Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts

How far Would You Go To Pursue Your Dreams?



My friend Zero quit his job in CG, terminated his lease, sold everything he couldn't fit into his truck... and is now traveling cross country - living his life, taking photos and writing about it!!!

He is accepting activity challenges along the way.

In his words...
 I will go to places that people suggest I visit, do things that people suggest I do, and meet people that want to be met. And I will connect with people around the country.
I posted a challenge for Zero on his forums to help me here at my loft in Los Angeles with a creative project for my paintings.  I suggest you challenge Zero to come to your house and help you clean your bathroom, tap a cold keg of beer or make dinner for your mother-in-law.  It's up to you!!!

What a wonderful idea!  Everyone should follow what their spirit is telling them to do with their life.  Otherwise, you are living skitzophrenic days on this planet doing what other people think you should be doing.  Does that sound like fun?



Artwalk This Weekend


If you are looking for something to do this weekend?
Come to the The Brewery ArtWalk
Admission is free and so is parking.


Saturday and Sunday
11:00 AM- 6:00 PM: Artwalk

The Brewery ArtWalk is a biannual weekend open-house in the world’s largest art colony.  People actually open up their home and let you in to experience their creative spaces and work…and you can buy the work at studio prices!!!  Over 100 artists that live in the Brewery, their studio, participate.  This is a great place to discover new local artists – or old local artists that are new to you.  You can talk to the artists and buy work from the artists at studio prices!

I will have my studio open all weekend and be painting live for folks who come to visit.  bring your friends with cash and empty walls!  I am in bldg 1984 North Main Street #202, upstairs.  Tallest building at the front of the complex facing Main Street.  Stairs face Moulton Street.


Review: VFX Online Town Hall with Chris deFaria, Jeffrey Okun, Scott Ross



Review:  The introduction by Lee Stranahan was well versed and made some great points.  Most importantly, the top ten grossing films of all time grossed 11.5 billion dollars and are ALL VFX films.  And, not just a few shots - HEAVY VFX films.

So, Lee asks the question, "Why is it that we are in a world where VFX films are doing so well while VFX facilities and artists who work in them are struggling?" And the discussion begins.

The General consensus I heard was:

  • Scott Ross - We need a trade union to fight for facilities and artists both on labor issues and will the government.
  •  
  • Chris deFaria - The facilites need to create a new business model and stop treating themselves like a commodity.
  •  
  • Jeff Okun - The artists made their bed and now they need either lie in it or stand up and fight.  Artists! Stop taking jobs that offer such bad conditions.  Stop whining and do something about it.
I am really upset that the one person representing the artists, ended up blaming the artists for the current state of affairs.

Artists had nothing to do directly with the collapse of the economy, runaway production and overseas incentive programs or the very small P/L margins for VFX production.  It's absolutely outrageous to say artists - "You took the jobs, so stop complaining about it."  

Most VFX facilities change the rules on your employment daily.  If you do not believe me?  How many people out there have had their end date change from what was promised on a show?  Please reply in the comments.  (Just one example of rule changes..there are rate changes, job description changes, holiday changes, OT pay changes, 50 hour weeks which are against the law becoming standard, etc.).

When I got in CG/VFX in the early 1990's EVERYONE was stoked to be in the industry.  Even the old guys loved what they did.  The old guys I worked with were making a decent wage, staying employed, building savings, had insurance, were buying houses and starting a family.  I thought I was getting into a great field.  

Then, it all changed.  I talk about this in our book... 1994 was the beginning of the end for the VFX industry. 2D was dwindling and animated CG films started making A LOT of money.  VFX had always made money, and their budgets/profits tripled.  When big money like those box office profits come into play, the rules change. Chris deFaria makes the most important point - leverage.  We have absolutely no power without leverage.  The bottom line is India, China and the rest can try to catch up, but the artists who have been doing VFX for over 10-20 years are the ones creating innovation.  Compounding the problem is the overseas studios don't have the local talent to do the job and now import the seasoned artists at half the rate.  This is a very poor business model that will eventually implode.  This is also very differnt than what happened to 2D because of the nature of the work.  The less skilled work for 2D could be shipped overseas, but innovation stayed in the U.S.

In traditional circles, the tools changed very little over the course of 80 years - pencil and paper.  CG needs innovation to happen throughout production because of the technical aspects of what we do.  Innovation will not grow in an atmosphere based solely on low wage, unskilled labor.  Studios want innovation at a very low price.  This cannot work.  If studios want the best work possible, then they will have to value the facilities and their artists.  Until we are viewed as valuable to these blockbusters, we have no leverage.  The way to do this is for facilities to create a brand out of their studio and then the best work will go to that studio rather than the lowest bid.  In addition, an organization of individuals qualified to handle legal, labor and government lobbying to push this agenda forward is critical.  I believe the artists are willing to join such an organization, but are not qualified to form one.  We need qualified leaders to do so.

Okun mentioned several times that artists are just whining and not offering solutions.  I think plenty of artists have offered solutions like guilds, trade unions, requests to the VES to help, the town hall itself came out of artists writing to Lee to ask what is next.  The panelists also discussed how most VFX facilities were started and run by artists who knew very little about business or management.  NOW Okun says artists need to start a union themselves and fight.  What a mess.  What a very hot mess.

I do hope an artist will represent artists on the next panel to offer a real perspective of what is going on for the people actually clicking on a mouse.  In fact, I offer my services on the panel if they will have me.  I have ideas of others who would be great additions if not me.

I think the best part about the whole situation is... Unlike most labor issues, there is unified bond and goal for both VFX facilities and artists.  Help the facilities and you help the artists and vice versus.  This is ultimately a win-win situation.

I welcome your comments...




Creative Talent Network’s Animation Expo (CTN-X)


Have you registered for the Creative Talent Network’s Animation Expo (CTN-X)?
Early bird pricing ends September 30th.
The most anticipated animation trade show on the planet comes
to the City of Burbank beginning
Friday, November 20th – Sunday, November 22nd.

This is the ONLY place where you’ll meet so many animation industry icons under one roof.
Make contacts, learn new techniques and meet with recruiters.
Hurry and join in on the action where “X” marks the spot to connect with renowned
artists from around the world both traditional and digital.
Register online or call today (800) 604-2238.
Early bird deadline is Sept. 30, 2009.
CTN-X takes place at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center
with ample discounted parking and is conveniently located across the street
from the Burbank Airport and Amtrak Station.

Early bird tickets are $25 for the exhibit floor only,
$40 for a day pass and $100 for a 3-day pass.
Discounted rates are available to students, active military and
professional industry organizations.

Space is strictly limited at this groundbreaking event.
For more information and to register, please visit: www.ctnanimationexpo.com
or call, (800) 604-2238

Mention
the special FLIP discount code to obtain an extra
10% off any 1day or 3day professional/general passport. THINKX09




To register online:
1Day
https://www.regonline.com?eventID=688849&rTypeID=203785

3Day
https://www.regonline.com?eventID=688849&rTypeID=203787


Milt Kahl: The Animation Michelangelo


Dear Readers,
I apologize for being so absent. My new job has kept me quite busy, but I am coming up for air to tell you about this great event!!! I am HUGE Milt Kahl fan and the rest of the panel is definitely one you don't get to hear from every day!!! Hope to see you there!

As part of the Marc Davis Celebration of Animation,

the Academy presents a centennial celebration of

“Milt Kahl: The Animation Michelangelo”

Hosted by Andreas Deja.
Panel moderated by animation critic Charles Solomon.

Featuring Kathryn Beaumont, Brad Bird (F/V 76), Ron Clements, John Musker (F/V 77), and Floyd Norman.

Renowned for his unparalleled draftsmanship as well as his exacting nature, Milt Kahl (1909–1987), one of the “nine old men” Walt Disney relied upon to bring his creative vision to the screen, was the animator to whom the other eight turned when they had trouble with a character or scene.

Two of Kahl’s renowned colleagues, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, write in Disney Animation:The Illusion of Life, “Unlike many irascible temperaments who have filled the halls of history, Milt had a very sweet helpful side, when he chose. He gave unstintingly of his time and talent when it was to help the picture and almost as often to help a fellow artist who had a problem. However, he expected everyone coming for help to have worked hard and tried everything – to have done his best before coming.”

Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, when Kahl was responsible for the final design of many characters, he complained of being “saddled” with the animation of challenging, non-comic human characters such as Alice, Peter Pan, Wendy, and Sleeping Beauty’s Prince. But Kahl secretly relished the fact that it was his talent and drive that made these characters come alive.

This celebration of Milt Kahl will feature an insightful analysis of his animation drawings, rare film interviews with Kahl himself, and clips of his work from such Disney favorites as “Mickey’s Circus,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi,” “Peter Pan,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book” and “The Rescuers.” The clips will be interspersed with commentary from those who worked beside him and were inspired by him, revealing the rigorous process and fiery personality of a true animation legend.

Panelists

ANDREAS DEJA, one of the top animators of his generation, brought to life characters as diverse as Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast,” Scar in “The Lion King,” and Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch.”

KATHRYN BEAUMONT was the voice artist for Alice in “ Alice in Wonderland” and Wendy in “Peter Pan.”

BRAD BIRD has won the Animated Feature Film Oscar® twice, for his work on “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille.”

RON CLEMENTS and JOHN MUSKER served as co-directors and writers on “The Great Mouse Detective,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Hercules” and “Treasure Planet.”

FLOYD NORMAN preceded his lengthy television animation career with experience as an apprentice/assistant to Milt Kahl on “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Sword in the Stone” and “The Jungle Book.”

All guests subject to availability.

Event Information

When

Monday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Where

Samuel Goldwyn Theater
8949 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills , CA 90211

Directions, Parking & Theater Policies

All seating is unreserved.


ConceptArt.Org International Art and Design Workshop: DALLAS TEXAS - March 28-31 2009

Massive Black and Concept Art.org have put on an amazing
Art Workshop for the past three years.

It all started with


INSOMANIA - 2006 - San Franciso
http://www.conceptart.org/insomania



then came...

REVELATIONS - 2007 - Seattle



And next,


PHOTO THANKS TO PHIL FX

Marama 2008 - Wellington



There is no video from this show yet,
but then again it just happened in November.

My excitement is the new announcement from
Jason Manley about the next workshop on conceptart.org!!!
It's in Dallas! I can afford to make that and am planning and saving already!
I just have to let the folks at Zoic know I will be gone a few days...
But it's my birthday weekend anyways soo Happy Birthday to me!!!

Read ON my friends!!!



The next workshop is coming hard and fast. Are you ready? We are.

Conceptart.org and Massive Black have put together a stellar list of instructors, great sponsors, and a fresh program covering aspects from the games, toy, film, and fine art industries. The venue is beautiful. We are right next door to a gorgeous museum full of world class art, and have more planned than ever before. When I say we have more planned, I am saying we are pulling out all the stops. Art, jobs, culture, music, performers, training, and even more will be happening. We have a great list of sponsors including Google, SMU, the Guildhall, ReelFX, the prestigious AFI film festival, Corel and many others. This is going to be a big show with more art than ever before.

Time is short. Much to do. The official announcement will come this week and all info will be released then.

Tuition is 600 bucks and we will have an early bird offer which includes free downloads, cheaper tuition, and more. All the info will come this next week. Start getting ready folks...we are going to Dallas and will be shaking the art world from the top to bottom.

We chose Dallas as it is central to everyone here in the US and is a very affordable city to travel to. Of course, the local sponsors are world class too. This is going to be a great show.

The Shanghai show is still in the works but has been moved to late 2009 in order for us to find addtional sponsors. Dallas will be the only workshop we do in North America in 2009.

See you all soon!!


Jason Manley


All Spice Cafe


I have a new artist spotlight!
JD Cowles!

I started the "artist spotlight" to feature artists who have turned their passions and hobbies into cash making machines. Past spotlights have included: Cro Customs, Jamie and Drew's Art Show, Total Escape, and The Visual Amalgam Show

To start 2009 off right we have J.D. Cowles! CG Sup turned hot sauce chemist!
Check out his hot sauces and he is having a tasting at Surfas in Culver City this Saturday!!! Buffalo burgers, venison tenderloin, elk ny strip steak . . . all treated with All Spice Cafe Hot Sauces! Come on by!

Surfas AllSpice Hot Sauce Tasting
Time and Place
Date:
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Time:
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:
Surfas - A Chef's Paradise
Street:
8777 West Washington Blvd.
City/Town:
Culver City, CA



REMINDER: This Sunday - 9.28 - VFX Art Show!


Art Show for VFX Artists!

Visual Amalgam Show:
The Film Industry Artist Gallery Event.

James Gray Gallery
at Bergamot Station

Sunday, October 5 2008,
5:00pm - 9:00pm

2525 Michigan Ave
Santa Monica, CA

The event will provide the public with a rare opportunity to see some exceptionally talented film industry pros exhibit their personal work.

I personally invite anyone reading this who will be in Los Angeles on the 28th, to please come by. This is my first show where I will be displaying my new work, and there are many other talented artists in the show.

Book Signing - Siggraph Tuesday August 12th

Jamie and myself will be signing
the Thinking Animation book

at the Course PTR Booth #1019
(just a block down from the Rhythm and Hues booth)

at Siggraph - Los Angeles Convention Center
from 3:30-4:30 pm
Tuesday August 12th

Come by and say "hi"!
And, maybe Jamie will draw you your own
REDD THE CLOWN!
Click here for the full Siggraph 2008 Floorplan

Booth #1019

THE VENICE MEDIA DISTRICT HOSTS SPRING 2008 MIXER AT WIT ANIMATION

Join me at my friend Jeb Milne's Studio - WIT ANIMATION - Tomorrow Night for a fun little party! Ten bucks gets you in. Jeb has a gorgeous house and studio - come by and join me for a drink, great food from the Argentinian place Santino's and some fun.

I am usually sitting right here...in his front yard.


Venice, CA — (May 8, 2008) – The Venice Media District will host its Spring 2008 Mixer at member company,

Wit Animation
on Thursday, May 22, 2008
from 6-9 pm.
(959 Superba Ave. in Venice,
at the corner of Lincoln Blvd.)

$10 at the door;

RSVP by calling 310.429.4169
or email events@venicemediadistrict.org
by Monday, May 19th.

The event features a demonstration of the new redBOXX technology from BOXX Technologies, Inc., as well as catering by Santino’s and a selection of wines from Venice Beach Wines.

In-kind/event sponsors include: Gustavo Morais, ST8 Creative Solutions for logo and invitation design; Daryl Barnett for event production; event photography by Photographer Jean Pritchard; web site design by Pablo Toledo of Venice Arts; web site design and management and evite design by Catherine Chevalier of Not Maurice; Robert Feist of Ravenswork for providing meeting/event production space; pr by
Hype and event promotion by HypeFest.

The Venice Media District has been created in response to the changing business landscape in the
beachside community, and has very specific goals:


• Create networking opportunities and business-to-business awareness
• Raise awareness of the VMD through city designation and promotion
• Attract business & entrepreneurs to the area.
• Create a vehicle for non-profits to access the assets of the VMD

Venice Media District: bringing the creative companies of Venice together.

For more information, go to:
www.venicemediadistrict.org


Premiere Sponsor:
BOXX Technologies Inc.:
BOXX® Technologies Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance workstations and render nodes specifically designed to meet the high-performance and reliability requirements of digital content creators working in the 3D, animation, visual effects, digital film, architecture, game development and broadcast markets. BOXX’s rapid integration of cutting-edge computing technologies selected and optimized to deliver the best possible performance when running digital content creation (DCC) applications is reflected in its extensive line of uniquely featured and highly customizable systems, including BOXX APEXX®, 3DBOXX™ and 3DBOXX RTX workstations, and renderBOXX™ render nodes. For more information on BOXX Technologies Inc., visit the BOXX website at http://www.boxxtech.com


Sponsors:
WIT ANIMATION:
Dedicated exclusively to the art of character animation. Based in an idyllic compound in sunny Venice California, WIT has been providing world class character animation for clients such as McDonalds, Post Cereals, Nvidia, and countless others. WIT was started in 2000 by owner/creative director Jeb Milne. www.jebmilne.com
www.witanimation.com


Santino’s:
Three years ago Sergio Amata opened Santino’s, naming the place after his son, Santino. Sergio created an eclectic menu that reflects the many different cultural strands of his native Argentina, from Spanish Tapas to Italian pasta with a dash of Mexican flare thrown in. Each day of the week showcases a different specialty. Tuesday and Friday nights feature pizza from the grill, served from the quaint patio at the back of the restaurant. Thursday nights’ feature the paella recipe handed down to Sergio by his mother. Friday and Saturday nights encompass all of the favorites. If you are looking for the perfect place for a special event, Santino’s takes reservations for private parties on the patio. The space is the perfect place for anything from a ‘tete-a-tete’ dinner for two to an intimate group dinner. Santino’s also has an extensive catering service including ‘off-site’ Asado (Argentine BBQ tradition), and a variety of other party services and platters.
http://santinossantamonica.com


Venice Beach Wines:
A family owned retail wine shop open since January of 2007, focusing on small production boutique wines and artisan foods. The wines come from small producers from all over the world. We have, Spanish, French, Italian, South African, Australian, New Zealand, Portugal, Mexican, Chile, Argentina, domestic from Napa/Santa Barbara/Oregon/Washington state and even oddities such as Brazil and India. Venice Beach Wines is anticipating a remodel and reopening in June, offering its customers the opportunity to taste wines and receive on premise food service.



Los Angeles Animation Festival

This is one of the few animation festivals held in Los Angeles. Their animated greeting is a bit weird but this could be great for animation! They have extended the Ghost Animation submission deadline to October 1st, so there is still time to submit. Think Electronic theater without all the scientific and technical animations included. Also, it's being held at the Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax with is a really fun venue.

Here is more about LAAFEST

The Los Angeles Animation Festival aims to:
1. Help create new jobs, promote and invigorate the traditional animation industry in the US.
2. Help individuals to network, get exposure and find work (through workshops, an annual festival, and 2 sponsored competitions every year).
3. Help bridge the gap between amateur and professional, between college and career, for everyone wishing to enter the animation business.

Our first festival is on October 20-21, 2007.
Location: The beautifully restored "Silent Movie Theatre",
611 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Official entry forms are available at: www.laafest.org
Current sponsors: www.s4studios.com www.zanimation.com www.parallaxstudios.com www.toonboom.com
www.sprecherbrewery.com www.stopmotionpro.com www.animatordv.com

Siggraph 2007 - Sunday

View from East Side of Hotel

Yes, it's time to report on Siggraph 2007 in San Diego. I drove my mini convertible down from Los Angeles and broke in the engine at 110 mph on the 73. That was too much fun but I need to be more careful. Bad Angie!

I arrived in San Diego Sunday afternoon and checked into our hotel - the Marina Mariott. What a beautiful hotel! We were on the 20th floor and the pic above is the view on one side of the hotel of the San Diego Convention Center. Below, is the view of the pool from our room and the view of the Harbor. Just gorgeous! Click on any images here to see the hi-rez view.

After arranging the room and unpacking a bit...the first thing I did was check out the lounge downstairs and see who was around. Javier Solsona of Rigging101.com was sitting with Dan Herman and Mark Oftedal from Digital Fish. I joined them for some drinks and eats. I also rang up Mark Elendt and Calin Casian to come downstairs and join us.

Mark Elendt and Calin Casian

Mark Elendt is Senior Mathematician at Side Effects
Software and a Senior Mc-smartie in my book.

Mark has won 2 Scientific/Technical Awards!
He won the Technical Achievement Award (Academy Certificates) in 1997: For the development of the procedural modeling and animation components of the Prisms software package. (w. Greg Hermanovic, Kim Davidson and Paul Breslin) and the Scientific and Engineering Awards (Academy Plaques) in 2002: For their continued development of the procedural modeling and animation components of their Prisms program, as exemplified in the Houdini software package. (w. Greg Hermanovic, Kim Davidson and Paul Breslin).

Calin Casian was my "right-hand man" in my quest to make a character tool set in Houdini usable. He is a Character TD who actually listens to animators...how rare! He is also Romanian with a very funny accent!

So, between Mark and Mark, Calin, Dan, Javier...I had a pretty kewl little table to share stories with, before I even went out for the night!

The best thing about having Siggraph in San Diego is the Gas Lamp Quarter. This is the fun part of downtown San Diego where all the action is...it feels alot like New Orleans to me, but not so humid.

So, the first night we went to a restaurant called Chive. The 3D Pro guys were going to the Yard House for cocktails and we figured we would join them after we got some real food in our tummies. Chive was perfect mellow start because everyone knows the evening entertainment at Siggraph requires a long distance attitude - not a sprint...you must pace yourself!

We had several people join us there...Darin Hofmeyr, Leyla Tirgari (Accounts Rep from SESI), Sarah Counnas (
Technology Production Manager at DreamWorks Animation), Mark Elendt and Calin - of course, Ran Sariel (Rigging Supervisor on the new Outlander movie), Graham and Keith Acheson from SESI who helped me with the Happy Birthday SESI Demo we showed this past week at the booth! We were having such a good time at Chive with the amazing food and martinis...I forgot to take pix, but we eventually moved on through Darin's cajoling towards the Yard House. This place had more beer taps than I have ever seen. Even more than the DD favorite - Library Ale House!

Motley Crew - Darin, Leyla, Brian, Graham, Calin and Keith

Brian, Me, Darin

So, I barely got a gulp of my martini down and Sarah again announced we were going to move on to another place to drink and meet up with folks! Sheesh! We all hurried to finish our drinks and moved the whole group to some place that had 3.00$ Margaritas and a bunch of DD peeps. Who'da thought?

On the way - as we all followed Leyla, (which btw was like trying to follow Mr. Magoo because she kept screaming into the phone..."Where is it!?" and leading us all down the wrong streets).

So, there was this girl at one of the many bar patios we passed along the way who kept saying "hola! hola!" and waving her hand like she was the queen of England!

I had to take a snap of her because it was so funny. Evidently her group was Italian and they learned to say Hola! instead of Ciao!
Crazy Italian saying Hola!

So, we finally caught up with the other group at the 3.00 Margarita Bar, here is Sarah chatting up Phillipe (one of the Side Effects presenters) and a few other CG guys.

Check out that 3.00$ Margarita she is holding...Whoa!

Leyla models "Vanna White" style with
the Margarita from Giant Land.

What happens at Siggraph, stays at Siggraph...
that is unless you read this blog!

And the hijinks ensue...

Roy Edwards!

More $3.00 drinks!

Still learning to use my iphone...
People call and I can't figure out how to answer it!
Yeah, I am not the most technical type.

And now we all know what tequila does to South Africans...
They speak Zulu and do little dances...


Judd Simantov speaks Zulu...





Dan Barker says "I want the bread!"





Judd and Dan do a Zulu Dance.



More to come as I get to Monday's festivities...



Siggraph 2007 - Monday

Monday is a day for the exhibitors to unpack the trucks and vans, and get their booths put up. However, there are various panels and papers going on, as well. This installment won't have any floor pix really...just a lot of drinking, socializing and debauchery.

BTW, if you work for a software company...they have 8 am meetings
every day. Yeah, you go out and have fun with your buds into the wee hours of the night and then have to roll downstairs for a staff meeting.

My roomie from SESI was Leyla who actually conducted these meetings, so I couldn't escape. I was having a slumber party with mom. Well, with Mom who goes out and drinks with you the night before, but can get up and get her act together a lot faster than I could ever try.

Leyla = Moma Bird

On Monday, I had a panel to participate in talking about
Emerging Production Demands
but that wasn't until 1 pm.
So, I went back to the room and took a nap...of course.

Houdini Expert Panel: Judith Crow, Mike Kalshalk,
Craig Zerouni, Jason Iversen and myself...
I look bored and Jason is sleeping
oh look, Craig's talking :)

Wow they either look bored or serious,
Craig must be the one talking for this picture.

I was actually a bit nervous for this panel. I don't usually get nervous, but this is a room full of hardcore fx peeps who do lots of math and write scripts and I am just a lil character animator who tried to get some new tools built in H9. But, as we went, I found my way through it.

As soon as SESI has uploaded the recording of the panel...
I will post an .mpg here for yall.

After the panel, I caught up with my co-author Jamie Oliff. Jamie is currently working for Reel FX developing original story content for their new feature films. This is his dream come true, finally he is creating original content and having too much fun doing it!

Jamie with his signature drink in front of
his face for every pic I take...

Reel FX recently acquired Radium and they have location in Dallas, San Franciso and Santa Monica. Reel FX/ Radium rented a boat in the harbor to meet and greet prospective client and employees. Jamie and I joined them for some martinis in the sun.

The Reel FX/ Radium Boat

I took this pic with my new iphone and it feels like the cam has a fish eye lens... funny, because that is how I felt on the boat at first. I have never been on a boat in the water. When I told Jamie this he looked at me like I was nuts..."So, you have only been on a boat on land?"

Please let me explain...
I used to live across the street from sea urchin divers when I lived in San Diego and would hang out on the boat while they worked on it and just talk. So, yes, I have only sat on a boat on land in their driveway.

This pic made me laugh so hard I had to post it.

Tim from Reel FX joined Jamie and I for a while.

All of the boat's down there had really fun names...

So after a couple martinis with the Reel FX/Ra peeps, we decided to see what was up at the hotel Tiki Bar. My girlfriend Lori Frietag - Freelance Compositor Extraordinaire joined us. BTW, if my eyes get squint-ier, it usually means either Jamie is making me laugh really hard or the drinks are strong.


Jamie explains his dissatisfaction with the alcohol to mixer ratio in his drink...keep in mind if he were back there mixing we would all be asleep, falling down or sick right now. Last time I drank Jamie's Mai Tais, I fell on a cactus...true story.


The bartender put the run bottle dangerously close to Jamie and he grabbed it and fixed his Mai tai...of course, then, the bartender decided to join us.

Phillip is pondering what to drink and Darin just looks confused...or maybe he has a upset tummy.

So, I had to leave Lori and Jamie to go have dinner with the SESI folks, until the Maya/Autodesk party that night. SESI was having their company dinner at Bella Luna and I had to get moving.

SESI Dinner table...

Peter and Ron, two of SESI's instructors. Ron never smiles, but I am gonna try and get at least one pic of him tonight where he doesn't look like he is gonna mess you up. Ron was my favorite teacher at SESI. He even got me to build a spoon in Houdini. Yes, I modeled something - Holy Cow. My old modeling buddies from Oddworld - Marvin Kim and Jane Mullaney - I know are laughing now...right?

Janet and Erick decide what to eat...

Paul (CTO) and Graham (Calin's slave, Jr. Character TD)

Jeff Wagner always knows what I like to eat and how to order for me. You see, I always have ordering envy...I never order the right thing. Anyways...David Robert, in the middle...you might remember from my posting about his SEED project and finally, Mark Tucker who made a great impression on me my first day trying to learn the software...he was very kind and understanding. Thanks Mark.

Told ya I would get at least one snap where he didn't look like he was gonna kill you.


So, it was time for me to leave and get ready for the Maya/Autodesk party. I had a special party dress to change into, so I caught up with Jamie and Lori back at the hotel changed and we caught a cab to the Aircraft Carrier.

We were still early enough for the free bar and there wasn't really a line. We walked up a bunch of stairs to the very top where all the planes were. Drinks were scarce. There had to be 3 thousand people up there and only two bars. It was pretty ridiculous. A friend of mine had figured out the method of coming at the bar from the side to get drinks and did so for us. I understand a venue of this size is hard to manage but two bars with only a couple bartenders each?

We did walk around and look at the planes because as you might remember Jamie is building one in his garage.

Not quite the same as these planes huh?

I was kind of worried about the guy inside this plane and wondered if we should try and get him a cocktail?

I have no idea what this is - but it's kewl...

And that's is a missle I think... :)

Jamie explains something about the plane and now I feel like I am at the museum with my Dad.

Lori poses...

So, we got tired of planes and wanted to try and go downstairs where the dancing was. There were two choices. You could take the very narrow stairs where it seemed like 2 thousand people were waiting in line to go some where you could actually have some fun...or you could take the elevator where only about a thousand people were waiting in line to get downstairs. You think I am exaggerating, but seriously...there was no control over how many people were trying to navigate this venue.

We had maybe 30 people in the elevator. Lori and I were the only females, of course, and I started to panic that the elevator would break or stop on our way down with us crammed in there like sardines. Turns out, we got out fine...on the second floor to meet up with some crazy old man with a flash light telling us to "move along!!"

We tried to get past him, but he was like the caretaker on Scooby Doo and we were the meddling kids on his boat. He sent the entire elevator packing. Who knows how many other folks spent about 10 mins on the roof only to be ushered away afterwards? If the elevator was your path to leave the party for good, there should have been a sign and someone standing there to tell you so...like they do at the standard hotel downtown. Sad, Sad, pathetic party. I will be doing a "Best and Worst of Siggraph" posting soon, but I can tell you this was the Worst party.

We caught a cab and hit downtown San Diego for some real fun...at a Tequila Bar.

See the smiles - that's tequila!


So, that was Monday. More to come on Tuesdays fun on the floor and the Houdini party!