2019 Bellairs Workshop on Computer Animation:

Machine learning applications in computer animation

This year's annual Bellairs Workshop on Computer Animation will provide an opportunity to focus on machine learning applications in computer animation. Deep reinforcement learning, new neural network architectures and training strategies are starting to have a large impact across a broad collection of computer animation problems, including kinematic character animation, motion capture cleanup, physics based character controllers, and the simulation physical systems such as elastic solids. The goal of this workshop is to bring together researchers, both in the learning community and the computer graphics community, to continue exploring applications of machine learning in computer animation, to share ideas and knowledge about best practices, and to cross-fertilize communities in thinking about new ideas. The workshop is an opportunity to discuss ongoing challenges and identify new opportunities for collaboration.

The workshop will consist of a variety of activities, including plenary presentations, informal talks, discussions, and a session for interactive demos. The workshop is co-located with the INRIA-McGill-UVic workshop on computational geometry.

The workshop will take place at McGill University's Bellairs Research Institute and will be held Friday 15 February to Friday 22 February. Participants should plan to arrive at the Bridgetown airport in the afternoon on Friday. Shared taxi service (approximately 35 USD one way) will be organized via a Google spreadsheet. Note that when you are in Barbados, prices are always quoted in Barbados dollars, but you can always pay with US dollars as there is a fixed 2 Barbados to 1 USD exchange rate. The collocated computational geometry workshop has an excellent page listing other practical information.

The Bellairs facilities are relatively primitive (and inexpensive). Accommodation is very basic with double (or triple) occupancy rooms and in most cases shared bathrooms. It all feels more like a cottage rather than hotel, so there are few distractions such as those typically found in hotels. With some meals included according to scheduling constraints, food and accommodation costs between 70 and 85 USD per day. Reservations must be made through the workshop organizers. Due to space limitations, participation at the workshop is by invitation only.

TBA

• 2018 Simulation and learning from the living world
• 2017 Inverse modeling problems for physics-based animation
• 2016 Simulation, Digital Fabrication and Robotics
• 2014 Appearance and Motion
• 2013 Physically Based Methods
• 2012 Pseudospectral Optimal Control for Character Animation
• 2011 GRAND Challenges, Animation and Geometry
• 2010 Reduced Physics, Simulation, and Control
• 2009 Simulated Humans and Animals