ROCK HILL, South Carolina -August 8, 2012 - 3D Systems Corporation is
the first ever full color 3D printer used in a stop-motion
animated film, ParaNorman, produced
by Portland, Oregon based animation studio LAIKA. Known for
integrating innovation with the hand-created artistry of
the stop motion technique, LAIKA utilized 3D printing to
create over 31,000 individual, color facial parts for
production.
3D Systems' ZPrinter
technology allowed LAIKA animators to quickly and
accurately print hundreds of facial features and
expressions for each of the film's 62 characters.
"ParaNorman is an enduring and emotional story
that is driven by strong characters and exquisite designs,"
says Brian McLean, LAIKA's Creative Supervisor of
Replacement Animation and Engineering. "In
order for us to give the characters the facial expressions
and emotional range needed to support such a wonderful
story, we needed to try something unprecedented. By
using a color 3D printer we were not only able to push
facial performance to new levels, but we were also able to
achieve a level of detail and subtlety in characters face
that a few short years ago would seemed impossible. This
technology, combined with a tremendous amount of hard work
and dedication from talented artists and technicians, has
created something truly unique and beautiful."
"We are absolutely thrilled to partner with the ground
breaking team at LAIKA as they utilize our full color 3D
printing technology to revolutionize storytelling," said
Cathy Lewis, Vice President of Global Marketing for 3D
Systems. "We look forward to ParaNorman being a
great success with global audiences."
ParaNorman premieres nationwide in theatres August
17, 2012.
About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print
solutions including 3D printers, print materials and
on-demand custom parts services for professionals and
consumers alike. The company also provides CAD software and
plugins, and affordable consumer create-and-make printers,
apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions
replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the
time and cost of designing new products by printing real
parts directly from digital input. These solutions
are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, prototype
or produce real parts, empowering customers to create and
make with confidence.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com.
To experience our entire range of 3D content-to-print
products and services please visit www.printin3D.com, www.production3dprinters.com,
www.3Dproparts.com, www.zcorp.com, www.toptobottomdental.com,
www.quickparts.com, www.alibre.com, www.bitsfrombytes.com,
www.bespokeinnovations.com,
www.botmill.com, www.cubify.com, www.myrobotnation.com,
www.freshfiber.com, www.The3dStudio.com,
www.freedomofcreation.com,
www.sycode.com, www.paramountind.com, blog.3dsystems.com,
or via email at moreinfo@3Dsystems.com.
About LAIKA
Fueled by the vision of its owner, NIKE Co-Founder and
Chairman Phil Knight, and its President and CEO Travis
Knight, LAIKA Inc. is an animation company specializing in
feature films and commercials. LAIKA, located in Portland,
Oregon, has a 30-year history of presenting the artistry of
award-winning filmmakers, designers, and animators in the
field of animated entertainment and commercials. LAIKA's
first feature, Coraline, released by Focus
Features in 2009, was the first stop-motion animated
feature to be conceived and photographed in stereoscopic
3D. The film was nominated for an Academy Award® and a
BAFTA Award for Outstanding Animated Feature, and won the
prestigious Cristal Award at the Annecy International
Animation Festival.
LAIKA's second film ParaNorman is directed by Sam
Fell (The Tale of Despereaux) and Chris Butler
(Head of Story on Coraline) from Mr. Butler's
original screenplay. The film is set for release on
August 17, 2012 by Focus Features and features a voice cast
that includes Academy Award® nominee Casey Affleck (The
Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert
Ford), Tucker Albrizzi (Bridesmaids),
Tempestt Bledsoe (The Cosby Show), Alex Borstein
(FamilyGuy), Jeff Garlin (Toy Story
3), John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.), Bernard
Hill (Titanic), Academy Award® nominee Anna
Kendrick (Up in the Air), Leslie Mann
(Rio), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (How to Train
Your Dragon), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road, Let Me
In), and Tony™ and Emmy Award™ winner Elaine Stritch
(30 Rock).
distributed by |