For more information, contact
Deeje Cooley
415-244-0828
mailto:deeje@puppettime.com
http://www.puppettime.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUPPETTIME RELEASES PUPPETTIME PRODUCER 1.0 AIMED AT EDUCATION, B2B, AND
PREVISUALIZATION CUSTOMERS
3D Internet Company Leads Animation Revolution With User-Friendly
Storytelling Technology
SAN FRANCISCO (January 5, 2000) – At Macworld Expo 2000, PuppetTime, Inc.
today announced that PuppetTime Producer 1.0 is now available for download
from the company’s website at (http://www.puppettime.com).
PuppetTime Producer is an easy-to-use 3D character animation program that
implements the concept of digital actors. Users can create compelling 3D
animations in minutes simply by selecting characters, typing dialog,
recording sounds and voice-overs, and choosing actions. 3D modeling or
animation experience is not required because the digital actors, or
puppets, are predefined and know how to draw and animate themselves.
Puppets can have many animations, costumes, and emotional states to choose
from.
“Everyone has a story to tell,” says Deeje Cooley, Chairman and CTO,
“Storytelling is everywhere in our society, from movies and television, to
commercials and now the web. With PuppetTime Producer, the TV-watching
generation is now empowered to become the TV-making generation.”
Sophistication Made Simple
PuppetTime Producer includes a number of sophisticated features that
simplify the 3D animation process for non-animators. Puppets have a number
of emotional states built in, which are easily chosen from a simple list.
Puppets also automatically create their own mouth shapes (visemes) from
dialog text, using the MacOS Text-To-Speech technology. The user can then
overdub his or her own voice speaking the dialog, giving the puppet
characters unique inflections and personalities. Sound tracks may be
imported for use as sound effects and background music. Still images can be
imported as backgrounds. The program also supports multiple puppets and
cameras for true cinematic freedom.
Many Output Options
A finished animation may be saved in a number of different file formats.
Saved as a PuppetTime track inside a QuickTime movie, the fully rendered 3D
animation will be compressed as low as 1k per second. The animation can be
rendered to video, using any of the video codecs, at up to 60 frames/sec.
It can also be used to generate an animated storyboard (animatic) and to
print a set of storyboards from a color printer.
Broad Consumer Application
PuppetTime Producer has a wide range of applications. Students can make
animations that reflect their social studies curriculum, and to develop
their own storytelling and creative skills. Creative directors and
screenwriters can create storyboards and animatics to previsualize TV ads
and scenes for TV, film, and theater. Sales people can animate their
corporate mascot as a unique “spokesperson” to create attention grabbing
PowerPoint presentations.
“Every educator who’s seen a demonstration of our program is enthralled and
wants to start implementing PuppetTime into their curriculum immediately,”
says Tal Fried, COO and Founder. “Releasing our product now gives educators
the opportunity to have PuppetTime Producer implemented for the 2000/2001
school year.”
Availability and Pricing
The shareware version of PuppetTime Producer is available for US$89.00 from
the company’s website at (http://www.puppettime.com). Academic pricing is
available at $495.00 for a 10-seat license, with additional seats at $49.00
each. Volume and site licenses are also available.