Academy Award nominee, council and animation branch member Bill Kroyer will lead the evening`s dialogue with an inside look at 2-D and 3-D animation tools of the trade, examining the impact these tools have made and continue to make on the animator`s craft. The evening`s special guests will include Academy Award winner Brad Bird ( The Incredibles ), Aladdin Genie animator and animation branch member Eric Goldberg, Academy Award winner Jan Pinkava ( Geri`s Game ) and Lord of the Rings Gollum animators Richie Baneham and Steve Hornby. They all will share their views on the complexities of the animator`s tools through case studies and will discuss how new tools continue to shape the animated performance. Clips of obscure and iconic character animation will be showcased throughout the evening, and a panel discussion led by animation branch member Tom Sito will complete the program.