#Siggraph: The Dark Side
45 messages in this thread
This is for everyone who couldn't make it to Siggraph 95:
Now that you've read all of the exciting news about Siggraph, I thought I'd
fill-out the color a little by letting you in on the not-so-exciting news.
While the following scenario may not be typical, it is based on actual events.
Be warned, this is a lengthy message. . .
Let's start with Sunday. Upon arriving at LAX, I flag down a shuttle to my
hotel. How about those shuttle rides, eh? If there were ever a prime
candidate for a motion-control ride, this is it! A half-hour ride via
SigShuttle puts me in the phenomenal LA Convention Center — and an hour-long
wait for Electronic Theatre tickets. And of course, the day I wanted was sold
out before the conference even started.
After an exciting evening at Alan's AMMEDIA Party, I settle in for some
shut-eye. A brief look at the local news while perfoming my pre-bedtime ritual
reveals that strange white globules with a high backterial content are found on
Newport beach. Isn't that where Pyros is located? The beach is closed until
the matter is resolved. I hoped this wouldn't put a damper on my visit to
Pyros open house, but alas, I never made it due to travel circumstances.
If I didn't mention it already, I stayed on the sixth floor at the Holiday Inn
Select in Beverly Hills. I'm sure I didn't mention that this particular Hotel
is recently renamed from Ramada making travel via cab even more exciting (read
expensive) than usual.
Monday. I awake and open the window to discover — Oh My Gosh!!! THE WORLD IS
GONE!! Upon closer examination, I realize it's merely hidden in a thick brew
of smog. Morning news indicates that air-breathability is "Unhealthy".
Strangely, the weather man's disposition suggests that this is quite natual so
I decided to just accept it. Later, at the LA convention center, I discover
that a hamburger, a pop (or soda for you westerners), and a cookie costs over
nine dollars! Esteemed collegue Mark Meir discovered that a salad, pop, and
cookie costs over twelve dollars!
Later that evening, I attended the Electronic Theatre. Subsequent to the usual
mind-blowng show, was the less than mind-blowing bus ride back to the hotel.
Unfortunately, the bus on Route 5 was absent and, subsequent to a forty-five
minute wait for an substitue bus, I had a wonderful forty-five minute ride back
to the hotel. Fortunaly, the bus had a TV and I was able to watch the first
half of "Clear and Present Danger". I wondered if this was an omen. Tonight's
news: Forest fires are out of control.
Tuesday. I strategically position myself at the entrance to the Exhibit floor
near the left set of entrance doors so that I could score a great seat for the
3DS presentation. Nevertheless, the gaurd at these doors was the last to be
told that the floor was open, so by the time I arrived at the booth, the place
was packed beyond belief. Fortunatley, it was entirely worth it to stand
through all three presentations.
Later that evening, back at the Hotel's restaurant, I discover that for three
dollars more than Mark's salad, I could get a New York Strip Steak. So I did.
An hour or more of bus-riding places me at the Biltmore, aka the site of the
Adesk bash. That's right, bash, as in bash your way through the crowd. David
Marks discovered that the hold-up at the bar was because they ran out of
glasses! Now that's a party!! Tonight's news: Four convicts escaped from the
LA prison, and authorities have no idea where they are. And within one day,
air conditions have deteriorated to "Hazardous".
Wednesday. Having thoroughly traveled the Exhibit floor on Tuesday, I decided
to spend some time viewing the various presentations. As you might have heard,
Truespace, Lighwave, and numerous other demos were thwarted by system freezes,
virii, and other electronic disasters. Didn't matter anyway because they
couldn't keep an audience due to the 3DS buzz. Tonights news: An amonia leak
causes a thousand people to be evacuated. Source of leak could not be found.
Airport security increased due to possible terrist activity — leave early for
Thursday flights ( hey, that's me! ).
Thursday. Shuttle to airport was delayed, followed by the exciting, if not
nautiating, ride. After being pan-handled by a vegetarian new-ager, I find my
flight delayed. Naturally, the connecting flight in Ohare was NOT delayed, and
the departing gate was, of course, the geometic maximum distance away from the
arrival gate. An all-out sprint while carrying pounds of Siggraph literature,
proves successful, but my assigned seat had been given away. Stewardess: "In
the event of a water landing . . ." what the hell is a "water landing?"
Well, that about covers it. See what you missed! Honestly, though, it _was_
all worth it. A new era in computer graphics has been born, and it's name is
_MAX_.
— James E. Coulter — Choreo Motion —
James, thanks for a very amusing message! (even though it wasn't a very amusing
experience…)
The only thing you seem to have left out was the passing of esteemed guitar man
Jerry Garcia. <f> (means frown)
I'm glad that despite all the problems you had you still found the show
worthwhile. I hope next year's N'awleans show goes wonderful for you — you
certainly deserve it!
Good seeing you again,
-Alan
> passing of esteemed guitar man Jerry Garcia. <
I did happen to catch that on the news too. I recall one of the anchormen, who
greatly resembled "Jim" from Murphy Brown, was choking up on air. Can't say I
blame him.
Otherwise, I'm already looking forward to Siggraph 96, but not the New Orleans
prices.
— James — Choreo Motion —
James,
I experienced Deja-Vu reading your message. LA is a rat hole. Of the last five
or six Siggraphs, I can't remember one taking place in such an unhealthy,
unfriendly environment.
All things considered, it was a great show, just a bad place to have it.
Brent
>>I experienced Deja-Vu reading your message. LA is a rat hole. Of the last
five or six Siggraphs, I can't remember one taking place in such an unhealthy,
unfriendly environment.<<
Couldn't agree with you more. But,to be more specific "downtown" LA is a rat
hole. As a life long local of LA I agree, I hate downtown as most of us do. The
ironey is they keep building up downtown to be the only place to hold a show of
this size. I'm sure there are other venues in the city that would have been a
much better experience for the visiters and the locals alike.
I think New Orleans will be the greatest site ever ( great music and food).
It's easierfor me to fly to another city than to drive to downtown <BG>. IMHO
of course!
Bill – Triffet Animation Co.
William,
I guess I was staying at the wrong place, and not familiar enough with the
good places to go. I much preferred Anaheim a few years back. Perhaps the LA
Chamber of Commerce will use my "LA is a rathole" to entice visiting rodents
<g>.
Brent
>>I guess I was staying at the wrong place, and not familiar enough with the
good places to go. I much preferred Anaheim a few years back. Perhaps the LA
Chamber of Commerce will use my "LA is a rathole" to entice visiting rodents
<g>.<<
Just give our new downtown subway a chance, It'll be full of rats! <g>.
Yeh, Anaheim was much easier on the nerves. Orange County is much more laid
back… though bankrupt now. Well, we've got Zydeco music and gumbo to look
forward to next year 🙂
Bill – Triffet Animation Co.
>> I much preferred Anaheim a few years back <<
Me too. Now if it would only come on down the coast to SD and use our
convention center on San Diego Bay… Then you'd see a _really_ nice town!
– ej
>> I think New Orleans will be the greatest site ever
>> (great music and food). It's easierfor me to fly to
>> another city than to drive to downtown <BG>. IMHO of course!
I guess you missed the piece 60 Minutes did about corrupt cops. They said
that a tourist was beaten up by a cop because he complained about the food in a
resteraunt. To be fair, it was probably just a one of them darn Yankees from
New York City<g>.
P.S. I lived there for a while and never met a cop like that.
(but I was not looking either <g>).
I grew up there and now live in S.F. Gotta say that N.O. has had its moments!
You're right though, SIGGRAPH next year will be awesome. Somehow though, I've
gotten appointed official Autodesk tour guide!? Oh well, it'll be fun.
Jh
Brent,
>> LA is a rat hole. Of the last five or six Siggraphs, I can't remember one
taking place in such an unhealthy, unfriendly environment. <<
I work in Hollyweird but I live in Laguna Beach, about 70 miles south on the
coast, so I know what you mean. We escape the smog and most of the crime and
have ocean, island, and mountain views. I think I've found paradise and it's
only 70 miles south of a "rat hole" <g>. Each to his own you know, but I could
not imagine living inland. When I came from England the only 2 places I
considered were SoCal and Boston. At a pinch I'd consider other places but it'd
have to be on or close to the coast.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by LA this year. Normally I avoid going
there like the plague, but during Siggraph the smog levels were quite low (you
should see it when it's bad). I did some pleasant walks around downtown and to
and from the convention center, went to some cool nightspots, and had some
amusing encounters with a couple of panhandlers who used comedy rather than
agression as their technique <g>. For me, there's a strange, quirky, beauty
about modern, american, downtown architecture and LA is no exception.
Sorry, you didn't enjoy your trip 🙁 Do you think New Orleans will be more
enjoyable? I'm looking forward to it already…. see you there.
Martin
Martin,
J.J. (the MeshPaint programmer) tells me that New Orleans is also run down and
unpleasant. He spends his non-Positron time at Tulane. I guess my biggest
disappointments stemmed from trying to find food.
The best two meals I had associated with Siggraph were on the plane. As per
typical trade show, the lines and food at the event were reminiscent of the
highschool lunchroom (only lot's more expensive).
The hotel (Figueroa) had lousy food, and most other places within walking
distance seemed unsafe or unhealthy.
It had been about 10 years since I had gone to downtown LA. (I enjoyed the
Siggraph at Anaheim two years ago.)
By the way, congrats on the nice work in Virtuosity. (I think I remember
hearing at the Autodesk party of your envolvement.) I did not realize until the
show that MeshPaint was utilized a bit. We're tickled. I saw it last night and
was very impressed!
Brent
Brent,
>> By the way, congrats on the nice work in Virtuosity… I did not realize
until the show that MeshPaint was utilized a bit. We're tickled. I saw it last
night and was very impressed! <<
thanks for the compliments 🙂 I don't believe that we used Meshpaint at
MetroLight Studios, we only have the demo so far, but there's a good chance
that the L-squared folks who did a large chunk of the 3ds work used it. I
always wanted to use it, but most of the heads I do use skin.axp which won't
work very well with meshpaint. I did the heads the old-fashioned, painfully
slow, way 🙁
I wanted to say "hi" to you, since I've always enjoyed your well-balanced
columns in AV/Video, but didn't get the chance.
Martin
>> The best two meals I had associated with Siggraph were on the plane. As per
typical trade show, the lines and food at the event were reminiscent of the
highschool lunchroom (only lot's more expensive). The hotel (Figueroa) had
lousy food, and most other places within walking distance seemed unsafe or
unhealthy. <<
we had excellent meals at several of the hotels downtown. smeraldi's at the
biltmore was very reasonably priced and served large portions at all meals…
there were some others in some of the other hotels… it helps to know a few
locals <g>
air was unbelievably breathable during the week, and though some areas seemed
dangerous… where we're going next year "ain't that safe either".
highlight for the week… the electronic theatre's preshow laserdot ballet
<ggg>
-dave
>> and had some amusing encounters with a couple of panhandlers who used
comedy rather than agression as their technique <<
Did you get approached by the guy who asked for "food, spare change or _credit
cards_"!?
Well… at least he set his goals high! Wonder how often he gets a visa gold
laid on him?
– ej
> LA is a rat hole. <
I wasn't necessarily trying to desparage LA's reputation — then again, I doubt
I could add to the damage it's reputation has already sustained.
— James — Choreo Motion —
James,
Thank you for the smile that message put across my face!
LA is a riot. (or maybe I shouldn't put it quite that way <g>)
Ralph
The funny thing is that I was just telling it like it was. Not exagerating at
all. Just thought I'd balance the scales so the people who couldn't make it
could share the _whole_ experience. <g>
BTW, great job on Virtuosity. You & Martin did some first-rate work. Thanks!
— James — Choreo Motion —
>> The funny thing is that I was just telling it like it was.
…and thats what made that story so entertaining!
>> BTW, great job on Virtuosity.
Thanks James, my part seemed so small in the grand view of things. Just
glad to have been able to give it my all.
Ralph
Hi James,
>> Oh My Gosh!!! THE WORLD IS GONE!! <<
Hilarious! And completely accurate. I read your message earlier in the day
and I keep thinking about it and laughing.
I also keep recalling your comment about the title of Don Landis's new book:
"So You Want to Start a Render Farm". HA!
Mark
Ya, but that's an inside joke. The background leading up to it really adds to
the humor!
— James — Choreo Motion —
James:
Sheesh, you don't ever want to visit NYC. My advice – rent a car and stop
watching the news <GGGG>. To contrast your trip I found parking on the street
whenever I needed a spot. I never got caught in the notorious LA freeway
traffic, enjoyed a great day at the beach and found I could jettison about 25
pounds of magazines by reading them all on the flight home. You want to hear
horror stories, ask Dave Rhoten about his first night in LA, you'll feel lucky.
– Bob Ritger
> You want to hear horror stories, ask Dave Rhoten about his first night in LA,
you'll feel lucky. <
Hey, I made it home in one piece. I _do_ feel lucky!!
— James — Choreo Motion —
PS to Dave R: How about it Dave? It's your turn at show-n-tell ! <g>
Bob:
>>horror stories
No kidding! $3.75 for a glass of OJ and $11 for a single waffle w/ a dozen
berries (& s-l-o-w service) at the Biltmore. <shudder>
Oh. Were you talking about the sauna-esque hotel room (w/ complementary stench
and mold-dust(tm) but w/out a/c or a working telephone) at the "Good Night
Inn", w/ shooting/stabbing a block away, and the loud argument amongst a large
group of loud-mouths on the street below our window from about 2-3:30am? The
argument was all in Spanish, but I beleive it went something like:
Person A:"You got Alias in my Wavefont!"
Person B:"You got Wavefront in my Alias!"
Person C:"How are they together?"
Persons A&B:"Hmm. Not as good as MAX!"
Person D:"Oh yeah? Well, LightWave kicks ALL their butts!"
etc.etc.etc.
Anyway, it was good to meet you, Bob, and I just wish I had been a little
better rested prior to the ASOFT bash, so I would've enjoyed it more and felt
more like mingling. As it was, none of my group had gotten any sleep Sat.
night <see above> and not only were we running on empty, but none of us could
wait to get back to our new hotel room (a wonderful gal w/ ATI travel at the
convention got us a room at the Omni for less than at the flea-bag!) and hit
the beds. (Actually, as it was, we went back and sat around drinking Cokes and
watching Beavis & Butthead, before crashing!)
Dave
Dave,
Sorry I didn't get to talk to you longer at the Autodesk bash.
>> (Actually, as it was, we went back and sat around drinking
>> Cokes and watching Beavis and Butthead, before crashing!)
Sounds like a typical Rhotten-Gaffney-Reed evening to me. The real
question for everyone is: Where did you put you Michelle Bousquet tattoo?
Harley
>>Where did you put MB's tatoo?
Let's just say we'd have to have another hot-tub party at Melissa's folks'
place before you'll ever find out! <G>
Dave
>>Let's just say we'd have to have another hot-tub party at Melissa's folks'
>>place befor you'll ever find out! <G>
This definately belongs under the subject heading – Siggraph:The Dark Side.
Harley
Harley:
Just got a letter from Mike. He says "I've already seen the Siggraph 3DS reel,
so that's one less thing to do when I come down. Maybe you can tell me what
you saw at SIGGRAPH — every time I try to talk to Harley about modelers, he
tries to sell me 3DS!" Ha! (Although the new 3DS-MAX modeler is much more
like UpFront, which he likes….)
He also went into the horror's of his new place — from the sound of it, _I'd_
be contemplating suicide….
Later,
Dave
Dave:
I hope you managed to enjoy at least the tail end of your SIGGRAPH trip. Great
to finally meet you!
– Bob Ritger
DUDE!!!!
Like, James . . . I'm so sure!
I've, like, lived here in LA LA Land for 11 years and, like, I was reading your
post and, like . . . what's so bad about all that?
From a terminally blonde dude, Sean Platter
ps: All the above was meant in the most humorous of ways. 🙂
I'm truly sorry to hear LA didn't treat you so well, the only place you are
likely to see and feel anything of honest beauty here in tinsel town is on a
sound stage.
> and, like . . . what's so bad about all that? <
<G>
I must be a simpleton. In Michigan, the biggest thing we have to watch out for
is what we're stepping in! The downside is that people still ask me "What are
these numbers and symbols here on the bottom of your business card?" I always
respond "Don't worry, you'll know what they are when you need them."
— James — Choreo Motion —
73670.677@CompuServe.Com
<G> And the biggest thing to watch out for here in Maine is the moose on the
roads at night. And that's BIG!!
I've been envying all the reports from Siggraph but think I could skip the city
tours. Course visiting Boston has it's "joys" also.
Anne
I guess any place with an airport and convention center big enough to support
Siggraph is going to have its share of local color.
— James — Choreo Motion —
Ahhhh, our own little ray of sunshine: JC. <g>
Hi Wade!
We should have partied more like last year. Your sense of humor always gets me
going!!
— James — Choreo Motion —
>> We should have partied more like last year <<
Absolutely. Guess you made it back to Hollywood OK Tue eve. I wish I'd've run
into you earlier; we were just making our last round before hittin the road.
Next year I'll follow thru on the threat of gettin the same hotel as you and
then we'll burn downtown down… town… well, something like that.
> and then we'll burn downtown down… town… well, something like that. <
Ha! Alright. Sounds like a plan.
— James — Choreo Motion —
>> Oh My Gosh!!! THE WORLD IS GONE! <<
James, that's just LA's version of z-buffering<G>
Nice to meet you.
-Ted Boardman
> James, that's just LA's version of z-buffering<G> <
Hmmm. Maybe you could tell the local art director to adjust (as in move way
out) the camera ranges a little? <g>
> Nice to meet you. <
Likewise!!
— James — Choreo Motion —
James,
Great story. At least your hotel was in a good part of town. We were staying
on the corner of "Crack and Heroine". <g>
Sneaking past the people living under the bridge on the way to our hotel was an
adventure all in its own. All in all, I had a great time and would definitely
brave the concrete jungles for another event such as this.
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion
> We were staying on the corner of "Crack and Heroine". <g> <
ROFL!!
— James — Choreo Motion —
Thanks, James… your description of Siggraph was the biggest chuckle of my
day. VERY right-on… I (personally) think it'll be a looooong time before I
make it to la la land again.
Heck… I doubt I'm coming out of my house for a looong loooong time.
– G
Most welcome! After all, it was the efforts of your group that made the trip
worth while.
— James — Choreo Motion —
>> I hoped this wouldn't put a damper on my visit to Pyros open house, but
alas, I never made it due to travel circumstances.<<
Sorry, sorry! I'll make it up to you next year, I promise! (g) : )
I don't know if it was such a dark side, but then again, I had my car, so I
didn't have to take buses, though I can empathise with the pan-handle
situation. Everytime I stood still outside a building I was hit up. After the
ammedia event, I was hit up three times by the same lady, and again at the
parking lot. After that I went to a seven eleven to get a frosty beverage to
bring back to the hotel, and two more were wating there, then the clerk
wouldn't take my travelers cheque, despite my assurance that there was no risk
involved with his accepting it.
So I scratch the frosty beverage and find a gas station/mini mart to get gas
and said beverage, only to get hit up by a guy wanting me to let him pull up
his car to my pump and fill his tank at my expense, and another guy at the door
with a cup. This time the attendant accepts my travelers cheque with two pieces
of ID and a great deal of scrutiny. I've noticed that people are much more wary
of travelers checques in crappy parts of cities. Its not like its a personal
check or something.
All in all, I did not find it such a bad experience. I guess you have to have
the right attitude. I've been to L.A enough times to know what to expect and I
tend to see it as a colorful experience. There is plenty of good stuff in and
around L.A., downtown just isn't one of them (g)
> Sorry, sorry! I'll make it up to you next year, I promise! (g) : ) <
No worries, Tim. My Siggraph experience was filled to the brim as it was.
> only to get hit up by a guy wanting me to let him pull up his car to my pump
and fill his tank at my expense <
Did you let him? <GD&R>
— James — Choreo Motion —