The Making of “The Big 50: Celebrating 50 ACM SIGGRAPH Conferences”

The article offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation process of last year's special issue article commemorating five decades of SIGGRAPH conferences. In this edited transcription of an interview, the article's editors, Mary Whitton, Chris Johnson, and Dave Kasik, share insights on how the project evolved from a conventional idea to an unconventional groundbreaking collection of personal stories. The interview delves into the inception of the project, the challenges faced in gathering contributions, the innovative methods employed for outreach, and the surprises encountered along the way. From the initial concept to the final publication, the editors recount the collaborative effort involved in producing a comprehensive and visually captivating retrospective. The impact of the article on the SIGGRAPH community especially and the computer graphics community in general is reflected in feedback received, highlighting its value as a repository of memories and a testament to the enduring legacy of the conference. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the interview captures the spirit of camaraderie and innovation that has characterized SIGGRAPH over the past half-century.