An initial selection of Production Sessions for SIGGRAPH 2014 was announced in the Advance Program (p. 22) this June. Click here for a complete list of sessions then check out some highlights below.
Unmask the Secrets Behind "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"
Sony Pictures Imageworks created much of the visual effects for "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," the sequel to the 2012 blockbuster directed by Marc Webb. The VFX team was challenged with the introduction of new villians, extensive digital environments and CG animation. Join Sony Pictures Imageworks visual effects leads for an inside look at this "amazing" film.
Panelists: Jerome Chen, VFX Supervisor; David Schaub, Animation Supervisor; David Smith, DFX Supervisor
Puppets, Printing, and Compositing: A Unique Collaboration in LAIKA's Animated FeaturesFrom inspiration to Oscar noms, Oregon-based LAIKA has garnered global acclaim for its unprecedented fusion of stop-motion and computer graphics within each feature film. The studio's environment embraces the hybrid of artisitc puppet performance and stunning visual effects enhancements. Georgina Hayns (Creative Supervisor, Puppet Fabrication), Brian McLean (Director, Rapid Prototyping), and Steve Emerson (Co-VFX Supervisor) will discuss their interdepartmental relationships on the upcoming feature "The Boxtrolls" (in theaters September 26). They will also address the challenges, solitions – and learnings – that led to the success of LAIKA's first two Oscar-nominated films: "Coraline" (2009) and "ParaNorman" (2012).
Panelists: Brian McLean, Director, Rapid Prototyping; Georgina Hayns, Creative Supervisor, Puppet Fabrication; Steve Emerson, Co-VFX Supervisor
Twentieth Century Fox Presents the Visual Effects of "X-Men: Days of Future Past"
This year, the ultimate X-Men ensemble was brought together to fight a war for the survival of the species across two time periods. With the visual effects work led by Production VFX Supervisor Richard Stammers, "X-Men: Days of Future Past" showcased soem of the most spectacular effects of the summer. Experts from MPC (Moving Picture Company), Digital Domain, Rhythm & Hues, and Rising Sun Pictures will illustrate the approaches used to create a wide range of VFX work, from the creation of the past and future Sentinels, to the epic RFK stadium an dWhite House destruction and the complexities of creating mutant powers for Magneto, Colossus, Iceman, Quicksilver, Sunspot, Blink, Wolverine, and Mystique.
Panelists: Benoit Dubuc, Animation Supervisor, MPC; Lou Pecora, VFX Supervisor, Digital Domain; Derek Spears, VFX Supervisor, Rhythm & Hues; Adam Paschke, DFX Supervisor, Rising Sun Pictures
Building Blocks for "The LEGO Movie""The LEGO Movie" is a CG animated feature film set in a world made entirely of Lego bricks. It was critical to the filmmakers that this world maintain a highly realistic connection to the look and feel of real Lego.
What resulted was a unique, photo-realistic, stop-motion aesthetic and animation style, with everything on screen — including the characters, sets, oceans, and explosions — being built and realized with accure CG Lego bricks.
Essential to the story was the dynamic construction (and destruction!) of any of these elements into component bricks. And with a desire to echo the creative possibilities of Lego itself, Animal Logic's team of "masterbuilders" built a comprehensive Lego toolset that ensured artists could access and manipulate individual bricks, or the bricks within any asset, to create unique and spontaneous additions to the content of a shot. The results were often unscripted and highly entertaining.
Making a CG feature entirely from bricks was a new and exciting challenge, resulting in something quite different from conventional animation processes.
Panelists: Grant Freckleton, Production Designer; Rob Coleman, Head of Animation; Aidan Sarsfield, CG Supervisor; Daniel Heckenberg, R&D Lead
Elliot Kotek, co-founder of Not Impossible Labs, has been selected as the SIGGRAPH 2014 keynote speaker, joining us at the Vancouver Convention Centre this August. Kotek currently serves as the content chief (and co-founder) at Not Impossible Labs and acts as editor-in-chief of
www.NotImpossibleNow.com. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Beyond Cinema, and former editor-in-chief of both Moving Pictures and Celebs.com.
A former M&A/Biotech venture Captial attorney in Australia and New York, Kotek holds a Law Degree, a BS in Pharmacology & Toxicology, studied at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, and completed UCLA's Professional Program in Screenwriting. he's become a recognizable figure in taking stories based in the sphere of science and technology, and ensuring that they are not only accessible, but that they serve to inspire. The feature documentary "140," which Kotek co-produced, is the first ever user-generated film made utilizing social media. "Little Larry," which Kotek wrote, received a Directors Guild of Canada nomination, and his current productions include the documentaries "Queen Mimi" with Zach Galifianakis and "The People Sign," which highlights the work of music interpreters for the hearing impaired.
First-Timers Focus
Will SIGGRAPH 2014 be your first time attending a SIGGRAPH conference? It can be a little overwhelming, so we're providing this
First-Timers Focus guide to the best, most exciting content for first-time attendees. Browse through
First-Timers to start planning your schedule for your first SIGGRAPH.
A sampling of our suggestions is outlined below.
PANELS
Ready, Steady . . . SIGGRAPH
Sunday, 10 August 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Vancouver Contention Centre, West Building, Rooms 118-120
PRODUCTION SESSIONS
Feast - A Look at Walt Disney Animation Studios' Newest Short
Thursday, 14 August 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM | Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, Ballroom B/C
STUDIO - COURSES
alphaBot Workshop: Constructing Robots, Translating Language
Wednesday, 13 August 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, Exhibit Hall A
Games Focus
The SIGGRAPH 2014 Games Focus spotlights content fit for the creators, visionaires, and pioneers of the game industry. Featured content hails from the world's leading studios, including 2K Games, Inc., Activision, Blizzard, Inc., Bungie, Inc., Crytek, EA DICE, Microsoft Game Studios, Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., and many others.
Topics within the Games Focus include: advances in real-time character rendering and asset pipelines, real-time character animation in video games, new solutions for game navigation, amazing advances in hardware and software collaboration, and much more. Explore a sampling below then start planning your week.
COURSES
Destiny Character-Animation System and Lessons Learned
Tuesday, 12 August 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, Rooms 211-214
REAL-TIME LIVE!
Real-Time Live!
Tuesday, 12 August 5:30 PM - 7:15 PM | Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, Ballroom C/D
TALKS
Simulation
Monday, 11 August 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, Rooms 118-120
Mobile Focus
If you're a Mobile Developer or Designer, Android Developer, iOS Developer, Art/Creative Director, Digital Media Designer, User Experience Designer, Web Producer/Designer, Product Manager, or Technical Manager, the Mobile Focus guide is your key to a highly productive SIGGRAPH 2014.
Preview some of our suggestions below then click here for the full focus guide!
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
OpenGLES for 3D Graphics on Mobile
Wednesday, 13 August 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown, Pinnacle Ballroom
COURSES
Moving Pictures: Make the Most of the Mobile
Tuesday, 12 August 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, Rooms 109/110
TECHNICAL PAPERS
Shape Collection
Monday, 11 August 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building, Ballroom B/C
Appy Hour Submissions Deadline: 17 July
Have you been slaving over your keyboard to create the next mobile app masterpiece all on your own? Join us at the debut Appy Hour cocktail reception during SIGGRAPH 2014. Appy Hour is the place for independent app developers to show off their apps to attendees ... all while enjoying a drink!
In addition to libations, Appy Hour gives developers the opportunity to solicit feedback from peers, cultivate new ideas, and make important connections to help move future efforts along. Whether your app incorporates augmented reality, computational photography, image manipulation, location-based gaming, or anything else you can make mobile devices do, come show it to our audience. SIGGRAPH will provide you with the following:
- A spot to set up shop with your devices
- A sign with your name, logo, and app screen-shot
- That drink we mentioned
Submit today through 17 July for the chance to display your work.
ACM SIGGRAPH Awards
The ACM SIGGRAPH Awards prrogram recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the computer graphics community through their research, teaching, service, or writing. The awards are presented at conference each year, with nominations submitted in advance at www.SIGGRAPH.org.
Join us Monday, 11 August for the Award Presentation from 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM PST immediately preceding the Keynote Session. Then, attend the Award Talks from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM PST in the West Building, Ballroom CD of the Vancouver Convention Centre. Presented below are this year's distinguished recipients, by category.
SIGNIFICANT NEW RESEARCHER AWARD
Noah Snavely
Cornell University
COMPUTER GRAPHICS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Thomas Funkhouser
Princeton University
DISTINGUISHED ARTIST AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN DIGITAL ART
Harold Cohen
University of California, San Diego
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
Scott Lang
Bergen County Academies
To learn more about each individual award, click here.
