A New Era in Russian Animation

Moscow (April 15, 2002) - In late February with contribution of Soyuzmultfilm System Video Graphics Alliance has held a series of trainings of Toon Boom Technologies Inc., a world famous Canadian company, known for its software solutions of creating tools for classical animation in TV and film production, and web animation.

Among attendants were Soyuzmultfilm, and FAF Entertainment - the leading Russian animation studios, studios from the CIS countries, and such giant educational centers, as Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK) and Aptech Computer Training Center (Saratov State Technical Institution).

International Diplomas of Certified Specialists of USAnimation and Toon Boom Studio programs have been handed to all participants by the end of the training. VGIK and Aptech Computer Training Center have been entitled to themselves train specialists and issue International Toon Boom Technologies' Certificate. The System Video Graphics Alliance employees, who passed a special training course, also got International Diplomas.

USAnimation Toon Boom's classical animation software USAnimation, a complete production solution that has won several international awards, enjoys the recognition of professionals from different countries. Being an industry standard of 2D classical animation creation tools, USAnimation software ensures highest efficiency throughout the production process and provides features such as the fastest on the market scanning and filling, highly flexible composing, and unlimited opportunities of using visual effects and lighting. USAnimation is installed in animation studios of more than 30 countries around the world, including the most famous ones, like Klasky Csupo, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Paramount, MGM, FableVision Studios, and Wild Brain, who employ it in all production lines - from Saturday-morning cartoons to making such full-length films as "Rugrats" ? "Rugrats in Paris".

Toon Boom Studio Having all advantages of USAnimation, Toon Boom Technologies' new Toon Boom Studio product is targeted on web-animation creation. It brings the diversity of USAnimation tools, to web-designers advertising agencies, and on-line content creators, simplifying the material creation process by automation of routine animation tasks and saving thus a lot of time for creation. Toon Boom Studio software changes the way to develop materials for the web, providing the opportunity to create online animation of its highest-quality samples in cinema and television.

On Closing right after the ceremony, new Toon Boom system users unanimously declared, that the digital animation tools, offered by USAnimation and Toon Boom Studio systems (which they have familiarized during the training) are distinguished among the existing classical animation packages by diversity, convenience, and efficiency. In their opinion, even Animo - the deserved software of Cambridge Animation Systems, does not offer advantages provided by Toon Boom Technologies' systems, which features powerful potential of operation with 100%-vector graphics, tools for fast and easy conversion of the finished project into any necessary resolution, format/standard, and possibility to create a whole animation "factory", even basing on one workstation.

"Having long thought we have chosen Toon Boom's USAnimation system for Soyuzmultfilm's artists work, it best meets our requests. It is long enough that we employ digital animation, and now it was quite important for us to equip the animators with really reliable and effective tool with a wide range of features. Among the advantages of USAnimation we were attracted also by independent resolution, allowing to output the finished project as to TV so to film and HDTV", - said the deputy director of Sojuzmultfilm Vladimir Naumov and the President of Animated Film Association Dmitry Naumov on handing of the Diplomas. "We are sure, that multi-layer and a fully-vector graphics provided by USAnimation, will enable us to create high-quality animation in short time frames, deploying minimal human resources."

"USAnimation and Toon Boom Studio software are undoubtedly the best digital animation tools, allowing to save time and human resources in production process", - said Svetlana Grossu, FAF Entertainment. "We had time to assess all their advantages, and want to express our thanks to System Video Graphics Alliance, which helped us make Toon Boom Technologies systems our choice".

"We are glad that Russian animators have finally got deserving tools offered by Toon Boom Technologies (TBS) - the world famous leader in software development for classical animation creating. The fact that the leading Russian animation studios have chosen TBS's USAnimation and Toon Boom Studio software is additional factor of trust coming from professionals. I am confident that this software will contribute our animators as to broaden their creative horizons, so to significantly shorten the production time of animated film and animation for Internet," - said Vladimir Loshkarev - the General Manager of System Video Graphics Alliance - the authorized distributor of Toon Boom Technologies.

"In regard of successful accomplishment of the training to USAnimation software, held by ToonBoom Technologies Inc. and SVGA, I want to note its high standard in all respects. Arranging of logistical issues, the technical support, high informativity (intensive information), and the friendly atmosphere of training made the success natural. It is worth to point the wonderful style of presentation, the comprehensible and clear material and high professionalism of the product instructor Stiiven Maison", - said Amir Sadykov Zip-Zap Animation Studio project Director.

"I want to thank organizers of this project, namely the management of System Video Graphics Alliance and the director of Aptech educational center Olga Dolinina for the opportunity of training, the staff of Sojuzmultfilm for warm reception, and separately thank our "guru" - Steve Maison, who has been delivering us new knowledge all those five days. Thank you, Steve, for everything you've done for us!" - said Yekaterina Glebova from Saratov State Technical University.

"Working at educational computer center I am well aware of the efforts required from the whole team to carry out a new course. Thanks to System Video Graphics Alliance our training has passed on the top-level in all respects. That's really true that people, who professionally approach their work, can cope with any complex task. I want to thank the staff of SVGA and its director - Loshkarev Vladimir Mihajlovich for reception and kind response to all our inquiries. And, surely, the software, which we dealt … USAnimation is a 2D animation software for cinema, cartoons and web-design. In my opinion the definition is pale, it does not express the beauty and power of this product. Actually the broad range of tools offered in USAnimation, opens up new perspectives in creating of animation both for TV, and Internet. Vector graphics, possibility of networked operation for the developers, convenient simulation tools: creation and disposition of objects, motion design and camera position correction, as well as the simplicity of conversion into Internet file format and small file size - all this makes USAnimation very attractive" - said Simakova Elena from APTECH Authorized Educational Center of Computer Technologies.

About Toon Boom Technologies Inc.

Based in Montreal, Canada, Toon Boom Technologies Inc. is a world-leading supplier of 2D animation software for businesses and individuals. With a presence in more than 30 countries, Toon Boom Technologies provides a complete suite of high-performance, web-enabled animation tools and services to creators and producers of 2D animation, including USAnimation, USAnimation Web Edition and Toon Boom Studio. Founded in 1994,Toon Boom Technologies offers a 100% vector-based, resolution independent and multi-layer software system with multi-format output to HDTV, Film, DVD, Imax and Macromedia Flash. Toon Boom Technologies' products supply the 2D animation market with digital production tools for market-leader studios such as Klasky Csupo, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Paramount, MGM, FableVision Studios and Wild Brain. For additional information, visit Toon Boom on the Web at www.toonboom.com

Toon Boom Studio and USAnimation are trademarks of Toon Boom Technologies Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners

About System Video Graphics Alliance

The Russian company - System Video Graphics Alliance, a leading systems' integrator in digital TV technologies, is authorized distributor of Toon Boom Technologies Inc. System Video Graphics Alliance develops and delivers effective hi-tech solutions for projects of variable complexity in the fields of TV and video production (nonlinear editing, broadcast design, computer graphics, animation); TV production and broadcasting automation; news gathering; virtual studios; media data storage and delivery; video equipment for TV studios, video studios and reporter groups; internet-technologies for TV.