Digital FX Design | Production | Post

I was recently contacted by a former professor and was pleasantly surprised to learn about an opportunity to head down to LSU and help out with students’ portfolio reviews. It had been a couple years since I stepped foot into those familiar spaces, and I wondered how the program was evolving. Who were the new faces? How did my student work measure up? (believe me, I dug it up and looked through it…all of it!)

The format was basically me conducting interviews with the students. Somehow, I doubt that I was too intimidating, seeing as I look like some punk kid. If anything, I simply tried to convince students to find ways to experiment with some form of motion design. I’ve always been inspired by the depth of experience that people can take from a well conceived piece of animation.

Before the interviews, I had an opportunity to chat with the senior class a bit. All eyes on me – from seats which I sat in myself just three years ago. Thinking back to the conversation, I would like to have added one point (or some point anyway). It seems that in order to create design that speaks volumes, one has to approach it equally as a visual art and as an intellectual endeavor. And really, unpacking the implications of that statement is more than I care to try to do in a blog entry.

A big “thanx” to Lynne Baggett one more time; and students, if you happen to read any of this, feel free to contact me at your leisure.

The Girlfriend Experience

NOFS benefit screening hosted by director Steven Soderbergh; Q&A to follow film

Thursday, May 7 @ 7:00PM.
Canal Place Cinema, 333 Canal Street.
Tickets $15. To purchase tickets, click here.

Set in the weeks leading up to the 2008 presidential election, The Girlfriend Experience is five days in the life of Chelsea (adult film star Sasha Grey in her mainstream film debut), an ultra high-end Manhattan escort who offers more than sex to her clients – “the girlfriend experience.” Chelsea thinks she has her life totally under control; she feels her future is secure because she runs her own business her own way, makes $2,000 an hour, and has a devoted boyfriend who accepts her lifestyle.

The latest film from Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh, The Girlfriend Experience is a sexy, gorgeously shot time capsule from the not-too-distant past.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh. USA. 2009. 77 minutes. Rated R.