Graphic novelist Scott McCloud has been selected as the second featured speaker at SIGGRAPH 2007, the 34th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Aug. 5-9, 2007, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
For 2007, SIGGRAPH will replace the single keynote speaker presentation with three featured speakers that will discuss the themes of industry/commerce, art or research as they relate to the SIGGRAPH community.
The focus of McCloud's presentation will center on the fast-changing American comics field. Bolstered by the literary ambitions of the "graphic novel" movement, a flood of international influences and the growing importance of new technologies, the comics landscape shifts regularly in surprising and increasingly unpredictable directions. McCloud will put all these trends into perspective in a visual presentation.
McCloud has been writing and drawing comics since 1984. His book UNDERSTANDING COMICS was a NEW YORK TIMES notable book for 1994 and is available in 16 languages. His new book, MAKING COMICS explores the art and craft of telling stories visually. He is well known throughout many industries. In fact, SIN CITY and 300 creator Frank Miller, called McCloud "just about the smartest guy in comics."
As an accomplished public speaker, McCloud has presented visual lectures on comics and technology at computer events, corporations, universities, film and music festivals and government organizations, including Harvard University, Microsoft and the MIT Media Lab.
"Scott brings a fresh and invigorating perspective to SIGGRAPH. Storyline and creativity play an increasingly important role in print, film, television and gaming," stated Joe Marks, SIGGRAPH 2007 Conference chair from Walt Disney Animation Studios. "His timely presentation will appeal to a wide audience."
Glenn Entis, chief visual officer of Electronic Arts (EA), was selected as the first speaker. Entis will discuss recent accomplishments and upcoming challenges for interactive graphics in videogames
SIGGRAPH 2007 (www.siggraph.org/s2007) 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 Aug. 7-9. More than 250 international exhibiting companies are expected. Registration for the conference and exhibition is open to the public.
ACM SIGGRAPH, the leading professional society for computer graphics and interactive techniques, sponsors SIGGRAPH 2007.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
