The Next Generation of Animation Is Here
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A/journal issue two + 2009 fall // the journal of the academy of art university alumni association The Next Generation of Animation 34° 3' 7"/ -118° 14' 36" 14' 3' 7"/ -118° 34° is Here lat/ long Joe Ksander leads the way with visionary director Shane Acker – and the guidance of Tim Burton Founded in 1929, the Academy of Art University Chris Cortez mfa05 adds "reality television star" to his list of talented alter-egos Euna Lee bfa01 returns from North Korea along A celebrates 80 years of educating a global GR after competing in Tommy Hilfiger's The Cut. Defying industry boundaries, his MPT with Current TV colleague, Laura Ling, and shares community of artists and designers. out-of-the-box thinking landed him a dream job and a spectrum of opportunities. a note of thanks with supporters. AC ADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION inside + creative goodness on tap for this issue // get more_ alumni.academyart.edu Welcome Home MPT 37° 46´ 45˝ / -122° 25´ 12˝ 3 The Remarkable Courage of Two American Journalists: Alumna Euna Lee and her Current TV colleague Laura Ling return home lat/long_ from North Korea. A Message from A Room with a View IAD the President 4 Heather Hilliard designs a Showcase Penthouse. The result? The launch of her own design firm. photo_ rocio russo mfa08 ph AS ARTISTS AND EDUCATORS, we serve as advocates Before Retro was Retro ADV of artistic expression. In the classroom, this responsibil- 5 Ming Gee and the Making of a Design Era. This determined art- ity means instilling in our students the courage to take ist proves that if “you are a good artist, you can do everything.” creative risks and by the same token to take constructive direction. One extraordinary event has found us transpos- ing this teaching philosophy to an international stage. When School of Motion Pictures & Television alumna The Next Generation of Animation is Here ANM Euna Lee and her colleague Laura Ling were arrested by 6 the North Korean government, I knew this was an issue we cover » Joe Ksander leads the way with visionary director had to act upon. This summer, the Academy community Shane Acker – and the guidance of Tim Burton. voiced concern with an online petition and a Community Peaceful Gathering to raise awareness of their detention. A Show-Stopper in Sonoma We were heard and we were not alone. As I write this letter, FA I'm relieved both journalists have been released. 10 Hossain Amjadi's sculpture garden is nestled in the middle of Their story has shown me the positive change we can wine country, and the harvest is looking good. The art world’s make as a community. You too are one of our citizens and version of a farmer living off the land. you have life-long advocates not only among our faculty but also among your peers. We hope you will reconnect with us through A JOURNAL and the Alumni Association. Television Star, Fashion Phenom, Designer Extraordinaire GR This spirit of mentorship is a cornerstone on which my 12 grandfather founded the school in 1929. Now in its 80th Chris Cortez has many talented alter egos. year, the university's commitment to supporting the next generation of artists remains unchanged. One of my direc- tives has been to forge new partnerships; and to this end, I would like to welcome our new Director of Game Design + stuff you’ll always want to keep up with alumnus Christopher Schenck to our family. in every issue We have a lot to celebrate for our big 8-0. Please join us in sharing our triumphs – past and present – and envision- « out there_ A synopsis of notable alumni event calendar_ Global save-the- pursuing dreams, enriching culture, and dates especially designed for innovators, ing ones we will be talking about in the future. stimulating art, all over the world. creators, and trendsetters – that’s you. Sincerely, retroview_ A historical journey message from the president_ Kicking through influential happenings from it off with acknowledgements and the art and design archives. accolades from your alma mater. news & updates_ News feeds that message from the alumni dept_ A connect you to the alumni community. rousing shout out to the Academy of Dr. Elisa Stephens, President Art University’s extended family from class notes_ The who, what, where, Janet Preloger, Director of Alumni. and when of your fellow graduates. A/journal about keys to the kingdom + insight publisher_ Academy of Art University Alumni Association This is A Journal about you — the artists, Your guide to the codes, characters, and colors denoting departmental specializations. editor_ Janet Preloger innovators, and designers who make up the Academy of Art University Alumni design_ Christopher Morlan bfa05 ADV Advertising IDS Industrial Design Association. writer_ Mindy Smart ANM Animation & Visual Effects IAD Interior Architecture & Design production_ Anthony Toy bfa06 and Jeannie Wallace A Journal emphasizes the impeccable art ARH MPT cover art_ Joe Ksander, Focus Features and design successes of the Academy’s Architecture Motion Pictures & Television alumni family. It captures and embraces colophon_ Soho and Benton Sans the diversity of creative accomplishments. FSH Fashion COM Multimedia Communications paper_ Mohawk Options 100% PC Cool White It highlights a journey through the world Smooth 80# text FA MUS creating, designing, inventing, and shaping. Fine Art Music for Visual Media All our other generous contributors. A Journal engages in the storytelling of special thanks_ GAM Game Design PH Photography vibrant individuals and connects a global 800.544.2787 // alumni.academyart.edu community of art and design professionals. GR Graphic Design WNM Web Design & New Media A ILL Illustration 2 A JOURNAL + AC ADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION news Welcome Home The Remarkable Courage of 37° 46' 45”/ -122° 25' 12” Two American Journalists lat/long_ + story_ Janet preloger // more_ www.lauraandeuna.com T HE ODDS WERE AGAINST them, but Letter to Supporters MPT millions of thoughts, prayers, and petition signatures supported their release. from Euna Lee Posted August 10, 2009 at: • 140 days of detainment www.lauraandeuna.com • Over 6,000 miles away from home • 12 years hard labor sentence I ET’S BE N 5 DAYS since I arrived home from my traumatic experience. On August 4, 2009, Academy of Art University School What have I done… hmm… let’s see. I made of Motion Pictures & Television alumna Euna Lee BFA01 scrambled eggs with Hana, I walked around the and Current TV colleague Laura Ling, were pardoned neighborhood with Michael and Hana after dinner, by the North Korean government after being charged of I combed Hana’s hair and dressed her for school, I “committing hostilities against the Korean nation and danced and jumped with Hana, I went to a cafe and Facebook pages about Laura and I or the web site, illegal entry.” The journalists spent 140 days in detainment had a very happy time with Michael listening to his lauraandeuna.com. Because I know that once I started to after their arrest in March while on assignment for life and shared mine, I went to church and was able read them I would get caught up in all the love and sup- Current TV, the media company co-founded by former to sing unto the Lord. port everybody gave me and I will neglect my family. Vice President Al Gore. Through a humanitarian effort by I am slowly fulfilling the wish list that I made in Hana is still a bit nervous about mommy going to former President Bill Clinton, the two women returned North Korea one item at a time. work again. She told me today “Mommy, when I ask you home on August 5 to a tearful reunion with their families in Every moment when I realize it’s real, when I to leave (she meant ‘come home’), please come home Burbank, California. am home and I am with my family, I think of all the to me.” She told Doorie (one of my cats) “Doorie, if you The Academy of Art University joined hands with individuals who were there at the vigils, who wrote don’t listen, mommy will go to the airport.” the San Francisco community in an effort to support letters to us and to the government, who read and I will wait for the time when Hana truly believes that their release through a vigil and online petition with over followed our news and were concerned about us mommy’s always there for her, then I will be free to share CLOCKWISE FROM left_ 4,000 signatures. A Community Peaceful Gathering took and helped Laura and I to come home. my stories and experiences in North Korea and be able Laura Ling and Euna Lee arrive home at hangar 25, place on June 24, 2009 attended by Lee’s four-year-old Knowing that you would not stop until we came to express how thankful I am. Burbank, California with daughter Hana and the husbands of the two women, home kept me going day by day in North Korea. My husband mentioned the names of so many President Bill Clinton (Photo Michael Saldate and Iain Clayton, who spoke about As soon as I got home, after I gave a long hug to individuals who helped us and supported us through this by Kevork Djansezian/Getty the recent contact they had with their wives. Over 300 my family, I wanted to thank the people who helped tough time. I won’t list the individual names here to thank Images for Shangri-La); Euna Lee BFA01; Laura Ling; students, alumni, faculty, and community organizations me.