Digital Media CT Blog

DMCT Partners with The Village Community Foundation

Digital Media CT is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Village and The Village Community Foundation to support their Career Discovery Program. 

 

The Village is a 133,000 square foot facility that is, “a community for creating, collaborating, connecting and content.” It is the perfect combination of a modern office, fine dining, and venue space. The village is home to several media companies including ITV America, the largest producer of unscripted content for television and more.  

Digital Media CT has partnered with The Village Community Foundation to support their Career Discovery Program, an exciting program designed to help students explore their passions or interests by introducing them to different careers and Industry Leaders in finance, media and entertainment, and venture capital. 

Through this partnership we provide diverse students from different universities throughout Connecticut the opportunity to participate in these great events. During the program students gain valuable insight on these industries from guest speakers and end the event with a more intimate industry-specific breakout sessions where they have the chance to ask questions.  

DMCT is also be partnering with The Village Community Foundation for our Interactive Digital Media CT Summit, coming September 2024.This event, aimed for college students and alumni, will include a day full of keynote speakers, panel discussions, group challenges, and more! Stay tuned for more updates as the event approaches! 

Signup for the DMCT newsletter to stay connected with these events and more.  

See Also: Select+CT Podcast Episode 7 – Wheelhouse and The Village

DMCT Emerging Professional Badge

If you’re a student unsure how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, we encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. This course covers many topics to assist you with your transition from University to a Career in CT and beyond! If interested, you can learn more about our course here. 

Digital Media CT Blog

Audio Industry

“It brings everything to life, without the sound it would be some incredible graphics, but you wouldn’t feel it.” 

 

Episode 17 of Select+CT with Chris Argento – VP of Audio, Justin Matley – Re-Recording Mixer & Sound Designer

 

 

Did you know that audio medias like cassette tapes are making a re-appearance in terms of sales? I suppose this is due to the need we now feel to disconnect from our constant online-lives. Though audio production is popularly known as the making of music, it’s actually super prominent in other forms of media. From movies ranking 100% on the “rotten tomatoes’ ‘ score, to pesky advertisements, or the news, the audio industry seeps into most everything we consume (and that’s a good thing).

Two CT-based audio designers spoke with David DesRoches on the Select+CT podcast. Chris Argento – VP of Audio, WWE, and Justin Matley – Re-Recording Mixer & Sound Designer, Freelance, discussed what consumer presentable audios can manifest for a media project.

See Also: Digital Media’s Influence on Public Broadcasting

They reveal that to obtain a “mastered” audio (one that is consumer presentable), there has to be a collaborative effort on both parts: the graphic designer and the audio engineer. Together, these creators make sure the sounds and visuals align with each other as accurately as possible. Their goal is to bring the vision to life without changing the overall tone or goals which the graphic designers had in mind. Collaboration is how the producer can “elevate the element,” Justin said. 

“This podcast is an example of audio probably being one of the largest parts of media these days,” said Chris. The graphic artists come in and listen to it and bring it to life; sound can pull you in and make it almost 3D, even if it’s not. Chris also says his product is intensely graphic-based and dynamic. “If there’s a ship in a storm, we’re building the storm, the ship, and the creaking of the wood. but what we can bring is the creaking of the wood that the graphic artist never really knew whether or not it was going to be there,” he remarked. 

My takeaway is; sound and audio make up a significant part of Digital Media, and there is a huge opportunity for students who are skilled or interested in specializing in this space.

Featured Program

Western Connecticut State University has an awesome Digital & Interactive Media program if you’d like to end up in a similar field. Located in Danbury, CT, WCSU has three different degree options from their DIMA program: media production, art, and computer science! Learn more about it here

DMCT Micro Credentials

If you are unsure of how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, I encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s first micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. I am a graduate of the program and learned many things to assist my transition from University to a Career in CT and beyond!

Digital Media CT Blog

Digital Media Career Discovery Event

Digital Media CT is participating in a one-day Digital Media Career Discovery Event produced by the Village Community Foundation (TVCF).

The event is part of a more extensive program to help students discover their interests and confidently identify and pursue careers within the region’s most prominent industries and employers.

Each session features an executive fireside session, in which company leaders discuss their views on hiring, career development, diversity and inclusion, emerging talent, and other relevant topics. From there, students attend their selected industry-specific breakout session to chat with associate talent and learn about their early-career experiences that “got them in” to the industries and roles of choice!

See Also: Freelancing and Internships

The session DMCT is partnering with focuses on students interested in the Media and Entertainment industry and includes opportunities to meet and interact with CT-based employers. This first event will primarily focus on Motion Design/Animation and Film/Video production.

Participation at the event is by invitation only, and each DMCT higher education partner will identify a few students from their respective degree-granting programs to participate in the experience.

The event takes place on May 30th, 2023, from 3:00 – 5:00 PM in Stamford, CT.

DMCT Emerging Professional Badge

There are many opportunities for those skills in Digital Media and Content Production; learn how to connect your talents to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry. The DMCT Emerging Professional badge guides students and alumni through the process of connecting core competencies to job opportunities and provides other ideas to support continued professional growth after graduation.

Digital Media CT Blog

Alumni Experience

“Especially at this point and time in the pandemic, connections really are a huge part of this industry.” 

 

Episode 13 of Select+CT with Bryan Murphy, NBC Sports Group | Leah Myers, WTNH-TV | Erick Jean, The Game Agency

 

 

Having the status of being an “undergrad” can be overwhelming because we don’t know what will happen after surpassing it. Even if we as students know where we want to work, it’s still challenging to pinpoint if what we think will work out or if what we think is a reality given our location and skillsets. 

The purpose of the Select + CT recordings is to emphasize that there are so many great digital media jobs in Connecticut. It also helps us understand how our skillsets connect to the industry. The first episode of season two invites three alumni from three different CT-based higher education institutions to share their professional experiences since graduating.

Bryan Murphy, NBC Sports Group, Leah Myers, WTNH-TV, and Erick Jean, The Game Agency, conquered those fears for us! Leah is a digital content producer, Bryan is a digital editor, and Erick is a front-end developer. Bryan admitted how hard it can be to break into the industry.

See Also: University to Career

I will use Bryan’s experience as an example because he had the most challenging time, which I think makes him the most relatable. He says he applied to more jobs than he could count and only got 2-3 interviews. The job he ended up landing didn’t require an interview because he’d interned there before. He doesn’t know where he’d be working if he hadn’t made the connections in his prior internship.

As unfair as it sounds, having to make connections to prosper has proven true for Bryan and many others. In 2017, LinkedIn did a study that revealed a whopping 80 percent of professionals consider networking just as important as an actual portfolio or other professional work experience. Seventy percent of those people were hired at a company where they had a connection! That is more than half the workforce who felt this way.

I am guessing since the pandemic; this number has increased even more as we are now in a recession. Bryan’s story is one of too many, but he succeeded. Listen to the full episode to hear Leah and Erick’s stories; maybe their experiences will relate more to yours. View the full linked-in article here. 

Featured Program

The University of Hartford has a unique take on digital media; they offer a dual in both digital media and journalism. This means you are more than likely to land a job in either! You are prepared for a career in digital media production, broadcast journalism, sports media, or as a media business professional.Using a combination of real-world and classroom experience, you build a strong portfolio through internships and by working in one or more of our media-oriented student firms.” Learn more about this program here

DMCT Micro Credentials

If you are unsure of how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, I encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s first micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. I am a graduate of the program and learned many things to assist my transition from University to a Career in CT and beyond!

Digital Media CT Blog

Entrepreneurship in Connecticut

“I think more non-digital media students need more digital media skills, and digital media need more than just the art side of the skill set.”

 

Episode 15 of Select+CT with David Noble, UConn’s Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

 

 

After 2008, Connecticut’s economy didn’t rebound as quickly as the rest of the nation. Because of this, there’s been a focus on UCONN and other universities to drive more students into entrepreneurial spaces. Entrepreneurship is something that has successfully grown in alignment with Connecticut’s economy.

fun fact – ESPN was actually started in Bristol, CT in 1979!

Starting a business as a CT-based entrepreneur is easier than I thought. And in a Select+CT podcast episode, Professor David Noble from UConn’s Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation shared information on how entrepreneurship relates to students in Digital Media Design. 

See Also: Building a Digital Media Company

Professor Noble said it’s crucial to increase the cross-discipline of students with specific skills. Non-digital media students need more digital media skills, and digital media students need more than just the art side of that skill set. This ties into Connecticut because we have a successful history of bringing industry to the state. Companies engaged in the same industry can help establish “talent hubs,” which further encourage more entrepreneurship as there is a cluster of skilled professionals specializing in a particular area.  

Shortly after the economic events of 2008, politically and economically, growth forces started to look to entrepreneurship. David has seen the rapid importance of scale and scope in the digital media space. “We’re seeing a growth sector of self-employed digital media groups,” he added.

Since then, many have relocated to CT since the events of 2020, but even without the pandemic, numbers have skyrocketed in the past decade! My point is that you’re lucky if you want to be your own boss and happen to live in Connecticut (also, studying digital media doesn’t hurt, considering the value that people like Professor Noble place on this field). 

Featured Program

Gateway Community College has an entire program dedicated to Entrepreneurial Studies. Located in New Haven, this school offers two certificates to earn while learning to be your own boss! You can also use the credits earned to pursue a Bachelor’s in the field, so this plan works perfectly if you’re indecisive about continuing your education or already engaged in a side hustle. See here for more information. 

DMCT Micro Credentials

If you are unsure of how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, I encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s first micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. I am a graduate of the program and learned many things to assist my transition from University to a Career in CT and beyond!

Digital Media CT Blog

DMCT Partners with the CADC Annual Awards Show

Digital Media CT is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Connecticut Art Directors Club (CADC) to support the Annual CADC Awards Show.

 

The CADC Awards Show celebrates the very best in advertising and design from Connecticut’s creative community. It’s a chance for local creatives to showcase their talents and compete for recognition from their peers. The award ceremony includes ten student categories ranging from Student Photography and Print to Student Online & Interactive and Student Animation. 

Digital Media CT has partnered with four categories to celebrate emerging Digital Media talent in the four branches recognized in the DMCT 2020 Digital Media Manifesto. They include:

  • Student Animation
  • Student Online & Interactive / Published
  • Student Online & Interactive / Unpublished
  • Student Video 

The work must have been produced between May 2, 2022, and March 14, 2023, and submitted before the Apr. 22 deadline. Visit the CADC website for more information on the submission guidelines.

See Also: What is Digital Media? 

DMCT Emerging Professional Badge

There are many opportunities for those skills in Digital Media and Content Production; learn how to connect your talents to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry. The DMCT Emerging Professional badge guides students and alumni through the process of connecting core competencies to job opportunities and provides other ideas to support continued professional growth after graduation.

Digital Media CT Blog

Women in Animation

“The industry tends to be pretty male-dominated; it tends to be a boys club.”

 

Episode 19 of Select+CT with Bridget Costa, Motion Designer, and Professor Samantha from the University of Connecticut.

 

 

According to a recent study conducted by Zippia, there are over 7,091 known animators employed in the U.S. Within this number of animators, 71.9% are men. That leaves 28.1% of women, which is not super encouraging, especially for young female aspiring animators. 

As experienced motion designers & animators Samantha Olschan and Bridget Costa conversed about the troubles of being a woman in the animation industry, specifically within the younger generation (myself included). These women offer what I think is terrific advice on how to cope and succeed in a male-dominated industry. 

Samantha emphasizes that she doesn’t want the younger generation to think about the challenges of being in a male-dominated field. When you hit roadblocks, you can seize the opportunity to grow – failure isn’t necessarily negative (well, sometimes).

See Also: Women in Film

“It’s a challenge that women both from the past and today should never give up on,” said Samantha. She also acknowledged that the challenges for her generation of female animators are different from those of our generation. 

Now there are organizations such as women in animation. Within these groups, you can communicate your challenges, share your successes and expand your network. These organizations are helpful because finding connections in your professional environment can make you feel less alone and supported when you experience a problem. In this episode, there is a sense that people are more sensitive to how women experience the workplace, but that doesn’t mean the challenge for women in animation and in any tech-based field doesn’t exist.

Featured Program

The University of Connecticut has a fantastic Digital Media & Design program at both the Stamford and Storrs campuses. The program offers BA and BFA degrees with concentrations in 2D and 3D animation, video production, social media, and web/interactive media. Learn more at the DMD website.

DMCT Micro Credentials

If you are unsure of how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, I encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s first micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. I am a graduate of the program and learned many things to assist my transition from University to a Career in CT and beyond!

Digital Media CT Blog

Post-School Career Expectations in Animation and Motion Graphics

“How you present yourself, and your creative work is an important indicator or signal for how the person on the other end is going to receive that.” 

 

Episode 19 of Select+CT with Professor Steve Harper, University of Connecticut.

 

In 2020, we were thinking about what our schools’ post covid would look like. In 2022, we can think of what post school looks like with covid (mostly) out of the equation. That said, it’s no secret that graduating students tend to experience a range of emotions: from pride and anticipation, to fear and discouragement, all or any I failed to mention are relatively normal. Select + CT’s season 2, episode 9 covered that post graduation scenario in what I think is in a more appealing light.

Guest speaker Steve Harper provided a great perspective on both post covid and post-school post covid (sorry, that was a mouthful). 

Steve is an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut focusing on motion design & animation. He first taught in CT and NY, but took time away from teaching to pursue more industry work. He later transferred back into the Husky realm and to the Stamford campus in 2014. In the episode, Steve expressed the hopeful reality of graduating from a university and landing that first job. 

See Also: Careers in Motion

We as students should remember that it’s okay not to have found the “perfect” job as soon as we flip the tassel. It might take a few (or more) job titles until we stumble upon one that we feel is the best match for us. Steve mentioned his many roles as a budding animator and how going from one job to another helped further his career. From small remote roles to working with clients worldwide, nationwide collaboration was an “expectation in the motion design industry.”

Though I think this timeline can be applied to other career paths too, since any form of digital media tends to be shared via the internet. Considering this perspective, there’s no limit to our potential clients, whether we get them through our future employers or on our own. It’s safe to say that covid was very annoying for both students and faculty. Motion Designers like Steve are used to working remotely, but “teaching remotely though, was another thing altogether.” He hopes education can be an equalizer again by removing some hurdles created during remote education: labs, equipment, and access to them can all expand student opportunities. 

In many of these posts, I’ve talked about the positive side of living on the east coast, particularly in Connecticut. However, I think sometimes it’s good to consider all perspectives, even if they are less appealing. “The students that are going out and attending west coast schools are having more of those connections and opportunities than over here on the east coast.. that isn’t to say there aren’t opportunities over here, because there are,” Steve explained, keeping this opportunistic divide in mind, it’s easier to picture whether or not CT will be the right fit for your career. “You have to be willing to move. You also have to know that your network isn’t quite there,” he added. On a more positive note, the east coast is typically more diverse in opportunity and skill set; there’s more of a need for a generalist skill set. Someone who can design, animate and understand video editing (among other various digital media skills) can get them that competitive role on the east coast.

Featured Program

If you still want to stay in CT after reading that last blurb, Connecticut College offers a fantastic art program that engages students in both the technical and conceptual parts of art-making. Uniquely enough, the facility provides a “Visiting Artists” opportunity where students can work on campus with leading national and international artists in workshops, studio classes, and exhibitions. Visit their website for more information. 

DMCT Micro Credentials

If you are unsure of how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, I encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s first micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. I am a graduate of the program and learned many things to assist my transition from University to a Career in CT and beyond!

Digital Media CT Blog

University to Hollywood

“You have to learn the rules first before you start to break and bend them.” 

 

Episode 8 of Select+CT with Timothy Suarez, Blue Sky Studios

 

 

The goal (or one of them) as an animator is to make the most entertaining shot possible. Sometimes the outcome of that shot depends on how much you can push and cheat to make the character most like themselves without breaking the rules. In other words, a lot of effort goes into the act of your favorite character battling that villain who never seems to disappear! Animators usually have to toss their original ideas out the window for the sake of the story they’ve been hired to tell, and learning the basics is an important foundation to master. 

A goal of an animator is to make the most entertaining shot possible. Sometimes the outcome of that shot depends on how much you can push and cheat to make the character most like themselves without breaking the rules. In other words, a lot of effort goes into the act of your favorite character battling that villain who never seems to disappear! 

See Also: Alumni Experience

I recently re-listened to a 2020 Select+CT podcast episode with Blue Sky Studios Animator Timothy Suarez. Sadly, Blue Sky is no longer around, but there was still lots to learn for any inspiring Connecticut animator. When Tim moved to Connecticut, he had an opportunity to work on productions such as The Peanuts Movie and some of the Ice Age sequels. At the time, he had no clue about any creative studios in Connecticut and thought the animation was “more of a New York City thing.” Although Blue Sky is no longer here, there are still many other opportunities for animators, thanks to WWE, ESPN, and NBC Sports. These companies are great places to work before pursuing a career at one of the larger Hollywood studios. 

In the podcast, I learned that it’s better to specialize in high-end 3D production if you’re an inspiring Hollywood animator. Animation studios look for people who specialize in one thing because they can work with a diverse team who also specialize in other things. “It’s more likely that you’re going to get into one of these bigger studios if you just commit to one specialty,” said Tim. 

Tim specialized in character design and highlighted that having a background in figure drawing can significantly improve the believability of your character. Prior figure drawing experience helps give weight to a surface so the body moves more believably and accurately. Figure drawing, learning to pose, or studying the anatomy of a pose are all valuable skills to attain before establishing your title as an animator.

Featured Program

Speaking of Digital Media in Connecticut, the University of Connecticut has an abundance of digital media concentrations to select from when pursuing a BA or BFA degree: 3D Animation, Digital Film & Video Production, Game Design, Motion Design & Animation, and more. UConn successfully shapes students so they have the skills to pursue those high-end jobs at large Studios like Disney

DMCT Micro Credentials

If you are unsure of how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, I encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s first micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. I am a graduate of the program and learned many things to assist my transition from University to a Career in CT and beyond!

Digital Media CT Blog

A Career in Motion GFX

“The whole idea of telling a story without using real people.. it just really was interesting.”

 

Episode 3 of Select+CT with Stefanie Toigo, NBC Sports

 

 

Having an interest increases motivation and task commitment! It makes as passionate in the classroom and helps us dream big for our future. Interest can come from anywhere, something as simple as being a fan of a cartoon show can guide you to a career in Motion GFX and animation.

See also: University to Career

In an effort to support the hopes and dreams of so many aspiring animators, Digital Media CT has interested various CT-based creative professionals in the field of animation. The first was an interview with Stefanie Toigo from NBC Sports, which made up episode 3 of the Select+CT podcast; in the interview Stephanie shared how she ended up at…well, NBC Sports. I recount her story below, which shares information on what it means to be a Motion GFX designer.

As a child, Stephanie wondered how the caricatures she so often consumed actually came to life since they were not human, nor actors. “The whole idea of telling a story without using real people.. it just really was interesting.” said Stephanie. Though I am certain many of us often wondered the same at some point, her curiosity was persistent enough to eventually lead her to an associate degree within the field she once wondered about. 

The realm of TV isn’t the only place an animator can show off their skills: other digital outlets varying from social media, to websites of all sorts are seeking animators/motion designers for different reasons. The demand for motion designers and animators is escalating, but so are the platforms used to express them. Whether a new hires skills are put to use for boosting an algorithm or earning a higher rating, motion GFX is highly regarded today. 

See Also: Woman in Film

Host David DesRoches asked Toigo to give more insight on what it’s like working for a company as large as NBC. “It’s sports. At a live event really anything can happen and you have to be prepared.. Doing a lot of extra work that potentially will never make air.” she said. I argue this statement can apply to any job in the creative industry. Scribbling away at an assortment of sketches for a commission; only for the commissioner to pick one. Making a vision board for a client, only for the client to envision something quite the opposite: It is important to recognize that the amount of work we creatives put into a project may not be entirely rewarded. Being OK with that lost effort is what can boost your chances of having greater success. 

“Art is subjective, you need to be able to take criticism.” Stephanie added. She usually makes an effort to break down what the plan is for the day.  Once her manager is comfortable with the project, she is able to put her own creative spin on it. Stephanie makes sure that she is always following her manager’s direction despite any creative freedom. This typical work day for Stephanie is an example of what many other digital media workers experience, as well as CT-based careers in Motion GFX.

Featured Program

The University of Connecticut actually offers a pre-college summer digital animation and motion graphics course, allowing those who attend to gain insight into the world of time-based media. Learn more about this program here

DMCT Micro Credentials

If you are unsure of how your skills connect to Connecticut’s growing Digital Media industry, I encourage you to enroll in DMCT’s first micro-credential course, The Emerging Practitioner. I am a graduate of the program and learned a bunch of things to assist my transition from University to Career in CT and beyond!