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Linux In Hollywood: Status Report

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the wet-flipper-print dept.

segment writes "TechNewsWorld is running an article about Linux in Hollywood. The article describes speed advantages, cost advantages, movies in which Linux played a role (including Shrek, Star Wars, and Titanic). Mentions of the embrace for Linux with history on Apple, Microsoft, and other vendors, and how they've adapted to the use.`As a rule, no major studio will rely on a tool without access to the source code. The risk is too great. It's not that the studios want to putter around modifying commercial programs, rather it's insurance -- insurance that they can do so if they must to meet a production deadline.` Very informative article." Robin Rowe (the author) is the project manager for Cinepaint (formerly "FilmGimp"), but writes about 3D applications, barriers to software entry in Hollywood, and more.

6 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Alas, poor SGI by fm6 · · Score: 5, Informative
    Anybody working at SGI (Silicon Graphics before the big rebranding) will find this story extremely discouraging. It isn't just that it talks about Linux/commodity systems taking over a market that used to be dominated by Irix/SGI systems. It's the attitude expressed in the article, which has to have been picked up from the people the reporter interviewed: SGI products are legacy technology. They don't compete with Linux based systems -- they're just something people have to hold onto unti l the corresponding Linux technology matures enough for to replace it.

    The one SGI product mentioned that is moving forward is the Linux version of Maya -- and the reporter seems unaware that Maya is an SGI product! A sad outcome for a company that once dominated computer animation.

    1. Re:Alas, poor SGI by gmack · · Score: 4, Informative

      SGI has been wanting to dump Irix for years with good reason.. I recall SGI making noise about going NT on Intel before finally unleashing a small army of developers on the Linux kernel to bring performance up to par for their needs.

      I still have archinved posts of Linus flaming one of their enginneers for trying to mod the linux OS to improve the performance of Maya when an app change would have been more efficiant.

      Make no mistake, SGI was one of the earliest backers of Linux in movie production and actively sells Linux/Intel hardware to the studios.

    2. Re:Alas, poor SGI by fm6 · · Score: 4, Informative
      I think your psychic powers are failing. I was working at SGI when they began the Linux drive. Which was never about replacing Irix with Linux. If it were, they'd be selling Linux for their MIPS-based system. But nobody would buy such a system: their existing MIPS users are all used to IRIX -- and MIPS systems continues to be their bread and butter.

      What their Linux drive is about is selling systems based on Itanium processors. They simply decided it would be cheaper to join the Linux movement than to port Irix to the Itanium. They still sell both Irix/MIPS and Linux/Itanium systems. Neither of which Hollywood seems to have any interest in.

      What your Linus story has to do with anything escapes me.

  2. RTFA, Bunky by foandd · · Score: 5, Informative

    He plainly states in the article that the studios make special deals to have access to the source code for the commercial software they use, often at very high expense.

  3. Re:Funny use of the word rule by wbattestilli · · Score: 5, Informative

    Disclaimer I work for Alias and I do custom development for major film studios but I do not speak for them.

    Just to clarify the above post. Alias does not give any customer access to the Maya source code. Many major studios do, however, pay us to develop certain features that they require.

    This service is available to any customer. For those interested, feel free to contact me directly.

    --
    Whitney Battestilli
    Software Engineer
    Alias
    wbattestilli at aw.sgi.com

  4. Re:Hipocrits by malducin · · Score: 4, Informative

    You neglect the fact that "Hollywood" is a big heterogenous machinery. Movie studios (Disney, Universal, Fox, etc.) are the members of the MPAA. VFX studios (ILM, Imageworks, Digital Domain, Weta, Tippett, Rhythm and Hues, Cinesite, Framestore/CFC, etc.) work for Hollywood by providing a service. They are not more than contractors, not much unlike the catering company, or even say you plumber. VFX studios are not members of the MPAA and have no say on projects or policies.