X|Media|Lab conference - mentors guiding emerging creativity...

The XML conference that was held over the weekend from Dec 18th to 19th consisted of mentor/mentee sessions that saw talented local companies discuss and throw about ideas that may require a little bit of tweaking here and there.  What was on offer was business matching, concept development and a goldmine in terms of an available network of creative professionals who are leaders in their field.


Participants work directly with their selected mentors, pitching project ideas and engaging with the possibility of partnerships and additional opportunities with those around them.


The "X" in XMediaLab stands for cross-platform, cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural - so you can imagine that the possibilities are virtually endless.  One of the key purposes of the lab is to explore and form professional networks between the creative industries in emerging markets across South East Asia, The Middle East and India, as well as the more traditional across London, Los Angeles and several spots in Europe.


For 2010, here's a sense of what went down in Kuala Lumpur...

Participants clamouring for the board to get a session with their desired mentor...it was a civilised stampede

Mentoring session in progress with Jason Manley

Australian and Local participants talking shop

Leah Hoyer having a look at a business concept

Alex Laurant imparting some of his infinite wisdom on Anand Gurnani, founder of AnimationXpress.com, Mumbai

The team from Banshee Creative, with husband-and-wife super-duo Sheldon Goh and Angelia Ong at the helm

Leah Hoyer with Big Beak Productions, with their brilliant concept for kid's 'edu-tainment'

XML business development manager Katerina lending her brains

View of the conference hall from the back

Group shot!

XML Kre8tif! Festival round-up... a brief overview Part 1

As a premise to the trip that I embarked on as a QUT student as part of the XMedia Lab project 2010, a few background notes about the purpose of the Lab must be elaborated upon.

On the plane on-route to Singapore, then to the home of XML 2010, Kuala Lumpur!

Malaysia’s role as an emerging creative industry hub in Southeast Asia led to MDeC (The Multimedia Development Corporation) collaborating with XMediaLab (XML) to host one of the most dynamic events on the digital media industry’s calendar. Running for 3 days from December 15th to 17th, the Kre8tif! 2010 Digital Content Conference and Awards Night (with the year’s theme being “Back to Basix”) is a super-charged networking event that featured more than 50 local and international experts from the creative industries.

Launch and Keynote Address by Mosti Deputy Prime Minister - it was a laser show to rival any of the Star Wars films

Ralph Simon speaking with an MDeC representative (head honcho in fact), with Leah Hoyer looking on.

The Creative Industries is one of the key growth areas of the new “Knowledge Economy”, where physical resources is giving way to intellectual resources, and where new ways of thinking and the creation of new digital and communicative technologies will be key. Hence, it is evident as to why MDeC wish to cultivate international exposure and promote the development of Malaysia’s capabilities and technology in the creative multimedia sector.

Ideas, contacts, experiences and inspiration were created and exchanged, through a variety of forums such as master classes, conferences, and keynote addresses. The venue for the event, being the impressive Putrajaya Convention Centre, allowed the conference the chance to truly shine and the space for over 700 audience members and over 30 speakers to engage in vibrant conversations and get their network on. There were students from a variety of disciplines, animators, producers, writers, creative directors, lead designers, and those who master in visual effects – all there to learn from one another.

Here, there was no room for egos or pretence, as everyone’s passion for their art and thirst for creativity was something that I had never previously witnessed before. I can say that I only wish there were more platforms such as this, for students and industry practitioners alike to foster the growth of new ideas and professional relationships... to be continued...