is upon us

For the launch of the world’s first multimedia notebook computer, Panasonic commissioned a suitably pioneering promo. A fully interactive multimedia sales presentation accompanies the CF-41’s shipment to distributors and dealers.

The fully-loaded cd-rom overview of the newborn eight-pound notebook was coproduced by Toronto-based Microforum’s Ron Rimer and Claudio Baiocchi directly for Panasonic. Programmer Craig Tothill did the interactive display functions and disc design, and Baiocchi was creative director on the first 65,000-color notebook presentation.

The project that should have taken three months was done in five weeks with 10 people dedicated to its production. The budget was similarly compressed; the project would normally be quoted in the $75,000 range, but was priced substantially lower since it also serves as a cyberportfolio piece for its producers.

The cd-rom begins with a 3D animated opener, and also contains an electronic catalogue, servicing and training sections – all with full video – and a ‘funky’ clip on products, with special effects and transitions done at Toronto’s Image Group.

Everything else – the interactive programming, casting, Betacam shooting, cd silkscreening and duplication – was done at Microforum, in English and French.