In March 2022 NextGen students were invited to join the multi-award-winning Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) for an inspiring three-day remote work experience placement! Since being founded by George Lucas in 1975, Industrial Light & Magic has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. They have won 16 Best Visual Effects Oscars for their work on films including Star Wars, the Jurassic Park and World films, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Students were tasked with responding to a sample moodboard brief from ILM, similar to those that a VFX Production Designer/Concept Artist within their Art department would receive, before presenting their work to a panel from ILM. 31 students from nine NextGen colleges were invited to join the remote programme, working in teams to deliver on the brief while learning about the VFX production pipeline, attending masterclasses with ILM artists, and getting a sense of how large teams work collaboratively to concisely, clearly, and creatively present their concepts.
The Brief and deliverables
The brief was to develop moodboards and designs to “Redesign the Production Design of the Jurassic Park car interior scene.”
Each team had to deliver moodboards for:
New Era/Time for the scene to be set
Environment/Production Design
New Character or Creature
The four teams had three days to brainstorm, research and create their moodboads before pitching their work to a panel from ILM including,…INSERT PANEL DETAILS
Best Game - Winner
Artery Attack - Built by Daniel Lewis Chapman of Hartlepool Sixth Form College
Daniel said: When making this game, I was inspired by the current pandemic to create a game about a possible way to treat viral illnesses in the far future. You play as a robot injected into the arteries of a patient, with the goal of destroying all of the viruses and bacteria in the patient's body.
Comments from judges at Creative Assembly: This was an all-round fantastic experience! The art, audio and gameplay worked really well together, and we were really impressed by how different combinations kept coming. Our highest score was 7,690!
Best Traditional Media - Winner
The New Norm (Comic - WIP) - Created by Greta Sirvinskaite of Uxbridge College
Greta said: Though I didn’t get to finish the comic the message would end with, “Why don’t we keep the good deeds as our ‘New Norm’?” During this week, I learned a lot, and the Game Jam truly helped me out with keeping myself busy during the pandemic.
Comments from judges at NextGen: Greta’s comic was emotionally charged and contained some biting social commentary. She kept the work relevant to the brief and the pandemic. What really lifted her work to the next level was the document she created that breaks down her whole creative process. Being able to communicate your creative choices is absolutely key in these industries, and Greta did this fantastically.
Best Animation - Winner
It's Quiet - Created by Harry Tombs of Hartlepool Sixth Form College
Harry said: I made this short animation showing an empty city and representing my feelings on the current situation we’re in and how life has changed, in terms of impact and how the streets look currently. No piece of art is ever finished just not being worked on, and given the amount of time I had I'm happy with what I've made.
Comments from judges at Blue Zoo Animation: Harry’s short video displays excellent creativity and technique. The story it tells is quirky and humorous and also relevant to The New Normal. The story is told in comedy timing which adds to the appeal. I was particularly impressed with the newspaper simulation at the beginning
Best Game - First Runner Up
Your Childhood Home - Built by Calum Pallister, Matthew Nixon, Taylor Galhagher, Tyler Dobson of Sunderland College
Comments from judges at Creative Assembly: Genuinely creepy. Clever use of visual tech, great use of sound and great art all round.
Best Game - Second Runner Up
VR HORSEWOOSH - Built by Jake Williams, Josh Robinson and Matthew Keily of Hartlepool Sixth Form College
The students said: Our motivation when we made this game was inspired by our current normal of just playing the same old games, we wanted to do something else that others may benefit from, and that may help them get through this difficult time.
Comments from judges at Creative Assembly: It’s great to see a working VR game in a game jam! The visuals were great, the music, feel of the drive, and SFX feedback were also really good.
