Adelaide's digital media revolution

Adelaide's digital revolution has begun! (hi-res version of images available to media on request)
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Monday, 25 October 2004

Adelaide has become an ideal location for Australians wanting to start a career in the international digital media and animation industries.

With interest in Australian animation at an all-time high - fuelled by the success of Adelaide-based companies like Rising Sun Pictures and Ratbag Games - the high-quality digital media courses at the University of Adelaide are becoming increasingly popular.

Rising Sun's visual effects delivery is winning over the world's most prolific visual effects supervisors. With work on Lord of the Rings - Return of the King, The Last Samurai and Paycheck under their belt, Rising Sun's recent major contract for animation and post-production work on the new Harry Potter film is taking their international standing to a new level.

According to Rising Sun Pictures co-founder and Adelaide graduate Gail Fuller, there are wonderful opportunities for hard-working graduates in digital media, computer science, IT, visual arts and design.

"Graduates need a broad background in image creation with a focus on technical or artistic skills. Adelaide is a great source of raw talent," she says.

This industry view has been embraced by Dr Dean Bruton, Director of the Digital Media Program at the University of Adelaide, who has worked hard to promote a South Australian-based industry/student network.

"The great thing about having these world-renowned companies based in Adelaide is that they are a shining example of where postgraduate study in digital media can take students - and the opportunities are literally at our front door," Dr Bruton says.

"It's an exciting time to learn about digital media, and the opportunities are not limited to animation. Students gain the skills needed for a career in broadcast, TV, film, web design, special effects and computer gaming. We also teach a specific program for architects so they can present entire cities in 3D.

"Our courses are geared towards recognising and meeting the changing demands of industry, and while students are still studying they become exposed to industry through work placements (in key Adelaide offices such as Rising Sun Pictures) and theatre events, where students can network with key industry figures and former graduates, such as Gail Fuller and Didier Elzinger from Rising Sun and Greg Siegele and Richard Harrison, who are the co-founders of Ratbag Games and former University of Adelaide students."

The University of Adelaide is offering two postgraduate coursework programs in Digital Media for 2005: a Master of Architecture (Digital Media) and Master of Design Studies (Digital Media).

Both programs are offered through the University's School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design.

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