Weather channel uses mixed reality to demonstrate the weather conditions

The Future Group, the leading augmented reality content and technology provider, will deliver custom immersive mixed-reality experiences for viewers, using The Future Group’s Frontier powered by Unreal Engine. Unreal Engine offers a complete suite of creation tools designed to meet ambitious artistic visions, particularly in the video game industry with games like Fortnite and hyper-reality experiences like Star Wars™: Secrets of the Empire, using the platform.

Since launching award-winning live augmented reality experiences in 2015, The Weather Channel has created an amazing amount of content that allows the network to tell weather stories, explain the atmospheric sciences and help convey important safety and warning messages to viewers. By harnessing the power of advanced, real-time graphics renderings and visual effects with Frontier powered by Unreal Engine, The Weather Channel is further pushing the limits of broadcast presentations for real-time immersive storytelling. Viewers will see towns and local street corners recreated in astonishing detail; meteorologically accurate tornadoes, hurricanes and the devastating effects of storm surge. They will look just as real as the images and video you see in the movies

“Our immersive mixed reality (IMR) presentations will combine 360 HD video and augmented and virtual reality elements that are driven by real-time data and our expert on-air talent to transport our audience into the heart of the weather, said Michael Potts, Vice President, Design for The Weather Group. “Using The Future Group’s Frontier powered by Unreal Engine for weather broadcasting has never been done before. We are excited to continue our investment in the latest technologies that are not just cutting-edge, but on the bleeding edge of design and science.”

“TFG’s Frontier enhances the amazing capabilities of Epic’s Unreal Engine specifically for broadcast and we are very excited to be pushing the creative boundaries of real-time mixed reality for TV with the Weather Group and Epic,” said Lawrence Jones, Head of North America Operations for The Future Group.

“I am thrilled to be working with the great team at The Weather Group and look forward to creating stunning visual experiences together,” said Rob DeFranco, VP, Sales and Development for The Future Group.

“Unreal Engine’s real-time capabilities will enable powerful new visuals for The Weather Channel, letting their viewers truly see the weather like never before,” said Marc Petit, General Manager of Unreal Enterprise, Epic Games. “Through Unreal Engine, broadcasters will be able to leverage live storm data to create photoreal visual representations of how the weather will affect those on the ground, and continually update the story in real time as conditions evolve. We’re thrilled to work with The Future Group and The Weather Channel in their endeavors to keep viewers safe and informed.”

Animation Square Launched its first Training Division in Bangalore

Avni Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd. Launching its first Animation training division under the Brand of Animation Square in Bangalore.

Find more details @ https://animationsquare.in/
Call us on: 8151005100

Palm Springs International Animation Festival- 2018

Welcome to the Palm Springs International Animation Festival

This inaugural season we have received over 2700 unique film entries from 103 countries. Each year our team of jurors work to select 250+ titles from shorts to features that showcase the breadth of the art form. We hold our judging to nine cinematic virtues: storytelling, humor, heart, ideas, originality, visual interest, craftsmanship, diversity, and gut-level viewing pleasure. 

We're proud to be featuring award winning films from Cannes, Annecy, Tribeca and Sundance with Oscar® Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , Emmy® and Grammy® wining artists and producers in a variety of styles from 2D, 3D, Hand Drawn, Water Color, Oil Painted, VFX & Rotoscoping, Experimental, Sand, Paper, Anime, and Stop-Motion. We will be featuring film for All Ages in a variety of genres from Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi,  Fantasy, Horror and Abstract.

The festival experience is about more than just watching film after film. During intermissions, or at the after-parties, strike up a conversation about what you’ve just seen. Review the show with your date, pointing out personal favorites in the program. Ask one of the animators about what went into creating their project. Join the animation tribe, trading tips about local job opportunities. At its heart, the festival is a family reunion for animation-lovers.

Palm Spring International Animation Festival

The festival is expected to screen over 250+ award wining short and 5 feature-length animated films from over 103 countries including Oscar® Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , Emmy® and Grammy® wining artists from around the world. The festival and expo also includes VR experiences, live animation demonstrations, character and model sculptors, animation panel discussions, seminars, and educational programming will be held in conjunction with an international poster contest.

Animation Artist in Residence Tokyo 2016 – Application Guide

1. Aims of the project

This project, organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Bunka-cho), is an artist in residence program that provides three outstanding young animation artists from around the world with an opportunity to come to Tokyo and create new works while directly interacting with Japanese animation culture. It aims to promote both the creation of excellent works of animation and a better understanding of Japanese culture.

2. Target field

Animation production

3. Number of applicants accepted

3

4. Duration of the program

70 days between January 7^th and March 17^th, 2016

5. Support provided

1. Travel expenses
2. Living allowance
3. Travel insurance
4. Rental accommodation (including workspace)
5. Location: Tokyo
6. Expert assistance
7. Opportunity to present work done during residency
8. Opportunities to interact with Japanese creators

6. Program summary

1. Education/training: participants will give reports on the progress of their work being created as part of the program and will receive guidance from accomplished Japanese animators/experts on a regular basis.
2. Visits/exchange events: participants will visit animation studios and participate in exchange events with artists and students enrolled in art programs at educational institutions.
3. Creation of a new work: participants will begin a new work while in Japan and present the finished work or one part of a work in progress at the end of their stay.

7. Conditions of participation

Applicants must:

1. Reside outside of Japan and be a citizen of a country other than Japan.
2. Have had one of their animated works screened at an international film festival, exhibition or similar event where works from countries other than their own were also screened/featured.
3. Be between the ages of 20 and 35 as of September 10^th, 2015.
4. Be able to speak either English or Japanese at least well enough to communicate in everyday situations.
5. Be in good health.
6. Have access to the equipment necessary to participate in a remote interview (i.e. a computer capable of connecting to the internet and using Skype).

8. Application period

Applications will be accepted beginning July 1^st, 2015. Application forms and all required documents/materials must be received by this office by September 10^th, 2015.

9. Application procedure

Please download the Application Guide Folder (ZIP file) from here.
A. Application Form
Fill out application forms A/B/C.
B. Documents/materials to be submitted

1. Reference materials describing the work to be created as part of this program (at least three minutes in length). It is preferable that applicants submit documents (story board, script, etc.) which make it possible to understand plans for the work in detail.
2. Proof of a work having been screened at an international film festival, exhibition, or similar event (e.g. a copy of the list of screened works in a festival catalogue). Please make sure that the proof shows the event’s internationality (i.e. proof that it screens/features works from countries other than your own). Proof of more than one film having been screened is not required.
3. Proof of age and citizenship (e.g. a photocopy of your passport).

To complete the application process, please send (A) application forms and (B) required documents and materials via email attachments to the following address: entry2016@japic.jp
*If your circumstances do not allow you to upload video to the Internet submission via DVD or other video media may be accepted. In such cases our office must be contacted in advance.

10. Selection

A selection committee composed of experts in this field will make two rounds of selections (the first based on applications, the second based on interviews conducted via the Internet) to arrive at a preliminary list of candidates to be invited to participate in the program. Those selected will be contacted by mid-November and once all conditions of participation have been confirmed the selection will be formally announced.

11. Notice of terms of application/participation.

By applying to this program applicants acknowledge that they agree to the following terms and conditions.

1. After the application period has ended applications cannot as a rule be rescinded. If unavoidable circumstances arise please notify us as soon as possible.
2. Applicants will not as a rule decline an invitation after they are selected to participate in the program.
3. As a general rule all equipment (computers, cameras, etc.) needed to produce the work created as part of the program will be brought by the participants.
4. Participants understand the purpose of their stay and will spend the entire period in Japan. As a rule applicants will not return to their home countries until the program has ended.
5. Participants will actively take part in activities related to the program such as lectures, workshops, and visits to schools and studios.
6. Applicants submit a plan for an animated work at least three minutes in length. If they are selected participants in the program will work on this animation project while in Japan and at the end of their stay will present either a completed work or a work in progress to show what they have accomplished during their time in Japan.
7. If what is presented at the end of the program is one part of a work in progress (see (6) above), the participant will complete the work after leaving Japan and submit a DVD of the finished work by December 2016.
8. The name of this program, “Project to invite overseas creators of media arts 2016,” and the logo of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, must be displayed in the end titles of the completed work.
9. Movies and photos submitted at the time of application will be provided to the organizer free of charge for use within the range of promotional events and public relations activities related to this project carried out during the residency period.
10. After the end of residency period, a movie excerpt under one minute in length and photos of the completed work will be provided to the organizer free of charge for use in the public promotion of the project in printed materials, exhibitions, screenings, broadcasts, and the like. In addition, upon a request from the organizer, the artist will permit a full-length screening of the finished work for the purpose of promoting this project and provide the screening material free of charge. If there is a language other than Japanese used in the work, the organizer is permitted to produce Japanese subtitles on the basis of the provided script/dialogue transcription.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q. Are there exceptions for the age restrictions?
   A. No, there are no exceptions. An applicant must meet all of the qualification criteria to be accepted into the residence program.
2. Q. Does the A-AIR program accept group applications?
   A. Only individual applications (one applicant per application) are accepted. If the work of an invited artist has been made by more than one person, or if an invited artist wishes to work with a co-creator or key staff member during the residence period, there are cases in which the co-creator or key staff member can come to Tokyo at their own expense and participate in our program. In such cases the applicant must consult our office and obtain approval in advance. Also, the co-creator or key staff members’ name(s) must appear in the end titles of the work.
3. Q. What are the conditions for the co-creator and what support is provided?
   A. Accommodation can be shared with the co-creator/key staff member, but the co-creator’s travel costs as well as other costs of staying in Tokyo will be at their own expense. The application criteria apply only to the applicant, not to any co-creators/key staff members.
4. Q. I am in the process of showing my works at international festivals.
   A. We can consider you to have met the application criteria under the following conditions.
   1) Screening of one of your works at an international festival will take place before January 7^th, 2016.
   2) You can submit to us definite proof the screening will take place together with the application form by September 10^th, 2015.
5. Q. Can a work in progress be included in submitted works?
   A. Yes. Please put all information and a link to the work in Application Form B-(4) and indicate “still in production” where you are to write festival names, screening information, etc.
6. Q. Is there a policy regarding bringing your partner? May a partner accompany the resident artist for the duration of the residency? Are couples allowed in the provided accommodations?
   A. Anyone not involved in the invited artist’s production will not be allowed to stay at the provided accommodation or be able to participate in the program events. The residence is a production space for the invited artist and the purpose of being in residence is for the artist to go into production while being separated from his/her own regular life for 70 days.
7. Q. Would films in which I was involved not as a director but as a member of the production staff such as an animator or background designer be acceptable as submitted works?
   A. Submitted films must be works the applicant directed.
8. Q. Do I need to obtain permission to screen or broadcast my work produced during A-AIR program?
   A. Copyright of the finished work belongs to the author or the copyright holder of the work. We hope the work is screened extensively and seen by many people.

13. Contact information

JAPAN IMAGE COUNCIL / Animation Artist in Residence Tokyo 2016
2-10-2, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, 150-0002 Tokyo, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-6670-5676 Fax: +81-3-5466-0054
Website: http://japic.jp/eng/
Email: aair@japic.jp
Organizer: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Bunka-cho)
Administrative Office: Japan Image Council (JAPIC)

Anifest India 2015 Sessions Announced

FICCI Announces Media and Entertainment Business Conclave from 29-30 October at Bangalore.

FICCI is all set to conduct Media and Entertainment Business Conclave this year from 29-30 October at Bangalore. Technology perspective of Media and entertainment including film, TV, gaming, mobile and new media will be the spotlight of this MEBC edition.

Promising sessions on Indian Animation, VFX and gaming market will be witnessed in this 5th Edition of MEBC with panel discussions on Formulating & Implementing a viable Media & Entertainment policy for a State, Reshaping Mobile entertainment in the era of Digital Revolution, The Emerging Trends of Indian IP in Animation & its exploitation and The Emerging gaming Industry in southern India.

Kamal Hassan, Chairman, FICCI MEBC, says, “The focus would be on “effective proliferation of meaningful content in the backdrop of digital technologies and the array of new media”. Traditional platforms have been disrupted and new methods for the future need to be adopted in order to create and monetise content. For this, skill development for the industry needs special discussion and a road map.”

Panel discussion on Formulating & Implementing a viable Media & Entertainment policy for a State will focus on developing infrastructure, local skills, technology, and explore possibilities on how to develop the Media & entertainment eco system for a State.

VFX enthusiasts should join in to experience a session on how to create cost effective Visual Effects for Indian movies and also a detailed making session on VFX of Kamal Hassan Starrer Vishwaroopam.

Emerging Trends of Indian IP in Animation & its exploitation will shed light on’ what does it take to create a product that is internationally marketable and acceptable? And will be moderated by Dr. Ashish Kulkarni-CEO, Reliance Animation with panelists Krishna Desai – Turner International. Sharad Devrajan- Co Founder & CEO, Graphic India, Smita Maroo – Shemaroo Entertainment, Nishit Takia – Co Founder, Krayon Pictures and Rajiv Chilaka- Founder, Green Gold Animation

Speaking to AnimationXpress.com, Leena Jaisan, Senior Director & Head – Media & Entertainment, FICCI, says, “For the first time such an initiative encompassing all sectors of M&E is happening at Bangalore. Stalwarts from all the fields will be present and we are expecting record number of delegates this year too.”

The Indian gaming industry has evolved speedily in recent times and to bring out the current scenario of emerging gaming Industry in south India, a discussion on the same will be moderated by Rajesh Rao of Dhruva Interactive and panelists will be Anshuman Rudra- Studio Head, Tiny Mogul Games, Bharti Soft Bank, Jugul Thachery- Co Founder, Chaywoo Games, and Lalit Patel- Co Founder, Bash Games.