Here we are at the end of January already – is 2014 absolutely flying by for anyone else (?) – and it’s time once again for another Spark conference in semi-neighboring Vancouver BC.

Just like last year, the good Spark folks have assembled a killer lineup.  As if a daily dose of Tim Horton’s and shooting some runs at Whistler wouldn’t be enough…  I’m very excited to say we’ll all have the rare chance to see a John Knoll presentation, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Jackpot!  Who says we don’t keep winter interesting here in the Pacific NW?

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From the Spark site

“Leading the conference are presenters who have shaped and changed the industry with their work: notably, John Knoll, Chief Creative Officer of Industrial Light and Magic; Steve ‘Spaz’ Williams, Director, VFX Supervisor & ILM’s Chief Animator and Modeler on “The Abyss,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” “Jurassic Park” and “The Mask”; Director, VFX Supervisor, Stefen Fangmeier (“Eragon,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” “Jurassic Park”); Mark Dippé, Director, VFX Supervisor (“The Abyss,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” “Jurassic Park”)

Also presenting at this year’s conference are: VFX Supervisor, Guy Williams (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Avatar”), Supervisor, researcher and ACM SIGGRAPH Vice President Paul Debevec (“Avatar,” “Ender’s Game”), Stereoscopic Supervisor Robert Neuman (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “Tangled”), Director James Stewart (“Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” commercial director for Samsung, Lexus), ZOIC Head of Pipeline Michael Romey.”

This all goes down February 6-8, again in lovely Vancouver BC.  Do get in touch if you make the trip, as I may organize a drinks event or lunch strictly for us Portland VFX’ers.

There will be per presentation tickets available, but for those considering taking in the whole shebang, tell ’em VFX/PDX sent ya!  Discount code VFXPDX-S2014 will shave 20% off of your conference badge or tickets to individual events.  Sign up here.