If you’ve seen X-Men: the Last Stand, I Robot, Spiderman, Mulan, the Lion King or Tarzan, you’ve seen character animator James Parris’ work. Now you can have the chance to see Parris himself as he gives the keynote address at Digital Media Arts College’s 2008 Graduation on May 24th.

Trained as an illustrator at the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, Parris has always had a passion for making his drawings come to life. “Ever since I was drawing pictures for my Mom…I was always trying to make-believe and make people think these things were actually happening. It was so exciting!”

His first job as an animator came on Disney’s the Lion King. Other traditional 2-D animation projects including Tarzan, Eight Crazy Nights and others came swiftly until his inclusion on the Sony Pictures Imageworks film Spiderman in 2001. Since then he has animated characters in over 16 major CG projects.

Parris will be awarded the honorary Doctor of Arts degree by DMAC for his groundbreaking achievements as an animator. DMAC’s graduation ceremony will be held at the Muvico Theaters in Boca Raton. Seating is limited to graduates and their family members and guests. A reception will be held afterward for students to meet Mr. Parris.

Digital Domain Recruiter to speak to DMAC Students

Noted CG industry recruiter, Karen Sickles will be at DMAC on the 21st of May to review senior demo reels and speak to all DMAC students. Currently with Digital Domain, Sickles has worked with Sony Pictures Imageworks and Industrial Light and Magic among other well known firms as a recruiter.

Among the more notable projects with which she has been associated are Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, I Robot, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Hulk and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Sickles is currently at work on the upcoming films Speed Racer, Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.DMAC students should be ready for an intriguing look into the CG film industry from one who is right in the heart of it.mily members and guests. A reception will be held afterward for students to meet Mr. Parris.

Congratulations to former DMAC students Alex Duque, Greg Tate, and Felipe Lega whose film “Premonitus” took Best Animation honors at the Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF).

A lushly animated graduate student group project, “Premonitus” is an action packed view into the future for a young Roman boy and his best friend. The two, locked in youthful struggle, find themselves trans-ported into the gladiatorial arena. See what ensues as these two boyhood friends are pitted against one another in a fight to the death. Music for the film was provided by another DMAC student, Justin R. Durban.

Screening times for the film at the PBIFF are Sunday, April 13th at 12:00pm. The winners of the Student Showcase of Films will be screened and shown in their entirety at Sunrise Cinemas in Mizner Park.

Students may use student passes for admission at the door. Family and friends are also welcome to attend the screening. Tickets may be purchased at regular admission price by calling the box office at 561-368-7744.

Congratulations once again to Alex, Greg, Felipe and Justin!

JPG Magazine, an online journal of contemporary photography has published the photography of current DMAC student Ashley Coates. The stunning image of a hummingbird taken mid-flight was captured at Butterfly World. Ashley’s two page spread can be viewed at http://www.jpgmag.com/issues/15.

“I shot five shots, REALLY fast, and this is the only image in which I actually had the bird in focus. I went to JPG Magazine and decided to try it out, it's all about votes and then getting picked for publication. The theme was split-second; I figured my hummingbird picture was one of my best ones. My 'lucky shot.'

Coates was one of 21 photographers from around the world selected by the magazine for this themed article.

A lifelong photographer, Coates is seldom seen without her camera. The Alaska native is studying graphic design and hopes to pursue a career as a designer/photographer when she graduates from DMAC.

Says Coates, “As for the future…I don't want to do wildlife. I want to do high fashion. Hopefully I'll be able to do that, I love design and photography... somehow I'll find my mesh point. Only time can tell.” Based on her recent exposure in JPG, her hopes are well founded. Congratulations Ashley!

Congratulations to David Olivares-Fong, BFA computer animation graduate (class of 2007) who was just hired Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California as a TD Trainee. Much luck to David as he embarks on his new career with Disney!

The South Korean 3-D Artisan magazine ran a comprehensive article on DMAC’s animation programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Graduate Director David Xu and Undergraduate Chairperson Andres del Valle were both featured in the article. This article along with the rest of the magazine can be viewed on www.3DArtisan.co.

DMAC Computer Animation Professor, John Conway, has been hired by SIRS - a leader in library automation and research software for educational institutions - to create the “Human Element,” an animation for their website. In addition to this project, he is also working on "America Left Behind,” a documentary directed by Tim Ward about educating the public on the condition of the South Florida high school system. Good luck on your projects, John.

Full Scholarship winners Lucas Priamo and Danielle Namer were among the 40 Florida High School Seniors selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in the Second Annual Scholarship Talent Competition held by Digital Media Arts College. The competition was open to all Florida High School Seniors graduating this spring.

The top 40 students were chosen to participate in a two day, talent-based event at Boca Raton’s Town Center Mall. The students were competing for the chance at two full undergraduate scholarships to Digital Media Arts College worth over $68,000 each. 40 contestants were narrowed down to ten semi-finalists at the end of the first day of the competition. The final ten had to complete a mixed media project in only 4 hours. Two winners were chosen by an independent panel of graphic design and animation industry judges. On both days, the contestants drew sizeable crowds as they drew, painted, and collaged their way to the top prize.

When it was all over, Priamo, a senior at Monarch High School in Coral Springs, Florida and Namer a senior at Hollywood Hills High in Hollywood, Florida earned first prize full scholarships to study for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at DMAC. Both students will pursue careers in Graphic Design.