In this insightful interview, we talked with Cal Chiu, the Student Volunteer Chair for SIGGRAPH Asia 2024. With a rich background in real-time graphics and a passion for the gaming industry, Cal shares his journey to becoming SIGGRAPH’s Student Volunteers Chair. He reflects on his experiences with SIGGRAPH, the challenges and rewards of leading the student volunteer program, and the vibrant community surrounding this renowned conference. Join Fox Renderfarm, a leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the industry, as we explore Cal’s perspective on the significance of SIGGRAPH in fostering connections and advancing careers in the CG industry.
Image from Interview Video Introduction
1. Fox Renderfarm: Please briefly introduce yourself.
Cal: Hi Fox Renderfarm! My name is Cal Chiu, and I have the great pleasure of being the Student Volunteer Chair for SIGGRAPH Asia 2024. Outside of the conference I work and specialize in real-time graphics. I've been working as an R&D engineer in graphics making game engines and graphics features for game software in Japan's game industry.
2. Fox Renderfarm: How did you get involved with Siggraph Asia?
Cal: It's actually a very interesting story! I’m originally from France but currently live and work in Japan. I came to Japan as part of a double degree program between my home university and a host university here. While researching my lab's activities, I kept seeing the term "SIGGRAPH" in my seniors' research papers. Initially unfamiliar with it, I started digging deeper and discovered SIGGRAPH Asia, which took place in Tokyo in 2018—what a coincidence since I was headed there!
Poster © SIGGRAPH Asia 2018
I immediately emailed my future supervisor to ask if I could apply to be a student volunteer at the conference. He encouraged me, noting his long-standing involvement in the community. I even met him just yesterday! This is how I got involved with SIGGRAPH through the Student Volunteer Program, and since then, I’ve attended almost every SIGGRAPH conference in both Asia and North America.
3. Fox Renderfarm: How many times did you get involved with SIGGRAPH or SIGGRAPH Asia?
Cal: It’s interesting to reflect on my journey! I started volunteering in 2018 at SIGGRAPH Asia, and in 2019, I participated in both conferences. Then, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and both conferences went online. I was involved with some of the logistics during that time. In 2021, the conferences were hybrid, and we gradually returned to in-person events. So, over the past six years, I've attended nearly two conferences each year, which brings me to almost a dozen events by the end of 2024!
Exhibition Photo © SIGGRAPH Asia 2021
4. Fox Renderfarm: How did you like this year's conference?
Cal: It’s been absolutely amazing! This year, the strong theme among the volunteers is "nostalgia" as many of us were here in 2018 for the first event at this venue. It’s been an emotional year for me, as it’s my first time returning to the same venue where I first volunteered, discovered SIGGRAPH, and was amazed by all the technology and CG-related content. Back then, I was just a student volunteer, and now, six years later, I’ve become an industry professional and have the great pleasure of serving as the Student Volunteers Chair. It feels like a full-circle moment.
Everyone is incredibly happy, and we’ve had an exceptional year, highlighted by the competitiveness of the program. We set a record for the total number of student volunteers on-site at the conference, which reflects our strong interest in hosting the event in Japan. The excitement is palpable, and everything has been going wonderfully so far!
5. Fox Renderfarm: This is your first time being as Chair of Student Volunteer, is there any challenge that you faced?
Cal: It’s always a challenge with many difficult aspects, but I truly enjoy it. The student volunteer program is demanding because it interacts with nearly every other program at the conference. We provide support for every venue and work closely with all the program chairs. This role requires significant time and skills, especially in managing people, since we’re all volunteers. It’s crucial to find the right balance to keep everyone engaged and motivated to give their best while ensuring we represent SIGGRAPH well to attendees. We strive to maintain professionalism and effective communication to serve attendees at our highest level.
We actually work year-round on this program. For me, this effort has been ongoing since January, and it’s hard to believe that in just a couple of days, it will all be over. Time has flown by, and there has been so much involved. We provide accommodations for the volunteers and help them navigate Tokyo, especially since many are traveling abroad for the first time and attending a major professional event. It’s essential to create a safe and welcoming environment for them, so every detail in this regard is part of my job.
6. Fox Renderfarm: How big is your team?
Cal: For my team this year, we have accepted 200 student volunteers, along with a dedicated media crew called SV Productions, which consists of 10 members. Additionally, we have 18 team leaders responsible for training the student volunteers on-site and guiding them at each venue. My subcommittee, which has been working with me throughout the year to prepare the program, consists of eight people. In total, we have about 235 members involved. This year, we have around 190 student volunteers on-site at the conference, and including all the staff members, we total of 225. This is a record number of student volunteers at the conference in the history of SIGGRAPH Asia!
Student Volunteers © SIGGRAPH Asia 2024
7. Fox Renderfarm: Could you share your background and experiences in the industry?
Cal: After studying in Japan and graduating, I joined Capcom because of my passion for games. One of my favorite series is actually Monster Hunter, which I played while I was a student back in Europe. I was thrilled to join the engine team, working on RE ENGINE—the in-house game engine that Capcom uses to develop all of its games. I was part of the rendering team, focusing on character rendering, shaders, optimization, and performance checks. My role involved optimizing game performance and developing new features.
Monster Hunter © Capcom
From there, I transitioned to Unity in Japan, where I continue to work in the gaming industry. In my current position, I’m more client-facing, helping studios that use the Unity engine improve performance and enhance their games to reach a wider audience and achieve greater success. I collaborate with various partners and studios on code development and other projects. While I can’t disclose specific details about the projects I’m currently working on, it has been an exciting experience. This role keeps me closely connected to the SIGGRAPH community, which I really appreciate. I’ve noticed that there are many game-related sections at the conference, reflecting the strong job market in the gaming industry in Japan.
8. Fox Renderfarm: If someone is new to SIGGRAPH, what advice do you have for volunteering or getting involved with the conference?
Cal: I understand that it can be a bit overwhelming, especially with so much happening and so many programs available this year. As you mentioned, we have a games program, which I personally find very exciting. If you’re a student, my first piece of advice is to apply for the Student Volunteer Program. We offer numerous perks, including one-on-one reviews with industry professionals to help kickstart your career.
It’s important to check the schedule on our website, where you’ll find links to apply and all the necessary details. This program is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the broader SIGGRAPH community. I see the Student Volunteer Program as a gateway into the expansive SIGGRAPH network. Events and activities take place not only during the conferences in Asia and America but also throughout the year in various local chapters.
Instead of feeling lost in the sea of information, one of the easiest ways to get involved is through the volunteer program. We guide you through the conference experience, and after your first event, you’ll become more familiar with the terminology and discussions. For instance, you might hear about the (CAF) Computer Animation Festival and other terms that may seem opaque at first, but volunteering will help clarify these concepts.
Tomorrow, we have a luncheon sponsored by the Chapters Committee of SIGGRAPH, which covers both Asia and North America. This will be a great opportunity to learn how to become more involved. I encourage you to explore the program and check if there’s a local chapter near you. SIGGRAPH has a global presence, and we welcome volunteers from all over the world each year at the conference. Even if you can’t attend the conference in person, you can still connect with local chapters in your city or university. They have valuable information to help you get started.
Chapters Committee © ACM SIGGRAPH
9. Fox Renderfarm: What is your favorite part of SIGGRAPH Asia this year?
Cal: This year, choosing a favorite part is quite difficult! I’m really looking forward to the reception, for instance, as it brings back fond memories of students discovering the professional world and networking with industry leaders we admire. Attending that event has created lasting memories for me.
From a program perspective, as an R&D researcher and engineer, I’m excited about the content itself. Every year, I review the papers and participate in peer reviews. However, this year has been so focused on preparing for the student volunteers that I haven’t had much time to dive into the papers yet. There’s so much exciting content, and I can’t wait to take a little break next week and start reading through it. My passion for computer graphics research drives my excitement, and I’m eager to explore all the content I’ve been looking forward to!
