Industry Giants is the premiere animation, game development and computer graphics event produced by non-profit organization, A Bunch of Short Guys, in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Since 2002, the conference has featured leading industry talent in: film and broadcast animation; concept artists for games and film; producing and directing; game development; visual effects; storyboard and pre-visualization; post-production; and digital asset creation for games, film and broadcast.

The first event was Ed Hooks’ Acting for Animators Workshop in 2002, featuring the veteran actor, teacher and author of “Acting for Animators.” In 2003, the first Industry Giants event was presented which showcased local industry talent as well as national/international studio artists. Since then, the Industry Giants events have continued to feature the best creative minds working regionally, nationally and internationally.

In 2005, the first Industry Giants Masterclass was held. This Masterclass presented the veteran Pixar animator Bobby Beck, president and CEO of AnimationMentor.com. Bobby inspired a full house of regional industry professionals, students and educators. In the following years, Masterclass sessions have featured our friend Ed Hooks in a reprise performance (2006) as well as Digital Domain technical director Jens Zalzala and Sony Pictures Animation animation director David Schaub (2007).

A Bunch of Short Guys held its first Industry Insights event in May 2005. A parallel series showcasing a single evening with award-winning and iconic industry figures, Industry Insights offers an additional forum for industry talent. Andrew Gordon of Pixar Animation Studios was our first presenter in this series thanks to the support of DNA Productions. In March, 2006, Industry Insights featured Ray Harryhausen, the Oscar-winning veteran stop-motion animator who wowed audiences with his work in classic fantasy and science fiction films from the 1940s through the 1980s. Harryhausen spoke about his life’s work at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas. Primary sponsor and collaborator, Janimation, Inc., helped make this one of our most memorable events.

Beginning in 2002, Industry Giants events have been held at the Spring Creek Campus of Collin College in Plano, TX. The Applied Graphic Design Technology department of the Fine Arts division at Collin has been an important collaborator over this time period.