Portfolio Center Blog: Animation / Game Design

An Introduction to Archiving Your Work

What are Archives?

Archives refer to any collection of records, as well as the location of the collection. In order to truly keep an archive, copies of records are kept in separate location. This is known as redundancy. Duplicates protect the original record in event of a disaster, technical or natural, destroys an original. Most copies are in a digital format, which usually is used for the web, allowing a greater audience to access the records.

Why do I need to keep an archive of my work?

For you, the important part of this is to keep a copy of your work in a digital format, and to make sure that copy is stored in a separate location. This way, if something happens to the original, you will have a copy. The digital copy of your work will also help you as you graduate, and produce a final portfolio or reel reflecting your own body of work. Many seniors use these files for their professional web sites or DVDs that they construct with the help of the Portfolio Center.

Storing Original Work

Since work by students at Columbia College Chicago is varied, we will not address specifics of how to archive a painting, sculpture, or other three dimensional materials. We will, however, give you some general ideas for storing work. Most people find that the room with the greatest storage capacity is a basement storage area. These places can be the worst for keeping work, as there is generally a high level of moisture. Over a relatively short period of time, damage can become noticeable through yellowing of pages, fading of colors, and even growth of mildew.

The location you choose should be relatively dry, free from excessive dust and dirt, and out of any direct sunlight. This means that typically a shelf in a closet will work for you. Avoid floors, or bookshelves near a bright window. If possible, purchase an acid-free storage container. Most of these are available at art supply stores. These are perfect for keeping smaller paintings, and most sizes of photographs and documents. What is acid-free? Many plastic products and glues that are used contain acid. Even over a relatively short time, this can affect the integrity of what is stored next to it. The words ‘Archival’ and/or ‘Acid Free’ are typically displayed prominently on these items. The cost difference between non-archival and archival material is usually nominal. Books or larger items may be best stored in plastic sleeves, which also can be purchased at art supply stores.

More information regarding preservation of physical work can be found on the Columbia College Chicago's Library Archive site.

Documenting Work

Making physical copies of paintings, sculptures, or clothing you created may be nearly impossible. In this digital age, the best option is to make a digital copy of whatever you have. If you work in a digital format, this isn’t that difficult. Videotape is the obvious choice for any time-based art form, but still images can show details that can enhance your documentation. So you want to copy your work, but you don’t have access to a still or video camera. If you are a senior, you can contact the Portfolio Center for assistance with documenting your work. Find more information about Portfolio Production (pdf) from the Portfolio Center’s website.

If you are not a senior, you may want to review the guidelines on our site (in some instances, you may qualify if you aren’t a senior). Some departments may provide resources for photographing or videotaping your work, providing facilities or giving demonstrations on how to do this. Another way to find someone to help is by posting flyers in the Photography, Film, or Television Departments. Dorms are a great place to meet fellow students who may have the skill to assist you in documenting your work. Many students are looking to assist other students in this area. Providing compensation is the best way to ensure that work gets done. You could offer monetary rewards, or trade some of your work to pay for the services.

When you find a student to assist you, make sure that you do not turn over your original work. The best practice would be to meet with the individual at the time they would do any photographing. This not only creates less of an opportunity for your work to be lost or damaged, but will let you in on how the process works.

Documenting your work is not the time to be artistic. If you are doing still photography of the work, you want to have even lighting, usually from the side to avoid any glare. Framing should center on the object. You want to be as straightforward with your images as possible. This will let the work stand on its own strength.

Storing Digital Copies

Once you have your work documented, or if your work is already in a digital format, you need to store the digital files. Many students make the mistake of only saving the files on a CD or DVD. The problem with this method is that many CDs or DVDs have a life of only 5 years. Glues that hold the recorded layer to the plastic can give out, especially the inexpensive spindles you purchase at office supply stores. Markers that most people use to write on the discs contain acids that can speed up this process.

CD-RW and DVD-RWs create a new set of problems, as the more you re-record on these discs, the more chances your files may corrupt. These discs also fail to hold the integrity of the original file, and you may experience a loss of resolution.

It is important to understand that a CD or DVD should only be considered a method of delivering your files, not a method of storage. The best way to store digital files is on a hard drive. Some people store all of their images on their computer. This is problematic when your hard drive crashes, as you may lose all of your files. File sizes can also eat up your storage space.

The ideal method of storing your digital files is to purchase a hard drive that is dedicated to storage. Many affordable options are available these days, most under $300. Of course, if you are storing movie files, you will need a much larger drive. For this ideal method, your storage drive will be backed up either on your computer or a second drive. This may become cost prohibitive to many, so we will outline the next best method.

The second best method is to store your files on the storage drive, and make CD or DVD back ups. If you do this, make sure you purchase metal discs, as the glue is much better. These discs can have a life of up to 10 years. Silver discs are the most affordable and readily available. The cost difference between these discs and the budget discs is not drastic. For labeling your discs, purchase an acid-free marker, available in many camera stores. If the hard drive purchase is out of the question, let’s look into the budget solution to storing digital files.

The third best method of storing files is on CDs and DVDs. We already mentioned why this isn’t the ideal method, but if you are on a tight budget, this is the way to go. Remember though, only by metal discs, no rewritables, and make sure you use an acid-free marker. This will work for you until you can purchase a storage drive for your computer.

A few words about file formats

The most common formats for saving image files are JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), and BMP (bit mapped). For movie files, MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group), and audio files MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio). All of these formats are considered lossy, which is a fancy term meaning resolution is lost when saving in this format. What happens in the creation of these files is that your computer runs an algorithm, also known as a codec (for compression/decompression), to compress the information into a usable size. While this helps with storage space, you risk losing important information. Unless your original image is in one of these formats, you may want to choose storing your images in one of the following formats. These are generally considered lossless, meaning there is little or no resolution lost.

Preferred Storage Formats for Digital Files

This list is intended to give you a starting point for file saving. There are many more options, but these are good places to start.

Note that when storing your files in one of the above formats, the file size can become very large. You may not be able to store these files without an external storage drive. If you need to keep a smaller version of your file, make sure compression is at a minimum.

Movie Files

Movie files will no doubt rapidly take over your hard drive. A five-minute movie, uncompressed, could be as large as 20 gigabytes. A solution to this is to record a copy of your movie on a DV tape (Digital Video). This records a digital version of your file on a tape. The only drawback to this is unless you have a DV player, you won’t be able to watch the movie again. Here are a couple of ways to back up your movies.

Best-case scenario is to save an uncompressed version on a storage drive, and make a back up on a DV tape. This allows you to have two copies, uncompressed.

Second best scenario is to record a copy to DV tape, and save a compressed copy on either your hard drive or a DVD-ROM. A DVD-ROM can store up to 4.7 gigabytes, which may work for a compressed movie.

Some people are under the impression that an authored DVD is the same as a DVD-ROM. This is not true: An authored DVD is one that is playable in a DVD player and usually has a menu. All files on this type of DVD are compressed, and while it is convenient for delivery of your files (viewing), it is not the best way to store your files.

A DVD-ROM is more like a CD-ROM. They can be the same blank disc as a regular DVD, but you use them like a CD. Drag and drop your files, then burn the disc. Note that you must have a DVD burner on your computer in order to create DVD-ROM discs.

Digital File Naming Conventions

The way you name your files can have a drastic effect on compatibility between computers and the integrity of the file. Below are a few guidelines for you to follow.

Following the above conventions can assure compatibility with multiple platforms and older software programs.

What not to archive

Many classes give you footage from existing movies or images from existing advertisements to work with. For example, a Television student may have footage from the British Television Show Brightwolf; a Film student may have used Law and Order: SVU for an editing project; or an Advertising Art student may have pulled images off the internet for a class ad campaign. While you may want to save copies of these until you create more advanced work, you typically want to avoid using copyrighted material in your final reel or portfolio. For more information regarding this, check with your instructor or our website to find a Portfolio Advisor in your area.

Your next step

Review the work you have and determine which you would like to archive. If you need assistance with this, review your options with an instructor, or an Industry Expert through the Portfolio Center. Once you have choices made, document what you can into a digital format. As you save your work, subscribe to the Portfolio Center blog to get the latest announcements on other workshops about archiving. When you are a senior, sign up for Portfolio Production, and we can help you put it all together. Once you have your work packaged in a professional manner, sign up for Show Off events to show your work to visiting professionals. And don’t forget, the Portfolio Center Archive is always looking for submissions. Students, alumni, instructors, and employers view the online Archive. Now go out and start saving your work.

Dirk Matthews is the Assistant Director of the Portfolio Center and an adjunct faculty member in the Film/Video Department of Columbia College Chicago.

June 10, 2007

The Animator's Reel (and you)

Looking to polish your animation reel? Check out some advice from Oren Jacobs, Senior Technical Director and Animator Extraordinaire at Pixar. Having created movies such as Finding Nemo and Toy Story, he (and his company) stand at the forefront of modern animation as we know it (and we'd like to see you there too someday).

Want some live feedback? Get some advice from portfolio advisor, animator and motion capture expert Jon Krusell.

Posted by eeaston at 3:48 PM

June 6, 2007

MyToons

Pop quiz. Who has a better chance of getting animation work:

a) An amazingly talented animator who isn't very aggressive about showing off her/his work

or

b) An 'ok' animator who puts her/his work out to every corner of the animation universe?

Right. (You answered 'b' right?) And we found another corner of the animation universe for you to put your work in.

It's called MyToons, and it's a place for animators of all kinds to post clips and have the web community watch, comment and vote for their favorites. Like YouTube, the content is uploaded by you and can be seen by anyone accessing the Internet. Unlike YouTube, the audience surrounding MyToons is likely to include a wealth of professional animators, animation recruiters and other people looking online for an easy way to scout talent.

Don't forget, the Portfolio Center also has a (free) way for you to get your work online (pdf). It's not a case of either / or, but both / and.

C U online.

Posted by mgreen at 11:28 AM

May 27, 2007

Tom Kim interviews Game Recruiter Marc Mencher. Awesomeness ensues.

Tom Kim is not only our portfolio advisor for Game Design majors, he's the producer of Gamasutra's podcast. On April 25th, 2007 Tom interviewed Marc Mencher of gamerecruiter.com. Their conversation covers a lot of ground - finding un-advertised job leads, the essential role of networking, how to introduce and sell yourself at industry events, how to stand out among the hundreds of candidates applying for a given position, etc..

Beyond networking tips, Tom get's Marc talking about some specific ways to look at building a game design portfolio that catches the eye of recruiters. Although demand in the field is at an all-time high, so are the expectations. Their's no shortcut to getting a job in the field. It's your portfolio that will (or won't) break through.

We can help. Just let us know when you're ready to start.

Posted by mgreen at 4:14 PM

May 23, 2007

Q& A with Portfolio Advisor and Gaming Industry know-a-lot Jon Krusell

We're big fans of Jon Krusell '02 and we're pleased to see him featured on ReelChicago's who's who in Chicago production. He recently moved from Red Eye Studio to Wideload Games, one of Chicago's premiere game development outfits.

Jon's been a portfolio advisor with us for over a year and has been a guest at several events designed for animators and game designers.

Keep in mind that your friendly neighborhood Portfolio Center is open all summer and we're making appointments for students to meet with Jon, and all our portfolio advisors, to get advice and direction on building a competitive portfolio.

Posted by mgreen at 11:44 AM

May 19, 2007

Digital Art Reels for Sale(s)

Armed with a degree, just how should you use your newly honed skills? For good? For evil? Is advertising evil? We don't think so.

As more and more companies begin to abandon the traditional advertising mediums of print and television, digital artists have gained ground in the advertising industry. Online ads, motion graphics based commercials and other such new media employ digital artists to create visually dazzling images and conceptual ad campaigns that call upon the artists' creativity and unique technical skill.

Interested? Check out how to make a digital art reel for advertising. Need a little help putting it together? We can help.

Posted by eeaston at 3:03 PM

May 11, 2007

Short Cuts (Video editing and DVD authoring) | May 21st - 25th

To get good work in your industry, you need more than a business card and a cool hair-cut. You need a well-cut reel that is professional and authored onto a DVD. Get it done at Short Cuts, a solid week of editing and DVD authoring. On campus. For FREE.

Call 312-344-8624 for guidelines and to schedule an appointment with an advanced editor.

This opportunity is open to all currently enrolled students of Columbia College Chicago and May 2007 graduates who have a rough reel already assembled.

Posted by mgreen at 2:10 PM

May 7, 2007

Photo Doc Day | May 18th by appointment

On Friday, May 18th, Columbia students and recent graduates will have an opportunity to get their portfolio samples documented by advanced/expert photography students for free. Fashion design, product design, flatwork and paintings, headshots, portraits, sculpture, packaging . . . if it fits in the door, we'll get it shot for you.

The Photo Studio is at 72 East 11th Street on the 6th floor. You may sign up to work with a photographer at either 10 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m. Lights go out at 5 p.m.

Call 312-344-8660 to sign up. Your work must be organized and absolutely ready to go.

The maximum number of items you may bring is 10. If you need special props and/or special materials, you must bring them. We'll provide you with a CD of your images.

You MUST sign up in order to attend.

This opportunity is open to all currently enrolled students of Columbia College Chicago and May 2007 graduates.

Posted by kscott at 12:04 PM

May 5, 2007

Business Card Day | May 17th by appointment

The best portfolio in the world won't help you get work if employers can't figure out how to get in touch with you when opportunity knocks. Get a business card. One that you can be proud of.

To sign up for a design session on May 17th with one of Columbia's finest, call 312-344-7280.

This opportunity is open to all currently enrolled students of Columbia College Chicago and May 2007 graduates.

Posted by kscott at 11:51 AM

April 19, 2007

Show Off to Day1Studios | May 2nd @ 6pm

Day1's top dog Denny Thorley will visit Columbia to review animation / game design samples and advise students on putting together a professionally impressive portfolio. Day1 produces the MechAssault series and F.E.A.R. for Xbox (and potentially for the Wii) and is considered by many to be the most successful independent game publisher in the world. This session is open to Seniors and 2006 graduates.

If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.

If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.

Posted by mgreen at 11:36 AM

April 16, 2007

Chicago Creative Expo | April 21

Something for all creatives is the motto of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs/Chicago Artist Resource's annual Chicago Creative Expo. On Saturday, April 21, from 10AM-4PM at the Chicago Cultural Center, venders and seminars will be a plenty with resources on issues such as affordable housing, creating a business plan, protecting intellectual property, insurance and the list goes on. The event seeks to connect artists with tool and services available to them in Chicago. So go and get connected...it's FREE!

Posted by mcooper at 2:08 PM

April 14, 2007

Show off to Mode | April 24th @ 10am

Motion designers are in high demand these days, and one of the places scouting talent is Chicago's own Mode, a collective of animators, designers and artists creating work for a range of clients in advertising, television, music and beyond. Managing director Brooks Ruyle and Creative director Steve Juras will visit to meet aspiring motion graphic artists, talk to them about their work and advise them on building a buzzworthy graphics reel.

If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.

If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.

Posted by mgreen at 11:06 AM

April 13, 2007

Submit: Adobe Design Achievement Awards | Deadline April 27

Not that you need validation as an artist but a little recognition is always nice. So why not submit your work to the Adobe Design Achievement Awards? Projects must be original works created primarily with Adobe or Macromedia software. Individuals and groups may enter projects in the following categories: Animation, Digital Illustration, Digital Photography, Environmental Graphics and Packaging, Interactive and Web Design, Live Action, Motion Graphics, Print Design Multi-Page, and Print Design Single Page.

It is free to enter and a first place win gets you $5000, a paid trip to San Francisco or Adobe software. Very cool.

Submissions are due by April 27, 2007. For more information, visit www.adobe.com/education/adaa

Posted by mcooper at 9:00 AM

April 11, 2007

Bringing it to Life: Animation Portfolio Reviews | April 21st @ 12pm

Alum and Disney special effects coordinator Marlon West will join local animators Wayne Brejcha of Calabash Animation and Jon Krusell (also an alum) of Red Eye Studio in advising animation students on their work and the presentation of their work.

More about our guests:

Marlon West

Marlon's credits include Meet the Robinsons; Chicken Little; Home on the Range; Atlantis: The Lost Empire; The Emperor's New Groove; Fantasia/2000; Tarzan; Mulan; Hercules; The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Pocahontas; The Lion King; Bebe's Kids and Rover Dangerfield.

Wayne Brejcha

Wayne is a twenty year animation vet whose work for Calabash (which he now co-owns) includes seminal animation's for the Trix Rabbit and Lucky Charms. His animation directions extends past advertising and into short films, including his own Heads Will Roll.

Jon Krusell

Jon started at High Voltage, quickly advancing to the position of producer. In 2003, he headed to Sock Puppet Studio, where he helped create over 30 animated DVD releases, including: The Fantastic Four Vol. 2: Unthinkable - The Incredible Hulk Vol. 3: Transfer of Power - The Ultimate X-Men Vol. 6: Return of the King.

Currently at Red Eye Studio, Jon directs/produces motion capture and animation for games across many genre and studios. Projects include: Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude - Stubbs the Zombie - Call of Duty: Finest Hour - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Zathura.

Attending students can choose to show their work to guests with other animation students in a small group setting, or simply observe and ask questions. All students and alumni are welcome to attend, but only current Columbia College students, and December 2006 graduates are eligible to show their work.

This session will take place in the Portfolio Center, 623 S Wabash, Room 307.

Posted by mgreen at 10:12 AM

April 3, 2007

Show Off to Devil's Due Publishing | April 13th @ 2pm

Devil's Due Editor Mike O'Sullivan will visit Columbia to meet and provide portfolio advice to illustration and animation students with an interest in comic book art, graphic novels and film. Devil's Due is both a commercial art studio and publisher whose 2001?s revamp of G.I. Joe was a breakthrough success. Other DD titles include: Forgotten Reals, Dragonlance Chronicles, America's Elite, Family Guy, Demonwars, Lost Squad, Nightwolf and Hack/Slash. DD will also soon begin development of two motion pictures properties.

If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.

If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.

Posted by mgreen at 11:29 AM

March 25, 2007

Show Off to Radar Studios | April 5th @ 2:30pm

Radar is a Chicago post animation, design and fx institution. They got that way by consistently producing high quality orginal fx and design work for some of the top brands and agencies out there. If you watch TV (and don't use TiVo to skip every commercial) you've seen their work. And now they're coming to see yours.

If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.

If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.

Posted by mgreen at 11:23 AM

March 13, 2007

Send us your web portfolio!

Graduating students & recent alumni:

Do you already have a web portfolio? If so, please email your website to us, so we can include it in our collection of online portfolios. Not only might you end up getting a call from a potential employer, but you'll be helping those who haven't yet completed their portfolios by giving them an excellent example of how it's done.

If you DO NOT have a web portfolio, and you are about to graduate or have graduated within the past six months, then let us help you create one! You can register for portfolio production by filling out our registration form.

* All web portfolios received will be reviewed before adding to our portfolio collection.

Posted by kscott at 10:03 AM

March 5, 2007

Grad School Applications in the Arts | March 13th at 4pm

Arizona State Professor, Artist, Choreographer and Scientist Jodi James will visit to discuss ASU's Arts, Media & Engineering Program and will engage students in a discussion about preparing a graduate school application which includes a portfolio of educational materials. This discussion is highly recommended to any student considering graduate school (not just hybrid dancer/scientists). All students and alumni are welcome to attend and bring their portfolio materials for Jodi to review.

This discussion is located in Room 405 of the 623 S Wabash Bldg.

Also, you do know you can always make an appointment to see graduate school portfolio advisor Emily Easton don't you? Well, now you do. Emily is available, by appointment, to meet students developing a portfolio for grad school applications.

Posted by mgreen at 3:01 PM

February 1, 2007

Q: What's three minutes long (or less) and (hopefully) awesome?

A: Your demo reel

If you're a senior or recent grad and didn't answer "my demo reel," then it's time to ask yourself how serious you are about breaking into this field. If you're a game designer and/or animator your demo is your hand shake, your business card, your resume and in the eyes of talent recruiters...you. A 'sunday-night job' won't make it past the receptionist at any respectable game design firm or animation studio. In fact, most of these places employ portfolio screeners whose main job is to discard 90% of the reels and books that reach their doorstep.

So how do these people, who are generally not animators or designers, make these decisions? Sure it has something to do with the quality of the work, but it has as much to do with format, presentation and media; and this is where too many of our talented artists aren't taking the time to construct a professionally relevant portfolio / reel.

Of course that's why we're here. ...And we're not alone. The animation world magazine (AWN) has an online "career column" stocked with good advice, some of it specific to demo reels. We also suggest taking Martin Murphy's animation portfolio class. We're not sure if it's required, but it should be. Martin is a bigshot (our words, not his) at Midway Games, a guest at last year's Reel Exchange and a portfolio expert. You'll walk in 'saying' you're an animators and walk out 'showing' that you're one.

Posted by mgreen at 3:32 PM

January 29, 2007

K.I.S.S.: Contact Information

No, we do not have the direct line for the Knights in Satan's Service. But we do have some practical advice on creating a usable, professional email. In a nutshell? Keep it simple, stupid.

Avoid numbers. If possible, try and avoid something with a number at the end. Did someone take the email you wanted? Tough. You might easily remember the year you were born, but an employer won't.

Do not divulge your less than wholesome hobbies. While it's best to avoid nicknames all together, email addresses with the words "stoner," "420," "hottie," "sexy," "lush," or any other word referencing sex, drugs or booze is a quick way to make sure no one writes you back. You're not being slyly clever; everyone knows what all these words mean and no one usually wants these characteristics in a employee.

Be yourself. Your best choice of an email? first name.last name@whatever.com Or, if that's been taken, consider first initial and last name. Or, try your putting in your middle initial. However, using your name means you're easy to remember- and get a hold of if something comes up.

Armed with a simple, professional email, look into printing up some business cards. That way, whenever you meet someone, you can make sure they can reach you at a moment's notice, without being afraid to hire someone calling themselves "midnightlover2003."

Posted by eeaston at 4:54 PM

January 22, 2007

Online Galleries: A Portfolio Cocktail Party

Online portfolio galleries have become the places to see and be seen. There's dozens of sites that offer to help you create an online portfolio and make it available to anyone looking for you "creative types." Suddenly, getting your work out there isn't the problem- it's deciding where to show it. Alas, what is a cyber-socialite artist to do?

As a Columbia student, or alum, you're eligible to put your work in the Portfolio Center Archive. When professional artists and employers are looking for creative talent in Chicago, they look for Columbia College students - and this is where they look. Register and send us your completed web portfolio and we'll make you instantly viewable to anyone who's interested.

Beyond our web walls, there's a few other types of sites you might consider:

5oup is a UK based free portfolio site for students, run by students that allows you to display your work, as well as connect with artists worldwide.

Artistsportfolio and Absolutearts include work from students, professionals and amateurs with a free portfolio and a "portfolio pro" (read: costs money) option.

Creative Hot List allows employers to search by a variety of skills, making this site a good resource for job seekers. It's going to cost you though- 35$ for 6 months.

Illoz and Artrom are "invitation only" galleries, meaning the work must be reviewed and approved before they will allow you to post there.

All of these websites offer you their version of Portfolio Production, meaning you can upload X number of images, to be displayed in a pre-made format. So, if they're willing to do the design work for you, should these online gallery portfolios take the place of your own portfolio? Absolutely not. "When I get resumes from people, I kinda don't like to be bounced back to a site like creative hotlist," says talent recruiter Sharon Potsch, "I much prefer PDFs of samples or a link to a website of their own." Anyone considering anything creative should take the time to create something outside of a gallery website; if a designer can't be bothered to design their own website, why would you hire them to design something for someone else?

When you're deciding where to post your work, be sure to check the gallery to make sure you've found a good fit. Who's the site aiming to appeal to? Is the primary goal networking or employment- and what are you looking for? Just like a slumber party won't do if you're in the mood for a soiree, choosing your gallery makes all the difference in how your work will be received.

Posted by eeaston at 8:38 AM

January 16, 2007

Game Designers, DIY

In web 2.0 circles, DIY (do-it-yourself) is shorthand for a publishing system made easier for the non-professional publisher. The irony police may just have to deal with the fact that DIY programs actually give the publisher less to do themselves, but hey...

DIY has thusfar referred mostly to web design, but now, with recent news that Microsoft's Xbox division is opening XNA Studios, the era of DIY game design is officially official.

But you, you're preparing to be a professional game designer, so how would building a game with a DIY system help you build a portfolio?

Game design is more about creativity and gameplay than it is about any specific tool or programming language. Many of our past game industry guests have told us that too many emerging game designers focus too heavily on how they built a game, when really, all anyone wants to know is, is this game fun to play? Is it good? DIY systems, like XNA, give you a chance to try out a number of game ideas, without investing countless hours into their creation. Can these designs, which do not show off your technical brilliance end up in a portfolio? Absolutely. And beyond that, the best "gamer-designed" games stand a chance to be picked up by Xbox, developed and sold.

Building a body of work means you can't ignore too many avenues for producing a working artifact. So don't. And when you do, come give us a visit. We've got a lot of people we want to introduce you to.

Posted by mgreen at 9:11 AM

January 12, 2007

There's one for you, nineteen for me

A common mistake most young artists and freelancers make is to forget about the Taxman. Failure to plan accordingly can doom a self-employed individual's livelihood. The good news is, there's help. The Chicago Artist's Coalition is hosting their annual Tax and Record Keeping Workshop 1:00 on Saturday, 20 January at the School of the Art Institute, 280 S. Columbus Drive.

Led by Mary Fahey, C.P.A., this workshop is for all self-employed individual including artists, filmmakers, photographers, dancers, etc. There's a nominal fee for the workshop, and more information is available online.

Posted by dmatthews at 9:43 AM

January 10, 2007

Video Resumes -- Benefit or Drawback?

This past Sunday (January 7th), an article appeared in the Chicago Tribune, entitled "Candidates make videos part of resumes," that discussed a new trend in "video resumes." According to the article, these video resumes feature prospective employees highlighting their experience and discussing why they want a career in their particular field. The candidates then either send their clips to prospective employers or send their clips via a link through e-mail. Sounds like some sort of strange version of a video dating service to me, but then again, how many of us spend more time with our employers than at home with our significant others?

Apparently, there has been some success with this method, as the Chicago Tribune illustrates with a few examples (pdf). But others are skeptical and voice concerns about sending video clips to prospective employers, suggesting that some candidates could be turned down "for interviews after seeing what they look and sound like on video," which could also leave some employers "open to discrimination lawsuits."

Another article by NPR points out, in "Job Hunters Seek Winning Edge in Video Resumes," that while these types of resumes have been around for years, the "growth of broadband connections and the proliferation of easy-to-use video-making applications" have created a large increase in the number of people who post or send video resumes to employers. NPR similarly highlights a number of success stories with people that have utilized video resumes and received numerous interviews and job offers. But again, there's a cautionary warning: "pitching yourself on video can backfire." Not only might you turn off a potential employer with your video, but according to Peggy Mastroianni, "as associate legal counsel at the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission," videos can be problematic because they can also "reveal information -- race, religion, disabilities -- that shouldn't figure into who gets an interview and who doesn't."

So our advice? Tread with caution. If you do decide to pursue this route, you might want to get feedback from professionals in your industry before turning the camera on yourself. And then weigh the positive possibilities against the negative. You might hit gold, but then again, your video might become the thing that people send around the office for a good laugh.

What we do encourage is the utilization of technology (audio, visual) and the internet to showcase your talents . . . your actual work. Creating video or audio clips of examples of your work that are easily made available by the click of a mouse has also proven to be quite beneficial, but without many of the accompanying concerns over potential discrimination.

Posted by kscott at 9:17 AM

January 8, 2007

Breaking down the cost of building a portfolio

How much does a portfolio cost to assemble? Well, everything at the Portfolio Center is free, including Portfolio Production. However, if you need to take care of it yourself, here's a rough idea on what you should plan to spend:

Business Card Design: 60$-150$ per side

Headshots: 100$-300$ for a one location, one setting shot

Assembling a Reel: 250$ (not including cover design, which costs an additional 135$)

Website Design for a 5 page, HTML site: 350$-750$

Website Design for a 5-page, Flash website: 500$-1400$

Web Templates: 75$-240$

And, the more skill and experience you require, the more you can expect to pay. You may be able to find a diamond in the rough (similar to yourself) who just needs to get their work out there and is willing to work cheaply, but, be prepared to be flexible about what you can demand.

As always, it's your choice. If you're comfortable spending between 250$-1700$ to get your first job, don't let us stop you. In fact, take us out to lunch at Custom House and tell us all about it. But, if you'd rather have someone else foot the bill, remember, we're here to help.

Posted by eeaston at 1:34 PM

Technical tips for web based portfolios

As more and more people become interested and learn about web design, the competition for jobs has become increasingly stiff. Reviewers and employers will look at your work for between 40-50 seconds, so you have less than a minute. Your portfolio had better burst out of the gate and hit the ground running.

Always test your website in all of the big four internet platforms- Explorer, Safari, Opera, Firefox. It's a big gamble to do any less than all of them. If the one you didn't test in turns out to be what the hiring manager is running, you're toast.

If your website requires Flash or Javascript, be sure to let the viewer know. A quick intro page with the logo and download instructions is a courtesy you should always extend to someone evaluating your work.

Proofread all your website copy. Twice. Out loud. One spelling mistake on an otherwise flawless, beautifully designed website is like your favorite meal with a cockroach in it or a supermodel with crud in her teeth - it completely loses its appeal.

In an ideal world, your troubleshooting will ensure smooth sailing right through your interview. However, I'm sure you're familiar with the fact that the world can be cruel and cold and full of pitfalls. Lots of things can and do go wrong in an interview, but, you can be ready for that too:

BYOL (Bring Your Own Laptop): While not the most cost effective solution, it's the surest way to make sure you're familiar with the computer you're presenting with.

Da Vinci Style: Show off your technical expertise, as well as showing an employer how versatile you are, by fixing the problem yourself. If your website looks best with Firefox but the computer you're on doesn't have it, download it. Does the screen need to be resized? Casually tell the interviewer "I'll take care of this," and let them learn first hand how handy you can be.

Hard Copy: A hard copy will never crash, always load and provide a convenient conversation piece if the digital copy fails you. Bring it along for additional support and in case of a technical emergency.

Will these steps guarantee you a job? No. Will they make you less nervous? Maybe. But, a few extra steps beforehand will certainly ensure that the great work in your portfolio comes shining through. Shine on you crazy, well-prepared, diamond.

Posted by eeaston at 1:29 PM

We won the SILVER!!

We, at the Portfolio Center, were recently notified that we won the 2006 NASPA Excellence Silver Award for the "Careers, Academic Support, Service Learning and Community Service" category!

What's that mean? It means the Portfolio Center has been recognized as the second best in the nation of all those who submitted in this category.

So congratulations to us! And congratulations to you, too, because our center's success is a huge reflection of our students and all of our collaborators (faculty, staff, and industry professionals).

Posted by kscott at 8:33 AM

January 4, 2007

Why YOU should have a Business Card

Yeah YOU. All of you. I know, some of you feel weird carrying around a business card when you're "just" a student, but you wouldn't believe how helpful they can be in getting you that gig, interview, or freelance opportunity. Think about it. You're at some event (like Show Off), and a professional actually shows interest in you or your work. There's some mumbling about a possible job coming open soon. You want to give her your contact information, so you fumble around for that pen and scrap of paper, scribble it all down, and thrust it into her hand.

Now, be real. How likely do you think it is that she'll even remember where she stuffed that little wad of paper or who you are if she ever does find it? That piece of paper will most likely get dry-cleaned the following week. Or worse, yet, pitched in the nearest trash can.

A nicely designed business card, with your contact information and website (if you have one) is much more likely to get that second look; it's also easier to file for future reference, and it looks so much more professional! Even if you haven't done much of anything yet, it says, "I take myself seriously, and so should you."

Have confidence in yourself and think of business cards as a convenient and efficient way to network and share contact information.

Now, how to get them? We're holding a Business Card Day on January 25th. We'll have some of Columbia's finest designers custom create a business card for you (pdf) , according to your specifications. All you have to do is call us to set up an appointment (no, you can't just walk in). Call 312-344-8660 and reserve your spot!

Posted by kscott at 3:56 PM

December 21, 2006

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Columbia College Chicago will be closed for the holidays between Friday, December 22nd and January 3rd, 2007. We, at the Portfolio Center, would like to wish everyone very happy holidays! Be sure to check back in January for upcoming spring semester events!

Posted by kscott at 9:06 AM

December 15, 2006

Protect your work: Copyrights 101

With everyone putting their portfolios online, lots of you are asking questions about how to protect your work from being used- or, rather, stolen. Do the benefits of the online portfolio outweigh the risk of having someone take your work?

The answer is: yes. An online portfolio is an invaluable tool- and keeping people’s grubby little mitts off your work is fairly easy, but, there are a few things you should know.

Any time a piece of original work is affixed to a medium (paper, clay, ink, document), it is immediately protected under copyright. Copyright is exactly what it sounds like: the right to copy work. As the creator, you are (most of the time) considered the owner of the copyright and allowed to dictate the terms of what and how your work maybe copied by others. You don’t even need to put in the “�” or “all rights reserved”; thanks to the Berne Convention, copyright is established the moment the original idea takes a physical form. It’s as simple as that.

The most common special cases for students involve intangible ideas and work you do for an employer. Ideas or concepts cannot be protected- which is one reason you should never include an undeveloped idea in your portfolio. Additionally, when you create work for an employer, the employer holds the copyright- meaning you cannot use it anywhere (including your portfolio) without his/her permission. While many employers allow students to use work from internships and projects, some do not; ask first. If you are allowed to use it, this is a case where the “�” must be used to show who owns the copyright (since everyone who sees it will assume it’s you.)

The complicated part of protecting your work comes AFTER someone has used it and, should you choose to press civil charges, you will be asked to prove that you created the piece first. There are three main ways to establish when you own the rights:

1. Any website/digital document will be assigned a time stamp that indicates when it was created. This is sufficient evidence for any piece of work as a “born on” date.

2. The “poor man’s copyright” is used by artists, writers, record label owners and pretty much everyone. Put your piece in an envelope, go to the post office and mail a copy to yourself using “registered mail.” Should the need ever arise, you can use this to threaten anyone who has taken your stuff- since you have proof you committed it to a medium by a certain date. However, the poor man’s copyright does not stand up as official evidence in court, should things escalate to that level.

3. If you’re really concerned about someone stealing your work, the most official way to protect it is to register each piece of work with the U.S. Copyright Office. For 45$ (per piece) you can be sure no one will touch your stuff without a smack from the swift sword of federal justice. It’s the priciest option, but, if you’re really concerned, can you put a price on piece of mind?

And, there may also be cases where sharing your work increases your visibility and acts as free publicity (or, maybe you just love to share.) In that case, you can dictate the terms of your “right to copy” by registered for a Creative Commons License. They’re free and, once displayed on your website/work, they let people know the terms of how they can use your work.

Posted by eeaston at 2:35 PM

December 14, 2006

Portfolio Basics from Carnegie-Mellon University's Career Center

Our friends at Carnegie-Mellon, a really well respected institution located in Pittsburgh put up a portfolio basics page on their career center site. (They were also a guest institution conducting grad school portfolio reviews at this fall's Go Go Graduate School event.) It's a good reference with tips for portfolio organization, web based portfolios and specific advice for architects, artists, designers, musicians, performers and writers.

We don't know if we would take 100% of their advice as gospel, but it never heards to read, consider and make informed decisions now does it. Thanks Carnegie...Mellon.

Posted by mgreen at 11:05 AM

December 8, 2006

Proofing. Another way to keep your materials out of someone else's trash can

Proofreading is essential if you want anyone to take you or your work seriously. You can spend hours of the material, work with a Portfolio Advisors, gets a professional web cite created, but, the butter the portfolio, the more glaring the typos.

You owe it too yourself to check each and every peace of copy - obviously including you’re resume- at least twice before you ad it to the finished portfolio. Reed it out loud word buy word. Get a friend too look it over. Alls it takes are one teeny tiny mistake and an employer stops reading an moves one.

Are we being too hard on you? No. Were not. That extra ten minutes of reading means a huge difference in how you present your self. Simple typos make and employer question you’re ability to pay attention to detail, submits quality work and the pride you take inn what you’ve done. No employer want to compromise on these issues- we don’t care what industry your in.

Microsoft Word made this process Evan easier a few years ago when they addled a super sophisticated grammar and spelling editor to their programs. Guess what? Its not perfect. It missed 30 errors in this entry alone.

Posted by eeaston at 9:26 AM

December 7, 2006

Game Design beyond Games

I'll bet parents of some of our game design majors have been rolling their eyes when they learned just what their son or daughter was planning on studying. They shouldn't. I found this article Can game design make your company more efficient? from the tech blog ZDNet. It points to a bright future and a diverse set of career options, outside the obvious.

"Going forward, people in game design will be increasingly important," said Castronova. "Let's imagine a PhD in game design. The good that person could do in an entertainment environment is obvious. In a company, that person could make customer service more efficient by making it more fun. It's a new construction."

These projects go beyond what companies have been launching in Second Life. The next phase of applying virtual world design would be to create a corporate culture inside a role-playing game similar to World of Warcraft and applying it to real-world management practices.

While this approach may sound wacky to some there are solid reasons why executives--including chief information officers--may want to ponder it. After all, better corporate use of virtual worlds could be a form of what Julian Dibbell, a contributing editor for Wired magazine, calls "open source problem solving."

It recalls the comments of Geoffrey Frankel, a Creative Director at Critical Mass, and a guest at the fall 2006 event Too Flashy. He said, in addition to interactive design skills, employers, such as himself, were increasingly interested in people's ability to create provocative virtual artifacts and characters. He mentioned Second Life specifically as a "place" where virtual accomplishments can land "real world" rewards.

One challenge for our game design students going forward will be to adapt their skills for work environments beyond the EAs, Midways and Wideloads. A robust game design portfolio will be judged by a criteria that far exceeds good action and cool looking backgrounds. This may involve collaborating on projects outside the major. Let us know if we can help. The Portfolio Center would love the chance to hook creative game design students up with students in other departments.

Posted by mgreen at 10:09 AM

December 5, 2006

Spec Work: Friend or Foe?

Speculative work, or spec work, can bulk up your portfolio into a polished piece employers gush over or set you up for more a more difficult career down the line. The camp is divided. Who’s right? We’re not sure, but, we thought you should know all the facts.

What is spec work? Spec work is work you do without a client involved. You might be fleshing out that ad campaign you thought might be cool, redesigning a website you thought could improve or creating a brand and logo for an imaginary company. No one asked you to do this work, but you’re creating it anyway.

Pros of spec work:

1. Spec work is a great way to build up your portfolio with work you’ve done outside of class.

2. Most professionals won’t expect you’ve done much paid work right out of college (because you’re obviously looking for more.)

3. Spec work is a chance to show how creative and targeted you can be without a client dictating any specifications.

4. You can do spec work anytime, anyplace and at any point in your career.

Cons of spec work:

1. Spec work shows an employer that you will work for free- so why should they pay you?

2. Many professionals are vehemently against spec work, as they feel it devalues their work.

3. You don’t get the opportunity to work with a client, which is a key part of most design jobs.

4. Spec work can’t be protected, meaning anyone who sees your portfolio can use your work.

What is a recent grad to do? That’s your decision. If you ever need advice or a professional opinion, we’re happy to help, but, be sure to make the portfolio really does show your best work- no matter where it came from.

Posted by eeaston at 1:55 PM

Pawky: A Web Portal for Your Short Films

With the popularity of websites such as Atom Films, ifilm and YouTube and even dare I say, becoming a staple in life, your short form film and video content has numerous options to be seen outside of film festivals and your parent's living room. One (relative) new kid on the block is Pawky. I recently read about them in Screen Magazine. Based in Evanston, I hear the founders are avid film watchers and festival goers. Their site provides a forum for filmmakers to distribute shorts and receive feedback from other filmmakers and fans. One distinctive feature though is that the site allows members to post a resume and a reel as well.

Check out www.pawky.com for more information on how to post films and such. And if you're currently a senior and need help putting a reel together check out The Portfolio Center's portfolio production services.

Posted by mcooper at 10:30 AM

CMGF07 = The Chicago Motion Graphics Festival 2007 | Submission deadline Dec 8th

The Chicago Motion Graphics Festival 2007 is a four-day premier Midwestern event catering to 3D and compositing effects. It takes place January 25th through 28th in downtown Chicago. The festival features an awards ceremony, industry mixer, HD screening, a 4-day educational conference, and year-round online coverage.

CMGF will screen work that includes: special effects, compositing, music videos, commercials, experimental, machinima, game graphics, animatics, web motion designs, dvd intros and micro-cinema. The festival accepts entries from all over the world, but will emphasize work from the Midwest.

This year we will give special attention to work at HD resolution.

The DEADLINE for entry is 8 December 2006.

To submit a motion picture for consideration, please enclose a print out of the application form (pdf), a check for the $15 entry fee made payable to Design After Next, LLC, your entry in one of the accepted formats, and mail to:

Motion Graphics Chicago
1573 North Milwaukee Ave #510
Chicago, IL 60622

All entries should be submitted on DVD, MiniDV, HDV, BetaSP or compatible data file formats such as an uncompressed Quicktime file.

Entries should also include:
(1) A brief artist or company bio.
(2) A list of the software used to create the work,
(3) An indication of the content's original format (i.e. computer animation, live action footage, hand-drawing, stills, etc.),
(4) A description of the work of 35 words or fewer, and
(5) An optional, separate description of not more than 100 words.

Please send an email with your name and the name of your project to filmfest@mgchicago.com when you have mailed your submission, and we will notify you when your entry has been received.

Entry Fee is $15.00 per person or company. Each person or company can include as many pieces, works, or movies in their entry as will fit on their entry DVD.

Please Note: All submission become the property of Design After Next, LLC to be used at their discretion. All relevant permissions and copyrights are assumed to be cleared by the entrant. The accepted festival entries will be shown at the festival screening, MGChicago events, on the festival website, and on the festival DVD.

If you have a question about your entries eligibility please contact filmfest@mgchicago.com.

Posted by mgreen at 10:08 AM

Not-for-Profit Incorporation Workshop | December 7

This is not exactly portfolio related. And the Portfolio Center is not hosting the workshop. However, I thought it would be a good idea to post info about the seminar below since I know several students (from dance to film & video to AEMM majors) who have started or are interested in starting not-for-profit organizations. And of course we want to support you as you find independent ways to outlet your art & media.

The Lawyers for Creative Arts will again present its workshop on Not-for-Profit Incorporation and Tax Exemption on Thursday, December 7, 2006 from 5:30 p.m.- 8:45 p.m.

This workshop will discuss whether to start a NFP, how to establish a NFP, as well as certain recurring operating problems. Also covered, how to obtain a 501(c)(3) tax exemption and discuss several legal issues regarding maintaining tax exempt status. The cost is $75 for one person, and $100 for two people.

Please call LCA at 312-649-4111 to register. Visit www.law-arts.org for more information.

Posted by mcooper at 10:03 AM

October 27, 2006

Advertising and Interactive Arts and Game Design Industry Expert Tom Kim

A graduate of Northwestern and DigiPen IT, Tom Kim has worked in a few industries as the creative mastermind behind ad campaigns, video games and podcasts. He began working as an art director, as well as a new media director, with such clients as Crate & Barrel, Speigel, U.S. Cellular and Walgreen's. He moved on to design Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire Videogame for PC and Playstation. He returned to advertising as Creative Director for Euro RSCG. He currently works as an art director and interactive producer for Leo Burnett, where he has completed projects for PepsiCo, World Business Chicago and Northern Trust Bank. He is also Host and Executive Producer of the Gamasutra Podcast on GDC Radio for CMP Media LLC, after creating fatpixels radio podcast, an editorially driven show covering important issues facing the game development community and game culture.

Maybe you'd like to see Tom's Portfolio? Why not, he's going to look at yours.

*Availability: Weekdays 12:00PM-1:00PM.

All sessions are by appointment only. If you're interested to meet with an Industry Expert call 312.369.7280 for details.

---

Q: Whoa there. What are Industry Expert sessions again?

A: It's a service provided by the Portfolio Center that pairs students with working professionals in their field. An Industry Expert helps you understand what materials to put in a portfolio (and what to leave out), how to package and present your work, and how you'll know when it's ready for prime time.

Posted by mgreen at 2:23 PM

October 26, 2006

Singed, but not burnt to a crisp | Portfolio Center events proceed or will be rescheduled

Due to the fire and damage to the 630 S Wabash Bldg (aka the George Diamind Steakhouse) we unfortunately had to postpone (and hopeful can reschedule) Show Off visits from Wunderman and Pie Town TV. Go Go Graduate School (located in the 1104 S Wabash Bldg) however is still very much on for Friday, October 27th at 10am as is Monday's 7pm session for interactive designers, Too Flashy? Showcasing your interactive talent. (The 623 S Wabash Bldg is currently slated to re-open on Monday the 30th.)

Posted by mgreen at 8:44 AM

October 25, 2006

Apologies to Nissin Food Corporation | Considering Graduate School

It's a sad fact, however, the old cliche of the starving artist sometimes feels very real to people trying to make a living as filmmakers, photographers, performers, painters and other fabulous and creative professions. Some keep at it by surviving on ramen noodles. Some devote the 9-5 portion of their day to a desk job. And some go to graduate school.

But, how would more school help anything? You studied your craft for 4 years (sometimes more) so how would another two or three or even five years of learning get your closer to your goals? Well, graduate school and undergraduate school are two totally different experiences.

For starters, graduate study allows you to focus more specifically. While your undergraduate career has armed you with the basics, your graduate career will most likely offer a more unique and specialized course of study. The culmination of your graduate study will most likely allow you the opportunity to make that documentary, shoot that series or sharpen that specialized painting technique that started your interest in making art.

Additionally, graduate school offers you the chance to meet more artists and make more connections. With projects and grants for support, you will have more opportunities to get your name out there with the backing of a university. Those connections come in pretty handy later when you're out on your own.

Lastly, many programs will offer some level of funding, meaning you have a chance to work on your art without accruing too much debt (also meaning you may escape the ramen noodle diet after you earn your degree.)

However, to apply to graduate school, you need to prove to admissions committees that you are focused and committed to what you intend to study. Part of your application package will include a portfolio, and that's where Go-Go Graduate School leaps to the rescue.

On Friday, October 27th, the Portfolio Center and the Advising Center are bringing over 25 programs to campus to help you get the inside track on how to make the most of your application. We'll be offering panels on the visual arts, film & television, as well as a general "how-to" and information about the newly emerging "digtized portfolio." Not a listener? All of the schools will be there answering questions and reviewing work. It will be a great way to start learning about the process. You don't need to apply right away, but, the information will come in very handy should you ever find yourself trapped in a cubicle.

Posted by eeaston at 1:26 PM

October 18, 2006

Get Schooled

If you're reading this blog, then chances are you've stumbled across the basic concept of a portfolio 11 or 12 times already. However, while mostly we're concerned about getting you a job after graduation, sometimes a job isn't the answer. Sometimes more school is the answer. Well, we've got you covered there too.

A portfolio for a graduate school application is a whole different body of work. You need to be prepared to show what you can do and what you plan do all in a concise set of 8-15 images or a three-minute reel, along with an essay explaining your intentions during your future study.

How can we help? Well, we can't really. But, we did invite a whole mess of people who can. 22 schools from around the country are arriving on Friday, October 27th to give YOU the insider information on what makes a good application rise to the top of the pile. We'll be hosting panels on the Visual Arts application, the Film/TV Application, and digitizing your portfolio. Heads of Music and Theater departments will be there to explain how to nail your audition. Law school representatives will be there- and no, you're not a sell out if you're excited to talk to them. Interested in psychology? Five art therapy programs want to help you get started.

Come by. Bring your work to get some feedback. Grab a brochure. Go on to greatness. You can thank us later.

Posted by eeaston at 1:28 PM

October 16, 2006

Viva Volunteerism Service Expo

On November 8th from 11am-2pm, the SOC (Student Organization Council) is hosting Viva Volunteerism! Columbia College Service Expo in the Hokin Annex, 1st Floor, 623 S. Wabash.

The goal of the expo is to connect students to community partners and to develop partnerships between the two. Focusing on the 3 main components of working within the community; social, academic, and career development, the expo hopes to host between 15-20 community partners and 5-10 student organizations that actively participate in community life through service. Tables will be set up in the comfortable Hokin spaces of Columbia. Students, staff, and faculty will be able to view tables with information and speak to representatives. Refreshments will be served.

Visit www.colum.edu/leadership for more information.

Posted by mcooper at 9:10 AM

October 13, 2006

Network Your Art at Click's Midday Mixer

Mid-Day Mixer hosted by Click, Thursday, October 26, 12:00-2:00 PM, 623 Wabash, Hoken Annex

Click's Mid-Day Mixer is a social networking event offered to Columbia students and Chicago land artists. The purpose of this event is to create an interactive atmosphere that will encourage networking for artists.

The event will display artist work of all kind. Displays of paintings, photography, dance, music, graphic design, video, writings, and anything else you can think of will be included. Free nonalcoholic mixed drinks will be distributed to guests. There will also be interactive tables where guests can create artwork of their own!

For more information about the event and how you can display your work, visit columbiaclick.org.

Posted by mcooper at 9:42 AM

Postcard from Reel Exchange 2006

Dear emerging filmmakers, animators, and TV moguls:

Hi. How are you? Us? We're great. We held an event on October 6 called Reel Exchange. The annual event is a meeting of the minds of sorts. It's the only program anywhere that allows you to hear how your body of work, the sum of your abilities, sells in the industry. And as you go off into the world applying for jobs and grants; many organizations prefer to view a reel and not just one particular project.

The event was open to all. With a selective screening process, 28 students and recent alumni screened their reels for 17 professionals whose jobs range from directors & producers to lead animators to DPs to post production extrodinaires. Hopefully these individuals benefited from the array of feedback they received.

We wish you were there. But no worries...will do it again next fall. Bigger and better.

XOXO, Portfolio Center

P.S. -- If you wanna gear up to submit work to be screened at next year's event, check out our Short Cuts program. This resource will pair you up with an editor to cut your reel as well as author it to DVD.

Posted by mcooper at 8:43 AM

October 12, 2006

Resfest in Chicago on October 19th. Go.

If you've never heard of Resfest, we pity you. It's a film festival on visual steroids (but legal). It's also on wheels and will be rolling into Chicago (housed in the Museum of Contemporary Art) on October 19th. It's got nothing to do with reels in the purset sense, but everything to do with visually impressive short films, music videos, experimental animation and motion graphics. Q: What is a good reel after all without good work? A: It's a trick question, there are no good reels without good work on them. Your good work starts with the appreciation of others'. Go. See. Appreciate.

Posted by mgreen at 10:26 AM

October 9, 2006

Short Cuts

Do you need someone to edit your reel? Some DVD authoring too? Read on:

To get good work in your industry, you need more than a business card and a cool hair- cut. You need a really good reel cut -- professional and authored onto a DVD. Get it done at Short Cuts, a solid week of editing and DVD authoring. On campus. For free.

Monday, November 6th through Friday, November 10th

Get guidelines and schedule a meeting with an advanced editor by calling 312-344-8624.

Posted by adberry at 10:21 AM

September 29, 2006

Reel Exchange 2006

An astute student just pointed out to me that the name Reel Exchange implies that anyone and everyone can just bring a reel and trade with others; like a swap meet or a potluck dinner. Ok, that's not what happens, so here's our justification. The exchange is one of opinions, if not reels themselves.

We take great care to get professionals who speak from several points of view. Film festivals don't want to see the same work as a Director's Rep. Feature editors and commercial editors prep their reels differently. The list goes on. We pull these diverse voices together - not to promote confusion - but to offer a variety of perspectives. A variety we believe you'll encounter in your professional life after Columbia. Cool? Cool.

So back to the event itself. We know only a handful of Columbia students have a working reel and the Exchange is our flagship effort to get those balls rolling. The brave few film and tv students who have submitted their work, will get it screened in front of an impressive panel of film, tv and animation professionals. We didn't promise screeners the guests would take it easy on them, and we didn't have to. Showing work and taking criticism is a part of breaking through and breaking in. These students get it. You will too. Start here.

Posted by mgreen at 12:39 PM

September 21, 2006

Animation and Game Design Industry Expert Jon Krusell

Jon Krusell is a producer at Wideload Games, makers of unusual games for unusual people. But way back in 2003 he headed Sock Puppet Studio, where he helped create over 30 animated DVD releases, including: The Fantastic Four Vol. 2: Unthinkable, The Incredible Hulk Vol. 3: Transfer of Power, and The Ultimate X-Men Vol. 6: Return of the King. Then to Red Eye Studio, where he directed and produced motion capture and animation for games, including; Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, Stubbs the Zombie, Bioshock, and Spiderman 3. At the same time he was at High Voltage Software, coordinating the Audio, video, and User Interface departments.

*Availability: Wednesday 8-10am or 5-8pm; Thursday 8-10am or 5-8pm

All sessions are by appointment only. If you're interested to meet with an Industry Expert call 312.369.7280 for details.

---

Q: Whoa there. What are Industry Expert sessions again?

A: It's a service provided by the Portfolio Center that pairs students with working professionals in their field. An Industry Expert helps you understand what materials to put in a portfolio (and what to leave out), how to package and present your work, and how you'll know when it's ready for prime time.

Posted by mgreen at 3:43 PM

September 20, 2006

Show Off 5.0

Each year we, the Portfolio Center, face a battle that is at once new and familiar: getting you to show off. One of our cornerstone beliefs is that advanced students in the arts and media should spend a good deal of time showing work to professionals in their field and collecting feedback on how it can be improved. One program in particular, Show Off, is our go-to when it comes to getting senior, graduate and recent grads' work in front of experts in their field. Following is a brief explanation of what Show Off is, and how you can use it to your benefit.

First, Show Off is ongoing. It runs throughout the year, hitting a crescendo in the middle of the Spring semester. It could happen on a Monday afternoon as easily as a Thursday evening, October through May. We book visits based on the availability of our guests, many of whom travel to Chicago and take time out of otherwise hectic schedules to be here.

It is not a recruiting program, although a number of students find work, internships and exhibition opportunities through it every year. Most of the guests who come are indeed looking to scout talent, but at the same time, the focus of each advising session is on helping you understand how to move your portfolio presentation along to the next level. Some guests are tough, some supportive, but they're all coming to help.

So, how does it work? Simply. Once you register you'll get email updates whenever we book guests in your field. When we book someone you want to meet with, call us at 312.344.7280 and we'll get you scheduled for a specific time. Then its you, the guest and twenty minutes to show off what you can do. These are tightly scheduled meetings, so showing up late (or not showing up) is not cool.

We have about 120 Show Off sessions each year, but when you break it down, each area gets somewhere between 3-10 chances (we get more guests from specific fields like advertising, design and photography) to have their work reviewed. About 250 students participate and most take part in multiple reviews.

Don't wait until the late Spring to get started. It's not uncommon for Spring schedules to fill up quickly.

Your pal,
The Portfolio Center

Posted by mgreen at 3:08 PM

September 19, 2006

A BLOG ABOUT BLOGGING . . .

I'm the PC staff member that is probably newest to blogging. Call me slow to grab onto the technology. But I have to admit, this thing is really cool! Everytime we've got a new event, portfolio advisor, article, portfolio example, or even some new tidbit of information that we think is important for you to know about, someone here at the Portfolio Center blogs about it.

But the neatest part is that you don't have to keep coming back to the blog page to get the latest. Just subscribe to the blog! And I'm talking to all the faculty, too, not just the students!

On our main page, there's an RSS icon that you could just click on and then subscribe to ALL the blog feeds OR, if you just want to know what's relevant to you, click on the blog subscribe icon from your major/industry home page, then subscribe!

A "feeds" link will then show up on your browser's toolbar, and all you have to do is LOOK - all the new blogs will be there. Waiting. Patiently. Silently screaming . . . COME TO THE PORTFOLIO CENTER . . . we've got events for you! advisors, portfolios, ice cream . . .

No wait, that was across the hall, the Multicultural Affairs folks were the ones giving out the ice cream (well, you never know what student affairs has got going on around here, so it's a definite benefit).

Posted by kscott at 1:43 PM

September 18, 2006

Go-Go Graduate School

GO, GO to this event on Friday, October 27 from 10AM-3PM if you want to meet with representatives from several of the nation's leading arts & media graduate programs. Both the eager prospective applicant and the undecided knowledge seeker are sure to benefit from attending. You'll have the unique opportunity to meet admissions counselors, program coordinators and MFA directors and receive one-on-one feedback about packaging your application materials; including your portfolio or reel. You should attend. But please-- walk, don't run! We don't want you to hurt yourself before getting accepted.

Check out the Go-Go Graduate School page for details and a list of attending schools.

Posted by mcooper at 12:43 PM

September 11, 2006

A call for Reels!

Animation reels. Bring. Directing and producing reels. Bring. TV production. Bring. Cinematography, Videography. Bring, Bring. Editing. Bring. Motion Graphics. Bring.

The Portfolio Center is looking for a few good reels to screen at the 2nd annual Reel Exchange. The exchange will bring a number of prominent animators, filmmakers, editors, shooters and tv professionals to Columbia to look at students' work samples and share their advice for preparing and presenting a body of work in their field.

Reel Exchange happens on Friday, October 6th. We need your reels by September 29th. To be considered we need a DVD copy of your reel (not random work samples). Be sure to include your contact info with the DVD. This is for grad students and seniors, but if you think you're an advanced junior, drop it off and we'll see. Recent graduates are welcome to submit their work, but only alums who have been out less than a year will be considered. Priority consideration is given to those who will be in attendance.

If your reel is selected, we will notify you by October 2nd. If your reel is not selected, you're welcome to bring it to the event. Some of the guests will be accepting reels in consideration of internship (and possibly freelance) opportunities.

Questions? 312.344.7280 or portfoliocenter@colum.edu..com

Posted by mgreen at 4:50 PM

August 2, 2006

We love us some web portfolios

Narciso Carlos has one of those "problems" where, prior to graduation, he was pulled into the ad/mktg/design business. Talent can be hard to contain. That said, talent must be "on display" to be noticed. If that sounds too obvious, it's mentioned here because too many talented students aren't outward enough with their work. Narciso is not one of them. A new design and integration of blogging tools into his portfolio site are worth the look to all who have or want an online portfolio. There's a wealth of links to other creatives and their portfolio sites as well.

This fall, the Portfolio Center will host a program, "blogging for portfolio." (Day and time TBD, so stay tuned.) Narciso, you're invited. We hope you can make and share your thoughts on the subject. Your site looks excellent (as does the work inside) and the blogging is right on. Tells who you are, what you do and highlightes your creative talent. Bravo.

All the best, Portfolio Center.

Posted by mgreen at 10:30 AM

July 31, 2006

Just a reminder: MySpace is not your portfolio

I'll admit it, I'm a 30 something with a MySpace account. I have fun with it, connect with a few friends and some of my favorite celebrities, (Ohhh...isn't it cool that I'm friends with Stewie Griffin!) but there's two things I don't do with my MySpace page. One, I don't put anything up I wouldn't want my boss (or Mom) to see. Two, I don't pretend it's an acceptable replacement for an online portfolio.

Yes, I too have heard all the stories about MySpace as a networking tool and how bands have made it big from their MySpace profile - etc. Connecting with people, however that happens, is (almost always) a good thing. Job hunting is different.

In the creative fields the employers read into the way you present yourself to them. Any business that hinges on selling creative ideas to clients or customers is largely about effective presentation (sure, creativity has something to do with it too...). The Portfolio Center emphasizes presentation in many of our programs for exactly this reason. When guests visit to look at student work, they often comment, "The work was good, but your students need to up their ability to present it."

So how does this relate to MySpace (or am I just ranting)? MySpace is the easy way out. Sending your MySpace page along is like writing a 10 page paper the night before, they're gonna be able to tell. There's no shortcut here. Online portfolios are the wave of the future and are already the norm in many fields. If you're not a proficient web designer already your options are to get crackin' learning Dreamweaver, to partner with a talented IAM student, or, if you're approaching your last semester at Columbia, ask us to produce a website you can be proud of. If it stops you from putting your work up on your MySpace page, you'll be doing yourself a favor

Posted by mgreen at 9:45 AM

July 12, 2006

The "Weakest Link" principle

"The "Weakest Link" principle reigns supreme. Especially when looking at portfolios from young artists just out of school a couple of years. I need to know that you are in complete command of your craft. If you have seven paintings that you really like and three that you're not fond of, sit down and paint three more pictures. An AD will always fear that they could get you on a bad day. ADs don't want to take a chance on new talent, they want to feel comfortable and excited about working with new talent."

We pulled this from the blog of Irene Gallo, an Art Director for Tor/Forge and Starscape Books. This is just a tidbit, so read on for the rest or her sound advice for illustrators and traditional animators.

Posted by mgreen at 8:53 AM

June 26, 2006

Compelling Game Design Demos, should their be any other kind?

Are you a future game designer? If you're still reading I'll assume you are or are at least thinking about it. One might assume then you've already visited Gamasutra, an online clearinghouse of game industry information (jobs, advice, conferences, trends...). If not, there's no time like the present.

...And to your interest in building a pro-calibur demo, I'd recommend reading Putting Together a Compelling Resume and Demo by Robin McShaffry of mary-margaret.com.

Found this article on the IGDA's (for the record thats "International Game Developers Association) Breaking In page. A page every game design student should read...twice.

Posted by mgreen at 8:25 AM

June 15, 2006

Digital Portfolio Workshop

Chicago Artist Coalition is another organization that has, for lack of a better description, good stuff. Check them out! Here is one event that they may have trumped us on.

Entering the Digital World

June 29, 6:30-8:30pm

Led by Rachel Powers, Associate Professor of Digital Design at DePaul University

This workshop will walk participants through the ins and outs of digitizing their work in preparation for a web presence, as well as the creation of a digital portfolio. The workshop will cover best practices for taking digital pictures of one's work, saving these images and getting them ready for:

- a website (what software to use when editing digital images),

- a portfolio,

- a CD-Rom,

- and slides.

Additionally, this workshop will cover standards for uploading images to online portfolio websites, such as the CAC Online Gallery.

Visit www.caconline.org for details about costs and location.

Posted by mcooper at 10:14 AM

June 12, 2006

Take your Vitamins

Our friends at Vitamin, a production and post production studio in town just got a nice write up in Screen Magazine. They also (finally) have their website up and showing off their immense design skills. Take a peek.

Posted by mgreen at 10:14 AM

June 8, 2006

Motion Graphics Chicago

Just 'cause it's summer, and we're not doing a whole lotta events here at the Portfolio Center, doesn't mean you can rest on your laurels. (What are laurels and how can one rest on them?)

Motion Graphics Chicago is an excellent group of professional motion designers, who meet regularly and show their work off to each other. They also offer a plentitude of workshops of developing motion artists.

Their next event will be June 14th at 6:30 and will focus on AfterEffects and it's interaction with 3D applications such as Maya.

Happy trails! The Portfolio Center.

Posted by mgreen at 2:02 PM

Business Card Day (Yes, we'll design a business card for you!)

It's not a portfolio in and of itself, but business cards are a good startm unless of course they're bad business cards. Whats makes a business card bad? We don't know, we only know from good business cards and if you come by on June 20th, we'll sit you down with a skilled designer who will design a business card with you. One you can be proud of. To sign up, call 312.344.8660.

Posted by mgreen at 8:58 AM

May 16, 2006

Photo Doc Day. Free photograpy for your portfolio needs

Photo Doc Day

On Wednesday, May 24th , Columbia students and recent graduates will have an opportunity to get their portfolio samples documented by advanced/expert photography students, for free. Fashion design, product design, flatwork and paintings, headshots, portraits, sculpture, packaging . . . if it fits in the door, we'll get it shot for you.

The Photo Studio is at 72 East 11 th Street on the 6 th Floor . You may sign up to work with a photographer at either 10AM , 1PM , or 3PM . Lights go off at 5PM. Call 312-344-8660 to sign up. Your work must be organized and absolutely ready to go.

The maximum number of items is you may bring is 10. If you need props or special materials, you must bring them. We'll provide you with a CD of your images.

You must sign up in order to attend.

*Brought to you by the Portfolio Center with the generous support of the Photography Department.

Posted by mgreen at 3:25 PM

May 11, 2006

Photo Doc Day

On Wednesday, May 24th, Columbia students and recent graduates will have an opportunity to get their portfolio samples documented by advanced/expert photography students, for free. Fashion design, product design, flatwork and paintings, headshots, portraits, sculpture, packaging . . . if it fits in the door, we'll get it shot for you.

The Photo Studio is at 72 East 11 th Street on the 6th Floor. You may sign up to work with a photographer at either 10AM, 1PM, or 3PM. Lights go off at 5PM. Call 312-344-8660 to sign up. Your work must be organized and absolutely ready to go.

The maximum number of items is you may bring is 10. If you need props or special materials, you must bring them. We'll provide you with a CD of your images.

You must sign up in order to attend.

*Brought to you by the Portfolio Center with the generous support of the Photography Department.

Posted by mgreen at 10:48 AM

May 9, 2006

Danielle Corches, webfolio

If you've been reading this blog, you know that one of our favorite things are beautiful, effective and stylish online portfolios...and I found another. Recent MFA graduate, and interactive media producer Danielle Corches, maintains a nice webfolio that details both her professional work and her life as a filmmaker. No small feat. Looks great Danielle! Congrats.

Posted by mgreen at 11:07 AM

April 27, 2006

Editors, Motion Artists...one spot left

Ok, usually we blog when we just book a new guest in an effort to get you to sign up. This one's a little different. We booked Cincinnatti based Lightbourne to come on May 2nd (same day and time as S2) and thought we better get the word out quick.

Too late, word got out and we only have one spot left. So if you're reading this and are a senior editor/motion artist, visit the Show Off page asap and register. Then call 312.344.7280 to get that last spot.

For the record, Lightbourne is also looking to hire some folks FT, so it's a good idea to bring a polished resume along with your reel. If you're not looking for work, or just want to use this as a chance to get feedback and advice, that's cool too.

Posted by mgreen at 4:22 PM

April 25, 2006

Artist Unite with Click Fusion

A lot of students often wander into the Portfolio Center (sometimes desperate) requesting our Portflio Production services. Portfolio Production meaning we hire a producer to work with you on presenting your body of work. If you aren't a senior or recent graduate you probably aren't eligible for this service. Or you may need help documenting, photographing, recording, or designing one specific project and our office isn't quite set-up for that either.

But have no fear, Columbia College's newest student organization Click is here. Click will act as an online networking group for Columbia College artists looking to collaborate with other students on a per project basis.

Thursday, April 27 from 5-9PM Click will host their first networking convention at 1104 S. Wabash in the first floor Conway Center. They'll have musical acts, raffle prizes and guest speakers. It will be a really hip opportunity to network with ALL types of artists!

Visit Click's website for more information. www.columbiaclick.org

Posted by mcooper at 4:37 PM

April 20, 2006

Illustration Friday

A weekly illustration challenge for...illustrators no doubt. Looks like a good place to get your work out piece by piece and network.

Posted by mgreen at 4:02 PM

April 11, 2006

Show Off your comic-book art

If you're into comics you've probably heard of Devil's Due Publishing. If not, here's a quickie bio.....Devil's Due Publishing was formed in 1999 as both a commercial art studio and a small press comic book publisher. It didn't take long for the company to shift all focus onto comic books, though, and quickly become one of today's top ten comic book powerhouses. Today, DDP's lineup includes Army of Darkness, Street Fighter, Dark Stalkers, G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers, Hack/Slash, and DDP's newest effort, the Aftermath universe. In addition to comics DDP creates and publishes a variety of graphic novel titles.

Sr. Editor Mike O'Sullivan will be here on Wednesday, May 3 @ 2pm to review illustration work, including work that is not oriented strictly towards a comic book or graphic novel style.

If you haven't already, visit the Show Off page and register to receive email updates whenever we confirm new guests in your field.

Posted by mgreen at 1:02 PM

April 10, 2006

Comic book self-publishing contest

This isn't one of those contests where you compete to design a logo for some company you've never heard of. The winner receives a series of one-on-one consultations from Comic publisher/creator Josh Blaylock of Devil's Due fame. The focus of the consultations will be getting your comic idea published, and developing a marketing plan to do so. It's called the helping hand contest, and we hope you win.

Posted by mgreen at 4:49 PM

April 6, 2006

Putting together a portfolio for grad school applications

by Emily Easton

Applying to graduate school can be a daunting process. As opposed to most undergraduate applications, you need to show the graduate admissions committee a portfolio to demonstrate that your undergraduate career has sharpened the skills you plan to utilize for your next set of academic challenges. Selecting the right work for your portfolio and presenting it correctly will be a deciding factor in the success of your application.

The selection process begins with the work that you and your professors consider your very best work. From that collection of work samples and projects you should create a selection tailored to the specific program you hope to be accepted to. This may require some research on your part to know the academic and aesthetic agenda of the schools you plan to apply to. This may require leaving some good work out of your portfolio because it doesn't fit with the programs you're interested in. For example, if you are applying to a fine art photography program, don't include commercial photography samples unless you feel strongly that you can substantiate (in the application) your ability to move that work in a fine art direction.

If you are applying to a program that will be a continuation of your undergraduate studies, you should have plenty of material to work with. However, if you plan to study in a field that marks a departure from your previous studies, you should consider including any work that would be relevant. (Many schools are interested in having students trained in disciplines other than their own and will adjust their portfolio expectations accordingly.) For example, if you are applying to an architecture program, any drawing classes you've taken may have produced some useful samples. If you haven't done anything remotely related to what you plan to study, consider taking at least one class in your new area of interest.

Whether or not you are continuing your studies, or branching off in a new direction, you should also be sure your portfolio is tailored to each and every program you are applying to. This may mean you need several different portfolios. It's more work but an individualized portfolio shows that you have thoroughly researched the program and chosen it because you feel you can contribute something significant. One way to know the agenda of a specific school and department is to research the work of the faculty who teach in the program. If your work is in the same vein as theirs or you are inspired by their work, that program may be a good fit for you.

Once your work is together and you've chosen your best pieces, you will need to format your portfolio according to the program's guidelines. Follow directions to the letter; you should be creative with your artwork, not with your formatting. These instructions will vary by school or even program. If you don't give the school what they asked for, most schools will consider your application incomplete and throw it out before they even look at it. And don't give them more than they've asked for . Go over the instructions carefully and, if you have any questions, call the Admissions Office; they will be happy to answer any questions if it means they receive a correctly completed application.

Lastly, when you find yourself with a finished, formatted, ready-to-send portfolio, get a second opinion; another set of eyes will help you identify any areas you should strengthen. Your professors and academic advisor are a great place to start. Many schools also offer informal portfolio review sessions with their Admissions counselors and National Portfolio Days bring several schools together to review portfolios. Take advantage of these opportunities. A little advice from the other side of the admissions process can help your strengthen your application and your portfolio.

---

Emily Easton is a Coordinator in the Portfolio Center of Columbia College Chicago.

Posted by mgreen at 11:50 AM

April 4, 2006

Show Off with Pinky & the Brain

Well at least Pinky's creator, Animator Jon McClenahan. Jon is one of Chicago's pre-eminent animators with credits that include Pinkey and the Brain, Animaniacs, Taz-Mania, Tiny Toon Adventures, Teen Wolf, and The Berenstain Bears and a series of games for Xbox and PlayStation2. Jon's new home, Star Farm Productions is now in production on a new series Edgar & Ellen which was recently acquired by Nickelodeon.

Jon will visit and share his insights on animation portfolios on Tuesday, April 25th.

If you haven't already, visit the Show Off page and register to receive email updates whenever we confirm new guests in your field.

Posted by mgreen at 10:18 AM

March 30, 2006

Portfolios in Motion: Advice from Manifest Digital

Manifest Digital puts the multi in multimedia. Their designers create print campaigns, identity work, motion graphics, interactive video, flash animations, kiosk design and the list could go on and on. Wait! Have we said this before?

Yes! We were actively searching for junior and senior motion design and interactive multimedia students to participate in portfolio review sessions with Manifest Digital's Creative Director, Justin DeLara.

Seven of you took advantage. For the rest of you, here are some words of advice:

The main message I received from Justin is that when applying for a job make sure you research the company and learn about what their focus/market/niche is. Then with that information, make sure that your portfolio speaks to their needs.

If you're a film major with an interest in a motion design position you may not come across as a true designer. Likewise if you're a terrific developer or coder, design jobs may not be for you. And if you happen to be extremely talented at motion design, build a portfolio to reflect that and only that. Bottom line-- know your talents and if you don't know, ask someone.

Internships are an excellent way to expose yourself to various companies and may help you determine where you "fit in." Okay, one last chance. Manifest Digital did mention that they are looking for motion design or web interns for the summer. For more information e-mail us at portfoliocenter@colum.edu

Posted by mcooper at 12:51 PM

March 28, 2006

Featured event: Trends in Illustration Portfolios

Join a small group of successful illustrators for a discussion about illustration work and presenting that work in a portfolio. Following the discussion, there will be time to show your work to our guests for feedback. Our guests include alum Cynthia Cummens, an illustrator and official Lucas Film's artist as well as illustration rep Steve Munro from Munro Campagna and fellow alum and Midway Games concept artist Bruno Werneck.

The event is open to all students, although only juniors and seniors will be able to show their work.

The event will take place Friday, March 31st at 2pm in the Portfolio Center, 623 S. Wabash, Room 307. Seating is limited and will be first come, first serve.

Posted by mgreen at 1:11 PM

March 24, 2006

Show Off your Computer Animation

On Friday, April 14th, Eric Slick, Director of Development with Simutronics will be here to look at computer animation samples and advise on turning those samples into an attractive portfolio presentation. Game designers with work samples, are welcome to join in as well.

Simutronics Corp is a leader in the business of massively multiplayer games, focusing on persistent worlds using a subscription-based model. Simutronics is one of the pioneering companies in this dynamic field. Founded in 1987, the company has seen more than a million paying players through the Web, Microsoft's MSN Gaming Zone, Prodigy, CompuServe, America Online, and GEnie. Development partners over the years include most of the leaders in the online, media, and computer game industry including Universal Studios, Sony, Viacom, Time Warner, and Microprose.

If you haven't already, visit the Show Off page and register to receive email updates whenever we confirm new guests in your field.

Posted by mgreen at 2:24 PM

March 13, 2006

Show Off your print, motion, and flash skills

Two upcoming professional visits for design students.

On Wednesday, March 29 @ 3pm, Manifest Digital will be here to look at Graphic Design, Web Design, Flash Design & Motion Graphics. Manifest Digital puts the multi in multimedia. Their designers create print campaigns, identity work, motion graphics, interactive video, flash animations, kiosk design and the list could go on and one.

They are scouting for potential freelance talent and actively looking for possible interns. If your work isn't in a working portfolio yet, but you do have some samples to show, this would be a perfect Show Off event to attend.

On Thursday, April 6 @ 2:30pm ThereMedia (formerly ThereTV) will be here to look at web, flash and motion design portfolio in progress. Like Manifest Digital, ThereMedia is one of those "does eveything" creative agencies. Their motion and interactive projects can be seen on national TV promo spots, commercials, corporate videos, artistic projects and even in fanciful flash ecard designs. They've even done work for the Electric Company (the children's show by the way, not ComEd).

Both these visits are good for students getting ready to find work, and those just beginning to gather materials for a portfolio.

If you haven't already, visit the Show Off page and register to receive email updates whenever we confirm new guests in your field.

Posted by mgreen at 11:24 AM

February 16, 2006

Motion Graphics Reels: Keep it short, styled and online

On Wed Feb 15th we were honored to host Vince Haycock and Ryan Dunn, a pair of artists turned motion designers turned just flat out creative creators who also happen to be the design gurus at Vitamin Brand, a relatively young local design house that specializes in motion design and fx.

Vince and Ryan shared their personal design wares, answered questions, and critiqued some of the motion reels from the Portfolio Center archives.

So, what did we learn? You gotta keep it short, styled, and online.

Virtually every reel that was screened ran too long, according to Ryan and Vince. If your reel runs over a minute, it is definitely too long. Lengthy reels can actually have an adverse affect. What seems impressive in the first fifteen seconds can loose steam if it drags on. Redundancy is another problem with long reels. If you show a piece early and then drag it out two or three more times, your viewer will likely just stop watching half-way through.

The focus then shifts to what you show in the precious short time you do have to impress someone. The short answer? Only show your best. Ryan and Vince both agreed that they could care less if a young designer has worked professionally or not. If you have a great class project or spec piece, then lead your reel with it. Just because you were paid to do something doesn't always mean you should show it. Both guests agreed that the critical function of a reel is to show off your personal style.

Finally, if you don't have your reel online, you're limiting your chances to get it looked at. How important is packaging your reel? Both guests talked about how rarely they will take the time to play a physical reel! They both suggested that it's an ADD world, folks, so get your reels online. Easy to get to, quick to load, and if they're interested in following up, you're just a click and an email away.

A big thanks to the Vitamin Brand folks: Ryan, Vince (and Maggie who set up the visit!). They had a lot more great things to say, so kudos to those who made it out to the event.

Posted by mgreen at 1:59 PM

February 15, 2006

Show Off with a Red Eye

On Tuesday, Feb 28 alum Jon Krusell (02) from Red Eye Studio will be here to review 3D animation and character design as part of the Show Off program.

Jon started at High Voltage Software, quickly advancing to the position of producer. In 2003, he headed to Sock Puppet Studio, where he helped create over 30 animated DVD releases, including: The Fantastic Four Vol. 2: Unthinkable - The Incredible Hulk Vol. 3: Transfer of Power - The Ultimate X-Men Vol. 6: Return of the King.

At Red Eye Studio, he has directed/poduced motion capture and animation for games across many genre and studios, including: Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude - Stubbs the Zombie - Call of Duty: Finest Hour - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Zathura. Red Eye works with Midway Games, High Voltage, Microsoft, Raw Thrills and Vivendi Universal among others.

If you haven't already, visit the Show Off page and register to receive email updates whenever we confirm new guests in your field.

Posted by mgreen at 12:05 PM

The Marco, a Motion Graphics Webfolio

About a year ago the people who run Vitamin Brand told me they had an incredible motion design intern from Columbia, Marco Campobasso. When I finally met Marco his computer had just crashed and he lost all his work. I asked him if he could create a new demo reel and be ready to show it in just over a week to Digital Kitchen and some other guests we had in at the Reel Exchange event last fall. He said he would try.

Try he did. His work went over great with the guests and a subsequent Show Off session with Arc Worldwide he impressed the visitors enough to land a FT job. His only hold up now will be working night classes around a work schedule.

Congrats Marco, great work.

Posted by mgreen at 9:33 AM

February 14, 2006

Iga Toshinori, Webfolio for Post

A good, easy to fly around, site for motion / FX / compositing artist Iga Toshinori, a 2005 grad. It offers a small selection of movies (everything from live-action to stop-motion to graphics) and of course the all important Demo Reel. Letting visitors choose between Quicktime and Windows Media is a simple, but appreciated touch. Simple. Stylish. Professional. Bravo.

PS: If you're a fan of the site design, credit Narciso Carlos, another Columbia product and fortunately for Iga, his roomate.

Posted by mgreen at 9:11 AM

February 10, 2006

Motion Graphics, What We Like and Why

Two creative directors, Vince Haycock and Ryan Dunn, from local motion graphics boutique Vitamin Brand Design will show examples of good motion graphics work and conduct an open inclusive discussion with attendees about the ingredients of a good motion design reel. Haycock and Dunn both started Vitamin Brand after several years with local motion design powerhouse Digital Kitchen. All who are interested in careers in the motion design field are encouraged to come and get a look at the type of work that will land you work. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to show their motion samples and get feedback. This event is free and open to all students. Details: February 15th @ 4pm in the Portfolio Center, 623 S. Wabash. Rm. 307

Posted by mgreen at 11:17 AM

February 6, 2006

Midway Games Offers Open Portfolio Reviews

On Tuesday, February 28th from 5-9 PM Midway Games will be opening its doors to anyone interested having their work reviewed and critiqued by an industry professional. Our most seasoned Art Directors and Leads will be on hand to review portfolios and resumes of all skill levels.

This is not an interview, but will give artists of all disciplines including Character Modelers, Environment Modelers, Animators, User Interface Designers, Concept Artists, Cinematic Artists free feedback on their work and an opportunity to meet one on one with a professional in the video game industry.

Here are just a few reasons for encouraging them to attend:

1) Chance to ask questions one on one

2) Opportunity to visit a video game studio

3) Reinforcement of instructor's feedback

4) Motivation

If students are interested, they must RSVP to hr@midway.com with the subject line PORTFOLIO REVIEW. They should make sure to specify what discipline they are focused on (environment modeling, UI, animation, etc.). On the day of the review, please make sure they bring high resolution samples of their work, any samples in CD or printed format and a copy of their resume. More details with directions and free parking information will be sent following their RSVP.

Click for flyer (jpeg)

Posted by mgreen at 10:12 AM

February 2, 2006

Show Off: Burrell Communications

Visiting from Burrell is Managing Partner and Chief Creative Office Steve Conner and Mary Lynn O'Neil, Burrell's Creative Manager. They're coming to give feedback and helpful advice and are also actively looking for freelance talent in design, copywriting, interaction design, screenwriting and game design. They will be at the Portfolio Center on Wednesday, Feb 22 @ 2pm

Burrell is an international leader in advertising and creative marketing to youth and urban markets. Their client roster includes McDonald's, Toyota, Verizon, Bounty, Lexus, Crest and many others. Their work spans traditional advertising for broadcast and print to interactive, promotional and even game design and development.

If you haven't already, please visit the Show Off page for an updated schedule and to register to receive email updates about recently confirmed visitors.

Posted by mgreen at 12:11 PM

January 30, 2006

A is for ARCHIVE

FEBRUARY 13th @ 5:30 p.m. & 15th @ 12:30 p.m. Portfolio Center Lobby @ 623 S Wabash, Suite 307

No matter what you're year or major . . . this is for you!!

What is archiving? And why should you be concerned with archiving your work? The answer is simple: when you finally put together your body of work in a portfolio or reel, you want to be able to look over ALL of your work, not just your most recent or final projects. While early work is not always appropriate for a reel or portfolio, there may be a small gesture, a certain shot, a remarkable moment that could wow a potential employer or win you that grant.

The idea of archiving can bring to mind back rooms of libraries and museums filled with shelves of materials preserved for future generations. While the image and idea can be daunting, the process of saving your work can be simplified. Archiving your work involves two main components: saving the highest quality possible and keeping a copy in a separate location. Come find out the most effective and efficient way to do both!

This sessions event will be led by Dirk Matthews, Assistant Director/Archivist of the Portfolio Center.

Interested in seeing great examples of archived work? Check out our archives!

Posted by kscott at 2:02 PM

January 26, 2006

Spotlight on Web Portfolios

For the past few months the Portfolio Center, and by the Portfolio Center I mean our Portfolio Production manager Adam Berry, has been busy hooking students up with other talented students to help produce polished, professional portfolios.

Much focus of late has been placed on web portfolios. The web after-all is a medium that can accomodate all formats of portfolio work - photography, poetry, fine art, public relations, film, etc.. You name it, a website can be conceived to promote it.

Interested in a portfolio site of your own? Would you like the Portfolio Center to help? If you are a senior or grad student in your final semester, you may be eligible. Visit the Portfolio Production section of our website for more details.

Posted by mgreen at 11:22 AM

January 17, 2006

Wayne Watrach: Animation Portfolio

Wayne Watrach. Artist. 2D Animator. 3D Animator. Overall decent person. Someone who enjoys posing for the camera. Check out his online portfolio. Replete with demo reel, film clips, jpegs and contact info.

Posted by mgreen at 12:54 PM

November 30, 2005

Alumni Animation Portfolio - Bruno Werneck

Bruno Werneck is a fairly recent grad of the Columbia Animation program (02). He's also a great young animator. He works as a Concept Artist at WMS Gaming and keeps an online portfolio. It's good. Real good. Take a look.

Posted by mgreen at 1:40 PM

Portfolio Tips for VideoGame Art

Midway's Chip Sineni, a Sr Gaming Artist maintains a portfolio tips site for young game designers and animators. It's more than worth a look. Lots of practical advice as well as links to other portfolio resources. Chip was among the guests at our first annual Reel Exchange this past Nov. 11th.

Posted by mgreen at 12:13 PM

November 22, 2005

PORTFOLIO ADVISORS

Everyone can use a Portfolio Advisor . . .

Are you in the beginning stages of portfolio production and wondering what work to save for your future portfolio? Or do you have an upcoming internship interview and not sure what work to show and how to prepare? Maybe you're a music composition student, and you're interested in finding out how to break into the film industry -- how would you present your composition portfolio to someone in film and to whom, exactly? Or perhaps you're a senior or graduate student about to graduate and you just got a call from a potential employer about a job, and you're not sure whether you should include the work you did for your most recent class project in your portfolio. Or are you that film directing student, who has also done a lot of work in animation -- should you have one portfolio or two? And then there's that photography buddy of yours who has already created an impressive portfolio, has received good feedback on her work through Show Off portfolio review sessions, and is interested to learn how to get an agent to promote her work, but she has no clue where to go.

These are all questions that you and your friends could ask our portfolio advisors, working professionals in a variety of industries who are available by appointment to address these questions and more.

You can also show our portfolio advisors your work-in-progress and get feedback. And while you've got their full attention, ask these important questions, learn more about your media/major, and NETWORK!! You just never know what doors you might open when you walk through ours.

The Portfolio Center
623 S Wabash, Suite 307
312-344-7280

* Don't see someone in your field? Email mgreen@colum.edu and tell us what kind of industry professional you would like to have available.

Posted by kscott at 1:30 PM

November 18, 2005

Reels Exchanged. Notes from the Directors chair

If you made it to Reel Exchange this past week you know all this already, but if not, here are a few notes gathered from our guests in the Directors screening areas. Similar reports for animators, editors, motion artists and DPs will be forthcoming.

The guests screeners for our emerging directors were Ted Lega, a commercial and music video Producer, Director with Eightball Films; Qadree Holmes, a commercial producer with Line 9 Films, Casey Lundin, an independent Director, Writer, Producer; Donna D'Aguanno, a director's rep and Andrew Ryann, a director, producer and editor with Pixel Brothers. The moderator was Film & Video Faculty member, Chris Peppey.

Only four reels were screened, but all told, a lengthy discussion ensued from each. Directors, it should be noted, generally have a harder road to hoe than other types of film and tv students (editors, DPs, animators, etc.) A director's reel doesn't have a standard format and must split the difference between getting the point across quickly, but fully. That type of creative freedom allows for invention and creativity in putting together a reel, but it also requires discipline and focus. Below were some of key discussion points of the day.

1. To montage or not to montage? Not. Didn't seem like our panelists were too into montage sequences, especially for directors looking to highlight their narrative abilities. Montage use, if used, should be short, possibly used for a brief introduction. Possibly for transitional sequences in between clips, although not everyone on the panel agreed about this last point.

2. DVDs and menus. DVD menus make the compilation of directors reels a whole lot easier than the days of tape. Most on the panel favored a sort of menu selection option that highlit a main reel up top and longer, possibly complete projects below. The main reel gets attention and promotes. If it works well enough, it will draw the viewer into the longer pieces below. Also, don't create a complex of visually chaotic menu design if its not your fortay. Keep it simple, or find someone who can do it for you.

3. You're a director, now edit. The panel saw a lot of good work with actors, great shots and compelling action - but also that needed tighter editing. Editing your reel is definitely an area you may very well want to collaborate with someone on. Someone you know to be a good editor.

4. Avoid flash. One common theme that emerged was that a series of edgy shots, rumbled together over an ear-shattering soundtrack doesn't impress anyone. Your first reel may impress you and your friends and family, but keep in mind your audience. The people who might hire you or give you a chance. And they've seen it all before. Don't let flash and style get in the way of storytelling. Directors are storytellers and their reel should tell a story or series of stories. If, after watching your reel, viewers don't know anything about the characters or care about them, you're missing something crucial.

Posted by mgreen at 2:17 PM

November 2, 2005

Parting thoughts from Electronic Arts

Jack Lew, University Relations Manager with EA visit Columbia on October 31st (boo!) and delivered an informative presentation on EA the company and what EA looks for in portfolios for animators, character designers, modelers, user interface artists and several other disciplines within the gaming industry.
Here are a few pieces of his advice:

1) Be a specialist. Its good to know a little about everything, but its best to know a lot about one thing. Your reel should reflect what you do best.

2) Less is more. Your reel should have you best work and your ok work should stay in a box under your bed somewhere. Only send your best, even if you only have a few minutes of your best to show. Two good minutes is better than ten mediocre ones on a reel.

3) Be persistent and keeping developing your skills. Even employees of EA take classes to keep up with technology and hone their skills. Your work shouldn't stop developing when you graduate.

Posted by mgreen at 1:25 PM

October 12, 2005

Arc Worldwide is coming to Show Off: October 24th

One of the world's largest marketing groups, Arc Worldwide, is coming to Columbia to meet and look at the work of some of our advanced students. Students with a developing body of work in web design, flash design and scripting, 3D animation and motion graphics will all be able to show their work to senior members of Arc's rich media team. Internships and even entry-level jobs are a possibility - but - keep in mind, Show Off, is about you, your work and their feedback on how you can make it better.

To participate call 312.344.7280. This event is open to seniors, grad students and recent grads only AND juniors with multiple samples to show.

Read more about Show Off

Posted by mgreen at 1:20 PM

October 10, 2005

Bios and Artist's Statements for Web Portfolios

by Tim Long

A portfolio presentation in any format is a demonstration of your skills and talents and a suggestion of your style or artistic vision. Crafting a carefully written statement to put on your portfolio website can enhance the impression your work makes and clarify your goals.

Understand a bio not as a chance to tell your history as a creative person ("I was five years old when I started drawing pictures of my cat...") but instead a chance to say who you are right now ("My illustration work is about capturing motion; in animals, athletes, cars, windblown trees, waves, whatever."). A bio is also an opportunity to say what your take is on how to be successful or do good work in the profession or medium that you are entering. If you've got attitude, commitment, a great work ethic; make sure it comes across.

State your immediate goals in your bio, not your long-term goals. "I wish to direct major motion pictures that will bring about world peace," might be off-putting to someone looking to hire a PA or even an Assistant Director. "I want to work on every feature that I possibly can, to learn as much as possible," is more effective.

Be sincere and to the point. Funny is good, if in fact, you are funny. Most importantly, be yourself. Don't try to sound like an art historian, Snoop Dogg, or Don Pardo. Use your own words. Write in the first person or risk sounding like a punch-drunk boxer. (Everyone reading it will know your bio was written by you not by a professional writer, right?) Write it like you'd say it aloud, only cleaned up in terms of grammar and punctuation. And lastly, be brief. You should be able to get all of the above done in a paragraph.

If this writing task seems impossible, get help from a teacher, advisor, or someone in the Writing Center. In all cases, have someone proof your work for correct grammar and punctuation before you put it on your website.

An Artist's Statement is integral to the presentation of a body of fine art online or elsewhere. It can position your work among other genres and media, provide a historical context, and better enable the viewer to appreciate your project. Ideally you will have completed this important written piece as part of the process of completing the body of work it accompanies. Right? Right.

A strategy to consider in a web presentation is to put an excerpt of your artist?s statement on the homepage with the full statement linked to another page or pdf. A carefully selected excerpt will give the viewer the essence of your project and might further encourage them to read the full text but won't sidetrack them from viewing the work itself.

As above, if you need help, get it.

If neither a bio nor an artist statement seems to fit your particular web portfolio, consider finding a quote that gets to the heart of your work without leading the readers attention astray. Or simply write a line or two that introduces the work. Or if you think your work really and truly speaks for itself and won?t suffer from the lack of grounding that a written piece can provide go without.

---

Tim Long is an accomplished photographer and the Director of the Portfolio Center.

Posted by mgreen at 10:58 AM

October 3, 2005

The Nickelodeon visit...parting thoughts

Last week Nickelodeon's primary animation recruiter, and Columbia alum, Alison Mann visited to talk about Nickelodeon's internship program and what Nickelodeon looks for when reviewing portfolios. Below is a summary of her advice.

1. Specialize. Although many students are putting together a general set of animation skills, a professional animation portfolio should be clear in what it represents you can do. As an entry-level animator, your job will be highly specialized. If you want to be a character designer, that is what your book should contain. If you want to do backgrounds, make sure your book is one-hundred percent background work. A little of everything may mean you are a master of nothing.

2. Be eclectic. It is important to show a variety of styles. No good animators working for Nickelodeon work on one project forever. With the exception of Anime artists, animators who are not adaptable to other styles will have a difficult time finding work.

3. Turn your characters. For character designers, it is important to draw your characters in several stances. Too many front-on views does not indicate real ability. Each character should stand in multiple stances, turn their heads, use their limbs, etc..

4. Know your audience. Your work should be relevant to the company you are sending it to. If you are sending samples to Nickelodeon, be sure the work is kid friendly. You may be talented, but if your animations reflect adult themes, they won't make it very far at Nickelodeon.

5. Keep taking classes. You are never too old or too experienced to keep learning. Animators at Nickelodeon frequently take life-drawing classes to get new perspectives on how to go about their craft. Basic drawing skills are something that almost all young animators have room to improve.

Suggested readings: Cartooning for Dummies...seriously.

Suggest link: The Art of Silver - Animation portfolio for Stephen Silver, lead animator for Kim Possible, Danny Crash and the animated Clerks series...among others.

Posted by mgreen at 12:03 PM

September 21, 2005

NICKELODEON COMING TO COLUMBIA: Sept 29th

Alison Mann '04, an animation recruiter with Nickelodeon is coming back to Columbia to share her insights on animation portfolio and specifically what Nickelodeon looks for when reviewing animation work.

The presentation will take place Thursday, September 29th at 12pm in the 1104 S. Wabash Bldg, Room 502. (Seating is limited.)

In addition, Alison will review individual animation portfolios the following day as part of the Show Off program. If you are a senior or recent graduate, call the Portfolio Center at 312.344.7280 to inquire about signing up for a portfolio review session.

Posted by kscott at 4:13 PM

September 9, 2005

Industry Experts

Industry Experts are working artists and media professionals we've lined up to give you practical advice on building and showing a portfolio in your field. Whether you're putting together a final portfolio presentation or just trying to decide what you could possibly show, a session with an industry expert will prove helpful.

Questions for your industry expert:

• What does a portfolio in my field look like?
• What format(s) do I need to be able to show my work in? (web, pdf, print, reel, etc.)
• How long should my portfolio be? or how many pieces should be in it?
• Is what I have now good enough right now to find work?
• What parts of my portfolio need more work?
• How do I get my portfolio in front of people in my field?

Eligibility

Juniors, seniors, graduate students and alumni within six months of their date of graduation are eligible to meet with an industry expert. Students are limited to one appointment per semester and appointments are made on a case-by-case basis.

We find that most of the above questions can be answered by one of our staff members so start by visiting us during our walk-in hours. If we can't get you going then we'll pair you up with an industry professional who can.

Posted by mgreen at 9:16 AM

August 28, 2005

Portfolio Production

Portfolio Production refers to the process through which the Portfolio Center will help students build and present a professional caliber portfolio. Most often this translates into services like graphic design, photography, reel editing, DVD authoring, and portfolio web publishing. Most anything that will make your portfolio presentation visually stronger...we'll help.

These services would literally cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars to obtain on your own, but through the Portfolio Center, they're free. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth....We're the gift horse.

Eligibility

Portfolio Production is open to seniors and graduate students in their last semester as well as alumni who are within six months of the date of their graduation.

Get started

Production begins when you've prepared your final portfolio materials. Read over the portfolio production guidelines...seriously, read these first and then register with the Portfolio Center and select the Portfolio Production option. If you've already registered with us, call 312.344.7280 and let us know what type of services you want.

Posted by mgreen at 2:04 PM

August 18, 2005

Show Off

Show Off is the primary way the college brings creative arts & media professionals to Columbia to meet you, give you feedback on your work and, if you're lucky (and good), hire you, sign you for representation, buy your script or put you in their gallery. It happens all the time, but only to those who show up to show off.

Show Off works like this...you come with your portfolio-in-progress. You'll have twenty minutes with a successful person from your field. They'll give you a god's honest opinion about your work as it is, and also give you advice for presenting and marketing your work to people in your field. Bam. That's it.

Eligibility

Show Off is open to all juniors, seniors and graduate students, as well as alumni who are within six months of the date of their graduation. Others may participate with a letter of recommendation from a faculty member in your department. These letters should, in effect, let us know you have developed a body of work that is at a point of development that warrants professional feedback. Check out the Portfolio Review Quick Guide to prepare.

When does this take place?

Show Off sessions are scheduled based on the availability of visiting professionals. We work with our professional guests to find time for them to come meet you. You have to be ready to meet them when they can come. Sorry, that's how it works out there. You can check out our events schedule to see whose coming in soon.

How can I make sure I don't miss out?

If you join our mailing list , we'll email you whenever someone in your field schedules a visit. This will translate into anywhere between two and twenty chances to participate, depending on your field.

Scheduling

You must RSVP to reserve a Show Off appointment time. No walk-ins. These schedules usually fill up fairly quickly. Also, no "no shows." Call us if you can't make it. If you no-show, you'll be killed. Ok, maybe just beaten. Ok, not beaten either, but you will be at risk to lose any future privileges to participate in Show Off, portfolio production, and Industry Expert appointments. And that's bad.

Posted by mgreen at 2:24 PM

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