Flashpoint Academy, Chicago's first digital arts college, has introduced two-year immersive courses in 3D game development, vfx and animation with Softimage|XSI software.
"Our primary objective at Flashpoint Academy is to train students to harness their artistic ability, and to learn to observe the world around them, in order to become better animators, visual effects artists and storytellers using 3D tools like Softimage|XSI software," said Perry Harovas, chair, Visual Effects and Animation department at Flashpoint Academy. "With the growing demand for skilled 3D artists, now is an excellent time for anyone to come to Flashpoint Academy and embark on a career they will love, and one that will challenge and reward them every day."
Flashpoint Academy has more than 100 students enrolled for its first term, nearly half of whom will receive training on XSI software. Students will be exposed to multiple disciplines of 3D -- from modeling, rendering, character design and animation for the game industry, to visual effects, pre-visualization, and 3D lighting techniques for film students.
The college is additionally a Beta test site for Softimage, reviewing and testing new technology that Softimage constantly innovates. Flashpoint Academy hopes to provide a fresh talent pool of professionally trained animators, programmers and technical directors for film, visual effects, and game development companies such as EA Chicago, currently developing game titles using an XSI-based game development workflow.
For more information about Flashpoint, The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, visit: www.flashpointacademy.com/index.html. For a free 30-day trial of SOFTIMAGE|XSI software go to: www.softimage.com/downloads/XSI_Trial/default.aspx.
Softimage Co., (www.softimage.com) a subsidiary of Avid Technology Inc. (www.avid.com) provides intuitive, production proven 3D tools in the film, broadcast, post-production and games industries.
Flashpoint, The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, is committed to the advancement of higher learning in the field of digital arts and entertainment technologies. Surrounded by peers and educators with a passion for the future, students at Flashpoint can pursue two-year programs in visual effects and animation, game development, film and recording arts.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
