Side Effects Software, developer of the award-winning Houdini family of 3D software, has appointed industry veteran Garman Herigstad as production consultant. Herigstad will leverage more than 19 years of experience in 3D animation and vfx at Digital Domain and Sony Pictures Imageworks to provide on-site production and training support to studios using Houdini software.
In addition, Herigstad will now lead Side Effects Softwares Houdini Boot Camp, which is a series of intensive one-week training sessions in October and December that provides hands-on experience with Houdini and a working knowledge of Houdini in production. With a particular focus on visual effects and lighting, the Houdini Boot Camp will teach technical directors how to build more efficient pipelines.
Most recently, Herigstad served as sequence lead for STEALTH and effects artist for THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW while at Digital Domain. Herigstad was also with Sony Pictures Imageworks as an effects specialist while working on such features as HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERERS STONE and CAST AWAY.
Our production consultants are industry experts who work closely with customers to understand and respond to production challenges, said Kim Davidson, ceo, Side Effects Software. Were thrilled that Garman has joined our team to share his expertise with our valued customers.
Herigstad first taught Houdini at the Savannah College of Design (www.scad.com), where he ran classes in particles and procedural modeling. Many Houdini users working in production today got their start in his classes. Recently, The Gnomon Workshop (www.thegnomonworkshop.com) released a learning DVD authored by Herigstad titled HOUDINI 101: INTERFACE AND WORKFLOW. This DVD provides a great way for people to begin learning Houdini, especially if they cant make it to L.A. for the boot camp.
The Houdini family of animation software offers digital artists an unprecedented level of power, flexibility and control based on award-winning technology. The comprehensive feature set includes modeling, rigging, animation, particle effects, channel editing, compositing, integrated rendering and much more. All Houdini applications work together seamlessly and are available for the Windows and Linux operating systems. Houdini has been used to create stunning digital animation in blockbuster films, including THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, the SPIDER-MAN franchise, THE POLAR EXPRESS, I, ROBOT, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, THE X-MEN FRANCHISE, the HARRY POTTER franchise, THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, THE MATRIX trilogy, SIN CITY, STEALTH and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.
Established in 1987, Side Effects Software (www.sidefx.com) is a world leader in the development of advanced 3D animation and special effects software for use in film. Side Effects Software leads the field of procedural animation with its unique, award-winning, Houdini technology. Houdini is used by numerous digital content creation leaders, including C.O.R.E., Digital Domain, Disney Feature Animation, DNA Prods., Framestore-CFC, The Orphanage, Rhythm + Hues and Sony Pictures Imageworks, among others.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
