MONSTROUS Advances in CGI
With a Special Screening of Pixar’s The Blue Umbrella

PLATO Lecture Series Spring, 2014 – Greeners on the Cutting Edge
Monday April 14, 1:30-3pm, LH1

Dylan Sisson, Technical Marketing Specialist (in particular, for RenderMan), Pixar.

In feature film today, VFX (visual effects) is delivering unprecedented levels of visual sophistication … and new technologies like global illumination are making this possible. In this talk, Dylan will explore the evolution of computer graphics, focusing on the most recent advancements for creating photo realistic VFX and 3D animation. Using case studies from Pixar’s Monster’s University and The Blue Umbrella, he will examine the latest trends in physically based rendering. See how these changes are positively impacting pipelines not only at feature film studios, but at small studios as well. Learn about new opportunities for independent film and scientific visualization with practical techniques for student projects, such as capturing HDRI (high dynamic range imaging) for image based lighting. This talk is suitable for anyone interested in the technical wizardry of cutting edge VFX.

Since his arrival at Pixar in 1999, Dylan Sisson has been engaged in the development of the RenderMan Products as a technical artist and is the creator of Pixar’s RenderMan Walking Teapot. An active artist, he is also internationally recognized painter, toy designer, and his independent animated shorts have won several awards. Dylan currently resides in San Francisco.

See a cool flyer about this talk!

Companion Readings:

1. Mike Seymour, Pixar’s RenderMan turns 25 (Exclusive), fxguide, July 25, 2013.
2. Mike Seymour, The State of Rendering – Part 1, fxguide, July 15, 2013. “the latest trends in the visual effects industry including the move to physically plausible shading and lighting.
3. Mike Seymour, The State of Rendering – Part 2, fxguide, July 17, 2013. “explores the major players in the current VFX and animation rendering markets and also looks at the future of rendering tech.”
4. (NOT ASSIGNED, but of possible interest to those studying OpenGL – note that Pixar and Evergreen are discussing a gift of Renderman to Evergreen – thanks to Dylan!):  John Lukasiewicz, Scientific Visualization Using Pixar’s RenderMan, Computer Science M.S. Thesis, Rochester Institute of Technology, June 29, 2011.