From: Zachary Wendeln
Date: March 4
Subject: IAM Spring Newsletter
Dear IAM Students,
As we head into the second half of the Spring ’24 semester, we here in the IAM Office wanted to share some recent exciting faculty and student achievements and make you aware of upcoming events – both within the Department and beyond – that might be of interest to you.
We plan to release one to two of these Newsletters per semester and greatly welcome any feedback and contributions you might have to help improve our ongoing efforts to nurture a connected and vibrant student community here in IAM! If you have any suggestions for content you’d like to see in future newsletters, or content to personally contribute yourselves, please email the IAM Administrative Assistant, Zach Wendeln (me!): zwendeln@colum.edu.
WHAT’S NEW?
Faculty Updates and Accomplishments:
Associate Professor in Game Development and Design David Antognoli’s new indie horror game Channel: Death is a finalist at the Alt.Ctrl.GDC Festival, part of the Game Developers’ Conference ’24. Channel: Death will also be featured at the upcoming Day of the Devs, hosted in San Francisco.
- He recently had four solo shows of his artwork, two at Artpie in Waukegan and two at Gallery 2662 in Wauwatosa.
- He was also contributed to and was featured in the documentary The Secret Cities of Mark Kistler, which had its debut screenings at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood and in New York City at the end of last year. To promote the film, Tim served as a guest speaker on a panel at the San Diego Comic Con.
- Additionally, he's been asked to serve as the Art Advisor for the town of Zion, Illinois. As part of his service, he's been commissioned to create two murals for the town and will develop programming to attract additional muralists. He notes that one of the murals will be at a local nursing home: "I like to share my art with elderly people who need a little sunshine in their days as well as with children and children's hospitals."
Current Student Updates and Accomplishments:
The IAM Design Team - including senior capstone students and juniors in Studio Collaboration, under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Instruction Jo-Nell Sieren - are working with NASCAR Chicago to build two digital interactive products and one family-friendly print publication for attendees at the Chicago Street Race. The two multidiscipline courses are comprised of students from the User Experience Design, Graphic Design, Programming, and Game Art majors.
Michelle Weddige and Caryn Grant from NASCAR Chicago joined our students this past Tuesday for a milestone presentation of their research and ideation phase. Next up, prototyping, design, and development with full implementation and hand-off at the close of the semester! The student team has been invited to present their products and see the culmination of their hard work impact the real work at the street race in July.
(IAM Design Team presenting pitch to client)
(slides from presentation)
Recent Alumni Updates and Accomplishments:
Jessica Durbala (BA in Animation ’21) launched her first game with American Pinball! You can read more about this HERE.
Karen Spriggs (BS in Programming ‘23) and the IAM Senior Capstone Team behind INARI celebrated the official launch of the game on Steam!
“Descend from the heavens and slay the evil spirits plaguing Japan in INARI! Slice your way through wicked yokai as you run across rooftops and make your way to the leader of the demonic parade.”
You can play the game for free on Steam now!
Two of the 2022-2023 Animation Production Studio short films recently won awards:
Scream Writers (dir. Jill Ahmann) received the Best Comedy Animation Award at Our Pride Video Fest ’23, an annual festival that strives “to cultivate compassion through LGBTQIA+ focused arts, social action and advocacy.” The short was also an official selection at ImageOut: The Rochester LGBTQ+ Film Festival ’23, which “presents and supports LGBTQ+ arts and cultural experiences…to promote awareness, foster dialogue and build community.”
“After moving into a new house, horror writer Emmett Warren finds himself going head-to-head with the spirit of a long-dead horror screenwriter from the early days of Hollywood.”
You can stream Scream Writers HERE!
Magical Mishap (dir. Quinn Robinson) won the Best Animation Award at the Munich Film Awards ‘23, “a fresh face in the illustrious film festival culture of Germany” that “strives to redefine what a film festival can be.” The film was also an official selection at Linoleum Fest ’23, Animart Festival ’23, and Animex Screen ’23.
“After accidentally shrinking in size, Juniper must create a counter potion while only being a few inches tall.”
You can stream Magical Mishap HERE!
Miscellaneous Updates:
The IAM Engage Website is LIVE!
(And I'm emailing you from it!)
We’ve been working hard to develop what we hope to be a one-stop resource for everything students in our department might need, from the latest IAM-specific job and internship opportunities and department-related news and events to avenues for support across tech, advising, and more. We’ll also be archiving past grad capstone projects here for you get inspired.
This is meant to be a platform that serves YOU, so be sure to check it out and let us know if you have suggestions for improvement!
WHAT’S NEXT?
Upcoming Events:
Animation Alumni Panel
When: Thursday, March 7, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Zoom
What: Join alumni as they share insights into working in animation as storyboard artists and directors. CCC Animation Association will participate.
Panelists:
Jake Hollander, Episodic Director at Bento Box/Fox and Chair of the Storyboard Committee of Animation Guild Local 839
Becca Wallace, Director of Bless the Harts and Storyboard Artist on King of the Hill
Rob Parker, Storyboard Artist on The Great North
Register on Handshake.
The Surprising Business of Indie Horror Games
When: Thursday, March 7, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Where: Jarvis Student Center, Concourse Level, 1E Jackson Blvd
What: Join CCC alum Henry Hoare (Game Design ’20), Head of Operation for DreadXP, for a deep dive into indie game development and publishing. Discussions range from “why indie horror games?” to DreadXP’s business model and Henry’s unique approach to publishing.
The talk is FREE but registration is required.
Game Forge: Make a Game!
When: Saturday, March 9, 2024, 4:30 - 6:00pm
Where: 916 S. Wabash, Room 122
What: Columbia Game Forge is hosting a "Make a Game" workshop, the first in a series of sessions that guide participants through the game development process, from conceptualization to play. In this workshop, you'll discuss Game Pitches, how to develop them, and why they're important. If time permits, you'll also dive into Bitsy game engine and begin learning how to create a small and simple pixel game!
Attendance is FREE, but registration is required through Engage.
Idle Arcade
When: Saturday, March 9, 2024, 6:00-9:00pm
Where: Night City, 3650 W Wrightwood Ave
What: An exhibition of games and other works centered around the concept of ambient play, inviting attendees to “passively participate” in a variety of digital and physical experiences, hosted by faculty member Dave Antognoli’s indie studio, Night City.
There is a $5 suggested donation. Please RSVP to attend.
The History of Video Games
When: Thursday, March 14, 7:00pm
Where: Batavia Public Library (Newton Room), 10 S Batavia Ave., Batavia, IL
What: Associate Professor and Interim Associate Chair of IAM David Gerding will lead a talk about the history of video games.
The event is FREE but registration is required.
AIGA Chicago April Ask + Give Networking Event
When: Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 7:00pm
Where: Night City, 3650 W Wrightwood Ave
What: AIGA Chicago presents an open-mic platform where you can ASK your fellow designers to GIVE you feedback, advice, or recommendations. Because we know that the design community has all the wisdom needed to solve the current issues our fellow designers have or will face in the future. Be it through a lived experience anecdote, a resource, contact, or even just a donation of time to listen to an issue, we all have the power to create change if we simply ASK and GIVE.
C2E2 ‘24
When: Friday – Sunday, April 26 – 28, 2024
Where: McCormick Place, 2301 S King Dr
What: Comics, cosplay, gaming, wrestling, and anime abound in the only pop culture convention in the heart of Downtown Chicago! We’ve gathered your favorite celebrities, unique exhibitors, incredible comic artists, and larger-than-life literary authors into one place to celebrate the fandoms you love.
More on pricing and ticket packages can be found on the C2E2 Ticketing Page.
CCC Animation’s 43rd Animation Program Screening
When: Friday, May 10, 2024
3:30pm and 6:30pm, lobby art
4:00pm and 7:00pm, screening
Where: CCC Film Row Center, 1104 S Wabash Ave, Fl. 8
What: Animated shorts from conceptualization through presentation of the final films are showcased. BFA Animated Solo and Animation Production Studio films at various stages of production will be screened.
CALLS FOR WORK
We’re still looking for some original student artwork to showcase on Department swag for Manifest and other future events!
For the IAM logo asset, please email zwendeln@colum.edu.
Film Major Shawn Taylor is seeking an Animation student to help animate his MFA thesis film, OREO.
And as always, general call for any work you’d like to submit to have showcased on the walls of the 916 Lobby is open!
Submissions extended through mid-April!
Again, if you have feedback you'd like to share for what you want to see in future newsletters or on the Engage site, reach out! And don't hesitate to email any of the staff or faculty – or visit us in person in the 916 building! – with your questions or concerns. We're here to help, support, and guide you.