March 14, 1997 2:00 PM ET
Return of the JEDI: SGIs expands tech pact with Lucas company
By Maria Seminerio

Silicon Graphics Inc. has expanded its digital imaging technology development agreement with movie industry heavyweight Industrial Light & Magic, the companies announced today. The two firms' second JEDI (Joint Environment for Digital Imaging) pact will focus on development of computer-generated animation for an upcoming packaged release of the "Star Wars" movie trilogy and sequels to "Jurassic Park" and "Speed," according to officials at Lucas Digital Ltd., ILM's parent company. SGI's digital imaging technology, which also helped breathe realistic images into "Twister," has planted "the seeds of what film making will be in 20 years," according to Lucas Digital President Jim Morris. ILM and SGI's contributions to "Twister" last year garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Achievement in Visual Effects. The new development agreement expands upon the companies' 1994 JEDI pact. SGI is based in Mountain View, Calif. ILM is headquartered in San Rafael, Calif. Copyright(c) 1997 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company is prohibited. PC Week and the PC Week logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. PC Week Online and the PC Week Online logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. Send mail to PC Week