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Using a Map
Chances are, you're going to NAB ("The World's Largest Electronic Media Show") to see specific media, and not just to collect free tshirts and squishy toys. If you're going to look at the latest in digital routers, you may not be interested in the latest motion tracking software; on the other hand, if you're going to look at portable transmission devices, you might not have compositing software on your list. Regardless of what you're there to see, you should have a list.
As an animator/compositor, my list, although mixed, is more software based than hardware based. Do I want to see the newest support devices for my Mac? Sure. But more than anything, I'm there to see which new plugins I want to purchase; IN ACTION.
For the same reason that hardware techies go to make sure some hardware isn't made out of a giant magnet, or to see how one piece of gear fits in a rack with other components - you may want to see pro hands-on demonstrations. Surely most software authors these days offer a downloadable demo version of their software, but with applications and software becoming more and more elaborate, with precise controls and customizable user preferences; you may not have time to adequately find out what a specific plugin or application does.
Once you download the 30-day trial, the clock starts ticking; a new project is slated that puts the demo testing on the back burner, and before you know it, 29 days later, you've had no time to look at the demo.
NAB gives you the opportunity to write down all of the technical questions you had about the software and bring them directly to the users, or, in some cases, the authors of the software themselves.
One booth where you can meet uber-users and codewriters is the PLUGIN PAVILION. Located next to the Adobe booth, you can be sure to find me there, looking at the new offerings from some of the very best After Effects plugin developers. Although you can find some posting on the Plugin Central Forum, you can actually meet the companies' leaders here face to face.
Not only will you find demos of the applications here, but you'll also notice that satisfied customers and returning fans of the software gather around the PLUGIN PAVILION to talk about their experiences with the plugins.
Overheard conversations may include:
"Oh, I saw that animation on television, and found out <insert plugin name here> was used to create it. I didn't realize it was so easy to use."
"I was trying to figure out this with <insert plugin name here>"
"Oh, you need to do this - THEN you can do THAT."
(To developer):"What would be cool - what I need to do - is have a tool that does THIS instead of THAT, but only when I do <insert strange dance here>"
(Developer): "I see." (click click click) "Okay, I wrote a patch that you can download tomorrow" (This actually happened to me (Profound Effects : Useful Things))
There are plenty of other booths offer demos to small audiences, they can sometimes lead you astray of your map. Make sure you hit your destination points, or you'll wind up in the waning minutes of your last day on the floor, wishing you had time to see a demo of the software which expired, unused on your desktop.
Map Flow
Having a map indicating the places you want to see is really only half of the mapping process.
If you're interested in purchasing several seats of software, you may want to contact the developer in order to get a one-on-one meeting. It's a little close to convention time, but you may still have time to schedule a personal overview of the software. Even if you've made up your mind to buy those 25 seats of the new product, working with a demo artist to get a quick overview of the application may save frustrating searches through manuals or PDFs.
Grant said, "Sometimes you have to choose the path of least resistance."
Resistance? Know that perhaps tens of thousands of people are going to be going to the same place you want to go. Sometimes the hallway (even Las Vegas hallways) can only accommodate several hundred. Plan your escape route. Around the left side of the booth, rather than head-on, intro traffic might get you there with less fatigue.
While your list might include: Maxon Cinema 4D, Adobe, or Apple, those booths may not be in a linear path, with booths in order of priority.
Download a map (NAB used to send one out before the show) from the website, and find your route. You can download the floor plans here: http://www.nabshow.com/floorplans.asp. According to the site, you'll need the latest version of Java for a good print (hooray, Safari support). There are also PDF files that you can download.
(Note: according to Tim Plumer, you can now edit PDFs in A7; if you want to distribute your PDF map to your friends, check here: A7 Forum with Total Training's Tim Plumer)
I just go through the print-outs with a sharpie or high-lighter. As a victim of ADD, all of those pretty booths and flashy HD monitors distract me, so it's important to get the 'must see' booths mapped out.
You may want to consider scheduling the mornings for the booths you want to see, with time after lunch to mill about; or pick one day to work, another to browse.
My friend Scott McLain adds : Remember to bring plenty of chapstick and bottles of water. The desert will dry you out. You should also schedule some time pool-side, away from the noises of the casino and convention.
He also suggests that newbies may have a different agenda than veterans that they might attend with. Plan a meeting place for a specific time, with a 10-15 minute window. Cel phones don't work in some spots of the convention building, and even when they do, you may not notice them ringing or vibrating.
Do you have TIPS FOR NEWBIES or favorite spots in Vegas? Look at the bottom of this page for a link to post your messages. TIPS FOR VETERANS? TALK ABOUT THE NEW MONORAIL? Check out the link, or come to the After Effects Forum to let us know - Adobe is at NAB, so talking about NAB isn't OT - ;)
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Ko Maruyama is a freelance animator in Los Angeles. In addition to working on film and broadcast animations, Ko teaches at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design - focusing on motion design. When working, writing or testing software allows, you can find him lending a hand in the After Effects board and lurking among the Cinema4D, Visual Effects and Photoshop posts within the DMNForums.Related Sites: Creative Mac , Digital Producer , Digital Animators , Animation Artist , Siggraph News , Audio Video Producer , Digital Media Designer , Oceania , MacAnimationPro
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