Alias celebrates UK animation talent at Watershed’s SE3D Showcase

Alias has released details of the animators taking part in Watershed’s SE3D , the unique technology initiative, announced in September last year, designed to encourage UK 3D animation talent to push the boundaries of contemporary animation through the use of cutting-edge technology.
Animators from England and Wales, using Alias’ Maya 3D animation software, and the power of HP Labs utility rendering service, created a broad range of animated short films. Their work, which includes conceptual art, comic capers and moving drama, was showcased at SE3D in Bristol, part of the Animated Encounters festival earlier this month.
The co-funded SE3D (pronounced “seed”) showcase represented a significant investment by Alias and HP Labs in the 3D animation market, and combined the latest technologies and experimental services from both companies.
Participants received the use of Maya licenses, training and mentoring in advance of and during production, and have been taking part in a range of educative programme of workshops and film festival events. Various UK Film funding agencies have provided financing for showcase participants.
'Cellar Dweller' (working title) by Kode Digital from Cardiff; 'One Good Turn!' by Griffilms of Caernarfon; 'A Cat’s Tail' by Motion Blur from Pwllheli, 'SolidSound by Joseph Hyde with Supernatural Studios of Frome in Somerset; 'If I Had A Hammer' by Andy Bean fromBristol; 'Ebenezer Morgan’s Photography Emporium' by Jaime Pardo and Tia Perkins from Bristol; 'The Runner' by Escape Studios in London; 'Getting Out' by The Box from Manchester; 'Two Fellas' by Dan Lane, Skylounge, Bristol; 'Little Angel' by Screenburn of Wolverhampton; 'Processed' by Rubberductions, Submerge and Fixel ; 'Elroy – The Potato Head Boy' by Ben Lock from London
Watershed is the South West’s leading media centre for the digital age, providing opportunities for all to experience, enjoy and learn about contemporary moving image media.
SE3D investigated how multi-user utility computing services are set to improve the technology and economics of media production, whilst uncovering new talent for the animation industry at large.
The initiative offered 12 groups of animators across the UK free access to HP Labs’ experimental Maya Rendering Service to produce a 3D short.
(SP)