Graduates Animate Michael Attardi's "Once Upon a Christmas Village"
Recent graduates of The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School didn't have to go far for their first jobs- They went from studying at DAVE School to working at DAVE Studios just days after graduation. DAVE Studios is a newly formed company (owned by school founders Jeff & Anne Scheetz) set up to provide animation services for their clients.

"Part of the original idea for the DAVE School was the combination of a school and a studio," said School Director Jeff Scheetz. "With our amazing instruction staff, the talented graduates and the cutting edge facilities, it makes a lot of sense." Scheetz is also quick to point out that production and class work never merge, "Actual production rarely fits into the constraints of our curriculum, so all of our commercial production goes to graduates who continue to hone their craft while getting paid."

"Once Upon a Christmas Village" is a 15 minute short written and directed by Michael Attardi who is now completing the script for a feature film version called Snowyville. The feature is scheduled to go into production in the fall. Scheetz adds,"We are really proud of how well the film is doing at festivals, and the European debut will be at Cannes. It's a really exciting time for DAVE Studios and Dream Balloon.

Related Links:
	Watch video clips at DAVE School.com
	Animation Magazine Article

Rick Ramirez goes on to Eden FX
Recent graduate of the March 2007 class, Rick Ramirez has recently gone on to work an internship at Eden FX, located in sunny Hollywood, California. This will make him the first DAVE School student to work for Eden FX!

"So far I've been mostly doing work on shots for a pilot episode." Rick says, "and a lot of Roto work. But I've also done some texturing for a commercial jet shot as well as a head replacement."

When asked why he attended the DAVE School, he replied "I became interested in 3D work after high school, but I didn't pursue it then. I spent 8 years in the military and on my last tour in Iraq, I downloaded some 3D trial software and started playing around with it. I then decided not to re-enlist and instead attend the DAVE School. My ultimate goal is to get a paying position at Eden FX or another effects house where I can do really cool work for film and television."

Rick's final project at the DAVE School was an episode of Star Trek: New Voyages entitled “World Enough and Time” where he was lead artist on the Enterprise model.

"The DAVE School was a great experience that prepared me very well for coming out to LA and jumping in head first. So far I haven't been asked to do anything that I didn't learn how to do at DAVE." said Rick.

Related Links:
	Eden FX
	Rick Ramirez' Portfolio