Artists and visual effects supervisors Ed Jones and Mark Breakspear of Rainmaker Ent. Inc. have joined the //ADAPT Conference lineup 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 Theatre, a Job Fair and much more.
The award-winning Rainmaker is the largest animation and visual effects company in Canada, with three divisions: Rainmaker Animation, Rainmaker Visual Effects and Rainmaker Post. With the inclusion of recently acquired Mainframe Ent., Rainmaker creates 3D animation for the feature film market and is the industry leader in CG animation for television and direct-to-DVD family entertainment.
Jones has joined Rainmaker to produce ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH for The Weinstein Co. Most recently he was one of the exec producers on the Oscar winning HAPPY FEET. His credits include CATWOMAN, CATS AND DOGS, SOLDIER, SPACE JAM, WATERWORLD, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY, THE MATRIX RELOADED and REVOLUTIONS, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, ET: THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL, RETURN OF THE JEDI, INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM, INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE.
VFX supervisor Breakspear is known for the innovative techniques he devises to solve visual effects challenges. His credits include BLADES OF GLORY, THE DA VINCI CODE, STAR TREK: INSURRECTION, THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, RONIN, BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS, ELECTION and Oscar-winning WHAT DREAMS MAY COME. At Rainmaker, Breakspear's other credits include STARGATE ATLANTIS and THE COLLECTOR.
Their presentation will discuss filmmaking as a large sandwich... "a conversation on choosing the right ingredients, and how the final taste is what you'll remember." They will also bring to mind some of their recent projects, showing some ingredients that went into the mix, but above all, how taste was always the final enabler to achieving results.
"Mark and I are really looking forward to this," Jones said. "ADAPT is really emphasizing the artistry that pervades our industry. I think that's why they've had such a terrific response from presenters as well as attendees in just two years of existence. Emphasizing the passion that we all share for our work is the key to staying enthusiastic for me."
Exploration Passes are available at a reduced rate until Aug. 24; $249 for general attendees and $224 for students. Access includes the Special Feature Presentations, 2D/3D Plus Program, the //ADAPT Theater, and the //ADAPT Art Expo, the Job Fair and social activities open to all attendees. In addition, attendees with a Full Conference Pass, 2D or 3D Masters Pass also have full access to the Exploration Program.
//ADAPT 2007 tickets are currently available with limited seating. Register now and take advantage of the early bird $100 rebate, as well as the additional $50 off with //ADAPTâs special promotion for one week only during SIGGRAPH; offer is valid on the regular priced //ADAPT Full Conference Pass, the 2D and 3D Master Passes. Promotion begins midnight, Aug. 4 and ends midnight, Aug. 12 EDT. Take part in the many social activities, the //ADAPT Art Expo, the //ADAPT Theater, unique Job fair and more! //ADAPT Call for Entries welcomes all students, amateurs, professionals and studios to submit their most outstanding animated content for the //ADAPT Theater or digital art for the //Art Expo. For submission guidelines, summary of events and to purchase tickets, please visit www.adaptmontreal.com.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
