Well another quick update from the lands down under, but also some exciting news as well. The DUG2011 survey is still open and will be closing on Monday 13th September, so please make sure you take the opportunity to go online and complete the survey to assist us with planning arounds dates and events. The survey link is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DUG2011
As an added incentive we have a great prize pack, which will be drawn from those that either complete the survey online, or are in attendance at DUG in Phoenix. See below for details of what the pack contains. To be in the draw make sure you include your name and institution details in the online survey so we know how to contact you.
Some people have indicated that they would be interested in a post conference Hobbiton set tour (http://www.hobbitontours.com/), this is still being looked at so there could be an opportunity, though it would come down to finding a sponsor to help cover some of the transport costs from Auckland, and the filming dates for the Hobbit as the set will be closed off to the public then. So still some hope here, will keep you all posted. If anyone is interested in possibly being a sponsor for the transport costs feel free to contact me (colinj@stardome.org.nz).
Things are beginning to come together around the planning of content and some intersting speakers fo rthe opening and closing nights for DUG201.
From KAGAYA studios we are have the honour of being able to show his new planetarium show Starry Tales which is due for release in late 2011. The full dome planetarium show “Starry Tales” reproduces artwork from KAGAYA’s series “Starry Tales” including the most popular “The Zodiac” artworks.
You will be immersed in the fantasy world featuring Greek myths depicted as a sophisticated CG movie. Feel the people’s powerful imagination handed down under the starry sky from ancient times to the future, the hopes put into it and the beauty of humanity.
Stardome is also proud to announce that one of our guest speakers for DUG2011 is Greg Broadmore.
During the day Greg works as an illustrator, writer and conceptual designer for Weta Workshop and has designed for the motion pictures: District 9, King Kong, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Black Sheep amongst many others. Greg’s current project is working as a designer on Stephen Spielberg’s new film “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn” starring Daniel Craig and Simon Pegg. Through Weta Workshop, he is the creator and designer of Dr. Grordbort’s world of Rayguns and contraptions.
It’s not all roses and lollipops though – Greg worked on the feature films, Halo and Evangelion, both of which fell over during production, but there are no surviving documents that prove that it was his fault.
To top this off he has written and illustrated as well as drawn in the margins of many books. For instance, he worked on “The World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island” and wrote and illustrated Doctor Grordbort’s books: “Victory” and “Doctor Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory”.
Greg will be giving a presentation on his experiences in film design and illustration which will prove to be quite entertaining. We are really excited to have someone closely involved in NZ film production as a guest speaker for DUG2011. Some more of Greg’s artwork from his Gordbort’s seires can be seen below.
So what’s in the prize pack I hear you say? Well to celebrate Greg’s involvement in DUG2011 we have put together a pack of goodies from his Doctor Grordbort’s collection. The pack contains a Doctor Gordbort’s satchel, A Pomson 6000 pin, along with a copy of his books “Victory” and “Doctor Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory”.
So jump online to complete the survey and ensure you have a chance of winning this great little pack.
See you in Phoenix
Colin
