Category Archives: Film

DreamWorlds Opens Tonight

Don’t miss tonight’s opening of DreamWorlds in the Williamson Gallery. The exhibit, a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and imagination of animated filmmaking at DreamWorks Animation, opens tonight with a multimedia presentation, panel discussion and reception. The presentation and panel will be held at Ahmanson Auditorium at 7 pm, followed by a reception in the Williamson Gallery at 8 pm.

Drawing from popular DreamWorks Animation films such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Monsters vs. Aliens, Bee Movie, Prince of Egypt and the soon-to-be-released How To Train Your Dragon (scheduled for theatrical release March 26), the more than 300 objects in the exhibition include original and digital designs and paintings, movie posters, character maquettes, miniature sets, an artist’s workstation re-creation and other creative stages of the complex filmmaking process.

Film Department Chair Ross LaManna will moderate tonight’s panel discussion, which will revolve around the connection between art, illustration, story and animation. Panelists include:

  • Gail Currey: PDI/DreamWorks Animation Studio Head
  • Kathy Altieri: Art Center Illustration alumna; DreamWorks Animation production designer for How to Train Your Dragon; first artist hired by DreamWorks
  • Kendal Cronkhite: Art Center Illustration alumna; DreamWorks Animation production designer whose credits include the Madagascar films
  • Sam Michlap: Former guest instructor at Art Center; DreamWorks Animation production designer and visual development artist; co-curator of DreamWorlds

DreamWorlds runs through May 9. The Williamson Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Friday evenings to 9 p.m.

(Image is from the Williamson Gallery’s Facebook page)

The Wolfman Comes to Hillside Campus

There will be a special screening on campus of The Wolfman today. Film Department instructor Allen Daviau will host the 35mm screening of the Universal Pictures film for his Cinematography 5 Seminar. A Q&A with the film’s director of photography, Art Center alum Shelly Johnson, will follow.

A cinematographer and award-winning painter, Johnson has shot more than 50 feature and television projects including Tales from the Crypt, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II, Jurassic Park III, The Last Castle, Hidalgo, Sky High, The House Bunny and many more. The Wolfman, a reimagining of the 1941 horror classic, was directed by Joe Johnston, written by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self, and boasts an all-star cast including Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving and Emily Blunt.

The event is open to the entire Art Center community, as space allows.

The Wolfman Special Screening and Q&A
Thursday, February 18, 1 pm
Ahmanson Auditorium

In Case You Missed It…

As you know, there’s always something going on when it comes to Art Center alumni, students and faculty.  Some of the latest:

  • Film Department Chair Ross LaManna talks to CNN about the rise of the graphic novel in Hollywood. CNN
  • Director for Advanced Mobility Research Geoff Wardle chats with The New York Times about the Tata Nano, which will be on display next week at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. The New York Times
  • Alumnus Tommy Lee Edwards explains his conceptual work for the film The Book of Eli. Livingston Daily
  • Indy Racing League discusses the development of its next-generation racing car, developed with the help of Art Center students. Edmunds Inside Line
  • Painter and Illustration alumnus Paul Rickert’s latest exchibit, Industrial Visions, is currently on display at Rider University in Lawrence, NJ. CentralJersey.com
  • Filmmaker and alumnus Tarsem Singh Dhandwar’s fantasy-action-drama epic about ancient Greece, Dawn of War, might be filmed in 3D. Little About

(Pictured: Out of Furnaces, Paul Rickert)

Acclaimed Cinematographer to Speak on Campus

Art Center is honored to welcome to campus world-renowned cinematographer Caleb Deschanel to discuss his craft and much more tomorrow, Oct. 15. Film Department instructor Allen Daviau will host the discussion with the five-time Academy Award-nominated cinematographer and director. Deschanel’s credits as cinematographer include The Black Stallion, The Right Stuff, The Natural, The Patriot and The Passion of the Christ. Film and television that he has directed include Crusoe, Twin Peaks, Law and Order and Bones.

The event starts at 1 pm at Hillside Campus’ Ahmanson Auditorium. For more information, call 626.396.2373.

Grey Gardens Scores Six Emmys

With the most nominations of any other made for television movie this year, Grey Gardens—the first feature film directed by Art Center alumnus Michael Sucsy—is the recipient of six Emmy® Awards, including Outstanding Made for Television Movie.  

Variety posted an online exclusive about Michael’s success.

Well deserved, Michael!