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A Special
Interest Group in MultiMedia Arena (SIGMMA), has been launched by
Arena Multimedia, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai and
other supporting institutions. This forum will explore and present
technological and artistic advancements in multimedia and Automation
of Design (AOD) and serve as a unifying link between the industry,
academia and government.
The
first meeting of SIGMMA took place recently in Mumbai to deliberate
upon new media content development. Thirty-five delegates from academia
and the industry participated. The participants included experts
from Silver Toons, Discreet, Macromedia, India Games, UTV Toons,
Rahul Commerce, FX Factory, Repro India, Paradox Solutions, Tata
Elxsi and premier technology and management institutions like IIT,
Mumbai and IIM, Bangalore.
Sudhir
Mathur, head-Arena Multimedia, said, “SIGMMA has been formed
to provide a collaborative forum for researchers, engineers and
practitioners spanning aspects of multimedia computing, design,
communication, storage and applications, to help them fulfil the
need of identifying opportunities for creating value. Multimedia
and design openings are very promising from the economic and job
creation points of view, ushering new possibilities for packaging
and distribution of content. There should be a fraternity that is
concerned with the development of this highly strategic sector.”
Mathur
added, “SIGMMA seeks to provide impetus to the fraternity through
various events like conferences, workshops, seminars, panel and
paper discussions. The International Conference on Multimedia and
Design (ICMD), 2002, will be held in September, 2002, in Mumbai.”
Ram
Mohan of UTV Toons stressed on the educational needs for new-media
industry. “Showcasing content is imperative as it will create
awareness about the potential of animation in India. The Indian
entertainment industry does not use sophisticated digital technology
as it is used in Hollywood and thus awareness programmes are very
essential. It is imperative to include creative development programmes
in multimedia training. On the whole, there should be a harmony
between technology and creativity,” he added.
Prof
Munshi of IDC, IIT Mumbai, stressed on the effect of new media content
development on entertainment and edutainment. He said, “There
is a need for showcasing competence in content development, ability
for timely delivery, high quality of service and high order of creativity
by new media companies to create a presence in the world market.
Story, scripting and stars (the three S’s)—the essential
starting components of a media programme should be brought under
SIGMMA.”
Activities
mooted under the SIGMMA
Charter would include:
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Quarterly meetings to promote the interests and activities of
academia and industry. These meetings would serve to bring the
fraternity closer and make dissemination of information easier.
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Sponsor special or contributed paper sessions at selected meetings.
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Bring out research papers, articles and news of interest to its
members through the journal—JSIGMMA, to be published quarterly.
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Organising the Annual International Conference on Multimedia and
Design. The first will be held in September 2002.
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Identifying and restructuring training needs of the multimedia
industry.
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Development of resources for information sharing through Web and
other media channels. This will provide a common pool of resources
which can be used by both students and working professionals.
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