As video games become more and more popular, educational programs for aspiring game designers are cropping up across the country. And once a student has decided to get a gaming education, nothing beats the hands-on development experience with some of the best tech tools out there. Here are some of the most popular software kits for students, plus what to look for when choosing a tool so you can get a head start in your gaming studies.

In the latest excerpt, Ken A. Priebe interviews stop-motion vets Larry Bafia and Webster Colcord about working on Claymation classics like the California Raisins.

Students at Clemson University’s Sonoco Institute are getting hands-on packaging design experience with a multimillion-dollar, state of the art computer lab equipped with the industry’s most innovative tools, including Luxology’s modo and its Package Design and Construction Kit (PACK).

Introducing two notable academic and industry heavyweights as our Featured Speakers at the SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 conference in Hong Kong – Ken Perlin, Professor in the Department of Computer Science at New York University, and Bill Buxton, Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research - both of whom will share their expertise with the conference attendees.

In the excerpt, artist Waheed Nasir gives tips on using Painter and shows how he created his "Those Gloomy Hours" piece.

Full Sail University (www.fullsail.edu) is proud to announce the 2011 Hall of Fame induction class comprised of six Full Sail graduates.

Emmy-winning writer Jeffrey Scott explains what’s really involved in writing an award-winning animated feature screenplay.

Special Guest: Sean Kenin Welcome to the most current content-ed and contented episode of the FFAF oeuvre. Alan and Joel sit down with the very Sean Kenin, voice-actor to the stars, to discuss his unique and defining role in the hit smash cinema-kapow, The Smurfs. Sean Kenin - made of pure magic. PLUS, stick around for a very special bonus montage audio fantasy spectacle at the end of the end of the end music.

Animation Mentor, the state-of-the-art online animation school founded by animators for animators, announced today that cofounder Carlos Baena will be attending SIGGRAPH 2011.

Master the fine art of digital sculpting and create dynamic creatures of fantasy and science fiction in Introduction to ZBrush 4 with Scott Spencer, Designer for Weta Workshop.

Ever get a big fish on the line only to have it get away before you could pull it into the boat? You probably didn’t set the hook. Rule #1 in fishing: set the hook. The same is true in screenwriting, only you’re not trying to hook a fish, you’re trying to hook the audience. You don’t need a fishing rod, you need ten great pages.

Saturday Mediatheque Mysteries! Saturday afternoon animation workshops

12 PM screening program followed by 12:30 PM workshop
$5 per child; an adult must accompany children at no extra charge. For children ages 6-13

What mysterious image can be seen when all the pieces fit together?
NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St. (at Richmond St. W) 416-973-3012

www.nfb.ca/mediatheque

Saturday, Aug 6 The Creepy Jigsaw (2D puzzle animation)
Saturday, Aug 13 The Island of Lost Objects (3D object animation)
Saturday, Aug 20 The Case of the Magic Gates (3D pixillation)
Saturday, Aug 27 The Vanishing Alien (3D clay animation)

August weekends – Fame by Frame: drop-in pixillation workshops
12 PM to 5 PM – FREE. For all ages. No registration required.
Star in and make your own animated films! Join us for our new drop-in pixilation workshop activities in our interactive lounge space! Themes include: A  Day in the Park (Aug 6 & 7), A Day at the Beach (Aug 13 & 14), The Environment (Aug 20 & 21), Street Performers (Aug 27 & 28).
NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St. (at Richmond St. W) 416-973-3012
www.nfb.ca/mediatheque

Tuesday, August 23 – Office Spaced! Animation workshop for adults
FREE - 6 PM to 8: 30 PM
Advance registration required as capacity is limited. For adults 18 years of age and older.
Do  some animated overtime! Inspired by our bureaucratic surroundings in the downtown core, join the ultimate “team building” exercise as you bring a dreary work place to life in this pixilation and found object animation workshop.  Capacity is limited to 25 participants, so be sure to “punch in” in advance by calling us at 416-973-3012 to secure your spot.
NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St. (at Richmond St. W) 416-973-3012
www.nfb.ca/mediatheque

Pixar's Andrew Gordon and Michal Makerawicz have set up the workshop Animation Collaborative directly across the street from the famed studio.

During SIGGRAPH 2011, Autodesk, Inc. will showcase its Digital Entertainment Creation (DEC) technology both in Vancouver (booth #429, West Building), and on AREA at area.autodesk.com/siggraph2011.

Few FFAF episodes have challenged the potent potential of what a jam-packed powder-keg of animation multilarities can elicit in the burgeoning minds of those seeking more lore and eternal wisdom of this frame-by-frame La Bamba than number 24. This show is huge. Ron Diamond + Dan Sarto = how to invent and maintain an international animation archive and animation short distribution empire while enjoying the best of Scotch and olive canning. The Animation Room + The Animation Room = how to create an animation studio boyband right out of college. And finally, Billy + Bill + William Frenzer = how to develop treasured American comedy songs into animated music videos that change the course of human history. Perfection, sometimes, does not take time.

7th Annual International Animation Festival - featuring seminars, films, panel discussions, live demonstrations, viewers choice awards

Now in its 2nd year, the 3D Gaming Summit in association with Variety will for the first time be held in conjunction with the 3D Entertainment Summit in Hollywood. 3D Gaming Summit will feature a jam-packed, full day of world-class programming, and highlight the latest in Gaming Technology as part of the Entertainment Technology Showcase, an exclusive exhibits/tabletops area within the event venue.

Price is TBA. Registration for the event is mandatory.

To find out more about registration, please contact Sharon Pierce, spierce@3d-summit.com

The 2nd Annual LA Mobile Entertainment Summit will host the brightest minds in mobile technology, interactive media and entertainment to examine how content and rapidly evolving technology is dramatically changing the entertainment marketplace. The event is all about connecting the ecosystem among digital assets, original content and mobile platforms to reach consumers in today’s multi-screen environment.

Price is TBA. Registration is mandatory.

For more information about registry, please contact Sharon Pierce, spierce@3d-summit.com