Two editions of CAFÉ: SYNTHÈSE mobilizes the ecosystem to support the next generation and R-D in digital creation

An education zone to equip the next generation

Created in 2023, CAFÉ - VFX's Education Zone provided a vibrant space for students in digital creation. More than 200 students from some 20 colleges and universities participated in the activities, accompanied by professionals, teachers, and recruiters from the animation and visual effects sector.

Interview simulation workshops with personalized coaching

Organized in collaboration with rhum - humains et ressources, these workshops gave more than 60 digital creation students the opportunity to experience a simulated job interview with industry professionals.

Each participant benefited from a 20-minute individual interview focused on their technical, artistic, and behavioral skills (soft skills) with experts from some 20 major studios, including Framestore, DNEG, Mikros Animation, Rodeo FX, Technicolor, Squeeze Animation Studios, and L’Atelier Animation.

An exhibition of works to showcase student talent

In collaboration with ArtStation, some 40 works in animation, visual effects, and multimedia integration were exhibited in the Education Zone. This collective showcase highlighted the creativity and diversity of styles from four institutions, including the NAD-UQAC School, UQAT - Creation and New Media, Bois-de-Boulogne College, and Cégep de Jonquière (ATM).

More than 10 panels, conferences, and workshops to equip the next generation

The Education Zone also offered more than a dozen educational activities to prepare students for entering the industry, including:

• Portfolio presentation conferences

• Panels on best interview practices

• Workshops on skills sought after in studios

• Presentations on integrating into the industry

A networking cocktail party to forge connections

To end the day on a high note, SYNTHÈSE graciously hosted a networking cocktail party in the Education Zone, bringing together students, teachers, and studio representatives. This event provided an opportunity for discussion, networking, and initial contacts with a view to internships or employment.

Promoting R&D in the visual effects and animation sector

In addition to the Education Zone, SYNTHÈSE and CDRIN joined forces to create spaces for reflection and sharing around R&D in the creative industries during CAFÉ - VFX.

For the 2022 edition, a first special activity on applied research in VFX brought together around 100 participants for seven research presentations and a panel of industry experts.

The topics covered were:

• Interactive, real-time fire/smoke/particle simulation – Shahin Rabbani, Research and Development Scientist, La Forge – Ubisoft Montreal

• Procedural automation of characters in real time – Florian Pellegrin, R&D Programmer, La Forge – Ubisoft Montreal

• «Editable indoor lighting estimation» – Henrique Weber, PhD candidate, Université Laval

• «All-Weather Deep Outdoor Lighting Estimation» – Jinsong Zhang, Applied AI Scientist, Bentley Systems

• USD technology – François Lord, teacher, École NAD-UQAC

• «How to perform runtime inference of a neural network in a game» – Louche Ugo et Marc-André Lavoie, Senior machine learning specialists, Eidos Sherbrooke

• The Metaverse and/or the convergence of gaming and virtual production technologies, Marc Petit Vice-Président, Unreal Engine, Epic Games

Drawing on the experience of these technology and research directors in the sector, the discussion focused on the implementation of innovative technologies and methodologies in the production pipeline.

The panelists presented the challenges and solutions that emerged from their experiences, as well as their vision for the future of new technologies in production and how to address them.

For the 2023 edition, SYNTHÈSE and CDRIN organized three panels on technological innovation and research and development:

• Collaborating to innovate: promoting applied research in the field of visual effects and animation through academic partnerships, by Martine Bertrand (DNEG), Jean-Pierre Flayeux (University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue), François Lord (School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design NAD-UQAC) and Jonathan Bouchard (Reel FX Animation).

• Perspectives from influential software publishers: supporting the next generation in the field of visual effects and animation, by Julien Coll (CDRIN), Mathieu Mazerolle (Foundry), Fianna Wong (SideFX Software) and Sébastien Miglio (Epic Games)

• The future of VFX through the lens of R&D: research trends in the computer graphics industry, by Frederic Servant (Autodesk), Vahe Vardanyan (CDRIN), Stephan Kozak (SIRT Centre) and Mathieu Mazerolle (Foundry)

Bringing industry, research, and education closer together

Through CAFÉ - VFX, SYNTHÈSE has demonstrated the importance of connecting the worlds of education, research, and industry.