What do warrior princesses, demigods, and the Macintosh have in common? Why, special effects, of course. The Mac is used to produce over 50 effects a week for the No. 1 US syndicated television show, Xena, Warrior Princess, and the top-rated Hercules, the Legendary Journeys. According to the company that does the effects work for both shows, Flat Earth Productions, of burbank, California, the Mac has become a cornerstone in the production of special effects in both shows and shortens turnaround time. Examples of Flat Earth's Mac-based special effects include the title sequence at the opening of Xena, where the watery vissage of Neptune rises 50 feet from the ocean to confront the show's barbarian heroine. In Hercules, the Mac has done everything from creating flaming demons to helping bring back to life a squad of skeleton warriors.

-- reprinted from MacUser, July 1997.