The Media School

Animator shares industry knowledge in India

17 July 2009

Steve Hubbard presents an animation lecture in India

India visit gives BU animator an opportunity to share his views of the UK digital effects industry.

BU animation expert Steve Hubbard has returned from India where he spoke on the development of the British digital effects industry.

Hubbard, Associate Dean (Computer Animation) in BU’s world-renowned Media School, addressed representatives of the business community in Chennai as part of a lecture programme organised by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI).

The lecture and other activities are aimed at building closer links between BU and organisations in India. During his visit, Hubbard also had an opportunity to meet and interview prospective students who are hoping to attend media-related programmes in Bournemouth.

Hubbard’s presentation focused on the way visual effects for film and television are now achieved through 3D computer animation and digital manipulation, taking over from more traditional and labour intensive methods involving optical and photochemical techniques.

Hubbard said that the real turning point came with the making of Hollywood blockbuster Jurassic Park in 1993 and the decision to use computer animation to create dinosaur movements. Thanks to the film’s box office success, the entire visual effects industry turned digital.

Speaking on visual effects in Britain, Hubbard charted the growth of independent, post-production companies and the rise of London as a recognised, global centre capable of supporting the digital effects industry on a large scale resulting in movies like the Harry Potter series.

Hubbard originally graduated from BU with a BA (Hons) in Communication and Media Production and an MA in Computer Visualisation and Animation. During the 1990s, he worked in the Computer-generated Imagery (CGI) and Digital Effects industries for companies such as The Mill, Cinesite, Red Alert and the BBC.

Since his return to BU, Hubbard has designed and managed the Masters programme in Digital Effects and continues to teach Effects Principles, Effects Design and Effects Cinematography on that programme.