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What is the focus of your company DiscreetFX?

DiscreetFX's focus is on hand crafting unique, stunning visual effects software and films that expand and improve customer video production and creativity. The birth of DiscreetFX began with a CD-ROM (Pyromania from VCE) filled with captured digitized frames of real fire and explosions. The frames were converted to real-time video effects that editors could use in their productions. The original producer of the CD-ROM envisioned using sequenced frames of fire from the CD to give animators using Lightwave 3D or other 3D programs the ability to produce realistic explosions and fire in their animations. The CD sold well in the animation community, even to the visual effects producers of Babylon 5. But my vision went beyond just images in 3D software.

I wanted to remove the complexity and requirement of 3D software, and instead utilize this great collection of captured flames and fire as a drag and drop transition for the Amiga Video Toaster. I wasn't happy with the low resolution frames of the PC & Mac versions (640*480), so I requested the original 2K*2K images and converted them to the native broadcast quality resolution of the Video Toaster Flyer. I had plans for many more theme based effects for the Amiga Video Toaster, but these were put on hold by the demise of Commodore. Then Escom put the availability of Amiga in to limbo. At the time DiscreetFX's software required an Amiga with a Video Toaster to function at its highest intended quality. DiscreetFX was reborn in 2002 with the launch of Video Toaster [2]. Sadly the VT[2] was not for the Amiga, but with new customers and new Video Toasters it allowed me to bring DiscreetFX out of the freezer.

Could you tell us about yourself? How did you get started in this field? How did you become interested in Amiga's?

I first found out about the Amiga when it was mentioned in RUN magazine. My first computer was a Commodore 64. When Run magazine hinted of the Amiga's power, it was still being developed and Commodore did not own it yet. I later bought the first issue of Amiga World and dreamed of owning one, but I couldn't afford it at the time. What drew me to the Amiga was the creative aspect of it. I always had an interest in acting, film production and special effects. The Amiga was the first computer that made this available at a reasonable price.

Rumor has it you worked for Commodore at one time. What did you do for them?

I did work for Commodore in the Philippines where I sold more than five hundred Amiga 500's and over 100 Amiga 2000's.

Do you still use a Video Toaster?

I have many Video Toasters on the Amiga and on Windows XP. The Video Toaster and its offshoots (SpeedEDIT, TriCaster) are great products on Windows and on the Amiga (Video Toaster Flyer). If it was not for the Amiga, DiscreetFX and even NewTek might not exist.

Spontaneous Combustion is obviously a major product for you. Could you give us some history of the product and explain more about it? Is it available for any particular Amiga related operating system?

I finished the Amiga Video Toaster Flyer version of Pyromania as a subcontractor. Later customers requested a sequel for the Video Toaster [2]. By then the technology had advanced to the point that realistic fire, smoke and explosions could be created 100% with computer software. The expensive process of filming real fire was no longer required. Also, I never planned to remain a subcontractor subject to the whims of other companies goals and product lines. With Spontaneous Combustion for the Video Toaster [2], DiscreetFX became its own company with new fresh ideas and products. It's nice that you can turn on your television today and see fire, smoke and explosion effects used on many networks. I am happy that I changed television even a little bit and made it more spontaneous. But the plan was never to be a one hit wonder or to be known as the company that only does fire effects. The goal was to have a large series of theme based video effects to help customers with their video productions.

What other unique visual effect software products has DiscreetFX created?

We have a wide variety of products in development and we are already shipping several theme based digital video effects covering Fire, Sports, Fantasy, Religion, etc. Please see the DiscreetFX product page for specific product information. Before DiscreetFX, you never saw fire, explosions and smoke used as a digital video effect.

What is used to develop these creations?

We use a wide variety of software on our network. We combine tools to get new results on SGI, Amiga, MorphOS and Windows XP. We have also developed custom in-house software that assists us with product development.

Do you plan to make DiscreetFX products available for AROS? If so, what is needed in AROS for you to do this and which products might be available?

I would love to make our products available for AROS. For this to happen, a video editing application would need to be available first. Also we have considered making our effects into Hollywood transitions, but we would need the assistance of the developer to make this happen. Please consider the fact that we would even consider porting to AROS as a compliment, we don't consider porting to many editing systems even when asked. For example we do get asked quite a lot to port our digital video effects to Adobe Premiere. This may be a major mistake on my part but I will never allow it. I have no interest in seeing our products on this editing app ever. If after I tell the customer our products will never appear on Premiere, if they still insist I finally tell them the only way it will ever happen. Adobe would have to buy DiscreetFX and port the effects themselves. This gets a good laugh from the customer but it is the gods honest truth. I run DiscreetFX the way I want to right or wrong. We have survived the might of Autodesk trying to crush us so we must be doing something right.

Your company has donated several times to AROS. The AROS Community really appreciates the interest shown by DiscreetFX. What benefits will AROS eventually provide to DiscreetFX?

I hope that one day AROS will advance to the level that our product line can be ported to it. Today we are a Windows developer under protest.

Have you tried running AROS?

I have run AROS and feel it's advancing nicely.

Have you checked out the paint program Lunapaint, which was originally developed in AROS?

I have not tried this painting application, but will make some time and explore it soon. My schedule is very hectic.

What are your thoughts on the AROS, MorphOS and Amiga communities currently?

Choice is a good thing. In the past Commodore stated there would never be any Amiga clones. So when Commodore died it hurt the Amiga market and left it in turmoil. If Commodore had licensed the Amiga, everyone would be using it today. The Amiga market survived though and today the developers of AROS, Amiga OS 4.0 & MorphOS know they have to do their best or they could lose out to the other Amiga like solutions. Customers get a great benefit from this competition. Today the Amiga market is small, but that does not have to be the case for the future. Microsoft with Windows Vista has failed to deliver a product that customers want. Other factors in the computer and cell phone markets provide an opportunity for Amiga, AROS and MorphOS in the future.

What convinced you to start the DiscreetFX Retro Amiga Game Creation Contest starring "Hottie®"?

Hottie has worked hard and done a great job promoting Spontaneous Combustion. That was the original reason she was conceived. In the future we want to expand the Hottie character into video games, television, feature films and licensing. Mickey Mouse does a great job of it and makes billions for Disney every year. Mickey is a great character but he does not have Hottie's figure.
Read announcement of contest here.

Do you know how many participants have started working on an entry?

I know of at least two teams.

As you know, AROS has it's own sexy mascot, Kitty. How and why was your mascot Hottie® created?

Hottie was created back in 2002 to represent Spontaneous Combustion. Eric Schwartz did a great job drawing her from the concepts and ideas I gave him for the character. We now have a male version of Hottie too.

What is the current status of your movie Oil Change? Why did you decide to make this movie?

Oil Change is still in production. We have a fantastic new editor for the film and are very pleased with the work he is doing on the high definition footage that has been shot in the last year. He is an old time Amiga owner and fan and he is working hard and doing a great job editing the trailers/film using NewTek's SpeedEDIT.

Do you still plan to attempt to purchase Amiga Inc?

When DiscreetFX sets a goal it sticks to it. We have been in contact with Amiga Inc. a few times. But keep in mind we can only buy them if they wish to sell and if a price can be agreed upon from both companies. I won't say more as it would be unprofessional to discuss what has been said between the companies so far.

DiscreetFX has graciously stood behind the AmiZilla project. Do you think there is still any hope for the project?

AmiZilla will succeed. It's just taking more time for the programmers to do the port.
AmiZilla Shop

Is there anything at all you would like to add?

If Amiga/MorphOS/AROS users want these operating systems to succeed and become mass market please support hardware/software developers so that they can grow. If you can't support with money then support with programming and or graphic design assistance. Support on whatever system is your favorite (Amiga OS 4.0, AROS, MorphOS) and do something to advance the system. Every bit helps even if it is something small.

Best regards

Bill P
Founder/CEO
DiscreetFX
www.discreetfx.com