The Oscars reward the previous year’s greatest cinema achievements as determined by some of the world’s most accomplished motion picture artists and professionals. The Academy’s roughly 6,000 members vote for the Oscars using secret ballots, which are tabulated by the international auditing firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. The auditors maintain absolute secrecy until the moment the show’s presenters open the envelopes and reveal the winners on live television.

And the Oscar Goes To...

Awards are presented for outstanding individual or collective efforts in up to 25 categories. Members select winners from as many as five nominees in each category, which are determined by members of the relevant Academy branch. (For instance, only film editors may nominate for the Achievement in Film Editing award.) The only exceptions are the Best Picture category, for which nominees are selected by the entire membership, and the Best Foreign Language films, which are nominated by a committee of members drawn from all branches.

In addition to the regular annual awards conferred by the membership, the Board of Governors is empowered to bestow Scientific and Technical Awards, Honorary Awards, Special Achievement Awards and other honors. Learn more about all the awards here.

Broadcast rights to the annual Oscar telecast provide the majority of the revenue for the organization’s rich and varied year-round activities.

CG Con North-American Roadshow in Silicon Valley

4 lectures (two Digital Painting/Concept Art, and two Animation lectures) of 90 minutes each by industry professionals

When:
Saturday March 6th, 2010

Where:
Cogswell Polytechnical College, 1175 Bordeaux Dr Sunnyvale, CA 94089

Who:
Mark Goerner - Digital Painting/Concept Art (Minority Report, X-men 2, The Terminal, Superman, Transformers 3, Battle Angel)
Anthony Wong - Digital Animation (Pixar Animation Studios)

Please feel free to contact us at info@cgcon.net if you have any questions or visit our website at www.cgcon.net

We look forward to seeing you at this event!

The 8th Annual VES Awards will be held Sunday, February 28, 2010  at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

The Visual Effects Society (VES) is a professional, honorary society, dedicated to advancing the arts, sciences, and applications of visual effects and to improving the welfare of its members by providing professional enrichment and education, fostering community, and promoting industry recognition.

The VES Awards recognize the achievements of the visual effects community for the most outstanding work being created in the field of visual effects around the world, with the intention to promote creative and technical excellence, share knowledge, and to bring together both individuals and companies that make up the world of visual effects.

imagina is the leading European event for simulation and visualisation based 3D design and decision-making solutions.

Over a period of three days, imagina’s conference cycle brings you all the relevant information regarding the current state of the 3D market, exploring the key issues involved and providing feedback from different economic sectors including Industry, Architecture and Territory Planning and Media & Entertainment.

For the second year running, imagina 2010 will host a Digital Village devoted to local authorities, towns, cities, regions and local governments. 

 imagina is not only a professional event, but also a ‘3D Industry Innovation Ecosystem'. Whether you are a designer, publisher, service provider or a distributor of software and 3D IT products, exhibiting at imagina and its Exhibition Hall - which features over 4,000 m2 of floor space - enables you to respond to an ever-increasing range of related challenges, each with a high return on investment.

Future Film Festival presents the news about the programme of the 12th edition that will take place, as usual, in Bologna, Italy, from 26th to 31st January 2010 at Teatro Duse (Via Cartoleria 42) and Palazzo Re Enzo (Piazza del Nettuno) that will host the Future Village (press conferences, accreditation office, workshops, kids area, cocktails and relax area) and for the first time will be a screenings venue too.

Since eleven years, the Bolognese event dedicated to animation and special effects is the most important date in Italy to notice the changes of digital imaginary, and to analyse the evolution of cinema and animation. The Future Film Festival has made known also in Italy important names of the International cinema, now well known by the audience and valued by International festivals as Hayao Miyazaki, John Lasseter, Osamu Tezuka, Satoshi Kon, Bill Plympton, Tsui Hark, Phil Mulloy, Nobuo Nakagawa and Paul Driessen or animation companies at the top of box offices as Pixar Animation Studios, Aardman Animations, Blue Sky. Moreover, in its history the FFF has explored cinematographies not well known like the Iranian and the South American cinema, and the new generations of artists from all over the world.

The Future Film Festival 2010 programme, directed by Giulietta Fara and Oscar Cosulich will present the news of cinema but not only. The focuses on stop-motion and on Motion Graphics will take stock of the contemporary uses of these techniques. The 3dDAY, after the success of the last January, will reveal the secrets of stereoscopic technique with key figures (distributors, theaters owners, producers) and the works for the cinema, tv and videogame. A special thanks to the City of Bologna, Province of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna Region and Emilia-Romagna Film Commission which support the event.

Since its first edition, Future Film Festival for its image has created a strong link with visual arts: every year the Festival asks an artist of the last generation to create an original work that will become the image-icon of FFF, looking for links and synergies between cinema, visual arts, photography and street-art. The FFF2010 has entrusted its image to the young writer UFO 5 who will realize a wallpainting that will be the symbol of the new edition. Amongs symbols and signs of his imaginary, UFO 5 will interpret the Future Film Festival changeable identity.

FUTURE FILM FESTIVAL 2010 FOCUSES

Saul Bass & Motion Graphics
Future Film Festival 2010, following its constant analysis of animated image, will dedicate a focus to the Motion Graphics, one of the most contemprary techniques used by young artists, in which the graphic applications give the illusion of movement.

The Future Film Festival will focus on some key figures of contemporary motion graphics as Mischa Rozema, cofounder of Post Panic, the production company based in Holland, and author of commercials and videos for well known brands as Nike and MTV, and the English artist Rob Chiu, (alias The Ronin)  author of a lot of works for Nokia, BBC, EMI, Greenpeace and many others. The FFF will focus on also their source of inspiration: the work by Saul Bass, great opening titles’ author and pioneer of motion graphics.

Saul Bass (1920-1996) is one of the key figure on graphic headlines for cinema. Thanks to Saul Bass, this work became an art. When he was young, he became his carreer as assistant in the art department of Warner Bros. based in New York and he gained experience in the field of Costructivism and Bauhaus. After some experiences as graphic designer, in 1954 Bass collaborated with Otto Preminger for the Carmen Jones poster and opening titles. After that, he realized The Seven Year Itch (1955), The Big Knife (1955), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) title sequences. In 1959 he realized the Preminger’s Anatomy of a Murder poster and opening animated sequence with the original jazz score by Duke Ellington.

Mumbai, India: About 300 animation students will converge in Mumbai for the year’s biggest animation meet, the National Students Meet (NSM). Organised by Maya Academy of Advance Cinematics (MAAC), the pioneer of 3D animation and visual effects education in India, the 7th edition of NSM 2010 will see international studios like Dreamworks, Rhythm & Hues and other renowned studios like Prime Focus, Eye Qube, Prana showcase their animation work for popular movies like Aladin, Blue and Monster v/s Alien.

For the first time in India eminent international artist Ms. Shelley Page from Dreamworks, will share her knowledge on a unique and untouched topic ‘Design for Animation’ amongst the students. The National Students Meet is an distinctive initiative by MAAC to congregate the students studying 3D Animation & VFX on national level and take them for a week long journey where they are exposed to high-end seminars, workshops and case studies of Indian & International projects which includes making of Feature films, games, gaming technology, specialized workshops on various aspects of 3D Animation and Visual Effects industry, panel discussions, team building trainings, live contests, studio visits and various other edutainment activities.

Mr. Gaurav Markan, Industry Relations Vice President, MAAC expressed, "One of the main objectives of organizing such an event for the students is to give them exposure to the industry work and standards. An important aspect is that they come to know the about the changing requirements of the industry and learn how to shape themselves to be part of the industry. The important things that the studios these days look in a student or fresher are aptitude, creativity and confidence. The Outbound training is an aspect of the meet that takes care of all the elements to make the students a complete personality.”

About MAAC:

MAAC, the education division of Maya Entertainment Limited (MEL), is the pioneer of 3D animation and visual effects education in India since 2001. MAAC presently imparts professional training in animation and visual effects to over 14,000 students across 70 centers in India and International. MEL is backed by leaders in finance, media and technology, including Enam Securities, Intel Capital and Bhukhanwala Holdings. It has an exclusive association with The University of Cambridge International Examination, London to validate its diploma courses. MAAC also has the largest network of Authorized Training Centre (ATC’s) of Autodesk and WACOM Authorized Training Centers (WATC). The institute has pioneered animation training in the country and has also taken initiatives for the growth and development of the industry by promoting young talents through events like 24 FPS Animation Awards – an annual event conceptualized by MAAC that helps in seeking the finest talents in animation in the country. Its other divisions include an award winning international production studio engaged in outsourcing and own IP production work, and also a creative development enterprise MAAC Junior Toon Club (MJTC) for school children.

CG Con North-American Roadshow in Chicago
When:
Saturday January 16th, 2010
Where:

350 North Orleans Street Chicago, IL 60654 (Sauganash East Ballroom on the 14th floor)

Who:
Mark Goerner - Digital Painting/Concept Art
Juan Pablo Chen - Digital Modeling

4 lectures (two Digital Painting/Concept Art, and two Modeling lectures) of 90 minutes each, by industry professionals Mark Goerner (Minority Report, Constantine X-men 2, The Terminal, Superman, Transformers 3, Battle Angel) and Juan Pablo Chen from DreamWorks Animation.

Please feel free to contact us at info@cgcon.net if you have any questions or visit our website at www.cgcon.net

These two professionals will be giving demo reel and portfolio reviews at the event

We look forward to seeing you there!

Event dedicated to animation and cross-media for industry professionals 2nd edition from 12th to 14th January 2011 - Le Grand Bornand / Annecy (France)

Presented by CITIA, organiser of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (Mifa)

The concept

2 and a half days of information, training, reflection and discussions between professionals for a complete overview of all animation and cross-media issues.

The programme

Le Forum Blanc gives professionals from animation, video games, broadcasting, new interactive services and mobile phones the possibility to find out all the current aspects concerning animation and cross-media, from writing to broadcasting, funding, production and legal issues.

This second edition will be giving the floor to such speakers as Julien Borde, Head of Children and Youth programming at France Télévisions; Jo Twist, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4; Joël Ronez, Head of Internet at Arte and Orion Ross, Vice President of Development for Original series at Disney, who will be talking about the vision and the role the historic model of broadcasting is playing in the developments of cross and transmedia.

Miles Bullough, Head of Broadcast and Development at Aardman Animations and Antony Roux, Artistic Director at Ankama will be sharing their experience and talking about the strategies in their respective companies.

Monique Simard, Managing Director of the French programme at the National Film Board of Canada and Canadian Producer, Sylvain Viau, will be giving their viewpoints and talking about new incentives in Canada.

These sessions will also be complemented by French or international case studies from the animation or related sectors, covering all the creative, financial and legal angles of the production chain of cross-media projects.

You can find details of the programme and the list of speakers on www.forumblanc.org

TORONTO, ONTARIO — Following the success of The Road, DIVE Visual Effects Supervisor Mark O. Forker will be the featured speaker at the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO) Visionary Lunch on January 8, 2010 in Toronto.

The visual effects veteran will discuss his artistic vision and dissect the workflow of his latest project, The Road—the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel, starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. 

The Road director, John Hillcoat, turned to Forker and Philadelphia-based effects house DIVE to create the ethereally bleak landscape of the novel. Forker led the DIVE team as they transformed the film’s setting with the skill and authenticity that has been praised by fans and critics alike following its November 25th domestic release.

Forker is a visual effects innovator with 25 years of experience in the field. Credits include Academy Award-nominated Apollo 13, Academy Award-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Titanic and others.

Forker’s discussion will be followed by a Q & A session.

The Visionary Lunch will be held at the National Film Board Of Canada Theatre, 150 John Street, Toronto, Ontario, 416.973.0904. Seating is limited. For more information or tickets go to the CASO web site.

CASO (www.casont.ca) is a non-profit trade association representing the digital animation and visual effects community in Ontario, Canada.

 

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About DIVE:

Based in Philadelphia, PA, DIVE (www.the-dive.net), is the visual effects and film finishing division of Shooters Post & Transfer, led by veteran Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Forker most recently Visual Effects Supervisor at Digital Domain, Los Angeles. As one of the east coast’s premier post production facilities for film finishing services, DIVE offers filmmakers the opportunity to complete Visual Effects, Digital Intermediates and Titles by coupling creative continuity with an integrated workflow. For more information contact DIVE VP Business Development, Bob Lowery or Executive Producer, Andy Williams at 267.514.7700. 

 

The Southwest Video Game Expo (SWGE) has announced it would be postponed due economic reasons. Li-Fi, the consumer electronic side of SWGE was cancelled previously. The Southwest's largest technology and video game expos for consumers, Li-Fi and the Southwest Video Game Expo (SWGE), today announced they would hold their premier shows at the Dallas Convention Center from November 20-22, 2009. Consumers and industry professionals are invited to experience over 400,000 square feet of the newest technology products and video games. The two separate expos will work in concert with one entrance and only one admission price to attend both shows. However, they will both have unique personalities at the convention center with completely different exhibitors, looks and feels. The Southwest Gaming Expo is the next big event in the gaming industry. With over 200,000 square feet of the latest in video games, SWGE is the first event in the southwest of this size and magnitude. SWGE is a place for gamers and industry insiders to come together to discover the latest trends in gaming and explore the culture that revolves around games. SWGE will feature play for free areas, concerts, exhibitors, and a marketplace. SWGE has something for every gamer to see, and will be the event of the year for both the casual and hardcore gamers. Happening simultaneously will be Li-Fi, the largest consumer electronics and entertainment show in the Southwest. With over 200,000 square feet of the latest in technology, Li-Fi is the first event in the Southwest of this size that's open to the general public. Li-Fi is the ultimate showcase of consumer technology featuring the latest innovations and trend setting concepts. Visitors will be able to see new technology in digital imaging, robotics, personal computing, home theatre, audio, mobile computing, digital music, green living, auto and wireless. Both shows take place before the critical Black Friday and Tech Monday shopping days allowing visitors the chance to tryout the gifts they plan on buying and will even include free personal shoppers to help everyone find exactly what they want. For more information see www.lifiexpo.com and www.swge.com.