Project Description
WHAT IS REAL?
Whether captured or created, images are representations of reality. Experiences, whether virtual or physical, generate their own realities. And new technologies, storytelling forms and platforms take us further into uncharted territories. So… what is ‘real’ in the end? More importantly, do audiences care — as long as they’re enjoying the experience?
Explore these questions and more at the 8th Annual VES Summit, which will extend the idea of ‘what is real’ beyond visual constructs to the many new business models in our changing industry. Join us for a thought-provoking day of discussions and exploration.
October 29, 2016 – Sofitel Hotel – Beverly Hills, CA
Video Gallery
2016 VES Summit Videos (6 videos)
(Available to VES Members Only: Log In Required)
Photo Gallery
Keynote Speaker
Jonah Greenberg – Managing Director, CAA China
Jonah Greenberg is the Managing Director of CAA China at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Based in Beijing, Greenberg and his colleagues represent many of the most accomplished directors, producers, writers, and talent working in China. In addition, Greenberg helps guide and execute the agency’s strategy in developing cross-border opportunities for clients in the international marketplace. (read more)
Roundtable Discussions
360 Video
Moderator: Jill Smolin — Production Manager, Nokia Technologies
VR Cinematography
Moderator: Eve M. Cohen — Cinematographer
Animation Innovations
Moderator: Gilles Gaillard — CEO, Mikros Image
Cloud Based Workflows
Moderator: Jack Greasley — Head Of New Technology, The Foundry
Global VFX Shops of the Future
Moderator: James Hattin — President, Creative Director, VFX Legion
From Lord of the Rings to Warcraft, How Has the Art Of Mocap and Virtual Production Evolved?
Moderator: John Root — Co-Founder, VRLA
Virtual Production Across Industry Segments (Co-Moderated)
Moderator: James Knight — Virtual Production Director, AMD
Virtual Production Across Industry Segments (Co-Moderated)
Moderator: Roy Taylor — Corporate Vice President / Head of Alliances, Radeon Technologies Group, AMD
Virtual Production Across Industry Segments (Co-Moderated)
Moderator: Bruno Sargeant — Virtual Production Producer, Halon Entertainment
VR in Commercials
Moderator: Gawain Liddiard — Visual Effects Supervisor, The Mill
AR Production: Now and in The Future
Moderator: Jacki Morie — Founder and CEO All These Worlds LLC
The Convergence of VFX, VR and Gaming
Moderator: Mike Sanders — Senior Visual Director, Activision’s Central Studios
VFX Producers: Who’s Coming Up the Ranks?
Moderator: Nancy St John — Visual Effects Producer
Managing VFX-in-Progress Through the Post Process
Moderator: Devin Sterling — VP Global Operations, Long Form, Deluxe Creative Services
Creating Interactive Characters for VR
Moderator: Tom Sanocki — Founder and CEO of Limitless Ltd.
Featured Speakers
Visuals In Counter-Terrorism
Edward Grogan – Technical Director for Advanced Counter-terrorism Technologies, Department of Defense
Edward T. Grogan is in his 40th year of service in the Department of Defense. His eclectic career has evolved from engineering of civil and military tactical and strategic voice systems to his current role as the Technical Director for Advanced Counter-terrorism Technologies. (read more)
VR In Healthcare
Albert “Skip” Rizzo, Ph.D. – Director, Medical Virtual Reality – Institute for Creative Technologies
Albert “Skip” Rizzo is a clinical psychologist/neuropsychologist and Director of Medical Virtual Reality at the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies. He is also a Research Professor with the USC Dept. of Psychiatry and at the USC Davis School of Gerontology. (read more)
Panel Discussions
Visual Effects in the Wild
Visual effects are bursting into new mediums with new technologies and techniques changing the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. From 3D projections that can change the face of a building to spectacular immersive experiences, visuals are leaping off screens and into the wild. Join us to explore and learn how visual effects are redefining live entertainment, theme parks, museums and our everyday interactions with the ‘real’ world.
Moderator:
- Craig Barron – Creative Director, Magnopus
Panelists:
- Dan Hammond – Business Development, Production Resource Group
- Jacki Morie – Founder / Chief Scientist, All These Worlds, LLC
- Sam Richards – Visual Effects Design Manager, Walt Disney Imagineering
- Susan Beth Smith – Executive Producer, Media Producer
- Thierry Coup – Senior VP, Universal Creative, Universal Parks & Resorts
Cinematography and VFX: What Constitutes ‘Real?’
Whether a movie is photographed ‘classically,’ created with significant digital and visual effects work, or a combination of both, there are many artistic contributors to its look. In an increasingly digital process, how is the work handled? Does the cinematographer stay involved in the post process? What about cinematography in animation? This panel explores this topic – in the context of ‘What is Real,’ with leading DPs and VFX professionals on the collaboration and blending of these art forms to deliver on the filmmaking vision.
Moderator:
- Naida Albright – Owner-Producer, Conshimfee Productions Inc.
Panelists:
- Larry Fong, ASC – Director of Photography
- Paul Cameron, ASC – Cinematographer
- Rich McBride – Visual Effects Supervisor
- Wally Pfister, ASC – Director / Cinematographer
2016 Founders & Fellows
2016 Founders Award
The VES Founders Award is awarded to any individual member of the VES who has significantly contributed to the success of the VES.
Kim Lavery, VES – Visual Effects Producer
Kim Lavery, a thirty-year veteran of the industry, has experience with both production and post-production sides of filmmaking and visual effects producing. She was a news videographer/editor and then a Today Show news anchor with an NBC affiliate earlier in her career. She then worked for Universal Studios, in Studio Operations on film production and shifted to visual effects in 1995. (read more)
2016 VES Fellows
The title of VES Fellow signifies that the individual is recognized for earning an outstanding reputation through sustained contributions to the art, science or business of visual effects, as well as through meritorious service to the Society and the entertainment industry at large.
- Kim Lavery, VES – Visual Effects Producer
- Peter Anderson, ASC – Director of Photography / VFX Supervisor
- Jim Morris – President, Pixar Animation Studios
2016 VES Lifetime Membership
Lifetime Memberships are awarded for meritorious service to the Society, the industry and for furthering the interests and values of visual effects artists around the world.
- Don Shay – Founder, Cinefex Magazine
2016 VES Honorary Membership
Awarded for exemplary contributions to the entertainment industry at large, and for furthering the interests and values of visual effects practitioners around the world.
- Patton Oswalt – Actor, Comedian, Writer