Left to right: Animator Kevin Baldwin of Bob Godfrey Films, Heather Kenyon, James Hickey of TerraGlyph Productions and Deborah Fallows of Nelvana. Photo © AWN.

Panels and Training Were Key
The Vitals, Vital(it)y and Digital Dimensions were three separately focused groupings of panel discussions and training seminars. All, again, were a tremendous success as they highlighted hands-on learning and discussion. Digital Dimensions was organized by Carl Franklin, the technology correspondent for the U.K.'s Sunday Business, and focused on animation using computers and new media techniques. From "Starting Out in Computer Animation" to a "Softimage Masterclass," I don't think there was a miss among these presentations. One especially fascinating demonstration was given by Jackie Cockle and Paul Couvela from Hot Animation who stop-motion animated characters from Brambly Hedge right before the audience's eyes.

Vital(it)y centered on artists telling their real-life tales of launching into producing new media. From CD-Roms to the Internet, each workshop focused on a different technical aspect of the tools used in new media production. Frankly, they needed a larger room for these seminars. A tiny, little cubby hole in the CIA did not do these sessions justice. By the end of the week some were regulars only attending these classes, and the room was in great disarray with tables and chairs strewn in an uneven semi-circle around the speaker's podium. This was a well-used room!

The Vitals were another set of panel discussions that boasted such sponsors as Aardman Animations, the BBC Bristol Animation Unit and the U.K.'s Channel Four. These discussions focused more on matters of business and training. The festival held a series of ambitious script writing seminars and discussions. One, sponsored by The BBC Bristol Animation Unit, was especially effective as writers had BBC editors perform script surgery on their scripts. It was refreshing, and unusual, to see an animation festival dedicate so much time to screenwriting. Cartoon UK sponsored a series of four lectures focused on legal rights, production budgeting and the current market place. Channel Four's Independents' Forum was party to many a lively debate on the state of the industry.

A bevy of volunteers from the local schools and universities, under the festival staff's watchful eye, kept the seminars and registration areas in smooth working order. Sessions started on time and ended on time as a tight ship was kept and downright order reigned. It is a must to note that one of the reasons why Cardiff was a successful event was because of these seminars. While students play a key role at Cardiff and these are the types of events they need and enjoy, there really was something for everyone. It was great to see industry professionals in the middle of the student sea, learning right along side of them.

The Expo featured modest booths in an intimate setting. Photo by Heather Kenyon. © AWN.

Screenings for Everyone
Another key location was of course St. David's Hall, home of the screenings, some of the aforementioned workshops and panels, and smoke! Now, I know that living in Los Angeles, with all of our anti-smoking laws makes me more sensitive, but even natives were complaining about the air quality by the final night! In spite of the cloud, the lounge on the top floor was the meeting and greeting place to be. In fact, I think a lot of people stayed in the lobby chatting with friends and gathering around resident legend Bob Godfrey, rather than rushing into the screenings. A lot of the screenings at the Hall during the day were rather sparsely attended, but the evening programs were quite full. Screenings took place at St. David's Hall and the Angel Hotel, located directly across from Cardiff Castle, which was the coolest, funkiest location by far. With so many screenings in two locations it was difficult to choose.