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Silicon Graphics wooing Indian film directors

Silicon Graphics is eyeing the Rs 20 billion Indian movie industry, which is yet to embrace special effects in a big way.

"Special effects not only enhance the visual appeal of a film but reduce costs as well. Hollywood relies heavily on imaging techniques for stunts and set

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creation," pointed out Silicon Graphics Manager, Interactive Systems Division, Andrew Sheldon.

Recent Hollywood hits like Jurassic Park and Men in Black have extensive special effects, which show public preference for innovative imaging techniques.

It is surprising that the Indian film and television industry has not taken to special effects, given its obvious advantages, he added.

Sheldon said Silicon Graphics is very close to a deal with Ramoji Rao on setting up a special effects suite in the media baron's film city on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

A variety of effects like 'blue screen' Inferno, and 'synthetic crowd' will be offered by the company.

Silicon Graphics had recently helped a television software house make a serial using special effect animation. The serial will be released in a couple of months.

He said special effects could cut costs for Indian producers by creating a variety of scenes and reducing the number of extras by superimposing actors on these images.

Considerable savings in travel and sets budgets can be made through these techniques, he added.

Silicon Graphics wants to tap companies to create special software for imaging systems.

Given the expertise in general applications software, it is only a matter of time before India develops excellent capability in special effects and games software.

In the US market, games software development is big business and India could be a major source of this, Sheldon said.

- Compiled from the Indian media

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