Side Effects Sponsors September 10th LA Chapter Siggraph Meeting

Santa Monica, CA - Side Effects Software, developer of theaward-winning Houdini family of 3D software, announced sponsorship ofthe L.A. Chapter SIGGRAPH meeting on September 10th, 2002, at theAcademy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood. The meetingwill be co-sponsored by HP, and hosted by Walt Disney Feature Animationand The Secret Lab. Highlighting the motion picture Reign ofFire, the meeting will focus on the dragon-themed film's extensiveCG character and atmospheric visual effects. A key component on manymajor Hollywood productions, Houdini was used to design smoke, embersand other environmental elements to support realistic portrayal of themovie's forlorn landscapes.

An overview of effects work done for Reign of Fire usingHoudini was a highlight of the recent Houdini Annual Meeting held atSIGGRAPH 2002 in San Antonio, TX. The presentation was made byTechnical Supervisor Hank Driskill, who will be among theartist-presenters on September 10th. Also at SIGGRAPH 2002, SideEffects unveiled the company's complete suite of Houdini-basedproducts, which includes Houdini Master, Houdini Select, Houdini Haloand Houdini Escape. Notable as well was the worldwide launch of theHoudini Apprentice Program, which makes available free, non-commercialfull versions of the latest (5.5) Houdini family of products via atwo-disc CD.

"Through such initiatives as the Houdini Apprentice Program, we areexcited to be bringing the Houdini product family to a broadercommunity of 3D artists who aspire to do Hollywood-level effects usingHollywood-level tools," said Tony Cristiano, General Manager, SideEffects Software U.S. "Sponsorship of events like the L.A. SIGGRAPHChapter meeting is another way for us to further learning and exchangewithin the visual effects and educational field. The amazing work onReign of Fire is sure to inspire the SIGGRAPH audience."

The September 10th L.A. SIGGRAPH presentation will take place at theAcademy of Television Arts and Sciences in the Leonard H. GoldensonAuditorium located at 5220 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting commencing at 7:30p.m. Slated panelists include: Visual Effects Supervisor RichardHoover, Co-Visual Effects Supervisor Dan DeLeeuw, Digital EffectsSupervisor John Murrah, CG Supervisor Adolph Lusinsky, CreatureSupervisor Rob Dressel, Technical Supervisor Hank Driskill, SupervisingFX Animator Chuyan Huang, and FX animators Patrick Dalton and RobRosenblum.

About Houdini

The Houdini family of animation software offers digital artists anunprecedented level of power, flexibility and control based onaward-winning technology. Through a range of applications that includesHoudini Master, Houdini Select, Houdini Halo and Houdini Escape, theproduct line encompasses comprehensive feature sets for modeling,animation, compositing, integrated rendering with Houdini Mantra, andmuch more. All Houdini applications work together seamlessly and areavailable for the NT, Linux, IRIX and Solaris operating systems.Houdini has been used to create stunning digital animation inblockbuster films including, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Cats and Dogs," TheMummy Returns, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,X-Men, HollowMan and The Matrix, among many others.

About Side Effects Software

Established in 1987, Side Effects Software is a world leader in thedevelopment of advanced 3D graphics and special effects software foruse in film, broadcast and game development. Today, Side EffectsSoftware leads the field of non-linear animation with its unique,award-winning Houdini technology. Numerous digital content creationleaders use Houdini including Digital Domain, DreamWorks SKG,Electronic Arts, Namco, Nickelodeon, Rhythm & Hues, Sega, SonyPictures Imageworks, Walt Disney Feature Animation and Weta DigitalLtd.

For more information about Side Effects Software and itsproducts, please visit http://www.sidefx.com.