Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 9, 2016. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Tanja Krampfert, Character TD at Disney Pixar and a graduate of the Animationsinstitut at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, illustrates the development of the main character “Joy”, while cinematographer Patrick Lin examines the special features of the camera set-up, which was designed to mirror the emotional storyline. (You can learn more about “Inside Out” in DP 01 : 16.)
Effects
Christophe Hery’s “Lighting & Rendering” track is devoted to the FMX theme “Blending Realities” and addresses the meaningful combination of the everyday requirements of lighters and renderers (in a 100-percent digital environment) with those of cinematographers (in a natural lighting environment). Among others, Sebastien Gourdal (MPC) will examine the lighting for the Oscar-nominated science-fiction film “The Martian”, and Dan Bethell (Iloura) will do the same using six-time Oscar winner “Mad Max: Fury Road” as an example. VFX producer Camille Cellucci will also discuss the virtual-production pipeline used to realise Robert Zemeckis’ biopic “The Walk”. Michael Pangrazio (Weta Digital), who has just finished his work on Steven Spielberg’s next film, “The BFG”, describes how he develops ideas for his concept art. His career began with matte paintings for “The Empire Strikes Back” and includes notable milestones such as the design of the current Walt Disney logo. (Making-ofs for “The Walk” and “The Martian” are in the current DP 02 : 16.)
Animation
In the “Art of Animation” track, Sabine Heller (Blue Sky Studios) explains how the characters from analogue comic drawings were transferred into 3D animation for the film adaptation of the cult classic “Peanuts”. An interview with Sabine Heller can be found in the career focus of the next DP 03 : 16. In his presentation, Dave-Alex Riddett (Aardman Animation) discusses camera work in stop motion and explains its function in storytelling.
Virtual Reality
Kim Adams (Source Consulting, including work for Google Spotlight Stories) moderates the “Storytelling in Virtual Reality” panel discussion. The panel participants include renowned experts such as Jan Pinkava, who directed the Oscar-winning rat adventure “Ratatouille” and now works as Creative Director at Google Spotlight Stories, Jason Fletcher-Bartholomew and Tim Ruffle (both Aardman Animation), Chris O’Reilly (Nexus Productions) and Jacquie Barnbrook (The VR Company). Andy Cochrane (Mirada Studios) addresses story development for virtual realities, while Chris O’Reilly examines the same subject through Nexus’s 360° VR film “Rain or Shine” (for Google Spotlight Stories). In addition, Andrew Daffy discusses the directing experience he gained while creating the Avengers VR Experience (for Framestore). He focuses on the 360° previs for the “Avengers VR Experience”, which Samsung is currently using for Gear VR demonstrations.
Games
Chris O’Reilly is also among the speakers appearing at FMX as part of the “Games 4 Change” programme series. His presentation centres on the real-time game installation Woodland Wiggle, which functions as a therapeutic play space for children in hospitals. Frank Vitz (Crytek) reports on the development of a new VR benchmark using CryEngine technology. Pedro Sabrosa (Framestore) shows Framestore’s contribution to the reboot of PlayStation legend Guitar Hero with regard to intensifying the live feeling.
Technology: Tools of Tomorrow – Highlights of Siggraph
The “Tools of Tomorrow” track, curated by Volker Helzle (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg), includes Dirk van Gelder (Pixar Animation Studios), who will discuss Pixar’s in-house animation software Presto. Dr Marco Romeo (MPC) will also provide an overview of the Thalia R&D project, intended to improve the quality and performance of deformation and simulation for digital performers. This year’s “Highlights of Siggraph” include Michiel van de Panne (University of British Columbia) and Berhard Thomaszewski (Disney Reasearch Zurich), whose presentations cover a broad spectrum from vector-graphics animation to dynamic movement on different surfaces.
Tickets for FMX cost: Professionals: 380€ / Early Bird: 320€; Students: 190€ / Early Bird: 160€
