Friday, March 27, 2009

Motion Animation Austin

Motion Animation Austin


Motion Meets Graphics this May in Austin
Though the word “artist” once conjured up images of fellows with baggy pants making play at a canvas, the innovative technologies currently available have taken art into the third dimension and in a sense, the fourth, now even using motion to captivate and enervate the senses.

This May, Austin becomes host to a roving showcase of motion graphics with MGFest09, where those interested in art, technology, design, and motion converge into this Southern cultural hub for a four-day festival celebrating the dynamic art form. Like the art form itself, the festival also moves, with five “layovers” this year. Austin is known as a home for creative passion; indeed, the unofficial city slogan is “Keep Austin Weird” and Austin serves as a musical and cultural hub.

The festival features showcases of “best of” screenings for the art form, a silent auction for $18,000 worth of DVDs and software, interactive displays, workshops, speeches, and the opportunity to meet people in the industry. The festival is committed to providing people with the resources to upgrade their skills and spark their interest while getting inspired by the art form and enjoying a bird's eye view into what others in the field are doing. And as this is their sixth year of hosting the motion graphics festivals in a variety of locations, they’ve got it down to an art.

The entrance fee? Just seven bucks… less than the price of a movie without popcorn. The Festival covers its expenses by encouraging participants to purchase software, hardware, books, and DVDs that the conference offers at a special discounted rate. That makes MGFest a definite win-win.

Here are some key reasons not to miss MGFest Austin:

--You’ll increase your employability if you’re in a field related to motion graphics: you’ll meet key people in the industry and network with people you may again come into contact with in the future in the industry. You’ll also brush up on your skills and leave the ‘fest ready to be the next big name in motion.

--You’ll be inspired. Sure, motion graphic artists have websites, here and there, strewn about. But rather than tracking them all down and sifting through the work to view the best of the best, someone will have already filtered for you, and you’ll get to see them at a much larger size than even your big beautiful monitor…it’ll be the complete cinematic experience so you won’t miss a detail. And you might get to discuss the work with the artist.

--You’ll save money on supplies. The discounted rates on related equipment and research materials will not only save you cash, it’ll save you the hassle of running around or shopping online trying to track down the best tools for the job. Some displays will give you the chance to see the tools in action.

--It’s just plain fun.

--Attendance will set you back about as much as a fairly average sandwich.
MGFest hits Austin Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17th. Tickets are not on sale yet but the website will announce details as they become available.
http://mgfest.com/09/Austin/