Robert Rodriguez Harnesses the Power of AMD Hardware to Revitalize the Action
Genre
SUNNYVALE, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
AMD (NYSE: AMD) today unveiled its close collaboration with Troublemaker Studios
to produce the striking visual effects for the action epic “Machete”, a project
for the studio that saw the Troublemaker team finalize more than 500 shots, a
personal best made possible with AMD graphics and computing technology. Directed
and conceived by Robert Rodriguez (director of “Predators”, “Sin City”, and
“Shorts”), and featuring an all-star cast including Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro,
Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Alba, “Machete” is set to revitalize the action genre.
Described by Rodriguez as a “spaghetti western for day laborers,” the film
centers on a former Mexican ex-Federale named Machete, who after being setup,
embarks on a quest to seek revenge and clear his name. From start to finish,
Troublemaker Studios made use of a unique combination of AMD`s graphics and
computing technologies to bring the film to life, pioneering new special effects
techniques while cutting down on production time and cost.
“I`ve had the idea for `Machete` since meeting Danny Trejo while filming
`Desperado` in 1993, and it`s only now after years of refining that idea
combined with the advancements in AMD technology, that I`ve been able to bring
my creative vision to life in the way I truly envisaged it,” said Robert
Rodriguez, co-owner, Troublemaker Studios. “The incredible developments in AMD
platform technology continue to fuel my creativity, driving me to push it to its
limits. In fact, I`ve made plans to incorporate AMD`s Fusion Render technology
into the production of my next film `Spy Kids 4`.”
AMD technology was integral to realizing Rodriguez`s vision for “Machete”:
* Breaking Troublemaker Studio`s personal record: For “Machete”, Troublemaker
Studios made use of a unique mix of high-performance AMD hardware, including AMD
FirePro V8800 professional graphics accelerators and six-core AMD Opteron
processor-based workstations to produce the film on a compressed schedule. A
team of ten artists with a post-production period of only six months
accomplished 500 final shots with AMD`s platform technology, a personal best for
Rodriguez and his Troublemaker Studios team.
* Packing more action in: The Troublemaker Studios team worked to fill the
scenes of “Machete” with an incredible level of detail using AMD-based graphics
workstations. Extensive set damage, a huge number of bullet holes, and
wide-ranging set extensions were all added digitally to give the action movie
even more bang for its buck, while sophisticated particle simulations helped
more accurately render realistic blood spatters that interact with each other,
the actors and objects in the environment.
* Working at the “speed of thought”: “Machete” is a return to the
guerrilla-style movie making that made Rodriguez famous, incorporating a myriad
of mediums and film-making techniques all of which had to come together
seamlessly to achieve Rodriguez`s artistic vision. AMD workstations served as
the technological glue that brought everything together. Shots from three
different digital camera models, one film camera, camera tracking work using
PFTrack, 3D special effects work using Softimage, and compositing work using
Nuke, all came together through AMD`s professional grade technology to produce a
film that looks as though it has a blockbuster budget.
“Leading graphics and workstation technologies from AMD opened a new world of
possibilities for Troublemaker Studios, allowing them to deliver a volume and
quality of special effects shots for `Machete` that they`ve never been able to
before,” said Charlie Boswell, director of Digital Media and Entertainment at
AMD. “With six-core AMD Opteron processors and ATI FirePro V8800 graphics 210284
solutions, Robert and his Troublemaker Studios team have delivered a look and
vibe as distinct as the plot itself.”
Supporting Resources
* The official “Machete”website
* Product information: AMD FirePro professional graphics accelerators
* Product information: AMD Opteron processors
* Follow news from AMD on Twitter at @AMDUnprocessed
About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is an innovative technology company dedicated
to collaborating with customers and technology partners to ignite the next
generation of computing and graphics solutions at work, home and play. For more
information, visit http://www.amd.com.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, FirePro, Opteron and
combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names
are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
AMD Global Product Communications
Dave Erskine, 905-882-2600, x8477
Dave.Erskine@amd.com
Copyright Business Wire 2010
