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!