www.aghon.com/blog

2008-08-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Ashraf Ghoniem

1504 N. Benton Way

Los Angeles CA 90026

Email: ashraf.ghoniem@gmail.com

Tel: 310.467.2103

Specialties:

Crowd Simulation, Houdini, Maya, Particle Effects, Procedural Modeling and Animation, Maya Dynamics, PERL, Python, HSCRIPT, and Shake

Experience:

Crowd Artist

DreamWorks Animation

June 2006 – Present (2 years 2 months)

I was one of two people who worked on the feature animation Kung-Fu Panda in crowds. My responsibilities included crowd simulation for shot work. And pipeline development in mel and python for the cycle cloth pipeline.

FX Technical Director

Framestore CFC

March 2006 – May 2006 ( 3 months)

I was tasked with FX animation within Houdini. Including particle simulation, soft bodies, and some vex work. All for the film Blood and Chocolate.

CFX Animator

DreamWorks Animation

June 2005 – March 2006 ( 10 months)

I was working on the Feature "Over the Hedge" my responsibilities include cloth simulation and pipeline development for that task. I have developed a handful of PERL scripts for the pipeline. And run many shots for the show. I have also developed new garments for characters in the show.

FX Technical Director

R!OT Pictures

March 2005 – June 2005 ( 4 months)

Hired short term to develop and apply two fx shots in the feature "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl" my responsibilities included the development of a volumetric jet trail effect for one shot and a smoke for another shot. I developed these within Maya using Maya's fluid system and particles.

Technical Director

Elements Studios

January 2005 – January 2005 (1 month)

Elements was hired to consult for Method Studios on a Toyota commercial. I was involved with development and application of two effects shots in the spot. Within Houdini using particle systems, houdini vex builder, and rendering within mantra.

Technical Director

CIS Hollywood

November 2004 – January 2005 ( 3 months)

I was Hired Short term to create a system for the feature Constantine to make a character's hair to change from black to white. I used maya fur, mayaman, and PRMAN to accomplish this task. I also helped with some misc. particle effects on the show.

Cloth Technical Director

Sony Pictures Imageworks

March 2004 – November 2004 ( 9 months)

I was working on the feature The Polar Express. I was responsible for cloth simulations of many shots in the movie. This includes simulation and clean-up of cloth, as well as following art direction using SPI's proprietary cloth pipeline.

3dfx Artist

Digital Domain

August 2003 – November 2003 ( 4 months)

I worked on the feature The Day After Tomorrow. I was assigned to the twister team to recreate the natural phenomena of debris being picked up by tornadoes. Within Houdini.

Education

Savannah College Of Art And Design

BFA, Computer Art, 2000 – 2003

Tulane University

CS, 1998 – 2000

San fran

2008-03-16T22:27:00.001-07:00

San fran
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

San fran cam phone hotness

IMAGE_011.jpg

2008-03-16T16:09:00.001-07:00

IMAGE_011.jpg
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Japanese tea garden via san fran

zuma beach trip

2007-09-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

map for those going on this trip this saturday.

meet at zuma 10:30-11 or if you want at my house @10

View Larger Map

zero

2007-08-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

let us ponder the distance to zero

Egypt Pictures

2007-07-15T03:26:00.001-07:00

IMG_8089
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

So I finnally posted my pics from egypt.

Mister Cartoon Block party

2007-07-15T03:25:00.001-07:00

IMG_8101
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Went to this cool thing today. It was hot as hell but got some cool pics.

Concert and birthday

2007-05-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

ashraf ghoniem
is
now
27

oh shit....

Grow A tree with me

2006-12-30T02:48:00.000-08:00

A little Processing Experiment

To view this content, you need to install Java from java.com

Macromultitool

2006-12-19T14:27:00.001-08:00

IMG_0328
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Another macro shot. Something about taking up close pictures of various items on my desk is fun.

Macrorobot

2006-12-18T01:44:00.001-08:00

IMG_0278
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Yeah It's a picture of a robot toy thing up close.... My lil point and shoot does macro suprisingly well.

Some Night Time Photography

2006-12-13T01:46:00.001-08:00

IMG_6956
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Ehh... First run with my DSLR... Going to have to try again. There are a few things That I need to adjust. Not quite as Dramatic photographs as I intended.

My Apartment

2006-12-12T02:36:00.001-08:00

IMG_0245
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

my wonderfull partment... notice the lack of anything on the walls, two dogs, and a giant tv... Can you say bachelor?

Apartment at 2am

2006-12-12T02:32:00.001-08:00

IMG_0257
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

I am going to do a series of pictures out side of my complex at 2am. To play with light etc... This is a sketch basically done with my point and click. In the near future I will be doing it with my dslr and a tripod.

The Perversion of the Cradle of Civilization

2006-11-21T22:22:00.000-08:00

So I finally figured it out the reason and the solution to the middle east problem.

Well the reasons are.

1) Fall in economy and the corruption of government.
This quite frankly isn't the root of the problem but the main enabler of it. Quite simply the old guard is refusing to leave they will fight tooth and nail to hold on to what little power they have and in the process of being forced out they will bleed the very countries they run dry of it's money.

2)Rise in Extremism
This is caused quite simply by the frustration of the poor. They have no money, education, or hope. So what happens they listen to the voice on the street of a man screaming about god's wrath. One could say this is unusual why wouldn't they know that those ways are wrong etc... But it is something that has happened through out history. Look at the Great Schism in europe all of Europe was embattled by the divisions of Lutherans and Catholics. Brother vs Brother and than Wanton destruction. The only thing that stopped the wars was the plague because quite simply there was no one left to kill. Dare I even mention the Crusades, Spanish inquisition, Or even the rise of Hitler by using the ridiculous excuse of the impure as a cause for Germany's ills.

3)World War II
A lot of people say "that area of the world has always been at war" it is probably one of the most ignorant and short sited statements that the media has created as an excuse. Honestly the middle east was in pretty good shape before World War II. Obviously the world was at war but the whole Arab vs Jew conflict never really existed. This started by the displacing of the Palestinians and the formation of Israel. Which happened after World War II so the age old battle of Islam vs Judaism is less than 60 years old. Actually historically Jewish and Islamic people had lived in relative peace look at Spain Muslims and Jews essentially built that country. Actually if the Jewish people have a historical enemy it is Christianity the history of Europe is marred by persecution and religious intolerance. Israel is a country and the realities of that need to be accepted by all parties involved. But there also needs to be a historical understanding of the grievances of the people of Palestine since quite frankly it happened not that long ago. Of course World War II led into the Cold War. Which essentially turned the middle east into the battle ground by proxy of the USA vs the USSR.

Now for my simple idea of what a solution is.

Quite frankly the people of the middle east need to clean up there mess. Now this means that they need to take out the extremists themselves. Honestly the only way to save face is to do so. It is our problem we are blaming the rest of the world for our problems. I know our people want freedom and pride in their countries. Well guess what you have to take it.

It is illogical to even think that the Al Queda dream of an All Muslim empire in the middle east following the rules of Sharia is an option. The whole of the world will fall on such a place. The middle east is comprised of many different religions and people's thus that dream is illogical. And those who want such a place do you think your new masters will be less cruel than the ones in power now? Yes things are bad now but such a place will lead the utter destruction of personal freedoms. Do you really want to live like the people of Saudi Arabia or Iran?

The only option is to hope for a rise of moderates. In the middle east they protect there extremists but this is silly as well think about it. Some feel that they are the voice of the people yes they are angry and represent anger. But such an extreme group will lead to more death. There is an old saying from Egypt. If you walk with your water container that has a hole in it. Do not be surprised if you get wet. Basically this implies people need to take responsibility for there country and not allow the misguided few dictate the future. It is apathy after all that leads to most of the world's ills.

The reason that after all these years a solution hasn't been found is because certain things go unchanged and not negotiated and thus create a catch 22. These things are the old guard of these governments quite simply the status quo is good enough for most of the world. They could really care less if we totally decimate each other as long as the oil flows. The Israel problem is two pronged. First of all hamas refuses to recognize Israel. Which essentially is sticking your head in the sand. Guess what they are a country nothing will change and now you have to deal with that. And secondly Israel refuses to acknowledge the wrong they have done to the people of Palestine. It is quite frankly pride that is killing people every day.

So to attack the problem quite frankly the west needs to force these dictators to give power back to the people. And to acknowledge the plight of Palestine. And of course the people of the middle east need to take responsibility and try to change there government and accept Israel. But than again hasn't the middle east always been at war?

Another thing I would like to touch on is Women in the middle east. At first because of cultural identity I was pretty defensive about the image of the head covering of women. Not saying that I think it is necessary but more of thinking it should be a personal decision and that I do not judge anyone who does it. But upon my mother and sister thoroughly destroying me in an argument I have come to accept it as a sign of enslavement and honestly it shouldn't exist.

My mother told me that when she was growing up in Egypt not one person wore one. And that it offends her to even see other's with it. Because when in Egypt the pressure is so high that most just cave because it is easier. This "uniform" as she put it came from Saudi Arabia were a lot of people went to work since the economy went bust in Egypt. And when they came back it came back with them. She states that the Mameluke's who ruled Egypt before had no such out fit for women and that it wasn't even really part of the culture. But interestingly enough most men I talk to from Egypt hate the hagab and guess were most of the pressure comes from? Other women. My mother tells me that utterly every conversation she has with another woman in Egypt always goes back to how much "prettier" she would look with a hagab. Ain't that some shit.

My mother quite frankly refuses to accept these new trends that have been showing up in the middle east. Like praying behind a curtain at a mosque. Or eating after the men. Or even serving the men food. Or the ridiculous tradition of women and men sitting separately. She has evidently caused many stirs at gatherings because this behavior disgusts her. I am actually quite honored to have such a strong person as a mom. And listening to my sister talk an equally strong sister.

A full man

2006-11-13T01:15:00.000-08:00

An eye full of beauty
A hand full of earth
A belly full of hate
A soul full of doubt
An ear full of questions
A mind full of dreams
A mouth full of contempt
A man full of himself

Lil red drinking red and getting hitched

2006-11-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

IMG_0187
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Probably my favorite photo I took with this little point and shooter. Probably because this situation is so comical. Follow the link and you get some pics of branden's wedding. Ooh la la.

Tell the tell...

2006-11-06T00:30:00.000-08:00

I once had a story to tell.

But I don't

this is a stream of conciousness it seems to make more sense this way.

branden got married

I never till the point I saw branden giving his vows wanted to cry for a friend.

i was the best man.
I quoted rumi.

Saw kelli's man friend. Saw chris dance. Was forced to be a village person.

what is going on in my mind?

images of the past transposed with emotions that never leave overlayed with realities of the present and some hope for a future.

I Compose this in the sense of selfishness.

I write this in the spirit of mental vommit.

The unbalance of what you are feeling and what you should be feeling is staggering.

I know how i should feel but I don't feel that way. I cannot figure out why so the mental shift into normalcy hasn't taken place. I am stuck off course.

sadness bliss happiness all of it.... Can't get overmyself.

Still stuck in the moive. Still seeing myself as a hero.

That's the first step realizing you are not the hero.

thinking of fightclub. Thinking of snowflakes.

Thinking of dunes. I think I am obsessed with this rommantic view of the desert.

My foot is leaking... It is always leaking now. It bothers me. I should do something. the water flows out of it. It is like my foot is crying.

I can't make myself cry no matter how hard I try.

I shed one tear a night. I guess it is my slow way of getting all the tears out. At this rate I will be done in 2 years.

It used to be so easy for me to be angry. I was good at it. I was a man on fire. (great movie) but now I am not. I should be angry I should see red I should be foaming. But I can't I can't be angry with her. That's the tragedy that's how this happened I never could get angry with her. I always wanted to protect and now I protect even from myself. Isn't that funny. Even in betrayl I betray myself. Isn't that some stupid shit.

Anger and anguish would be nice. But I get none of that. I guess I am done? maybe holding on. Maybe maybe not.

Sometimes I think... Oh shit Maybe I did love her. But than I have to think even ashraf isn't that self destructive.

Is this a man who is over it?

or is it just beginning?

The melodrama humors me.

Maybe next time I do this I will shield the typical nature of this with pretty words of grandeur. perhaps I will make it seem poetic but right now it's just vommit.

should i publish?

hit the orange button?

I spit hot fire

2006-10-19T01:25:00.000-07:00

IMG_6698
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Or my cam does mixed with photoshop.

Detour LA

2006-10-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

IMG_6763
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Went to Detour saw beck, Basement Jaxx, and Queens of the Stone age. This is queens of the stone age. Check my flickr for images.

Oh man... Oh man.... oh huh

2006-10-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

The blog.. I was so diligent about this little page. I thought it could be the forum for which I could spout out my amazing intellectual ideas to the world. That I like the mother bird could digest the world and spit it out into you dear audience's mouth like the chicks waiting for that rare sustenance that is truth. But to be honest I quite honestly don't have much to say. It is amazing thing realizing that you have nothing to say. I mean quite frankly I have nothing my experiences don't change I feel like I inside of that movie ground hog day. The only evidence I have of the progression of days and weeks is the amount of hair on my head. So with that said I have resorted to the oldest trick in the book. What this post is about is the fact that I have nothing to say. So there we go. I am very bored my life has laid unchanging for weeks if not months. And that's that if this is adulthood. Holy crap did I screw up trying to get here so fast.

kidashraf

2006-08-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

kidashraf
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

one of the many benefits of my parents digitizing old photos.

The Future of this blog

2006-08-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that of late my posts have been very erratic and my blog doesn't really have an identity much like my mind it goes all over the place. It goes from politics, to philsophy, to whining about my past, to just idle nonsense about my day, and than back to just a place to share my pictures. So in an effort to keep this blog organized I will be starting a new blog for my political / current events nonsense. The domain will be posted here shortly. The idea is to keep this blog more about personal stuff and use the other one as a forum for some intresting debates.

The Failure of a Revolution

2006-08-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Peoples revolution has failed and I am not just talking about the socialist revolution I am speaking of the the revolution to a republic in general. When one looks at modern history you see the dawning of the cold war. A basic fight of Communism vs Democracy. And how communism has failed and it seems at this point in time democracy is falling ill to the same disease that infested communism. No matter how you form a government power will corrupt. Men who are placed in power will eventually use it for their own gains and not the will of the people.
So in throwing off the totalitarian regimes of emperors, kings, sheiks, and Tsars. We have replaced them with presidents, prime ministers, and chancellor's. In the United States of America we have a government system that is no longer representational to the will of the people. An electoral system that is flawed and a governing body that is at the complete whim of special interest groups. This is an unbiased fact that in our current system Corporations have more say than the common people on what happens. That money is power and no matter what system you are operating in you can grease some elbows to get the job done.
So one could ask why I would say the revolution is failed. Look at Cuba, Fidel Castro has been in power longer than any other man in the world. Isn't that a totalitarian government. The revolution for the people of Latin America started with Fidel and Che. Che was killed and Fidel became the establishment. So how do you rip away the power of the corrupt and not replace it with a new despot. How does one create a government that reflects the will of the people.
Another interesting thing what if the will of the people is not what is needed. Look at Iraq the majority of the people in Iraq want an Islamic state much like Iran. Is that the freedom of democracy at work. Is allowing another totalitarian Islamic state the answer. Obviously the world would like to see a secular government exist in which all religions can be practiced uninhibited. But is it not majority rules. So if the majority wants this is it not the will of the people. So now people must think about protecting the minority. And this conflict of what direction the government will go has caused the political quagmire that Iraq is in today.
Forgive me because I am going to go out on a limb here. But I think all of the worlds ills can be attributed to a few factors. First of which is economy, globally there is a huge disparity between the rich and the poor. A middle class essentially doesn't exist. I am not talking statistically per country. I am talking globally. Most of the people in China, India, Africa, and The middle east are poor. So that represents most of the world's population and the world's government's failure in helping them.
The world is essentially destroying itself and using religion as an excuse. Any government that uses religion or ethnicity as a qualifier for rights is flawed. In the middle east secular voices have been drowned in a new wave of religious zealots. The scary thing is that the zealot's are getting results. It is a very complex issue these organizations and their relationships with their communities. Most people are adverse to terror and to the killing of innocents. But it is happening in their backyard all the time. If you look at Lebanon the only group who was fighting the invasion by Israel was Hezbollah so if you think about it all that war has done is give Hezbollah more credibility as a resistance force. They fought off for the second time the largest and most modern military in the middle east.
Most reasonable people do not want a Islamic regime but these people with these ideologies are the ones who are doing something about the injustices that exist even if their methods are misguided, brutal, and dishonorable. But in war when is it ever anything else? Israel and Iran are both examples of flawed systems of government Israel's Zionist dream is misguided because it creates a 2nd class of citizen who because they are not Jewish but are Israeli are treated differently. And Iran is obviously flawed as well by forcing it's people to follow certain religious rules they have created a state of fear.
Ironically enough the only leader in the middle east who blatantly was against religious extremism was the extremely brutal Saddam. I heard some were about Saddam's rise to power and it is a very brutal story. I do not know how much of it is factual since I heard it second hand. But it seems to make sense. Saddam was involved with the revolution to throw off the king of Iraq. This king came out of his palace with a Koran and his family and begged the revolutionaries to allow him and his family to leave Iraq. Instead of allowing this Saddam's predecessor shot a canon at them and blew them up. After awhile Saddam decides he wants to rise to power and eventually decapitates his predecessor with a scimitar and becomes the new leader of Iraq. I am not saying Saddam is a good leader actually he deserves everything that is coming to him he is part of the problem his wanton slaughter of the Kurds, and the marsh Arabs is enough to put him away for good.
But what is the solution we dipped into the middle east problem we know the ills of the western world. Obviously communism is still surviving in the far east. But all of these governments seem to be flawed. Maybe the answer is simple. Maybe it as simple as not trusting the government to do everything. Obviously this is all opinion based but I think as soon as the government has so much power that it doesn't have to listen to the people it spins out of control. Basically when the few govern the whole.
But simply speaking the problem is human nature and the nature of corruption. People are inherently selfish and the sense of the community falls aways when there is personal gain involved. And if you think about it the ideals of communism / socialism are not that far from democracy. It is more of a distance between the ideas of capitalism vs communism. Probably the optimal government would be something in the middle. If you look at the political trends of the rest of the world that is were things seem to be headed.

So will there be a new revolution of thought and tolerance that picks up were the old revolution failed, or will all these small wars merge and become one huge fire that engulfs the world in war. I guess the rest is up to us.

Digging through old pictures

2006-08-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

2005-10-25 180
Originally uploaded by Ashraf Ghoniem.

Still love this pic. I took this the first weekend I got my Digital Rebel.