2007 Ad

Business Wire, August 3, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- SIGGRAPH 2007 announced today the inclusion of an exclusive preview of "Beowulf", groundbreaking director Robert Zemeckis' unique vision of the "Beowulf" saga, in this year's Computer Animation Festival's Electronic Theater taking place at the 34th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, 5-9 August 2007 in San Diego, California, USA.

"In an Electronic Theater filled with truly the best of the best in each category, 'Beowulf' is on the absolute cutting edge of what is being produced today," said Paul Debevec, SIGGRAPH 2007 Computer Animation Festival Chair from the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies. "This year's show weaves together amazing visuals from numerous disciplines into a single mind-altering experience."

"Beowulf" is being made at Sony Pictures Imageworks with visual effects supervised by Academy Award[R]-nominated Jerome Chen using the company's patented Imagemotion performance capture system. In addition to representing a high point for motion capture, the SIGGRAPH jury recognized "Beowulf" for its facial animation, detailed textures, and artistic lighting.

The Computer Animation Festival jury selected from a record 905 submissions for exemplary use of computer-generated imagery and animation, and compelling storytelling. With show categories ranging from animation to research, this year's submissions originate from countries across the globe including France, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. SIGGRAPH 2007 also marks the first time filmmakers were able to submit high definition video to the selection jury, which greatly increased the jury's ability to appreciate the intricacy of each film.

In a legendary time of heroes, the mighty warrior "Beowulf" battles the demon Grendel and incurs the hellish wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother. Their epic clash forges the timeless legend of "Beowulf". "Beowulf" stars Ray Winstone in the title role and Anthony Hopkins as the corrupt King Hrothgar; as well as John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother. Paramount Pictures, in association with Shangri-La Entertainment, presents an ImageMovers Production of a Robert Zemeckis film, "Beowulf". The film is executive produced by Martin Shafer, Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman. Screenplay is by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, Produced by Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke. The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis.

For more information on the SIGGRAPH 2007 Computer Animation Festival visit http://www.siggraph.org/s2007/media/releases/release12.html.> About SIGGRAPH

SIGGRAPH 2007 will bring an estimated 25,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to San Diego, California, USA for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education, and the web from 5-9 August 2007 at the San Diego Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2007 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 7-9 August 2007. More than 250 international exhibiting companies are expected. Registration for the conference and exhibition is open to the public. More details are available at www.siggraph.org/s2007

About ACM

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) SIGGRAPH sponsors SIGGRAPH 2007. ACM is an educational and scientific society uniting the world's computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.