The Pride of the Pioneers
A Retrospective on "The Story of Computer Graphics" Documentary

by Kellie-Bea Cooper
video interviews by Diana Cracknell

If you have the QuickTime plug-in, you can view the video interviews that are featured in this article.

Once a year thousands of computer graphics enthusiasts gather at a Special Interest Group for Graphics (SIGGRAPH) conference to share ideas, learn from each other, and show off a bit. This conference, organized in part by the Association of Computing Machinery (AMC), is a haven to encourage each other to branch out to the next challenge, and to conquer the next frontier. Through all the excitement it's easy to forget how it all came to be. To shed some historical light to the conference goers and kick-off the SIGGRAPH '99 convention in Los Angeles, AMC SIGGRAPH premiered its new feature length documentary, The Story of Computer Graphics..

The film documents the technicians, artisans, visionaries, and studios who were faced with the challenges of creating the hardware and software which has changed the way we see the digital world today. Let's hear the reactions from some of those who saw the film, as well as some who participated in it. From students to pioneers everyone had something to say about The Story of Computer Graphics.

Being A Part Of It All
Because the history of computer animation is, at only 50 years, so young, everyone from the pioneers up until today are really a part of this exciting history.

"It was great seeing all these people and knowing that I was kind of a part of it. We started [Homer and Associates] in '87, so it was already fairly advanced and [in the film] these were more of the pioneers that brought it up." - Peter Conn best known for Homer & Associates. Peter has been to SIGGRAPH more than 15 times.

Peter Conn.

"It was fascinating to see how the history and development had been the result of personal dedication and absolute serendipity. It was also instructive to see how very recently CG has become the darling of Hollywood. I was intrigued to discover how cautiously and/or casually some of today's key figures in the business had become involved." - David Barrington-Holt from Jim Henson Creature Shop Los Angeles. Barrington-Holt has been in the visual effects industry since the mid `80s.

"Every year we see small but meaningful advances that transform the field. We are just starting to see the results of those who actually studied computer animation in college. There's a lot more to come in the future, hopefully as good or better than what we see today." - Isaac Kerlow from Walt Disney Technology Group, known for early work in computer graphics in fine arts.

"Today our collective is bigger, stronger, and closer to a level playing field. It's like a renaissance or golden age for computer graphics." - Robert Abel known for Abel & Associates, pioneer in the use of computer graphics for TV commercials.

"SIGGRAPH has always been the annual event. You can always learn something there, but more importantly it was always a great opportunity to continue to build relationships." - Carl Rosenthal from PDI, pioneer known for the use of computer graphics in film.

The Pride of the Pioneers A Retrospective on "The Story of Computer Graphics" Documentary

The Pride of the Pioneers
A Retrospective on "The Story of Computer Graphics" Documentary