Flash on the Beach 2009

So it’s that time of the year again when all of the Flash geeks from around the world descend on Brighton to “educate” themselves. Four days of Flash geekiness in it’s purest form. Education, inspiration and quite a lot of dissipation.

I can say without any doubt that FOTB 2008 was the most inspirational event that I’ve ever been lucky enough to attend. I picked up more skills and creative ideas in 4 days than I had done in the entire previous year. It was exhilarating to say the least.

Flash on the Beach is a wonderfully constructed event that encourages free thinking and debate and is an excellent opportunity to mix with other Flash designers and developers from around the world. I met some amazing people last year and I am sure that this year will be the same.

However last year I was so overwhelmed by the whole thing, I missed at least two lectures that I really wanted to see through to disorganisation (and at least two more due to hangovers). So although there’s not a great deal I can do about the hangovers, I have decided to at least try to plan in advance a lecture schedule this year of the speakers that I want to see. I’ve listed it below so you can stalk/avoid* me (*delete as appropriate) if you’re going to be there.

Seriously though if any of you are attending FOTB this year, please do get in touch. It’s always great to meet like-minded people.

Sunday 20th September

9.30am – 5.15pm
Papervision3D 2.0 Workshop
Seb Lee-Delisle
Really looking forward to this workshop. I’ve wanted to get into PV3D for ages but didn’t know where to start (the first book only came out this month). Also I’m a big fan of Seb’s work so to be taught by someone as good as him is a real privilege.

Monday 21st September

9am – 10am
Keynote
Richard Galvan

10.15am – 11.15am
Casual Game Architecture: How to finish coding a game without despising it
Keith Peters
I’ve learned an enormous amount from Keith’s books over the years so it’s always a treat to hear him speak. This particular subject is something I am very interested in though.

11.30am – 12.30pm
Lead the hand and the arm will follow: Inverse Kinematics in Flash CS4
Rich Shupe
I attended Rich’s AS3 workshop last year so I know how good a speaker he is. However the main reason I chose this is because I don’t feel I’m getting enough out of CS4 so I want to relight my interest in its features.

1.30pm – 2.30pm
Fear/Love
Rob Chiu
Creatively Rob Chiu’s lecture last year was one of the most inspiring, so I really want to see what he’s been doing for 12 months.

2.45pm – 3.45pm
Big Spaceship: Fun begets quality
Joshua Hirsch
I’m looking for a creative kickstart from this lecture. Hope it delivers.

4pm – 5pm
Telling Stories
Hillman Curtis
I don’t know what to expect from this, but I think it will be a good way to end the day.

8pm – 9pm
Epiphany
Joel Gethin Lewis
I love the inspiration sessions…they’re like watching a fun channel 4 documentary that’s directed right at you. Definitely the most memorable part of last year.

{ P A R T Y }

Tuesday 22nd September

9am – 10am
3 Minute Wonders
Elevator Pitch
A new addition to FOTB, this promises to bring something new and should allow new ‘stars’ to make a little dent in the industry. I don’t know what to expect but I’ll be there with bells on, no matter how big my hangover is. I’m particularly looking forward to Desuade‘s 3 minutes – good luck fella!

10.15am – 11.15am
Quick as Flash
Grant Skinner
Another giant in the industry, this time showing us how to make the most out of our code…how could I resist?

11.30am – 12.30am
An Interaction Designer’s Guide to Play
Andy Polaine
This was a tough call because it’s up against 2 other great sessions, but Play is something that fascinates me and I’m intregued to know more about how I can bring it into my applications.

1.30pm – 2.30pm
Hacking the Newsroom
Jeremy Thorp
I’ve had lots of fun playing with Twitter recently, so I want to walk away from this session with lots of new ideas of how I can extend my Flash apps to bring in other useful data.

2.45pm – 3.45pm
More than Bending Pixels
Paul Burnett
I know absolutely nothing about Pixel Bender, so hopefully this will give me the boost that I need.

4pm – 5pm
Unconventional Web Applications
Contrast
Again I’m not sure what to expect, but ‘unconventional’ is a word that I love, so hopefully I’ll walk away from this with lots of ideas.

8pm – 9pm
Choose Your Own Adventure
Craig Swann
Inspiration session – enough said.

{ P A R T Y }

Wednesday 23rd September

9am – 10am
The Flash Platform in a Multi-Screen World
Serge Jespers
I need to look to the future and there is no doubt that the future of Flash lies on many different platforms. After 3 nights of drinking it will be hard to make this session, but worthwhile I’m sure.

10.15am – 11.15am
Preparing for the Flash Catalyst’s Era
Marco Casario
I’ve only heard of Flash Catalyst in passing and as it’s Adobe’s next big product I see it as essential to learn more about it.

11.30am – 12pm
Union and Megaphone
Colin Moock
Do I need to say anything other than it’s Colin Moock?!!

1.30pm – 2.30pm
Jam Throwdown
6 Speakers – 10 mins each
My favourite daytime session last year was the impromptu Flash Jam that occurred when a speaker was unable to turn up. It was truly amazing. 6 ten minute mind blowing sessions. Joa‘s ten minutes of silent coding will go down in history as one of the coolest things the industry has ever witnessed.

2.45pm – 3.45pm
Live Drawing with James Jarvis
James Jarvis
I love hearing about other people’s creative processes, so being able to watch someone create something live will be a real treat.

4pm – 5pm
Space
Joshua Davis
Last year’s closing session caused ripples throughout the industry, will Joshua Davis do the same? Either way, he’s possibly the most recognisable name in web design – it’s an essential session.

Wow it was really difficult to choose the line up. It’s like a who’s who in the industry, there isn’t a dud lecture on any of the days. I really can’t wait now.

See you there I hope….