UNM Taos DMA Chair, Peter Walker spent his summer break in Peru at an artist’s retreat.
During his much-needed hiatus from teaching at both the High School and UNM Taos, he spent much of his down time dreaming up new projects and programs for his rapidly growing classes, as well as putting the finishing touches on those already in the works, including the 16 X 16 Filmmaker Workshop!
UNM Taos Digital Media Arts program reminds us that we live in a digital world, and elements of digital media design are all around us. This program introduces students to the fundamentals of digital media design and production. You will develop skills in animation, digital design, and computer generated graphics and more, utilizing state of the art tools and applications.
The average digital media professional makes about $60,000 a year and the demand for digital media designers and developers grew by over 600% last year,, making this program more relevant than ever.
Digital media professionals direct, plan and design a variety of interactive media, including animation and film. In this program, students develop the computer graphics and design skills needed to work in a variety of production and media development positions. The advancement of data generation devices in computer graphics means that new jobs and careers can open up to these kids, as more media-based areas are appearing due to AI.
You’ll learn the necessary skills in computer graphics, media, technology and design for entry-level positions in film production, digital animation, motion graphics or web development Typical courses include:digital media and tools, animation, graphic design, introduction to film and more. This should help more people to develop desirable skills that companies should want. Due to the digital environment that businesses find themselves in currently, they are having to adapt and become more digitalized to stay ahead of the competition. This means that companies are looking to advance their existing digital strategies. Many businesses have also outsourced a provider in London for IT support. This ensures that technical problems can be fixed efficiently, allowing the company to continue operating. All of this helps companies to grow in this digital environment.
By the end of this intensive and fun course (Associate’s Degree), participants will have created a portfolio of digital projects that will demonstrate to employers that you have the skills it takes to add technical value and creativity to their organization, or enable you to further your studies in the field.
DMA also offers exciting workshops that both support and enhance their classroom studies; the 16X16 Filmmaker Workshops (their Fall and Winter series), is an example of the excellence this program strives for, bringing the best of this exciting Industry to local students.
Last month, writer John Biscello, taught a workshop (#2), entitled Hybrid Storytelling For The Digital Age, and this past weekend, Stephanie Gardner taught WORKSHOP #3 – DIRECTING STYLE: FINDING YOUR CREATIVE VOICE ON SCREEN.
This course demonstrated both how to find your own style and voice as a director, and how to prep for directing a new piece, be it your own script or concept, or directing someone else’s project for hire.
The next course : WORKSHOP #4 – AUDITIONING ACTORS: MASTERING THE ON-SCREEN CASTING CALL Instructor: Kathryn Brink Dates: October 19-20
Calling all actors: If you’ve ever considered auditioning for a film role, this is the workshop for you to help prepare you for an on-camera audition! This workshop will cover all the basics you need to know to walk into an audition room, including, preparation, agents, presentation, character development, protocol, and scene work with a special emphasis on feeling comfortable in front of the camera during the audition process. Take your creative step and sign up today!
WORKSHOP #5 – THEATER GAMES FOR FILMMAKERS:Embrace the Unexpected Instructor: Davide Perez Dates: November 10-11
The art of filmmaking is the art of possibilities, of expecting the unexpected, and embracing the joy of collective and individual play. Theatre games and improvisation are time honored methods used by actors, writers and directors alike in shaping the creative process. And what is filmmaking if not one improvisation after another
WORKSHOP #6 LIGHTS, CAMERA, OPEN SCREEN! Instructor:Mathew Carmen (from Canon), Dates: Dec 1-2
Learn high-end lighting and filming techniques while using a green screen! This is where movie magic comes alive and you can add anything you want behind the curtain.
WORKSHOP #7 – “THAT’S A WRAP! MY FILM’S IN THE CAN… NOW WHAT? Instructor: Duprelon Tizdale Dates: Dec 8-9
“You spent all your blood, sweat and tears to shoot your film after months, maybe years, of writing, pre-production, and principal photography and you finally did it – your film is in the can! Now what?” DMA queries in their flyer for these workshops (that’s all their descriptive text quoted above), they go on to explain that “this course will teach you the basics of Post Production Supervision – how to hire the right post production team and work with an editor; find music; the importance of color correction and grading; designing film art and title credits.”
I’ll have more on what Peter and his colleagues at UNM Taos’ DMA Program are up to, here on taoStyle throughout the Fall and Winter Season.
Meanwhile, for much more about UNM Taos Digital Media Arts, please visit their site linked below this post.
All images of Peter Walker and UNM Taos DMA students (including David Mapes), working with the green screen, thanks to Enrico Trujillo.
