Posts Tagged ‘Project X’

The Offering Selected for Screening at the Newport Beach Film Festival

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

NewportBeach

Cogswell Polytechnical College is pleased to announce that The Offering, the first animated, short film produced under the umbrella of the Project X class, has been selected for screening at the 11th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival. The festival takes place from April 22 to 29, 2010.

The Offering will screen on April 25 at the Edwards Islands 2 Cinema inside the Fashion Island Mall during the A Short Toon Up program that begins at 7:15. For directions and to purchase tickets, please visit the Festival website. Film Director Michael Huber, will attend the screening and participate in the Q&A session following the screening.

The Newport Beach Film Festival seeks to bring to Orange County the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from around the world. Committed to enlightening the public with a first-class international film program, a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, the Festival focuses on showcasing a diverse collection of studio and independent films. The Festival supports the creation and advancement of innovative and artistic cinematic works of both emerging and seasoned filmmakers and proudly embraces the passion, independent spirit and vision of these talented artists. With the integration of the local community and educational institutions into all aspects of the Festival, the Festival stimulates an interest in the study and appreciation of film and encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to participate.

Project X is a one-of-a-kind, project-based class – unparalleled in its scope and study as it incorporates every component of animation film production for the big and small screen. This class, under the direction of Animation faculty member and long-time professional animator Michael Huber, is only available at Cogswell. Students worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce this studio-quality short film. They were supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni. 

-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement

The Offering Selected for Screening at the Atlanta Film Festival

Monday, March 8th, 2010

AtlantaCogswell Polytechnical College is pleased to announce that The Offering, the first animated, short film produced under the umbrella of the Project X class, has been selected for screening at the 34th Annual Atlanta Film Festival. The festival takes place from April 15 to 23, 2010.

In 2009, Atlanta Film Festival (ALTFF) received over 1750 submissions from over 75 countries. ATLFF is an Academy Award® qualifying festival for the Best Live Action Narrative Short and Best Animated Short categories. Cogswell is delighted to be one of the films selected to participate in this distinguished festival.

Since 1977, the ATLFF has offered audiences the opportunity to experience the best in international and independent cinema, from works by emerging regional media makers to masterpieces from the world’s celebrated artists. The Atlanta Film Festival is one of the most respected and longest-running festivals in the United States.

The Atlanta Film Festival strives to introduce new talent to audiences and has been among the first places to show work by then new filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, and Victor Nunez. The Atlanta Film Festival is also a qualifying film festival for the Academy Awards for the Live Action and the Animated Short Film categories, and in 2002 “The Accountant” by director Ray McKinnon won the Oscar in that category after qualifying at the 2001 Atlanta Film Festival.

In 2007 the Atlanta Film Festival consolidated into a single venue – the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, conveniently located in Midtown Atlanta near many restaurants and clubs, to create a more synergistic festival environment.

Project X is a one-of-a-kind, project-based class – unparalleled in its scope and study as it incorporates every component of animation film production for the big and small screen. This class, under the direction of Animation faculty member and long-time professional animator Michael Huber, is only available at Cogswell. Students worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce this studio-quality short film. They were supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni.

-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement

The Offering Selected for Screening at the Beverly Hills Film Festival

Friday, March 5th, 2010

BeverlyHillsCogswell Polytechnical College is pleased to announce that The Offering, the first animated, short film produced under the umbrella of the Project X class, has been selected for screening at the 10th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival. The festival takes place from April 14 to 18, 2010.

The Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) is an international competition dedicated to showcasing the art and talent of emerging filmmakers in the city globally recognized as the headquarters for VIPs to the motion picture industry. Dedicated to independent filmmakers, the BHFF creates a wonderful screening environment allowing participants to feature their films in the highest quality venues available to consumers around the world.

Designed to bridge the world of premiere independent cinema with the renowned city of Beverly Hills, the BHFF welcomes over 20,000 attendees annually who congregate for 5 days of screenings, poolside celebrity panels, special events, seminars, VIP after parties and deal making. On the fifth and final night of the Festival, the jury presents it awards. They honor the finest in cinematic achievement in filmmaking displayed during the competition at an exclusive and heartfelt black-tie Gala Awards held at the Beverly Hills Hotel each year.

Project X is a one-of-a-kind, project-based class – unparalleled in its scope and study as it incorporates every component of animation film production for the big and small screen. This class, under the direction of Animation faculty member and long-time professional animator Michael Huber, is only available at Cogswell. Students worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce this studio-quality short film. They were supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni.

-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement

The Offering Receives Canada International Film Festival Award

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

CanadaCogswell College is pleased to announce that its short animated film, The Offering, has been chosen to receive the Rising Star Award for Excellence in Filmmaking at the 2010 Canada International Film Festival in Vancouver. The festival takes place from March 19 to 21 at the Stadium Club Theater in the beautiful Edgewater Casino in downtown Vancouver.

The film was produced under the auspices of Project X, a unique curriculum design that delivers the learning experience based on a professional studio model. Under the direction of Animation faculty member and long-time professional animator, Michael Huber, students take the film from concept to post production. The class is only available at Cogswell College. Students, selected through a portfolio review and interview process, worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce this studio-quality, short film. They were supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni.

Although the film will not be one of the 27 films screened publicly at the festival, the judges felt that The Offering was among the very best of the several hundred films submitted from over 30 countries and deserved special recognition.

The Canada International Film Festival has already established itself as one of the top film festivals in Canada. Its goal is to foster the creative interaction amongst independent filmmakers and audiences. Culturally diverse, with a strong independent film community, Vancouver is the ideal city for such a festival and consistently attracts talented filmmakers from around the globe.

-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement

The Offering Selected For Screening at the Sundial Film Festival

Monday, February 8th, 2010

ProjectX_PosterCogswell Polytechnical College is pleased to announce that The Offering, the first animated, short film produced under the umbrella of the Project X class, has been selected for screening at the 2nd Annual Sundial Film Festival. The festival takes place from March 10 to 13, 2010 in Redding, CA.

The film was produced under the auspices of Project X, a unique curriculum design that delivers the learning experience based on a professional studio model. Under the direction of Animation faculty member and long-time professional animator, Michael Huber, students take the film from concept to post production. The class is only available at Cogswell College. Students, selected through a portfolio review and interview process, worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce this studio-quality, short film. They were supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni.

The Sundial Film Festival is a Northern California celebration of the digital artistic expression of professional and amateur filmmakers and photographers. It incorporates an international and children’s film experience with the “State of Jefferson” competition designed to showcase digital film and photography that enlighten and reflect the talent and diversity of artists and/or natural resources of Northern California and Southern Oregon. One of the guiding objectives of the Sundial Film Festival is to educate and foster film and photography production among youth that they may discover an interest or career using this craft.

-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement

The Offering Selected For Screening at Tiburon Film Festival

Friday, January 15th, 2010

ProjectX_JungleMaiden

Cogswell Polytechnical College is pleased to announce that The Offering, the first animated, short film produced under the umbrella of the Project X class, has been selected for screening at the 9th Annual Tiburon International Film Festival. The festival takes place from March 18 to 26, 2010 in Tiburon, CA just north of San Francisco.

Project X is a one-of-a-kind, project-based class – unparalleled in its scope and study as it incorporates every component of animation film production for the big and small screen. This class, under the direction of Animation faculty member and long-time professional animator Michael Huber, is only available at Cogswell. Students worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce this studio-quality short film. They were supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni.

The Tiburon International Film Festival (TIFF) seeks to provide a greater understanding of the world and its many cultures through the artistic medium of film. The festival attracts top quality films from around the world. TIFF wishes to enhance tolerance between people of all backgrounds. Its goal is one of cultural enrichment and heightened cultural awareness and to create a platform for independent filmmakers to express their talent and vision from any nation. TIFF strongly believes in its motto: “Understanding the World through Film”®

Cogswell’s Short Animation “The Offering” Screened During a Masterclass in Beijing

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Cogswell grad Robert Moore (left) with his translator in China.

Cogswell grad Robert Moore (left) with his translator in China.

On October 26 a delegation from Cogswell Polytechnical College traveled to the Communication University of China (CUC) in Beijing – one of Cogswell’s partner universities – to provide an exclusive showing of The Offering, a short animated film produced by students in the College’s Digital Arts and Animation program Project X class. The screening was part of a Masterclass Michael Huber, Assistant Professor and Director of the 3D Animation program, was invited to teach during CUC’s annual Aniwow Festival.

The Festival’s goal is to provide a platform for animation practitioners and researchers from all over the world to advance the dialog and cooperation between academic research and industry and to provide students more opportunities to learn from established artists.

The Masterclass entitled, The Production of Project X, focused on the process Cogswell used to complete the film by modeling a professional studio setting. Students who worked on The Offering were held to the same standards as those working on films in companies around the world.

Dr. Chester Haskell, President and Robert Moore, 2009 graduate of Cogswell and Lead Animator on the project, also represented Cogswell during the visit. Mr. Moore participated in the Masterclass and Dr. Haskell joined in discussions about trends and the global nature of the industry. Check out the upcoming December issue of the Alumni News for an interview with the Cogswell group about their experiences, insights and the contacts they made.

-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement

Senior Level Animation Class Project X Has a New Project and Needs Artists!

Friday, November 6th, 2009

11X17_promoWith the completion of Project X’s first project, The Offering, the Senior level animation class is starting on its second project and is looking for artists! Details about the project are once again protected under Non-Disclosure Agreements but the theme can be surmised from the promotional poster.

If you are an animator, rigger, lighting artist or texture artist, pull out the best of your portfolio and submit it for review! Cogswell students who are interested should talk to Michael Huber. An impressive portfolio and deep dedication is essential to become part of the team. While the class requires a very high level of commitment, it is also one of the most rewarding classes on campus.

“Students should join Project X because it’s extremely beneficial to their futures. This particular project is going to be a very influential piece in the art world,” advises Cogswell student Josh Hodges, a Senior in the Digital Art and Animation program and a concept artist on the new project. “Project X will give you an amazing portfolio and set you apart from others when you start applying for jobs in the industry. Make sure you’re confident when you register for the class. We have a lot of fun but we’re all about work. Make sure you have enough time to invest. This project is all about commitment, but it’s absolutely worth every second you spend.”

The Offering Premieres for Cogswell Community

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

The_Offering

On Thursday, October 1 at 12:30 pm in the Dragon’s Den, we will premiere the Cogswell-produced short animated film: The Offering. This animated short film was produced on campus by Cogswell students! The film has never been played before an audience, so the Cogswell community, including a few VIPs, will have the privilege of being the very first audience

Assistant Professor Michael Huber and the Special Project/Senior Project students worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce this studio-quality short film. They were supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni. This film is sure to attract the attention of studios and inspire prospective students everywhere.

Please pass the word: lunch and drinks will be provided. Come and see the premiere of this ambitious and artfully constructed film. Come celebrate the immense efforts of your friends and fellow Cogswell students.

This is a campus only event, so only current students, faculty, staff, and a few VIPs will be admitted. There will be a formal public premier at a later date.

-Michael Martin, Dean of the College

Short Animated Film “The Offering” Trailer Now Online

Friday, September 11th, 2009

The_Offering

If you have been following Cogswell news, you know that we are close to premiering the Cogswell student-produced short animated film The Offering.

Project X is a one-of-a-kind, project-based class – unparalleled in its scope and study as it incorporates every component of animation film production for the big and small screen. This class, under the direction of Animation faculty member and long-time professional animator Michael Huber, is only available at Cogswell Polytechnical College. Project X has no competition with regard to the quality of instruction it provides or the standards it sets for animation production value. Student participants have the opportunity to integrate all the disciplines of CG production including animation, modeling, texturing, effects, rigging, lighting, rendering, compositing and production management.

Take a look at the trailer, and keep an eye out for more updates on where and when to see The Offering.

To learn more about the multi-discipline project-based curriculum at Cogswell College, visit our website or better yet, arrange a tour of our campus and see where you can begin your career in video games.

-Michael Martin, Dean of the College