VES 2nd Annual Training and Mentoring Program Pairs top VFX Mentors with Mentees

 

Dozens of students from private and public universities were paired with leading visual effects practitioners at Otis College of Art and Design to prepare seniors for internships and employment opportunities in the field.

“It was a good opportunity to meet an industry professional. We hit it off right off the bat, and I received good feedback, encouragement and motivation from my mentor,” said Shin Kitani, a Santa Monica College student.

Thanks to a grant from AMPAS, and continuing support from sponsors like Activision, the Training and Mentoring Program is able to foster talent by reaching out to students with diverse talents and backgrounds. Mentors reviewed student demo reels, provided advice about industry standards and made arrangements to help them during the three month program.

 

From left to right: Students of the VES Training and Mentoring Program - Joseph Micallef, Teri Shellen, Hyun Jung Yun, Tiffany Houghton, Moni Herrion, Hyun Jung Rhee and Tiffany Colon.

From left to right: Shin Kitani, SMC Student; Paolo Moscatelli, Freelance VFX Supervisor, VES Member

 

“I just wanted to say thank you for reassigning me to Sari Gennis. I “absolutely love” my mentor, Sari Gennis. We had the best talk at the Meet-and-Greet on Saturday, and she's already been a huge help. She's truly a perfect match - I'm so excited about the mentorship.”

Teri Shellen, Otis College of Art & Design student

 

 

From left to right: Fred Raimondi, VFX Supervisor; VES Member Michael Colburn, Gnomon School of Visual Effects

 

 

From left to right: Roger Mathews, CSUN Student; Richard Smith, Senior Artist, Infinity Ward

From left to right: Moni Harrion, Otis College of Art and Design; Joseph Micallef, USC Student; Doug Cooper, VFX Supervisor & VES Board Member

 

 

 

“Thank you so much for including me. I love doing this stuff. There was nothing like this when I was starting. I’m a closeted teacher anyway. Michael and I are going to talk and I’ve offered him help on anything he needs for his upcoming projects.”

 

Fred Raimondi, VES Member and Visual Effects Supervisor

 

 

From left to right: Mark Farquhar, Animator, CSUN Faculty; Hyun Jung Yun, Otis College of Art & Design; Hyunjung Rhee, USC