Xtreme Graphix is planning to raise some hairs with its opening sequence for Goosebumps, premiering Halloween weekend on ytv. The one-minute sequence uses a mysterious, computer-animated ‘g’ traveling across different landscapes and suburban scenes wreaking paranormality as it goes.

The sequence begins innocuously enough with live-action shots of a figure walking with a briefcase until it’s revealed that this is no ordinary briefcase but that of thrill mandarin R.L. Stine, whose Goosebumps books have sold 70 million copies worldwide and form the basis of the series. The spot continues with papers whirling out of the briefcase and spawning the dread g, which makes for the nearest town.

On its morph-happy trip, helped along by Xtreme and Chyron compositing software, the g’s chilling touch gives a dog a species change, leaves some hapless toddler a nasty surprise next swimming lesson, as it brings to life the inflatable shark in the family pool, and as the g passes a shampoo billboard – the horror – it renders the model’s hair tragically and frightfully limp. The shadow of the g approaches a door which opens onto a pool of what can only be described as green ectoplasmic mung, the source of which is the Goosebumps title, all drippy and scary-like.

The Xtreme production gang used sgi Indigo and Onyx hardware, Alias Power Animator, Chyron Liberty 2D animation and paint package and Chyron Jaleo compositing software to create the eerie transformation of the live footage. The Xtreme Team consists of creative director Deadly D.R. Worthington, designer/animators ‘Maiming’ Michael Rochford and Kent ‘The Killer’ Petersen, effects compositor George ‘Levitating’ Levai and producer Ron ‘The Ripper’ Rimer.

Think B.I.G.

Toronto’s B.I.G. Animation is preparing to become b.i.g