(Bergen, Norway--April 29, 2008) The Premier Soccer League (PSL), Africa’s largest soccer league, has chosen Vizrt solutions and Los Angeles-based graphic design firm Reality Check Studios to produce its graphics packages.
PSL games are broadcast on Super Sport, an African all-sports television network. The government owned network, South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) also carries the PSL matches and is integrating the Vizrt graphics package designed by Reality Check Studios in collaboration with Johannesburg-based Universal Production.
Reality Check Studios created the graphics for Super Sport using Viz Artist animation software, and Vizrt’s powerful graphics rendering engine, Viz Engine, takes them to air. SuperSport was the first to launch the new graphics package for the Soweto Derby between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates. The match was seen live in more than 40 countries around the world last November.
Former head of the Norwegian Soccer League and current Chief Executive Officer of PSL, Kjetil P. Siem sought out Reality Check Studios to deliver the Vizrt solution to overhaul the look of the leagues matches on air: “We wanted to set a new standard for African soccer broadcasts. To do that successfully, we needed a level of quality that is more in line with the North American and European standard. We consider Vizrt to be the best platform to achieve this quality shift. We brought Reality Check Studios on board to make it happen.”
The Viz Artist and Viz Engine combination enabled designers from Reality Check Studios to create a standard look for all in-game graphics, which includes lineups, match clock and score, full screens, lower thirds and player Match-ups. According to Siem, having an overall look for the league was an important factor in the decision making process. “As a soccer league, it’s important to be proactive in designing the look of the content broadcasters will use,” Siem explained. “Graphics is a much stronger tool for branding and commercialization than most people realize. When PSL took full control over our own TV product, graphics solutions including opening sequences, wipes and standard graphical elements were of very high importance. Vizrt and Reality Check were chosen as partners because PSL wanted the best products and solutions available. With Reality Check Studios and Vizrt, we’re part of the development and retain an element of control over the look of the broadcasts.”
About Reality Check:
Reality Check Studios is a motion graphics company known for its diverse skill set and ability to leverage technology to develop innovative graphics, VFX and animations. With a unique blend of technical and design talent, our Emmy award-winning artists create compelling solutions to meet clients’ graphic needs for both broadcast and film. As pioneers in 3D animation with over ten years of experience, Reality Check Studios has earned a proven reputation as the industry leader in producing motion graphics. Contact Reality Check Studios at (323) 465-3900, info@realityx.com or on the web at
http://www.realityx.com.
About Vizrt:
Vizrt offers a new vision for content creation and delivery with an end-to-end solution from ingest to visualization. Our solution combines Vizrt’s true 2D/3D graphics tools with Curious Software’s World Maps and Ardendo’s asset management. Running on non-proprietary hardware, the combination of these unique cutting-edge products ensures a seamless workflow from conception to multi-format distribution. The latest addition to the Vizrt product suite is Viz|MPS for handheld devices.
Vizrt’s product suite is used by the world’s leading broadcasters including: CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, TV Today, CCTV and NHK. Also, many world class production houses and corporate institutions, including both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, utilize Vizrt solutions.
Vizrt is a public company traded on the Frankfurt Prime Standard and on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154. For further information, please refer to
http://www.vizrt.com.
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