Videogames compete with movies for our entertainment dollar. Top-grossing movies rely heavily on computer animation and graphics. The actors behind computer-generated characters win Oscars. It's because of trends like this that we have events like the Industry Giants 2006: Giant Steps Forward computer graphics, animation and gaming forum. The annual event hosts guest speakers and industry professionals addressing elements of their craft and covering such topics as visual storytelling and universe creation. The event is preceded Friday by an "acting for animators" master class giving instruction in the psychology of movement and gesture, character analysis and more. Forum tickets range from $15 to $25. Show up and log on from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Collin Community College in Plano. Tickets for the master class range from $45 to $75 and include admission to the forum. Visit abunchofshortguys.com.
Sat., June 10, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.