Step behind the scenes and into the innovative world of visual effects and game design at the fifth annual Industry Giants 2006: Giant Steps Forward computer graphics, animation and gaming forum at Collin County Community College District (Collin). The event takes place Saturday, June 10, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the John Anthony Theatre on the Spring Creek Campus, 2800 East Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. A one-day masterclass for students and professionals will be held Friday, June 9, 2006 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in room C-104 on the Spring Creek Campus. Veteran screen actor and author, Ed Hooks will lead a presentation on acting for animation.

Advance tickets for Industry Giants 2006: Giant Steps Forward are $15 for students and $20 for the general public and can be purchased online at www.abunchofshortguys.com. Tickets at the door will be $20 for students and $25 for the general public. Advance tickets for the masterclass, are $35 for students and $65 for professionals and include admission to the forum. Tickets at the door will be $45 for students and $75 for the general public. For questions regarding tickets, please call 972-516-5089 or by email vicepresident@abunchofshortguys.com.

Speakers for Industry Giants 2006 include:

CHRISTIAN LORENZ SCHEURER – Visual Storytelling and Universe Creation
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. http://www.christianlorenzscheurer.com/

LONI PERISTERE – ZOIC STUDIOS – Visual Effects Creation for “Serenity”
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. http://www.zoicstudios.com

T. DAN HOFSTEDT – SONY PICTURES IMAGEWORKS – Animating “Monster House”
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. http://www.sonypictures.com/imagewor...thofstedt.html

SCOTT PETERSON - DIGITAL ANVIL – Designing for Tomorrow’s Game Platforms
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

DNA PRODUCTIONS – The Ant Bully
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. http://www.dnahelix.com/

PANEL DISCUSSION – Giant Steps Forward
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.