Professor David Chai and Lecturer David Yee accompanied a group of 10 Animation/Illustration students to the 2011 Ottawa International Animation Festival (photo courtesy of Alice Carter).
By Professor and Animation Coordinator Alice Carter
Professor David Chai and Lecturer David Yee accompanied a group of 10 Animation/Illustration students to the 2011 Ottawa International Animation Festival. From September 23-25, the group viewed some of the world’s most innovative animation packed into a comprehensive festival program. The four-day schedule included more than 75 short films, two feature films, and a slate of presentations by leading professionals in the field. Animation/ Illustration student Jeannie Chang returned with an expanded world-view. “Going to Ottawa is like taking your eyes and your mind out for a walk. You get to see how artists all over the world use animation in different ways to express their ideas and creativity,” she writes. Alvyn Villanueva was similarly inspired. “The trip to Canada marked a lot of ‘firsts’ for me, first time on a plane, first time in another country, first time meeting so many people working in the same field, and all as part of a positive and broadening experience.” For Leann Hill, the experience was not entirely unfamiliar. “Going to the Ottawa Animation Festival is a lot like animating at SJSU: You stay up all night but you get to learn an incredible amount while spending your time with amazing people.”