Animation Students Learn From Two of Industry's Best

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Upper class animation students at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will learn from two of the animation industry’s most talented veterans during the term now taking place.

Brian Wells, lead animator at Rhythm and Hues, is teaching a weekly course, Portfolio Animation, during the winter term. And Jason Ryan a supervising animator at Dreamworks, will offer seniors Web-based critiques on a monthly basis.

“Wells came here as a visiting artist and agreed to teach her for a term to help our upper class students,” said Santosh Oommen, academic director for the Media Arts & Animation program. “He will be pushing the students to create quality animation.”

“Ryan’s monthly critiques of our students’ character animation projects will be Web-based,” Oommen explained. “While sitting at an Art Institute of California – Inland Empire computer specially equipped with a microphone, students will be able to upload their animated videos and receive the highest level of critique on them from Ryan.”

In addition, Ryan will share videos he has created with the students, and they will be able to save these videos for use outside of class, Oomen said.

Ryan was a supervising animator at Disney Feature Animation for 12 years. He graduated from the European School of Animation at Senior College in Ballyfermot, Ireland in 1993 as a Student of the Year. He started his career directly after college as a two-dimensional animator in London working on various German feature productions. After a brief stint in London working as an animator in computer games, he was hired by Disney Animation Studios. His first project was an animator on Fantasia 2000. Other projects included Dinosaur, Magic Lamp, Philarmagic, and Chicken Little (where he supervised the animation of the Chicken Little character). Currently he is a supervising animator on the movie Monsters Versus Aliens from Dreamworks Animation Studios.

Wells has worked in animation with Rhythm and Hues on The Golden Compass, Evan Almighthy, Garfield: Tale of Two Kitties, The Chronicles of Narnia (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), Ring Two, and Garfield. He has also worked on Charlotte's Web, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed The Cat in the Hat, Daredevil, Stuart Little 2, Men in Black II, Scooby-Doo, The Sum of All Fears and Cats & Dogs.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Feb. 19 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a free tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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SEMINAR GIVES HOMEOWNERS UNDERSTANDING OF TODAY’S MARKET

Attorney and broker Sharon Barnes will present a seminar  for homeowners and potential buyers Thursday, May 7 at MGR Real Estatein Colton.

(COLTON, Calif.) A seminar 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7 at MGR Real Estate will help potential homebuyers and sellers understand the complexities of today’s Real Estate market.

Sharon Barnes, a commercial broker and Real Estate attorney, along with other experts in the Real Estate business will conduct the seminar. They will address foreclosures and short sales and the impact of these on a seller’s credit report; relocation issues, special loan programs and tax credits and financing a home purchase.  Free market analyses and loan pre-approvals will be available.

One participant will win a $25 gift card.

MGR Real Estate is at 1461 E. Cooley Dr., Suite 205, Colton, CA 92324. To RSVP or for more information call (909) 503-1506 or email sharoncre@yahoo.com

Sharon Barnes is an experienced Real Estate attorney and certified commercial broker. Her expertise includes working with developers, contractors, investment groups, mortgage bankers and business owners. By combining legal and Real Estate expertise she provides valuable service to investors and property owners throughout the Inland Empire.

 

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Mood Indigo Coming to the Inland Empire

Chambree Culbertson of Riverside models a short-length formal at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire’s first fashion show. Fashion students are planning Mood Indigo, a big budget fashion show at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center on Saturday, June 6.


Keeira Ford of San Dimas models an elegant white formal at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire’s first fashion show. Fashion students are planning Mood Indigo, a big budget fashion show at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center on Saturday, June 6.


Keeira Ford of San Dimas,  designer Cassie Betts of Beverly Hills and another model take a curtain call after The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire’s first fashion show. Fashion students are planning Mood Indigo, a big budget fashion show at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center on Saturday, June 6.  

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) “Mood Indigo” is coming to the Inland Empire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire has announced Mood Indigo, a first ever fashion extravaganza that is open to the public.

Featuring the work of student designers and local sponsors, Mood Indigo will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

“The festivities lead up to a runway fashion show, featuring professional models wearing fashions created by students of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Fashion Design program, said Sherry West, Academic Director for Fashion. “The show will also feature selected fashions from Miss Me Jeans and Bebe’ Fashions.”

The Fashion Design and the Fashion & Retail Marketing students, along with their instructors, brand their work as “Fashion Empire.” West said she had three ideas that led to this name.

“First, the school is located in the Inland Empire region,” she said. “Second, every designer desires to have a fashion empire. Third, one of the most popular style lines in women’s wear is the empire waist.”

“Fashion Empire conveys the image of what we are,” she added. “I came up with this brand name before I arrived in the Inland Empire, and the fashion students and I have been preparing for the show since I came on board in December.”

After developing the brand, another of West’s early decisions was to select a theme for the fashion show.

“When coming up with the theme and title for the show I thought of the fashion trends,” West said. “I also needed a concept in which our first-year students could immerse themselves in a short period of time so, I thought of denim. Everyone loves denim. It has as much history as it has style, so denim was the concept.”

“Indigo is the dye that is used in denim, and Mood Indigo is the name of a 1930s jazz composition by Duke Ellington,” she said. “I wanted to create a play on words as fashion designers create moods. I remembered Duke Ellington’s composition, which seemed an appropriate title and theme for our inaugural show.”

With denim as the concept, and Mood Indigo as the theme, the fashions will focus on denim, but they will include everything from stylish jeans to evening wear.

West and her students have also worked hard to plan the show. They brought on Quyenzi Pham, CEO of Q. Zi Productions, Inc., a production company to handle many of the details.

Quyenzi has found professional sponsors, including: Bebe’ Fashions, Miss Me Jeans, IE Style magazine, Glacial Smart Water and Jade Aveda.

She is also locating professional models through top southern California talent agencies, and has arranged for other attractions besides the runway show. These will include performances by acrobats in the style of Cirque du Soleil and a beauty bar where guests can sample products and receive beauty advice from sponsor Jade Aveda.

Students are making behind the scenes preparations as well. Many will be dressing models, coordinating their accessories, styling their hair and applying their makeup.  Some will serve as ushers for the event.

“Everyone will be involved in some way,” West said. “Preparing for any fashion show has many facets and this is no exception.

Fashion Empire has already created a smaller fashion show for a private event. “Mood Indigo” is the second of many the students will plan and execute as they complete the requirements for their bachelor’s degrees.

“The experience these students gain, both as designers and as behind-the scenes workers, will be important preparation for the students’ future careers in the fashion industry,” West said.

“They let potential employers know where talent can be found,” West added. “These shows could lead to internships for our student or perhaps a job. Everyone is getting experience.”

Fashion shows also benefit Retail Management students, as they will eventually have to produce fashion shows for the retail organizations they will work for. Students are taking on different roles in each fashion show that Fashion Empire will produce, so they learn all of the different aspects.

As industry professional Quyenzi Pham sees it, the experience students receive through fashion programs will make a dynamic impact on the region’s fashion scene – and beyond.

“There is no other school that provides degrees in these specific areas here,” she said. “There are many creative, stylish, and capable students in the Inland Empire who will be able to gain a vast amount of knowledge and skills, which will spring board them into the fashion world as professional designers and marketers. These students will play a key role in bringing fashion design, retail, and merchandising to not just the Inland Empire, but to the fashion industry as a whole.”

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management.

Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin May 18 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information, or to arrange a tour, call Richard Green at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire), a system of more than 40 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. 

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'Hot' Careers In a Cool Economy

Dr. Fardad Fateri, chief executive officer, International Education Corporation says career fields such as health, education and technology are still showing a huge demand for workers.

(IRVINE, Calif.) A quick glance at headlines featuring layoffs, cutbacks and bankruptcies is enough to make the average American think the end is near. However Dr. Fardad Fateri, chief executive officer of International Education Corporation (IEC), said there are plenty of jobs available – if you look in the right areas.

“After 20 years of placing students in viable careers and hiring hundreds of employees, I believe that people with the right education can find employment even in a down economy,” said Fateri, CEO of IEC, parent company of UEI College and Advanced Career Training. 

Shannan Gonzales recently completed UEI College’s degree in business office administration, a career field for which there is always high demand. After completing an internship with Dameron Communications, the last part of her UEI College education, she was hired and began her new career as an administrative assistant in the public relations department.

“My education gave me skills and knowledge about computers and office procedures that I didn’t have before,” she said. “I have a job in the profession I am interested in, and the opportunity for an even greater career in the future.”

Fateri says career fields such as health, education and technology are still showing a huge demand for workers.

These predictions are also supported by recent workforce studies. U.S. News and World Report’s list of best careers for 2009 includes biomedical equipment technician, curriculum/training specialist, engineer, genetic counselor and health policy specialist.

“With the aging of the baby boomers and people living longer than ever before, professionals in healthcare continue to be in high demand, from diploma programs all the way up to medical doctors,” Fateri said. “Other health care professions such as dentistry, herbal medicine, chiropractic medicine and acupuncture are also enjoying continued growth."

Fateri said that Healthcare programs are also popular at UEI. “The Medical Assisting program currently has the highest enrollment,” Fateri said. “We expect continued growth in these programs as demand for entry-level healthcare workers expands.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ November 2007 Monthly Labor Review lists network systems and data communication analysts, personal and home care aides and home health aides as the top three fastest growing occupations in the next 10 years.

The Labor Market Information Division of California’s Employment Development Department predicts that from 2006-2016, network systems analysts, computer software engineers and veterinary technicians will see a 40 percent increase in demand for their services.

Fateri said these statistics show there is continued demand for technology workers. However this is not simply hardware and software designers and developers. Technology is merging with other disciplines to create a demand for workers in areas such as biotechnology, genetic engineering and green technology.

“The most exciting emerging discoveries in the next few decades will occur through the research of these talented cross-disciplinary professionals,” Fateri said.

Even with the recession, Fateri says there is still demand for employees with business administration, administrative assistant and management consultant training. “Small and medium-sized companies need individuals to run their businesses so training for these areas always yields positive results,” Fateri said.

Criminal Justice is another hot career field, since there is always going be a demand for employees who can work in security, protection, investigation and law enforcement.

“Also, the education field is continuing to grow,” Fateri said. “With the retirement of thousands of educators and the increased demand for skilled workers, we will need thousands of teachers, teacher’s aides, administrative assistants, network systems technicians and support staff in the K-12 and the higher education system.”

Fateri predicts that in the coming years the American economy will continue to transition away from labor and economic infrastructure to service-focused industries, information collection, analysis and management, research and design.

Fateri offers this important piece of advice to students. “If you want to secure employment after graduation, select a major that is in demand, and has the academic content designed to prepare you for a career,” he said.

“I always suggest that people follow their passion, but if they don’t have one, select an academic career field in high demand – healthcare, business, technology, justice or education. Focus on your studies, get fantastic grades, but also spend time developing your athletic, social and philanthropic side. Successful corporations are always looking for talented, well-rounded individuals who can cope with the demands of a competitive workplace,” Fateri said.

International Education Corporation, the parent company UEI College (UEI) and Advanced Career Training, is a premier provider of post-secondary education. UEI College and Advanced Career Training.

UEI College has seven campuses located in the California cities of Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Huntington Park, Ontario, San Bernardino, San Diego and Chula Vista. Advanced Career Training has training centers located in Riverdale Ga., and Jacksonville, Fla. 

Fateri said IEC offers life-long learning ranging from training young people for their first steps into the workforce, to reeducating adults for high-demand careers.

“Some young people are unsure of what career direction they should take when they leave high school,” Fateri said. “But whatever they do, they need to work. IEC helps young people train for entry-level positions in their chosen fields. After they graduate from an IEC program into their chosen profession, we are there for them when they need the training to move to the next level.”

UEI College is a career education school dedicated to providing students with the best possible career training and education in a student-centered environment. They have helped students in Southern California prepare for their future careers for more than 25 years. Their instructors are industry-proven professionals who care about helping students join them in their profession.

UEI College offers career training in business administration, healthcare, massage therapy, computer technology and pharmacy. Students at UEI College have many choices for their new career and all are in high demand.

"Our Career Services Department helps prepare our students for employment after graduation. Our history of producing great employees has employers in the industry always on the lookout for our next class of graduates,” Fateri said. 

UEI College is accredited by ACCET and has a CompTIA A+ Certification Program.

For a free campus tour or for more information call (888) 764-4162 or go online to http://www.iecglobal.com/ IEC or  UEI.

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INTERNATIONAL CULINARY SCHOOL DIRECTOR EYAD JOSEPH NAMED CHEF EDUCATOR OF YEAR

Chef Eyad Joseph has been named the Chef Educator of the Year by the Southern California Inland Empire Chefs & Cooks Association. Carl Dameron Photo

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Southern California Inland Empire Chefs & Cooks Association has named Chef Eyad Joseph its Chef Educator of the Year for 2009.

Chef Joseph (CEC, CCE, CCA) academic director of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire was named the Chef Educator of the Year on Sunday, Jan, 11 at the Association’s annual gala at the Riverside Marriott.

“I was very surprised and honored to be selected,” Chef Joseph said. “This award is a wonderful accomplishment.”

Chef Joseph has been with The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire since shortly before it started its culinary arts and culinary management programs in January, 2007. In those two years, the programs have grown from four students and one instructor to 350 students and four instructors. The culinary arts program recently awarded its first degrees.

“The association nominated him because of the effort he has put into developing the programs of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire,” said Chef Gerald Eggers, vice president of the Southern California Inland Empire Chefs & Cooks Association and an instructor at the International Culinary School of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

“We also are recognizing his efforts in bringing talented new chefs to this area through the school, his community involvement and his advocacy for higher education in the culinary profession.”

“I enjoy what I do and I will continue to grow my program and contribute to the educational aspect of my craft,” Chef Joseph said. Education is what brought me here and I want to show students to push forward and recognize their talents in and out of class. “

Southern California Inland Empire Chefs & Cooks Association is the local affiliate of the American Culinary Federation, an organization formed 80 years ago to promote the image of American chefs throughout the world.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start working on a culinary degree from The International Culinary School. Courses begin May 18 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information, or to arrange a tour, call The International Culinary School at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
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Preventing Sickness Focus of 2009 Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference

Phyllis Clark announces the Fifth Annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference will be held Aug. 1 at California Baptist University. Chris Sloan photo.

(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) The fifth annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference (www.healthyheritagemovement.com) has set the date of the 2009 conference for August 1 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at California Baptist University in Riverside.

“This year we will focus on prevention,” said Phyllis Clark, founder and president of the Healthy Heritage Movement. “We now have a sick care system, not a health care system. If something’s wrong, we patch it up. We don’t address the problems before they start, which is so much more effective.”

Clark added that prevention is especially key this year because President Barack Obama is making healthcare reform a priority. His comprehensive healthcare plan will modernize the system by investing in prevention initiatives.

“I am thrilled to know that the President’s plan is promoting health and wellness,” she said. “His plan emphasize that wellness is a shared responsibility and will empower Americans by providing resources and making prevention services accessible to all.”

As a member of African-American Health Initiative team and surviving daughter of a mother lost to colon cancer, Clark committed herself to help Black people live longer. The Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference will teach the community how to find the resources and how to take control of their healthcare.

“The Healthy Heritage Movement mission is to eliminate health disparities in the Black community by providing cultural relevant resources, peer navigation, and advocacy training,” Clark said. “Now that we have a federal administration that supports wellness, we as a community must be proactive and diligent about accessing the prevention resources and opportunities that will be available.

The 2009 conference will offer seminars from the nation’s leading healthcare professionals together with free screenings for mammograms, HIV/AIDS, prostate cancer and blood sugar levels, Clark said.

The free Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference is organized by a committee, which includes community members, Inland Agency, the American Cancer Society, the Southern California Witness Project, Dameron Communications and many volunteers.

Sponsorships for this year’s conference are still available. They include The American Cancer Society, Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), , The Purpose Center, City of Hope, the Riverside Community Health Foundation, Inland Agency, Abbott, Novartis, Southern California Edison and Dameron Communications.

For more information or make a reservation to attend the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference call (951) 288-4375 or e-mail info@healthyheritagemovement.org

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