Image Metrics Selected as Finalist for 2007 Global Red Herring 100 Awards

Company’s Computer Performance-Driven Facial Animation System Recognized as Innovative Entertainment Industry Technology for the Second Consecutive Year

LOS ANGELES, CA — Dec 10, 2007 — Image Metrics today announced that it was selected as a global finalist for the Red Herring 100 Awards. Last year, the company, which produces performance driven facial animation for the entertainment industry, was elected to the European Top 100 Group. Technology industry executives, investors, and observers have regarded the Red Herring 100 lists as an invaluable instrument to discover and advocate the promising Companies that will lead the next wave of innovation.

“Expanding Image Metrics operations from the U.K. into the U.S. has brought us many opportunities, but being recognized by Red Herring as a global company to watch truly validates the changes we are striving to effect in the entertainment industry,” said Kelvin Duckett, chief operating officer of Image Metrics. “Our performance driven facial animation solution not only delivers far more realistic results than other methods used in film and game development, but even operates with little input from animators, saving both time and production costs. We’re honored that Red Herring has recognized our efforts to streamline and improve computer-generated animation by considering Image Metrics for this award.”

Image Metrics’ proprietary performance driven facial animation process has been developed over the past seven years by a team of Ph.D. physicists. The technology has been used in over 25 video games, including the “Grand Theft Auto” series from Rockstar Games, as well as “SOCOM: US Navy Seals Combined Assault” and “Lair” from Sony Computer Entertainment. Image Metrics is also currently in production with partners on a number of high-profile film projects.

The Image Metrics facial animation system uses newly recorded or pre-existing video of an actor that can be shot using any video or high definition camera. The detail seen in the recorded video is then analyzed and automatically mapped onto the computer-generated head with little manual human input. Through the video-capture method, data is generated for the movement of the teeth, tongue, lips and most importantly, the actor’s eyes. Eye movements are something human beings are very sensitive about, making optical behaviour a critical component of creating believable digital characters.