Digital Dimension Teams with Microsoft for Server System Technologies

Microsoft Corp. (www.microsoft.com) announced that Digital Dimension (www.digitaldimension.com), a four-time Emmy Award-winning studio specializing in high-end visual effects, 3-D animation and motion graphics, used Microsoft technologies to create and manage 167 visual effects for the newly released box-office hit "Blade Trinity."

All the effects for flame, ash and skeletal degradation of the vampires were executed by Digital Dimension's skilled computer generated imagery (CGI) artists, who saved countless hours and resources by using Windows® SharePoint® Services and Windows Server System (TM) to simultaneously and efficiently collaborate on multiple motion picture projects. The studio's pipeline and business process management relies on the Microsoft .NET Framework.

"The Microsoft environment can support every single angle of our business, so it's easy to create, manage, distribute and share information between applications -- and that is priceless," said Ben Girard, president and founder of Digital Dimension.

Digital Dimension, whose highly acclaimed visual effects have appeared in numerous movies, including "The Last Samurai" and "Scooby Doo 2" and the upcoming "Super Bowl XXXIX (2005)" opening sequence, has a reputation for leaving audiences amazed.

"We're thrilled to support one of Hollywood's hottest visual effects and animation studios with technology that improves its ability to create, manage and securely deliver its digital assets," said Kimberly Till, vice president of the Worldwide Media & Entertainment Group at Microsoft.

Since the company's inception, Digital Dimension's workload has tripled every year, creating a serious challenge for the company. With more scenes to create, review, revise, finalize and return to the production company, Digital Dimension managers needed a collaborative workflow environment to manage the enormous volume of information.

"The fact that the Microsoft operating system and most of its server products are now in every facet of our company allows us to automate and collaborate with all the assets and information we're creating," Girard said.

Using Microsoft Windows Server System and Windows SharePoint Services, Digital Dimension created a powerful workflow system that allows artists and managers to share information, collaborate on projects and manage workflow with greater efficiency.

Microsoft technologies offer production studios a convenient way to manage vast amounts of information. For the "Blade" series, vampire ashings have been the signature visual effect, and director David Goyer tasked Digital Dimension with creating the most detailed, visually impressive ashings seen to date.

Located blocks away from Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, California, Digital Dimension specializes in 3D animation, motion graphics, and visual effects for the film, television, and interactive industries.