SIGGRAPH officials, along with AMD, DreamWorks Animation and HP, offered details for the world's first international FJORG! competition: an "iron animator" event in which 15 competing teams from around the world will have 32 hours to create the world's best character-driven animation in front of a live, "Gladiator-style" audience and judging panel at the San Diego Convention Center.
To earn the title of "Viking Animator" and several other prizes, each team will be tasked with creating a 15-second (or longer) animation, based on a theme to be provided during the FJORG! kickoff on Aug. 6, 2007. In the spirit of true competition, FJORG! will test contestants' skill, talent, creativity, teamwork, and physical endurance -- all throughout multiple staged distractions such as live music, belly dancing, acrobatics and martial arts performances.
"We hope that everyone will be inspired by the enthusiasm born out of this event," said Patricia Beckmann-Wells, SIGGRAPH 2007 FJORG! chair. "The event will be full of humor, cheering and suspense for our participants and audience. FJORG! will be a fantastic experience that brings dedicated animators out into the open to show the world what they can do."
FJORG! contestants will be required to complete the animations using their own talents and skills, along with technology assets supplied at the event (outside resources are not permitted). Teams will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including recruiters from top graphics, feature film, animation, and game companies such as Pixar Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Competitors will have access to the following applications:
* Sound and voiceover selections* Rigged model for Maya* 51 HP xw9400 Workstations with Dual Core AMD Opteron⢠processors* Autodesk 3ds Max* Autodesk Maya* Macromedia Flash* Adobe Photoshop and After Effects* Softimage|XSI
In addition, members of teams that successfully create an animation sequence of at least 15 seconds in length will be awarded a full conference pass for the remainder of SIGGRAPH 2007 and a ticket to the Electronic Theater.
With support provided by AMD, DreamWorks Animation and HP, FJORG! is being held in conjunction with SIGGRAPH 2007, the 34th International Conference and Exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques at the San Diego Convention Center, Aug. 5-9.
For video of the competition and the winning animations, visit http://workstations.tv throughout SIGGRAPH. For more information about the competition in general, visit www.siggraph.org/s2007/presenters/fjorg/.
SIGGRAPH 2007 will bring an estimated 25,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to San Diego for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education and the Web from Aug. 5-9 at the San Diego Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2007 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 7-9 Aug. 7-9. More than 250 international exhibiting companies are expected. Registration for the conference and exhibition is open to the public. More details are available at www.siggraph.org/s2007.
The Assoc. for Computing Machinery (ACM) SIGGRAPH sponsors SIGGRAPH 2007. ACM is an educational and scientific society uniting the world's computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development and professional networking.
Advanced Micro Devices (www.amd.com) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to driving open innovation, choice and industry growth by delivering superior customer-centric solutions that empower consumers and businesses worldwide.
DreamWorks Animation is devoted to producing high-quality family entertainment through the use of computer-generated (CG) animation. Utilizing world-class creative talent and state-of-the-art technological capabilities, the company is committed to making two computer-animated feature films a year that appeal to a broad movie-going audience.
HP (www.hp.com) focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers -- from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $97.1 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2007.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
