radar_v2
Welcome to “the Radar,” our event calendar.  Now we’re cookin’ with technology!  The functionality is in place below to view the upcoming VFX & Animation events – or better yet, you can try the subscription system (still in beta!) and automatically have listings added to your personal calendar.  Subscription links:
Google (gmail) calendar
Outlook calendar
Apple Calendar/iCal
Other Calendar
(Note: it’s best to have your calendar open when clicking these links)

Submit new or missing event listings (or any errors) to J Bills.

Jun
22
Mon
VFX/PDX Meeting – SideFX Houdini!
Jun 22 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

FireAndIceSmall
It’s no secret these days – within the realm of VFX and 3D, FX Artists are having all the fun!  Who else walks into work each day and proceeds to light things on fire?  Blast them with water?  Freeze them with ice?  Blow them away with a whirl of a tornado?  Dust, debris, smoke, liquids…  plus character FX like cloth, hair, and fur – all fall under the FX Artist’s domain.  Despite the technical challenges and sheer amount of physics inherent to any FX task, it’s still necessary to keep one toe grounded in the artistic side.  It takes a unique set of skills to unearth the path of least resistence and create convincing FX simulations/animation that doesn’t look “fake.”

We’ll have 3 such individuals presenting at the next VFX/PDX meeting, which will heavily feature their weapon of choice:  Side Effects Houdini.  Portland, it’s time for FIRE & ICE!  Woo ha!

David Horsley is a recent arrival at LAIKA and the Lead FX Artist on the upcoming film Kubo and the Two Strings. As that is still in production and top secret, David will be showing work from his past projects, including Life of Pi, Enders Game, and the most recent installation of Spiderman.

Also joining us from the ranks of LAIKA is long time Technical Director Peter Stuart, who has been part of the most successful sequences in LAIKA films dating back to Coraline.  Peter speaks fluent “computer” and is usually tasked with special ops sequences that showcase his ability to be half man, half machine.  He’s been known to code his way out of a jam when something seems impossible using traditional means.  Peter will be showing breakdowns from LAIKA’s most recent film, The Boxtrolls.

Up from LA is Side Effect’s Senior Product Specialist Rob Stauffer, a former FX Supervisor who will be showing off all of the new toys in Houdini 14.  A very special thanks to Side Effects for sending Rob, helping to put this night together, and making it a rare can’t-miss event.

All of this takes place Monday, June 22nd, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Multnomah Arts Center in the Multnomah Village neighborhood.

Multnomah Arts Center
7688 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219

You’ll find us in the auditorium.  Refreshments provided and there will be door prizes, so make it a point to step out for this one!

Jun
25
Thu
AEPDX: Get Plugged In w/Rowbyte and Red Giant @ Helios Interactive
Jun 25 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

tumblr_npp4ppkZ2Z1tua3joo1_1280Get Plugged In!

Thursday, June 25th, 2015 / Get Plugged In with Rowbyte & Red Giant

AEPDX is excited to have Satya G Meka of Rowbyte, maker of the popular After Effects plugin Plexus, who will be discussing that plugin as well as give people a sneak peek at his upcoming plugin: Flux. We’ll also have Harry J Frank, who’ll be covering new design and effects technology from Red Giant with new unannounced motion graphics and visual effects products, plus color correction and grading with brand new products from the Magic Bullet suite including Magic Bullet Looks 3, Magic Bullet Film and Colorista III.

The Presenters:

Satya G Meka / @Rowbyte / http://www.rowbyte.com

Harry J Frank / @graymachine / http://redgiant.com

This is a FREE event but please be warned that seating is limited. Reserve your spot now.

Thursday, June 25th, 6:30-8:30pm
Helios Interactive / 328 NE Failing St. Portland, OR 97212
Click here to RSVP now on Eventbrite

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn for future event info! Monthly Meetups here.

Special thanks to Adobe, Helios Interactive, and 3DV for sponsorship and support.

Aug
3
Mon
3DPDX: Already Been Chewed, w/ Barton Damer! @ Ebay Lounge
Aug 3 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

AEPDX and 3DPDX present Already Been Chewed. Maxon, maker of Cinema4D, brings guest presenter Barton Damer to Portland to share the creative work and process of Already Been Chewed.

Join us in as he shares all sorts of tips, tricks and techniques behind a variety of design & mograph projects. Save a spot and grab your ticket now.

Brought to you by Maxon, Adobe, AEPDX, 3DPDX, 52LTD and 3DV.

Tix: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aepdx-3dpdx-already-been-chewed-tickets-17584947050

Aug
26
Wed
OMSI After Dark – Explosions! featuring Sprocketship @ OMSI
Aug 26 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

OMSI After Dark: Explosions!

Things that make you go boom at OMSI After Dark!
Explore all things explosive as we blow the lid off the science behind blasts.
 J Bills of Sprocketship will give a presentation on digital explosions from a recent film project using Side Effects Houdini, the industry standard FX software for simulations like fire, as well as fluids, which (believe it or not) share a lot in common when it comes to physics.  Come see why the Sprocketship mantra has become:  “We blow things up, so you don’t have to.”

Enjoy child-free, brain-building science fun featuring live demos, new exhibitions and old favorites! Guests can indulge in tasty snacks, sweets and beer and wine from regional food and beverage artisans. 21+ only, IDs required. OMSI After Dark is held the last Wednesday of every month.

Want to get a head start on the science fun? Drink up at happy hour starting at 5pm in OMSI’s eatery, Theory! The event takes place before OMSI After Dark each month and features a special menu including stone hearth pizza and local beer and wine.

Sep
6
Sun
Portland Film Fest VFX Supervisor Roundtable @ 5th Ave Cinema
Sep 6 @ 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

More info on the home page.

Special thanks to organizer Dawn Macleod and the Portland Film Festival for bringing some serious talent to the table.

Jim Rygiel is a three time VFX Oscar winner as a member of the seminal Weta Digital Lord of the Rings crew; most recently Jim was supervising the Godzilla reboot.  Sue Rowe comes down from Vancouver BC, where she has been helming such blockbusters as The Maze Runner, Ender’s Game, and John Carter.  As if that wasn’t enough firepower for one afternoon, it just wouldn’t be complete without some Portland representation, and Ed Irastorza is taking time out from a busy shooting schedule on Grimm to join in on the fun.

Moderated by LAIKA and VFX/PDX (with a healthy amount of audience Q&A planned), it probably goes without saying that you need to cancel whatever Labor Day weekend plans that were taking you out of town and stay close for this one!

Seating is limited and you’ve been warned that this will hit capacity quickly, so act now.

Direct link to tickets for this event.

Or have a look at the festival pass offerings here.

Your handy VFX/PDX discount code is: “VFXDISCOUNT” – good for 10% off the industry pass or festival pass.