SIGGRAPH Spotlight

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, host Valerie Bernard is joined by Byron Howard, Marlon West, and Kira Lehtomaki to explore the creative and technical journey behind “Zootopia 2”. Together, the creators share how story, animation craft, and visual effects came together at Walt Disney Animation Studios to expand a beloved world while pushing performance, pipeline, and collaboration to new heights. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode* https://s2026.siggraph.org/submit-to-siggraph/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/register/ | disneyanimation.com/process *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2026.siggraph.org/

SIGGRAPH Spotlight Show Notes: Episode 99 Title: 99 – Debugging Your SIGGRAPH Talk ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, host Nora Wixom is joined by Carrie Paff and Charles Poynton to unpack why presentation anxiety is so common and how to communicate your work with clarity and confidence across stages, screens, and high-stakes moments. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode* https://s2026.siggraph.org/submit-to-siggraph/ | https://standdeliver.com/team/#carrie-paff *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2026.siggraph.org/

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, SIGGRAPH 2026 Education Chair Nick Jushchyshyn sits down with Craig Slagel and Michael Collins from the ACM SIGGRAPH Early Career Development Committee to explore the world of early career demo reels. They discuss the key elements that make a reel stand out, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for telling a unique creative story. Listeners will gain practical advice on structuring their reels, showcasing their skills, and capturing the attention of studios, recruiters, and educators — all essential for launching a successful career in visual arts and computer graphics. Tune in for expert insights and tips to make your demo reel unforgettable. Ready to get involved? Learn more about the SIGGRAPH Online Resume and Reel Review Program and important deadlines by checking out the link in our show notes. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode * https://s2026.siggraph.org/submit-to-siggraph/ | https://ecdc.siggraph.org/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/njushchyshyn/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-collins-573a775/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigslagel/ *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2026.siggraph.org/

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, SIGGRAPH 2026 Production Sessions Chair Valérie Bernard sits down with General Submissions Chair Veronica Orvalho and Courses Co-Chair Nora Wixom to explore the submission process from every angle. They discuss common pitfalls that can lead to rejection, share practical tips for crafting stronger proposals, and give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how SIGGRAPH reviews and selects submissions. Tune in for expert advice on turning feedback into success and insights on getting involved in programs like Courses, Birds of a Feather, and Student Volunteers. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode * https://s2026.siggraph.org/submit-to-siggraph/ | https://dl.acm.org/profile/99660533348 | https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie3d/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-costa-orvalho-b6a8812/ | https://history.siggraph.org/person/nora-wixom/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/norawixom/ *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2026.siggraph.org/

SIGGRAPH Spotlight Show Notes: Episode 96 Title: 96 – Live From SIGGRAPH 2025: Impact of SIGGRAPH at All Career Stages ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, recorded live from Vancouver at SIGGRAPH 2025, Steve Granados Lopez (production assistant, Voyage Productions) sits down with Kevin McNulty, professor of animation at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), and Kat Shattuck, an MTSU animation student and SIGGRAPH 2025 Student Volunteer Team Leader. Together, they reflect on how SIGGRAPH has shaped their creative journeys, the impact of building a campus chapter, and the friendships and mentorships that keep the community thriving all year long. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode* https://www.siggraph.org/ | https://www.siggraph.org/join-a-chapter/ | https://www.siggraph.org/inside-siggraph/find-a-chapter/ | https://www.siggraph.org/committees/education-committee/ | https://mtsu.siggraph.org/ *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2025.siggraph.org/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, we pass the microphone to SIGGRAPH 2026 program chairs Mirela Ben-Chen (Technical Papers) and Adam Bargteil (Technical Workshops) to discuss all-things technical. Mirela and Adam explore emerging technical topics in computer graphics and interactive techniques and how work showcased at SIGGRAPH can have a large-scale impact in industry, academia, society, and beyond. Plus, they share some insight into the SIGGRAPH 2026 submissions process, which opens soon. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode* https://research.siggraph.org/blog/guides/writing-your-first-acm-siggraph-tog-paper/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/program/technical-papers/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/program/technical-workshops/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/submit-to-siggraph/ *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2026.siggraph.org/

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, recorded live at SIGGRAPH 2025 in Vancouver, we explore the Student Volunteer program and its impact on the conference experience. Steve Granados Lopez, host and production assistant at Voyage Productions, sits down with Antonio (Tony) Bonet, Student Volunteer Communications Lead, to share stories, tips, and reflections about how volunteering shapes careers, builds connections, and makes SIGGRAPH unforgettable. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode * https://s2025.siggraph.org/conference-volunteers/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/conference-volunteers/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-granados-lopez-ab3360192/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/abonetp/?locale=es_ES *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2025.siggraph.org/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/

SIGGRAPH Spotlight Show Notes: Episode 94 Title: 94 – Live From SIGGRAPH 2025: A Career of Outstanding Service From Mk Haley ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, recorded live in Vancouver, ACM SIGGRAPH Membership and Communications Chair Barb Helfer sits down with Mk Haley, recipient of the 2025 ACM SIGGRAPH Outstanding Service Award. From her beginnings as a Student Volunteer to leadership roles as program chair, conference chair, and now incoming chair of Real-Time Live! at SIGGRAPH 2026, Mk reflects on a career dedicated to innovation, education, and community. Hear her story, her passion for service, and her vision for the future of SIGGRAPH. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode* *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2025.siggraph.org/ | https://s2026.siggraph.org/

Join Greg Berridge, an industry training expert, Glenn Goldman, a distinguished educator, and Derek Hamm, a creative technology innovator, as they explore the future of education. They discuss the impact of AI in classrooms, advocating for adaptability instead of starting from scratch. Insights on fostering industry-academia relationships and emphasizing student collaboration are shared. The importance of continuous learning and real-world readiness through diverse projects is highlighted. They also celebrate the value of in-person networking at conferences like SIGGRAPH.

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, ACM SIGGRAPH History Archive Co-Director Bonnie L. Mitchell is joined by two legends in computer graphics: Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, and Frederic Parke, whose early innovations set the stage for decades of digital advancement. The conversation journeys through the early days of SIGGRAPH, the rapid evolution of digital imagery, and the lasting impact of a community that continues to drive computer graphics and animation forward. MUSIC Podcast theme, "SIGGRAPH," composed by Julius Dobos. || LINKS *Episode * https://s2025.siggraph.org/program/computer-animation-festival/ | https://s2025.conference-schedule.org/ | https://s2025.conference-schedule.org/presentation/?id=misc_159&sess=sess321 | https://s2025.conference-schedule.org/presentation/?id=cafcur_101&sess=sess322 | https://history.siggraph.org/person/edwin-ed-catmull/ | https://history.siggraph.org/person/frederic-i-parke/ *Social Media* http://blog.siggraph.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHConferences | https://twitter.com/siggraph | https://www.youtube.com/user/ACMSIGGRAPH | https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/ *Conference Website* https://s2025.siggraph.org/ | https://s2025.siggraph.org/register/ | https://s2025.conference-schedule.org/