Join us at SPARK FX this year for the AI IN VFX stream, where we dive into the different ways that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in the VFX industry. This stream will showcase various phases of the production pipeline which includes how AI can be used to improve the workflow of artists and filmmakers, to allow them to produce higher quality content in a faster/cost-effective way and remain competitive in an ever changing market.
Examples of topics include the use of AI as a tool to help artists with photo-realistic human face generation and control, cloth simulations, character rigging and animation, augmented reality VFX, and even asking the AI itself to be creative.
Included in this stream:
- AI in Real-Time Humans for Games & Film
- Deep Body IK & Machine Learning for Rigging & Animation
- Real-Time Data-Driven Character Clothing
- AI, AR, & FX: The Kayfabe Life
- Creative Artificial Intelligence & Movie Making: The Artist in the Loop
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted many aspects of the movie-making process, as well as other creative endeavours, spawning heightened interest in ‘Creative AI’ where computers are not only being smart, but are being asked to be creative as well.
Tasks in traditional and real-time digital media production, such as face simulation, environment creation, animation, motion capture, image manipulation, and sound design among others, are likely to change even further due to developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning technology.
In this session, Philippe Pasquier provides an overview of the concepts involved in Creative AI prior to a discussion around the innovations that are expected to shape the future of linear and interactive entertainment and storytelling.
By attending this session, you will gain a better understanding of Creative AI, and examples of how AI is being utilized in modern movie-making and other creative activities.
Presented by AMPD Technologies.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
James Hursthouse
Chief Strategy Officer // AMPD Technologies
James Hursthouse is a twenty-year veteran of the global games, digital media and technology sectors. He has experience and proven success across content development and publishing, infrastructure, and technology for 'games as a service', and more recently with new technologies such as mixed reality, blockchain, and AI. After spending the first half of his career in Japan and Silicon Valley, James moved to Vancouver, BC in 2010 to co-found and be the CEO of Roadhouse Interactive, a mobile gaming studio that grew to 180 people at its peak. He is currently Chief Strategy Officer at AMPD (CSE: AMPD), a company focused on developing high-performance compute and cloud infrastructure solutions to properly cater to the needs of low-latency applications.
Philippe Pasquier
Associate Dean Academic // Simon Fraser University
Philippe Pasquier is an associate professor at the Simon Fraser University School for Interactive Arts and Technology, in Vancouver, where he directs the Metacreation Lab for Creative AI. Philippe leads a research-creation program around generative systems for creative tasks. As such, he is a scientist specialized in artificial intelligence, a multidisciplinary artist, an educator, and a community builder. His contributions range from theoretical research in multi-agent systems, computational creativity, creative AI, and machine learning, to applied artistic research and practice in digital art, computer music, as well as interactive and generative art.
Philippe's artistic work has been shown in prominent venues on all five continents, including at Ars Electronica (Austria), Les Bains Numériques (France), Centre Pompidou (France), Earzoom festival (Slovenia), GMEA (France), IRCAM (France), ISEA2012 (Turkey), ISEA2014 (Dubai), ISEA2016 (Honk Kong), ISEA2017 (Columbia), Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal (Canada), Mutek Festival (Canada), and Plus One Gallery (USA).
Sang Mah
Managing Director // Shocap Entertainment
Sang Mah has enjoyed a multi-faceted career in digital media, encompassing content creation, research and development, and private-public partnerships. She is currently Managing Director at Shocap Entertainment, an extended reality entertainment production company exploring new ways to tell stories that reach audiences in unique forms by combining the language, conventions, and mediums of live theatre, film, animation, and video games. Shocap is founded by Lifelike & Believable Animation Design and Animatrik Film Design with a debut project LiViCi for live and virtual circus. Prior to her current role, Sang spent eight years with a national non-profit organization supporting industry-academic collaborations and consortiums across all disciplines. Other former roles include Director of Interactive at Bardel Entertainment, and executive roles with local tech start-ups. Since 2019, Sang has also been a member of the Spark CG Leadership Committee.
Join us at SPARK FX this year for the AI IN VFX stream, where we dive into the different ways that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in the VFX industry. This stream will showcase various phases of the production pipeline which includes how AI can be used to improve the workflow of artists and filmmakers, to allow them to produce higher quality content in a faster/cost-effective way and remain competitive in an ever changing market.
Examples of topics include the use of AI as a tool to help artists with photo-realistic human face generation and control, cloth simulations, character rigging and animation, augmented reality VFX, and even asking the AI itself to be creative.
Included in this stream:
- AI in Real-Time Humans for Games & Film
- Deep Body IK & Machine Learning for Rigging & Animation
- Real-Time Data-Driven Character Clothing
- AI, AR, & FX: The Kayfabe Life
- Creative Artificial Intelligence & Movie Making: The Artist in the Loop
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted many aspects of the movie-making process, as well as other creative endeavours, spawning heightened interest in ‘Creative AI’ where computers are not only being smart, but are being asked to be creative as well.
Tasks in traditional and real-time digital media production, such as face simulation, environment creation, animation, motion capture, image manipulation, and sound design among others, are likely to change even further due to developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning technology.
In this session, Philippe Pasquier provides an overview of the concepts involved in Creative AI prior to a discussion around the innovations that are expected to shape the future of linear and interactive entertainment and storytelling.
By attending this session, you will gain a better understanding of Creative AI, and examples of how AI is being utilized in modern movie-making and other creative activities.
Presented by AMPD Technologies.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
James Hursthouse
Chief Strategy Officer // AMPD Technologies
James Hursthouse is a twenty-year veteran of the global games, digital media and technology sectors. He has experience and proven success across content development and publishing, infrastructure, and technology for 'games as a service', and more recently with new technologies such as mixed reality, blockchain, and AI. After spending the first half of his career in Japan and Silicon Valley, James moved to Vancouver, BC in 2010 to co-found and be the CEO of Roadhouse Interactive, a mobile gaming studio that grew to 180 people at its peak. He is currently Chief Strategy Officer at AMPD (CSE: AMPD), a company focused on developing high-performance compute and cloud infrastructure solutions to properly cater to the needs of low-latency applications.
Philippe Pasquier
Associate Dean Academic // Simon Fraser University
Philippe Pasquier is an associate professor at the Simon Fraser University School for Interactive Arts and Technology, in Vancouver, where he directs the Metacreation Lab for Creative AI. Philippe leads a research-creation program around generative systems for creative tasks. As such, he is a scientist specialized in artificial intelligence, a multidisciplinary artist, an educator, and a community builder. His contributions range from theoretical research in multi-agent systems, computational creativity, creative AI, and machine learning, to applied artistic research and practice in digital art, computer music, as well as interactive and generative art.
Philippe's artistic work has been shown in prominent venues on all five continents, including at Ars Electronica (Austria), Les Bains Numériques (France), Centre Pompidou (France), Earzoom festival (Slovenia), GMEA (France), IRCAM (France), ISEA2012 (Turkey), ISEA2014 (Dubai), ISEA2016 (Honk Kong), ISEA2017 (Columbia), Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal (Canada), Mutek Festival (Canada), and Plus One Gallery (USA).
Sang Mah
Managing Director // Shocap Entertainment
Sang Mah has enjoyed a multi-faceted career in digital media, encompassing content creation, research and development, and private-public partnerships. She is currently Managing Director at Shocap Entertainment, an extended reality entertainment production company exploring new ways to tell stories that reach audiences in unique forms by combining the language, conventions, and mediums of live theatre, film, animation, and video games. Shocap is founded by Lifelike & Believable Animation Design and Animatrik Film Design with a debut project LiViCi for live and virtual circus. Prior to her current role, Sang spent eight years with a national non-profit organization supporting industry-academic collaborations and consortiums across all disciplines. Other former roles include Director of Interactive at Bardel Entertainment, and executive roles with local tech start-ups. Since 2019, Sang has also been a member of the Spark CG Leadership Committee.
