For Immediate Release - October 15, 2018
Media Contact: Sue McGovern, smcgovern@meca.edu, 781.315.3400
Maine College of Art & Design Celebrates Launch of Animation & Game Art Major with Faculty-Student Show Reel
Film Showcases Creative Skills Needed to Thrive in Innovation Economy
Portland, Maine – Featuring a giant floating moon beast, little warriors, windmills, lobsters, futuristic vehicles, hamsters, and a virtual reality game scene, Maine College of Art & Design’s new show reel celebrates Animation & Game Art, one of the most in-demand student majors at the Portland, Maine-based college. Called “Level Up,” the two-minute film showcases more than 35 works by Maine College of Art & Design faculty, alumni and student artists. (See reel here.)
“Maine College of Art & Design’s Animation & Game Art major prepares students to be 21st century storytellers who can thrive in the burgeoning innovation economy,” said Ian Anderson, MECA&D Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. “Our curriculum emphasizes individualized exploration in animation, video and visual storytelling, as well as collaboration and interdisciplinary study. We help future animators and game artists be competitive in the professional marketplace.”
The Animation & Game Art major focuses on 2D, 3D and stop-motion animation, as well as game art and design, digital modeling, concept art, and cinematic storytelling. Student artists learn to use the tools and technologies of contemporary animation and game art production in industry standard workflows. In addition, through Artists at Work, Maine College of Art & Design connects students to animation and game art internships and career opportunities.
Animation artist and MECA&D faculty member Adam Fisher, who is best known for his work on Laika films such as Coraline, The Boxtrolls and ParaNorman, is among the artists whose work is featured in “Level Up.” Excerpts of his work on Kubo and the Two Strings (Laika) and Tumble Leaf (Bix Pix Entertainment) are included on the reel.
Additional Maine College of Art & Design artists whose work is featured in the reel include:
Hanji Chang ’14 – 2D animator, MECA&D faculty member, and co-creator/animator of the award-winning animated web series Temp Tales (O’Chang Comics), which is based in Maine. The reel presents her work from Long Black Braid Music Video (The Mallett Brothers Band), Nuclear Proliferation (Council of Foreign Relations), Temp Tales (O’Chang Comics), Acid in The Gulf (Maine Sea Grant), and Solar Power It’s Wicked Good (Revision Energy).
Adam deGrandis ’05 - Video game developer and MECA&D faculty member. “Level Up” shows his work from Pocketwatch Games’ Tooth & Tail, Mad Otter’s Villagers & Heroes, Minus40C’s Kill Them All, Chickadee Games’ Hamster Clock Super Show, and Spotkin’s Contraption Maker and QuickShooter.
Alex Ryan – 3D animator, stop motion and effects specialist, and MECA&D faculty member. The sizzle reel presents her work from: Build it Bigger (Discovery Channel, Sputnik Animation); NOVA/PBS, MIT Holiday Animation, and Norway Savings Bank (Sputnik Animation); and Square Pencil.
Sarah Belhumeur ’17 – 2D animation and virtual reality game projects.
Brianna Kenney ’17 – Environmental and character concept art.
William Kitteridge ’18 – Animation/2D projects and environmental concept art.
Anderson noted that the global games market is expected to grow from $137.9 billion in 2018 to more than $180.1 billion in 2021, creating high demand for interactive artists who understand animation principles and cinematic storytelling.
For further information about the Animation & Game Art major, visit Maine College of Art & Design and contact Admissions for application details. For shareable versions of the reel, visit our Vimeo page here.
- Full version download: https://mainecollegeofart.box.com/v/level-up
- Download all: https://mainecollegeofart.box.com/v/aga
- Vimeo (sharable): https://vimeo.com/album/5476006
About Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D)
Founded in 1882, Maine College of Art & Design is located in the heart of downtown Portland's thriving Arts District. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 11 studio majors (including Animation & Game Art), Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies, as well as Pre-College and Continuing Studies programming. Visit the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at MECA&D, the Bob Crewe Gallery, and the Joanne Waxman Library at Maine College of Art & Design, 522 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101, Tel. (207) 669-5521