This event showcases the work of student animators and celebrates the talent, enthusiasm, and creativity of our artists. Screened films will include portfolio work from current students, favorite animations from previous years, a behind-the-scenes look at the animation process, and a spotlight film from a former student who is now an animation industry professional. We promise an exciting evening for all! Refreshments will be provided

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Animation Night is a capstone celebration where advanced students showcase projects they have completed throughout the semester and during their time in the program. Thirteen students will screen their work, which includes hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery.

MPTV Professor Tony Venezia said he is excited for these students to have this opportunity.

“I really like the progress I’ve seen,” he said. “Early on, the students didn’t know how good their projects could be. Now that they’ve put in the effort, they’re beginning to see their work come to life.”

Students Mirza Annas (Indonesia) and Abbas Hussain (Wheaton) will screen their projects at the event. Hussain’s animation, a hand-drawn depiction of a boxing match between a robot and a monster who have very different fighting styles, was inspired by a personal passion.

“I box and I really love the sport,” said Hussain. “It represents the idea of true conflict and, in a sense, represents problem-solving.”

Annas, who is attending COD through the Community College Initiative student exchange program, will present a 3D-generated animation of a three-wheel drone navigating a post-apocalyptic city on a mission to find a location to charge its dying battery. During its journey, it becomes fearful of being captured and recycled by a group of flying drones.

“The concept is a ‘Wall-E’ style animation,” Annas said. “I’m a big fan of Pixar, so that inspires the work I do.”

Hussain plans on continuing his education at DePaul University after graduating from COD and said his time in the MPTV program has provided him with a solid foundation that will help him take the next steps in his studies and career.

“It’s given me a good mindset in terms of how to approach a project and complete it from start to finish,” Hussain said. “It’s been a pretty good experience.”

Annas plans on pursuing a career working in an animation studio and is hopeful that he will land an internship at Pixar.

“Learning at COD has helped prepare me to face challenges in and outside of the field of animation,” Annas said. “The work that I’ve done this year in the program is what I enjoy doing.”

Venezia said the capstone class and participating in the event will help students build essential skills that will have long-term benefits.

“This is a pretty intense class that lasts 16 weeks,” Venezia said. “Being committed something for a long period of time helps them learn how to focus on a project from start to finish. Animation Night then gives them exposure and creates opportunities for them.”

For more information, call (630) 942-2020, email venezia@cod.edu or visit www.cod.edu/mptv.