http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?p=2811986
Graphics chip maker, Nvidia has launched its new, 'Digital Bollywood' initiative, to promote visual effects in the Indian film industry, and create new opportunities for the Indian youth, in animation and visual effects in film making.
Ashfaq Munshi, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Radiance Technologies said, "We believe that digital film making is the next big wave. In India, we want to combine the passion for movies and the expertise of the IT world to create a digital revolution." He also said that Nvidia has chalked out five components through which the company will aim to drive the revolution—namely, training and education, technology support,community, expertise and partnership.
January 2007 will see the launch of Nvidia's training program in digital animation, called 'Digital production curriculum'. This will include two types of course for animators: a short two month course in Gelato rendering software and a longer, four month course in production pipeline. The company will also organize a 'Digital Content Creation (DCC) Guru Lecture Series' which will see experts across the globe visit budding Indian animators and film makers to talk about different facets of visual effects. Nvidia will provide its Gelato rendering software as well as its Quadro technology, tailored for the Indian market, for this venture.
Volker Engel, an Oscar and Emmy Award winning producer and visual effects supervisor said, "Indian talent is waiting to be unlocked and I believe that Nvidia is the only company that can play a neutral role in bringing all the Indian players together to create world class content."
Nvidia also says that it aims to foster the community of digital content creation via working relationships with ASIFA, TASI, ABAI and other animation societies to make a local connection. Moreover, Nvidia has partnered with MAAC and Whistling Woods to teach the DCC in their respective schools, Acris, Anibrain, Anirights, Crest,IIT, Maya Entertainment, NID, Prana, Prime Focus and VLC among others.
