July 27, 2006

Sony Pictures Imageworks establishes Imageworks 3D for stereoscopic production

Sony Pictures Imageworks president Tim Sarnoff recently announced the appointment of Buzz Hays to the position of senior producer for the company's recently formalized Imageworks 3D stereoscopic pipeline. This pipeline is dedicated
the creation of three-dimensional stereoscopic versions of standard release films for the IMAX 3D and Real D platforms.

Hays' first projects are the 3D stereoscopic adaptations for two of Columbia Pictures' upcoming films: Monster House for Real D theaters and the first CG feature from Sony Pictures Animation Open Season in IMAX 3D.

Before joining Imageworks, Hays worked for Radium, where he executive produced visual effects for numerous music videos and broadcast commercials worldwide. Prior to working at Radium, Hays was executive producer at yU+co, where he produced title sequences for films such as Catwoman, The Terminal, and The Chronicles of Riddick. Earlier, Hays co-founded TriBeCa Interactive with Robert De Niro. In 1993, Hays co-produced the independent film, Swimming with Sharks.

Between 1987 and 1993, Hays served as director of engineering at Lucasfilm THX, where he was responsible for all research and development efforts, including the THX Sound System and Home THX. Hays also oversaw the design, construction, and installation of more than 600 movie theaters and film dubbing stages worldwide.

Imageworks' prior work in 3D stereoscopic formats includes The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience.