Visual Effects— digitally animated special effects for live-action movies, such as car crashes or space battles.
Animated features, such as the recent release "Surf's Up."
Performance capture— the process of digitally enhancing live action. This process involves using video cameras to very accurately capture the complicated motion of actors, animals or other on-stage activity, and using it to create highly realistic animated films. "Beowulf," scheduled for release this year, will use this technique.
And converting two-dimensional films to three-dimensional— a gimmick that has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity with the recent development of digital projection, which, unlike traditional film projection, does not require a second print or projector to get a 3-D effect.
Denise said Sony's varied expertise gives it an advantage in the business.
"We offer a big variety for artists," she said. "When you have really good artists, you want them to stay with you. And it shows directors we have lots of tools in the toolbox. The technology in one area can help another."
Furthermore, she said, a growing "convergence" of video and computer gaming, film and Internet content requires these multiple talents. "The people we'll be bringing to Albuquerque will hopefully be from all those different groups," she added.
Hershey said the Albuquerque office will give Imageworks a chance to "reinvent our technology, our infrastructure and our computer room."
Assumptions made during the construction of its first infrastructure in Culver City turned out to be "about 60 percent wrong," he said.
Hershey said New Mexico's aggressive recent efforts to build a film industry, along with Albuquerque's easy access to the Los Angeles area, were the deciding factors in moving some of its business here.
The state offers zero-interest loans to filmmakers and tax rebates of up to 25 percent on all film production costs, including labor, that are taxable in New Mexico.
"In California, the film industry gets all the media attention, but in terms of government attention, it's zero," Hershey said.
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