Siggraph How-to...
Want to know how to explore Siggraph? Do you have questions about the show? Never been and don't know what to expect? Want to know how to look for a job at Siggraph?

You are in the right place! We have gotten many emails asking these questions and more. We asked Jamie and Angie to give our readers some pointers, so here is everything you need to know about Siggraph, from the Thinking Animation Duo!

What is the culture like at Siggraph?
Every Siggraph is different. The trade shows that are held in Los Angeles tend to be a little more predictable in culture and attendees since most of the industry is concentrated in this region. In 2006, Siggraph is being held in Boston. When Siggraph is held on the east coast more attendees come from Europe than the States which gives the show an interesting edge. Also, there will be more students and high level management and executives at this show since most of the artists do not want to spend the money to fly so far from home base, usually being LA or California. However, Siggraph is always a very large show no matter where it is held and full of everything from the latest technical tools, papers and scientific advances for computer graphics and animation to the Electronic Theater, Art Shows and fun parties in the evening where people can let their hair down.

Where can I meet other artists attending Siggraph?
The best place to meet other artists are the BOF (Birds of a Feather) meetings that the artists - themselves, organize. Here is a link to the Siggraph list - Siggraph BOF meetings. This is not a complete list however.

In fact, Thinking Animation is having a BOF meet and greet on Tuesday night Aug 1st and we already have over 150 people RSVP'd! We had to change the venue because of the huge response. Whiskey Park doesn't have the capacity but M & S can handle such a large crowd and they are creating a special nibbles menu just for our BOF! SO due to the fact that you are reading this article.. you too can come party with us!! Here is the information:

Thinking Animation BOF Meet-Greet-and-Drink!
Tuesday August 1st 8 p.m.at McCormick and Schmick's

Boston Park Plaza Hotel
34 Columbus Ave.(Park Plaza Hotel),
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
and you can RSVP here.

Some of the best places to find out what is going on socially at Siggraph are on the forums and boards. Here are some links to chat online about artists meeting each other at Siggraph.

CG Talk SIGGRAPH 2006 - 30 July-3 August, Boston Thread
CG CHAR BOF at Siggraph Thread
Finally, a simple Google Search can give you pretty good results for BOF 2006 as well.

Does everyone hand out to everyone they meet...a demo reel or business card?
"Yes" on the business cards and "No" to reels.

You should have something on your person - like a business card - that makes it easy to give people your contact information. The briefest encounter can have a HUGE impact on your career, so do not take "chance meetings" lightly! Take care in presenting yourself in a professional manner and ask your "new friend" about what they are working on, so you can find some common ground. Even if you just have a pad of paper and a pen, make sure you are able to give you contact info to others. If you have cards, write your local hotel information on the back so they can contact you for interviews during their stay in Boston.

"No" to handing a reel to everyone you meet. That is counter productive and a waste. If you intend to look for work at Siggraph you should research who will be recruiting there, research the positions they are looking to fill and finally learn something about the studios you plan to approach. Next, you should send a reel, resume and cover letter one week before the show (you still have some time!). You should have reel with you as well at the show, but by getting your work in front of these folks (either electronically or by snail mail) you will be one step ahead of the competition. The people collecting reels at Siggraph have hundreds of them in boxes at the hotel and your can get lost in the shuffle.

If you contact the studios first and let them know where you are staying and when you will be there, you are more likely to set up an interview while you are at the show. This is especially important to people who are not located in California. The studios prioritize if you are "local" (meaning if you live near their studio back on the west coast) or if you live in Chicago, for example, and cannot come by the office to interview after Siggraph. They are more likely to meet with you, so get a reel in front of them ASAP and make that interview happen!

Finally, get your reel online. It does not have to be a public link for all to see, but have your reel online in a reasonable format and file size so you can point human resources to it. This will get your work in front of them much faster and the faster your work is in front of them the better. Put your reel on your Nano, Ipod or phone, whatever you have to do...so when it does come up, you can show them your work. Lately, Jamie and I have had studios watch our reels online rather than off a DVD while on an interview, so everyone is hip to the new ways of viewing a demo!

Here is a list of studios who are actively recruiting at Siggraph. We encourage you to contact these folks ahead of time.

LAIKA Booth #426 at Siggraph 2006
Pixar Booth #811 at Siggraph 2006
Disney Booth #1227 at Siggraph 2006
Digital Domain Booth #1231 at Siggraph 2006
Dreamworks - Meeting Room #252A at Siggraph 2006
Sony Booth #1506 at Siggraph 2006
LucasFilm Booth #1717 and ILM at Siggraph 2006
Weta Booth #2504 at Siggraph 2006
Framestore CFC Job Fair Booth #57 Siggraph 2006
Eidos Job Fair Booth #36 Siggraph 2006
Charlex at Siggraph 2006</a> - Interviews will be set up by email
Double Negative Job Fair Exhibitor Booth #37 Siggraph 2006
Vanguard Job Fair Exhibitor Booth: 25 Siggraph 2006
Rhythm & Hues Booth #2023 at Siggraph 2006

How do I get into the Job Fair?
Ah yes...the Siggraph Job Fair. The Job Fair is a very powerful tool, but here is the secret. Do not go first thing in the morning. Yes, if you go early...the people you talk to will not be tired and cranky, but you will spend all day waiting in line and its just like trying to drive in LA rush hour traffic...if you just wait a couple hours you will get home in the same time and not be frustrated sitting still for hours.

The job fair goes from 10-4 Tues, Wed and Thurs. Our advice is to walk over and check the line around lunchtime and again around 2 p.m. and then end of the day. These are times that the line should ease up. Also, if you have a bottle of water in hand that is nice and cold to offer the interviewer, that might get you some brownie points.

Have fun and come see Jamie and Angie at booth #619! If you cannot make the show check our blog because Amazon.com has requested we write a notes from Siggraph for their "live from Siggraph" campaign, so if you can't make it to the show? We will be your eyes and ears on the convention floor. You can find out more here.

How do I find the Thinking Animation booth #619 at Siggraph?
We made an easy to use Map with our booth marked by Redd the Clown and a few other exhibitor booths you should check out! Siggraph Exhibitor Map Highlights

Tuesday and Wednesday August 1st and 2nd, 2006
Jamie and Angie will be signing books
Tues. August 1st (1 p.m.), Wednesday August 2nd (1 p.m.) at Booth #619 at SIGGRAPH.
Books are for sale at the booth and there are books in the official show store.

GREAT NEWS! 20% off!
If you print out this invite and take it to the official Siggraph Bookstore sponsored by Break Point Books, you will get 20% off the book.

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