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HP Helps DreamWorks Create Bold New World for Shrek 4-D Animated Attraction
Multi-sensory film to open at Universal Studios Theme Parks
PALO ALTO, CALIF., MAY 29, 2003
HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced
the latest milestone in its technology partnership with DreamWorks SKG
with the unveiling of Shrek 4-D, an animated, three-dimensional
Universal Theme Park attraction featuring the characters from the
Academy award-winning movie "Shrek."
Setting new benchmarks in the world of digital animation with cutting-edge HP
rendering technology, DreamWorks has created an interactive experience
that debuted May 23 at Universal Studios Hollywood, and opens June 12
at Universal Studios Orlando, and June 20 at Universal Studios Japan.
Forming a bridge between the original movie and the full-length
sequel "Shrek 2," now in production, Shrek 4-D relies heavily on HP
technology to capture three-dimensional (3D) animation that takes
audiences to new heights. The 12-minute, multi-sensory, ride film is
synchronized with breakthrough stereoscopic visual effects to create an
immersive experience never before achieved.
PDI/DreamWorks used high-performance HP Linux-based workstations and industry-standard HP
servers to achieve new benchmarks for visual complexity while helping to
lower production costs by allowing for shorter production schedules.
The speed and performance of the HP
solutions helped to free the 60 artists and engineers from the
traditional technical limitations of digital animation allowing them to
focus more on creating compelling imagery for the project.
"HP technology enabled
PDI/DreamWorks to meet or exceed the artistic ambition for the Shrek
4-D project and allowed our artists to, once again, raise the bar in
creating richer, more visually compelling story telling," said Ed
Leonard, head of Animation Technology, DreamWorks SKG. "From the
beginning, HP recognized our
vision for Shrek 4-D, and our need for a technology partner that
understood our goals and our business, and could push the digital
animation process to new limits."
"Having an aggressive production timeline and production schedule
for the completion of Shrek 4-D presented a unique opportunity to
leverage HP's best-in-class
technology for achieving best-in-class digital content creation in
3-D," said Shane Robison, chief technology officer, HP. "HP
technology provided DreamWorks with the additional power, speed and
flexibility to try new techniques and workflows throughout the process
-- which we believe reflects a great technology partnership and
ultimately led to a successful production."
In an effort to redefine the art of filmmaking, DreamWorks and HP formed a technology partnership in 2001 to explore new frontiers that enable creative collaboration. The alliance designated HP as DreamWorks' preferred technology provider for core technology purchases. HP
supplies technical workstations, servers, printers, networking and Linux
technologies as DreamWorks develops its newest animation projects.
With "Shrek 2" opening in summer 2004, movie-goers will see a
variety of creative and technical advances in 3D animation enabled by
industry-standard HP ProLiant servers and HP visualize workstations.
About HP
HP delivers vital technology for
business and life. The company's solutions span IT infrastructure,
personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and
printing for consumers, enterprises and small and medium business. For
the last four quarters, HP revenue totaled $70.4 billion. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements
that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other
than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed
forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions
include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain
products and services may not develop as expected; that development and
performance of these products and services may not proceed as planned;
and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to HP's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2003,
and subsequently filed reports. If any of these risks or uncertainties
materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, HP's results could differ materially from HP's expectations in these statements. HP assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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