This is a very cool event. Check out the interview I did with my buddy Deb!

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Q: Hi Deb! Why dont you start this blog interview by introducing yourself and what you do at WCC/Peekskill?

A: Hi Skywalker, I am Associate Professor Deb Krikun at Westchester Community College, I teach the Digital Arts at the Center for the Digital Arts at the Peekskill Extension. I have been teaching the digital arts for over 15 years.

Q: What is DIG.IT.ALL Film Fest and when and where is  it?

A: The 2009 DIG.IT.ALL ™ Film and Animation Festival  is on Tuesday, April 7th at 7-9pm 2009 films will be premiered at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill. The festival is produced by New Media Group which is a student club. Because of the many films and animations that students produce they thought a collaborative film festival with other colleges would be exciting, especially a 1200 seat theater such as the Paramount Center for the Arts.

Q: Where do you see the digital/computer industry going these days? What kind of jobs/skill sets will be needed in the future?

A: The jobs in New Media are growing, all industries need graphics, promotional, informational, educational or entertainment media - they want it interactive and they want it ALL on the internet – New Media is multimedia dynamic information found on the web.

The skill set varies from graphic designer – animator – composer - video editor – sound engineer – producer – manager – programmer – director - web development  - game design – interactive design – and much more - they must all understand what it takes to build New Media products or services.

Q: What types of projects does a digital student do at WCC/Peekskill?

A: The Center for the Digital Arts faculty, whether they teach graphics, music, video or animation - they help students learn the importance of creative effective design or expression using industry tools to produce real world projects. Each class assignment helps to build a professional portfolio for the student.  Some adult students come back just to retool their profession and build a successful demo.

Q: Tell us about the facilties and what students have at their disposal?

A: The Center offers six multimedia labs that houses all MACs  - each lab has 17 workstations – there is also a recording studio – The professional software programs include graphic design for web or print, video editing for live action or motion graphics along with digital filmmaking production, recording sound engineering, electronic composition, 2D animation and 3D animation studios. A 75 seat multimedia lecture hall for presentations or guest speakers. The facility is quite the professional digital dream  - no downtime and the latest version for all software programs.

Q: Is this  a good way to get a jumpstart in the industry or continue on to a college major in communications?

A: It is the only way – at this time we do not teach online digital art courses – because online students cannot get the one on one trouble shooting help that in-class instruction offers – sure, you can learn a technique or a tool with informational podcasts or online tutorials  - you cannot get assistance or professional feedback about your unique project or how to improve upon it or if you need another program to help resolve the desired outcome.

 Q: What kind of questions are most often asked?

A: Will there be a job for me??? – I chuckle when students ask me that because a good paying waitress job is competitive, everything is competitive - you might as well do what your best at doing and in a field that interests you -  then to hit the pavement for a job you do not want or like ! ! ! !

Q: Are there prizes awarded? Should  parents attend?
A: First place winners will intern with the award winning judge  - our notable judges all work in the industry. It is a FREE event  - ALL are welcomed – it is for family and friends – it is a very entertaining evening – films are 30 seconds to 5 minutes in length and all very diverse in five categories: FICTION, DOCUMENTARY, MOTION GRAPHICS, EXPERIMENTAL and ANIMATION  - for more information go to the website -  new media group .org

Testing this new application on my crackberry...The Videos will get better..I hope haha. Let me know what you think.

NEW CHINESE TAKE OUT PLACE IN BEACON..I TOOK THIS PIC..HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE THIS? LOL

....when at the public sink at the gym. Ok so i know its a lockeroom and people are naked but is it necessary to shave at the public sink naked? You cant wrap a town around you so your junk isnt all up on the public sink? Am i wrong here?

-SKY

I will see you at TGI Fidays today from 4p-7p! I will be doing my show live Irish style! What does that mean? Probably a lot of green beer or Jameson shots haha...come by...and enjoy!

DO YOU WATCH MTV'S MAKING THE BAND? K104'S NOT SO SILENT NIGHT IN DECEMBER WITH DONNY KLANG. MTV WAS ON HAND AND WE MADE THE SHOW. CHECK OUT THE EPISODE. FORWARD IN TO 14 MINUTES AND CHECK IT OUT.