The Story of Computer Graphics - The Surprising History Behind the Industry

Speaker(s): Frank Foster
President of SIGGRAPH Pioneers Group, Director of The Story of Computer Graphics

Summary: Twenty years ago, SIGGRAPH/ACM began a feature length documentary chronicling the history of computer graphics filmed with the latest technology, high definition video. The film's director, Frank Foster presents important excerpts from the original film, explaining the story of the computer graphics industry from the perspective of the men and women behind the innovations. This will include an update of many of the topics that have progressed since the film's release in 1999. Learn how computer graphics was first developed for the United States military, how it evolved in the entertainment business and the unexpected stories behind such things as the invention of mouse, frame buffer, computer animation and virtual reality.
A Short Preview

Speaker(s) Bio:
Frank Foster has pioneered digital filmmaking with over 35 years of experience. His computer film "Phosphenes" (1973) was selected to represent the United States that year at the World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. His corporate experience includes executive positions at Atari Corp. and Lasermedia, Inc. At Lasermedia he was the technical director of the laser effects for the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, designed the effects for the 1983 roll out of the Apple Macintosh for Steve Jobs and produced the laser shows at both EPCOT Center and Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta. He is the original founder of Sony Pictures Imageworks (1000+ employees), where he wrote the business plan that convinced Mr. Olga at the parent company in Tokyo, to fund the new division and was the Senior Vice President of Previsualization for eight years. He has worked on over 20 American feature films including SPEED, Starman, Staying Alive, Anaconda, The Craft, Jumanji, and Contact. He has also produced titles and visual effects for many 3D IMAX films including: Wings of Courage and Cyberworld 3D. Frank Foster has directed and produced two feature films: The Story of Computer Graphics (1999) narrated by Leonard Nimoy, which features interviews with over forty industry legends including an exclusive interview with George Lucas. Thru the Moebius Strip (2005) An Anime 3D CG animated feature that was completely produced in mainland China. At that time there was no CG animation industry in China and the school (IDMT) and the studio (GDC) had to be built from scratch. The design and story for this film are by acclaimed French comic book artist, Jean ‘Moebius' Giraud. An early advocate of more cost effective PC production, Foster created some the first digitally animated title sequences and full photo-real feature film effects shots on INTEL based workstations. He began doing business in India in the mid 90's and helped start the Mumbai based company Maya Entertainment LTD. Where he supervised the Stereo 3D conversion of India's most popular feature film Sholay. He is currently the president of the SIGGRAPH pioneer group.

Presentation Language: English