Blockade Entertainment Debuts Groundbreaking New Animation Studio

Blockade Entertainment Debuts Groundbreaking New Animation Studio

Company dedicated to using existing video game engines and assets to create compellind 3D animation for television, film, and online

Partners Include Gearbox Software and Rhythm + Hues

LOS ANGELES, November 5, 2007 - Blockade Entertainment has debuted the first animation studio of its kind to create and distribute compelling 3D animated content through the utilization of video game engines and assets. The company has launched several exclusive previews of its programming online at www.blockade.com, including the short film, "Little Angel" and the company's national commercial for GameStop, "The Break Up". Both projects used Blockade's new animation process -- a sophisticated production pipeline and technology platform -- that can do what was once considered impossible: Produce high quality 3D animation for a fraction of the time and cost. "Blockade's process will allow television networks and online media portals to distribute original animated content at a level of quality normally associated with large theatrical releases," said Brad Foxhoven, Co-founder and CEO of Blockade.

"Little Angel" - True Hollywood & Video Game Convergence

Blockade started when Foxhoven approached Gearbox Software, a top video game developer based in Dallas, Texas, and Academy Award winning 3D animation and effects studio Rhythm and Hues based in Los Angeles, California, with an idea to execute this new vision in animation development. Together, they pooled resources, talent, and production processes to build a bridge between the traditional video game and animation production pipeline. "Little Angel" was the resulting initial proof of concept for the company. "Brad (Foxhoven) gave myself and the eight member production team a very specific set of goals: produce an original 5- minute short, from concept to delivery, within 30 days using only the "Brothers in Arms" game assets and the result was amazing," explains "Little Angel" writer and director, Bill Kroyer. Industry standards for a production similar to "Little Angel" would have taken a team of 25-30 people 4-5 months, costing 10-15 times the budget of what Blockade spent on the piece.

Blockade was then formed, and has gone about establishing partnerships with several major video game publishers and content owners to produce television series based on their intellectual properties. These series will then be distributed to network, cable, broadband, DVD and mobile outlets domestically and internationally. The company is also co-developing several original projects directly with the networks.

Interactive Animation

Adding value to Blockade's programming is the company's ability to produce in-show, dynamic advertising. Blockade's pipeline allows marketers to display their brand messages, in a variety of graphic formats, directly inside the actual show. The technology makes these advertising opportunities dynamic and real-time so that advertisers, who want to promote their products for a specific period of time, or change their messaging during the campaign, can now do so for the first time in an animated show.

Localized Content

Blockade's first-of-its-kind production process allows for the insertion and/or alteration of multiple digital assets within an animated set in real-time. The result is an opportunity to create special, localized content that reflects a specific targeted audience providing significant value to international partners.

Blockade Entertainment

Based in Sherman Oaks, California, Blockade Entertainment employs a senior development team bringing together deep expertise in 3D animation, production, and distribution. Team members have previously worked for market-leading companies such as Electronic Arts, Disney, Rhythm and Hues, Top Cow, Hands-on, Marvel, 20th Century Fox, Bioware/Pandemic, and Codemasters.

Gearbox Software

Gearbox Software is an independent, award-winning developer of interactive entertainment responsible for best-selling titles on all major gaming platforms. By employing the industry's most talented people and using proven production methods, Gearbox creates games that are technologically advanced, creative and above all, fun to play.

Rhythm & Hues

Celebrating its twentieth anniversary in April 2007, R+H is a complete digital studio, with live action and animation directors, vfx, design and post-production services. R+H draws upon the talent and technical firepower of one of the world's premier effects and animation facilities, Rhythm & Hues Studios, and are dedicated to the highest quality of commercial production and outstanding client support.

Recent commercial projects include Coca-Cola, Listerine, Budweiser, Quaker State, Nasonex, Snuggle, Activision, Microsoft X-Box, Crayola, Miller Beer, Ubisoft, Toyota and Zicam. Recent Film Division credits include three of the ten top-grossing films of 2006: Night at the Museum, Superman Returns and Happy Feet, in addition to Charlotte's Web and The Fast and The Furious 3: Tokyo Drift. Films currently in production include The Golden Compass, The Incredible Hulk and Alvin & The Chipmunks.