ANIMATION STUDENTS THRILLED TO COLLABORATE WITH TOP BRITISH ARTIST

Capstone senior project will transform award-winning children's book into 8-minute animated film

DENVER - Animation students at the University of Colorado Denver are "jazzed" by the rare chance to work with a renowned illustrator as they bring his drawings to life in an animated film.

British artist Howard McWilliam is visiting CU Denver's Digital Animation Center this week to give feedback to the students, and even learn some new skills on DAC's state-of-the-art animation computer software.

McWilliam has already spent months collaborating, via social media, with the students as they transform the award-winning children's book he illustrated, "I Need My Monster," into a short film. The students, who are working on their three-semester senior capstone project, are producing an eight-minute film short for "I Need My Monster," based on an adapted screenplay written by DAC Director Howard Cook.

McWilliam, who has illustrated five children's books, has never had one of the books transformed into film. "I've always approached (illustrating) with a cinematic view in mind, so for me it was a natural fit," he said. "I'm really excited to hear there are people willing to take it on and do it. We've had some Facebook discussions about certain problems that have come up, so it's good to see (the students) face to face."

The 15 students in the capstone cohort are equally excited by the project, and the chance to work with someone of McWilliam's caliber.

"This is just a unique opportunity to meet the man behind all those amazing pieces of art that we get to translate into 3D," said Michael Launder, who, like the other students in the cohort, is working toward a bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in visual animation. "We're so jazzed ... At first he was this guy behind a Facebook picture and how he's right here."

Brandon McCaulley, another student, said, "Being able to have his feedback and input on developing our concepts and collaborating with him is just a rare opportunity -- very rare -- especially with him coming from the U.K."

DAC Productions Senior Short Films have been highly acclaimed, selected as “Official Selections” in more than 80 national and international film festivals. Of those, the DAC films "A Complex Villanelle" (2010), "8 Second Dance" (2011), and "Forever Mankind" (2012)received 15 Best Animated Shorts in non-student categories. The film version of "I Need My Monster" "has really huge potential," Cook said, noting that the book's publisher envisions potentially packaging the book with the film.

The students on Wednesday showed McWilliam the story boards of their film and some early computerized renderings of his illustrated characters. "The big thing is the exposure (they get) to a working artist and actually having to translate somebody else's ideas into something 3D," Cook said. "It's something they would do in the real world. This is the first time we've done that. We've never had a premade version of the story, so this is really mimics even further that studio environment that we're trying to have them engage in."

3rd year DAC student Archie Dalton pitches the opening sequence.

McWilliam said he was excited to try his hand at some of DAC's software, such as the 3D sculpting program. He's excited to see the final film product -- which will be completed by May 2014 -- with the potential of having it packaged as a DVD with his book. "I've loved seeing the work they've done so far," he said. "It's some great stuff. I'm optimistic."

DAC, part of the College of Arts & Media, is one of only three programs in the world that has students complete a three-semester capstone film project. It's because of that experience that many DAC graduates are working as artists in studios such as PIXAR, Disney, LucasFilm, and Dreamworks. DAC graduates also have worked on high-rated video games and TV programs.

Cook said if this book-adaptation is successful, future senior short film capstone classes -- next year's cohort has 25 students -- will likely do similar projects.

Launder is already thrilled to be getting the "I Need My Monster" project to put in his demo reels. If the film ends up in the marketplace as a DVD-book package, that would be a major bonus.

"That would be cool," he said. "I'm not going to lie, it would be awesome."

Contact: christopher.casey@ucdenver.edu

University of Colorado Denver's Digital Animation Center lowers tuition

The Digital Animation Center announces a significant drop in tuition cost for a 4-year degree in animation

February 20, 2013

 Denver Colorado— Today, the University of Colorado’s Digital Animation Center (DAC) announced a significant drop in tuition cost for animation program. The overall success of the program has led to a just over 25% reduction in tuition for the animation program. This reduction represents a $12,300 savings over the 4-year program.

 “We are pleased that we can offer a reduction in the cost of attending the DAC. It is exciting to be able to help our students in any way we can obtain their long-range educational goals,” says Howard Cook, Director of the highly regarded program.

 “In a time when tuition and the cost of education is on the rise, it is rare and exciting when we can help out,” Cook said. “We are talking about just over a $12,000 savings. That is significant”.

 “It is just awesome that the University is able to lower tuition for us. Getting to be an animator just got that much easier,” says DAC 3^rd year student Michael Launder.

 The Digital Animation Center’s 4-year degree in Digital Animation is regarded as one of the top programs in the country. CU Denver graduates of the animation program have had a hand in making a number of the top animated films in recent history, working as artist the big studios including PIXAR, Disney, LucasFilm, ILM, Dreamworks, Sony, ReelFX, Electronic Arts and Bioware. DAC Graduates also worked on some of the highest rated games and TV offerings. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, DAC graduates work for Los Angeles based Stargate Studios, won the Emmy’s for their special effects work on NBC’s Heroes and AMC’s The Walking Dead.

 “DAC Graduates work hard throughout their educational journey. The result is they are getting internships and jobs in a wide range of industries that use animation.” Cook stated.  “From legal forensics to working on the big features we see at the local Cineplex, to some of the top rated games like Star Wars Unleashed, DAC graduates are in the mix.”

 “If you are going to learn animation and CG, the DAC is one of the best,” states Ken Maruyama, VP of Recruiting & Academic Relations/Animation Artist Management at Sony Pictures Imageworks. “I am impressed with the DAC’s production courses. These kids are doing some great things, really learning what it means to work on a production. It is the real deal."

At the core of the DAC’s program is the 3-semester capstone course series in which students form an in-house studio to work on and complete a high-production value short film. The DAC Productions Senior Short Films have been highly acclaimed, selected as “Official Selections” in over 80 national and international film festivals. Of those, the DAC films A Complex Villanelle (2010), 8 Second Dance (2011), and Forever Mankind (2012) received 15 Best Animated Shorts in non-student categories. 

“If you want to learn animation and do so in an urban environment and an awesome place to live and learn, Denver, then you won’t go wrong by choosing the DAC.” states Cook.

More about the Digital Animation Center at CU Denver can be viewed here www.cu3d.org

Contact: howard.cook@ucdenver.edu