• The Newsletter of the Los Angeles Chapter of ACMjSIGGRAPH February 1999 LA Chapter SIGGRAPH Presents The Making Of "A Bug's Life" Hosted by Pixar Animation Studios Friday February 12th. The Event Presenter Dr. William Reeves L.A. Siggraph Chapter Presents on joined the computer division of Friday, February 12,1999 The Lucasfilm, Ltd. in 1980 as project Making of "A Bug's Life" hosted by leader of the systems,%roup and a The Program Pixar Animation Studios After the member of the computt;r graphiCS 6:30-7:30 Social H~ur landmark 1995 computer-animated group. In 1982, he invented a new 7:30~~foo Prograll1 feature, "Toy Story," Pixar Animation image syntheSiS technique, particle The Location Studios zoomed down to earth and systems, that enables the generation The Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand below for an exciting new adventure of very complex and detailed images. Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203 with their groundbreaking second From 1982 to 1986, he worked as feature - "A Bug'sLife." This "epic of Directions project leader of the modeling and miniature proportions" is a testament From the 134 freeway, exit animation group. In 1986, Bill to Pixar's commitment to great story- Cent~al!Bran:dBlvd., cross Central, joined Pixar as head of Animation telling and dazzling visual displays. then t'umright (south) at }3rand.< In fact, the making of "A Bug's Life" Research and Development. He is a Continue on Brand for 5 blocks, required twelve times the computing three-time Academy Award recipient The Alex Theatre is on the left (he received an Oscar for the short (east) side. power used for "ToyStory." film "Tin Toy,"a Technical Academy From a technical standpOint, "A Bug's Parking- Award for the development of Life" represents one of the most There are parking lots on both Particle Systems and another techni- sophisticated and advanced applica- Maryland and Orange (between cal Academy Award for the develop- tions of computer animation to date Wilson and~alifornia). It is ment of Pixar's "Marionette" anima- meteredparkil;rg in the lots and and it showcases several exciting new tion system). His film credits while on the street. There are also discoveries and advancements for the at Lucasfilm, Ltd. and Pixar include: parking structures on Broadway art form. Pixar's proprietary software "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" , who charge a fee gave the filmmakers a greater level of creative freedom and the flexibility "Return of the Jedi", "Young FeeslRegistration to do things that were not possible Sherlock Holmes", "LuxoJr." (1986 This event is free to L.A. SIGGRAPH on "Toy Story." Continued on page 3 lJ1embersand $10 for non-;members. New members who sigh up on-site and pay the $25 annual member- ship fee (checks or cash only) do Meeting Date Change not have to pay the $10 registration The Tuesday Feb 9th meeting will be held on Friday, Feb 12th fee. Members only will be given priority entrance from 6:30-7:00 PM. After 7:00 PM it's first come Career Boot Camp Registration first served. We strongly urge that members arrive early to assure Special. One Night Only! their admittance. Register at the meeting and receive the discount pre-registration price! Students $29, Members $40 3 DIMENSION February 1999 Continued from page 1 The Making Of "A Bug's Life" Academy Award nominee), "Red's Glenn McQueen "The Last Halloween", a Dream", "Tin Toy" and started at Pixar in 1994 as an children's television "Knickknack." Bill supervised the Animator on "Toy Story." After special. technical team on "A Bug's Life." "Toy Story", he worked on "A Sharon Calahan Bug's Life" as Supervising Other presenters will include Bill was the Director of Animator. He also directed com- Cone, Glenn McQueen, and Sharon Photography for "A Bug's mercials at Pixar, as well as a series Calahan. Life." She has worked in the of shorts featuring the "Toy Story" computer' animation industry for Bill Cone characters for ABC TV and Disney. over fifteen years where she has spe- worked as Production Designer on In 1984, after graduating from cialized primarily in lighting. Before "A Bug's Life", and on"Toy Story", Sheridan College in Oakville, Canada, "A Bug's Life." Sharon was the cre- he was a Designer and Digital Glenn started working at the ative lighting lead on "Toy Story." Painter. Prior to Pixar, Bill worked Computer Graphics Laboratory at the She is currently slated as the Director on color styling and set design for New York Institute of Technology of Photography for Pixar's "Toy Story "The Nightmare Before Christmas." (where he received a BsC). He started 2." He also worked on layout and design as an animator and left as the In their presentation, Reeves and his fortelevision projects at Colossal Manager of the 3D Production colleagues will discuss the art inspi- Films. Group. In 1990, Glenn started rations behind "A Bug's Life," and Before entering the world of film and working as a Senior Animator for the will cover the major components of television, Bill was a staff illustrator Character Animation Group of Pacific the film: art, story; editorial, layout, for the San Francisco Chronicle and Data Imag~s. There, he worked on modeling, animation, shading &: a freelance illustrator for several commercials and film effects, and paint, crowds &: effects, rendering other publications. won a primetime national Emmy for and lighting. A Bug's Life Courtesy of ©DisneyIPixar Animation Studios.