Pacific Ocean Post Brings Independence Day to Life with Discreet Logic Visual Effects Systems; Purchase of new INFERNO and FIRE to add to POP's Effects and On-Line Editing Capabilities.

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 1996--Discreet Logic Inc. today announced that Pacific Ocean Post (POP) (Santa Monica, Calif.) used Discreet Logic's premier visual effects systems, INFERNO and FLAME, for approximately 100 effects shots in the recently released Independence Day. In addition, POP has recently purchased its first FIRE, Discreet Logic's new on-line, non-linear editing system, as well as another INFERNO.

Independence Day delivers 350 visual effects shots through the course of its 144 minutes. POP was the primary compositing facility, contributing over 200 visual effects composites to the film. The 20th Century Fox film is an alien invader science fiction film taken to a new level with today's visual effects capabilities. It was produced by Dean Devlin, who teamed with director Roland Emmerich to write the film.

POP used INFERNO, linked to two FLAME systems through fiber optics, to create a portion of the shots. The systems were used as part of a networked environment environment that enabled POP to distribute its compositing to different artists and workstations in the studio, which was a game plan which appealed to Tricia Ashford, Independence Day Digital Visual Effects Supervisor.

"INFERNO met our demanding requirements and was used often for the colour space it delivers," said Andrea D'Amico. POP Film Producer. "We had served as a beta site for INFERNO, and based on our experience with the system, we really put its 12 bits to work. INFERNO enabled us to give back what we put in: film in, film out, no sacrifices."

The film was shot on 98 and 93 film stock, which is very grainy. Considering all the digital compositing POP did on the film, INFERNO's grain management was a critical element. "Its ability to regrain and degrain is one of its best features," continued D'Amico.

The "wall of destruction" sequence features an immense wall of flame designed to transform entire cities into ashes. Combining traditional pyrotechnics and digital techniques. POP generated a 10-minute sequence illustrating the aliens' key weapon. The sequence featured a great deal of rotoscoping, so POP used INFERNO's Additive Mix command to attach the flames to the other elements of shots within the shots.

"The shot was tricky because of the transparency of the flames," said D'Amico. "The director wanted the fire to be thick and dangerous in appearance. As if that wasn't enough, we were faced with 10 to 12 different layers of debris -- model cars being blown up, huge trucks and blowing debris flying toward the camera, and blue-screen elements of people running around in a panic. INFERNO was used to warp shots at low-res, which allowed us to work out a lot of issues with our clients. Interactively, we were able to make changes, try out scenarios, add elements and basically build up a shot. Once everyone was satisfied, we output at high-res 2K and went to film."

"POP's work on Independence Day is a prime example of artists using technology to break new ground with spectacular visuals," said Graham Sharp, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Discreet Logic. "We set out to build systems that offer flexibility and a very deep set of tools. INFERNO enables artists to have a full arsenal with which to set their creative genius free. POP leveraged this technology and has proven that high standards and devising creative solutions for difficult effects wins in the end."

New Systems: FIRE and INFERNO

Pacific Ocean Post has been a Discreet Logic client since 1994, and is adding its fifth INFERNO, along with FIRE. Discreet Logic's new on-line, non-linear video editing system.

"The addition of a high performance on-line video editing solution to our full service capabilities will expand creative possibilities and offer workflow advantages within our networked environment," said D'Amico. "We're excited to add FIRE to our repertoire of tools, and our eager to delve into its feature set. The additional INFERNO will expand our compositing capacity, and after a project like Independence Day, the system is justified."

About INFERNO

INFERNO is Discreet Logic's premier visual effects production system offering on-line, non-linear, resolution-independent, non-compressed effects generation tools. Its feature-set, accessible through an integrated, intuitive gestural interface, includes a state-of-the-art Keyer, Warper, Action module, SoftClips, Stabilizer, Tracker, Paint, Rotoscoping, On-Line 3D and digital audio capabilities. INFERNO also has the option to read and write high-resolution images to D1, enabling third-party users to take advantage of the speed of D1 for high-resolution data transfer and archiving. The system addresses the needs of visual effects artists while remaining compatible with video post production. INFERNO can work at higher bit depth per colour channel (up to 12 bits) and higher spatial image resolution than standard video resolution. The system also features a complete set of film-specific tools including grain/noise management, monitor calibration and enhanced I/O routines. INFERNO provides seamless support for high-resolution data handling with standard film formats fully-integrated.

About FIRE

FIRE is Discreet Logic's new non-compressed, on-line, non-linear digital video editing system. FIRE features powerful editing tools and a unique gestural interface providing a complete editing solution for the professional. It is one of the first open-architecture video editing systems to harness the power of the Silicon Graphics, Inc. Onyx graphics supercomputer and combine it with a state of the art database to give users direct, integrated access to video and audio material.

FIRE offers on-line editors a sophisticated toolset which specifically addresses the new and expanding requirements needed for on-line finishing. Key features and benefits include: the EditDesk, a large work environment that includes a clip library, a timeline and storyboard capabilities: SoftEdits, which enable editors to make uncommited transitions that can be modified at any point in an edit, advanced editing tools with image enhancing capabilities such as colour correction, keying and character generation: special effects capabilities that bring 2D effects into a 3D world: professional audio-capabilities, including up to 32 tracks of audio with real-time level EQ and cross-fades for simultaneous audio and video editing; one or two streams of realtime video option; industry-standard EDLs and OMF support.

About Discreet Logic

Discreet Logic, based in Montreal, Quebec, develops and supports non-linear, on-line, digital systems for creating, editing and compositing imagery and special effects for film, video, audio and broadcast. The Company's systems are used by creative professionals for a variety of applications: feature films, television programs, commercials, music videos, interactive game production and live broadcasting. Through direct contact with digital artists, editors, audio engineers, production and broadcasting specialists, Discreet Logic offers technology designed to meet the present and future needs of content creators.

Discreet Logic is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol DSLGF.

For more information please contact Discreet Logic Corporate Headquarters: 5505 boul St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2T 1S6. Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. e-mail: [e-mail]. web: www.discreet.com

-0-

Note to Editors:

Discreet Logic, INFERNO, FIRE, FLAME, EditDesk and SoftClips are trademarks of Discreet Logic Inc. Silicon Graphics and Onyx are registered trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Leigh Pesqueira

Director, Corporate Communications 

tel: [phone]; fax [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]