ANIMAX PRODUCES OVER 80 MINUTES OF ANIMATION, GAMING AND E-LEARNING FOR STUDYDOG

Internet-based reading program for struggling readers in grades K-6 leverages ANIMAX's creative and technology expertise

(PRWEB) April 3, 2003

Los Angeles, CA - April 2, 2003 - ANIMAX, a leading animation and multimedia production company, has produced over 80 minutes of animation, online lessons and interactive game devices for StudyDog, an innovative supplier of learning systems for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The Flash animated learning program is now available online at http://www.studydog.com.

StudyDog selected ANIMAX to build StudyDog Reading based upon ANIMAX's solid experience and proven expertise in both animation and technology. StudyDog Reading blends proven reading fundamentals with innovative technology and design to produce a truly unique solution: a 'game' that teaches children to read and keeps them on track until they improve by at least one grade level.

StudyDog Executive Producer Greg Heartman said, "ANIMAX impressed us with their expertise in producing both high-quality creative and stable technology. Even under aggressive schedules they were always flexible and conscientious, never compromising the overall quality of the product with short-cut solutions." The finished product is the result of the seamless integration of ANIMAX's Animation, Gaming and Technology divisions.

Engaging Animation Entertains and Educates

ANIMAX's Animation division designed, developed, scripted and produced over 80 minutes of animation. The program features the helpful and encouraging "StudyDog" character, with whom the child embarks on an individually tailored adventure story in which he or she solves mysteries on the magical Lost Island. Along the way, they encounter a number of affable characters who provide clues and prizes as rewards for accomplishing educational tasks. ANIMAX used Macromedia Flash MX and traditional hand techniques to produce the 2D character animation, which was composited with painted backgrounds.

Online Learning as Compelling as a Video Game

In designing StudyDog Reading, ANIMAX's Gaming team applied the same tools and techniques used in creating games to develop the curriculum-based interactive lessons. The gameplay in the immersive Lost Island varies greatly, ranging from first-person clicker to role-playing to action and adventure. Taking full advantage of Flash MX's capabilities, ANIMAX combined linear animated segments with interactive events and triggers. As a result, lessons change based on individual student interactions and virtually no two children will have the same learning experience.

Technology Backbone Enables Entertainment and Education

ANIMAX Technology further leveraged the capabilities of Flash MX in integrating the animation and lessons into a cohesive whole. The technology backbone of the entire StudyDog Reading Program is the Smart StudyDog Agent™, a patent pending learning management system that integrates artificial intelligence with special purpose agent software to continually monitor a student's learning progress. The data collected is analyzed to identify areas requiring more instruction and practice, and future lessons are tailored "on the fly" to give children precisely the instruction they need. Consequently, children learn better, faster and more easily. ANIMAX developed the modules using Flash MX ActionScripting, employing proprietary tools and techniques to optimize the interactive lessons and create a compelling user experience across dial-up modems and broadband connections alike.

More to Come

In the future, StudyDog and ANIMAX have plans to create additional programs to complement StudyDog Reading. "StudyDog works with ANIMAX to make our curriculum a valuable learning tool that's both engaging and entertaining," said Deme Clainos, CEO and President of StudyDog. "Our work with StudyDog took full advantage of our animation and interactive technology capabilities. ANIMAX is seeing increased interest in e-learning initiatives that combine education and entertainment," commented ANIMAX VP of Production, Tim Jones.

About ANIMAX

Founded in 2001, ANIMAX is a full-service animation and multimedia production house. ANIMAX has produced animation for clients including Disney Channel, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros., interactive entertainment for F3 Entertainment (http://www.weaverbeaver.com) and MGM, and e-learning applications for Peachtree Software and StudyDog, among others. Currently, ANIMAX is animating a short film starring Danny DeVito and John Rhys-Davies and has several TV shows in active production and development. ANIMAX's international headquarters are located in Los Angeles, with additional production facilities in Vancouver and in Kiev, Ukraine. http://www.ANIMAXentertainment.com

For more information about ANIMAX, please contact:

Michael Bellavia, 310-559-9651x225, mbellavia@ANIMAXent.com

About StudyDog

StudyDog, developers of the StudyDog Learning System, a system targeted to children between kindergarten and sixth-grade, is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. StudyDog Reading, the company's first product assists children with reading problems, those specifically who are struggling to read with no previous defined learning disability. The product is available for download via StudyDog.com and includes no pre-packaged software, but operates solely via an Internet connection.

For more information about StudyDog visit their Web site at http://www.studydog.com or contact: Krista Foxwell, krista@revolutionpr.com