SIGGRAPH 2008 - Day 2

Although today started off a bit slow (a blessing really given the late night before courtesy of Autodesk!) it really started to pick up late morning and the conference and job fair areas were really humming. I dropped by a few booths and things while it was quiet just to check things out before the madness began. I was suitably impressed with what BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT is trying to do - 2500 people worldwide and I think on the verge of busting out of 'just games' and into something much broader. Interesting. Also, Image Movers Digital, the Robert Zemekis & Walt Disney Co. co-venture was really impressive. A nice job with concept work and getting the message about the kind of company they are across. Of course, there were the usual contenders for cool looking stuff... Lucasfilm, Pixar, R&H, etc. But I was a little surprised by the above two. The afternoon blasted by and by end of day I think I had conducted 6 or so interviews. All went well - no duds! So, I hustled off back to the hotel to get a little refreshed before the Autodesk VIP Party. Thanks to Brett Ineson for getting us on the list - and also Kerry at Annex Pro our reseller. There are loads of studios out there purchasing way more Autodesk product than we are - so I appreciate the "VIP" gesture!

SIGGRAPH 2008 - Day 1

I thought it might be interesting to jot down a few notes on this year's SIGGRAPH experience. Now, granted I have not been too much of a contributor over the years and you'd think that I would have been loads more, however, this will only be my third trip. However, I am excited because this year Image Engine will have a real presence at SIGGRAPH. The studio is represented by about 8 people: John Haddon, Greg Massie, Jason Gross, Hanoz Elavia, Vera Zivny, Stefanie Boose, and of course Peter Muyzers and myself. Not sure whom else may be coming down on their own. I will be focusing on the Job Fair where I will be interviewing candidates for jobs at the studio this fall. Should be a little crazy-busy, but fun. I will also be trying to see as many presentations as possible, meeting the odd client, etc. Okay, so today was just getting there, getting settled in, etc. As well there was a whack of stuff to deal with back on the ranch, so that occupied loads of my time. Vera, Stef & Hanoz did a great setting up the booth! And then we all headed off to take in the big Autodesk User Group meeting, presentation & party. Aside from some legitimate quibbles about the lack of truly new development in some of the core products, Autodesk put on a great show. Especially considering all of the "we're not supposed to show you this stuff" clips from various productions. I was especially impressed with a sequence from "Kung Fu Panda" that was presented in 3D for the first time. This year will be all about 3D I think. It just seems to be popping up everywhere you look and I suppose that this stage it is the last great bastion of true development in cinema. Bring it on!

August Rains

Normally, the end of July and the beginning of August in Vancouver are the most reliably dry time of year. This year, something different. We had gorgeous unseasonably warm weather at the end of June and beginning of July. And thus, in late July and early August we've had some much needed rain. I am sure the crops will be better off for it! Yet, of course there is the odd bit of pooh-poohing going on as usual. And so, for all those snivelers out there I relate the following brief story (passed on to me by Meg this week):

Calvin (4 year old boy): It's raining AGAIN. I don't want to get wet today.

Calvin's papa: Well, when it rains like this you have a choice. You can stay inside all day. Or you can just go outside, know you're going to get wet, plan on getting wet, and enjoy the day anyway.

For more rain, click here.