Year after year, SPARK FX is produced by Vancouver-based Spark Computer Graphics Society (Spark CG) which presents some of the most creative and innovative work in VFX for both film and television. Their mission is to foster community, ignite the imagination, highlight leading artistic and technological advancements within Vancouver’s visual effects, animation, and computer graphics industry through SPARK FX Conference and SPARK ANIMATION Festival. These signature events showcase Vancouver’s talent providing the international community with an opportunity to learn more and experience British Columbia as an animation, visual effects and technology destination.
“SPARK FX provides a platform for the VFX industry, both locally right here in Vancouver and Internationally to showcase some of the most dynamic and creative work being done in film and television,” said Zoe Cranley, SPARK FX 2021 Conference Chair. “More importantly, it builds community and a place where professionals can strengthen meaningful connections. While we cannot meet in person this year we are excited to connect virtually with presentations in different streams to focus on distinct VFX categories.”
This year, SPARK FX will consist of eight streams to highlight different categories in VFX instead of an overall conference theme. SPARK FX 2021 features the creative teams behind popular productions such as Monster Hunter, Bridgerton, The Expanse, The Umbrella Academy, Star Trek: Discovery, to technical VFX sessions, a deep dive into real time, the advances of artificial intelligence, and anniversary celebrations for films such Raiders of the Lost Ark, Dragonheart, Space Jam and The Fast & The Furious.
“There are many exciting technological advances in AI for VFX, for instance, using 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,” noted Ivan Aguilar, SPARK FX 2021 AI in VFX Chair. “As a lecturer and PhD student at the Simon Fraser University, having the opportunity to contribute content and participate with industry professionals for SPARK FX, is such a rewarding experience. The SPARK FX Conference empowers the next generation to imagine endless possibilities on their career aspirations, and learn first hand from VFX industry experts.”
Due to the ongoing pandemic, SPARK FX will be presented online March 4-14, through a $25 all-access pass which includes live and pre-recorded presentations, Q&A and VFX technical sessions.
“Now more than ever, online community events such as SPARK FX are essential for artists and practitioners across the globe to stay connected and inspired. We are excited to be involved in this year’s program and can’t wait to see other studios share their talent and creativity!” said Sharon Taylor, COO of animation and VFX house Animal Logic.
James Hursthouse, Chief Strategy Officer, AMPD Technologies, added, “AMPD Technologies supports events like SPARK FX because we rely on collaboration with our VFX and digital media partners as we develop and refine our high-performance compute and cloud solutions. Technology for technology’s sake is never very useful, and SPARK represents a great opportunity for us to understand the broader creative trends and opportunities that technology can help empower, and the challenges that it might help overcome.”
Founded to promote and foster Vancouver’s computer graphics community, Spark CG has organized the SPARK FX Conference and SPARK ANIMATION Festival since 2008. Spark CG works to continually highlight leading artistic and technological advancements in animation and visual effects through conferences, film festivals, and related events. SPARK FX is presented in partnership with Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH.
More information and online registration for SPARK FX 2021 is available at sparkcg.org.
