Leading Producer of Original Sci Fi Channel Films Relies Upon NewTek’s LightWave 3D^® for High Impact Visual Effects

April 19, 2004

Unified Film Organization (UFO Films) develops and creates Sci Fi Channel movies using LightWave® production pipeline

Las Vegas, NV -- NAB -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, announced today that UFO Films, producers of leading Sci Fi Channel first-run movies, depends upon Emmy®-winning LightWave 3D® as the cornerstone of their visual effects pipeline. In recent months, UFO Films projects Phantom Force, Dragon Storm, Epoch: Evolution, Silent Warnings, Antibody, Interceptor Force and Python 2 have garnered some of the highest ratings of any programs on the Sci Fi Channel. LightWave® visual effects from these films and others will be featured at the NewTek booth (SL5045) and on the NewTek live web stream at http://www.newtek.com/shows/nab/2004/.

“When you operate on a production schedule like ours where you produce 6 to 8 films in 12 months, not to mention all of the other projects we have in house, there is no time to waste,” said Kevin Gendreau, visual effects producer at UFO Films. “We require a team of incredibly productive artists who are versatile and know the tools inside and out. That’s why we’ve come to rely so heavily on LightWave - it never lets us down. The tools are intuitive, the software is stable and the results are visible. Only LightWave would allow us to create feature-film quality dragons on a TV budget like we did for Dragon Storm.”

NewTek's LightWave 3D combines a state-of-the-art photo-realistic renderer with intuitive and powerful modeling and animation tools, and is used worldwide as a complete 3D production solution for visual effects for film and television, broadcast graphics, games, print and web.

Pricing and Availability

LightWave 3D [8] is expected to ship within weeks for a suggested retail price of $2799 (inc GST). LightWave 3D [7.5] is available now at authorized New Magic / NewTek resellers Australia and New Zealand nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2799 (inc GST Aust$), and those who purchase from now until LightWave 3D [8] ships will receive free the LightWave [8] Electronic Upgrade Pack, a $495US value. Registered owners of LightWave 3D [7.5] or earlier are eligible to purchase an upgrade to LightWave [8] for $899 (inc GST Aust$).

Newtek in Australia and New Zealand

NewTek products proudly distributed in Australia and New Zealand by New Magic Australia.

About New Magic Australia Pty Ltd

About UFO Films

Founded in 1995 by Jeffrey Beach and Philip J. Roth, the Unified Film Organization produces high-concept “effects-driven” action films for international television and theatrical release. UFO has produced films for Columbia/Tri-Star, Universal, and Senator Films, among others. UFO’s visual effects division also creates effects for outside projects as well and is currently working on two feature films. Unified Film Organization’s commitment to visual effects allows the creation of theatrical-quality films without studio level costs. www.ufofilm.com.

About NewTek

With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools including VT[3]^TM, and LightWave 3D^®, winner of the 2003 Primetime Emmy^® Engineering Award. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary Video Toaster^®.

The company's products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film. Recent television and film projects using NewTek software include Threat, Matrix, Children of Dune, Firefly, Taken, Smallville, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek 10: Nemesis, Matrix Reloaded, Collateral Damage, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Agent Cody Banks, Daredevil, Spy Kids II, We Were Soldiers, Panic Room, Hart's War, Driven, A.I., Oscar(r)-nominated Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Final Fantasy, Blackhawk Down, The Time Machine and Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Director's Edition DVD,

Recent game titles include Doom III, Unreal Tournament, Serious Sam for XBox, Age of Mythology, Civilization III, Dead to Rights, Baldur's Gate II, EverQuest and Escape From Monkey Island. Website: http://www.newtek.com.