Barnyard Movie Uses State of the Art Animation Techniques  4/25/06

Computer-Animated Movie "Barnyard" Chooses Sun Microsystems Technology Sun-Powered Render Farm Brings State-of-the-Art CG Film to Life

LAS VEGAS, April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NAB 2006 -- The upcoming Nickelodeon Movies computer-animated movie "Barnyard," distributed by Paramount Pictures and slated for release on July 28, features complex computer-generated animation that required unique and creative solutions from Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW). The filmmakers' challenging vision for the film -- with multiple characters per scene and characters with complex features such as fur and scales -- meant complex data, which requires more time-intensive computing. Leveraging a rendering farm based on Sun Fire(TM) servers powered by high-performance AMD Opteron(TM) processors and Sun StorEdge(TM) data management systems, "Barnyard's" artists were able to quickly identify incomplete scenes, make necessary edits, and manage finished shots.

"'Barnyard' is a technically challenging, state-of-the-art computer-animated movie and Steve Oedekerk, the director, had big ideas for the movie," says executive producer Aaron Parry. "These challenges required effective solutions, and Sun came through. They were committed to helping our artists do their jobs and the results are up on the screen."

To help bring "Barnyard" to life, Sun created an 80 terabyte high performance computing (HPC) render farm to generate animated images designed by a model software program. Running 1,200 Sun Fire V40z and Sun Fire V20z x64 (x86, 64-bit) servers powered by AMD Opteron processors, the render farm also includes Sun StorEdge 3510 and 3511 FC arrays, and Qlogic fibre channel switches. The production also utilized the Sun Java(TM) Workstation W2100z and Sun 24.1-inch LCD Flat Panel Monitors in its desktop environment to more efficiently edit final film. Allowing the 'Barnyard' production team to focus on its core strength -- producing beautifully rendered animated films -- Sun Services helped design and deploy the render farm.

"In today's competitive and fast-moving film business, making a high-quality animated feature on-time and on-budget is no easy task," said Juan Dewar, vice president, Internet Services Media & Entertainment, Sun Microsystems. "Sun's new product line and increased entertainment industry focus is delivering breakthrough performance and solutions to meet the production's stringent requirements."

About "Barnyard"

From Steve Oedekerk and Nickelodeon Movies, two of the co-creators of "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," and filmed entirely in CGI, comes this hilarious look at what really happens in a barnyard when the farmer's back is turned. "Barnyard" is a lighthearted tale centering around Otis (voiced by Kevin James), a carefree party cow, who enjoys singing, dancing and playing tricks on humans. Unlike his father Ben (voiced by Sam Elliott), the respected patriarch of the farm, and Miles, the wise old mule (voiced by Danny Glover), Otis is unconcerned about keeping the animals' humanlike talents a secret. But when suddenly put in the position of responsibility, the "udderly" irresponsible cow finds the courage to be a leader.

Paramount Pictures presents in association with Nickelodeon Movies an O Entertainment production, a Steve Oedekerk film, "Barnyard." Written and directed by Steve Oedekerk, the film is produced by Steve Oedekerk and Paul Marshal. The executive producers are Julia Pistor and Aaron Parry. Animation production is by Omation Animation Studios. The film is rated PG for some mild peril and rude humor.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer"(TM) -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at sun.com.

NOTE: Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Java, StorEdge, Sun Fire, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. AMD, Opteron, the AMD logo, the AMD Opteron logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices.

SOURCE Sun Microsystems, Inc.

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