Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 29, 2019. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The FMX 2019 program is filled to the brim with a wide variety of topics. The audience can take a walk through The History of Animation, delve into the VFX work on series such as Lost in Space and Game of Thrones and hear the latest N.E.W.S. about global animation productions.
Discounted Early Bird tickets can be purchased on the FMX website until March 29, 2019. In addition, the FMX 2019 app for iOS and Android will be available from April 1, 2019.
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The History of Animation – Through the History of Animation
Professor John Canemaker (NYU Tisch School of the Arts), Oscar and Emmy winner, independent animation filmmaker/designer, animation historian, lecturer and author, will take his listeners on a journey into The History of Animation in a total of three talks.
Comics and animation pioneer Winsor McCay will be the subject of a lavishly illustrated talk. Another insightful presentation is dedicated to the work of two masters of the “Golden Age” of American studio animation, Vladimir Tytla and Milt Kahl. John Canemaker will also provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at the making of the 1940s animated films Fantasia and Pinocchio. Each talk will be followed by a Q&A.
VFX in TV – Lost in Space, Game of Thrones and Happy!
Curated by Shawn Walsh (Image Engine), the VFX in TV track presents people and projects that manage to close the gaps between the highest expectations, available time and provided budget.
The multiple VES Award-winning series Lost in Space will be the subject of a presentation by Niklas Jacobson, COO and VFX Supervisor at Important Looking Pirates. Jenn Taylor (Animation Supervisor at Image Engine Animation) will explain how the studio used its Creature Development Pipeline to animate Drogon for the VES Award-winning “Loot Train Attack” sequence from the seventh season of Game of Thrones. VFX Supervisor Grant Hewlett and CG Supervisor Ross Gilbert (both axisVFX) take the audience behind the scenes of the comedy crime series Happy! The track will be rounded off by a panel in which Shawn Walsh, Niklas Jacobson, Grant Hewlett and Thomas Hullin (Rodeo FX) will discuss the effects of the VFX used in high-end television on their studios.
N.E.W.S. – Worldwide Animation Production
North – East – West – South: the N.E.W.S. track, curated by industry veteran Shelley Page, will show the possibilities for closing the gap between animation professionals from different continents and pooling their expertise in new ways, both with start-ups and established studios.
Antti Haikala, producer and COO of Anima Vitae, takes the audience from the beginnings of the animated series Moominvalley through to its development into a major co-production between Finland and Great Britain. Director Juan Antin (Folivari) explains the three-country pipeline of the animated series Pachamama. Shaofu Zhang, founder and CEO of Taiko Animation Studios, will outline the creative, technical and cultural efforts involved in creating a story that made an impression in both East and West – the Oscar-nominated animated short One Small Step. The team of N.E.W.S. speakers also includes Jaime Maestro and Nadia Ruiz, the founders of La Tribu Animation.
The Quest for Young Talent – Closing Gaps Between Education & Industry
Producers and distribution companies are always looking for the “Next Big Thing”, while teachers encourage their trainees to reach for the stars, experiment and dream. As part of The Quest for Young Talent track curated by Terrence Masson (School of Visual Arts) and Tina Ohnmacht (Animationsinstitut/Animation Sans Frontières), the audience will experience insightful presentations for and by young artists with new IP as well as experienced content developers who want to pass on their insights.
Director Martina Scarpelli will talk about the making of her short film EGG, presenting both development material and production information. Diana Hentulescu, producer and co-founder of Moukda Production, explains how the studio supports young talent during their creative process. Ninaad Kulkarni will provide insights into his latest projects – KCLOC, a 3D animated short film, and The Other Side VR, a collaborative virtual reality film. Kurt Young, founder and CEO of Mokuni Games, will also be represented. To conclude the track, Andrew Schlussel (Director of Global Talent Development, Framestore), Lucy Cooper (Managing Director, Union Visual Effects), Ninaad Kulkarni, Diana Hentulescu and Terrence Masson will come together for a panel discussion.
Tickets for FMX 2019 are available via the FMX website – at the Early Bird rate until March 29.
