SAN DIEGO—A life-sized Avatar powersuit, a cast of “A-list” celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and Harry Potter, a giant transformer that folds into a car, a sea of the world’s best comic artists and related products and services … these were just a few of the enticing attractions that drew over 125,000 comic fans to the San Diego Comic-Con International, held from July 22 to 25.
The world’s largest comic festival this year celebrated pop culture and “diversity,” with a strong Hollywood presence. The guest list and speaking panels were flush with famous directors, producers and movie stars, including, among others, Angelia Jolie, Bruce Willis, Nicolas Cage, Natalie Portman, Tina Fey.
While some complained that the Hollywood influence had over-commercialized the event, the Avatar design team’s appearance had been fervently anticipated by comic devotees. Hundreds of fans attended the “Concept Design for Entertainment” panel’s afternoon session on July 23. Four creature and production designers shared the processes behind their design approach, as well as the philosophical perspective behind their work.
The four artists included lead creature designer Neville Page, Oscar-winning production designer Rob Stromberg, concept designer Craig Shoji, and technical creature developer Alex Alvarez.
Stromberg described the unique challenges the team faced: “You have to remember that every single thing in Avatar was designed, from planet down to trig,” he said.
The world’s largest comic festival this year celebrated pop culture and “diversity,” with a strong Hollywood presence. The guest list and speaking panels were flush with famous directors, producers and movie stars, including, among others, Angelia Jolie, Bruce Willis, Nicolas Cage, Natalie Portman, Tina Fey.
While some complained that the Hollywood influence had over-commercialized the event, the Avatar design team’s appearance had been fervently anticipated by comic devotees. Hundreds of fans attended the “Concept Design for Entertainment” panel’s afternoon session on July 23. Four creature and production designers shared the processes behind their design approach, as well as the philosophical perspective behind their work.
The four artists included lead creature designer Neville Page, Oscar-winning production designer Rob Stromberg, concept designer Craig Shoji, and technical creature developer Alex Alvarez.
Stromberg described the unique challenges the team faced: “You have to remember that every single thing in Avatar was designed, from planet down to trig,” he said.
