Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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.

3 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.

  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