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The feature film industry will be represented at this year’s FMX 2014 Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Transmedia with weighty productions: four presentations will examine the seven-time Oscar winner “Gravity” (including a trophy for best visual effects). There will also be an insight into “The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro”. Other highlights include Disney’s “Frozen”, “The LEGO Movie” and “Rio 2”.
There will also be the lectures “Focus on Ibero-America” and “Games for Change Europe”, with Google Chief Game Designer Noah Falstein, among others. Lecture series on the theory and practice of motion animation and on “Interaction in the Real World” with transmedia presentations on interactive and immersive worlds of experience, for example in Disney theme parks, round off the range of topics.
Four presentations on the Oscar-winner Gravity
FMX honours Gravity with four presentations. Alfonso Cuarón’s 3D space odyssey received seven Academy Awards at the Oscars a few weeks ago, including the coveted trophies in the “Best Director” and “Best Visual Effects” categories. The latter went to the British VFX studio Framestore, which will be presenting details at FMX. Prime Focus is responsible for the stereo conversion of all live action scenes in Gravity. Senior Vice President Matthew Bristowe and Senior Stereo Supervisor Richard Baker from PFW explain why the makers of the film decided to convert and talk about the collaboration with Framestore. They also discuss the huge footprint the blockbuster leaves behind with its pioneering use of 3D stereo. Robotic company Bot & Dolly’s programmable robotic camera systems were instrumental in realising Cuarón’s vision of weightlessness. Tobias Kinnebrew, Head of Product Strategy at Bot & Dolly, explains the company’s contribution to Gravity from previs to live action. Another challenge of the film was to adapt the lighting of the actors’ real faces to the virtual environment. Paul Debevec explains the role played by the Graphics Laboratory at the University of Southern California, which he heads.
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and effects-laden commercials
Shortly after its German cinema release, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro” is also coming to FMX. David Smith, Digital Effects Supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks, talks about the challenge of creating new villains and extensive digital environments. The combination of real stunt interludes and computer-based character animation takes centre stage. Advertising also relies on visual effects. The two Glassworks representatives Rüdiger Kaltenhäuser (Head of 3D) and Markus Lauterbach (Senior 3D Artist) will illustrate the development of high-quality visual effects for excellent commercials using current productions.
In addition, Vince Baertsoen, Head of CG at The Mill, will take a close look at PETA’s “98% Human” advert, in which a fully computer-animated chimpanzee plays the leading role. In addition, VFX supervisor and compositor Neil Riley shows how Passion Pictures replaced the classic TV advert with new, contemporary media forms using targeted campaign work. Stefano Salvini, 3D Department Manager, will demonstrate the latest productions from MPC’s advertising sector, including the viral advert “#DancePonyDance” for the mobile phone company Three.
The Art of Animation: Frozen, The LEGO Movie and Rio 2
Since its creation, animation has gradually developed into a versatile medium for different target groups. In the track “The Art of Animation”, experts focus on the innovative and creative characteristics that define the medium. Mike Giaimo, Art Director at Walt Disney Animation Studios, takes a look behind the scenes of Frozen. He explains the artistic decisions and visual challenges that had to be overcome. In addition, Animal Logic presents the animated film “The LEGO Movie”, which topped the charts in the USA for three weeks after its cinema release. Furthermore, Chip Loterzo, Senior Animator at Blue Sky Studios, will give an inspiring talk entitled “The Rhythm of Animation” about the challenge of developing your own signature style as an artist.
Animation in the flow of movement – of emotions and bodies
In the track “Body, Face and Emotions”, curated by Prof. Dr Susanne Marschall and Dr des. des. Meike Uhrig from the University of Tübingen, academics and experts from the field will show how movement sequences and human emotions are negotiated in the medium of animation. While Dr Fabienne Liptay (LMU Munich) and Prof. Dr Susanne Marschall will present their humanities perspective on movement and the moving image, Ed Tan, Professor of Communication Sciences, will talk about animated film and its immersive effect. In addition, animator Chris Landreth (see press release no. 2) will discuss the connection between animated facial expressions and emotional storytelling. Hannes Rall will be focussing on the animated protagonist: the filmmaker and professor of film studies will explain the latest character capture technologies.
Games for Change Europe: Games with a transformative effect
The Games for Change Europe track, curated by Katharina Tillmanns (Co-President Games for Change Europe) and Björn Bartholdy (Co-Director Cologne Game Lab), will focus on the design of socially critical games. Leading experts from industry and research will discuss with visitors how emotional games can be developed that can initiate humanitarian, ecological or social change in an appealing way. Among the high-calibre speakers are Noah Falstein (Chief Game Designer at Google) and Ken Perlin (Director of the Games for Learning Institute NYC). In cooperation with Autodesk, the Games for Change Challenge presentation will provide insights into the inspiring projects of the student competition.
Focus on Ibero-America
FMX is travelling the world to showcase different regions and their talents. This year, the “Focus on Ibero-America” track, curated by Diana Arellano, R&D at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, will be focussing on Ibero-American countries. Hernando Bahamon, President of the Bogota ACM SIGGRAPH Chapter and Chairman of the Bogota ACM SIGGRAPH, will discuss the digital upswing in Latin America and explain how even European projects can benefit from developments there. In contrast, Cristóbal León explains the vision and creative output of the Chilean stop-motion animation company Diluvio. VFX supervisor Charlie Iturriaga, who worked on the Oscar-winning film “Her” (Best Original Screenplay) and the multi-award-winning Netflix series “House of Cards”, will add a Mexican perspective to the series of lectures: he will present various current projects from his employer Ollin VFX. Independent animator Juan Pablo Zaramella will show his original concepts and techniques and explain how he was able to win over 250 awards with his animated short film “Luminaris”.
Transmedia: Interaction in the Real World
Gestures, facial expressions, voice and haptics are increasingly changing the way we interact with computers and technical devices. Doug Cooper, Visual Effects Supervisor at DreamWorks Animation, is the curator of the “Interaction in the Real World” track, which will introduce FMX attendees to the latest interactive experiences. Matt Arnold, Senior Engineer at Second Story Interactive Studios, will present the company’s approach to developing responsive environments at the intersection of physical space and digital media. In addition, Marcus Ivarsson, Creative Director at North Kingdom, describes how the Swedish creative agency for digital marketing helps companies to build an emotional connection between people and brands. Are there any exemplary experiences that reflect the interactive use of new platforms? In his presentation “Live your dreams – interactivity in Disney Parks”, Brent Strong, Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, demonstrates how an immersive experience is created from a fictional world and outlines the new design possibilities that arise from such an adaptation.
Further information can be found at: www.fmx.de
