FMX 2010: Hot topics & International Speakers

Three months before the event, the leading European conference on digital entertainment and visualization presents a first glimpse on a top notch program: 3D stereo, hybrid imagery and virtual humans are only some of the FMX 2010 hot topics.

    Top movies at FMX 2010
    You simply cannot ignore Avatar these days: as most successful movie of all times, it has now been nominated for 9 Oscars, breaking new ground in technology and design. Senior Visual Effects Supervisor for Avatar Joe Letteri has now received his 4th Oscar nomination and already won Academy Awards for his work on Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and King Kong. At FMX Joe Letteri will talk on how he created the world of Pandora in James Cameron’s masterpiece. In the Virtual Humans track Jeff Kleiser, CEO of Synthespian Studios, will show effects work on Surrogates, discussing the composition of robotic elements in live action actors like Bruce Willis. The seamless mix of live action and CG characters and environments has become the trademark of hybrid movies.

    Roland Emmerich’s 2012 also fits this format. James Bissell, Production Designer for 300, will discuss the new challenges hybrid-technology bears for designers. Visual effects supervisors Volker Engel and Marc Weigert will discuss the 2012 effects work, while the German-American effects house Pixomondo will talk about pre-vis. However animation doesn’t have to withdraw from traditional techniques, which has been proven by another box office success using stop-motion: Production Designer Nelson Lowry will let you delve into the world of The Fantastic Mr. Fox at FMX 2010.

    3D Stereo: From innovation to basic technique
    Animation films have been integrating 3D for years. Bob Whitehill, Stereoscopic Supervisor on Disney/Pixar's UP, is a 3D expert and will share his special knowledge at FMX this year. Often a major feature in Hollywood’s A-movies, we tend to forget that stereoscopy is much more than a spectacular dramatic device in action films. It’s a known fact that 3D stereo has conquered the world of media and has become a basic technique for all genres using CG imagery.

    Andy Hendrickson, CTO Disney Animation Studios, also adopts a more general perspective on the relation between technology and design. How do most recent developments such as stereo 3D, simulation sciences and non-photorealistic rendering influence art and content? Managing director of KUK Filmproduktion Josef Kluger will discuss the new grammar for 3D stereo language and illuminate the freedom and limits of stereoscopy. An impressive example for a broader approach is the 3D stereo documentary The Eye - Life and Science on Cerro Paranal by Parallax.

    FMX Recruiting: Global chances for young talents

    FMX has always been committed to supporting newcomers. For many years the conference does not only focus on providing knowledge and skills but has become one of the most significant recruiting events in Europe for CGI talents. In Recruiting Presentations and one-on-one interviews the global players in the industry search for new team members at FMX. So far Animal Logic, Black Rock Studio, Cinesite, Double Negative, Framestore, Pixomondo, ScanlineVFX and RTT have confirmed their participation. Ramping up for shows to come, some will be present for up to four days in the Recruiting.

    FMX is an event in cooperation with VES Visual Effects Society, AIAS Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, ACM Siggraph and 5D Conference. It is hosting the Animation Production Day 2010 (APD), a joint venture with the Festival of Animated Film Stuttgart (ITFS). FMX is funded by the Ministry of State and the Ministry of Economics Baden-Wuerttemberg, MFG Baden-Wuerttemberg Public Film Fund & Public Innovation Agency for Information Technology and Media, and the FFA German Federal Film Board. It is an event by Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg, organized by the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction