FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
San Diego State University and Logan/Wiatrak International Partner to Teach Tricks of the Hollywood Trade in Cuba
CONTACT: Jack Beresford, (619) 594-5204, jack.beresford@sdsu.edu
SAN DIEGO, Thursday, June 15, 2000 - Hollywood's top filmmakers are traveling to Cuba to teach the magic of special effects and computer animation during the first-ever seminars of its kind, June 18 to 30. San Diego State University and Hollywood's Logan/Wiatrak International are coordinating the program.
"Cuban students and faculty of filmmaking schools and Cuban film professionals will learn from the industry's experts as Hollywood's best discuss the dazzling world of special effects," said Kenneth Wiatrak, of Logan/Wiatrak International.
Computer animators, visual effects supervisors, computer compositors and effects producers from notable special effects films, such as "Dinosaur" and "Independence Day" will speak at Cuba's International School of Film and Television, the Cuban Institute of Cinematic Arts and Industries, the Cuban Union of Writers and Artists and the Foundation of New Latin- American Film. The groups will watch several films heavy with special effects, such as "Godzilla," "Titanic," "Stuart Little" and "Cliffhanger."
Lead by a team from CFX, Centropolis Effects, the seminar program is the first-ever effort to assemble the filmmaking industry's best to teach in Cuba. Individuals, such as Francis Ford Coppola and Robert Redford, have visited Cuba's International School of Film and Television; however, this is the first group to be invited by the Cubans and licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department.
"This Hollywood-Cuba filmmaking seminar is an expansion of San Diego State University's innovative partnerships in Cuba, as just this year the university signed a historic exchange agreement with the University of Havana," said Steven Loughrin-Sacco, co-director of SDSU's Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER).
Wiatrak explained that filmmaking is a respected art in Cuba. Cuban filmmakers are valued by the international filmmaking industry for their commitment to film literacy and non-propagandist filmmaking. Internationally acclaimed Cuban films include, "Strawberries and Chocolate," "Juan Tanamera" and "The Last Supper."
The film professionals who will be traveling to Cuba and their films of note include:
Judith Crow "Titanic"
Jini Dayaneni "T-Rex"
Thomas Dadras "Patriot" and "Wing Commander"
Antoine Durr "Volcano" and "Outbreak"
Cornelia Fauser "Independence Day" and "Godzilla"
Mark Franco "Patriot," "Stuart Little" and "Independence Day"
Greg Griffith "Dinosaur," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tarzan"
Neil Krepela "Cliffhanger" and "Dinosaur"
Kelvin Lee "Anaconda," "Stuart Little" and "Patriot"
Nelson Sepulveda "Godzilla," "Waterworld" and "Patriot"
Paolo Moscatelli "Deep Blue Sea" and "Patriot"
Kenneth Wiatrak "Dinosaur" and "Batman Forever"San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, it has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 76 areas, master's degrees in 59 areas and doctorates in 13. SDSU's more than 30,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with professors and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, log onto www.sdsu.edu.
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