All Entries in the "Events" Category
CGTExpo 2008 (Update) : Masterclass Details online
CGTExpo Masterclasses will enable participants to make the most of an indepth learning environment under the guidance of experts from the diverse backgrounds - artistic, technical or conceptual. If you are interested, do register soon:
http://www.cgtexpo.com/masterclasses.html
See the details of the sessions and speakers.
Event Overload!
Lots of stuff happening in Mumbai this week and its keeping me from blogging!
Last evening I attended a Book Signing by Lord Jeffrey Archer at the Landmark Book Store in Andheri, Mumbai. It was one of the most beautiful and inspiring evenings of my life and I will soon blog about the experience and why I have chosen to include him, a story-teller par excellence, in this Animation related blog.
Today and tomorrow (21st and 22nd May) is the IAI - Industry Academia Interface organized by Animation Xpress. I went for the session today and was stunned by the abysmally low turnout. Either people weren’t informed or they weren’t interested Either way, it doesn’t bode well for the future of Animation, Gaming and VFX of India. There were more speakers than audience, though the line up of topics was very good. Sad!
This weekend - 24th and 25th May - is the CGTExpo 2008, CGTantra’s brand new attempt at reaching out to more people. All About Animation will be there with a stall so anyone who wants to meet me can drop by and find out more about AAA.
See you at CGTExpo!!!
Pune Ahoy!
After Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, Pune is now being touted as the next ‘hot’ (quite literally, as of now!) destination for the animation industry. With a strong government backing, proximity to Bollywood AKA Mumbai, lesser traffic congestion and relatively affordable real estate, Pune has a lot to offer to the Animation and Gaming Industry.
Suresh Kalmadi, MP and Chairman of Pune Vyaspeeth announced at a press conference on Saturday, 17th May that the 5th Hi Tech Pune-Maharashtra 2008 conference, a 3-day event which has so far focussed on IT (Information Technology) and BT (Biotechnology) would this year include Animation and Gaming as well.
“Innovation Led Inclusive Growth” is what they are calling the conference but what exactly will be discussed with regards to the animation industry and who will speak is not certain. They have mentioned an Animation & Gaming Committee though, comprised of:
Commodore Anand Khandekar (Director Pune Development Center and Chief Mentor NVIDIA)
Ravi Gupta (Executive Director, Whistling Woods International)
Aashish Kulkarni (CEO, Anirights)
Sunanda Rathi (Director Arena Animation, Pune)
Dr. Ajay Batra (Author: “Breeding Innovation and Intellectual Capital” and “Integrated Innovation, Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital Framework”)
The website does not offer much information either and the only topic mentioned in the list is one that has already been done to death, - “Opportunities & Challenges of Gaming & Animation Industry.” One wishes that they would find fresh topics to discuss at such prestigious events rather than have the same people rehash the same “issues” over and over again.
Kahani World showcases its ‘magnificent seven’ at Cannes
“Along with many Indian flavours that have pervaded the international culture scene, Indian animation looks all set to enthrall kids everywhere. The response to our shows at the Cannes Film Festival is overwhelming.”
This is what a visibly pleased Biren Ghose, CEO & President of Kahani World, had to say from Cannes, where the company is showcasing its bouquet of 7 spanking new films with a distinct ‘Eastern flavour’ but targeted at a worldwide audience.
In the next 2 years, Kahani World, which is headquartered in Canada, will produce 7 films specially targeted at the three viewer segments of kids, tweens and teens. The content will be extended to various platforms, including dynamic new media.
Here’s a quick look at the slate of films:
Secrets of Seven Sounds, a Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur production, in a joint venture with Virgin Comics.
CGTExpo 2008 : 24th & 25th May, Goregaon, Mumbai
CGTantra has partnered with Nine to organize CGTExpo 08 - India’s First Career Guidance and Computer Graphics Technology Expo on Animation, Visual Effects and Gaming.
Conceived with CGTantra’s philosophy of “Learn Inspire Grow”, CGTExpo aims to provide an insight into a career in Animation, VFX and Gaming as well as a cross pollination among the Studio’s, technology professionals and the student fraternity.
Activities planned at the Expo include a Job Fair, an Education Fair, a Technical Exhibition, Master classes, Showcases, Seminars, Student Competitions, Art Galleries, Entertainment Zone etc.
Set to be the largest such event in India, it will be held over 2600 square meter of air-conditioned space at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Western Express Highway, Goregaon (E), Mumbai on 24th and 25th May, 2008.
As Online Media Partner, AllAboutAnimation.com will keep bringing you updates, interviews and extensive coverage of the event.
Bringing Robots To Life… the ILM way!
I just received an email from Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, which has a center in Hyderabad in India, about a session with ILM Artist - Nigel Sumner, that they are organizing. Though the only details they have provided are the date (11th May), time (2 pm to 5:30 pm) and speaker (Nigel Sumner), once we have more info, it will be uploaded here on the website.
You can register online by going to: lasjedi.com/events Though entry is free, there is limited seating so if you want to attend, you better hurry up!
Nigel Sumner has worked on numerous Hollywood films as Sequence Supervisor and from the poster, I am assuming that he will be talking about his work on the Hollywood VFX-rich film, - Transformers.
To know more about Nigel Sumner, you can read this interview from ILMfan.com (It’s an old interview but it should help you get some idea about the speaker and his past work): Read the interview.
Women in Animation Meet Up in Mumbai on 23rd April
Meet Chutki, the cute little mascot of the Indian chapter of Women in Animation, at their first ever Meet Up on 23rd April, 2008, in Mumbai.
Women In Animation is a professional, non-profit organization established in 1994 to foster the dignity, concerns and advancement of women who are involved in any and all aspects of the art and industry of animation. WIA is also an educational organization. The Indian chapter is led by Saraswathi Balgam with help from Rekha Thorat.
Through their workshops, meetings and panels, WIA aims to share with its members a valuable insight into the industry, available opportunities and other educational resources. The Indian chapter is actively looking for volunteers to help launch this organization at a grass roots level.
On 23rd April, WIA has organised its first ever meet up that will bring together on one platform some of India’s leading women animators and film makers like Simi Nallaseth, Geetanjali Rao, Simi Nallaseth, Sherry Bharda, Nina Sabnani, Shilpa Ranade and Saraswathi Balgam.
Don’t Miss! Making of TZP’s Animation repeats on 26th April 2008
TASI’s workshop on the Making of the animation and VFX for Taare Zameen Par saw such an overwhelming response that it will now be repeated on Saturday, the 26th of April at Whistling Woods International, Film City, Mumbai (view map)
Session Starts: 2:00 pm
Speakers:
Pankaj Khandpur from VCL (CG and VFX), Dhimant Vyas (Clay Animation) & Vaibhav Studios (2D Animation)
Registration:
TASI Members - Entry FREE (Please carry your TASI ID cards) Non-members - Students - Rs. 50/- and Professionals - Rs.100/-
Please Note: Students please carry your ID cards to avail the student discount.
To pre-register, please contact:
Ravish Shanbhag: 9833105305 | ravish@tasionline.org
Yogi Chopra: 9820366313 | yogi@tasionline.org
Ritesh Reddy: 9869403527 | ritesh@tasionline.org
