Digital Elixir News blog

Digital Elixir produced two, 2-D animated holiday cards for one of our clients:

2011-11-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

View Animation 01

View Animation 2

3D environments for an animated TV spot:

2011-10-21T11:39:00.001-07:00

Coming soon...

New Animated TV spot from DE:

2011-05-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/digitalelixir?feature=mhum

Animation Career Review Interviews Mark DiGiacomo of Digital Elixir Studios

2011-05-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

What is your firm's focus within animation and what led your firm to have such a focus on this one?

[MARK:] High end 3D character animation and technical product animation. Our goal of offering very high-end looking animation to consumer and corporate clients was aimed at fulfilling a need based on the expectations of maturing visual audiences both in marketing and in the business to business world.

Fill in the blank: The future of animation is _________.

[MARK:] Seamless with reality and all aspects of traditional production work.

What are the best and worst aspects about working in the animation?

[MARK:] Finding clients who understand the complexity and cost involved with producing animation that sells their products and/or actually has an impact in the market place due to quality and creative approach.

Among your firm's achievements, which one(s) are you the most proud of?

[MARK:] We enjoy 3D animation and our television commercials are very rewarding both to produce and to see audiences react to; however, our eLearning interactive work with training and corporate colleges also uses animation heavily and is an exciting growth area with the reward of educating audiences in a prolonged, engaging way.

What skills/qualities does your firm seek out when hiring new employees?

[MARK:] Due to not being in a major film/production hub, we focus primarily on utilizing contract talent at this stage. We look for creative ability and focus on the details that make their work stand out professionally across the board; We look to good communication skills, both verbally and in writing due to remote working conditions often; We look also to attitude and work ethic/style. We need to be sure that they can operate like a trusted friend as much as a contractor or employee. This business and the stresses of the work can be so tough, there's no time for unnecessary formality that would translate into a person not being 100% committed to the success of the creative work we're infusing into the business world.

What particular schools, if any, does your firm recruit new hires from? If none, where do you recruit new hires?

[MARK:] This is a tricky question. Right out of school is often our hardest choice, since sometimes they show a great reel but too often they seem very limited in scope and capability even if they are good. Often the work is not that great, but in the last couple of years we've noticed the reels looking a lot better in general. I can't recommend a single school, since submissions are so varied from around the globe. I can tell you that some of the work from students coming out of continental Europe is incredible.

What advice would you give to aspiring animators?

[MARK:] Get a full education because just knowing animation is today's equivalent of being a line worker at a car factory in the 1960's. Learn to write, read and everything else. Don't just be a technocrat because it won't be enough.

What were your most challenging projects, and why?

[MARK:] All projects present their own challenges, but any longer form project presents a larger set of challenges. Saying that, I'd say our long-form multimedia college courses have the most hurdles due to the combination of character animation, game development as well as intensive database development for the system to work as a tool for the shchools.

What kind of education did it take to get you where you are today?

[MARK:] Some of our people have gone to major art schools with degrees beforehand in the Humanities or other subjects like Product Design. My own education has been in English, film and media communications, but I read voraciously and bring aspects of history, drama and science knowledge to what we do - which includes sales and producing. Communication takes not only the ability to speak and write, but the mind to think on your feet and connect well with others. These are just as important as animation ability and come from a rounded education.

What animation software packages does your firm prefer to use? Which one would you recommend to beginners?

[MARK:] Lightwave 3D and Maya. That's a tough call, but I'd recommend those two. We use Lightwave a lot because it's versatile and allows for very high end results across the spectrum of projects we encounter yet it requires little support in terms of software management.

Could you share with us your best story about working in the animation industry.

[MARK:] I can tell you what drives us and me personally besides making a profit and being able to animate or a living, and that is the dramatic satisfaction in being almost lost in the creative refinement of the work itself. Once you're past the preliminaries and the rough cuts and working on the delicate refinements, magic can happen and you forget it's about anything other than human to human connection through awe, humor, story telling...that sort of thing. It transcends just business, yet it still serves it in the end. That's the goal of Digital Elixir Studios.

Do you think that there is an increasing or decreasing demand for animators overall? Why?

[MARK:] Well... there are an increasing number of schools possibly taking advantage of the desire for young people to animate. That doesn't necessarily mean jobs will be waiting when they step out of those doors. The Great Recession has thrown a big curve ball into the mix too. I do think the demand will continue to grow, not in the least due to the diversification of animation into all production as we're already seeing. But I caution any aspiring person interested to look hard at it and have other aspects to your education and life-plan because it is not an easy business and may never be. So the answer to your question is yes and no. There's an increasing number of wide-eyed animation graduates who may enter a very tough market for work, yet I think there will be increased need for certain talents and capabilities over the long haul. There may not be opportunities for every recent graduate to get a solid paying job, however. Sometimes you need to go get the work and make it happen in a field where profit margins have historically been a very tight game.

http://www.animationcareerreview.com/

Digital Elixir Studios Unveils New Logo Design

2011-02-10T13:26:00.001-08:00

Above is our DE logo design which was unveiled today.

We're doing a lot to strategize for future growth and opportunities as a company. The digital media market KEEPS CHANGING! So we're adapting to that change with new creative approaches to media distribution, like Android and iPad app development, as well as more advanced 3D character animation techniques and eLearning content development.

Keep checking out Digital Elixir for new developments in this time of opportunity and change. And think of us when you, a friend or a company you know needs to communicate their message visually!

~Mark DiGiacomo

Creative Director/Producer

DE Completes Leading-Edge eLearning Title

2010-12-07T13:15:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Digital Elixir Studios, Inc. has successfully completed a cutting-edge online E-Learning course which can be rebranded for various colleges and corporations - to evaluate employees and eventually provide full accreditation to students and aspiring professionals in the field.

The project marks a milestone in the exploding world of online learning courseware. This powerful learning tool also provides invaluable information to those providing the courseware. Data is collected at every step of the learning process and quizzes and creative gaming challenges are scored and averaged for Administrative evaluation. This new and exciting breakthrough has taken course content and adapted it to the online experience which includes a character-driven (hosted) narrative and conflict that serves the learning process. Through 3D character animation, voice acting as well as content driven 2D animation, Digital Elixir and its partners may very well be the first to implement interactive courseware at this level of creative and technical sophistication.

2010-10-12T07:30:00.001-07:00

Digital Elixir is proudly working with Raleigh NC's CENTERLINE studios. Producing informational, animated videos for IBM.

Digital Elixir Lands Educational Courseware Contract:

2010-08-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

PCC Corporate College’s Supply Chain Management Institute Lands $1.2 Million U.S. Department of Transportation Grant

07/14/2008: In recognition of its national leadership role in providing training for high paying jobs in Florida’s supply chain management and logistics industries, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1.2 million grant to Polk Community College’s Supply Chain Management Institute, one of eight institutes within PCC’s Corporate College division.

PCC was one of only five institutions of higher education in the nation to receive full funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation through its Transportation Education Development Pilot Program (TEDPP). Other fully-funded TEDPP grants were awarded to Penn State University, the University of Idaho, the University of Vermont, and California State University. Partially funded grants went to the University of Baltimore, North Dakota State University, and the University of Missouri.

“We are elated and proud to be the only community college in the nation to receive a fully-funded federal grant that will enable us to develop, refine, and expand degree and certificate programs offered by PCC’s Supply Chain Management Institute,” PCC President Dr. Eileen Holden said. “This grant not only reflects favorably on PCC, but also on our industry partners who have collaborated with us in bringing the Institute to fruition.”

According to Rob Clancey, director of the PCC Corporate College, PCC will receive $300,000 in each of the next four years and use the funds to expand and fine tune the Supply Chain Management Institute’s curriculum, establish a technically-advanced training lab featuring new computer hardware and software, and provide scholarship assistance for incumbent workers in the supply chain field who wish to pursue studies at the Institute.

“The grant will also give us much needed flexibility to add new programs to keep pace with the needs of our private sector partners and also allow us to share our expertise with other schools throughout the nation,” Clancey said, noting that the federal funding will help PCC achieve its goal of molding the Supply Chain Management Institute into a “model for the nation.”
Launched last summer, PCC Corporate College’s Supply Chain Management Institute evolved from a cooperative effort involving the Florida Banner Center, PCC, and leading firms in Polk County’s supply chain and logistics industry. Since its inception, the certificate-granting entity, under the leadership of Director Wayne Kline, has trained hundreds of people for jobs in Polk County’s supply chain industry.

At the present time, PCC is one of only two community colleges in Florida offering a training and educational program in Supply Chain Management leading to an Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
“PCC is proud to be meeting the special training needs of one of the fastest growing components of Florida’s economy through its Supply Chain Management Institute,” Dr. Holden said. “The Institute offers a classic example of the great things that can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together for the common good.”
According to the Employ Florida Banner Center, the average annual wage in Florida’s logistics and distribution sector is $48,669, as opposed to $36,804 in industry in general. Well trained workers in this sector can command up to $54 per hour, and the industry needs 11,000 men and women to meet current and future staffing needs.

Digital Elixir Studios Acquires Advanced Robotics Client:

2010-06-03T10:44:00.001-07:00

Digital Elixir Studios Inc. has been awarded a cutting-edge, and confidential advanced humanoid robotics visualization project. We look forward to building this machine of the future virtually for informational and design purposes related to real world applications.

Digital Elixir Studios Awarded TWO Telly Statuettes for 2010!

2010-03-25T11:51:00.001-07:00

Digital Elixir Studios has been awared TWO covetted 31st Annual Telly Award bronze statuettes for multimarket commercial spot animation/production! Digital Elixir Studios is proud to accept this remarkable achievement for 2010.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Linda Day, lindad@tellyawards.com
Phone: (212)675-3555

30th Annual Telly Awards Winners Announced
Telly again proudly honors the very best commercials, videos, films and internet work
www.tellyawards.com

New York City, NY -- (June 29, 2009) The Winners of the 30th Annual Telly Awards have been announced. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and around the world, this year’s 30th anniversary has been one of the most competitive and successful in the long history of the Telly Awards.

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest film and video productions, and groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Telly Awards, special Classic Telly categories were offered and open to all work produced since 1978. The Winners in the Classic Telly categories were awarded the special Gold Classic Telly Award. Less than 3% of entrants received The Gold Classic Telly Award.

This year's Winners include companies, agencies and organizations of all sizes, from large multinational media companies to small ad agencies and local production houses. A sample of Silver Telly Winners includes AEG Network LIVE, American Cancer Society, Bass Pro Shops, Booz Allen Hamilton, BrabenderCox, Colonial Williamsburg Productions, Cox Communications, DDB, Discovery Communications, Evans & Sutherland, Fox Soccer Channel, Grey NYC, GSD&M Idea City, Harpo Productions, HBO Latin America, IBM Digital Video Services, JWT BOOM, Keller Crescent Advertising, Laszlo Rain, Maguire Reeder, Ltd., Mercury Multimedia, Inc., Miami Dolphins, Microsoft, NBC Universal, New York Jets, NFL Films, Nickelodeon, Outdoor Channel, Penn College, Radio Television Hong Kong, Ruder Finn, Salon Films (HK) Ltd., Sony Pictures, Suddenlink, TBWA/Chiat/Day Los Angeles, The Inspiration Networks, TV Guide Network, Warner Bros., Young & Rubicam. To view the complete list of Silver Telly Winners and Classic Telly Winners for the 30th Annual competition, please visit www.tellyawards.com.

A prestigious judging panel of 350 accomplished industry professionals, each a past Winner of a Silver Telly and a member of the Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work - entries do not compete against each other - rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10% of entries are chosen as Winners of a Silver Telly, our highest honor. Other outstanding work is awarded a Bronze Telly. For a complete list of Silver Telly Council Members, please visit www.tellyawards.com.

To find out more about the Telly Awards, please visit our website at www.tellyawards.com.

Please contact Linda Day at the Telly Awards (lindad@tellyawards.com) for public relations inquiries: (212) 675-3555.

On the Separation of Business and Art

2010-01-20T06:09:00.000-08:00

By MARK DIGIACOMO, founder Digital Elixir Studios

At the dawn of the Industrial Age, the craftsmanship and artistry that defined all eras before it began to be subsumed by mass production. An artists filligree on a clock became a repeated stamp pattern. Without doubt, the practical benefits of this transformation of society and culture can not be understated. But thankfully we are entering a new era once more, and with it comes the need for a realignment in our thinking.

In these very uncertain times of change, how do people with exacting skills and creative dreams formulate a working career or business that both fulfills their yearnings while also maintaining a profit? Can this even be done effectively? Newspapers inform very well, but they're failing almost universally as a relic of a structured era who's stamp has yet to fully evolve in our consciousness. Papers attempt to entertain, but can't compete against flashy new electronic forms of communication. Must we compromise and stoop to either the lowest common denominator or turn to the field of real estate to make a buck in this new era? That last part is a joke, in case you missed it...

Films, television and video games produce profitable creative material every day. Video games are increasingly cinematic. But these fields are rather rarefied and not everyone needs to smite the surly forces of Kazzadoom to run their lives, or communicate with their customers.

We've observed over the past decade or so that from city planning to coffee selling, branding creatively and building an experience that people crave works in business. People come to rejuvenated small towns with historical sign posts and shady walks. They seek out expensive coffee for a moment of meditative connection to a richer, more aromatic life each morning. These trends are clues to the future of all business.

For those of us in the trenches of the hard-nosed world, it's become increasingly clear that approaching your customers and clients with these tenets in mind matters. But there's more to discern yet. We have another critical quiver in our arsenal that goes beyond what movies and coffee shops need to do to survive. My 3rd-grade son has taught me from school that it's called Pie. That is, P.I.E.: "Promote, Inform, Engage." And it's dead-on.

It's our job as creative people working with clients, customers and business to do more than just entertain. We need to go further than just build a brand. We need to go further than just inform. We need to do all of these things, and do them with originality and unity. Promote ideas by actually informing and educating the audience. This, in turn, is done by engaging them creatively, tapping into the imagination pertinent to the present and the future to come. The unity of PIE is more akin to a meticulously crafted religious mandala than the soap flake ads of old. It should reach into deeper emotion. Deeper connectivity and meaning.

That's our job. It's really as old as the Lascaux cave paintings. Set the stage for your message, offer real information and make it all engaging as hell. The Inustrial Age is over. Time to dismount the old stamping machines and look at business - at our lives - creatively, perhaps even spiritually, again. It can be done, but I'd argue that it must be done.

It's good business.

Digital Elixir launches new site

2010-01-13T10:58:00.001-08:00

Greetings!

Digital Elixir Studios, a premiere production company that designs engaging media solutions and branded content for entertainemnet companies, agencies and marketers, has launched an all new web site with improved search engine technologies, links to social networking sites and easier access to updated portfolio content.

We will be publishing articles and opinion pieces in this blog space, so stay tuned and get linked to us! It should be fun!

~ Mark DiGiacomo, Founder and Director
www.digitalelixir.com