The inaugural Entertainment Authoring Conference in Los Angeles, sponsored by Silicon Graphics Inc’s subsidiary Silicon Studio Inc, has generated three programmes for entertainment creation from motion pictures to interactive multimedia. Silicon Studio, with the help of animation and content creation software developers, has unveiled the Keystone initiative, a set of technical specifications that promises an open environment for software tools, including the definition of an application framework. This framework would include specifications for desktop integration and user interface design for a constant look and feel, data interchange among third-party programs to enable drag and drop, and file compatibility. This compatibility is based on Silicon Graphics’ Movie Library and will be extended to support Avid Technologies Inc’s Open Media Framework, as well as QuickTime and Motion Picture Expert Group standards, and a subset of the Silicon Graphics Inventor three-dimensional file format. Compliant software will be badged with the Silicon Studio seal of approval. Secondly, Silicon announced Silicon Studio Live, a service and support program. The first service available will be an on-line World Wide Web server with information on Silicon Studio products, technical papers, events information and company updates. Members will also be able to share information and erect virtual studios. Finally, Silicon Studio is setting up training centres in Los Angeles and London for post production and special effects on Silicon Graphics systems. Silicon Studio is also developing a set of software tools, code-named FireWalker, to help authors develop interactive media.
