MANILA – Top design artists from major animation studios such as Disney Animations, Universal Studios, and Warner Brothers are coming to Manila in July this year to break down the design process for students and professionals working in the entertainment design industry.
ICON Manila has announced its International Entertainment and Design Conference 2014. It will be the first event of its kind in Asia, featuring top professionals in animation and concept design for feature film, television and games.
Speakers at the conference have decades of tenure and are esteemed members in their fields of expertise.
Mulan director Tony Bancroft will be talking about animation and direction. Bancroft was also the supervising animator for lovable warthog Pumbaa in The Lion King and ditzy henchman Kronk in the Emperor’s New Groove, as well as the animation director for Stuart Little.
3D visual developer John Butiu will be talking about 3D Animation and Modelling. Davao-born Butiu has worked on the 3D Effects of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, and Chicken Little to name a few.
Thor concept artist Vance Kovacs will be discussing Film Concept Design. Kovacs has also worked on films such as Snow White and the Huntsman, Justice League, and Men in Black 3.
Armand Serrano, who organized the conference, will be talking about visual development. Serrano, who started his career in Fil-Cartoons in Manila, has worked on animations for Lilo and Stitch, Brother Bear, Mulan, and Disney’s newest film, Big Hero 6, to be released in November 2014.
Character designer Stephen Silver will be sharing his expertise on character design. Silver is the artist behind teenage super-spy Kim Possible, and half-ghost hero Danny Phantom.
Finally, Marcelo Vignali, the production designer behind Hotel Transylvania , will be talking about production design and art direction. Vignali has also worked on movies such as Atlantis, Open Season, and Surf’s Up.
“The conference targets students and professionals alike,” Serrano shared. “With our impressive line-up of top industry leaders, our objective is to present a progressive view through the entertainment design process and impart new ideas that will ultimately strengthen Asia’s impact on the industry.”
ICON Manila is a paid conference under ICON for Missions, a newly formed non-profit organization based in Eastvale, California. “By hosting various conferences all over the world, its purpose is to raise money to fund their Christian mission and humanitarian aid in needy communities,” added Sam Tanner, executive director of ICON for Missions.
The Entertainment and Design Conference will be held on July 3, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center. Early bird ticket prices are P5,500 per person, P3,700 for students, P4,000 per person for groups of four or more, and P10,500 for VIP, which includes an exclusive dinner with the speakers the night before the conference.
For more details on the conference speakers, schedule, and tickets, visit www.iconmanila.com.
