Craig Barron, an innovator in the cinematic technique of matte painting, contributing to visual effects on more than 100 films, will be teaching a course at Dodge college next spring.

About Craig Barron

Barron began his career at Industrial Light + Magic (ILM), working on such classic films as Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. For nearly a quarter century he ran his own visual effects studio, Matte World Digital, which contributed to such productions as Zodiac, Alice in Wonderland, and Hugo.

He received an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects on Batman Returns, and won the Oscar for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He is co-chair of the Academy’s Science and Technology Council and an Academy Governor representing the Visual Effects Branch. Barron is the Creative Director of Magnopus, a new media company producing augmented and virtual reality experiences in downtown Los Angeles.

About the Course: Animation and Visual Effects Industry Insiders

Through screenings, interviews, and discussions, this course explores the work of this semester’s Pankey Artist-in-Residence, Craig Barron, as well as that of a variety of well-established guest artists. This exploration compares filmmaking techniques and creative expression across varied genres of television and motion pictures, including episodic programs, animated films, live action/visual effects films, and documentaries. To learn more about this course, use this link to visit the course offering announcement.

Opportunity to be a Pankey Scholar

Students will not only have the opportunity to enroll in this course, but will be able to apply to the spring 2020 Pankey Distinguished Artist program. If selected to participate as a Pankey Scholar, students will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with one of Hollywood’s finest filmmakers as well as participate in one of many weekly dinners.

Student may apply to be a Pankey Scholar for the opportunity to work one-on-one with Craig Barron.