The October meeting of CATNAP will focus on the topics of Clean-up/Tween Painting/Paint Layouts as part of an ongoing lecture series that follows the animation production process. Meetings include time to network and screen work. There will be updates on member and group projects, including the CATNAP promo. Meetings begin at 1 pm, and are free and open to the public. Meetings are held at the studios of itoons, 3717 N. Ravenswood, Suite 210 in Chicago.

The SEMAFX Network, in Detroit Michigan, invite all animators to submit their short films (

CATNAP's November meeting looks at the topic of Flash Animation vs Traditional techniques. Featured presenter is Flash guru Bob Risetto. The monthly meeting also features networking, screenings and an update on the group animation project. Open to all and free of charge. The meeting begins at 1 pm at the studios of itoons, 3717 N. Ravenswood Ave, Suite 210, Chicago.

The Los Angeles ACM SIGGRAPH December meeting
welcomes Sony Pictures Imageworks as they present their work on the Visual Effects of the Haunted Mansion.

This event is hosted by Side Effects Software and Sony Pictures Imageworks.

Day / Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2003
Time: 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
Place: UCLA--Bradley International Center

For detailed information on this informative and fun event call 310-288-1148

or go to:

www.la.siggraph.org
after December 5th

The next meeting of the Softimage Los Angeles User Group will be hosted by RFX. Softimage's Mark Schoennagel and Michael Isner will be previewing some new technology that you will see appearing in future versions of Softimage|XSI. Those in attendance will also be treated to an interview and Q & A session with Steve Oedekerk of OMation. At the event, Oedekerk will be talking about the growing role 3D content plays in feature films. The event will take place at 7:00 pm at 736 Seward Street. To register, visit http://www.softimage.com/community/xsi/events/events.htm?event=10057&src=4.

The monthly meeting of CATNAP, Chicago Area Toon Novices and Professionals, will take place Saturday, January 17th at 1 PM. Meetings feature open screenings and discussions of various aspects of animation. This months meeting will focus on setting the topics for 2004's meeting schedule, so bring you ideas. Meetings take place at iToons, 3717 N. Ravenswood, Suite 210, Chicago,

CATNAP, Chicago Area Toon Novices and Professionals, moves to a new meeting location in February. We will be at the Loop Campus of the Illinois Institute of Art, 180 N. Wabash Ave., Room 234. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the location by using public transportation. This month's featured presentation will be by Ron Fleischer and John Griffin on the preproduction steps required to send the film "Lemmings" out for final animation work. The meeting is scheduled from 1 to 4 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring work for screening and discussion.

Animators, Ink is thrilled to announce its third anniversary celebration, which will include animation, film, music, art, and most importantly, creative people from all walks of life. Membership submissions will be screened during the entire course of the festivities while being accompanied by live DJ

The San Francisco chapter of SIGGRAPH is pleased to announce the screening of the entire 2003 Electronic Theater. We are proud to be screening the full showing of the Electronic Theater, one of the first times the complete show has been available outside of the conference. The Electronic Theater is the premier computer graphics film and video showcase that is part of the Computer Animation Festival each year at the SIGGRAPH conference. The conference was held in July 2003 in San Diego and as usual the Electronic Theater was one of the favored events.

Date and Time:
Wednesday, March 10th, 2004
7:30p - Doors open, snacks available
8:00p - Speakers:
Dena Slothower - Conference Chair, SIGGRAPH 2004 and Associate Director, Freshman and Sophomore Programs, Stanford University
Jonathan Gibbs - Panels Chair, SIGGRAPH 2004 and Lead Effects Animator, PDI/DreamWorks
Lourdes Livingston - Executive Director, School of Animation and Visual Effects, The Academy of Art, San Francisco
8:30p - 10:00p Electronic Theater

Before and after the show Sam Chen, artist and producer for "Eternal Gaze", which won Best Animated Short in Electronic Theater 2003 will be on hand to answer questions about his experience.

Location:
Academy of Art College
Morgan Auditorium
491 Post (at Mason) San Francisco
Parking is available at several garages in the area.

Directions to the Morgan Auditorium can be found here:
http://san-francisco.siggraph.org/calendar/viewEvent.php?eventNumbe

Gnomon School of Visual Effects will be holding an Alias Users Group meeting. The meet and greet will begin at 5:30 pm with the presentation starting at 6:30 pm. First, Eric Hanson, author, and Eric Pender, contributor, of MAYA 5 KILLER TIPS; and Erick Miller, co-author of INSIDE MAYA 5 will show tips and tricks in Maya 5. Then Digital Domain's technical and sequence lead Darren Hendler will discuss Digital Domain's use of set extensions and how they created the digital crocodile using Maya. Finally, Tefft Smith and Hudson Shock of Look fx! will do a shot breakdown on the maggot scene they produced for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. MAYA 5 books will be raffled off at the event. To RSVP, e-mail rsvp@gnomon3d.com. For more information, contact Gnomon Inc. by calling (323) 466-6663 or visiting http://www.gnomon3d.com.