If SIGGRAPH is not within your grasp due to scheduling conflicts, or you want to escape the brutal heat, or if your right brain starves while your left brain bloats with information, you might want to kick down to the LA Convention Center this coming weekend for the first year of CG CON.
'Metal Heart' - Christian Lorenz Scheurer
Starting on Thursday, July 16th and running until Sunday, July 19th, these courses focus on the creative juices required for VFX rather than the technical methodology. This conference is for the professional artist looking to enhance their creative skills, advance their expertise and knowledge and for students to discover from working artists what techniques are currently used in the industry.
According to Diego Rojas, President and Founder of CG CON, “The industry has taken an interesting turn. Ten years ago, you had to have the creative knowledge and the technical knowledge in order to work in the industry. Now the industry has evolved, and has separated between people who are technical and those who are creative. There are plenty of conferences that focus on the technical aspect of the industry. SIGGRAPH is technical, E3 focuses on gaming, but CG CON will focus on the creative aspect. If I’m not mistaken, this year we are the only conference doing that.”
Ryan Church
Colorful Talks
All of the speakers are masters in the industry and are recognized primarily for their creative talents and wisdom, be it for modeling, matte painting, or concept art. Each of the speakers has a repertoire of movies under their belt, or are up and coming artists popular on sites like CGSociety. These are people who love what they do and are willing to share how they get their creativity, what is their thinking process, and how their art evolves from a vague mental vision to the screen. Said Rojas, “I want the talks to be original, not like talks found at other conferences. We’ve asked each to discuss what makes them different, like what makes Ryan Church, Ryan Church?”
'Hop Street' - Andrew Jones
Ryan Church himself would have the best answer to that. “CG CON is a great opportunity to share the techniques and design philosophies I've been refining recently on ‘Avatar’, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Transformers 2’. My philosophy is to share not only the production techniques that are constantly changing, but the underlying philosophy of developing and refining concepts in the pursuit of 'good design'. Things change so quickly in this industry it's a good idea to stay on top of the very latest in terms of workflow and techniques. CG CON is where students and professionals can check each other out and keep current and vibrant as they create.”
'Sunset Rainbow' - Andrew Jones
Keeping up
The opening registration event on Thursday is with Massive Blacks’ Andrew Jones. “I'm giving an opening casual lecture Q&A and a live Phadroid performance.” If you are not familiar with Phadroid, check out some of his videos in the links below. “I use the new Wacom Intuos4 along with a particle accelerator technology and a projector to create a little digital alchemy.”
“CG CON promises to be an interesting event,” continued Jones. “CG CON is one of the latest in the new paradigm of a’la cart digital instruction. Diego Rojas has been pouring his heart into making this a special and rewarding experience for all of the students in attendance. If you’re in Los Angeles next week, and are motivated to sharpen up your pixels, there are still a few spots open.” Jones will NOT be available on Sunday, as the website initially announced, though he may share information on his next venture to those who are curious. “Right after my lecture on Thursday, I'm jumping in a plane and headed to Vienna to compete in the World Body Painting competition.” Art can take you to amazing places.
'Witch Crab' - David Levy
Environments
Concept designer Mark Goerner is scheduled to do two sessions at CG CON. “The first on Friday will be on painting environments. I will be gabbing about the process I normally use, as well as some I randomly play with, to achieve an original space that works well for the story/project. Even though ‘CG’ is in the title, I will be showing some bits of my sketches that I still do in sketchbooks, bar napkins, well-starched restaurant table cloths and the like. I am attempting to bring clarity to this odd craft for those that are either on the side-lines, or for those that might crave a new perspective on concept art and design in general. My second session on Saturday delves into the mechanics of design and my accounting of the mindset and structure of thought that can guide the process of creating space and forms that fit a purpose, or simply inspire. I find that speaking on these matters often solidifies the sometimes mysterious ways in which our work is done. As much as that sounds like a pragmatic approach, there is still the plain, ‘feels good, looks cool’ aspect to it all. The Ouija board effect still happens almost every time I start a painting.”
To date there has been little for the creative educational part of the industry, the creative process, the thinking process. For those who have been craving such an event, this may be for you. One, two, or three day tickets are available. The job fair, included with all ticket purchases, is Friday 9:30-5:00, Saturday 9:30-5:00, and Sunday until 3:00 PM when the event closes.
Related Links:
CG CON 2009
Andrew Jones, Phadroid Performances
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