Articles from:June 2011

  • Oscar-winning digital effects specialist will speak at Brock

    Friday, June 10, 2011 | By

    A digital effects specialist who has worked on movies such as Avatar and King Kong will headline next week’s Interacting with Immersive Worlds conference at Brock University in St. Catharines.

    Dejan Momcilovic is a motion capture supervisor at New Zealand’s WETA Digital, a studio co-founded by director Peter Jackson. The studio has won Academy Awards for its work on Avatar, King Kong and Lord of the Rings. It has also worked on films such as District 9 and X-Men First Class.

    Motion capture is the process of transferring an actor’s performance onto digital characters, such as the blue-skinned Na’vi in Avatar or Gollum in Lord of the Rings. Momcilovic will give the conference keynote speech, which is free and open to the public.

    Read the full story in The Brock News

    Categories: News, Uncategorised

  • Free admission to Keynote Speaker session – Dejan Momcilovic of WETA Digital talks about Motion Capture and Special Effects in “Avatar,” “King Kong,” and “Lord of the Rings”

    Monday, June 06, 2011 | By

    Dejan Momcilovic of WETA Digital will be a keynote speaker at Brock University’s Interacting with Immersive Worlds conference on June 13th. WETA Digital is an academy award winning visual effects studio. They won an academy award for Best Visual Effects on Avatar – other movies they have worked on, which include King Kong, Lord of the Rings and District 9 are listed on their website www.wetafx.co.nz/features.

    The conference organizers don’t want anyone to miss out on this rare opportunity and are therefore making Dejan Momcilovic’s talk free for all. While there is no charge to attend the talk, you are asked to register to ensure space availability.
     

    Date: Monday, June 13th
    Time: 4:00 pm
    Location: Brock University, Academic South Room 202
    Admission: Free
    RSVP: 905-688-5550 ext. 3270 or [email protected]

    Categories: News, Uncategorised

  • Brock University receives $500,000 gift from TD

    Thursday, June 02, 2011 | By

    Donation will go towards enhancing Brock’s environmental studies program and to support the development of downtown arts school

    Today, Brock University received a significant donation from TD Bank Financial Group of $500,000 as part of the Campaign for a Bold New Brock.

    The two-fold gift will help create the TD Bursary for Environmental Studies as well as support the economic revitalization of downtown St. Catharines through the new Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.

    “Brock is moving full steam ahead with the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts downtown campus in partnership with the City of St. Catharines and its multi-venue arts complex,” said Brock President Jack Lightstone. “We are pleased that TD is joining us to renew downtown St. Catharines and help students pursue a higher education and the Brock Both Sides of the Brain experience.”

    “Our donation to Brock University will encourage student innovation, creativity and community involvement while contributing to a stronger future for St. Catharines,” said TD Deputy Chair Frank McKenna. “We’re very proud to be investing in our future environmental leaders and helping to create a modern downtown arts and learning hub.”

    The TD Bursary for Environmental Studies will provide grants to full-time Brock students demonstrating financial need while pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences or studies to reduce the impact of humankind’s footprint in the world through the Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences.

    TD will donate $250,000 over five years towards this award. Brock will apply for matching funds through the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) program to maximize the award’s endowment at $500,000.

    The Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts downtown campus will receive $250,000 to help realize the unique joint venture between Brock and the City of St. Catharines to build a stunning, multi-venue arts and learning complex. The impact of the gift will assist in breathing new life and activity into the urban core, stimulating the creativity and economy of the city and region and beyond.

    On the fifth floor of the historic Canada Hair Cloth building, Brock will build the TD Roof Terrace. It will have a spectacular southern view of the first Welland Canal route and the Twelve Mile Creek green space looking toward Brock’s Schmon Tower on the top of the Niagara Escarpment.

    The TD Roof Terrace will serve as an informal learning student lounge and refreshment area for the more than 500 students and 40 faculty and staff who will study, teach and work at the school. Additionally, this outdoor area will provide a space for local community and university receptions and other functions.

    In total, the TD gift, when combined with Government of Ontario matching funds for student awards, will result in a $750,000 investment in a Bold New Brock.

     

    Categories: News, Uncategorised