Trojan Horse was a Unicorn 2014

Second time out, the Trojan Horse was a Unicorn festival promises to be bigger, better and even more surprising than last year, as co-founder André Luís explains

Rather than creating space between the speaker and his audience, THU attempts to create space for the speaker and his audience

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU) is a bootcamp in paradise, says co-founder André Luís. We really want to make something that really has an impact on peoples lives. The second incarnation of THU (THU/2014), which he has also described as a '4-day digital art rave', will be held 17-20 September 2014.

Last years event took place on the beautiful Troia peninsula in Portugal, and the location was a big part of the attraction for people. The location for THU/2014 hasnt been decided yet, but Luís promises itll be just as spectacular and hopes to confirm it in early March(stay tuned!).

A standing ovation was how THU 2013 ended, and André Luís is determined to make sure 2014 has the same impact

André Luís has been working since the minute the first Trojan Horse was a Unicorn festival finished, to ensure that the sequel would not be a disappointment. The first edition was really a blast so the expectations are high, he admits, and we have a lot of challenges for 2014. Bringing together producers, animators, game developers, VFX artists, concept artists and 3D generalists, THU aims to take them out of their comfort zone, to introduce them to big ideas and big names, and to get them excited about their work again.

THU is about networking and friendship and sharing, knowledge and learning, and the unique thing is that THU is not just about nice words.

André Luís

Unique opportunities

What really impressed the people who attended THU the first time out, is that as the name implies it prides itself on not being a corporate event. As Luís says, Everything in THU is to create the best experience for the attendees and speakers. There are no VIPs in THU: we are family since day one.

Getting involved and inspired is the name of the game, at THU 2014

To achieve the family vibe, Luís and his team had to set up the right conditions, so that "speakers are available 8-10 hours a day to speak to everyone, and every place every hour is good to talk. And that holds true whether you want to show your portfolio or just drink a beer. The events happen from 10am to 3am. This made THU about networking and friendship and sharing, knowledge and learning, and the unique thing is that THU is not just about nice words, he adds. Luís believes it was a life-changing experience not just for him, but for the speakers and attendees too.

Gavriil Afanasyev Klimov plans to talk about the difference between design and illustration in concept work
© Gavriil Afanasyev Klimov

I am looking forward to meeting all the people that attend, usually there are amazing crowds full of energy, not to mention I will be meeting a ton of friends who are
other speakers.

Gavriil Afanasyev Klimov

One of 2014s confirmed roster of speakers will be concept artist Gavriil Afanasyev Klimov, who is very excited to be taking part. He explains that he will probably talk about the difference between being a concept designer and a concept illustrator or rather, differences between design and illustration in the concept field. I will talk about concepting using 3D as a tool of choice and I will talk about my work-flow based on the situational needs. I am looking forward to meeting all the people that attend; usually there are amazing crowds full of energy, not to mention I will be meeting a ton of friends who are other speakers.

Anytime and anyplace is a good moment for a beer at the Trojan Horse was a Unicorn festival

Win a Golden Ticket to THU/2014 in the CG Warrior competition!

What makes THU different?

For Luís, one of the big challenges for 2014 will be re-creating the magic of the first THU/2013, but with more people in attendance this time. 2013 saw 200 people wash up on the Troia peninsula, and THU/2014 will probably have around 500, with that being the maximum that Luís thinks they should keep to, in order to maintain its special atmosphere.

This is Alessesandro Baldasseronis Ettore Fieramosca, and Baldasseroni is one of the speakers
already confirmed for the 2014 festival - © Alessesandro Baldasseroni

Im really thrilled at the idea to inspire and be inspired, share knowledge and meet fellow artists in beautiful Portugal.

Alessandro Baldasseroni

"This is gonna be my first time as a lecturer at THU/2014, says Alessandro Baldasseroni of Blur Studio, "and Im really thrilled at the idea to inspire and be inspired, share knowledge and meet fellow artists in beautiful Portugal. Ive been told by people who attended the previous edition that the atmosphere at THU is kind of unique due to the informal and cozy interactions between lecturers and participants; this is really what Im looking forward to.

Traditional art skills are given real focus at THU, because theres no point knowing the
software if you dont have the craft to back it up

Luís has plenty of ideas to keep the event feeling special and friendly, even as it grows, and probably the largest of these will be the way THU/2014 will have different categories of speakers. First, there will be Mentors, who will offer private lessons to attendees, so sharing knowledge in a more personal way. And then there will be the second category, called Legends. Luís explains: Scott Ross made this happen, his opening lecture in 2013 was so impressive, so we thought that having more people with his experience would take the event to another level.

The Portuguese sun was a big draw in 2013, and André Luís is hoping to confirm this years venue soon

Also new will be Workshops, a bigger and better concentration on traditional art and also recruitment sessions, with around 10 companies available and interested in seeing portfolios from attendees. And of course, Luís promises there will still be fun, with happy hours, midnight art battles and nude life drawing sessions by SUICIDE Girls.

Artists like Denis Zilber ensure that a whole range of styles and specialties are
allowed to shine at THU - © Denis Zilber

Speak and greet

Other confirmed speakers for THU 2014 include Catherine Mullan, Rebeca Puebla, Ben Mauro, Denis Zilber, Kyle Mcculloch, Andrew Hickinbottom and Ian McQue. So if youre interested in hearing those artists talk, and maybe being able to grab a beer with them too, then head on over to www.trojan-unicorn.com to find out more.

Rebeca Puebla will be another of the artists speaking at THU 2014 - © Rebeca Puebla

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn is a bootcamp in paradise. We really want to make something that really has an impact on peoples lives.

André Luís

Related links

Visit the Trojan Horse website for more information.
Gavriil Afanasyev Klimov will be speaking at the event.
Another speaker lined up is Alessandro Baldasseroni.

Win a Golden Ticket to THU/2014 in the CG Warrior competition!