SIGGRAPH 2008 Student Volunteers report from the conference

FireUser.com is working with the the SIGGRAPH 2008 Student Volunteer program to bring our readers daily news from the SIGGRAPH 2008 Conference and Exhibition. We are also working with OpenGL.org to published relevant summaries for their readership.

These student volunteers get an inside look at SIGGRAPH 2008. They will be sending daily reports about what they have seen that is professionally and visually interesting. Below is a brief description from each of our on-scene reporters:

Pat Howk - Indiana State University

I am a Student seeking an M.F.A. at Indiana State University. Graduated with a B.S. in New Media at IUPUI. I fell in love with animation towards the middle of my career at IUPUI and decided that I wanted to be an animator. I'm currently working on multiple animation projects in both CG and Stop-Motion.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/phowk

Timothy Chrismer - Savannah College of Art and Design

I started as a Computer Science major at Texas A&M University, but soon realized I was interested in more than just the technical end of CG. I found the need to tackle both my technical and artistic sides together and transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design. Now I'm focusing in lighting and surfacing, using my programming background to augment my artistic skills. I'll finish my studies in March of 2009 with a BFA in Game Development, and a minor in Technical Direction.
http://www.timchrismer.com

Ted Isla - Full Sail University

Currently, I am attending Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation. My focus is in Compositing and Motion Graphics. Outside of my academic activities I am the University Apple Campus representative, TOMS Shoes campus intern, and serve as my university's SIGGRAPH chapter President.
http://3dcompositor.com

Josh Fincher - Art Institute in Pittsburgh

I am in my senior year of the Game Art and Design Bachelor's program at the Art Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Being an artist all my life, as well as an avid lover of video games, I found my place at AiP in 2004 after beginning college in pursuit of a degree in Computer Science. In my time at school I have been a part of many great projects including a contest through The Sci-Fi Channel, and one currently for the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.
http://www.jivefincher.com