CGOverdrive 2009 ~ Part 02

So, its Day01 of the character animation workshop lectured by Victor Navone, an animator from Pixar, his famed short; The Alien Song. Lectured about his work flow from reference to thumbs and constructing the performance with selected gestures and posses. Also lectured alot on how to analyze reference videos and what to looks out for. All in all an easy lecture to listen to and learnt a ton about prepping for a shot or scene.

Left the conference and went to Bugis to yum cha and to meet up another friend and what he's been up to the past few months. Hanged out at a dessert shop and chatted about the CG industry there in Singapore. Last call for drinks and went back to PoW to rest my overloaded brain.

Day02 ~ Character Animation Workshop, Jonathen Collins, though not as lively as Victor's lecture but non the less a very in depth look on the Polish level Pixar animators have to achieve and the importance of the characters eyes in character animation. Lots of Indiana Jones references and lots of slide notes which I couldn't finish jotting down.

After a long day of important facts crammed into my head, it was time to say bye bye to CGO 2009 and headed for an indoor stadium somewhere in Kalang, I had no idea where it was exactly but it was south of Kalang MRT Station. So got off at Kalang and headed south, it was dark and I was rushing and lost. Fortunately I made it a few minutes before it started.

Video Games Live Singapore 09, is a concert with a small symphony and choir playing music of video games past and present, PC and Consoles, games including Pac Man, Tetris, Metal Gear Solid, War Craft, Final Fantasy and everything in between. Between performances there was a few programs, one included an audience to play Space Invaders live on stage backed by the orchestra. Others include live stage Guitar Hero Battle, Sax performance by Norihiko Hibino (Snake Eater).

There were 2 retro adventure games which caught my attention; Dragon's Lair (1983) and Space Ace (1984). Did some research and generally, it's a simple story driven arcade game, 1 joystick, 1 button but a breakthrough visually driven by quality character animation at its time. It was produced and animated by Don Bluth Studio, hence the animation quality. Though ancient in terms of gaming, it is highly seeked after by nostalgic collectors. Both game titles spinned off two animated series based on the games itself.

Dragon's Lair
Space Ace

It was a great way to end my last night in Singapore.

Saturday, went to Bugis Junction and got me KT Tunstal's album and James Cameron The Abyss double disc DVD special, had my Turkey Bacon at BK and headed for Tanjong Pagar KTM train station for home. Four days of fun and learning.









Victor Navone & Jonathen Collins lecture notes (mostly messy personal writing of the character animation workshop)