Aimed at revolutionizing 3-D filmmaking technology, Intel and computer generated (CG) animated feature film producer DreamWorks Animation say they have formed a strategic alliance based around Intel's visual computing products and tools.

Under the agreement, Intel will provide DreamWorks with the latest high-performance processing technologies, including future chips with multiple processing cores, and its software engineers will help to optimise DreamWorks' applications for the processors.

The first project the companies will jointly work on is Monsters vs. Aliens, which is slated for a US release date of March 27, 2009. DreamWorks said previously that it is committed to producing all of its feature films in stereoscopic 3-D beginning next year.

Specifically, by converting its computing infrastructure to an Intel-based system, DreamWorks said it will allow its artists to work with new, state-of-the-art 3-D authoring tools to render higher quality images more quickly and to modify them with greater ease.

"This alliance unites the best in computer-generated moviemaking and computing performance to deliver a new level of in-theatre entertainment. The high level of inventiveness at DreamWorks Animation has positioned it as a leader in entertainment technology, and incorporating the Intel platform allows them to deliver incredibly rich digital 3-D content to the big screen - raising the bar for the industry as a whole," commented Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO, in a statement.

In addition to working with DreamWorks to enhance the in-theatre entertainment experience, Intel said it will work to develop and promote next-generation 3-D viewing experiences and technology on a range of other platforms, including home theatre, personal computers, video games, online environments and mobile devices.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks said, "Our objective is to significantly heighten the movie going experience using DreamWorks Animation's ground-breaking 3-D filmmaking tools. Technology plays a significant role in enabling our artists to tell great stories. By utilizing Intel's industry-leading computing products, we will create a new and innovative way for moviegoers to experience our films in 3-D."

DreamWorks animated feature films include Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Over the Hedge, Shrek the Third, Bee Movie and Kung Fu Panda.

Interestingly, it wasn't that long ago that DreamWorks sung the praises of Advanced Micro Devices. In 2005, Katzenberg thanked AMD for its role in past DreamWorks movie productions and announced that AMD-powered workstations and servers would be the studio's preferred computing platform going forward.

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor - Electronic News

See also:

Electronics Weekly's Focus on Intel, a roundup of content on the chip giant's technology. As well as presenting news coverage from Electronics Weekly, we draw on wider resources available on the Web.

Electronics Weekly's focus on x86 microprocessors, a roundup of content related to x86 microprocessor technologies and developments.