Computer artists to speak at ECAROcon symposium

By: Kristen Wasik

Posted: 4/18/08

Top special effects and video game artists from across the country will speak to students interested in finding their own career in computer arts Saturday.

ECAROcon, a symposium scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, will bring to campus four experienced leaders in fields that combine technology and art to tell students about their experience in the industry, said Andrew Blackmore, the symposium's director and co-founder of Extracurricular Computer Art Organization (ECARO).

The symposium is hosted by ECARO, a group that focuses on educating and fostering interest in computer art among students.

"There's a stigma over the fields of film and video games and animation, especially with kids within these programs, that it's very difficult to get a job," Blackmore said. "We'd like to talk to these people, find out that hopefully it's not as hard as it seems or there are correct ways of going about things."

The event's speakers have already proved it's not impossible to break into these industries. Many of the event's speakers are young and successful.

One speaker, Cory Barlog is 33 years old, and he's done all kinds of incredible things, Blackmore said.

Barlog's career has included work on Disney movies Mighty Joe Young, Flubber and Inspector Gadget as well as work in the video game world on God of War and God of War II.

Barlog plans to tell students about his experience entering the world of computer art and working with a team to create the God of War series, Blackmore said.

Alyson Markell, another speaker at the event, will speak about her experience working with Industrial Light and Magic, a special effects company, Blackmore said.

Markell worked for 10 years creating creature models including Dobby from Harry Potter and the horse from Van Helsing. Markell graduated from the College of Visual and Performing Arts painting program in 1983.

The symposium aims to interest other students who aren't in technological majors to consider a career in computer arts, he said.

"There are a lot of things that you wouldn't think about," Blackmore said. "Kids who are in illustration, for example, wouldn't necessarily think about, 'Oh I want to go into video games,' or 'Oh, I want to go into film.' But there's such a need for concept artists and storyboard artists."

The illustration department provides the opportunity for students to learn different aspects of computer art, but it isn't a main focus, said Rebecca Bennett, a junior illustration major.

The department brings in a lot of more traditional examples of illustrators, but it would be interesting to get a young, modern idea of what is out there, she said.

Diana Salles, a transmedia studies professor, said these are real industry leaders coming to campus to speak, and they will give students real insight into the world of graphic arts and video games. Students will get to meet these people and learn what it takes to get into the industry.

The students who started this conference - and ECARO - showed incredible initiative and a motivation to learn, Salles said.

"I've been to some of their meetings, and they showcase their own art," she said. "They produce great work."

The group was founded a year ago by Scott Yapp, ECARO's president, and Blackmore to give students another way to learn about and share their love of computer art.

Yapp said the symposium exists to create stronger industry connections with students.

"I wanted to found a group that would establish a real strong network between computer arts students and also provide more opportunities for students to get involved in the industry," Yapp said.

During meetings, ECARO members will give tutorials on Adobe PhotoShop, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Flash and any other programs that are graphics intensive. The group also hosts video game tournaments and career building workshops to help students get themselves out in the real world, Yapp said.

The group meets Sundays at 7 p.m. and welcomes all majors who have any interest in learning more about computer arts.

"We're looking to grow our base and expand," Blackmore said. "We would love it if we had kids from all different sorts of majors who are even just casually interested in these things."

kmwasik@syr.edu