MGLA goes 3D!

The theme of the January MOTION GRAPHICS LA meeting is the many facets of 3D - including motion graphics, pre-visualization, and visual effects (remember, 3D's not just for dinosaurs). Although some of the presentations may seem tied to specific products, keep in mind that these techniques can be applied to virtually any 3D application. As many people are tied up with MacWorld this week, they are still waiting on more elaborate descriptions and example frames for some, but here is a taste of the presentations they already have confirmed:

Excerpts from MGLA Mail:

***Next Meeting***
Tuesday, January 20
LA Film School
7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Cover charge: FREE

Sponsored by Adobe Systems

LINEUP: 3Dconnexion's new input devices / Steven Walker on VFX
projects & Walker Effects 2.0 / Vital Distraction on 3D
pre-visualization / Rich Shelley of Access Hollywood on 3D Motion
Graphic Design

First, we would like to welcome Adobe's Digital Video group as our
meeting sponsor for 2004! Thanks to their support, all MGLA meetings
in 2004 will continue to be free to all attendees. We really
appreciate their support for the motion graphics community, and look
forward to seeing Adobe as well as a whole host of other vendors and
artists in this year ahead. Of course, we thank Apple for sponsoring
our meetings in 2003; they will still be with us in 2004 through
lending us hardware for our presentations.

3Dconnexion is a new division of
Logitech which is specializing in high-end data input devices for
digital content creators. They have created some interesting devices,
such as a 3D trackball with 12 programmable buttons. Their emphasis
is on 2-handed data entry (traditional mouse in one hand; one of
their input devices on others), which they have found to be both more
efficient and ergonomic. They will preview their product line for us,
and explain the philosophy behind them. They are compatible with a
very wide range of applications; go to
to see their list.

3Dconnexion has also joined MGLA as a sponsor in 2004; we will be
giving away some Logitech devices (as well as some of their own) over
the course of the year.

* Steven Walker on Visual Effects Projects and Walker Effects 2.0 *

Some know Steven Walker for his Walker Effects plug-ins for Adobe's
After Effects ; others know him as
being a top-notch 3D visual effects person. Steven will be showing us
a bit of both this month. He is still in the process of clearing with
clients which projects he can show; more details later (including
images online). Steven also just finished creating a tutorial project
for Digital Studio Magazine in France. The project shows how to
synchronize AE's 3D world with Electric Image and how to create 3D
clouds in After Effects.

* Vital Distraction and 3D Pre-Visualization *

Studio Vital Distraction will be showing how this use Maxon's Cinema
4D for pre-visualizing scenes for some upcoming major films. More
details to follow soon. In the meantime, visit their web site
to see examples of their own
finished work.

* Rich Helvey of Access Hollywood on 3D Motion Graphics *

Rich has presented at MGLA before, showing some of the broadcast
graphics and title work he has done in NewTek's LightWave. He is
currently working on a set of DVDs for Desktop Images called "Motion
Graphics with LightWave" ,
and will be sharing some of his tips and techniques with us this
evening. We will also be giving away copies of "Textural Revolution",
which is the first DVD in his series.

* demo reels *

As we don't have the final schedule nailed down, we are not 100% sure
yet if we have time for demo reels, but we plan on trying to make
time available. You are welcome to show your reel or a recent
project, as long as you are willing to come up to the mic beforehand
to share with us what tools you used and some other ideas on how you
executed it (a great opportunity to plug you and your business).
Reels are shown on a first come/first shown basis until we run out of
time; hand your reel to Warren Heaton before the meeting or during
the break.

Please keep the running time under 3 minutes, and make sure your
sources are copy-right cleared and properly attributed. Formats we
can play include DVD, DigiBeta, BetaSP, VHS, DV, and DVCAM. Please
bring your contact information so we can list you in the meeting
summary.

* door prizes *

We always have time for door prizes! Tickets are free, and are handed
out during the second half of the meeting (take one and pass the
remaining down the line). You must be present to win; winners get
their choice of the remaining prizes in the order they are drawn. A
list of prizes will be posted soon; it's shaping up to be another
great giveaway.

And again, thanks to Adobe's sponsorship of MGLA this year, admission
is free! We look forward to seeing you on the 20th.

Chris, Trish, Lucky, Tony, Warren, and Marshal
Your MGLA co-hosts

Directions:
LA Film School
6363 Sunset Boulevard
(the corner of Sunset and Ivar)
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: 323.860.0789

The theater has its own entrance on Ivar - do not try to enter on Sunset!

From the 101 Freeway:
If coming from the East, exit Vine and turn right (South) to head to
Sunset Blvd. Turn right, go past the Film School to Ivar, turn right
again, and then look for street parking or enter the parking
structure on your left (see below). If you are coming West, there is
no Vine exit; go to Cahuenga, South to Sunset, left, and left on Ivar.

From the 10 Freeway:
Exit La Brea and go North to Sunset Blvd. Turn right and go to Ivar;
turn Left on Ivar, and then look for street parking or enter the
parking structure on your left (see below).
Click here for a MapQuest interactive map, including the ability to
get directions from your location to this address.

NOTE ON PARKING: There is parking available in the building (entrance
on Ivar) for a $4 fee (goes up to $5 later in the evening). The
garage closes at 11 PM. There is also parking on the surrounding
streets if you want to avoid the fee.

If you get there early, Amoeba Records across the street is a great
place to kill time browsing for music; they also donate a portion of
their sales to the Rainforest Action Network. If you want to catch a
bite or drink before or after the meeting, the Cat and Fiddle at 6530
Sunset is a funky place, with the kitchen open until 11:30 PM.

Posted by andrew at January 8, 2004 08:57 PM