Game Art Workshop

The Game Art Workshop was started as a safe space for students to gather, ask questions of each other and their instructors, and play a few games. But playing games and hanging out with your instructors and peers isn’t just about relaxing and winning (or losing). “We can point them in direction of art that they might not normally experience,” explains Michael Corinella, the Course Director for Environment Art.

“We'll play [a game the students suggest] for a little bit and just kind of analyze [the game], talk about some of the art. We'll watch me die for a while because I usually am bad at playing that game,” laughs Michael. Students also get the chance to dive deeper into game art software, like Unreal Engine, and talk about the different aspects of the game they’re playing.

What’s more, the Game Art Workshop isn’t just for Game Art students. Michael and Chad Kendall, the Program Director for Game Art, have fostered a collaborative space for all, and they look forward to more people joining the workshop. Anyone from any other program can come in, ask questions, learn more about their favorite game, or even just enjoy the company as their work on their own stuff.

DC Buzz

Students from all degree programs looking for an entirely virtual way to expand their digital cinematography knowledge and ask industry experts their questions are invited to participate in DC Buzz. Every month, a different instructor takes on a new topic and interviews a guest speaker that provides a deep, real-world look into the industry.

“It's a chance for students to connect with outside people more one-on-one. The students will be able to chat and ask questions to the guest. It's everything that's relevant to digital cinematography [and] the filmmaking process,” explains Bob Truett, the Program Director for the Digital Cinematography program.

Each DC Buzz session is live-streamed via Zoom and can be used as a resource to extend students’ understanding of their Digital Cinematography courses. DC Buzz has also become a valued networking opportunity for students.

“The collaboration that comes from [DC Buzz] is pretty astounding,” shares Geo Swan, the Department Chair for the Digital Cinematography program.

DC Buzz’s guest roster includes Eduardo Sanchez, best known for his work on The Blair Witch Project, seasoned cameraman and director of photography Doug Jensen, and film director and New York University Associate Professor David Irving.

Concept Art Workshop

Founded by Graphic Design, Digital Art, and Design Lab Specialist Amy Williams, this eight-week rotating workshop features professional illustrators – many of whom are former Disney employees – who teach and inspire students to draw more.  

“We try to do everything from world building to character building,” says Tim Oliver, the Department Chair of the Digital Art and Design bachelor’s program. “We have drawing materials [at the workshop] … because that's how [illustrators] learn traditionally. But we also use tablets. And some students bring in iPads. And it's really more about the concept as opposed to the actual how-to-draw.”

The Concept Art Workshop is held for two hours every week. Once the quarterly workshop comes to an end, it restarts for the next group of students.

But Tim stresses that the workshop is open to anyone, regardless of their drawing experience. “We don't assume anybody can draw… We try to get everybody thinking about the concepts of what they're doing, and the art of concept, drawing, and animation.”

MC Blends

Hosted on the last three Fridays of every month, MC Blends organizes workshops that give Media Communications students, faculty, alumni, and special guests the opportunity to come together and complete group projects and activities surrounding that month’s theme.

MC Blends is designed to provide students with the critical thinking and soft skills required to help them succeed in the real world, while also pushing them to work effectively as a team. Additionally, MC Blends fosters a safe, creative space for students to take creative risks, receive honest feedback, and hone their communication and presentation skills.

The Media Communications program faculty takes turns hosting and executing the various workshops (a recent theme, for example, was “Developing Content with Your Smartphone”), with grads and students presenting on panels and leading workshops.