FLASHPOINT ACADEMY INCLUDED IN VARIETY REVIEW OF MEDIA EDUCATION CENTERS IN ILLINOIS

Learning media in Illinois

State boasts schools offering varied education

By IAIN BLAIR


FLASHPOINT ACADEMY

Bills itself as a digital media arts college, with courses in gaming, vfx and animation. Two-year game development, design and production course features training and creative content-building with tools such as 3D Studio Max, Soft­Image XSI, ZBrush, MudBox and Adobe Creative Suite. Has connections with local Chicago studios, including Midway Games, Wideload, Pop Cap Games and Day 1 Studios. The Visual Effects & Animation course uses 3D animation tools including Maya. Also offers a traditional film program with classes in screenwriting, previsualization and cinematography using both film and high-def cameras.

THEATER SCHOOL AT DEPAUL U.

Trains in all dramatic arts and puts on some 40 plays each season. Undergraduate conservatory offers 12 BFA courses; graduate conservatory offers three MFA courses in acting, directing and arts leadership. Special programs include Chicago Live: The Arts and the G.O.D. Squad.

NORTHWESTERN U.

Drama-major program draws on courses from departments in the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Communication and the School of Music. Course titles include African-American Studies and Medieval Drama.

THE SCHOOL AT THE STEPPENWOLF THEATER

Offers a variety of courses, including an on-camera one that runs for eight weeks every summer and is taught by casting director Claire Simon. Other courses are taught by Bob Mason from Chicago Shakespeare and Adam Belcoure from Goodman as well as by several members of the Steppenwolf ensemble.