Sony Pictures Imageworks will present a behind-the-scenes look at the technical artistry from MONSTER HOUSE and OPEN SEASON at fmx/06, the 11th International Conference on Animation, Effects, Realtime and Content, taking place May 3-6 in Stuttgart, Germany.
MONSTER HOUSE, the second feature to use the Imagemotion technology developed by Imageworks, and OPEN SEASON, the first full-length 3D-animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation, will be the focus of the three-hour session set for May 6 at 4:00 pm at the König-Karl-Halle. Both from Columbia Pictures, MONSTER HOUSE will debut July 21 and OPEN SEASON will be released Sept. 29.
The session will feature three speakers:
* Jenny Fulle, evp of Sony Pictures Imageworks and exec producer of visual effects for the upcoming feature films GHOST RIDER, and SPIDER-MAN 3, will present an overview of Sony Pictures Imageworks. Fulle, who is also a contributor to VFXWORLD’s Digital Eye column, will explore the company’s four areas of expertise: visual effects and character animation for live-action films (such as the SPIDER-MAN franchise and SUPERMAN RETURNS), all 3D-animated features (such as Open Season and SURF’S UP!), performance capture films using the Imagemotion performance capture system and technology (THE POLAR EXPRESS, MONSTER HOUSE and BEOWULF) and the 3-D stereoscopic pipeline (such as THE POLAR EXPRESS in IMAX 3-D and MONSTER HOUSE in Real D).
In addition, Fulle will present Imageworks’ Academy Award nominated work on THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, as an example of the company’s live action and digital character work.
* Troy Saliba, animation supervisor for MONSTER HOUSE, will present “The Visual Effects of MONSTER HOUSE.” Saliba will discuss the animation challenges and triumphs of supervising a unique blending of actor driven performance capture with character driven artist animation.
* Doug Ikeler, visual effects supervisor for OPEN SEASON, will present “The Art of OPEN SEASON.” Ikeler will cover the combination of science and artistry that was used to create a completely 3D-animated film. OPEN SEASON was inspired by traditional 2D animation techniques and style, but was brought to the screen using 3D animation technology. Topics such as “The translation of visual development artwork to final image,” “Matching texturing to character design,” “Lighting and tweaking in composite” and “Level of detail for the environment” will be discussed.
“fmx has grown into one of the most innovative and forward-thinking events in the world of visual effects and animation,” said Tim Sarnoff, president of Sony Pictures Imageworks. “We are very proud to participate with Jenny, Troy and Doug and share the diversity of our work with such a distinguished group.”
Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc. is an Academy Award winning, state-of-the-art digital production studio dedicated to the art and artistry of visual effects and character creation. The company has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Oscars for its work on SPIDER-MAN 2 and the 3D-animated short film The CHUBBCHUBBS!, and nominations for SPIDER-MAN, HOLLOW MAN, STUART LITTLE and STARSHIP TROOPERS. Imageworks also received a nomination for THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
Organized by the Institute of Animation, Filmakademie Baden Wuerttemberg, fmx/06 (
www.fmx.de ) is a non-profit event, funded by the Staatsministerium Baden-Wuerttemberg, MFG Medien-und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Wuerttemberg and FFA Filmfoerderungsanstalt, and supported by many partners from the industry. For fmx/06, the Institute of Animation is cooperating, for the first time, with the French company NX Publishing, which was previously responsible for the program and organization of Imagina. fmx is also supported by AWN, DIGITAL PRODUCTION, Eyes & Ears of Europe, sagasnet, flashconference and other media partners.
