Cameron Folds, an Ex'pression College for Digital Arts alum, has begun work on STAR WARS: EPISODE III as a creature animator with the aid of the school's Career Development Program. Prior to landing a job with Industrial Light & Magic in January, the Career Development Program (under director Rose Duignan) helped place Folds on MATRIX REVOLUTIONS as junior animator.
As junior animator on REVOLUTIONS, Folds primarily worked on the climactic battle scene animating some of the Digger and Sentinel machines. Folds worked on that intense scene for about four-and-a-half months and used Maya to animate as well as Shake and After Effects as part of the layout team. In addition to the experience of working on such a high profile film, Folds got to work with and learn from experienced animators Rick Glenn and Tom Gibbons.
"Ex'pression taught me literally everything I know," Folds said. "Ex'pression's Total Immersion program really helped set the stage for how intense it is working on a major film in this industry. To also have a committed Career Development Program with Rose Duignan's connections in the film industry - well, I'm sure that helped put me ahead of other candidates that may have been considered. I don't know of another digital arts school that is committed to helping its students succeed beyond that first job after graduation like Ex'pression does."
Folds secured his new position with ILM in January as Creature Animator. The creative process for the next and final Star Wars film is in its early stages and the movie is currently scheduled to debut May 2005.
Founded in 1999 by Gary Platt and Eckart Wintzen, Ex'pression (www.expression.edu), located in Emeryville, California, is a distinctive training ground for animators, visual effects artists, recording engineers, producers and designers. Ex'pression teaches and grants Bachelor degrees in three programs: Sound Arts; Digital Visual Media (including animation, 3D modeling and vfx); and Digital Graphic Design. Ex'pression uses the concept of "Total Immersion" as its teaching philosophy. At Ex'pression, students live and learn in the culture of Digital Media for approximately two years. Every five weeks a new class starts, and each class is limited to a small number of students to ensure excellent learning.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
