Member Profile: Cal Chiu
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I have been a Graphics Engineer working on game engines and real-time rendering systems for the past four years. First doing R&D and developing features in specialized fields like character rendering and light transport in AAA games, and now working more on the optimization side of graphics for games.
2. What was your first job?
My first job was to be an Engineer in Capcom’s R&D department working on developing their internal game engine, the RE ENGINE. I consider it my dream job since it had all the aspects that make me passionate about working in graphics for games: a position that allowed me to work on various games simultaneously, a fair amount of research and keeping up with cutting-edge tech, and a lot of maths.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
My educational background revolves around a double degree between the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) of Lyon in France, and Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. I have a M.Eng. degree in software engineering from the former and a M.Sci. in information sciences from the latter. As you might have guessed, I was pretty set on doing computer science as soon as I had started university.
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I started getting involved when I first joined SIGGRAPH Asia 2018 as a Student Volunteer in Tokyo. I had just arrived in Japan for my double degree and was investigating my new laboratory’s research activities. The word “SIGGRAPH” kept appearing and I had no idea what it was except for the fact that it was probably graphics-related. Looking at the conference’s website, I found out about the SV Program and it immediately seemed like something I could exploit to get a foot in the door and see what this event is about. Now six years later, I am writing this just a few days after finishing my contribution to SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 as SV Chair. My journey as a SIGGRAPH Student Volunteer has come full circle, but when looking ahead I still cannot see a life without SIGGRAPH.
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
I have many fond memories of volunteering at SIGGRAPH, but I think my favorite memory just got updated last week during the SV Closing Ceremony of SIGGRAPH Asia 2024. Standing on stage alongside some of my dearest friends and celebrating the program that we had spent an entire year building has truly become the perfect conclusion to this chapter of my involvement with SIGGRAPH and I cannot wait to see what is next.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
Recently I have started working on some personal art projects that involve complex rendering techniques and shaders. I would love to start contributing to SIGGRAPH more as a submitter too.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
I have a deep passion for learning about people of science and studying History. Robert Oppenheimer is someone who immediately came to mind when I thought about this question.
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
This is something that really few people know but I used to participate in eloquence competitions when I was learning both Mandarin and English in secondary school and even won first place in a couple of them.
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
My parents have experienced both war and poverty, built a life for themselves against terrible odds, and achieved a form of peace and prosperity that I watch them enjoy in a very inspiring way. I owe them so many achievements, but also lessons about human kindness and perseverance that are invaluable.
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I owe my first volunteering experience to my then supervisor, Prof. Yoshifumi Kitamura. My decision to keep coming back however, was influenced by so many people across the SIGGRAPH community that naming each of them and telling their stories would require an additional ten articles. The point is that to me, SIGGRAPH has become all about the people that I met and keep meeting.
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
Seeing my name appear in the ending credits of some of my favorite video games that I still play is a feeling that I am sure a lot of people in the industry can relate to.