To create Soar, Tzue leveraged the impressive opportunities for artistic collaboration available in the Academy’s thriving creative community. “Over 100 people touched it, and we were able to make something cohesive that doesn’t look like a student film, ” she says. “All the work that went on behind the scenes is part of movie magic.” With a compelling storyline and clear vision for , Tzue had no difficulty involving students, faculty and professionals in the project. Team members from the schools of Illustration, Visual Development, and Animation & Visual Effects contributed specialized skills—including modeling, surfacing, texturing, and lighting—throughout the animation process.
“It’s wonderful that Alyce was able to realize her vision through the combined efforts of the Academy of Art University
community, ” says Animation & Visual Effects Graduate Director Tom Bertino. “Our program is designed to mirror the collaborative atmosphere of a professional studio, and the fact that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized the results is a tremendous tribute to the talents of our student body and the dedication of our faculty.” Academy of Art University previously saw 2010 MFA alumni Lisa Allen, Bernardo Warman and Shaofu Zhang strike gold at the Student Academy Awards with their 2011 animated short, Dragonboy.
