3-D, Gaming, Robotics, Virtual Reality, VR Applications
Dr Roy Davies
Dr Roy C. Davies has been in the VR industry since the early days when the computers used were at least as big as large refrigerators and made by SGI, or if your budget didn't stretch that far, running VR applications on a PC meant a 200 Mhz Pentium running MSDOS. Starting as a Computer Scientist in Rehabilitation Robotics at Auckland University, he then spent 12 years at the University of Lund in Sweden in the department of Ergonomics, first to get a PhD in the Usability of Virtual Reality for Participatory Design and Brain Injury Rehabilitation, and then starting and running the multi-disciplinary VR centre, the Flexible Reality Centre which ties together 25 departments across the campus and has four large VR labs. On return to New Zealand Roy set up Nextspace, a collaboration between the hugely successful NZ- originated company, Right Hemisphere, and the government to build up the 3D-VR industry for New Zealand.
3-D, 3-D Sterescopic Projection, Animation, Animation Theory, Digital Design, Visual Effects
Gregory Bennett
Gregory
Bennett is a senior lecturer in Digital Design at AUT University where he
teaches 3-D animation and visual effects at both undergraduate and postgraduate
level. His major research focus is 3-D animation and animation theory and
practice, including developments in motion capture and 3-D stereoscopic
production. Gregory is also currently a PhD candidate at AUT University, his
thesis exploring issues of embodiment and mimesis in the simulation of
perceptual reality in 3D computer animation which utilises photorealistic
representation, motion capture and stereoscopic projection.
His current
and ongoing activities in this field include developing and delivering
curriculum involving the use of motion capture for 3-D character animation and
the visual effects pipeline. He has also supervised a number of postgraduate
student projects involving motion capture for 3-D animation and is currently
undertaking ongoing research into issues around performance capture for 3D
animation, and motion capture-driven dynamic hair, cloth and muscle systems.
Part of this includes the ongoing development of a range of pipelines for the
post-processing motion capture data for use in animation and real-time 3-D.
Research outputs from these activities include conference papers and journal
articles, which have so far included Developing practical models for teaching
Motion Capture (presented at Siggraph Asia 2009 and published in the ACM Digital Library),
and On the edge of the uncanny cliff:
motion capture and animation in recent 3-D computer-generated photorealistic
films (accepted for presentation at "Animation Evolution", 22nd Annual
Society for Animation Studies Conference in Edinburgh, 2010).
Gregory has
a background in both fine arts practice, and moving image production and
post-production. He is a graduate of the Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland
University where he majored in Intermedia with a particular focus on digital
moving image production and 3-D animation, and has been an exhibiting artist
since 1990. Gregory has taught video production and post-production at the
University of Auckland Film, TV and Media Studies Department, as well as working
as an editor and sound designer. As a practicing digital artist he is
represented by Two Rooms Gallery in Auckland http://tworooms.co.nz/artists/gregory-bennett/
3-D, 3-D Film Production, 3-D Sterescopic Projection, Holograms
Ronel Schodt
Ronel is CEO of SHOTZ Limited with a division of SHOTZ Film and Video productions and 3D Live which is the New Zealand’s leading hologram specialists and provide WOW products like holograms, fogscreens, 3D monitors with and without glasses and lately expanded to full 3D stereoscopic productions.
Ronel has extensive knowledge in 3D movie production having recently produced NZ’s first 3D music video in NZ for J Williams, featuring Scribe. Sony has just picked up the video for their release of 3D screens in NZ and 3DLive recently became in inaugural winner of the 2010 Samsung award for innovation. Ronel is currently in development of various 3D productions, which includes the refurbishment of SKYTOWER, Shantytown Museum/Cinema with a hologram exhibit, Sony Electronics, NZ Police and various events that will include 3D productions. Ronel is in post-production of the first 3D short film, TV4. Ronel is also pitching for broadcasting the finals of the RWC 2011 in 3D.
Ronel is also developing a 3D game that will be part of a 3D tourism business concept. As Producer, Ronel has produced over 2,000 commercials and various television series and corporate work and sees herself as thinking outside the box and make things happen. Ronel is also involved with the development of LOOK-HERE, which is a Smartphone application, helping you to make money through intelligent, location aware mobile applications.
3-D, 3-D Lighting, Visual Effects
Jake Lee
(3D lighting & R&D technical director, Weta Digital)
Jake Lee has more then twelve years experience in the visual effects industry, 11 of those spent with Weta Digital. He has enjoyed roles in a number of departments and has an extensive knowledge of most aspects of Visual effects. He has a background in photography and computer science.
Jake began his VFX career as a previz artist but is known for his roles as Senior Camera Technical Director and 3D Lighting Technical Director in the Lord of Rings film series. He has also spent time on set with the Miniatures and Blue Screen Stages. He has fulfilled roles as a Lighting Technical Director on Van Helsing and I,Robot, and as a 3D Sequence Lead on King Kong. He was a CG supervisor on The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian. He recently oversaw the upskilling of Lighting Technical Directors and supervised the B shots on the film Avatar.
Jake continues to work at Weta Digital on Lighting pipeline tools in the Shots and R&D departments.
3-D, Gaming, Marketing, Public Relations, Serious Games
Stephen Knightly
Stephen applies gaming principles to businesses, online communities, social change and entertainment projects through InGame, a computer games consultancy. He is also a founder of Playmaker, the Indie Game Developers Association of NZ, runs the monthly Auckland Game Developers Meetup.
As a Director of Pursuit PR he has a track record in using technology for successful marketing and training campaigns. His clients have included XBox, MTV Games, Microsoft, HP, IBM, Fonterra and numerous high-growth New Zealand exporters. Stephen is the former Director of Marketing for the University of Waikato.
Stephen's mix of experience makes him ideally placed to advise on the fast-moving worlds of gaming, virtual worlds, consumer technology, mobility, marketing and business models.
