Your 2020 Siggraph Overview

This summer’s virtual SIGGRAPH offers a rich selection of animated content, production panels, recruiting ops and a sense of community.

SIGGRAPH 2020’s conference chair Kristy is the Technical Papers section of the confab. According Pron hopes this year’s virtual attendees to Pron, the papers will be released on will get everything they always get from demand during the first week of the event, and the event — with the exception of the physically during the second week, four authors will be being in a major urban conference hall. Pron, available to participate in special Q&A sessions. who is a media arts and pipeline developer for The Computer Animation Festival will also get a Walt Disney Imagineering, says that while it bigger than usual reach since a wider at-home was a bit challenging to have to switch gears audience will be able to take in the selection than and start planning a virtual event in light of the customary conference theater arena. the COVID-19 situation, she is confident that Pron and her team are also working hard to retain the experience will be a positive and enriching the job recruitment and mentorship aspects one. of the program. “We will be engaging students

“We were lucky because we had a couple of through a special virtual job fair in the exhibition months to make a decision and that’s why we area of the website,” she notes. “I was a student pushed back the date from July to August, because Kristy Pron volunteer myself, so I recognize what a vital part we had so much content to deal with,” Pron says. “We talked of the experience it is. We’re working at connecting volunteers to several other events which had made the switch to virtual with mentors in the industry and to encourage the community and learned from their experiences. Time zones, for example, and networking aspects of SIGGRAPH online. are a huge issue to deal with, since we’re trying to find the best And what kind of tips does the conference chair have for athome solution for everyone to experience the conference, regardless of attendees of the confab? “I would say, try to pace yourself,” where they live around the world.” Pron notes. “During the first week, go through the material and

The organizers were able to pivot around the original theme of get the lay of the land, since the show will be on for two weeks the event, “Think Beyond,” and applied it to the new virtual, stayat-home this year. Then, you can go back and catch everything during the situation. “We wanted everyone to really think beyond second week. Most of the content will be available 60 days after the usual areas of animation and production and expand the focus August 28, so there are plenty of opportunities to take in the to CG in the world of science, automotive, theme parks and educacontent and also to keep the conversation going for the rest of tion,” explains Pron. “But when the year. I hope everyone we went virtual, the theme lent gets the inspiration that itself to how we deliver content they usually get from as well. In fact, I think attendees SIGGRAPH. The event are able to get a lot more out is all about community, of the experience this year, because learning and the opporyou can see more things tunity to experience new and if you miss any of the live things. That’s what I want sessions, you can watch them in everyone to have until playback.” next year when we can

One of the areas that will have SIGGRAPH in person benefit from the new format again.”