Siggraph

The great Dan Garza has made his way back to Siggraph this year and we’re delighted to have him provide his thoughts on Siggraph ‘07. As you recall, Dan was one of our student bloggers back at the ‘05 show in LA and did a great job. So, we’ve invited him to give his thoughts on this years show, so, without further ado:

The last time my hawaiian patterned eggplant physique swaggered into SIGGRAPH was two years back. We had won a national competition and best in show at a film fest and were flown to LA. A lot has changed.

Quick recap LA ‘05 through my eyes:

-Sensory overload phase: Flashy lights, first rate hotel, VIP parties, gifts, industry give-a-ways, dancing, drinkin’ to the point of blurry and new friends. Woo-hoo!

My first SIGGRAPH in ‘05, was like being the fat kid locked in a candy shop overnight. Quite indulgent of me. Mmmm…candy. Well, I got my diploma and was graduate speaker for my class. I’m told that I speak as well as I perform at an all you can eat chinese buffet…which I walways see as a challenge. I’ve been fortunate enough to keep in close contact with my circle of friends/colleagues. We’ve been working on some great shorts, commercials, etc. I job hunted for a while and was trapped in the classic Catch-22. Brutal. I learned quickly that if you can’t find orange juice at the market…you can switch to apple juice or squeeze your own. After much squeezing and cashing in of old favors we’ve accomplished some noble stuff. We are wrapping up a promotional 5 minute short for Special Olympics and I’m quite proud of it. So how is SIGGRAPH through my new eyes?

Reacap San Diego ‘07 Dan-itized for your viewing:

Operation: Need to succeed:

-Lights less flashy, sharing a room with 4 other friends, turned away at the VIP party, didn’t care about free stuff but took what was handed to me, I still dance…dancing is a must, drinkin’ (not to the point of fuzzy anymore).

I’ve been walking around on a mission, to contribute to the industry that I’ve been dying to get into since I can remember. I’m sure everyone has that point in our lives were we say, that’s what I want to do. For me, it was sitting in a darkened theater watching Pinocchio crying (while laughing) as Gepetto quiets down the wooden toy turned “real boy”. I knew that whoever had provoked my reaction was a magician…a freakin’ great magician I wanted that same super-power. I wrote, directed and produced sold-out children’s shows for the stage years before I went to animation school, but still wanted to touch more lives.

Walking the floor and talking to prospective employers, I had the hopeful faces of my kids in my heart, Pinocchio on my shouder and my wife on my…a…mind. I can’t come home without greatness. At least my perception of it. I’ve met some magicians here, people who have been in the industry for years and they’ve been gracious enough to show me what happens behind the curtain. It seems that my background in theatre might come in handy. Some might help me learn a few more tricks and if the planets align, give the gift of illumination to some other kid sitting in a darkened theater. SIGGRAPH 2008…I hope to be working the floor instead of walking it.

-Dan Garza

www.dangarza.com