Local animation studios had the opportunity to canvas the next generation of talent from Okanagan College香蕉视频直播檚 animation diploma program.

The third-annual Industry Night, which showcased students香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 came into this program with little to no knowledge about the animation industry and now I can香蕉视频直播檛 imagine not being in it,香蕉视频直播� says Stuetz. 香蕉视频直播淭his program has pushed me into new growth as an artist 香蕉视频直播� in ways that I would not have been able to do on my own 香蕉视频直播� and with my skills, artistry and knowledge I am empowered to launch into a career that is so inspiring.香蕉视频直播�

Vernon local Ryan Lazar 香蕉视频直播� who specializes in 2D background design and 3D animation 香蕉视频直播� is ready to start his career after a tough yet rewarding two years of studies.

香蕉视频直播淭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,香蕉视频直播� Lazar said. 香蕉视频直播淲e spent a year exploring all areas of animation 香蕉视频直播� storyboarding, animation, character design, layout, theory, 2D, 3D and more 香蕉视频直播� and then once we found which area resonated with us the most, our instructors and mentors helped us specialize our skills.香蕉视频直播�

Added Lazar: 香蕉视频直播淥ver the past two years my classmates, instructors and I have become really close and I can香蕉视频直播檛 wait to see what they all accomplish in the future.香蕉视频直播�

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香蕉视频直播檚 work at the 19-minute mark, at .

香蕉视频直播淵ou香蕉视频直播檝e accomplished so much this year and we香蕉视频直播檙e incredibly proud of you,香蕉视频直播� says Yvonne Moritz, Associate Vice President Educational Services and Interim Dean of Science, Technology and Health at Okanagan College. 香蕉视频直播淭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.香蕉视频直播�

Throughout the evening香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淭he quality of work we香蕉视频直播檙e seeing from our students is very high 香蕉视频直播� these are eager professionals who have honed their craft and could walk into a studio right now and start performing,香蕉视频直播� program acting chair James Wood said. 香蕉视频直播淭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香蕉视频直播檛 be long before the entire class has obtained employment in their field.香蕉视频直播�

READ MORE:

Amber Phillips gave the address on behalf of graduating students during the event, delivering a poignant message about the bittersweetness of graduating 香蕉视频直播� a highlight that is echoed by many of her classmates who have formed close bonds during the past two years.

香蕉视频直播淚 know I香蕉视频直播檓 not the only one who is reluctant to leave Okanagan College. We香蕉视频直播檝e made so many great memories and great friends,香蕉视频直播� says Phillips, a born-and-raised Kelowna resident. 香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�

Phillips provided a word of advice for anyone interested in the animation industry.

香蕉视频直播淎rt is subjective and everyone has a different process so you香蕉视频直播檒l need to work hard and keep an open mind to critique and feedback,香蕉视频直播� she explains. 香蕉视频直播淏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.香蕉视频直播�

Rounding out the evening was a heartfelt congratulatory message from Okanagan College香蕉视频直播檚 new president Dr. Neil Fassina.

香蕉视频直播淚 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,香蕉视频直播� said Fassina. 香蕉视频直播淚n the pandemic, we香蕉视频直播檝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香蕉视频直播檛 be the last of your work that dazzles audiences on screens both big and small.香蕉视频直播�

The college will welcome its next intake of students into the animation diploma program this September. For more information visit okanagan.bc.ca/animation.

READ MORE:

newsroom@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on .