From Guardians of the Galaxy to the guards of London, we look back on a triumphant ending to the fortnight-long CG event.
The Mill's Adam Dewhirst spilled the secrets of Guardians of the Galaxy at Friday's talk. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
For the last two weeks, London's CG community have enjoyed a rare break from their workstations to gather, network and socialise in a specially designed 'popup studio' in the heart of Soho.
HP ZED London has been a place where animators, 3D artists and VFX specialists could grab a beer, try out the latest HP hardware, and enjoy talks, workshops and challenges led by some of the industry's leading experts.
The last night, suitably, was a sell-out, with the space packed full of CG artists eager to hear Adam Dewhirst - recently of Framestore, now at The Mill - spill some of the secrets of Guardians of the Galaxy.
Dewhirst spoke about both characters that did make the movie and those who stayed on the cutting-room floor. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
His talk was evenly split between the CG characters that did make the film and those that didn't, beyond a blurry appearance in the background.
Most memorable of these was what Framestore dubbed the 'c– monster' (it rhymes with something you put on your feet, and was well named as such).
The audience enthusiastically entered a Twitter competition to name an unused Guardians character. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
There was plenty of technical talk too, of course, and the audience were most intrigued by Dewhirst's demo of how to speed-sculpt a basic character while travelling on the London Underground.
HP's Delphine Simiand introduces Adam Dewhirst. Photo: www.creativebloke.com
The level of detail, and amount of work, that went into even the most minor creatures in the movie was astonishing when broken down by Dewhirst.
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But interestingly, he also paid tribute to its non-digital creatures, as created by the makeup, prosthetics and costume departments.
The room was packed for an inspiring talk. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
Such a mixed-media approach, he believes, makes sci-fi worlds more believable, and he criticised the movies like The Phantom Menace for "using CG when it just wasn't necessary" and overegging the whole effect.
Guarded approach
Following a rapturous reception to Dewhirst's talk, the newly formed SIGGRAPH London chapter took to the stage to present the results of an animation challenge they'd been holding at HP ZED all week.
SIGGRAPH London takes to the stage. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
Teaming up beginners with expert mentors, the group managed to produce a brilliantly amusing short about the travails of a Buckingham Palace guard.
That put a smile on everyone's face as they repaired to the bar to discuss a great fortnight for the capital's CG community and the fervent hope that HP ZED London returns next year. Fingers crossed...
Dave Cox is a London-based street photographer available for events & private bookings. Visit his website, and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.
Mike Griggs is a freelance concept 3D, VFX and Mograph artist working across TV, exhibition and digital design. Find him on Twitter @creativebloke.
The pop-up studio was adorned by suitably kooky fellas like these. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
In a word, what it was all about... Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
A great opportunity to meet other artists in relaxed surroundings. Photo: www.creativebloke.com
Bigger than ever, the ZED London space had many nooks and crannies to explore. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
The talks were fast-moving and engaging. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
A sold-out night meant a packed room. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
There was plenty of space to spread out and chat afterwards. Photo: www.creativebloke.com
A camera phone was a must! Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
An opportunity to take HP's latest workstations for a spin. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
Two weeks that London's CG artists will never forget. Photo: www.facebook.com/shootingdave
Discover more about what went down at HP ZED London here.
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Tom May is an award-winning journalist and author specialising in design, photography and technology. His latest book, The 50th Greatest Designers, was released in June 2025. He's also author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine.
