Summer 2024
Thanks for opening our Summer 2024 newsletter. The RVPA team appreciates your interest and support. We’re excited to share that we’re approaching the official program launch and have a successful internship pilot underway. You’ll see that we’ve participated in some fun events to raise awareness while we continue to work with our industry partners to enhance the program curriculum. Happy Summer!
RVPA Internship Program
The RVPA internship program, supported by a partnership with the California Film Commission and the Foundation for California Community Colleges, has continued to exceed expectations since its inception last fall. Supervised by RVPA Technology Specialist, Kevin Leeper, 2 Diablo Valley College students who have embarked on program pathways are gaining exposure to and developing the skills necessary to configure and support the technology requirements of virtual production environments. (See the recognition below for their support at FanimeCon.) Two employers are collaborating with the RVPA to engage the interns in projects at their sites: Goal Line Studios and MOVRS. Goal Line Studios, the largest virtual production volume in Northern California, focuses on corporate and entertainment media productions. MOVRS, a Berkeley-based company with an international presence, is working on capturing athlete motions for detailed data analytics to enhance performance and media for live televised productions.
The program is now growing to include nine students, including students from Berkeley City College and Laney College. This is an exciting opportunity because it expands the program and demonstrates an intention of the curriculum design to have RVPA capstone students at multiple colleges collaborate on projects. The RVPA’s industry advisory constantly emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the virtual production work environment.
Regional Virtual Production Academy Thrives at 2024 Fanime Convention in San Jose
The Regional Virtual Production Academy attended the 2024 Fanime Convention in San Jose from May 23-26, showcasing green screen technology and virtual production techniques. Our booth attracted many visitors and highlighted our cutting-edge video production tools. Special thanks to Diablo Valley College volunteers Justin Mead and Azimuth “Azi” Wright for setting up, and Ohlone College students Kip Fletcher and Leighanne “Lee” Beth Nu for promoting our academy. We also appreciate the leadership of Monica Cappiello, Ohlone College RVPA Lead Faculty, and the support from DVC Department Chair Joann Denning. Their efforts ensured our success. We remain dedicated to educating future filmmakers and expanding our outreach.
Celebrating Juneteenth with AfroComicCon and Berkeley City College: A Fusion of Art, Culture, and Technology
On June 27th, Berkeley City College (BCC) of the RVPA and the AfroComicCon/Oakland Technology & Education Center (AFCC/OTEC) joined forces to host a unique and vibrant Juneteenth celebration. This event paid tribute to the national holiday recognizing the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States while engaging the community through a blend of art, culture, technology, and entertainment.
The event featured music performances, a diverse array of vendors, including non-profits and Black-owned businesses displaying art, comic books, and other unique products. The BCC Multimedia Arts department offered a virtual production backdrop that provided a setting for cosplay photo shoots, allowing participants to showcase their favorite characters in a virtual environment.
Berkeley City College Advances in Virtual Production with Backscreen Projection
Berkeley City College is advancing in virtual production with the recent installation of a backscreen projection system, led by students William Letchworth and Sasank Salem under Department Chair Mary Clark-Miller. This new addition promises enhanced creative capabilities, complementing their existing green screen studio. It expands opportunities for immersive storytelling and visual effects, offering students innovative approaches to virtual production. Next, they plan to test Mars tracking capabilities, aiming to further push the boundaries of virtual storytelling. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting initiative!
Discover the Latest Additions: Explore Our 2024 Student Portfolio
We are thrilled to announce the latest additions to our student portfolio section, featuring incredible projects from our talented community college students. Using Unreal Engine and other cutting-edge digital tools, these students have created works that showcase their advanced skills and creativity.
These Highlights Include…
Curriculum Update
The RVPA is making significant strides towards its goal of being listed on the California Virtual Campus (CVC) website. This milestone is crucial as it will enable students to easily access and register for RVPA’s fully online offerings. Partnership with CVC is vital for students seeking flexible and innovative educational options. The inclusion of RVPA on this site will not only increase its visibility but also attract a diverse range of students eager to delve into the dynamic field of virtual production.
The RVPA team is also proud to announce the development of a Virtual Production Professionals Certificate. This program will be specifically designed for current professionals in the industry who are looking to upskill or enhance their expertise in virtual production. The certificate program will be meticulously crafted with input and validation from the RVPA Industry Advisory, ensuring that it meets the highest standards and addresses the real-world needs of the industry. This initiative underscores RVPA’s commitment to supporting continuous professional development and fostering excellence in the rapidly evolving field of virtual production.
