Our world is changing dramatically. How does a production professional survive and make a living today? The Visual Effects Society and Gnomon School of Visual Effects have put together a day of panels and workshops geared to give you concrete advice, up-to-date information and valuable tools to help you not only survive, but thrive in the future.

Saturday, June 13

8:30 Registration/Coffee
9:00 Panel: Reinventing Yourself/Crossing Over
10:30 Panel: What Are Companies Looking For?
12:00 Lunch will be provided for a nominal fee
1:00 Workshop: Reinventing/Rebranding Yourself
2:30 Workshop: Today’s Resumes
4:00 Workshop: Creating Your Reel

Location
Gnomon School of Visual Effects
1015 N. Cahuenga Bl. Hollywood, CA

Admission
$10 for VES members and Gnomon students
$25 for everyone else

Reservations Required
To make reservations, call the VES office at 818-981-7861 and speak to Colleen.

To celebrate the forthcoming release of HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE, the sixth installment in the Harry Potter series, Warner Bros. Pictures have created a magical moving tour which will visit various UK destinations between the 13th and 22nd June 2009 (full list of destinations below).

Entrance to the tour will be for competition winners only. The winners will walk through the Harry Potter experience and have the chance to see a selection of the original production sets, some of the iconic costumes as worn by Harry Potter and Dumbledore and props that will include an original Firebolt broomstick.

All winners will have the opportunity to perform a spell "on-camera" and this will be entered into a competition to win the ultimate prize. One lucky winner will have an unforgettable film experience: They will win the chance to visit Leavesden Studios in England to see the Harry Potter sets and a chance to appear in one of the final Harry Potter films.

Truck Tour UK Dates:

June 13 Sat Edinburgh
June 14 Sun Travel
June 15 Mon Manchester
June 16 Tue Birmingham
June 17 Wed Travel
June 18 Thurs Leicester Square (ticketed)
June 19 Fri Leicester Square (ticketed and Warner Bros. Staff)
June 20 Sat West End Live - Leicester Square (open to public/no recording)
June 21 Sun West End Live - Leicester Square (open to public/no recording)
June 22 Mon London - Sydenham

How to Win Tickets:

MSN

Details can be found online in the Movies and Entertainment channels within http://www.MSN.co.uk. Competition winners will be selected on Wednesday, 10 June 2009

GLOBAL RADIO:

Radio promotions for Edinburgh and Manchester ran last weekend (Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 June) on Galaxy FM Scotland and Galaxy Manchester Breakfast shows;

Radio promotions are running on Heart FM Drivetime shows: Midlands (Monday, 8 - Friday, 12 June); London (Monday, 15 - Thursday, 18 June) and Kent (Monday, 15 - Friday, 19 June)

Continuing opportunities to win tickets for all locations are also provided online at http://www.galaxyfm.co.uk and http://www.heart.co.uk

SKY

Details can be found within the Sky Movies channel at http://www.sky.com.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a special screening of the 1939 action-adventure film GUNGA DIN on Friday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Before the presentation, Oscar winners Ben Burtt and Craig Barron will discuss the sound and visual effects used in the film. The program also will be presented in New York on Monday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy Theater in New York City. Produced and directed by two-time Oscar winner (and nine-time nominee) George Stevens, GUNGA DIN stars Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Joan Fontaine. The film is set in late 19th century British India during a Thuggee uprising. This program is presented as an installment of the Academy's George Stevens Lecture Series. Burtt and Barron will explore the "state-of-the-art" techniques used to create the film. The evening will also highlight the locations used in the film, revealing Lone Pine, California as the stand-in for India. Burtt has won Academy Awards for Sound Effects Editing on STAR WARS (1977), RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982) and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989). He was most recently nominated for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing on WALL-E (2008). Barron won an Oscar for the visual effects of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008) and was nominated for his work on BATMAN RETURNS (1992). He currently serves as a governor representing the Academy's Visual Effects Branch. Tickets for GUNGA DIN (Los Angeles or New York City) are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased online at www.oscars.org or by mail (a printable order form is available in the Events & Exhibitions section of the Web site). Tickets may also be purchased at the box office on the night of the event (subject to availability). All seating is unreserved. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (310) 247-3600. The Academy Theater is located at 111 East 59th Street in New York City. Doors open at 7 p.m. All seating is unreserved. For more information, call (212) 821-9251.

The Los Angeles Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH will host a one night only event, sponsored by Side Effects software on the making of NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN. Francisco Rodriguez, FX Supervisor at Rhythm & Hues will provide an overview of the visual effects techniques employed across the production pipeline integrating both propriety tools and Houdini. There will be a special emphasis showcasing the creation of the climatic "Netherworld Sequence."

A screening of the film will immediately follow the presentation. Side Effects software will host a drawing for 3 copies of Houdini Master Apprentice HD.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
6:30-7:30 p.m. Social Hour - Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Universal Citywalk
7:30-10 p.m. - Presentation and Screening at AMC Citywalk 19 Stadium 19 Theaters.

Check the LA ACM SIGGRAPH website, for parking and other important information.

The Producers Guild is working with the top producers in the entertainment industry to host the first annual Produced By 2009 conference this June 5-7 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. Attendees will interact with and learn from the likes of James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, Kathleen Kennedy, Lauren Shuler Donner and producers of Emmy winning TV shows including DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and TWO AND A HALF MEN.

Sessions include:

-- The Collaborative Process Of Visual Effects: From Previs To Post
-- World Premiere Digital Camera Assessment -- Demo the newest generation of HD digital cameras.)
-- A New Dimension: 3-D Stereoscopic Production
-- Performance/Motion Capture Production Technology

Attendees can take advantage of over 30 film, television and new media sessions with 100 producers covering everything they need to know to be a great producer.

Registration: http://www.producedbyconference.com/produceby-form-v3-validate.html

Sessions: http://www.producedbyconference.com/sessions.html

Creating today's entertainment media demands community, collaboration and teamwork. Community is vital to artists struggling in the current economic landscape. The Industry Giants 2009: Building a Community, Visual Effects, Animation and Game Forum features 2D artist/animator Michel Gagne, veteran of Warner Bros., Disney and Pixar, Jay Hawkins, Epic Games' Senior Concept Artist for Gears of War and many other creative professionals. The eighth annual event takes place Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Spring Creek Campus (SCC) of Collin County Community College, 2800 Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, Texas. It's open to the public, students and industry professionals. Hosted annually by the filmmaking/visual effects, animation, game development non-profit, A Bunch of Short Guys, and Collin's Applied Graphic Design Technology department, Industry Giants 2009 features Masterclasses and a one-day forum and panel discussion. The event features a distinctive lineup of speakers working in all areas of animation and visual effects for film, television and games. Schedules for the Masterclasses, forum and ticket information are available online at www.industrygiants.org. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Advance combination tickets for both the June 5 Masterclasses AND the June 6 forum are $40 for students and $80 for the public and professionals. Advance tickets to the June 6 forum-only are $15 for students and $20 for the public and professionals. Combination tickets purchased at the door are $50 for students and $90 for the public and professionals. Forum tickets purchased at the door are $20 for students and $25 for the public and professionals. Questions? Please call 972-516-5089 or by email: AGDT_TA@ccccd.edu. Masterclasses will be held on campus in rooms C-103, C-104 and the SCC Conference Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009. With the purchase of a combination ticket, those attending the Masterclasses will be able to choose their own schedule. Masterclasses will be offered throughout the day. Morning sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and include "Creating The IK Walk Cycle" by veteran Pixar, Blue Sky and Henson Studios Animator/Animation Director, David Tart. Id Software Character Artist, Brett Briley, will conduct a session on Zbrush digital sculpting techniques in video games. The afternoon sessions take place from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will include a second session on Zbrush by Janimation Senior Creative Director Greg Punchatz featuring real-time creation of a digital character with audience participation. Jeff Alcantara, Reel FX Lighting and Compositing Supervisor, will conduct a session on compositing for OPEN SEASON 2 in NUKE. In addition, "Artists' Alley" will run all day, featuring Michel Gagne, Jay Hawkins, Jason Manley and others. Artist's books and book signing will be available. The Industry Giants Forum takes place in the John Anthony Theatre from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2008. The lineup includes presentations by Will Nicholson, CG Supervisor at Cafe FX who will discuss his work on recent films and tips on succeeding in the industry. Artist Michel Gagne, veteran of Warner Bros., Disney, Pixar and other studios will feature his recent game, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet and other work. Jay Hawkins, Senior Concept Artist with Epic Games, will present on his work for Gears of War. Digital Domain Technical Developer Tadao Mihashi will feature his lighting and rendering work on THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. Jason Manley, President of MassiveBlack.com and Founding Director of ConceptArt.org will discuss online communities in the entertainment industry. Winners of the A Bunch of Short Guys 2009 Student Animation Contest will be announced. A full panel discussion will conclude the event. A Bunch of Short Guys (ABOSG) is a non-profit organization that fosters education and career development for students and professionals in the animation, visual effects and game industries. The group hosts free monthly meetings on the third or fourth Saturday of the month. In addition, ABOSG presents Industry Insights, an ongoing series featuring industry artists, as well as various training workshops and the Industry Giants events.

Join a select audience in screening award-worthy television hosted by The Envelope, the awards insider from the LOS ANGELES TIMES. Following each screening will be a conversation with the talent, moderated by their journalists with participation by you. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA will screen June 4 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Primetime Emmy Screening Series. Other shows in the series include SONS OF ANARCHY (June 1), THE SHIELD (June 1), CALIFORNICATION (June 2), RESCUE ME (June 3), IN PLAIN SIGHT (June 9) and THE CLEANER (June 10). All films will be screened at the Mann Chinese 6 Theatre at 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028. Seating for those who have RSVP'd will be first come, first serve, and is not guaranteed, so please arrive early. Please note that among those who have RSVP’s, members of ATAS, HFPA and SAG are given priority seating at this screening. Members must present guild membership card at the door to receive priority seating. For those who are not members of the above listed guilds, seating will begin 10 minutes prior to screening start time pending availability. Talent for the conversations following each screening is subject to change.

The first films that will screen in this year's festival have been revealed, presenting a diverse selection of titles that will screen in Australia for the first time. Amongst those in the official competition are animated features CORALINE, BRENDAN AND THE SECRET OF KELLS and SUNSHINE BARRY AND THE DISCO WORMS. Information: www.sydneyfilmfestival.org.

Luxology and Escape Studios invite you to join us at the modo 401 launch event on June 3, 2009 at The Moving Picture Company in London.

Come see the brand new version of modo with stunning new 3D animation and rendering features and hear from leading artists who have already employed modo 401 in production. Meet modo users from throughout the U.K. and learn about this amazing software for the PC and Mac.

When: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
2:30 to 5 p.m.

Location:
The Moving Picture Company
127 Wardour Street
Soho, London
W1F 0NL

Program includes:

-- Andy Brown (Luxology) -- modo 401 demonstration.
-- Simon Hodgkiss (Director & Producer, SPHdigital Ltd) -- use of modo 401 in a multi-application pipeline for THE ADVENTURES OF RAZ & BENNY.
-- Stuart Rowbottom (3D artist with experience at Senate VFX, Framestore and Passion Pictures) -- modo 401 beta tester.

Light refreshments to be served. Escape Studios and Wacom will join Luxology at the event. All attendees will be eligible for a special promotion price for modo 401. Space is limited so please register for this free event now.

Register here for the event.

At Pantin's venue Cine 104, the third edition of the international forum on 3D images will be presented by Claude Bartolone, president of the Seine-Saint-Denis department's General Council, and Stephan Faudeux, organizer of Dimension 3. Claude Bartolone welcomed Dimension3 to his district, and took this opportunity to highlight the importance of favorable economic, technical and cultural conditions for the development of digital images in Seine-Saint-Denis. The presence of training institutions (the Ecole Nationale Superieure Louis Lumiere, Les Gobelins, the universities of Paris 8 and Paris 13, the ESIEE, the CIFAP, the EICAR, the IUT of Bobigny et Montreuil ), of a strong scientific community (ATI Arts and technologies for images, L2TI Laboratory for information transfer and processing, the Maison des Sciences de l'Homme Paris Nord ) and of technical industries make the department of Seine-Saint-Denis a favorable ground for fast-growing 3D activities. To take advantage of a potential collaboration with partners such as these, the third international forum on 3D images will be held in Seine-Saint-Denis, from June 2 to 4, 2009. This international forum on 3D images relies on three main events: a series of conferences, an exhibition area and a film festival. This year, about 50 international experts will be present to share experiences and talk about innovations and new products on the various markets of 3D, with a greater emphasis put on feedback from actual experiences. Manufacturers, publishers and contractors will present the latest innovations in 3D, from filming to post-production and display, within a more comfortable showcasing environment. Visitors will be able to discover, test and enjoy the equipment in optimal conditions. The public will see free screenings, an discover Dimension 3 Immersion, the ideal event to find out about 3D video games, new screen technologies or virtual reality environments.