SIGGRAPH 2016 will run its world-leading conference and exhibition at the Anaheim Convention Center in SoCal this July 24-28. Under the banner of “Render the Possibilities,” the latest edition once again promises a look at the latest accomplishments and emerging computer graphics technology. This year’s Production Sessions program will offer a look at the “Making Of” a number of high-profile motion pictures, video games, VR films and theme park attractions.
Some highlights of the Production Sessions are listed below. Visit the SIGGRAPH 2016 website for more details.
From Armadillo to Zebra: Creating the Diverse Characters and World of “Zootopia”
The world of Zootopia is a vast, multi-scale city where humans never existed and animals are evolved city-dwellers. Walt Disney Animation Studios pushed the artistic boundaries of this production to create vastly different environments filled with hundreds of unique characters.
Panelists: Ernest Petti, Nicholas Burkard, Brian Leach, Sean Palmer, Michelle Robinson, and Hans-Joerg Keim.
“Kubo and the Two Strings”: One Giant Skeleton, One Colossal Undertaking
For this upcoming film (in theatres August 19), LAIKA created a giant 18-foot skeleton with a 24-foot wingspan, a massive undertaking involving the studio’s interdependent and collaborative crew. A miniature version of the puppet (approx. 3 feet tall) will be on display during the conference.
Panelists: Steve Emerson (VFX Supervisor) and Steve Switaj (Engineer, Camera and Motion Control).
Under the Sea – The Making of “Finding Dory”
This session will take a look at how Pixar artists created the studio’s latest feature film. Top animators and technical artists will deliver a deep dive into the process behind this animated film, which required an entirely new back-end pipeline and cutting-edge technology.
Panelists: Steve Pilcher, Jeremie Talbot, Jim Brown, Masah Ellsworth, Chris Burrows, Chris Chapman, Ian Megibben, and John Halstead.
“Deadpool” + Colossus Our Favorite (Anti) Superheroes
Digital Domain worked on Deadpool’s Colossus, Deadpool interacting with Colossus, and the Helicarrier. Blur Studio created the opening title sequence and provided pre-viz for several action sequences.
Panelists: Digital Domain’s Jan Phillip Cramer (Animation Director) and Scott Edelstein (CG Supervisor); Blur’s Franck Balson (Previsualization Supervisor) and Sebastien “Zeb” Chort (CG Supervisor)
Industrial Light & Magic Presents the Visual Effects of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
The ILM team will discuss the range of challenges presented by bringing the latest installment of the storied Star Wars series to life.
Panelists: ILM’s Daniel Pearson (CG Supervisor); Patrick Tubach (VFX Supervisor); Paul Kavanagh (Animation Supervisor); and Polly Ing (CG Supervisor)
The Making of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War”
Marvel Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rise FX, and Method Studios will show session attendees how they created some of this smash hit movie’s most heart-stopping moments. They will also have the Captain America suit on display during the session.
Panelists: Marvel Studios’ Victoria Alonso (EVP, Physical Production), Dan Deleeuw (VFX Supervisor) and Jen Underdahl (VFX Producer); Russell Earl (VFX Supervisor, ILM); and Greg Steele (VFX Supervisor, Method Studios).
The Making of “Pearl”, A Google Spotlight Story
Pearl is a Google Spotlight Story directed by Oscar-winning animator Patrick Osborne. Conceived as a 360-degree experience, the film takes place entirely in a car and explores the gifts we inherit from our parents. The storyline collapses decades into minutes through montage, and can run on devices ranging from mobile phones to VR headgear, in real time.
Panelists: Patrick Osborne (Director), Rachid El Guerrab (Spotlight Stories Project Lead), David Eisenmann (Producer) and Cassidy Curtis (Tech Art Lead).
“Star Wars: Battlefront” – Game Development in the “Star Wars” Universe!
The Electronic Arts Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment (DICE) team reveals some of the work that went into this award-winning, visually stunning game. Topics include PBR, photogrammetry, vertex shading, fragment shading, and other creative disciplines.
Panelists: Kenneth Brown (Technical Art Director), Jonas Andersson (Visual Effects Artist), Pontus Ryman (Senior Environment Artist), Anders Egleus (Senior Visual Effects Artist) and Oscar Carlén (Senior Lighting Artist).
Developing “Mass Effect: New Earth” – A 4D Holographic Adventure
Focus on the development of a first-of-its-kind theme park attraction at California’s Great America in Santa Clara — featuring “holographic 3D,” using the world’s largest and highest resolution 3D LED screens combined with 4D effects. The partners behind this upcoming project are BioWare, Cedar Fair, 3D Live, and Halon Entertainment. Panelists: BioWare’s Robert deMontarnal (Business Development); Christian Dieckmann (VP Strategic Growth) and Howard Newstate (Executive Producer) of Media Networks Cedar Fair Entertainment Company; Clint Reagan (Previs Supervisor, Halon Entertainment); and Nathan Huber (Co-Founder/CEO, 3D Live).
