Emmy movie features local animation software

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Emmy Award Winning movie features Christchurch created animation software ‘Voovees Director’

CHRISTCHURCH 1 September 2010

- Thinking Cactus, a Christchurch based software company has had its animation software ‘Voovees Director’ used in the Star Wars Uncut movie winning an Emmy Award last week.

Indy Liu, one of the founders of Thinking Cactus said “we are really excited that ‘Voovees Director’ has been selected to create part of the movie and even more delighted Star Wars Uncut has won an Emmy. Star Wars Uncut demonstrates that you don’t have to be a professional to create fabulous animations.”

The Star Wars Uncut project was set up by Casey Pugh, a 26-year-old Web developer who lives in Brooklyn. Pugh asked internet hobbyists worldwide to select 15 second clips of the Star Wars: A New Hope movie and remake it in animation. The animated clips were then compiled according to viewer ratings and Star Wars Uncut was created. The Voovees animation, produced by Pineapple Pictures, was selected amongst hundreds of submissions to be part of the final movie cut. The Emmy was awarded for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media for Fiction.

About ‘Voovees Director’: ‘Voovees Director’ is a free, downloadable 3D animation tool which makes it easy to create an animation in under 15 minutes. In six steps, users can animate a scene, customise characters and props, add voice or soundtrack and share with friends on YouTube. ‘Voovees Director’ can be downloaded at www.voovees.com

About Thinking Cactus Thinking Cactus was founded in 2006 by three University of Canterbury graduates, Indy Liu, Billy Chang and Tony Chang. The company has created several animation software products including ZenCub3d and Voovees. The company is based at Powerhouse Ventures, a seed investment and venture development company in Christchurch.

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