Anniversary

VFX '08 - Celebrating A Decade Of Pixellence ^®

Creative Multimedia Academy, the No.1 Centre of Creative Multimedia Academy in India and the largest Animation Training facility in the country, has surpassed 10 years in the field of Animation Education. To mark the occasion, the institute organized VFX '08 - its uniquely enlightening and entertaining anniversary event - with traditional aplomb at the spacious Saroornagar Indoor Stadium on 20th July 2008. The signature line of the event, 'A Decade of Pixellence®,' underscored the enduring success of the institute which has since inception been committed to excellence in every dimension of Animation Education.

Sri R Damodar Reddy, Hon'ble Minister for Information Technology and Communications, Youth Services and Sports, Government of Andhra Pradesh lit the lamp at 9:45 am to symbolize the commencement of VFX '08. The event was also graced by Sri Malreddy Ranga Reddy, MLA Malakpet.

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon'ble IT Minister said, "I am pleased to be here as Chief Guest on this occasion. I am proud to say that with the establishment of Animation City, Andhra Pradesh would storm into reckoning for the biggest employment generation in the world. The credit must go to our state government for its tireless efforts in developing the IT sector in general and Animation in particular. It is my sincere wish and hope that students will make the most of this opportunity to seek this line and make rewarding careers for themselves."

Sri Malreddy Ranga Reddy said, "The field of Animation is set for a grand future in the coming years. So it is my fervent appeal to all parents that they should encourage their children to take up careers in Animation and lay a golden path to their future."

In his inaugural address, the Centre Head of Creative Multimedia Academy, Mr B Raja Sekhar extended a warm welcome to the guests seated on the dais, personally thanking them all for taking time off their busy schedules for attending the occasion and elevating its stature.

Mr Raja Sekhar was particularly proud to announce that the institute achieved the elusive 'Autodesk Authorized Training Center' status in the run-up to its 10th anniversary. "Creative Multimedia Academy now becomes the first and only institute in Andhra Pradesh, and one of the very few institutes in India to claim 'Authorized Training Center' status for Adobe as well as Autodesk (in the Media & Entertainment sector)," he said. He explained the vital benefits of authorized training and the career edge it afforded to the students.

In keeping with the significance of the Decennial, VFX '08 drew a highly eminent panel of speakers and presenters from Animation and allied fields.

The first seminar/presentation of the day was delivered by Mr. P Rajasekhar, COO of Crest Animation Studios Limited, one of the leading studios in the world. Crest Animation is widely acknowledged to have introduced animation and special effects to the Indian market. Mr Rajasekhar delved on the trends and imperatives of Human Resources in the fast growing Animation industry. He also presented a demo-reel of Crest Animation's finest works.

Another doyen of the Indian Animation industry, Mr A. R. Sesha Prasad, Digital Production Manager of the award winning studio, Rhythm & Hues Studios India Pvt. Ltd., engaged the audience next with 'Behind the Scenes' of the blockbuster 'The Golden Compass,' which won the 2008 BAFTA Award for Special Visual Effects and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

Mr Rajiv Chilakalapudi, Founder and MD, Green Gold Animation Pvt Ltd took centre-stage next. Green Gold's "Krishna-The Birth" was awarded the "Outstanding Indian Content" award under the category "Animated Feature Film" for the year 2006 at the FICCI BAF AWARDS 2007. Mr Rajiv elaborated upon the fast growing popularity of Indian mythological content on Television as well as the big screen. Sharing the secrets of producing Indian content, Mr Rajiv made an eye-opening presentation on the making of the 2D animated series 'Chhota Bheem' including model sheets of the characters and background art.

Among the other distinguished speakers gracing the morning session were Mr Nagaraj Kumar B, CEO - Inforlinx Solutions Pvt Ltd (who highlighted the growing career opportunities in Web Designing & Development and defined 10 vital aspects of making great web pages while talking about interface designing) and Mr Vivekanand Bagwe of Animation Dimensions (I) Pvt Ltd (who emphasized a knowledge of Acting especially expressions and lip movement as being vital to one's development as a good Animator.)

As the clock struck 1:00 pm, a grand buffet was announced exclusively for Creative Multimedia Academy students and staff. At a final plate count in excess of 4300, it was indeed an epicurean delight of an unprecedented scale in the field.

If the morning session was academic in nature, the post lunch session was largely in a lighter vein. It kicked off with an exciting Animation Quiz Program conducted in characteristic style by Mr Anand Gurnani - Co Founder, CEO & Managing Editor of www.animationxpress.com, India's first and only portal for Animation, VFX and Gaming.

The mood now shifted to rib-tickling entertainment. For the next 60 minutes, the young and electrifying stand-up comic and popular Tollywood comedian, Shiva Reddy, unleashed a virtual laugh riot with his uproarious jokes, one-liners, parodies and mimicry including his trademark imitations of popular politicians and especially famous actors. He also performed newer innovative items like cine actors imitating fellow actors and actors dancing to different songs in their own style.

The next entertainer on stage was the inimitable Chakri, the famous Telugu music director, who struck a truly rocking groove, belting out his mega hit numbers to thunderous applause and repeated encores from the young and beat-crazy audience. Some of his famous renditions included 'Vennello Hai Hai' (from the movie 'Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru'), Ninne (Desamuduru), the soulful 'Jagamanta Kutumbam' (Chakram), Nairey Nairey (Andhrawala), Choopultho (from the movie 'Idiot'), Ammi Ammi (Takkari) and finally 'Lunchkostava' (Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammai).
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