AVFX
Now in its seventeenth year, Animex AVFX will be packed with insights into the year's major releases and the lowdown on the projects that are grabbing the headlines.
Get PassesAnimex AVFX is an exciting two day programme of talks from world class animation and VFX studios and experts including an evening event for you to network with the creators of some of this year's blockbuster titles. Animex talks, networking events and workshops are not suitable for anyone under 16 years old.
08 February 16
OL1 Europa Building, Teesside University
9:50AM
Welcome
Gabrielle Kent | Teesside University
Chris Wyatt | Teesside University
10:00AM
Physiogamy, facial anatomy and eye movement for believable digital characters
Elizabeth Rega | Western University of Health Sciences, California
The “uncanny valley” is often invoked to explain shortcomings in animated facial and eye movement, resulting in creepy characters. However, close attention to anatomical principles can help animators avoid some of the more common pitfalls to create more believable characters. This lecture is an introduction to the anatomical basis of facial expression, emphasizing both eye and mouth movement. Examples from the dissection table, live action and from animation in communicating character with facial expression are presented to illustrate basic principles which should inform modelling, rigging and animation, even in situations where procedural complexity must be rigorously minimized.
11:00AM
Facial Animation: Creating Digital Doubles
David Barton | Cubic Motion
Steven Caulkin | Cubic Motion
12:00PM
Lunch
1:30PM
Series Direction
Jez Hall | Brown Bag Films
As a director on a range of long running children's shows from Wibbly Pig at Wish Films, to Wanda and the Alien at MacKinnon and Saunders, Jez Hall joins us to discuss the development of one of his latest series at Brown Bag Films, a new show for Nickelodeon U.S.
2:30PM
Break
3:00PM
Animation for Film: A breakdown of the concepts and practises of VFX animation
Liam Russell | Framestore
4:00PM
Aria for a Cow: a peek inside a production barn
Dan Lund | Walt Disney Animation Studios
Stephanie Dominguez | Global Barn
This talk uses the new animated short, "Aria for a cow", based on a never before heard song by Oscar winners Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, to illustrate how working globally can unleash creative power in independent productions. Director, Dan Lund, and Background Artist Stephanie Dominguez discuss the innovative approach to development on this award winning animated short. "It's time to stop talking and begin doing" ~ Walt Disney
5:00PM
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See AVFX Lounge for tonight's exciting networking event from 7.30pm!
09 February 16
OL1 Europa Building, Teesside University
10:00AM
MPC present: The out of this world VFX of The Martian
Pascal Etangsale | The Moving Picture Company
In this presentation, The Moving Picture Company Lead Environment Artist, Pascal Etangsale will discuss the creative and technical challenges behind creating the planet Mars for Ridley Scott’s The Martian. Led by Production VFX Supervisor Richard Stammers and MPC VFX Supervisors Anders Langlands, MPC were lead visual effects studio on The Martian. The team joined the project during pre-production, working closely with Ridley Scott to develop the look of the Martian surface. The team was responsible for all of the scenes that took place on Mars, including shots of Watney working around the Hab, travelling across the Martian surface in his rover, storm sequence and shuttle launch sequences.
11:00AM
More human than human: the making of Ava, Ex Machina’s incredible robot
Andrew Whitehurst | Double Negative
12:00PM
Lunch
1:30PM
Sick VR
Daffy | DAFFY London
On his long term journey to bring his own VR projects to life, Daffy was thrown into the deep end last Spring at FRAMESTORE NEW YORK by directing the AVENGERS VR EXPERIENCE for the new Samsung GearVR headsets. Armed with tales of reckless rule breaking, 360 previsualisation and a lot of nausea along the way, he recounts his experiences in this very new unchartered territory. As well as discussing the rendering and technical aspects of making VR, his focus is on story, 360 previz and the psychological importance of defining the VR ‘self’. AVENGERS VR is chart topper in the Oculus Store and is currently used by Samsung to demo the Gear VR in their stores worldwide. It will be available to see by finding Daffy in and around the festival.
2:30PM
Love is a Rebellious Bird
Lauren Indovina | PSYOP
Director Lauren Indovina will offer a glimpse into the passionate chaos that ensues during the creative process at the production studio PSYOP; The flock with the bird that couldn't fly.The singular voice and the supportive chorus; It’s about wanton lovers and carnal enemies. It’s about reviving the story of broken souls. The visuals will twist the minds of our audience, spark a visual high. It’s high brow and rampant, symphonically fused by emotionally evocative visuals.
3:30PM
Break
4:00PM
The Nature of Character Design on Puffin Rock
Louise Bagnall | Cartoon Saloon
5:00PM
ANIM(AL)ATION OF ZOOTROPOLIS
Renato Dos Anjos | Disney
How slow are sloths? How does a giraffe run? How does a tiger dance? Head of Animation Renato dos Anjos will share how he, and the talented artists of the animation team, merged animal and human behavior to create the unique and varied performances of the animals of Zootropolis.
6:00PM
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