From: 092133@adpdp2.lanl.gov (092133)
Subject: TECH: Lawnmower Man Graphics
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 18:01:00 GMT
Message-ID: <15APR199211012449@adpdp2.lanl.gov>
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory, EMVAX


Xaos Inc., a San Francisco computer animation firm whose name is pronounced
chaos, is making is offbeat handle know for combining artistic vision and
high-tech gymnastics for television and movies. 

Xaos is known in the small but highly competitive industry for the look of its
graphics, described as "organic" or "painterly" in contrast with the
sharp-edged appearance common to much of computer animation.

"It's a very, very unique look -- flowing motion, everything blending
together," said Andrew Barauskas, spokesman for the National Computer Graphics
Association.  The trade group earlier this month awarded Xaos first prize in
its annual computer animation competition for its water-in-a-bottle opening for
the 1991 MTV series "Liquid Television."

Creating the unique look is Xaos' goal.  By writing its own software, the
company has exclusive tools to put its ideas on the canvas of TV or movie
screens, said Xaos co-founder Arthur Schartzberg. [The other co-founder is
Michael Tolson.] 

Most of the animators and programmers on Xaos' 23 member staff have fine-arts
backgrounds said Mark Mahlberg, the company's artistic director.  "That's our
thing -- creativity and doing things that are driven more by aesthetics than
money," he said.