FSU College of Motion Picture Arts 2014-2015 Publication 2014-2015 | Page 14

into story exploration than merely focusing on
how to create explosions or expand environments,” says Dr. Syder.
Once the bases of CG and live-action production have been established, students launch into
modeling, compositing, character development,
3D animation, stop-motion, texturing, and
rendering.

Animation and Digital Arts faculty are working professionals dedicated to training the next
generation of filmmakers. “They’ll give you their
insight and talk about their experiences in the
industry because they’ve actually worked on top
films like Hugo, Shutter Island, Brother Bear,
Beauty and the Beast, Armageddon, even video
games like Jak and Daxter and Uncharted. It’s just
all so inspiring,” says Octevia Robertson.

“Industry software and trends are in constant
flux,” says Dr. Syder. “Our students are taught
not to rely on specific techniques or software
but to be creative problem-solvers and quickly
apply the fundamentals of filmmaking to current
industry practices.”

There is an invisible art at play within the practice
of the digital arts in filmmaking. “Good effects
work is often undetectable,” says Dr. Syder. “The
use of the digital arts in film is not limited to
creating aliens; almost every film you view today
has a level of effects work incorporated into it.”

On a recent visit to the college, Oscar awardwinning Visual Effects Supervisor Rob Legato
spoke with students, confirming that the digital
arts are more than software and gadgets. “You are
not a technician, you are a filmmaker,” says Legato, who works with legendary directors James
Cameron and Martin Scorsese and has helped
shape the medium with his work on films like
Titanic and Hugo.

Student Austin Baur says, “What I love about
storytelling is that you can elicit emotional
responses irrationally and that is a special thing.
Understanding that you can influence emotion
is a great way to share what you believe in and
make those beliefs stick with someone in a way
that nothing else can.”

“I love FSU’s focus on storytelling,” says student
Jamie Cernich. “Some programs focus on cuttingedge software and equipment, but in this field
it’s about the story.”
Adds fellow student Turner Sinopoli, “One of
the most thrilling experiences has been watching a movie, pausing the credits and saying I ate
lunch with that guy or that guy told me ‘good
job’ once. It’s a very strange experience to see a
fil