Ahmad Al-Mahir Online

Wow. It’s been a hectic few weeks since the semester started and I’ve been to busy to blog. Anyways, I’m trying out some cool stuff in my animation modules and already I’ve spotted some solid animation potential in some of my students. This makes me happy indeed. It’s still early so I can only hope it all gets better and even more of my students get a good grasp of the basic animation principles as the weeks go on. We’ll see.
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OK. Here’s the SIGGRAPH-related news I was hinting at in my last post. I’m officially going to SIGGRAPH 2008 in L.A this August! I’m so looking forward to 1 week of incredible unforgettable experience. There’s a possibility my good Mexican friend from the MA course I took in Bournemouth will be attending as well so that’s double the coolness! Of course, it’s actually more like a business trip (I suspect I’ll be too busy understudying to attend some of the programs there) but I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Let the countdown begin!
FYI, the trip is actually possible due to my involvement with SIGGRAPH Asia 2008. I’ve been appointed the Student Volunteer Program chair for the event happening in Singapore this December, and that means I’ll soon be busy with the recruitment, scheduling, delegating etc. I’m already slowly wading through the waters and getting to grips of what’s involved. No way I’m giving the opportunity up though. This is a fantastic chance for me to get more involved in the CG industry. And I’m getting tons of help. I’ve been blessed.
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I watched the “Iron Man” movie when it opened and suffice to say: IT ROCKS! Perfect casting of Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire playboy-turned-hero Tony Stark. The rest of the cast delivered solid performances too. Great origin story, good mix of fast-paced action, poignant self-reflecting moments and witty banter, with a pinch of social awareness message thrown in to boot. I was half-expecting it to disappoint given recent comic to movie projects I’ve seen. I recently caught “Ghost Rider” and “Superman Returns” on cable and had my fears realized. I’m glad to say “Iron Man” has returned some of my faith. Now, I’m definitely looking forward to the inevitable sequel. Easily one of my favourite (if not THE favourite) comic to movie adaptations ever. Maybe “The Dark Knight” will extend the good comic-to-movie run. And then maybe the upcoming “Hulk” movie will actually turn out good this time around? Anyways, go watch “Iron Man” already!

Iron Man in the classic armour design I remember best.

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