Kung Fu Panda 3 Credit!

This is a nice surprise.  My old colleagues sent me this image today of the posted crew list for Panda 3 at DreamWorks.  The studio is always a little fuzzy on how long you need to spend on a movie before you're granted credit, so I wasn't sure if I'd make the cut or not.

It's always fun to see the credit list posted.  It's been a long haul for these folks, I believe I did my stint on Panda way back in early 2014.  That was two houses and one baby ago....just for some perspective.

Conference Panel at ETSU

Today I had a wonderful chance to speak at a panel as part of the iDMAa conference at Eastern State Tennessee University.  The panel was "Entrepreneurship and Professional Practice: What They Don't Teach You in School" - and was I believe a very valuable discussion.

Having just made the transition from the Professional World to Academics, I see the difference between the perceived job environment out there and the reality.  So it was a great chance to share some insights and give some pragmatic viewpoints.  I've always felt that schools are very concerned with teaching students how to get jobs, but not necessarily how to be great employees and keep those jobs.  One of the most helpful classes I had back in undergrad at UNL was a "Business of Theatre" class that William Kenyon, the lighting professor taught one semester.  It covered freelance strategies, taxes for artists, getting covered by insurance, contracts, etc.  Talking to others at this conference, I think a "professional practices" class is essential for any arts program in this day and age.

Conference web site:  http://idmaa.org/conferences/east-tennesseee-state-2015/

I have to add that I was only able to attend because my amazing wife, Heather Abels, stayed home with our two sick kids that day.  You'll notice that her name is on the panel poster as well.  One of us had to cancel, and she graciously as bowed out so that I could attend.

New Art + Design Building

Today was the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Art + Design Building! The new plans look really nice, and this big parking lot and pile of dirt will be replaced my a nice green space in front of the building. A very grateful faculty is posing here with the University President, Provost, and Regents.

The new building will be ready for the Spring 17 semester.

KFP3 "Star Wars" Teaser

Glad to see this finally get released. I saw this at the big company creative update about 10 months ago.  At that time, KFP3 was going to release the same weekend as the new Star Wars film...making this ad extra timely.  Since then DreamWorks pushed the date to some time in Feb, and then changed it again to the end of Jan.  I'm sure Star Wars will STILL be making an insane amount of money then. 

First Day of Classes

Today I begin teaching classes for the first time as a full-fledged Assistant Professor at Austin Peay State University in TN.  It's been an adventure already just getting the family moved across the country and getting settled in.  I've had a few weeks on campus already getting moved in and already having meetings.  But today is the first day of classes - I'll be teaching Electronic Imaging and Digital Media III: Animation this semester.  Not sure what the next 15 weeks will hold, but I'm certain it will be another adventure...

Last Days at DreamWorks

Well, here it is...my last few days at DreamWorks Animation.  It's been almost 8 years at this company, and there's been lots of great times there - but what I'm going to miss are all my great co-workers.  Of course, the last year has been a tough one, so of all the fine folk you see gathered in these photos only 2 actually remain employed at DreamWorks.  So it truly is the end of an era.

I was lucky to have the Crowds Dept all meet up for one last big hurrah.  Spencer, my supervisor on Monsters vs. Pumpkins and Kung Fu Panda 3 has been trying to get me to go out to the Tiki Ti (where he's a regular) for years.  Well, with only days left to spare it finally happened.  It was a great chance to see everyone last last time.