Mar 27
Comic-Con Museum San Diego, CA
TicketsStuart Sumida, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology, Vertebrate Paleontology at California State University, San Bernardino; Paleontologist
andElizabeth Rega, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost and Professor of Anatomy, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at Western University of Health Sciences
andDane Stogner
Animation Supervisor, DreamWorks Animation
How to Train Your Dragon— Helping Dragons Fly: Real Science in Animation
Program Description
Ever wonder how dragons learned to soar? It turns out science had a hand in their flight. Dragons may be mythical, but making them feel real on screen takes expertise. Paleontologist Stuart Sumida, who advised the filmmakers of How to Train Your Dragon, reveals how fossil evidence and living animal behavior shaped the design and movement of different dragon species. He’ll be joined by human anatomy professor Elizabeth Rega, whose consulting credits include The Lion King and World of Warcraft. Together, they’ll share how their knowledge of anatomy, diversity, and motion helps animators bring both creatures and characters to life.
Note: This screening will take place at WonderCon.
Film Synopsis
A hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed.
Hiccup is a Norse teenager from the island of Berk, where fighting dragons is a way of life. His progressive views and weird sense of humor make him a misfit, despite the fact that his father is chief of the clan. Tossed into dragon-fighting school, he endeavors to prove himself as a true Viking, but when he befriends an injured dragon he names Toothless, he has the chance to plot a new course for his people's future.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures
About the Speaker
Dr. Stuart Sumida is a Professor of Biology, Vertebrate Paleontology at California State University, San Bernardino, has consulted on 70 films, is the recipient of the '22-'23 CSUSB Golden Apple Award, and is president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Due to his extensive experience and research background, he is considered the world’s expert in teaching anatomy to animators and artists, also having contributed to television programs and video games such as Academy-Award-winning animated films “Soul,” “Ratatouille,” and “Zootopia.” He was also featured in the “Ask a Scientist” webinar series for the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Elizabeth Rega is Associate Vice Provost and Professor of Anatomy at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at Western University of Health Sciences. Her specialization in teaching morphology to medical students has led her to be a frequent consultant to the film, animation, and game industry, including Walt Disney Feature Animation, Dreamworks Animation, SONY Pictures Imageworks, and EA Sports.
Originally from Atlanta, GA, Dane Stogner built his career on a lifelong love for cinema, transitioning from working in video stores as a teenager to a two-decade career in feature film animation. After studying at Ringling College of Art and Design and Animation Mentor, he joined PDI/DreamWorks in 2008.
Dane is best known for his decade-long tenure with the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. After starting as a junior animator on the first film, he became the Supervising Animator for Toothless for the second and third installments. His work on the series earned him an Annie Award nomination and solidified his reputation for high-level character development.
An avid D&D player, Dane approaches animation as a world-builder and storyteller, focusing on the internal logic and personality of the characters he creates.