Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1513434
2 cgw o c t o b e r • n o v e m b e r • d e c e m b e r 2 0 2 3 CROSSING THE FINISH LINE s we wrap up 2023, it's the perfect time to reect on the groundbreaking innovations that have fundamentally reshaped the computer graphics industry over the past year. The topic of articial intelligence has undeniably dominated conversations at every trade show and industry event, with real progress taking place amid breathless speculation. It has been a year of upending conventions and boldly rebuilding systems from the ground up—a year of developing tools and honing workows that have emphasized cre- ativity and maximized eciency across the board. We celebrated both the 100th NAB Show and the 50th SIGGRAPH Conference, marveling at the massive changes that have revolutionized the industry with each passing year and every new decade. It's also an ideal time to look toward the future, speculating about the multitude of ways that emerging technology will impact our lives in the coming year. In this issue, industry insiders weigh in on current trends and make predictions about new applications for AI in media and entertainment, the next frontier of connected workows, advanced virtual production tools, and the reality of AI versus the hype. We also look back at our SIGGRAPH Silver Edge Award winners, honoring game-chang- ing advancements in graphics cards, workstations, markerless motion capture, machine learning servers, generative AI model creation tools, and more. In our cover story, we explore the fearless creative process that brought Netix's ac- claimed animated feature Nimona from the page to the screen. The lm brings a futuristic medieval world and a shapeshiing protagonist to life in dynamic 3D blended with dis- tinctive 2D stylization. Creator ND Stevenson, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and animation director Ted Ty discuss the project's innovative workow and share career ad- vice. "Being in a creative environment is about testing and seeing and experimenting and experiencing," shares Quane. "There's no right or wrong. It's what you bring—your special voice, your gut instinct." We also dive into ILM's groundbreaking VFX pipeline for the sci- thriller The Creator. Director Gareth Edwards set out to tell the epic story with an emphasis on realism, seam- lessly weaving stunning VFX into the surrounding world. The crew lmed in 80 dierent locations across Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, the US, and the UK—traveling over 10,000 miles in total. VFX supervisor Ian Comley shares, "There aren't many projects where there's an amazing, beautiful, rich world that you're now able to al- most walk around in…We got the framework and then we were allowed to play in it." This issue also goes behind the scenes of the dazzling visuals of Trolls Band Together, DreamWorks' animated musical adventure. VFX supervisor Marc Scott tells us about ex- panding the world of the franchise and taking it to thrilling new heights. He also reects on the ever-evolving animation industry: "Although technology improves and the speed at which we can produce these things increases, so does the artistic appetite and what we want to accomplish." We're eagerly awaiting the next generation of innovation that will dene the computer graphics industry in 2024. A 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