Kleiser enlists at USC org for VR study

Helmer's project will help train soldiers

By DAVE MCNARY

Director Randal Kleiser ("Grease," "White Fang") has joined USC's fledgling Institute for Creative Technologies and will write and direct a production on how virtual reality and simulation technologies can be used to train U.S. Army soldiers.

Kleiser will also consult on a variety of issues at the research and development operation, which is funded by a $45 million Army grant. The ITC's goal is to prepare troops for making on-the-ground decisions in future combat situations.

"I'm very excited to gain access to the cutting edge technology in development by the Army in the field of virtual reality and computer graphics," Kleiser said. "Some of the techniques being worked on have not been seen before."

Kleiser most recently helmed the fantasy-themed interactive Web series "Royal Standard" for now-shuttered Netcaster Digital Entertainment Network.

Kleiser's other credits include "The Blue Lagoon," "Big Top Pee-wee," and "Honey I Blew Up the Kid." He will report to ITC creative director James Korris.

"Randal's particular gift is a fundamentally humanistic approach and an understanding of how to utilize special effects in an organic way," Korris said.

Writer-director John Milius and special-effects creator Paul Debevec have joined ITC in the past two months. Org plans to make its first report to the Army later this year.

(Marc Graser contributed to this report.)