PIXAR: Technical Challenges in the Production Pipeline

Duke Computer Science Colloquia
Guest Speaker: Susan M. Fisher, Pixar

Date:    01/28/2008
Time:     4:30pm – 5:30pm
Location:    Love Auditorium (B101) LSRC, Duke
Contact:    info@cs.duke.edu
Event URL:    http://www.cs.duke.edu/events/?id=00000000806

Abstract
Each feature film at Pixar introduces increasing levels of complexity. From rushing waters, to crowds, to creating realistic food, the production pipeline is full of technical challenges. This talk provides an overview of the movie-making process at Pixar, walking through the stages a film takes from its initial concept to appearing on screen. Highlights of several specific technical challenges encountered during the production of Ratatouille will be covered.

Biography
Susan M. Fisher earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and her Masters degree at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Her graduate research included exploring new methods of estimating penetration depth for deformable body collisions, and simplification of hair rendering using levels of detail. Susan is currently the Rendering Supervisor at Pixar Animation Studios for their 2008 feature film Wall-E. She has been with Pixar since 2001.