Prof.
Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann (MiraLab)
![Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann](images/nadia3.jpg)
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"Behavioural speech and emotions"
Abstract. Virtual
humans have been the focus of computer graphics research for several
years now. The amalgamation of computer graphics and artificial
intelligence has lead to the possibility of creating believable
virtual personalities. The focus has shifted from modeling and animation
towards imparting
personalities to virtual humans. The aim is to create virtual humans
that can interact spontaneously using a natural language, emotions
and gestures. This paper discusses a system that allows the design
of personality for emotional virtual human. We adopt the Five Factor
Model (FFM) of personality from psychology studies. To realize the
model, we use Bayesian Belief Network. We introduce a layered approach
for modeling personality, moods and
emotions. In order to demonstrate a virtual human with emotional
personality, we integrate the system into a chat application. Thus,
the system enables the developer to design and implement personalities
and
enables the user to interact with them.
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Nadia Magnenat -Thalmann has pioneered research
into virtual humans over the last 25 years. She obtained several
bachelors and Master degrees in various
disciplines and a PhD in Quantum Physics from the University of
Geneva. From 1977 to 1989, she was a Professor at the University
of Montreal in Canada. In l989, she foundedMIRALab.
at the University of Geneva, an interdisciplinary lab in virtual
worlds. She has received several awards for her research as recently
being nominated at the Swiss Academy of Sciences. She is editor-in-chief
of two journals, the Visual Computer and the Computer Animation
and Virtual Worlds journal.
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Prof Mike Milne (FrameStore
- CFC)
![Mike Milne Picture](images/small_MM.jpg)
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"How the computer animation industry has changed over the
last
22 years"
Abstract: Mike takes an affectionate look back at
last two decades of the computer animation industry, and how
it has changed; and looks ahead to what changes we can expect in
the years to come.
![ant - CFC](images/ant-cfc.jpg)
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Mike has worked for more than 20 years in the computer
animation industry. As head of Graphics at Research Recordings (now
Air TV) in the early 80s, his work on the title sequence for the
first series of Spitting Image won the D&AD Silver Award for
outstanding television graphics. In 1984 he joined Electric Image
as Director of Production. In 1992 Mike started the computer animation
department at FrameStore
CFC, which has since been at the forefront of European CG animation;
the company is now the largest visual effects and computer animation
studio in Europe.
He has won a BAFTA and four Emmy awards for his
work on the BBC Science series Walking with Dinosaurs and Walking
with Beasts.
Mike is a regular speaker at Computer Animation
conferences worldwide and received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts
from Bournemouth University in 2002.
Framestore CFC's CGI department is one of the most
highly regarded computer animation studios in the world, respected
for both film and broadcast work.
Encompassing movies such as the Harry Potter films,
'Blade 2' and 'Mission: Impossible 2', television programmes like
'Walking with Dinosaurs', 'Walking with Beasts' and 'Dinotopia',
and commercials such as 'Xbox: Mosquito', 'Levi's: Odyssey', and
'Guinness: Surfer', our CGI work has helped us win numerous awards,
including a BAFTA and ten Primetime Emmys (see awards).
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Prof John
Vince (Bournemouth
University)
![John Vince](images/johnvince1.jpg)
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Title: "Educating Tomorrow's Computer Animators"
The theme of Prof. Vince's talk will be the issues associated with
creating graduates who will become tomorrow's computer animators.Balancing
the short-term demands of industry and the expectations of students,
with the aims and objectives of an academic programme require careful
management.
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Prof. John Vince began
working in computer graphics at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1968. His
research activities centred on computer animation software and resulted
in the PICASO and PRISM animation systems. Whilst at Middlesex, he
designed the UKs first MSc course in Computer Graphics, and
developed a popular programme of short courses in computer animation
for television designers.
In 1986 he joined Rediffusion Simulation as a Research
Consultant and worked on the development of real-time computer systems
for commercial flight simulators.
In 1995 he was appointed Professor of Digital Media
at the National Centre for Computer Animation at Bournemouth University,
and in 1999 he was made Head of Academic Group for Computer Animation.
He has written and edited over 20 books on computer
graphics, computer animation and virtual reality. He is a co-Editor-in-Chief
of the VR Journal, and is currently President of the VR Society.
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