The //ADAPT 2007 Conference has just announced its complete program. Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Montreal from Sept. 24-28, 2007, an estimated 2,500 people from around the world are expected to attend the industry's second annual creative event, focused on inspiring and teaching advanced digital art production techniques for film, visual effects and videogame development. The program includes more than 40 digital art masters, an Art Expo, a Theater, a Job Fair and more.
The keynote address by Phil Tippett of Tippett Studio (the upcoming SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES) kicks things off the evening of Sept. 24. Tippett has received two Oscars and five nominations and has worked on the original STAR WARS trilogy, ROBOCOP, JURASSIC PARK and STARSHIP TROOPERS, and will discuss his observations on the evolution of the industry.
The 2D Masters Program, designed to teach advanced concept art and digital painting techniques used in feature film and videogame development, will feature a total of six presentations by speakers such as the legendary Syd Mead (TRON, BLADE RUNNER, ALIENS, M:I:III), Ryan Church (STAR WARS EPISODE II, III, WAR OF THE WORLDS) and Andrew Jones (ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE, SUPERMAN RETURNS).
The 3D Masters Program, designed to teach a variety of advanced modeling, animation and rendering techniques for feature film and videogame development, will feature a total of six lectures, including Fausto De Martini from Blizzard (WORLD OF WARCRAFT, STARCRAFT 2), Andy Schmidt (FINDING NEMO, MONSTERS, INC.) from Pixar and Shawn Kelly and Carlos Baena from AnimationMentor.com, who's combined credits include STAR WARS: EPISODE I, II, III, WAR OF THE WORLDS, HULK, MEN IN BLACK II, THE INCREDIBLES AND CARS.
For students and aspiring artists, the Exploration program, designed to teach a variety of 2D and 3D techniques will feature a total of 12 presentations by speakers such as Jordu Schell (ALIEN: RESURRECTION, THE X FILES, SCARY MOVIE 3), David Parish from Texas-based Reel FX (HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS, THE PERFECT STORM, GALAXY QUEST, STAR WARS: EPISODE I -- THE PHANTOM MENACE) and Meinert Hansen (300, MYST IV, THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF JULES VERNES, STAY AND STRANGER THAN FICTION).
The 2D/ 3D Plus Program, designed as a supplemental program and accessible to all attendees, will feature a variety of lectures by local and international digital artists specialized in many fields related to 2D and 3D production. Presenters include Academy Award winner Ed Jones (STAR WARS, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY), Chris Williams (STAR WARS OBI-WAN, STAR WARS GALACTIC BATTLEGROUNDS, STAR WARS GALACTIC BATTLEGROUNDS: CLONE CAMPAIGNS, STAR WARS REPUBLIC COMMANDO and STAR WARS: EMPIRE AT WAR) and Marc Bourbonnais (300, SIN CITY, SNAKES ON A PLANE, the SPY KIDS trilogy).
A complete detailed list of the 40 + speakers is available on www.adaptmontreal.com/a2007. In addition, starting Sept. 24, social activities and additional art driven activities surrounding the conference will allow for many networking opportunities. The first ever //ADAPT Art Expo presented by Corel will be open to all attendees and the general public. The //ADAPT Theater will feature some outstanding animations, visual effects and a variety of short format films.
The //ADAPT 2007 Conference has also partnered with CreativeHeads.net, the Global Job Board Network for the creative industries, to offer //ADAPT Job Fair companies the opportunity to advertise their participation at the conference and jobs to all //ADAPT attendees, as well as millions of creative professionals working in the animation & VFX / TV & film, videogames, software tools, advertising/marketing and Web/Wireless industries. Visit http://www.creativeheads.net before and after the conference or www.adaptmontreal.com/a2007 under other Activities/job fair for more details. Starting this week, //ADAPT 2007 job fair companies will have a tremendous opportunity to enhance their recruitment efforts and visibility.
//ADAPT 2007 Conference tickets are currently available but seating is limited. Take advantage of our extended promotion: $150 (USD) rebate off the regular price of conference tickets. Prices are as follows: Full Conference Pass ($699 USD), Student Full Conference ($674 USD), 2D Masters or 3D Masters Program ($399 USD), Exploration Program ($249 USD). Corporate and Student group rates are also available. For more information about the ticket category and access or to register please visit www.adaptmontreal.com or contact them at info@adaptmontreal.com.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
