THE FESTIVAL LINE-UP
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MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022
3PM GMT / 4PM CET / 11AM EDT / 8AM PDT / 8:30PM IST
THE ART OF BRINGING CONCEPTS TO LIFE
Speakers
Patrick Smith — Head of Visualization | MPC
Leandre Lagrange — Art Director | MPC
Katie Hooten — Head of Studio | MPC LA
Getting to greenlight and beyond. Learn more about how our visualization team bring epic stories to life. MPC’s visualization team will discuss this crucial step in production, the top problem-solving skills of concept artists, and the tools creatives use to bring film scripts to life.
PRODUCING SUSTAINABLE ADVERTISeMENTS
Speakers
James Niklasson — Executive Producer | The Mill
Darren Khan — CEO and Founder | Travlrr
Jo Coombes — Project Director | AdGreen
Hosted by
Natasha Patel | Little Black Book
Each year the global commercial production industry generates thousands of tons of waste and waste emissions despite having access to technology that could make the majority of productions carbon neutral/zero-waste. Our panelists discuss how the visual effects industry can further strengthen efforts to create lower emission productions and move towards a greener future in advertisements.
4PM GMT / 5PM CET / 12PM EDT / 9AM PDT / 9:30PM IST
CRAFTING THE PERFECT GAME TRAILER
Speakers
Robert Sethi — Executive Creative Director | The Mill
Morten Vinther — Creative Director | The Mill
Angelo Ferrugia — EVP, Global Director of Creative Production | The Mill
HOSTed by
Dean Takahashi | Games Beat
We know that the world of game trailers and game marketing is just as epic and action-packed in their style and craft as games themselves. Join The Mill's game marketing specialists as they delve into their top tips for crafting such powerful and awe-inspiring game trailers.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE METAVERSE
Speaker
Stephan Bischof — Executive Creative Director | The Mill
Jocelyn Birsch — Head of Experience Production | The Mill
HOSTed by
Mike Seymour | FX Guide
The Metaverse is one of the top trending and most influential terms of the past year. But what does it mean for brands, creators, coders, and the rest of us? Join our panelists to discuss how people of all sectors can engage in this growing space and what it could mean for industry futures.
5PM GMT / 6PM CET / 1PM EDT / 10AM PDT / 10:30PM IST
Animation | A STORY OF COLLABORATION
Speakers
Julien Meesters — SVP, Head of Creative | Mikros Animation
Adrianna Cohen — SVP, Global Head of Production | Mikros Animation
Sandra Rabins — Producer | The Tiger's Apprentice
HOSTed by
Dan Sarto | Animation World Network
Any animation project always starts with a blank page. From characters themselves to entire worlds and environments, everything needs to be created from scratch. This creation is the critical result of a close collaboration between filmmakers and artists. In this round table, we will discuss how creative ideas are born and what it takes to craft a story in animation and bring it to the screen.
From Student to President:
Compelling career stories to motivate and inspire
Speakers
Christian Roberton — President | Technicolor Creative Studios
Sophie Lenari — Lighting Artist | MPC
Jo Manawa — Head of Crew Management | MPC
Anne Trotman — Co-Head of 2D | The Mill
Debaprasad Bhowmik — Head of Animation | Technicolor India
Kristy Scanlan — VP Business Development | Technicolor Games
When thinking about trying something new, it can be hard to take that first step. But remember, even the best had to start somewhere. Join a diverse mix of Technicolor talent from across our studios as they share their stories of how they made it into the creative industry and their insights into taking that leap of faith.
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022
3PM GMT / 4PM CET / 11AM EDT / 8AM PDT / 8:30PM IST
MANAGING NEW ANIMATION TRENDS
Speakers
Sandrine Nguyen — SVP, Episodic & IP | Mikros Animation
Joanna Ruer — Head of Production, Episodic & IP | Mikros Animation
Sarankumar Nadamuni — Head of Production, Episodic | Mikros Animation
HOSTed by
Dan Sarto | Animation World Network
The animation industry has consistently proven how unyielding it can be in the face of adversity. Even in the toughest situations, animation is constantly evolving to deliver stories to the screen. A panel of animation experts discuss trends in the animation industry and how studios and productions have kept up with the increasing demand for content.
NFts BLOCKCHAIN & GAMING
Speaker
John Hegarty — Business Development | Technicolor Games
NFT and Blockchain are some of the biggest buzzwords of 2022, but what do these mean and what impact will they have on the world of gaming? John Hegarty of Technicolor Games breaks it all down in this illuminating presentation.
4PM GMT / 5PM CET / 12PM EDT / 9AM PDT / 9:30PM IST
CRAFTING PHOTOREALISTIC DIGITAL CHARACTERS
Speakers
Tom Reed — Head of Character Lab | MPC
Dan Zelcs — Character Supervisor | MPC
Elena Vitanza — Character Supervisor | MPC
Alexandru Halcescu — Senior Character Artist | MPC
Guru Mande — Character Supervisor | MPC
Giles Davies — Character Supervisor | MPC
HOSTED BY
Paul Gaboury — 3D Product Development Manager | ZBrush
With a passion for film and storytelling, the experts at MPCs’ Character Lab bring believability and nuance to all manner of legendary digital characters. From realistic animals to digital actors to whimsical creatures, our team strives to push the boundaries of both design and technology to create the very best digital cast. Learn how MPC's Character Lab crafts photoreal creatures and watch Modelling Artist Alexandru Halcescu sculpt a creature live using ZBrush 3D sculpting tools.
Diversity isn't an Initiative:
How can our creative technology industries ensure sustainable diversity and inclusion?
Speakers
Seetha Kumar — (Chair) CEO | ScreenSkills
Stephen Leach — Director Diversity and Inclusion | Disney
Katie Player — Production Manager and co-founder | Underlying Health Condition (pressure group)
Vilma Nikolaidou — Associate Director, People Strategy | University of the Arts London
As our worldview and stories expand, the need for diversity becomes even more critical. VFX needs this diversity, so join the panel as they discuss the current barriers in VFX, and how we can drive change to make our industry more inclusive, more encompassing, and more creative.
5PM GMT / 6PM CET / 1PM EDT / 10AM PDT / 10:30PM IST
CRAFTING ICONIC BRAND STORIES
Speakers
Gavin Wellsman — Executive Creative Director | The Mill
Carsten Keller — Creative Director | The Mill
Hosted by
Laura Swinton — Editor in Chief and Managing Director | Little Black Book
What makes an advertisement “iconic?” Is there a secret formula to make an ad stand out? Artists who have helped craft award-winning ads discuss whether there is a tried and tested method to generate such results, as well as what it takes to make an ad that stands the test of time.
DIGITAL TWINS — CREATE ONCE, LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES
Speaker
William O'Donnell — Head of Digital Twins | The Mill
HOSTed by
Mike Seymour | FX Guide
What are 'Digital Twins' and what will their new role be in The Metaverse? Once a niche concept, Digital Twins are now making their way into the mainstream. Join us to discuss their creation and usage in the virtual world.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022
3PM GMT / 4PM CET / 11AM EDT / 8AM PDT / 8:30PM IST
FROM TODDLER TOONS TO SCI-FI CLASSICS, BRINGING DIVERSE ANIMATION STYLES TO LIFE
Speakers
Rusty Tracy — Head of Creative Operations | Mikros Animation
Vikram Varma — Head of Department, Animation | Mikros Animation
Akhil Magotra — Head of Department Lighting & Compositing | Mikros Animation
Dheeraj Joseph — Head of Department, Assets | Mikros Animation
Siddharth Kumar — Head of Pipeline | Mikros Animation
Nathalie Masseret — Production Manager | Mikros Animation
Anushka Saviella Nunes — Production Manager | Mikros Animation
HOSTed by
Dan Sarto | Animation World Network
Crafting stories in highly stylized animation requires a tailor-made approach. This means there must be a strong connection between an artist, their art, and their technology. Our speakers will discuss how creative ideas are brought to life thanks to technology and how technology contributes to the creation of mass content without compromising on the creative direction. They will also unveil their unique studio insights and offer tips on technology utilization.
Skills Of The Future:
What New Roles are Emerging in Creative Technology and Why?
Speakers
Dave Taritero — Senior VP Visual Effects | Disney
Matthew Drinkwater — Head of Fashion Innovation Agency | London College of Fashion, UAL
Aleissia Laidacker — Global Director Creative Technology | The Mill
Dr Richard Southern — Head of Computer Animation | Bournemouth University
What's next for creative technologies and how do we imagine our disciplines intersecting in future? The panel will be taking us beyond our imagination to predict new roles, new skills and new ways of working.
4PM GMT / 5PM CET / 12PM EDT / 9AM PDT / 9:30PM IST
THE METAVERSE: MYTHS & REALITIES
Speakers
Jeaneane Falkler — President | Technicolor Games
Phillip Runyan — Founder | NiftyCo
Marcus Purvis — Engineer | Unity
HOSTed by
Dean Takahashi | Games Beat
As the world explores its footprint in internet 3.0, what role will the gaming industry play? How will games factor into the growing concept of The Metaverse, and how will The Metaverse impact developers, creators and players alike? This talk seeks to tackle some of these ever-evolving questions.
THE POWER OF VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Speakers
Mariana Acuña Acosta — SVP Virtual Production | Technicolor Creative Studios
Brian Pohl — Technical Program Manager | Epic Games
HOSTed by
Mike Seymour | FX Guide
Virtual Production has exploded onto the filmmaking scene. With high-profile productions such as The Mandalorian becoming increasingly commonplace, this panel will explore the rise of Virtual Production, its creative benefits, and the technology that powers it.
5PM GMT / 6PM CET / 1PM EDT / 10AM PDT / 10:30PM IST
BUILDING BRAND WORLDS FOR THE METAVERSE
Speakers
Magdalena Luna-Cebula — Creative Director | The Mill
Veronica Millan — Chief Innovation Officer | Mullen Lowe
Samantha Garrison — Manager, Digital Innovation | HBO
Hosted by
Laura Swinton | Little Black Book
With the rise of The Metaverse, how can brands best engage in and utilize this new conceptual space? Our panelists discuss some of the tensions, questions, challenges, and best practices brands and makers need to address when creating content in the virtual world.
CREATING 'AROUND THE WORLD' IN (A BIT MORE THAN) 80 DAYS
Speakers
Hugues Namur — VFX Supervisor | MPC
Delphine Lasserre — VFX Producer | MPC
Christophe ‘Tchook’ Courgeau — Environment Supervisor | MPC
Florian Wolff — 3D Supervisor | MPC
Perig Gilleron — VFX Coordinator | MPC
Take a behind the scenes look at TV Series “Around the World in 80 Days,” created by Ashley Pharoah and Caleb Ranson, starring David Tennant. From a myriad of effects to an award-winning finish, this case study displays what is achievable through true global collaboration. (French language, English Subtitles provided).
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022
3PM GMT / 4PM CET / 11AM EDT / 8AM PDT / 8:30PM IST
MAKING ANIMATED CHARACTERS ACT
Speakers
Sabine Heller — Global Head of Character Animation & Rigging | Mikros Animation
Scott Carroll — Global Head of Character Animation | Mikros Animation
Sean Mullen — Head of Character Animation | Mikros Animation
Michael Earnest — Head of Creative Operations, Episodic | Mikros Animation
Jacques Daigle — Animation Director | Mikros Animation
Riash Shahnawaz — Animation Director | Mikros Animation
HOSTed by
Dan Sarto | Animation World Network
The art of animation enables unique and fantastical stories to be told, breathing life into characters who are originally only possible in the imagination. In this round table discussion, meet the team at Mikros Animation and talk about the art of making characters act, the relationship that animators have with directors, what it takes (from rigging to animation) to bring these emotive and fantastic characters to the audience.
DIGITAL DOUBLES — THE INNOVATION BEHIND CGI HUMANS
Speakers
Jeffrey Dates — Creative Director | The Mill
Dan Zelcs — Character Lab Supervisor | MPC
HOSTed by
Mike Seymour | FX Guide
Digital Humans, or Digital Doubles, have been a longstanding pinnacle of expert VFX. VFX digital human specialists will discuss the evolving technology that is allowing them to generate photo-real people at a fidelity that has never been seen before.
4PM GMT / 5PM CET / 12PM EDT / 9AM PDT / 9:30PM IST
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO COLOR GRADING
Speakers
Tom Day — Director
Michael J Ferns — Director
Peter Oppersdorff — Colorist | The Mill
Philip Hambi — Colorist | The Mill
Hosted by
Addison Capper | Little Black Book
Trust and collaboration are at the core of a director or DOP's relationship with their colorist of choice. In this panel, a group of creatives will discuss their approach to developing strong narratives through the look and feel of moving pictures and how they work together to bring out the best in their work.
The Future of Filmmaking
Speakers
Adam Valdez — VFX Supervisor | MPC
Bill Polson —Chief Technology Officer, R&D | Technicolor Creative Studios
Mariana Acuña Acosta — SVP, Virtual Production & On-Set Services | Technicolor Creative Studios
Hosted By
Ian Failes | Befores & Afters
Academy Award winning VFX Supervisor Adam Valdez, Senior Vice President of Virtual Production Mariana Acuña Acosta and Chief Technology Officer Bill Polson discuss the evolution of VFX and what filmmaking might look like over the next decade with journalist Ian Failes.
5PM GMT / 6PM CET / 1PM EDT / 10AM PDT / 10:30PM IST
Stepping into VFX:
Top tips on cutting showreels, building resumes, applying for roles and using LinkedIn
Speakers
Heidi Cardyn — Head of Global Admissions | Technicolor Creative Studios Academy
Michael Jalbert — Talent Acquisition Lead | Technicolor Creative Studios Talent
Jacob Fradkin — Animation Trainer | Technicolor Creative Studios Academy
Tevin Henley — Technicolor Creative Studios Academy Alumni & Artist | MPC
Amba Moore — Technicolor Creative Studios Academy Alumna & Artist | MPC
If you're taking your first step or going after your next role in the industry, then don't miss this discussion. The panel will share top tips on showreel development, how to present your resume, how to apply for jobs and how to navigate LinkedIn.
THE EMERGENCE OF REAL-TIME WORKFLOWS
Speaker
Sylvain Doreau — Executive Creative Director | Technicolor Games
There is an unprecedented and fascinating convergence of real-time workflows across the entertainment industry. The games industry has been fueling a radical change, as big as the introduction of digital in film and CGI for VFX. Join Sylvain Doreau, Creative Director at Technicolor Games as he discusses the meteoric rise of real-time workflows and how they will power the content of the future.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
4PM GMT / 5PM CET / 12PM EDT / 9AM PDT / 9:30PM IST
My Journey at TCS India:
compelling career stories to motivate and inspire
Speakers
Tanushree Guha — Junior Artist | Mikros Animation
Vivekananthan R — DFX Supervisor/Deputy Head of 2D | The Mill
Vichar B N — Art Director | Technicolor Games
Payal Vijay Selvam — Head of Creative Ops, MPC
Four different career journeys representing the different stages in professional development within the Creative Technologies Industry in India.
EPISODES
THE STREAMING BOOM
Speakers
Christopher Gray — Managing Director | MPC
Peter Jopling — Executive VFX Supervisor | MPC
Hosted by
Isabelle du Plessis | Technicolor Creative Studios
Streaming services have seen consumers and budgets grow exponentially through the years. And with that rise, the demand for engaging, high-concept, and high-quality visual effects has exploded.
Hear from MPC on how they have adapted to this VFX streaming boom. They’ll explore the production workflows, pipelines, and technology needed for large scale VFX. They will share their thoughts on future trends for streaming, including an ever-increasing global talent shortage in response to the expanding demand.
THE RISE OF GAMING
Speakers
Jeaneane Falkler — President | Technicolor Games
Dean Takahashi — Reporter | Games Beat
Hosted by
Isabelle du Plessis | Technicolor Creative Studios
The gaming industry is one of the fastest growing entertainment sectors globally, spurred by evolving technology, consumer appetite and an ongoing pandemic. Gaming experts discuss what is driving this growth and what trends we can look out for in 2022.
NOW, NEXT, FUTURE: THE ADVERTISING LANDSCAPE
Speakers
Angelo Ferrugia — EVP Global Director of Creative Production | The Mill
Liz Pavitt — Managing Director of Growth | The Mill
Hosted by
Isabelle du Plessis | Technicolor Creative Studios
This episode explores the changing landscape of brand advertising. In this discussion, our guest will review the ever-evolving advertising business model from the perspective of the agencies, production companies to the brands themselves and address the question: what does the future of brand advertising look like?
LEADING WOMEN IN ANIMATION
Speakers
Adrianna Cohen — SVP, Global Head of Production | Mikros Animation
Sabine Heller — Global Head of Character Rigging and Animation | Mikros Animation
Aurelia Abate — Executive Producer | Mikros Animation
Hosted by
Isabelle du Plessis | Technicolor Creative Studios
Animation has historically been a male-dominated industry, and there are still significant disparities in gender representation of animators. The industry organization, Women in Animation, notes that although more than 60% of animation and art school students are women, only 20% of the creative jobs are held by women. However, at Mikros Animation, 40% of the leadership positions are held by women – an outlier in this industry. In this podcast, women at Mikros Animation talk about what drew them to the animation industry and what evolutions they see taking place (or not taking place).
ENTERTAINMENT IN THE METAVERSE
Speakers
Toa Dunn — Head of Riot Games Music
Jarred Kennedy — COO | Wave
Mikko Martikainen — Technical Art Director | The Mill
Hosted by
Isabelle du Plessis | Technicolor Creative Studios
Virtual entertainment and interactive concert specialists Wave, gaming company Riot Games, and production studio The Mill explore the convergence of music, entertainment and gaming, which are increasingly combining to pave the next generation of immersive and interactive experiences. From virtual concerts and digital identity to branded experiences and everything in between, join a group of creative technology specialists as they delve into The Metaverse: where it came from, what it means and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Accessible vfx
Speakers
Simon Devereux — Founder | Access VFX
Hosted by
Isabelle du Plessis | Technicolor Creative Studios
ACCESS:VFX is a global, industry-led, non-profit comprised of 40 leading companies, industry bodies and educational establishments in the VFX, animation and games industries. It focuses on actively pursuing and encouraging inclusion, diversity, awareness and opportunity under its four pillars of Inspiration, Education, Mentoring and Recruitment. In this episode, we talk to the organizations founder Simon Devereux about how he’s working with the industry's leading figures to diversify the VFX industry.
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS
Brand Characters and Mascots – A White Paper
CGI characters can be cute, but they can also actively help build audience resonance and improve a brand’s market share. This deep dive white paper delves into the benefits of using brand characters and mascots for leading brands.
Gus the Itsy Bitsy Knight – From Storybook to the Screen
The team at Mikros Animation and Fisher-Price reveal the magical journey of turning a little storybook legend into an international kid’s hero.
Games trends in 2022
Technicolor Games’ President, Jeaneane Falkler dives into the world’s fastest growing entertainment sector and what we can expect to see from gaming in the year to come.
Sustainable Automotive Production Solutions
How can brands and filmmakers use the latest in innovative VFX technology to reduce their carbon footprint and encourage sustainable practices in the production industry? This white paper case studies a first-of-its-kind project, that enabled Land Rover to reduce their carbon emissions by 83% whilst producing one of their iconic brand ads.
ADD ENTIRE TRACKS TO YOUR CALENDAR
FESTIVAL TRACKS
Join the creative talent and strategic minds that bring big brand ideas to life across the Marketing and Advertising industry as they discuss everything from storytelling to building worlds in The Metaverse.
Insights into the world where imagination has no boundary. Join those at the forefront of crafting the world's most iconic animated stories.
Leading partners and talent within the gaming world discuss the state of the gaming industry: from building games to marketing them.
Insights and demonstrations of the core technologies that are powering and evolving the creative industries across entertainment and brand marketing.