The 2013 Game Developers Conference revealed a record 23,000 industry professionals attending the conference in San Francisco’s Moscone Center this year. Among those professionals were Living Arts College students. Amazed at the size, attending two years in a row, Ethan Jones stated, “GDC was even bigger this year.”

The GDC Expo floor was packed with more than 350 exhibitors, including a Career Pavilion and Business Center area and GDC Play showcase, which hosted more than 70 emerging developers showcasing their titles to investors, distributors and the public. The most influential part of the conference pointed out by Animation student Isaac Evans was “the awesome listings for jobs to apply for in the future – oversees…in this country, and in Durham.”

Educational and professional opportunities were present at GDC this year giving the students a chance to meet industry professionals, ask questions, and according to graduate, Natalie Gordiano, most importantly “networking!” GDC provided the students a great place to learn about different developments and new technologies. Two-time attendee, Katie Creel felt the conference was well worth it, “I learned about Havok and their new idea of giving out new particle systems and other different aspects of their technologies, for FREE. I would definitely recommend people coming out to GDC…it’s a great way to network and you can’t beat that!”

Organizers have announced that GDC 2014 will return to the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco Monday, March 17 to Friday, March 21, 2014. Living Arts College students will be in attendance networking again with the most competitive game companies in the world.

PromaxBDA offers a wide range of opportunities for students designed to help them make the successful transition into the media and entertainment marketing industry. The strategy is to expose students to relevant and engaging experiences that complement their education and training.

Living Arts College students have taken advantage of these opportunities over the years. This year Living Arts College Audio Production student, John Pahl Ferrell will gain professional experience interning with the 2013 Conference event management team.

PromaxBDA celebrates a rich history of offering college juniors and seniors interested in event planning and management the opportunity to train with a seasoned events production team in a hands-on learning environment. Students work within the department of event production at PromaxBDA to help prepare and execute PromaxBDA: The Conference 2013 in Los Angeles.

JP Ferrell will work alongside top industry professionals from May 28-June 21. He will develop a portfolio of event planning skills, activate classroom learning in real-world events, and hone communication, time management and negotiation skills.

This is one of the many opportunities and experiences JP Ferrell has taken advantage of while a student at Living Arts College. This past January he worked with an event management team at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations JP and good luck on your new adventure!

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in Raleigh drew thousands of green-wearing attendees packing the downtown streets and sidewalks. The “Largest Parade in Raleigh” began at noon on the corner of Cabarrus and Wilmington Street and ended at the festival in Moore Square.

Living Arts College students, faculty and staff marched for the second year in a row. The weather was amazing for the occasion. Among the parade groups, Living Arts College, the 126th group in line to march, gave out green and pink beaded necklaces, a variety of candies, and brochures about the College and its programs.

The parade started out in 1983 with around a dozen marchers being cheered on by a small crowd of downtown Raleigh residents and merchants. Now more than 120 groups marched in front of crowds running five-people deep along parts of Fayetteville Street and Blount Street.

This year’s parade marshal was Frank Mellage, a former chairman of the committee. Past marshals have included current city mayor Nancy McFarlane, now-retired Raleigh police chief Harry Patrick Dolan, current state Department of Public Safety Secretary and former council member Kieran Shanahan, and Helping Hand Mission founder Sylvia Wiggins.

Living Arts College plans to participate in the parade years to follow.

A Focus on Creativity pays off again for Living Arts College students. This year’s 2013 ADDYs Awards was a stellar event, with much to talk about. Living Arts College entered a record number of 30 plus entries and the work’s outstanding. From photography to illustrations as well as posters, package design, and branding campaigns, the school shined bright this year.

Multiple Award Winners

Students of Living Arts College won in the Elements of Advertising, TV, Poster, Visual Photography Color, Poster Campaign, and Brochure/Annual Report categories. Dustin Wheeler won a Silver award for creating the “Unchain Brochure” concept about pet abuse. Winning a Silver award was Kristina Fick for a poster campaign called “in-Dulge…in-Dulge,” a concept about chocolate desserts.

In the photography category, Kristina Cich won a Silver for her piece,” Beauty In Details”, a rare win for insect photography as the subject. Winning an ADDY for the second year in a row, Nathan Welman pulled away with a Silver award for his image called “Abiquios”, in photography. A first term student Micheal Jusino captured a Silver award for his thought-provoking poster “DEAD END” with its end of earth theme.

First timer, Darien Murphy won a Gold award for his piece called “Fly Bee,” a beautiful illustration for a fashion brand. We should see many more from Darien! Nathan Wellman also was awarded another Silver award for the illustration called “Fashion Twirl,” a magazine advertisement design.

Justin Fick walked away with a Gold award for his motion graphic piece “Jack Cliche Teaser”. Little did Justin know, it tied into this year’s ADDY theme. A previous scholarship winner, Shako Oteka received a Gold award for “City Illusions,” a photography study he did.

Performer of the Year

Last, but surely not least, is the performer of the year, Micheal Jusino. Michael not only won a Gold award for a previous piece, but he took the whole show! Micheal Jusino won “Best in Show” for “TYPE is NOT SKIN DEEP,” a beautiful editorial rendition for a design magazine. This makes a 3-peat for Michael, the best we have ever seen a first year student do! If this is what the future is like, Living Arts College has a bright one. Please give all the students a high five and a well deserved congratulations!

DESTINY ROAD -The Soundtrack! Audio Production & Design Alumni Ryan Hamlin, signed to Center Sound Records has two songs on the soundtrack to Destiny Road. Destiny Road is a feature film that has opened in 55 theaters in Brazil and is now in negotiations for a domestic release. Hamlin’s songs are featured in the film as well as  the soundtrack. The two songs are “Virginia,” a song from his soon to be released EP and “Miracle” featured in the film as well. Both songs were written and performed by Hamlin and produced by Audio Professor, Craig Brandwynne of Center Sound Records.

Check out the official soundtrack on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/destiny-road-official-soundtrack/id596211132

Audio Production & Design student, JP Ferrell has been out of class for several weeks. Normally this would be frowned upon, but in this case JP was learning in the real world, working at the presidential inauguration. JP signed on with the company running sound for several of the events surrounding this year’s inaugural ball and was able to work directly with some well respected members of the audio community.

The learning experience was excellent and the multitude of contacts he brings back with him will be invaluable as he moves into professional sound production.

Congratulations to JP for snagging this very enviable position!

Living Arts College audio students began tracking Robinson Earle on Tuesday, Jan., 15th.  Robinson is a virtuoso guitar player/singer/songwriter who is beginning work on a EP to be released mid-spring/early summer.  Students are looking forward to working with such a talented musician, and the opportunity to record some of the world class instruments Robinson will be bringing to the sessions.

Living Arts College students attend some of the largest conferences, conventions, and festivals around the nation from New York City to Los Angeles. Educational, professional, and networking opportunities are presented to future-proof the students’ careers and businesses. Students have the opportunity to meet with industry professionals and gain insight from their chosen fields in audio production, filmmaking, digital imaging, photography, and animation and game design. Living Arts College drives the students to experience the most comprehensive events the industries have to offer.

AES

For over 60 years, the Audio Engineering Society Convention (AES) has been the largest gathering of audio professionals and enthusiasts on the globe, attracting delegates from over 100 countries worldwide. Workshops, tutorials, technical papers and the exhibition floor provide attendees with a wealth of learning, networking and business opportunities.

“It’s great to get to interact with the people who are making headlines in audio right now.  The energy and creativity is really contagious.” – JP Ferrell, Audio Production

Promax/BDA

Promax/BDA is the world’s largest non-profit association for creative and strategic professionals in the business of electronic media marketing, promotion and design. If you’re considering a career in entertainment marketing or broadcast design, PROMAX/BDA is the professional organization for you. As a student or recent graduate, there is no better way to learn the fundamentals of on air promotion, marketing and broadcast design and to connect with like minded professionals from around the world than the annual PROMAX/BDA conference.

“Working as an intern at the PromaxBDA conference was the highlight of my summer. I met other interns from all over the world, worked a myriad of stations where I was able to collect business cards from people in elite positions in the industry, and I heard from speakers that many had paid “big money” to hear, for FREE! I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.” – Brittany Moore, Digital Filmmaking

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival celebrates the power and artistry of documentary film. Its mission is to provide documentary filmmakers with opportunities to showcase their work theatrically, stimulating conversation and community between filmmakers, industry executives and the general public. Full Frame is recognized as the premier documentary film festival in the United States by both The New York Times and indieWIRE and is well-known for its southern hospitality, relaxed atmosphere and walkable venue layout. During the past decade Full Frame has welcomed both first time and celebrated filmmakers including Martin Scorsese, Abbas Kiarostami, Michael Moore, Syndey Pollack, Errol Morris, Barbara Kopple, Ken Burns, Ric Burns, Charles Burnett, Mira Nair and Jonathan Demme.

“I met tons of people who love films and movies. I learned so much by talking to people with the same interests.” – Brittany Alston, Digital Filmmaking

GDC

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the world’s largest and longest-running professionals-only game industry event. The GDC attracts over 19,000 attendees, and is the primary forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision-makers and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas and shape the future of the industry. The conference features over 400 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions on a comprehensive selection of game development topics taught by leading industry experts. In addition, the GDC expo showcases all of the most relevant game development tools, platforms and services helping to drive the industry forward.

“While at GDC I got to see what a great networking opportunity it can be and how involved game studios and other companies are with the conference.  I feel I know more of what this industry expects from artists.” – Hunter Williams, Animation & Game Design

NAB

The National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB) is the premiere electronic media event. Attendees from around the world come to the NAB Show to discover new emerging electronic media technologies and trends that may have an immediate or future impact on their businesses.

“The convention in Las Vegas was both rewarding and educational for me, not only did I meet and gain over 25 new audio contacts, I also attended a class on how to operate the new Yamaha M7CL digital mixing console. I will definitely go back to the NAB Show in a heartbeat!!!!” – Jerry Barnett, Audio Production

SIGGRAPH

The SIGGRAPH conference is the premier international event on computer graphics and interactive techniques. Annually, SIGGRAPH is expected to draw an estimated 25,000 the most respected technical and creative professionals from five continents. The SIGGRAPH community includes people everywhere who are excited by research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education, and the web.

“SIGGRAPH was a life changing experience…. just the thought of getting a chance to work for the largest animation convention on the planet was unreal. I can’t wait for next year’s conference.” – David Joyner

PhotoPlus Expo

PDN PhotoPlus continues to be on the cutting edge of what’s happening in photography and imaging for the photography industry and those who want to shot like a pro. PhotoPlus has put on the leading show in the industry – attracting all the exhibitors and industry names to network with. PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo is the most important event in the photo industry. Designed for professionals and enthusiasts in the photographic and imaging industries. PDN PhotoPlus Expo showcases the latest advances in photography. Attendees are able to explore hundreds of exhibits and attend a wide variety of photography and imaging seminars.

“The conference was a huge success, with booths upon booths of amazing and revolutionary products. I was able to meet several individuals from the conference that I have had the privilege to stay in touch with. I’m glad we got to navigate on our own through the conference, it gave me the freedom to focus on the booths that were most important to me.” – Sarah Garnett, Digital Photography

Living Arts College audio students were invited to Virtual Heroes to hear their audio design for a simulation video game. The students recorded all of the sound effects and voice-overs for an upcoming training simulation game.

The following audio students participated in this project: Allen Palmer, JP Ferrell, Adam Joyner, Michael Tilson, Ian Johnson, and Living Arts College graduates Chris Cowan and Nick Bagwell.

It was a rewarding experience and these students now has experience in game sound design for placement on their resume.