Registration is now open for SIGGRAPH 2017, the world’s leading annual interdisciplinary educational experience showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. To register for this year’s event, which will be held July 30–August 3 2017 in Los Angeles, click here.
SIGGRAPH 2017 will be “bigger and better than ever,” said Jerome Solomon, this year’s Conference Chair. SIGGRAPH 2017 marks the 44th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques.
“We are very excited about returning to Los Angeles for this year’s conference,” Solomon said. “We have plans for over a dozen awesome experiences that we’ve never done before. For example, we will be holding our grand opening day reception at the California Science Center, which will offer attendees the chance to get up close to the actual Space Shuttle Endeavor. We will also be debuting a brand-new VR Theater—a venue in which attendees can experience VR storytelling from different filmmakers using state of the art technology and VR headsets.”
Solomon is Dean of the College at Cogswell College. In his role at Cogswell, Solomon is responsible for all of the school’s academics, classes, faculty, and programs, ensuring that the school delivers “the best, world class education we possibly can for our students. We teach both sides of the brain—art and science—and, as a result, Cosgwell has a lot of synergy with SIGGRAPH.”
Solomon has nearly 20 years of industry experience in Hollywood, having held positions with Industrial Light and Magic, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts, and Rhythm & Hues Studios. During his career, he received film credits on “Avatar,” “Madagascar,” “Shrek 2,” “Babe,” “Ace Ventura II,” and “Batman & Robin.” In addition, he has shipped three AAA game titles: “Star Wars: Force Unleashed,” “Tiger Woods 07,” and “The Godfather Game.”
On this year’s conference, Solomon continued, “Not only is Los Angeles one of the world’s major hubs for the entertainment industry and all the major movie and TV studios, but it’s also dramatically evolved in recent years and has finally ‘arrived’ as a player within the digital space. L.A. has numerous top digital companies located in Silicon Beach, and the city has also become a key player and the home of countless new VR content development and production companies.”
Regarding his outlook on the digital graphics industry, Solomon added, “Interactive technologies, real-time graphics, virtual reality, and augmented reality are all key growth areas today. In fact, the computer graphics industry is going through a bit of a renaissance right now—CG plays a critical role in more everyday digital tools and technologies than ever before. It’s bleeding over everywhere, and into so many industries.
Solomon holds a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from UCLA and a Master of Science in computer animation from Georgia Institute of Technology.
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More