Q&A Session With AMD and Troublemakers Behind Opteron and FirePro 'Machete' Hardware
AMD technology behind Grindhouse style movies.
Yesterday we reported that AMD's technology is the one of choice for Troublemaker Studios – the creative minds behind films such as Sin City, Predators, and opening today, Machete.
Specifically, the team at Troublemaker used hexacore Opteron CPU and FirePro V8800 GPUs to complete 500 final shots.
“With 'Machete,' Robert Rodriguez makes use of a variety of media formats and effects setups, which require a high level of post-processing,” said Charlie Boswell, director of Digital Media and Entertainment at AMD. “With six-core AMD Opteron processors and ATI FirePro V8800 graphics solutions, Robert and his Troublemaker Studios team have delivered a resulting look and vibe as distinct as the plot itself.”
“I've had the idea for 'Machete' since meeting Danny Trejo while filming 'Desperado' in 1993, and it's only now after years of refining that idea combined with the advancements in AMD technology that I've been able to bring my creative vision to life in the way I truly envisaged it,” said Robert Rodriguez, co-owner, Troublemaker Studios. “The incredible developments in AMD platform technology continue to fuel my creativity, driving me to push it to its limits. In fact, I've made plans to incorporate AMD's Fusion Render technology into the production of my next film 'Spy Kids 4'.”
We had the chance to talk a little with the technical team behind Machete for a quick Q&A session.
Q: It was with Sin City that we heard most about how Troublemaker Studios used computers to greatly lower production costs, despite it still being one of the more expensive movies from Rodriguez at that point. Was this sort of cost-efficiency a big factor of why AMD CPUs and GPUs were used on Machete?
A: AMD was the fastest technology at the time Sin City was realized. In addition, the 64-bit factor was in play when Troublemaker chose AMD.
AMD’s roadmap continues to be a factor in Troublemaker’s commitment to AMD tech. The fact the workstations are AMD on AMD (ATI FirePro) is important because it helps ensure driver quality and platform stability without which raw speed is really of no consequence. Robert Rodriguez and his crew have zero tolerance for shaky tech. The next step is to leverage the GPU in the render farm and that is happening on Spy Kids IV.
Q: Could you tell us a little about the evolution and changes in hardware the studio has gone through over the years from Sin City, Grindhouse, Predators to Machete? Was it always AMD behind the scenes?
A: The migration has been from multi-processor to multi-core and now to 12-core in both workstations and servers. Not to overlook the fact the workstations now have ATI FirePro professional graphics. AMD has been the back bone at Troublemaker Studios since Spy Kids III.
Q: It seems that 3D is the big thing going on right now in Hollywood. Troublemaker has done 3D before with Spy Kids 3-D and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D. What's the attitude of Troublemaker towards 3D movies now that the film industry seemingly wants a 3D option with every picture?
A: If Robert is into it, then Troublemaker Studios is ready to go full-on 3D. For 3D movies, Troublemaker’s pre-production pipeline is stereoscopic to ensure the shots work in pre-vizualization, but the production and post-production pipelines are 2D. It really depends on how Robert feels and the nature of the project. Clearly, 3D for Robert and Troublemaker is well understood.
Q: We know that you used six-core Opterons and FirePro V8800s, but could you give us more details about the hardware used and how many machines you had working at any given time?
A: Troublemaker uses 100% AMD Opteron and the majority of workstations feature ATI FirePro professional graphics. The render farm is 100% AMD and a mix of dual, quad, and 12-core.
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Sweeeeeet, so AMD's bang for buck is FINALLY sinking into the heads of film makers.
I've been waiting for this movie since seeing the trailer in Grind House.
Troublemakers really is making a name for themselves. I wonder tho does some of this have to do with Robert Rodriguez, being part owner, has learned a bit more on when to use 3D rendering. In 1991 this company was founded under the name of Los Hooligans.
nice, i like amd too, but i'm thinking this has turned into a fanboy news. in fact, it looks like a paid advertisement.
Cheech and Steven Segal in the same movie.... This cannot fail
I'm just glad that AMD is back in the whole arena of competition again and making a name for themselves. So, I don't mind news like this where big moviemakers are going with AMD. As long as there is competition, I can expect lower prices and better product. Can't wait to see that movie though, Steven Seagal is pure lulz.
In terms of bang for your buck, AMD has been the choice for quite some time now. Though, raw performance wise, Intel is king. Hands down. I fail to see where it makes sense for a movie studio to use AMD processors. In applications like this, the amount you can get done in a day is normally constrained by how well your PC can keep up. Spending an extra 400 or 500 bucks may seem like a lot, but not when you get even 5% more efficiency while paying someone $40+ and hour. Simple economics. The smart studio would be using the fastest possible.
^ No, a smart studio would maximize it's profit based on price vs. performance.
And the winner of the "most rehearsed line" is...
Are you effing kidding me right now?! ATi?! driver quality?! in the same sentence!? Just 2 days ago, Tom's released an article on nVidia's new offering showing how weak ATI drivers were.
Red thumb me all you like...this is total BS...I know a paid advertisement when I see one.
More "bang for your buck" = more servers/cores in the render farm, so faster speeds, not slower. If it was slower, then AMD wouldn't be "more bang for your buck".
For the workstations Intel may be faster (no idea whether or not using a slower AMD processor would actually effect work output), but then you have to deal with supporting Intel and AMD rather than just AMD.
It reads like a transcript of a NASCAR or NHRA interview...
I think the first payment for that hardware has just appeared here
oh 30% off my next upgrade if i open my pie hole and spew forth amd praises?
I don't know if I would claim Spy Kids 2 and Shark Boy and Lavagirl. Most high end video games look better than those movies ever did.
It's good to see Troublemaker is getting bigger and bigger, and AMD is helping with that. The studio puts out some great content.
6870 Machete edition anyone?
In terms of bang for your buck, AMD has been the choice for quite some time now. Though, raw performance wise, Intel is king. Hands down. I fail to see where it makes sense for a movie studio to use AMD processors. In applications like this, the amount you can get done in a day is normally constrained by how well your PC can keep up. Spending an extra 400 or 500 bucks may seem like a lot, but not when you get even 5% more efficiency while paying someone $40+ and hour. Simple economics. The smart studio would be using the fastest possible.
And how do you know how those 12 core Opterons behave on their software compared to Intel`s? I believe they know better than you. And when you already have a platform switching to another will cost you.
AMD + ATI + "The software they used" = Stability and reliability. This is the key for this hardware choice: "driver quality and platform stability without which raw speed is really of no consequence. Robert Rodriguez and his crew have zero tolerance for shaky tech."
But, don't make a mistake, there are other specific "winning" combination including Nvidia and Intel.
It has nothing to do with general AMD or ATI performance and this wont show on general performance numbers. The key is to select specific hardware and software configurations that works together flawlessly, even if is just for a very specific use. However they don't specify the applications they are using for 3D or 2D post-processing. But they make the point of hardware selection starting back to AMD most glorious days and the fact that AMD and ATI ensures compatibility. I am not sure Intel + Nvidia could offer the same integration level.
Also, SEE how they work with qualified PRO Hardware and software. NO gaming rig or desktop CPUs or GPUs allowed with loaded bios. I know this is not for everyone but is the main point to produce different hardware for gaming and workstation use.
In the end for a big production there is nothing slower than a system down from failures. These systems fails too but the lower rates are worth the premium prices.
Also, SEE how they work with qualified PRO Hardware and software. NO gaming rig or desktop CPUs or GPUs allowed with loaded bios. I know this is not for everyone but is the main point to produce different hardware for gaming and workstation use.In the end for a big production there is nothing slower than a system down from failures. These systems fails too but the lower rates are worth the premium prices.
I was curious about this. I'm personally an ATI user since the days of 9--- series (started out with a measly X1550), and while I jumped from there to a X---- series, to a 3xxx series, I've never experienced the type of driver instability that so many harp upon. Whereas with two Nvidia cards (It's quite possible just bad luck) I had endless driver failures. I don't know why it was, and I'm not trying to sway anyone one way or the other, that's just my experience.
HOWEVER, my question is this: Are the drivers used for their FirePro even the same as they use for their Radeon line? Do they create completely different, much more stable drivers for their professional line of cards?
I've been waiting for this movie since seeing the trailer in Grind House.
I thought for sure that trailer was just a joke... Guess the joke is on me.
I thought for sure that trailer was just a joke... Guess the joke is on me.
It was originally a fake trailer so you were right at the time.
Kelavarus
Yes. Actually, it is basically 80% the driver what makes for the price difference (increased memory size adds too and some components) and why many gamers are tempted to load the Pro driver into a gaming card. But yes there are 2 or more separate drivers optimized for very different functions. Pro drivers are optimized for reliability and stability but also are produced to support specific Pro applications features and even some drivers versions are specific for one application. Is in this high optimization process where Nvidia has become more consistent, supports more specific apps and a broader set of functions. But one point with this article is to indicate that you can't count ATI-AMD out of the Pro industry as there are specific scenarios or production pipelines where the integration offered by the same CPU-GPU manufacturer is key.
Pro GPUs are build using better components, where is possible, to produce a longer life and reliability. They usually include more on board memory and are "underclocked" compared to gaming counterparts. The lower clock frequencies helps the hardware to run cooler and more stable. And Pro graphic cards comes with fast exchange warranty programs if the card fails. Also they have support, that you will never have if your gaming card fails any time in the production or development process.
If your job doesn't depend on high reliability or stability it will be hard for you or for a small studio to pay $3000 or more for the top Pro graphic card, plus premium price for workstation parts, but in a big production studio it will be a dumb decision to "play" with the system components you depend on 24-7 to "save" money, when what you really need is the system up and running.
I can't confirm this, but I read you can't load Pro drivers anymore into the latest Nvidia cards as there are included circuity to prevent this. I don't know if AMD-ATI has done something similar.
I have an entry level Pro Nvidia card, a Quadro 580 ($170), and I am extremely happy with it. It consumes 40 watts at full performance and gives me top support in Maya modeling, Zbrush and Photoshop. So I wont expend $400-500 in a top gaming card with loaded drivers. Nevertheless, if I need top Pro performance on a low budget I may try the "cheap" way. I am not judging anyone.
And Nvidia gpu's were used for District9,Star Trek and Avitar. Dont know what CPUs were used tho.
Just the other day, AMD dropped the ATI name and are running it under the AMD brand real soon. Could this be a paid advertisement so people of toms can see AMD cpus and ATI gpus ran together harmoniously under one brand? This is all a advertisement so that you can start training your head to see it as one company.
This movie will be at the $2 theater a month after release and then a directors cut on blu ray.
tech aside this movie has promise
thanks tom I need to hear this.
And Nvidia gpu's were used for District9,Star Trek and Avitar. Dont know what CPUs were used tho. Just the other day, AMD dropped the ATI name and are running it under the AMD brand real soon. Could this be a paid advertisement so people of toms can see AMD cpus and ATI gpus ran together harmoniously under one brand? This is all a advertisement so that you can start training your head to see it as one company.
i like toms and AMD (i have a phenom and a radeon), but i cannot avoid thinking like you.
toms does a lot of bad press in a subtle way in nvidia and much good (sometimes over the limit) press over AMD.
sorry for my poor english
I can't believe no one's mentioned this yet. Troublemaker Studios is owned by Robert Rodriguez and many of his shots are actually filmed in his home in Austin, Texas. Trouble Maker studios is in Austin, Texas. AMD is based in....you guessed it, Austin, Texas. That's the connection.
PR stunt ftw....
nice, i like amd too, but i'm thinking this has turned into a fanboy news. in fact, it looks like a paid advertisement.
I think kind of the same thing. Though it does sort of legitimize in a sector which may be a lot dominated by invidia, as AVID only works with invidia. WETA was quoted as using invidia, etc.
this movie seems to be crazy !! hay que verla !!!
and well for amd ...
This is great, but I wish that AMD would be in the majority... One big movie is not the entire maket.
i don't really buy the "Bang for the Buck" rule. it doesn't quantify the time savings you get over the period you're going to use the machine. i'm sure these studios pay good money for highly skilled graphics professionals. if you compute the hours saved multiply by their average wage rate, it will add up significantly. the major point Troubleshooters chose AMD is they want platform stability (AMD on AMD) and driver quality.