Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1503172
2 cgw a p r i l • m ay • j u n e 2 0 2 3 LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE he computer graphics industry continues to grow and progress at an astonishing rate, allowing creative and technical professionals to take their achievements to staggering new heights. CG technology is powering unbelievable advancements in the fields of visual effects, animation, virtual production, game development, design, engineering, medical imaging, and beyond. The scope of this ever-evolving technology will be on full display this August, when SIG- GRAPH holds its 50th annual conference in Los Angeles. The event will reflect on five de- cades of advancement and discovery in the CG industry, while showcasing the emerging technology that will shape our future. If you will be attending the show, be sure to stop by CGW's booth to say hello. This past April, the 100th annual NAB Show in Las Vegas celebrated an entire century of technological innovation in the broadcast, film, and television industries. Every booth was looking toward the future, abuzz with discussions about new applications of AI and machine learning across all sectors of media and entertainment. Out of the over 1,200 exhibitors at NAB, CGW's editorial team selected ten companies as Silver Edge Award recipients. These best-of-show selections recognized the most im- pressive technologies on display at this year's show. In this issue, we profile each Silver Edge Award winner's groundbreaking achievements. In our cover story, we explore the dynamic visual effects workflow that brought Guard- ians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's spectacular imagery to life. The Wētā FX team dives into the de- tails of craing and destroying a colossal 24-square-mile spacecra, stitching 18 shots together and syncing them to music for an epic fight scene, and leading the charge on breathtaking interstellar battle sequences. The team also praises the camaraderie and collaboration between visual effects studios. "We're really good at working with each other and supporting each other," VFX supervisor Guy Williams comments. "A healthy industry is a good industry." Next up in the issue, Post Editor-in-Chief Marc Lous highlights the creative techniques behind a pair of ambitious new music videos. Aerosol Jezus' "Cozey" video combines prac- tical locations with Fusion-powered VFX to create expansive sci-fi worlds, while Cross- legged's "Automatic" video taps into AI technology to animate photos into uncanny moving images. We feature a day in the life of a visual effects team on the final season of the Emmy-win- ning comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. "Even aer five years with a show, you never know what a day might bring," reflects VFX supervisor Lesley Robson-Foster. We also showcase Wacom's cutting-edge new pen display for creative professionals, plus a report on new developments in the flourishing field of virtual production. This issue's career profile spotlights FutureWorks VFX supervisor Kannan T, who dis- cusses his recent projects and shares advice for the next generation. "Our job as VFX art- ists is not just to make big flashy explosions or dynamic laser shots," he reveals. "Invisible VFX really matter. Overlooking even minor details can distract the audience from what's important—the story being told." T R E C E N T A W A R D S E D I T O R I A L CGW MANAGING EDITOR Kendra Ruczak kruczak@cgw.com t: 818.291.1168 POST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marc Loftus mloftus@postmagazine.com t: 516.376.1087 PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT/CEO William R. Rittwage COP Communications A D V E R T I S I N G DIRECTOR OF SALES: PRINT, DIGITAL, AND AWARDS Mari Kohn mkohn@postmagazine.com t: 818.291.1153 c: 818.472.1491 EDITORIAL OFFICE / LA SALES OFFICE 620 West Elk Ave., Glendale, CA 91204 t: 818-291-1168 D E S I G N SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Michelle Villas michelle@moontidemedia.com ISSUE DESIGNER Kendra Ruczak kruczak@cgw.com C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E / C I R C U L A T I O N Junior Lopez jlopez@copcomm.com t: 818.291.1117 D I G I T A L M A R K E T I N G / S O C I A L M E D I A Tommy Rittwage tommy@copcomm.com t: 818.291.1166 COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD, A COP COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY. Computer Graphics World does not verify any claims or other information appearing in any of the advertisements contained in the publication, and cannot take any responsibility for any losses or other damages incurred by readers in reliance on such content. Computer Graphics World cannot be held responsible for the safe- keeping or return of unsolicited articles, manuscripts, photographs, illustrations or other materials. Address all subscription correspon- dence to: Computer Graphics World, 620 West Elk Ave, Glendale, CA 91204. Subscriptions are available free to qualified individuals within the United States. Non-qualified subscription rates: USA—$68 for 1 year, $98 for 2 years; Canadian subscriptions —$98 for 1 year and $136 for 2 years; all other countries—$150 for 1 year and $208 for 2 years. Digital subscriptions are available for $27 per year. Subscribers can also contact customer service by calling 818-291-1158, or sending an email to csr@cgw.com. Postmaster: Send Address Changes to Computer Graphics World, 620 W. Elk Ave., Glendale, CA 91204 Please send customer service inquiries to 620 W. Elk Ave., Glendale, CA 91204 Kendra Ruczak Managing Editor, CGW