Recent Digital Arts Alumnus Wins Student Academy Award
A video still from Gold Medal Student Academy Award-winning thesis animation Correspondence by alumnus Zach Hyer
Digital Arts alumnus Zach Hyer (M.F.A. ’10) was recently honored with a Gold Medal as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 38th Annual Student Academy Awards competition for his M.F.A. thesis animation Correspondence, first conceptualized during a Digital Arts storyboarding class. Hyer’s animation, which tied for the Gold Medal, was one of 12 selected out of 523 entries from students representing 136 U.S. colleges and universities. Hyer recently participated in a week of industry-related activities and social events, culminating with the awards ceremony on June 11 at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. At the ceremony, Hyer thanked Pratt Institute in his acceptance speech.
Correspondence is a 3-D animation that takes place during an undefined war and focuses on the issues of power abuse and control. The main character risks his life during the animation, which uses minimal narrative. Hyer says his animation serves as a critique of power structures. Visit Pratt's Graduate Digital Arts Gallery to view Hyer's award-winning work.
“Zach is a wonderful example of an artist working with technology. In his thesis animation Correspondence, Zach utilizes his considerable technical abilities to comment on issues that are both timely and universal,” said Digital Arts Chair Peter Patchen. Hyer expressed gratitude for the guidance he received from Pratt’s Digital Arts faculty and his adviser, Digital Arts Professor Michael O’Rourke.
Correspondence has previously been featured at the Melbourne International Animation Festival, SIGGRAPH Space and Time Industry Animation competition, Metropolitan College Computer Animation Festival, Canadian Film Centre’s SHORTSNONSTOP Festival, and the Crown Heights Film Festival. Hyer’s thesis animation was also honored in 2010 as an Adobe Design Achievement semi-finalist in the Animation category.
Correspondence tied for the Gold Medal with Dragonboy by Bernardo Warman and Shaofu Zhang of the Academy of Art University in California.
Hyer, who hails from Tannersville, New York, is currently freelancing as a digital artist in New York City.
Gateway Editors
Reader Comments (1)
Great! Thanks for shairng!