Actor Leonard Nimoy, who has gained worldwide recognition portraying the legendary character Mr. Spock in the science fiction juggernaut "Star Trek," narrates the new feature length documentary film "The Story of Computer Graphics."
"The Story of Computer Graphics" which premiered Sunday, August 8th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, will also be shown during SIGGRAPH 99 in Room 501 of the Los Angeles Convention Center.Screening times are: 9-12 August at 9 am, 10:45 am, 12:30 pm, 2:15 pm and 4 pm; and 13 August at 9 am, 10:45 am and 12:30 pm.
The film, shot entirely on state-of-the-art High-Definition Video, follows the 45-year evolution of digital technology showing automobile and aircraft design, weather patterns, flight simulations, and medical advances as well as the awe-inspiring computer-generated imagery seen in classic feature films such as "Jurassic Park," "Terminator II," "Toy Story," "Tron," and many others.
According to the film's director Frank Foster and line producer Steve Silas, "Leonard Nimoy is an icon who has become a household name in both television and feature films. We are privileged to have him as part of this feature documentary film which will be seen by his fans and audiences around the world who appreciate how motion picture technology has advanced over the years," they jointly said.
The Story of Computer Graphics" began in 1951 when the government first used graphics on a radar screen to identify incoming aircraft into U.S. airspace. It follows the evolution of technology from college campus labs and research centers to industry and the entertainment studios of Hollywood. The documentary will feature computer footage from the 1950s, some of which has never been seen publicly.
Nearly 50 pioneers and industry leaders of computer graphics will be spotlighted and interviewed in the film. Among the featured personalities are "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, Bell Lab's Ken Knowlton, Pixar's Ed Catmull, ILM President Jim Morris, television computer graphics pioneer Robert Abel, scientific visualization researcher Jim Blinn and early film pioneer Richard Taylor.
Don't miss Animation World Magazine's preview article, "The Story of Computer Graphics Set to Open SIGGRAPH" written by Maureen Furniss.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
