UNCSA sees growth in gaming and animation

As digital technology has increased in popularity, North Carolina has become home to a growing number of animation and gaming businesses that offer employment opportunities for graduates of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

The school is going through a growth spurt. Its mushrooming animation program now has nine students enrolled and officials expect the discipline to continue growing, especially with a new film school facility that will house the program by 2013.

And the school is in the early stages of planning a joint program between UNCSA and N.C. State University that would allow students to collaborate on gaming efforts. The program would have N.C. State computer engineers create code for the games, while filmmakers and storytellers from UNCSA would create the stories.

Winston-Salem Animation Company Helps Fight Childhood Obesity

Winston-Salem leaders are planning a website and animated film to educate children about nutrition — and put a dent in the growing problem of childhood obesity. A task force including people from the city, public school system, Gateway YWCA, Winston-Salem chapter of The Links, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Forsyth County, nutritionists and Out of Our Minds Animation Studios got together and developed the concept for the program. The website would use games to educate children about nutrition. Meanwhile, Out of Our Minds Studios, in addition to creating the website, will create an original animated film to teach children. "The quality of life of our children is soon to reach a tipping point," said John Cernak, the executive creative director at the studio. "I made a promise to my grandsons that I plan to keep. Our studio will help." Read more here.