The NATIONAL ANIMATION AND DESIGN CENTRE, along with the Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa editions of the daily "Métro", are pleased to announce the "Win a 3D Weekend" contest. Running from September 18 through October 13, 2006, the contest features four prizes, each a weekend introduction to 3D animation.  Winners can select one of two software programs, either 3DS MAX for video games development or SOFTIMAGE|XSI for the creation of digital cinema and television.  A prize valued at $350, this two-day introductory class is made available through the NAD Centre. The contest is open to all Canadian residents interested in the basic techniques of computer graphics and animation. Contest participants must fill out an entry form at http://www.nadcentre.com/regular/weekendcontest. Draws will take place every Monday at 9 am on the following dates: September 25, October 2, 9, and 16, 2006.

The NATIONAL ANIMATION AND DESIGN CENTRE is also pleased to announce its recent grant program "Earn your Scholarship", offered to all new students registering in the school's January 2007 session.  Students must be enrolled in a regular program, either 3D Animation and Visual Effects for Film and Television or Design and Digital Art for Video Games. The "Earn a Merit Scholarship" award aims to encourage job training in the fields of post-production, visual effects, and 3D computer graphics. The award consists of four entry scholarships, two per program of study. Each grant is valued at $4,000, the entire scholarship fund totalling $16,000. To earn a scholarship, students must complete the regular selection process, as well as meet additional requirements determined by the teaching staff.  Successful applicants will be selected based on their analytical abilities and creative talent.  Candidates interested in applying to the scholarship program can register at http://www.nadcentre.com/regular/scholarships.

The 3D Animation and visual effects for Film and Television program offers 48 weeks of cutting-edge training for candidates with prior studies or work experience and distinctive skills in visual arts (art, film, television, photography, graphic design, and illustration) or any other relevant field. An 8 to 12-week internship in an industry company follows the program. 
The program features extensive individual lab work, during which students explore the different fields of digital art while producing a series of works (animation, non-photo realistic render, compositing projects as well as final exercise specific to one’s field of specialty such as: matte painting, animation or modeling) that will serve as demos for their eventual job hunt.
 
By the end of the program, students have acquired the knowledge and expertise they need to work in the film and television post-production industry. Depending on the talents demonstrated by each individual, graduates may hold a variety of positions: digital matte painting artist, character animator, effects artist, modeling artist, technical artist, etc.

The Design and Digital Art for Video Games program offers 48 weeks of cutting-edge training for candidates with prior studies or work experience and distinctive skills in visual arts (art, film, television, photography, computer graphic design, illustration) or any other related field. A 12 to 16-week internship in an industry company follows the program. 
The program features extensive individual lab work, during which students have to create a 3D game environment, a cut-scene, a complete playable 3D game level integrated with Valve’s Half Life 2 engine, as well as final exercises specific to one’s field of specialty (level design, environment/textures, character modeling and animation) that will serve as demos for their eventual job hunt.

By the end of the training, students have acquired the knowledge and expertise they need to work in the game development industry. Depending on the talents demonstrated by each
individual, graduates may find positions as level designer, 3D animator, lighting/textures artist, cut-scene artist, technical artist, 3D modelor, etc...

About the NAD Centre
Established in 1992, the National Animation and Design Centre is a self-financed subsidiary of Le Cégep de Jonquière. Since its inception, it trained more than 800 CGI professionals who presently work in the film and television, post-production and gaming industries for companies such as Hatch FX, A2M, Buzz Image Group, Ubisoft, Hybride Technologies, Electronic Arts, Bioware, Digital Dimension etc. The NAD Centre, the first school world-wide to provide SOFTIMAGE software training, is one of a select handful of SOFTIMAGE|XSI,
an Avid DS Authorized Training Centre (ATC), and an Effect and Animation Autodesk Media & Entertainment Training Centre. With more than a decade of training experience, R & D, knowledge transfers and consulting services to individuals, corporations and education facilities, the NAD Centre enjoys an enviable reputation locally as well as in Venezuela, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom.

About Metro newspaper
Metro is the largest and fastest growing international newspaper in the world.  69 daily Metro editions are published in 21 countries and 19 languages. In Canada, Metro reaches over 1 390 000 readers every week. On a daily basis, Metro distributes 140 000 copies in Montreal, 267 000 copies in Toronto, 100 000 copies in Vancouver and 60 000 copies in Ottawa.

Source : Albane Français, NAD Centre  
  514.288.3447, ext. 404
  albanef <at> nadcentre.com