Steve Goldberg is currently an animator and manager of the character animation group at PDI. After earning a B.S. degree in Computer Science from California State University, Northridge, he worked as a technical director at both Robert Abel and Associates and Digital Productions in Los Angeles. Steve Goldberg came on board with Pacific Data Images in early 1987, and enjoys working on projects with complex models and motion.

"Locomotion" is the result of a desire to create an animation which could best be presented using the medium of computer graphics. The computer allowed us to give the piece a completely unique look. I wished to create a highly detailed computer model which would move according to the rules of traditional hand-drawn cel animation, while maintaining the perspective and realistic rendering style which the computer is known for.

It was important that the characters would convey all of their actions and emotions without the aid of any anthropomorphic characteristics such as a face, arms, or legs. The engine and caboose had to act in pantomime; we created a "body language" for these characters by having their real-world parts act like certain human features.

The final story emerged as a combination of many influences. "Locomotion" is our interpretation of the classic children's fable "The Little Engine That Could"; a story which conveys the moral virtues of determination and positive thinking.

Technischer Hintergrund

HW: Silicon Graphics 4D Series
SW: PDI In-House Proprietary