People from all over the world flocked to Singapore for this Asia’s biggest CG conference at Expo. It was indeed a great and can’t-missed event for CG artists and 3D professionals. Some of the famous animation studios such as Polygon Pictures, Lucas Film were recruiting people from the conference as well.

My "3D" colleagues and my ex-lecturer (right)

I was so shocked when I met my ex-lecturer at the conference. He flew down from Perth to attend this event. He was very surprised that I am now a lecturer too. =) Did I tell you that he is one of the lecturers who inspired me to be a lecturer? =)

I was indeed very fortunate to be able to attend this event – for FREE. (Expenses all paid by school) A few colleagues and I went to the conference from Friday – Sunday 10am-7pm. There were speakers from countries like the USA, Spain, Japan and local to share tips and techniques in 3D animation.

Digital paintings

The downside of this event was, there wasn’t an appropriate interval. The only break we had was lunch break. Each session lasted about 2 hours. It was quite painful to sit through every session without leaving the hall. (co’s we just didn’t want to miss any precious tip!)

Further more, the Coffee Bean was so happy as it had long queues during every break. The quality worsened everyday. Unfortunately, we just had to get our caffeine kick for each session. There isn’t any cafe nearby unless you take 5 minutes walk to get your coffee and take another 5 to come back.

After all, the conference was great because we got to learn so much from these experts from Pixar, Polygon pictures, Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age 2, Lord of the rings), Robot Communications Inc (Onimusha 2, Haunting Ground, Resident Evil Zero, Final Fantasy), Rhythm and Hues (The Chronicle of Narnia), Halon Entertainment (Star Wars 2: Attach of the Clones, Moulin Rouge), the founder of Pepeland – Daniel, Feng Zhu from Feng Zhu design and etc. It was indeed an eye-opening experience where these people generously share their techniques, videos with us.

No me ames

I love the animation from Pepeland. The models are simple but the story and idea behind is great. I had a little chit-chat with Daniel and found him absolutely friendly and warm. He is a teacher himself and is planning to open a 3D animation school in Barcelona (he is from Spain anyway) but the class is going to be conducted in Spanish. I told him that I only know a few Spanish words: "No me ames."

He looked at me with his huge green eyes in puzzlement and asked me:"Don’t love me?" I nodded and smiled. My colleagues were laughing hysterically: "Cherry!!!" And Daniel was laughing too. He said I was good. Then he asked me why he can’t love me. Hahaha… I said I wish to say Please love me but I didn’t know how to say it. So he taught me new words – por favor me ames (please love me) Hah!.

Daniel and I with the signature pose in one of his animations – Changes. Behind is his Pepe animation.

Ikuo Nishii, the technical supervisor from Robot Communication. He showed us the production of Onimusha and it was so COOL! They had martial art director from Hong Kong, Donnie Yen to choreograph the fighting scene and had several japanese crew to act and fight with the imaginary enemies.

Man…he is so cool! *grin* Some of my friends said we looked alike. *blush* HAHAHAH….

Robert Chang and me. Guys, you have to see his illustrations. They looked so real!!

My imaginary "guy"

When I asked him why some of the "models" in his digital painting looked like his wife. He was puzzled awhile and said that they were his imaginary beauties when he painted them (before he is married of course). And later he just happened to marry to his wife who looked like his imaginary "beauty". Wah…..he is super lucky! LESSON OF THE DAY: From today onwards, I shall paint or model my imaginary 3D "guy" as hard as possible. *drool* Mm…I wonder if I failed to paint or model my good looking guy and the end result looks nothing like..Ohh I just can’t go on… eewww!!!! *vomit blood*

Andrew Gordon, animator from Pixar Animation Studios. A very cute and funny guy. His new office has a hidden casino with pink lights which can be accessed through a book shelf! Before that, his made his cubicle into a Love Lounge with a hobbit-sized drinking hole stuffed with kitsch furnishings and a cocktail cabinet. Man, he is so creative. Some of other cubicles were decorated like jungle, small hut, double-decker and etc. It is fun to work in an environment like this. It sure helps creative juices to flow. I must start to design my cubicle, too. (provided it is approved by the management..mm)

I had a picture taken with Suzho, the CEO of Polygon Pictures but the picture is still with my colleague. Oh, he is such a cool, good looking and charismatic guy! Every time I looked at him, my heart screamed from inside out, then melted. *ahhh…* And he spoke fluent American english! *Ahhh x 1000*

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