News Broadcasting
Anigraph 2004 : Day 1 is TUTOR FEST !
MUMBAI: Animation and 3D aficionados are having a ball these days! If it was CgA World, last month, which had software makers wooing students, then this month it is Anigraph.
The event organised by the Mumbai chapter of ACM Siggraph received a good reception in its inaugural sessions. With the participants mostly comprising students, the atmosphere was lively and abuzz with interactivity.
The keynote address was delivered by 16 December and Rudraksha fame Mani Shankar, who aptly pointed out what ails the Indian animation industry today. “The future is bright for the animation industry and yet, important hurdles need to be overcome. The animation Industry has grown incredibly in the last few years, yet mindsets of a few, who hold the key reins of power have not changed,” offered Shankar in a nutshell.
“There is a widespread appreciation for the quality and finesse of our work. The west has started outsourcing content from India. The future is bright, and yet something is lacking. The circle is incomplete. Animation of films has still not taken of in India. A measly two-three effects laden films cannot compete with the 100 odd films minus animation that are churned out,” he offered.
“The Indian film industry has not been able to get its act together as far as animation is concerned. They think nothing of spending crores on ridiculous costumes and song-n-dance routines. It is the same people who think of SFX as something that can be done on the editing table after the movie has been shot!” he elaborated.
One topic that Shankar missed out completely was about television industry in India and how it is doing nothing to encourage animation industry.
Here is a quick update of what happened at the venue:
CLOCKWORK:
One of the positive points of the day was the highly unusual punctuality, with which the organizers stuck to their schedules.
ROLLER COASTER:
It was a day that played a havoc on the emotions of the animation enthusiasts. It was a delight when Discreet’s Aby Matthews took the stage to enlighten the audience on the Digital Intermediate process but when the session titled “Texturing 3D in Photoshop” became a “Welcome to Photoshop CS” it soured the mood rather quickly.
NOTEWORTHY:
Amongst things noteworthy were the students showreel presented by MAAC (Maya academy of advance cinematics) CEO Rajesh Turakhiya. One of the sequences in the showreel was so professionally executed that it was
hard to believe that it was done by students. Those 40 odd seconds of brilliant animation were the ‘highlight’ of the day.
CENTRE STAGE:
The session by Ramesh Meer on 3D Stereoscopy was interesting, informative and interactive. Not preferring to stick to the podium, Meer strode the stage in true cowboy style a’la spaghetti westerns. He spoke on anaglyph and polaroid technology and encouraged the audience to come up with questions, which he retorted to with his trademark wit and humor.
TRADE FAIR OR TUTOR FEST?:
While the organisers at both CgA and Anigraph have done their best to get the industry under one roof, a lone sad fact continues to nag. One fails to understand the reason as to why the big studios shy away from such good events. The potential trade fairs continue to remain a platform for
the software vendors and makers to communicate directly to students.
With two more days to go at Anigraph, there is a lot that could transpire. Meer announcing the end of day one said that while day one was full of tutorials, day two in addition to the tutorials would also be devoted to the business of animation.
We are all eyes….
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
