Recent Visitors

Chara Huckins and Andy Noble from the Repertory Dance Theatre performed in the ACCAD Motion Capture Studio this past May. Andy and Chara danced parts of Anna Sokolow's Steps of Silence, a work created in 1968, about the oppression of a people and based on the writings of Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Franz Kafka.

This was a collaboration between ACCAD and Professor Valarie Mockabee (Dance) as part of a documentation project.

Builders Association

The Builders Association Company is a recipient of the 2004-05 Wexner Center Residency Award in performing arts, at Ohio State University.

The Company will be experimenting in ACCAD's Motion Capture Studio (July 26-Aug 6), testing the integration of video and motion capture technology with live action. The Wexner Center and ACCAD are serving as partners to co-commission the residency program, which will help launch the Builders Association new project, SUPER VISION. SUPER VISION examines surveillance technology in contemporary society and the formation of our identities as "data bodies", composites of information in computer files. Developed in collaboration with 'dbox', the computer animation studio that created Alladeen's stunning digital animation, SUPER VISION is scheduled to debut during the 2005-06 season.

Alumni Updates

Steve Anderson (1987) was recently promoted to Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of the Electronic Arts, Los Angeles Studio. Many congratulations to Steve. Steve added, "EA is currently working on several highly-anticipated first-person-shooter and real-time-strategy games for the coming year. Connie and the (4) kids are happy and enjoying Los Angeles, spoiled by the sunshine and ocean".

Leslie Bishko (1991) presented her computer animated "Visualizing the A Scale" at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute for Movement Studies in New York last November. The "A Scale" is a movement sequence choreographed by Rudolph Laban, originator of Labanotation and Laban Movement Analysis: a conceptual framework for observing, describing, notating and interpreting human movement. Intended as a teaching tool, Bishko's animation depicts the geometrical structure and spatial sequencing of the scale as a visual supplement to the mostly kinesthetic pedagogy of Laban Movement Studies. As a guest at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Bishko taught Laban concepts to animators, towards developing how the intent of an animated character is reflected in their movement. Bishko gave two Laban for Animators workshops at Max the Mutt School of Animation in Toronto, and in February will consult with Xbox Sports at Microsoft, in Redmond, Washington. See: www.eciad.ca/~lbishko.

Wooksang Chang (2000) wrote, "I have some news.. First, My short film 'In the Forest' was selected for 2004 Zagreb world animation Festival Grand Competition. Zagreb festival is considered as one of worlds largest animation festivals. (annecy, Hiroshima, ottawa, zagreb). Final award announcement will be in June (I don't expect ..any award.. it is already enough). ^^ We had a screening of that film in Seoul Animation Center in Korea. Fortunately, the audience liked it. if you want to see images and trailer, check out the following site. www.proj-forest.pe.kr

Second, my wife, Hyejin is expecting a baby in Dec, 16th, 2004. ^^.. finally.. I am so happy. Third, teaching in school is going well. I am teaching 3 classes now. One is 'animation workshop' which is very much like the 750 classes. Another one is "Short animation seminar" which is more like "Maria's seminar class". The last one is "digital cinematography". It is focused on lighting and camera. Fourth, I start 2 new projects. I will start making another new short animation with 2 students and my wife, which is about a father and twin babys. It will be done early next year. I am also making a trailer of the feature animation called "Monk". It is more like a "Stuart Little" style animation. I will let you know more about those project later. I will be SIGGRAPH this year.. so want to see you all of them .. I miss all of you.. say hello to Accadians. Take care."

Tim Glenn (1999), Assistant Professor of Dance Technology and Technology Director for the National Center for Choreography (NCC) at Florida State University, was recently selected as the first NCC artist to receive support for the creation of a new work utilizing technology. Glenn's project, Aqueous Myth: Tales of a Water Planet, is scheduled to premiere at FSU in the fall of 2005. He also received an award from the FSU Council on Research and Creativity to support the development of an interactive CD-ROM, The Nikolais and Murray Louis Costume Collection. Tim will spend time in NYC working directly with Murray Louis this spring, then escape the heat of Tallahassee to work as Visiting Faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in late June.

Heath Hanlin (1998) is now tenured faculty at Syracuse University. Heath has been involved in many projects, including: Jury member for the Syracuse International Film and Video Festival (animation and children's films); His piece "Hell's Prow" has been shown by invitation in several venues: Occularis Screening, Brooklyn, NY; 6th International Video & New Media Festival of Santiago, Santiago Chile; MAD 03 Digit, Madrid; Sixth Annual Antimatter Festival of Underground Short Film and Video.

Heidi Hesse's (2002) installation, "Exporting Liberty" was recently on exhibit in downtown Tucson, AZ. The work began as a series of meditations on notions of freedom and identity surrounding the immigrant experience and the American Dream. The work examines ways in which "liberty" is often spread by force throughout the world. See http://www.heidihesse.com.

John Jay (2003) worked this past year as an artist in residence with the OSU Theatre Department. He coordinated several dramatic 'live' special effects for the production of "Pentecoste".

Wobbe Koning (2000) has a new address: Ideepix/Wobbe Koning, Orchideestraat 10, 3551 GJ Utrecht, The Netherlands. See: www.ideepix.nl.

Dawn Mercedes (1999) recently showed work in the 'Symbolist Art Show', an online gallery show whose theme this year is "The Artist as Shaman". See URL:
http://www.dracoblu.com/mercedes04.html. Mac Design Magazine and Photoshop User Magazine are considering her work for possible publication. Dawn has been nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award for the third year in a row.

Sonja Oster (2000) wrote to say, "after working for Sony the last 3 years in Salzburg (Austria), I have decided to move to Monterrey (Mexico) where I'm working as a full-time professor at Universidad de Monterrey. I am working at the Department of
Architecture and Design. See: www.udem.edu.mx. Of course, if there is anyone willing to develop a research project together with Universidad de Monterrey in the design field, I am more than willing to create links". New contact details: Sonia Oster, Departamento de Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad de Monterrey, Av. Morones Prieto 4500 Pte, 66238 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico/ Office phone (direct): +52 (81) 8124 1452.

Chitra Shriram (1989) wrote, " Happy New Year !! How are you doing? Please convey my regards to any staff / faculty who may remember me. I am now in "hot" Houston .. actuallly Clear Lake which is where NASA is. I am still working for my own company "Hellikon" www.hellikon.com. We just recently finished about half a dozen shots for another large format film called "Mystic India" .. and then I went away to the real India for a whole month .. and am just easing back into work again.

I have a seven year old girl - her name is Jahnavi and some day I hope to bring her to ACCAD to see where her Mom spent her "formative years" in CG .. but I'll wait for some summertime !!! Hope y'all get an early spring !! Stay warm!!

Moon Seun (1994) and Kevin Geiger (1994) are hard at work on their latest animated short film, "My Friend Shadow". The Animation Co-op, founded by Moon and Kevin in 2003 continues to grow: most recently with the formation of a Columbus Chapter sponsored by Charlotte Belland (also an alumni). Moon is purusing development work on an animated feature entitled, "A Green Winter", while Kevin continues his supervisory responsibilities on Walt Disney Feature Animation's "Chicken Little".

Scott Swearingen (2004) wrote, "Well, I'm finally allowed to say publicly that I'm working on Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault, for Electronic Arts. As a level designer, I will have 2 multi-player maps in the game once it's released - and having a blast all the while here at work! In addition, I'm currently finishing up my MFA candidacy remotely as I polish up my thesis dissertation. Nothing else new, really. Save for the fact that there are no Caribou Coffee's in Santa Cruz, and I've turned into a Starbucks nut! tell everyone "HI!"

Footnote:...Scott did finish his thesis and did graduate AND...he and Kyoung Lee (also a spring graduate of ACCAD) are getting married September 27th, 2004 in Mayflower Presbyterian Church in Pacific Grove, California (and they approved this message). Many happy years to Kyoung and Scott!!

Nathania Vishnevsky (1998) recently wrapped Shrek 2 and is now working on commercials. She and her fiance Rick Glumac, his parents were planning to go to Croatia for a month this summer. Rick's Mom was born there and hasn't been back for 20 years!

Staff Presentations

Vita Berezina-Blackburn, "Muybridge to McLaren to Motion Capture", lecture/ screening at Dance On Camera Festival, New York, NY, January 18, 2004.

Matthew Lewis, "Aesthetic Video Filter Evolution in an Interactive Real-Time Framework" at the EvoMUSART Proceedings, 2nd European Workshop on Evolutionary Music and Art, EuroGP, Coimbra, Portugal, April 6, 2004.

Brian Windsor, "How to Capture and Edit Human Motion", CCAD Motion and Emotion Symposia, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH, April 1, 2004.

Staff Grants

• Maria Palazzi (ACCAD/Design), Valarie Mockabee (OSU Dance), Mark Bender (OSU East Asian Languages), $28,426 from the OSU Arts and Humanities Multi-disciplinary program, to create a folk dance model of digital assets for a cultural movement resource prototype.
  
  
• Maria Palazzi has also received the following funding to continue the Digital Animation: A Mentoring Program for Young Women (as referenced above).
  
  The Columbus Foundation ($15,000), Charlotte R. Haller and Willard H. and Katherine J. Armstrong funds, summer of 2004.
  
  Ingram-White Castle Foundation ($15,000), summer of 2004.
  
  The Women's Fund of Central Ohio ($10,000), summer of 2005.

RECENT GRADUATES

Todd Delman, MFA, Design, Spring 2004.

Thesis Title: "Collaboration with Children in the Character Design Process for a Short Animated Film".

Todd is finishing his demo reel and applying for industry positions.

Kyoung Lee , MFA, Art and Technology, Spring 2004.

Thesis Title: "Visualizing Subjective Perception through Illustrations of Polarized Concept: entry vs. exit"

Kyoung will be looking for work in the San Francisco area.

Scott Swearingen, MFA, Art and Technology, Spring 2004.

Thesis Title: "The Dawning of Virtual Environments: Discovery of Identity
Through Interaction"

Scott is working for TKO-Software. He is designing multi-player maps for the game, "Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault" to be released by Electronic Arts.

Brent Watkins , MS, Computer Science and Engineering, Spring 2004.

Thesis Title: "Automatic Creation of Real-Time Muscle Systems"

Brent recently accepted a position with PDI/Dreamworks.

Carrie Wilson, MFA, Design, Spring 2004.

Thesis Title: "Sleep Deprivation Chamber: Developing a Pre-production Process for Digital Performance Design".

Carrie helped this summer with the Digital Animation Mentoring program for high school girls and is looking for a teaching position.

Student Work ~ Accolades

Mike Altman ~ "Lady Shaves"

• SIGGRAPH 2004 - Student Animation Competition, 'Honorable Mention'.
• Youngstown State University Animation Festival (2004), 3rd Place.
  
  
  
Vita Berezina-Blackburn (with Kareen Balsam) ~ "When I Am Little Again"

• 2004 Cinedance Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  
  Vita Berezina-Blackburn - "Memory Of Hope"
• Youngstown State University Animation Festival (2004), Honorable Mention.
• 12th International Animation Festival of Brazil - ANIMA MUNDI 2004.
• The 34th Annual USA Film Festival/Dallas, Texas; National Short Film and Video Competition, Finalist.
• 2004 Zlinsky Pes - The Student Film Competition Czech Republic.
• 2004 Ohio Short Film/Video Showcase.
  
  
  Kyoung Lee ~ "Enclosure #2
• 2004 Zlinsky Pes - The Student Film Competition, Czech Republic.
  
  
  Jun Oh ~ "Limited"
• SIGGRAPH 2004 - Student Animation Competition.
• 12th International Animation Festival of Brazil - ANIMA MUNDI 2004.
• The 34th Annual USA Film Festival/Dallas, Texas; National Short Film and Video Competition, Finalist.
• 2004 Zlinsky Pes - The Student Film Competition, Czech Republic.
• 2004 Ohio Short Film/Video Showcase.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

.....to those Alumni who worked on films nominated for or who were awarded an Oscar on February 29, 2004 at the annual Academy Awards.

John Donkin of Blue Sky Studios, along with his colleague Carlos Saldanha were nominated in the best "animated short" category for the creation of "Gone Nutty".

Pixar's "Finding Nemo" won best "animated film". Alumni who work at Pixar include: Dave Haumann, Janet Lucroy, Steve May, Jack Paulos, Ferdi Scheepers and John Warren.

We were fortunate to have Steve May visit ACCAD in January. Steve met with students and gave a behind-the-scenes-look at the making of "Finding Nemo".

ACCAD is a teaching and research center in computer visualization,
and digital animation at The Ohio State University