On Creativity: Theme Driven Design

Excerpted from a Q&A with ACM Siggraph 2018

SIGGRAPH: As former Chief Technology Officer and current SVP, Executive Creative Director, and Head of ILM, you clearly have a deep understanding of the ways technology and creativity can come together to create magical stories. What advice would you give to someone who wants to develop the next generation of enduring stories?

Rob: Some of the most exciting projects I’ve been involved with have been exactly at the intersection of creativity and advancing technology. My favorite collaborations are when a filmmaker hears about the limitations of a new technology and gets excited about pushing the envelope, working within some constraints to create something new. I remember when we were working on “The Polar Express” with Robert Zemeckis, we initially set up three different types of production workflows: One that was closer to live-action with CG backgrounds, a second that was a hybrid between live-action and CG, and a third that was an all-virtual workflow. He committed to the most challenging all-virtual workflow — we were off.

In terms of advice, I’d suggest that when you are hearing your trusted team tell you about brushing up against the limits, that probably means you’re onto something. Let those limits inform the creative, and let the creative push the limits of the technology — you’re probably working on something completely new. It’s fun when that happens.

SIGGRAPH: What do you hope for attendees to take away from your keynote address at SIGGRAPH 2018?

Rob: Everything we do is creative. Creative problem-solving is at the core of what we put on screens around the world, and also in how we approach it. I’ve been particularly inspired by past SIGGRAPH keynotes about the creative process. Whether you paint, animate, write code, research, manage creative people, or otherwise work around computer graphics, hopefully I’ll be able to provide a few inspiring stories and concepts that I’ve used to keep the creative at the center of my daily workflow.

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This sounds fun, are you hiring?

Yes! We are almost always hiring at ILM. Check ILM.com/careers for the latest info and browse the posted positions in our studios around the world.

Can I send you a Star Wars idea or a script?

No. As an employee of Lucasfilm I cannot receive unsolicited pitches. Sorry.

I'd like to study to work in the entertainment industry, what roles should I consider?

Check out Get In the Door for interviews with a number of people in a wide variety of positions at Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic. I think you may find someone there who inspires you.

How can I contribute to software used by the entertainment industry?

The Academy Software Foundation is an open source, non-profit organization dedicated to getting people involved in a healthy software ecosytem for filmmaking, many of our projects focus on visual-effects and animation. I recommend checking out ASWF.io to learn more and get involved as it's a great way to meet people working in the industry and find a passion project to contribute to.