Assisting Palm Springs Photography

During the 2011 El Paseo Fashion Week, Di student Angel Torres made such a strong impression on photographer Rick Nuffer that it opened the door for him to earn a paid assistant position. Several students, including Angel, have now had the opportunity to assist photographing weddings in various Palm Springs and Laguna Beach locations.  

"Your kids have been 100% amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you! They have truly changed the way I shoot my weddings. Initially, I just wanted some help carrying my gear and holding my lights but they have become so much more.  They are more valuable to me as 2nd photographers then kids who carry equipment. But most of all, they are courteous, respectful, smart, ambitious, creative and the clients love them!  I don't know how you do it, but keep it up. Amazing." 

-Rick Nuffer

This is truly an amazing opportunity for students in the Di program that will provide ongoing work-based learning experiences through the summer and during the school year.

~Check out Rick's work here!~

Visiting the University of California, Riverside

On May 23rd, 50 DATA sophmores and juniors took a day out to visit the University of California at Riverside.

Students received a general campus tour and spent time with an admissions counselor, but the special part of the day came from meeting and interacting directly with several UC professors.

Students first heard a screenwriting / play writing presentation from Stuart Krieger and Rickerby Hinds, two theatre professors with equally impressive resumes. Both emphasized the importance of story, supporting creativity and out of the box thinking, as well as taking a chance to pursue your artistic passion while you are young.

After hearing from several members of the Chicano Student Program on what to expect as a student at UCR, DATA students heard from Derek Burrill, an associate professor from the Media and Cultural Studies department. Derek stimulated the student's understanding of the cultural impacts of video gaming on our society with questions and ideas from current research.

The day ended with an after hours visit to the California Museum of Photography's Digital Studio program.

Learn more about the 

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences here!

Visiting the Gnomon School of Visual FX

On May 19th, 100 incoming DATA freshmen and sophomores were treated to a special behind the scenes tour of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in the heart of the Los Angeles film industry.

The 350 student school, known for training visual effects artists for major studios, currently occupies the Television Center. This historical L.A. building was previously the home of Technicolor from 1930-1975 and housed the color processing for films like The Wizard of OZ and Fantasia.

The tour was lead by admissions officers who are all Gnomon grads and current industry creatives. Although most students attend the school after completing post-secondary education, they are seeing an increasing amount of highly talented students being accepted directly after high school who have dynamic portfolios.

Here's some tips from Gnomon to prepare yourself now for a career as a visual effects artist later...

1. Challenge yourself and your creativity
2. Strengthen your ability to communicate visually through art and drawing
3. Practice foundation skills in the arts and learn anatomy
4. Research industry trends online 
5. Watch behind the scenes footage about CG films
6. Work hard and BE PASSIONATE!

Learn more about jobs in the visual effects industry @

www.VFXwages.com

www.Glassdoor.com

Opening Pandora's Box

DATA Digital Imaging is very proud of it's Challenge Based Learning collaboration, Pandora's Box. Not only was the process of working together with two 3rd grade classrooms at Rio Vista Elementary towards a video and digital book exciting for all, but the project has earned some local and regional recognition.  

We are very pleased to share the following awards

Best Multi Age Collaboration

2011 California Student Media Festival

Outstanding Interpretation of the Theme: Make a Difference

2011 PSUSD Digicom Student and Teacher Film Festival

Learn more about Challenge Based Learning here!

Vans Custom Culture

  CCHS Advanced Art and DATA Di aligned their creative minds once again! This time it was for the 2011 Vans Custom Culture shoe design challenge. 

Vans, which have been worn on the feet of millions since quietly entering the late 1970's skateboard scene, have locked their employee's talents on sustaining creativity in today's high school classrooms by offering their 1st annual design competition. 

The CCHS team of traditional and digital artists worked collaboratively to visually represent the Coachella Valley in the categories of Street Art, Music, Action Sports, and Fashion. Even though the team did not win the online public voting for the California region which closed April 27th, they were still one of ten schools in the state and one of fifty in the nation!

View the amazing top 5 finalists @

Vans Custom Culture

 Learn more about how Vans supports arts, creativity, and education

by checking out offthewall.tv!

Where's the Beef?

Congratulations to graduating Di senior Christian Ramirez for his animation being awarded Best Short Film at the 2011 DigiCom Student and Teacher Film Festival!

The 2:55 minute short, Where's the Beef, took about 1.5 years to make using Flash CS5 and GarageBand.

After graduating, Christian will be attending California Baptist University in Riverside focusing on graphic design and digital imaging. He plans to further his studies to pursue a career in game design at either Full Sail, the Art institute, or the Gnomon School of Visual Effects.

Watch all the 2011 DigiCom videos here!

Shooting DigiCom

On May 2nd, Di students were proud to shoot the 2011 DigiCom Student and Teacher Film Festival. Ten students worked the event shooting the stage as well as paparazzi style portraits of winners and attendees. 

Visit the DigiCom website here!

2011 SkillsUSA State Gold

On May 1st, Di student Spencer McQuinn took the gold medal for photography by a landslide at the 44th Annual State Leadership Conference and SkillsUSAChampionships in San Diego, CA.  

Students in this highly challenging contest submitted written and photographic portfolios, interviewed with professionals, took knowledge and professional development tests, and completed an on-site photography shoot which included work finalized in Photoshop. 

Spencer, will be the only student from the state of California moving forward to compete in photography at the 47th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, MO from June 20th-25th. As part of the award, his conference registration was paid for by the Professional Photographers of California.

This was DATA's first year competing at the SkillsUSA California state conference with a total of 5 individuals in photography and 5 teams in video product development. We look forward to expanding next year!

Learn more about SkillsUSA

A Spotlight on Digital Imaging

On April 30th, DATA sophomore Talyor Burns won the 2nd place award of $4,000.00 for photography at the 23rd Annual Music Center Spotlight Awards. This prestigious awards program showcases exceptionally talented youth from southern California who show great promise for careers in the art world. 

This was no ordinary photography contest and a first for the DATA Digital Imaging program. All student submissions were evaluated by leading professional artists who selected 15 semifinalists for each discipline. After Taylor's digital image Passion (above) made the cut, she was invited to interview with a panel of five photographers to receive personal feedback on her developing portfolio, as well as attend art workshops and museum tours in downtown LA.

The final award ceremony, hosted by Hell Boy's Ron Pearlman, was held in front of an audience of 3,000 people at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The cover photograph for the night's program was created by graduating DATA Di senior Spencer McQuinn.