As a leading cloud rendering service provider and render farm in the CG industry, Fox Renderfarm is also a long-time partner of SIGGRAPH Asia and is proud to be one of the sponsors of SIGGRAPH Asia 2023, which was held in Sydney, Australia, from December 12-15 and has successfully ended.
Let's take a look at the highlights of the second day of SIGGRAPH Asia 2023!
REGISTRATION! OPENING OF SIGGRAPH ASIA 2023 & AWARDS CEREMONY
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SIGGRAPH Asia 2023’s Opening Ceremony was marked by the salient sounds of a traditional aboriginal didgeridoo echoing through the auditorium, as representatives extended a warm welcome to all on Gadigal lands. The opening remarks were shared by representatives from ACM, ACM SIGGRAPH, and the SIGGRAPH Asia Conference Advisory Group, setting the stage for the event, and marking the opening of this year's Exhibition. June Kim, the Conference Chair of SIGGRAPH Asia 2023, shared insights into the three-year journey of putting the event together, expressing gratitude to all partners and participants.
The ceremony continued with a special moment as ACM SIGGRAPH Chair Mona Kasra presented the prestigious Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art to Australian Paul Brown. Accolades were also extended to Singaporean Professor Yong Tsui Lee, who was presented with the Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his almost three decades of support for ACM SIGGRAPH and his role in initiating the SIGGRAPH Asia conference.
KEYNOTE: INNOVATION & AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
Wētā FX Senior VFX Supervisor, Joe Letteri, took the stage and delivered a thrilling demonstration of the cutting-edge technology and workflows developed for the 2023 Academy Award-winning film, "Avatar: The Way of the Water." He explained how they innovated the use of neural networks to replicate facial muscle movements, enabling the creation of realistic facial expressions on avatars while preserving full artist control.
During the Q&A session that followed, Letteri shared a valuable insight that informed his entire presentation, stating that a deep understanding of physics is essential to achieving realism, and that one must have a solid foundation before pushing the boundaries. This philosophy was evident in every aspect of their production, whether it was recreating water, oceans, fire, or the movements of creatures, as he emphasized, "there are no limits." The audience left inspired by the limitless possibilities of technology in the world of filmmaking.
SIGGRAPH ASIA PRESS CONFERENCE AND MEDIA TOUR
June Kim, the Conference Chair for SIGGRAPH Asia 2023, presented the Conference and Trade Exhibition to the media during an engaging press conference today. Welcoming media representatives from around the world, the press conference provided an exclusive opportunity for journalists to gain firsthand insights from 15 Program Chairs as to the cutting-edge advancements, groundbreaking technologies, and remarkable accomplishments made this year in the fields of computer graphics, interactive techniques, and digital media.
The press conference concluded with an enlightening tour of the exhibition, where global technology giants such as FORUM8, Maxton, Industrial Light & Magic, and others showcased their latest solutions. These ranged from automated driving simulations to groundbreaking breakthroughs in medical care and practical solutions ready for deployment. The Experience Hall, featuring the Art Gallery, XR, and Emerging Technologies, offered an inspiring collection of interactive works, adding a creative touch to the event.
EXHIBITOR TALK: OPPENHEIMER: THEORY WILL ONLY TAKE YOU SO FAR
In a captivating Exhibitor Talk titled 'Oppenheimer: Theory Will Only Take You So Far,' Andrew Jackson, Production VFX Supervisor and Creative Director at DNEG Sydney, shared valuable insights into his creative studio's approach to visual effects for the film 'Oppenheimer.' Moderated by Ian Failes, the talk delved deep into the creative journey embarked upon by Jackson, his talented team, and director Christopher Nolan. Andrew Jackson is renowned for his exceptional work on films such as 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'The King,' and 'Tenet' (for which he earned an Oscar for Best Visual Effects). He provided a detailed account of the intricate audio-visual and computational challenges faced when representing the historic Trinity Test – the inaugural detonation of a nuclear weapon conducted by the United States Army – within the context of 'Oppenheimer.
THE CRAFT OF CHARACTER STORY TELLING IN AN AGE OF HIGH-TECH TOOLS PANEL
Mike Seymour, Rob Coleman, Emily Dean, and Raqi Syed led an insightful discussion on the art of bringing characters to life through animation. They shed light on the unique challenges animators face, often beginning their work without even knowing the character's voice. Coleman emphasized the critical role of sound in animation, not only for speech but also for conveying reactions and delivering a truly believable performance.
The panel highlighted the importance of characters being aware of their surroundings, sometimes necessitating compromises in realism to express emotions effectively. For instance, they mentioned adapting features, like repositioning eyes on an animal's head, to convey meaning more clearly. They even shared an intriguing example where they applied Earth's gravity to the Moon to convey the character's emotional journey, opting for a slow and deliberate movement instead of a bounce, ultimately focusing on the intended emotional impact.
TRADE EXHIBITION, EXPERIENCE HALL (ART GALLERY, E-TECH, XR) DEMOSCENE, POSTERS
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Trade Exhibition, Experience Hall
The Trade Exhibition burst into action today, a gathering of over 30 global exhibitors, providing a vibrant display of industry insights. The bustling Experience Hall, a focal point for immersive encounters blending art and technology, left visitors spellbound. Additionally, the Demoscene area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge computer demos, and the Posters gallery, featuring concise visual summaries of groundbreaking research and projects, added depth and diversity to the overall experience. The Exhibition is a showcase of the latest developments in computer graphics and interactive techniques, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the forefront of innovation.
Art Gallery
At The Experience Hall, visitors could dive into immersive encounters that seamlessly combine art and technology. The Art Gallery features artworks showcased ingenious digital techniques, offering glimpses into uncharted worlds and cultures. From the depiction of otherworldly environmental dystopias in "Plastic Landscape" to the vision of futuristic utopias in "Aquasia," and the emergence of entirely new cultures and languages facilitated by technology in "AI Nüshu," each piece transports attendees to unexplored realms, sparking the imagination.
Emerging Technologies
The Emerging Technologies exhibits captivating pieces like AiRound and AirPolygon, that mesmerize with levitation and mid-air visualizations, leaving visitors in awe. Of notable interest was NTT Corporation's groundbreaking wearable technology, crafted to elevate the experience of piano learning.
XR
The Extended Reality (XR) Hall reveals a captivating array of projects, including Cubic Gymnastics, Darkening, PerfectFit, and SensoryScape, which showcase a diverse spectrum of experiences. Visitors are treated to everything from 3D embodiment and XR theater to AR garment customization and VR-induced flow states.
Demoscene
The Demoscene wowed visitors with its cutting-edge computer demos, while a vintage technology museum delighted with a nostalgic collection of treasures, including Game Boys, old computers, arcade machines, and more.
Posters
Succinct visual summaries of pioneering research and solutions are featured at the Poster Exhibition, providing a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in computer graphics and interactive techniques. In some instances the use of AR transforms the visual appeal of fast food to promote healthier eating habits, and immersive VR captures user perspectives on prosthetic limbs, and there’s a plausible computational visualization of translucent materials.
June Kim, SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Conference Chair, said at the official opening: “Welcome to SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 in Sydney! Themed 'Connecting Stories,' our event highlights the synergy between human ingenuity and tech excellence in AI and computer animation. Through keynotes and exhibitors, we showcase innovation, emphasizing talent convergence. Beyond industry transformation, SIGGRAPH Asia boosts international business traffic in New South Wales."
Learn more about SIGGRAPH Asia 2023.
Source: SIGGRAPH Asia 2023
