Each year students in Piedmont Community College’s (PCC) Digital Effects and Animation Technology (DEAT) program hope to attend the East Coast Game Conference to gain knowledge from industry experts and ideas on improving their portfolio and future job opportunities.
In 2020, students will attend knowing that a supportive donor would like to see them benefit from the various seminars and overall experience because of the anonymous gift specifically directed to assist with conference expenses.
In its twelfth year, the conference hosted by the Triangle Game Initiative will be held in Raleigh and is touted to be the largest gathering of video game professionals on the East Coast. The focus of the conference is to provide video game developers an engaging program and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Tom Abernathy, this year’s keynote speaker, is the Studio Narrative Director at ArenaNet, where he guides story development and execution on Guild Wars 2 and other projects. His major game credits include GW2, The Division, League of Legends, Crimson Alliance, Halo: Reach, The Saboteur, and Destroy All Humans! 1 & 2.
A 20-year veteran of companies including Riot Games, Microsoft Studios, and the late, great Pandemic Studios, in 2009 Abernathy was named one of “The Gamasutra 20: Top Game Writers.” His most recent film credit, Bad Country, was released in 2015 by Sony Pictures.
Many may not realize, but the Research Triangle Park area is home to more than 40 companies developing, publishing, or providing technology or services to the video game industry. These companies employ more than 1,100 people directly involved in creating video games, simulations, and video game technology.
This offers numerous opportunities for PCC students to participate in various internships, as well as for future employment right here in North Carolina.
Learn more about PCC’s Digital Effects and Animation Technology (DEAT) program:
The Digital Effects and Animation Technology program gives students the skills to create animation and graphics for electronic games, television, film, and online media.
Through hands-on training with computer art and animation programs like Autodesk Maya and the Adobe Creative Suite, students learn the technical skills needed in their field. In addition, students acquire other essential skills such as:
• Team production experience
• Project-based assignments
• Portfolio production
• Design and animation principals
• Recognition of best practices and industry standards
An Associate of Applied Science degree in Digital Effects & Animation can be earned in two years and graduates are qualified for employment as entry level 2D/3D digital artists in film, television, games, and advertising.
Interested in learning more about PCC’s Digital Effects & Animation Technology program? Contact instructor Paula Hindman at paula.hindman@piedmontcc.edu or (336) 694-8069.
If you would like to support students in PCC’s various programs, including Digital Effects & Animation Technology, the PCC Foundation Team can help. Contact Caprice Lengle at (336) 322-2103 or Caprice.Lengle@piedmontcc.edu.
Photo (left to right):
Sitting: Preston Clack, Isabella Charles
Standing: Adam Kania, instructor, Madisyn Atwater, Courtney Chase, Emily Craig, Preston Clack, Isabella Charles
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