, hardware and software developers, system builders, and distributors.
About AMD
AMD designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to delivering standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises and governments to individual consumers.
AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Athlon, AMD Opteron, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. |
