Germany’s FMX conference on animation, effects, games and transmedia—taking place in Stuttgart April 23-6 this year—has revealed further programming information, featuring highlights of new and recent Pixar projects, the potential of cloud computing, hot companies and schools and new industry trends from around the world. Here’s a look at the programs:
Pixar’s Genius: The Blue Umbrella and Brave
Two months ahead of the release of Pixar’s highly anticipated prequel Monster’s University, director and writer Saschka Unseld will be presenting his new short set to precede the feature in theaters, The Blue Umbrella. The Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg alum who has been with Pixar since 2008 wil shed light on the original idea behind the love story between two umbrellas in a making-of presentation from both an artistic and technical perspective. Plus Christophe Hery will discuss lighting and rendering of Umbrella and other films, while production manager Joshua Hollander will give an overview of the technical, production and creative processes behind Pixar’s stereoscopic releases.
On top of this, Pixar character TD Alexander Nehls will present on the simulation in this year’s Best Animated Feature Oscar winner Brave.
Cloud Computing: From Smart Phone to Virtual Reality
Digital media pioneer and much-cited specialist author/computer graphics marketer Jon Peddie will give two presentation at the event. In his keynote for the “Cloud Computing” series curated by NVIDIA ARC’s Ludwig von Reiche, Peddie will explore what Cloud computing means for design, animation, vfx and related industries and demonstrate how devices for immersive and augmented reality experiences in different environments offer new visionary perspectives for design and communication. Peddie is supported by Jon Peddie Research VP Kathleen Maher who will present a talk on “Managing and Making Entertainment” that illustrated the advantages and challenges involved in the creation of digital content in the Cloud.
The “New Technology” series will feature another presentation from Peddi which will comprise a global overview of the latest technical changes triggered by the ongoing paradigm shift.
Renowned Companies and Schools at FMX
Many acclaimed companies are contributing to the Conference program and the Forum at FMX this year. Software and hardware companies Ncam and Solid Anim, whose technologies were applied to Hugo, will be in the Marketplace. Workshops will be presented by Adobe, Maxon, Next Limit Technologies, Shotgun, Side Effects and Imagineer Systems. Several hot studios will be seeking creative talent at the Recruiting Hub, among them fx houses Method Studios and MPC, game house Crytek and regional CG specialists eder Medien Management. Additionally, Autodesk will be inviting visitors into their four-day Company Suite.
Additionally the brand new “Fast Forward Education” presentation seeks to build bridges between academia and industry as film, media and design schools from around the world present upcoming projects, outstanding talent and inspiring ideas.
New Trends from Abroad
This years look at how regional and cultural characteristics influence innovation around the globe will look at Austria, Toronto and Turkey in the “Innovative Places” program. Hosted by Max Hoefferer (general secretary, IG Computergrafik), who will introduce Austria’s CG industry, the track features Walt Disney Record’s full CG music video You Get Me by producer/lead animator Kris Staber (Arx Anima); an overview of animated microscopic images from Reinhold Fragner (Industrial Motion Art Filmproduktion); and alternative production pipelines presented by Roman Saravia (Friendly Fire Communications).
The focus on Turkey’s evolving vfx and animation sectors is curated by digital colorist and ColorMeUp! Academy founder Andreas Brueckl and will include presentations by 3D animatore/director Murat Izzet Arslan and post-producer Cenk Koksal (both from 1000 Volt), as well as Anima Instanbul’s director and partner Mehmet Kurtulus.
Turning to Canada, set designer William Cheng—whose credits include Total Recall, Resident Evil 4, and Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Pacific Rim—curates a program on Toronto, supported by the Ontario International Marketing Centre Munich. The track will include presentations by Bill Skolnik (exec director/CEO of DGC Ontario) and Randy McLean, acting film commissioner at the City of Toronto Film Commission.
Visit www.fmx.de for more information on the event.
