Current News

Paul Steed and Jesse Rapczak speak to AIE students!

13 Apr 2007

AIE students were today treated to a visit from renowned games industry veterans Paul Steed and Jesse Rapczak from Exigent 3D, a world leading animation and games studio based in India. Paul and Jesse spent several hours with AIE students imparting some of their wisdom gained in over 25 years (combined) in the 3D business.

Paul and Jesse talked to students about some of the challenges facing the games industry, particularly in development for the latest Sony and Microsoft consoles. An experienced film artist, Jesse spoke to current Diploma of Screen students about his experiences in applying film style special effects and particles systems in real time game development and the challenges (and limitations!) of working in a real time environment. Jesse was also able to spend time talking one on one with students and offering them some tips on the character animation assignment they are currently working on.

Paul spent most of his time with Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development students and talked about his experiences in the games business, particularly his work on id Software’s Quake™ series. Paul was also able to offer some invaluable advice to students on their work, including individual feedback to students on deformation points, supination, mesh flow and anatomical proportion. Some hilarious facts were also imparted to students throughout the lively session, such as "no one can lick there own elbow" and as discovered during a competition while working on Quake that id Software founder, John Carmack, can bench-press 270lbs! 

Paul and Jesse's visit caps off a busy month for AIE students, with guest lectures recently from Stavros Georgiads of the ACT Filmmakers Network, John De Margheriti, CEO of Micro Forté Games & Bigworld Technology, Robert Byrnes, Technical Lighting Director on Happy Feet, Shane Trewartha and Dayne Rathbone from Micro Forté Games, Chris Whaley and Anthony Whittaker from RZ2 Games and Daniel Lamb from Irrational Games visiting AIE in recent weeks. More guest lectures are planned for later in the year.

Paul Steed serves as Chief Creative Officer for Exigent, and leads their creative development. Paul has extensive experience in the game industry as an art director and creative director with 6 major companies over the past 15 years. His vast development experience includes hugely successful franchises like Electronic Art’s Wing Commander and id Software’s blockbuster Quake series. Paul is also author of three books on 3D art for game development.

Jesse Rapczak serves as the Vice President of Production for Exigent. Previously, Jesse co-founded Artificial Studios (creators of the Reality Engine, acquired by Epic Games in 2005). He led the creative team at Artificial Studios for 4 years, directing the need for many of the high-end features now contained in the product. A veteran in the film visual effects industry, Jesse has led teams in the area of CG content for feature films such as Scooby Doo 2, Exorcist: The Beginning, Cat Woman, as well as many national commercial and advertising campaigns.

Image 1 & 2: Internationally acclaimed animator, Paul Steed talks to AIE students and offers some advice on their current projects.