Florida is now home to a newly licensed, world-class animation and digital arts institute powered by Digital Domain Media Group (NYSE: DDMG), the parent company of Hollywood visual effects studio, Digital Domain.
Press Release from Digital Domain Institute
West Palm Beach, FL (December 14, 2011) - Florida is now home to a newly licensed, world-class animation and digital arts institute powered by Digital Domain Media Group (NYSE: DDMG), the parent company of Hollywood visual effects studio, Digital Domain. Through a public-private collaboration with The Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts, the new Digital Domain Institute (DDI) will stand in a class of its own, offering programs that combine creative and technical training with hands-on immersion in a studio environment. DDI received its licensing in September from the Florida Department of Education Commission for Independent Education.
Students will have the opportunity to receive professional certified training at the Digital Domain Institute from "filmmakers in residence" who have directed, produced, or been involved in the creation of Cars 2, Gnomeo & Juliet and other major blockbusters. After an intensive 10-week program in a specialized craft such as compositing, rotoscoping, matte painting and image acquisition, graduates will receive professional certification from Digital Domain -- an indication they are able to apply those skills in the growing digital media industry.
Additionally, as a result of the groundbreaking collaboration with The Florida State University's College of Motion Picture Arts, students who want to pursue an undergraduate degree will also have the opportunity to dual-enroll at both DDI and FSU. From FSU they will earn a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree from the renowned faculty at the College of Motion Picture Arts, along with professional certification from DDI. This combination of specialized training and lifelong learning will propel graduates to a unique status in the industry.
"Digital Domain Institute inspires those who aspire to blaze new trails in digital media," said Bruce Bullock, Director of Education at Digital Domain Institute. "Many of our instructors step into the classroom fresh from experience on major movies. Together with our DDI faculty, these creative pioneers prepare students with the technical skills that make them immediately marketable in this growing industry."
With curriculum guidance from Florida State University, Digital Domain Institute will be unlike any other professional training institution in the country. The quality of education students receive will be at the level required for best in class university accreditation.
Regarding the relationship with Digital Domain Institute, Frank Patterson, Dean of the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts said, "The Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts has a mandate from the Florida Legislature to prepare students for successful careers in the motion picture industry. This collaboration with Digital Domain Institute helps us fulfill our mission at a whole new level."
For more information on professional training and dual-enrollment programs through the Digital Domain Institute, visit DigitalDomainInstitute.com.
About Digital Domain InstituteThe Digital Domain Institute inspires the aspiring – those looking to blaze new trails in digital arts and animation. A subsidiary of Digital Domain Media Group, DDI sets a new standard in digital media education. Through an unprecedented public-private partnership with The Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts, DDI stands in a class of its own, offering programs that combine creative and technical training with hands-on immersion in a studio environment. http://digitaldomaininstitute.com/
About Digital Domain Media GroupDigital Domain Media Group is an award-winning digital production company. Since its inception in 1993, it has been a leading provider of computer-generated ("CG") animation and digital visual effects ("VFX") for major motion picture studios and advertisers. The company, its work and its employees have been recognized with numerous entertainment industry awards and nominations, including seven awards issued by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — three Academy Awards® for Best Visual Effects and four awards for Scientific and Technical Achievement. Our filmography of over 80 major motion pictures includes Thor, TRON: Legacy, the Transformers trilogy, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Apollo 13 and Titanic. The company’s digital production capabilities include the creation of CG animated content, performance capture, the conversion of two-dimensional ("2D") imagery into three- dimensional ("3D") imagery and CG visual effects such as fluid simulation, terrain generation and photorealistic animation. http://ddmg.co/
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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