This sounds really cool and it's open to the public.  --Mike


"MATH BEHIND THE CURTAINS: DYNAMIC SIMULATION AT PIXAR," by senior 
animation scientist David Baraff, Pixar Animation Studios, will explore 
core physical simulation technologies of recent movies and the balancing 
of creative and technical needs in production. Presented by the Institute 
for Mathematics and Its Applications. Feb. 9, 7 p.m., B75 Amundson Hall. 
For more information, see

http://www.ima.umn.edu/public-lecture/2004-05/baraff