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New York City (May 4, 1998) - Black Hammer Productions, Inc. has created
an interactive sales presentation for the Pyramid Companies, one of the largest
real estate developers in the United States. Although Black Hammer completed
the disk within a short ten-week development schedule, the CD-ROM is loaded with
special features: (1) vector-based Flash animation maps which allow panning
across, and zooming in and out of, site plans; (2) photorealistic 3D models that
superimpose planned expansions on photographs of existing properties; and (3) an
interactive organization chart which incorporates videotaped interviews with
Pyramid's top executives. Pyramid will use the CD-ROM presentation as its primary
sales tool in seeking a buyer for the company.
Pyramid owns and operates properties exceeding 45 million square feet in the
Northeast. After a lengthy search for a developer who could complete a high-quality
presentation within a short turnaround time, Pyramid turned to Black Hammer to create
an interactive presentation that would do justice to its large portfolio of properties.
Ken Stanford of Pyramid explained, "of the firms we interviewed, Black Hammer was the
best at CD-ROM development. We felt that they were innovative and would be creative
in designing the presentation." Black Hammer's president, Matthew Schlanger, noted,
"normally, a project of this scope would take several months but we assembled a team
which completed the work in only 10 weeks to meet Pyramid's deadline."
Black Hammer's art director, Pauliina Raitosola, delivered an attractive design
that organizes a wealth of information about the company, its history and properties,
such as financial information, tenant mix, and area demographics. The Pyramid CD-ROM
provides intuitive navigation through its many sections; for example, a buyer may view
company history in autoplay mode or skip to a specific year by selecting it on a
timeline.
The special features are the highlight of the Pyramid CD-ROM. Potential purchasers
can pan across, or zoom in and out of, site plans for 22 Pyramid shopping complexes.
For each property, potential purchasers can also view a 3D model of planned expansions
that is overlaid on a photograph of the existing complex. Potential purchasers may
determine management structure by calling up an interactive organization chart which
incorporates videotaped interviews with Pyramid's top executives. Schlanger pointed
out, "this piece shows Black Hammer's versatility. We designed the interface, created
the animations, interface art and 3D models, and provided sound production and
programming. We have become very experienced at creating complex interactive projects
for corporate clients."
Black Hammer Productions, Inc. was founded by Matthew Schlanger and Andrew Hunt,
who were featured among New York Magazine's "Cyber 60" as leading interactive developers.
Black Hammer creates and refines corporate identities through multimedia products,
including Web sites, commercial and corporate CD-ROMs, Shockwave games and interactive
kiosks. Additional information about Black Hammer can be found at its website
(www.blackhammer.com).
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