Hi all,
If you are a teacher, here's something to throw at your classes whenever the kids whinge "why are we learning this?"
One of the executive producers (the person with the money) at Pixar, through Pixar itself, has created this interactive educational site called 'Pixar in a Box'.
Using a LOT of algebra and math, they explain through interactive tasks how Pixar goes about creating and rendering their movies. For example, how do you mathematically model the movement of a blade of grass? (Answer: lots of parabolic graphing! Then randomise that and copy it 400 000 times...)
There are interactive tasks for all ages and then specific tasks aimed at grade 7 upwards. The kids work their way through a set series of tasks and activities in order to create a final project. There is a teachers/educators section so you can get your head around it.
I can see this being ideal for maths, but also science, digital media, computing, and even the art guys in some regard.
So, If you're a teacher, or simply into rendering and want to know how Pixar does their thing (surprisingly not with elves and magic..) then this is a site worth checking out!
Cheers
Sean
