Local animation studios had the opportunity to canvas the next generation of talent from Okanagan College乌鸦传媒檚 animation diploma program.
The third-annual Industry Night, which showcased students乌鸦传媒� artwork, demo reels and professional portfolios, opened its door virtually May 13.
The popular art-and-network event brought together industry partners, community, students, faculty, mentors and supporters in celebration of the program乌鸦传媒檚 2021 graduating class and first-year students who have now crossed the halfway mark of their studies.
OC student Isabelle Stuetz is a passionate Taiwanese Canadian artist who specializes in layout design, concept art and animation. For her, graduation is the next step to a life-long career in the animation industry.
乌鸦传媒淚 came into this program with little to no knowledge about the animation industry and now I can乌鸦传媒檛 imagine not being in it,乌鸦传媒� says Stuetz. 乌鸦传媒淭his program has pushed me into new growth as an artist 乌鸦传媒� in ways that I would not have been able to do on my own 乌鸦传媒� and with my skills, artistry and knowledge I am empowered to launch into a career that is so inspiring.乌鸦传媒�
Vernon local Ryan Lazar 乌鸦传媒� who specializes in 2D background design and 3D animation 乌鸦传媒� is ready to start his career after a tough yet rewarding two years of studies.
乌鸦传媒淭he courses are extensive, class sizes are focused, and the instructors are experienced and because of that, the program and this graduating class are so versatile,乌鸦传媒� Lazar said. 乌鸦传媒淲e spent a year exploring all areas of animation 乌鸦传媒� storyboarding, animation, character design, layout, theory, 2D, 3D and more 乌鸦传媒� and then once we found which area resonated with us the most, our instructors and mentors helped us specialize our skills.乌鸦传媒�
Added Lazar: 乌鸦传媒淥ver the past two years my classmates, instructors and I have become really close and I can乌鸦传媒檛 wait to see what they all accomplish in the future.乌鸦传媒�
Despite the transition to an online event for the second year in a row, students were not deterred. You can check out the demo reel, including Lazar乌鸦传媒檚 work at the 19-minute mark, at .
乌鸦传媒淵ou乌鸦传媒檝e accomplished so much this year and we乌鸦传媒檙e incredibly proud of you,乌鸦传媒� says Yvonne Moritz, Associate Vice President Educational Services and Interim Dean of Science, Technology and Health at Okanagan College. 乌鸦传媒淭he talent and work ethic from these students paired with the hard work and perseverance from our instructors and partners will lead to a very bright future for the animation industry.乌鸦传媒�
Throughout the evening乌鸦传媒檚 events, Lazar, along with the rest of the graduating students, hosted their own breakout rooms where guests joined them to chat, network and view their individual artwork.
乌鸦传媒淭he quality of work we乌鸦传媒檙e seeing from our students is very high 乌鸦传媒� these are eager professionals who have honed their craft and could walk into a studio right now and start performing,乌鸦传媒� program acting chair James Wood said. 乌鸦传媒淭he pandemic has resulted in more video consumption and the animation industry is so hot right now because of it. Some of our students have already been offered positions and it won乌鸦传媒檛 be long before the entire class has obtained employment in their field.乌鸦传媒�
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Amber Phillips gave the address on behalf of graduating students during the event, delivering a poignant message about the bittersweetness of graduating 乌鸦传媒� a highlight that is echoed by many of her classmates who have formed close bonds during the past two years.
乌鸦传媒淚 know I乌鸦传媒檓 not the only one who is reluctant to leave Okanagan College. We乌鸦传媒檝e made so many great memories and great friends,乌鸦传媒� says Phillips, a born-and-raised Kelowna resident. 乌鸦传媒淲hile this may be the end of our college experience it is truly just the beginning. The industry is full of exciting opportunities and I look forward to working alongside many of you in the future.乌鸦传媒�
Phillips provided a word of advice for anyone interested in the animation industry.
乌鸦传媒淎rt is subjective and everyone has a different process so you乌鸦传媒檒l need to work hard and keep an open mind to critique and feedback,乌鸦传媒� she explains. 乌鸦传媒淏e ready to learn not just from your professors but from your fellow students as well. Training for this industry requires long hours and hard work but it will be most rewarding, so put the time and effort in and I guarantee you will reap the rewards.乌鸦传媒�
Rounding out the evening was a heartfelt congratulatory message from Okanagan College乌鸦传媒檚 new president Dr. Neil Fassina.
乌鸦传媒淚 want to extend my sincere congratulations to you all on your hard work and dedication. Learning during the pandemic requires creativity and determination, both of which you all so clearly demonstrate,乌鸦传媒� said Fassina. 乌鸦传媒淚n the pandemic, we乌鸦传媒檝e all witnessed what an important role animation plays to inform, educate, entertain, comfort and in bringing people together. I am confident that the reels we see tonight won乌鸦传媒檛 be the last of your work that dazzles audiences on screens both big and small.乌鸦传媒�
The college will welcome its next intake of students into the animation diploma program this September. For more information visit okanagan.bc.ca/animation.
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