A Bunch of Short Guys - Sony Imageworks

September 24th, A Bunch of Short Guys is hosting Sony Imageworks in a presentation of "Green Lantern".

Sony will also be looking at portfolios as they need people on their upcoming shows including Men In Black 3, so bring your portfolio!

September 24th
Collin College
2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX

Design Portfolio Show

Sony Online Entertainment G.I.R.L. Scholarship 2011

G.I.R.L.-Gamers in Real Life- Game Design Competition Scholarship Program

About the Program
First awarded in 2008, the Gamers in Real Live (GIRL) scholarship was created by Sony Online Entertainment LLC to encourage students toward career paths in the creative and applied arts, with the ultimate goal of developing video games that are more interesting for women to play.
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets.
The program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America. Scholarship Management Services is the nation's largest designer and manager of scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.

HOW DO I APPLY TO THE COMPETITION?
STEP 1: Review the Gamers in Real Life (GIRL) Game Design Competition 2011 Official Rules.

STEP 2: Determine if you are eligible to enter the competition and win.
Applicants to the Gamers in Real Life Game Design Competition Scholarship Program must meet all of the following eligibility requirements* and must comply with the Official Rules of the competition:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program related to video games, including programs related to video game art, design, animation, production, programming, or visual effects;
  
• Have a 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale;
  
• Continue to be enrolled during the entire 2011-12 academic year, not graduating before the end of the 2012 spring term;
  
• Be a legal resident of one of the fifty United States (including the District of Columbia) for the duration of the competition and
  
• Be eighteen (18) years or older at the time of application
  

*Employees, officers, directors, or agents of SOE, Scholarship America, or any of each company’s respective parent company, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion and fulfillment agencies, their immediate family members and persons living in their same household are not eligible.

STEP 3:Submit the e-application to Scholarship Management Services.

Begin by clicking on Register to Apply at the bottom of this page. You will need to read and agree to an applicant consent statement and register with a username and password. During the e-application process, you will be able to leave the site by clicking on the Save and Log Out link located on every e-application page. To return, log in with your username and password. The e-application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (PST) April 6, 2011. Only the first 3,000 e-applications will be considered.

Carefully review your e-application data before you submit it. We recommend that you print a hard copy of your completed e-application data (available as a link from the Review page of the form) for your records. Do not send a printed copy to Scholarship Management Services or Sony Online Entertainment. Entries by mail and entries sent directly to SOE will not be accepted. Standard capitalization (Jill Smith, not jill smith or JILL SMITH) must be used when entering data. Once the e-application is submitted, no revisions can be made.

The applicant is responsible for gathering and submitting all required information. Applications are evaluated on the information supplied, so answer all questions as completely as possible. Your application is considered confidential and is reviewed by Scholarship Management Services only. Finalist applications will be also be reviewed by SOE.

Applicants will receive an email confirmation when the e-application is successfully submitted. Late submissions and incomplete applications will not be considered.

STEP 4: Submit concept artwork, captions and an essay to SOE.
Concept art, captions, and the essay are all due to SOE at gamers-in-real-life@soe.sony.com no later than April 6, 2011. See Official Rules for details.

Concept Art

Submit two (2) pieces of original concept art inspired by either Free Realms™ or EverQuest® II. Each piece of concept art must not exceed 1280 x 960 pixels saved as a high quality .jpeg, and the pieces together should collectively communicate the theme and style of the game that you selected. Therefore, once you choose between Free Realms and EverQuest II, please base both art pieces on your chosen game. One (1) piece must depict your own original Free Realms or EverQuest II game environment. Your color concept should communicate in a single image what it might be like to adventure in this environment. One (1) piece must depict your own original Free Realms or EverQuest II character. The concept should be in color. The character you create should relate to your game environment concept and should be depicted in an interesting pose.

Captions

A short caption (no longer than one paragraph in length) describing each piece of concept art you chose to create. Describe each piece in as much detail as possible. Send each caption attached as a separate Word document.

Essay

A five hundred (500) word essay about women in the gaming industry that answers these two (2) questions: How can you change and improve the image of women in games? How do you think such changes will help create games that more women will want to play? Please attach as a separate Word document.

Name and Application ID

In the body of your email and on all attachments, include your first and last name and your Application ID number. Your Application ID number can be found on emails sent to you confirming your e-application registration and submission, on the e-application pages, or on your printout of your e-application data.

Please note: The e-application must be submitted to Scholarship Management Services through the online application process. The concept art, captions, and essay must be submitted by email to SOE at gamers-in-real-life@soe.sony.com

HOW WILL THE WINNER BE SELECTED?

A panel of judges at SOE will evaluate the submissions based on a 1-50 point scale and as set forth in the Official Rules and will submit a list of no more than one hundred (100) applicants to Scholarship Management Services from which Scholarship Management Services will disqualify applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria as set forth in the Official Rules. Scholarship Management Services will review academic data provided in the online application and will request transcripts from approximately forty (40) eligible applicants who will be considered Semifinalists. These transcripts must be submitted to Scholarship Management Services postmarked no later than April 29, 2011.

From the list of Semifinalists who submit transcripts to Scholarship Management Services by the transcript postmark deadline date, Scholarship Management Services will select up to fifteen (15) Finalists based on the following criteria, weighted evenly:

• Academic record
• Demonstrated leadership and participation in community activities along with work experience, if any.

Scholarship Management Services will submit the names of the Finalists to SOE and will send notification to the Finalists on or about May 6, 2011. Submissions from each Finalist will be judged by a panel of industry professionals employed by SOE. One (1) winner will be chosen by SOE's panel of judges and will be announced on or about May 16, 2011.

WHAT COULD I WIN?
One winner will be selected to receive:

• A $10,000 scholarship award to be applied toward tuition, room and board and other education-related expenses at the postsecondary school at which the winner is enrolled; and
• An internship of up to ten (10) weeks at SOE's headquarters in San Diego, California or at one of SOE's studio locations (located in Austin, Seattle, or Denver.) Location of internship to be decided by SOE.

HOW WILL THE AWARD BE PAID?

Scholarship America will process scholarship payment on behalf of SOE. Payment will be made in one installment on August 15. The check is mailed to the recipient's home address and is made payable to the school of the student.

WHAT ARE MY OBLIGATIONS?

All Semifinalists and Finalists are required to notify Scholarship Management Services of any changes in address, school enrollment, or other relevant information and to send a complete transcript when requested.

SOE reserves the right to interpret and review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and to make changes at any time including termination of the program. In case of a conflict between information contained in the Official Rules and this website, the terms of the Official Rules shall apply.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact us:
Email: gamersinreallife@scholarshipamerica.org
Call: 507-931-1682 and ask for the Gamers in Real Life Game Design Competition Scholarship Program

GIRL Game Design Competition Scholarship ProgramScholarship Management ServicesOne Scholarship WaySaint Peter, MN 56082

After Effects Camp CS5

After Effects Camp CS5 is a full-day event featuring top industry professionals from the Dallas/Fort Worth area showcasing new features from Adobe After Effects CS5. If you have never used After Effects before or you are an old pro, these sessions are geared to get you up and running and learn a trick or two. There will be plenty of giveaways and lunch. Proceeds from the event go to the Texas Motion Picture Alliance and UT Arlington Student Film & Video Organization.

WHEN:
Sat. October 16, 2010
All-day event from 9am-5:30pm

WHERE:
UT Arlington
Art & Art History Dept - Room FA148
502 South Cooper Street
Arlington, TX 76019

PRICING (Includes Lunch):
$35 Students - $45 Non-Students

TOPICS:
1...2...3...GO!!! Getting Started in After Effects!
Invigorate your work using Illustrator and Invigorator in AE CS5
Animating in AE CS5
Efficiency with AE CS5
Getting the most out of Mocha and matchmoves with AE CS5
Creating Advertising That Pops; Steroscopic 3D Workflow in AE CS5

You're Invited...

Indie Game Challenge

Have you created a game? Would you like to win $100,000? If you answered YES to both of these questions, then read on...

Don’t miss the chance to win $100,000 and get your game in front of the world’s top publishers by entering the Indie Game Challenge (IGC)!

IGC is a game design competition sponsored by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Science, The Guildhall at SMU and GameStop which supports the independent games movement by providing aspiring developers with the opportunity to showcase their skills, break into the business and take their careers to the next level.

Finalists will receive national exposure and be eligible for additional prize monies by having their pitch videos posted on GameStop.com and GameStop TV for People’s Choice Award voting.

Deadline for entries is Oct. 1, 2010. All games developed or published by a student or independent team are eligible for entry. Games that have previously been entered into, or even won, game competitions are also eligible.

If you have questions or need more information about the competition, please email indiehelp@smu.edu.

The Great Debate!

Austin Game Developers Conference

If you are interested in working in the Game Industry, then the Austin Game Developers Conference is a MUST! This the perfect opportunity to network with hundreds of industry professionals and also to get your resume and work seen by the best in the industry.

Austin Game Developers Conference
October 5-8, 2010
Austin Convention Center
Austin, TX

Visit the website for more information.

QuakeCon 2010

QuakeCon 2010
August 12-15, 2010
Hilton Anatole in Dallas

QuakeCon is a FREE convention held yearly in the Dallas area. Thousands of computer gamers from all around the world make the pilgrimage to play with their friends on a giant gaming network, see the latest cool technology, and compete in world-class tournaments. Almost entirely run by volunteers, QuakeCon is a huge party for every sort of computer gamer, from the hobbyist to the hardcore.

Drink & Draw DFW

Drink & Draw DFW

Our goal is to unite professional artists from all over the metroplex to socialize, draw, and unite under the common interest of art.

Artists from all fields are welcome to join us - comic book artists, tatoo artists, concept artists, video artists, graffitti artists, muralists, pop artists, fine artists, fashion artists and others. We do not discriminate.

Next Meeting:
Flyer Saucer in Dallas
Sunday, August 8, 2010
6:30pm

The No. 1 rule in Drink & Draw is to have fun!

The Sketchbook Project

THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT:
It's like a concert tour but with sketchbooks...

Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country (including Austin, TX). After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view.

Anyone can be a part of the project. The cost is $25 to participate and receive a sketchbook that will go on tour. Simply visit the website, register, and pick a theme for your sketchbook.

Dates to remember:
Must sign up by October 31, 2010
Completed sketchbook postmarked by January 15, 2011
Tour begins March 2011

The Sketchbook Project is not only something to add to your resume, but it's a great and inexpensive way to get your work viewed by thousands of people!

If enough people are interested, there is a group discount. Please contact Ashley Olvera if you would like to participate: ashleyolvera@att.net or alo_vera@me.com

Chelsea Edwards Featured on Privateer Press

June 2010 Media Arts & Animation graduate, Chelsea Edwards, was recently featured on PrivateerPress.com. In the article, Chelsea describes the process she went through to create her 3D model of Doomshaper. Congratulations Chelsea!

Industry Giants - THIS WEEKEND!

If you want to work in the animation industry, then DO NOT miss the Industry Giants conference! You will learn from the best and network with the best!

Visit the Industry Giants website to get registration information, a full schedule, bios on the speakers, etc.

See you there!

IGDA Webinar July 8th

IGDA (International Game Developers Association) is hosting a Webinar on July 8th about how to get a job and manage your career in the industry.

You must be a member in order to participate. Membership is $48 for the year.

Visit the IGDA website for more information.

Design Portfolio Show

You are invited...

Student Animation Festival 2010

In association with ASIFA, the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Educator's Forum (AEF) is hosting its second Student Animation Film Festival. This event provides an opportunity for students who are enrolled in accredited academic programs to be recognized for their work by the Hollywood animation community. Student filmmakers will be judged in the company of their peers, without the pressure of competing against experienced animation veterans. The AEF has designed this event with the objective that participating in a worldwide student animation festival will enhance each entrant’s filmmaking experience and further their ability to transition into the competitive professional entertainment industry.
The festival will showcase the best of student filmmaking across multiple animation disciplines, including but not limited to: traditional, computer generated, stop-motion and motion-graphic animation. For more information visit the Animation Educator's Forum.

CORRECTION: Industry Giants Student Competition 2010

Industry Giants is NOT at Collin County Community College this year. The event will be held at SMU Hughes Trigg Student Center, 3140 Dyer Street, Dallas, TX 75205.
See previous post for details on how to enter.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition - Watch Claymation

Watch last Sunday's Extreme Makeover Home Edition showcasing the claymation done by our Animation faculty and students. (If you don't want to watch the entire show, the claymation clip is shown around the 21 minute mark.)
Watch

AiDallas - Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Tune in Sunday night, May 2nd, as the Ai Dallas student animation project is featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. The 90-second claymation segment that was produced by faculty and students at Ai Dallas has already starting airing as part of the promo for Sunday nights show that will air at 7pm central on ABC.

Special thanks to David Tart who lead the student team and Chas Naylor and Stephen Steinbach who assisted with the project.

The team is currently working on a documentary around how the segment was produced as a follow-up piece that may air on the ABC website.





Stephen Steinbach




Stage

Industry Giants 2010 Student Competition

I can't believe it's that time again already! Last year, The Art Institute of Dallas was all over the Industry Giants event! We had several student volunteers working the event AND we also had 4 winners in the student competition (more than any other school). Let's make it an even bigger and better representation this year! Click here for more information on the student competition. Deadline to apply is June 1st.

Industry Giants is hosted by A Bunch of Short Guys and held at Collin County Community College, Spring Creek Campus.