A Bmedia event held at the WOW academy last night. I went along hoping to do some networking and hoping I could get some ideas or make some contacts for future projects.

There was a good turnout, mainly people from media companies, dealing with video and DVD production both for online and regular marketing streams. I spoke to a young man from a fledgling company born out of the Think Business incubation unit at Bradford University. They were specialising in video production but also animation. The girl shown in the photo was kitted out with the lastest technology used for CGI and animation...similar to the type used in the making of King Kong Movie. As she moved around, the software captured her movements and projected them to the animated model on the screen.

We were also given a talk and a 3D film show by the Innovations Manager Hashim Hashim - so good they named him twice! The end of the film turned the cameras on the audience and we all saw ourselves in glorious 3D! Awesome (although I have to say I did feel a little nauseous after the clip from an alien invasion where the audience were flying in a space craft at warp factor infinity!)

I have to say, though, the best part for me was the 3D printer that they had there. Imagine being able to design something in 3D on the computer, then to send it to print only to have a perfect plastic model come out of the tray! fantastic! Wonder if they do 3D photocopiers...could have some fun with that at the office Christmas party.

I'm not sure that any of the technologies I saw could be used in e-learning due to the high production costs, but certainly we could consider using DVDs or online video streaming to add a bit of va va voom to training courses.

If you want more information about the WOW academy visit the WOW academy website or tel:01274 433343.