Chris Lee, founder of the (ACM System), has been named emeritus faculty by University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel. Lee served as director of ACM for more than two decades. He led the UH ACM initiative, which spans all 10 campuses and continues to empower students to pursue careers in digital storytelling, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous narratives rooted in �鶹��ý. Reflecting the state’s unique cultural diversity, ACM is the first majority Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander media school in the country.

Now, the Hollywood veteran is stepping down, leaving a legacy that expanded �鶹��ý’s creative pipeline and opened doors for homegrown storytellers and creators.

Lee said, “There are so many people to mahalo for this honor. I am so grateful to the 2004 Board of Regents, which originally approved ACM as a system-wide initiative, key alumni like Roy and Hilda Takeyama who gave generously to both start and sustain us, legislators and governors who financially supported the build out of the program across the islands, the local production industry that has embraced our students, our exceptional faculty and, most of all, our talented graduates who are driving �鶹��ý’s growing and vital creative economy.”

Under Lee’s leadership, the ACM System launched UH ����ԴDz� ACM (now known as the ), , , and program. It also supported the creation of at UH West Oʻahu, UH Esports, and collaborated with UH ����ԴDz�’s (ICS) department to develop . Lee enhanced existing media programs at , , �鶹��ý CC, , and .

Many of them are earning a living doing what they love, right here in �鶹��ý, telling their stories to the broadest possible audience. That was always the goal.
—Chris Lee

Uniquely, ACM fostered the first comprehensive articulation agreements between all seven community colleges and UH West Oʻahu, where Lee also led the development and funding of ACM’s state-of-the-art Student Production Center.

“Chris Lee’s foundational leadership and contributions have catalyzed creative media education across the UH System and elevated �鶹��ý’s stories to a broader audience,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “Drawing from his groundbreaking career in Hollywood, he helped build a thriving creative pipeline here at home. We thank him for his decades of service and are proud to honor him with emeritus status for his lasting influence at UH and our state.”

• Tributes and reflections on Chris Lee and his legacy at UH

A systemwide vision

Raised in �鶹��ý and an alumnus of ʻIolani School, Lee graduated from Yale University before starting a successful career as a motion picture executive and film and television producer. The first person of Asian ancestry to lead a major Hollywood studio, serving as President of Production at TriStar Pictures and Columbia Pictures, he oversaw iconic films such as Jerry Maguire, Philadelphia, As Good As It Gets and more.

After returning to �鶹��ý in the early 2000s, Lee was invited to “start a film school” at UH. He imagined a cross-campus network that could elevate creative media education statewide.

“Rather than just focusing on one campus at ����ԴDz�, I visited every campus in the UH System,” Lee said. “I met with faculty, staff and students and saw what already existed, including the animation program at Kapiʻolani CC and the TV studios at Leeward CC, and thought, ‘What if we built something that connected all of them?’”

In January, 2004, the UH Board of Regents formally established ACM, and Lee became its Founding Director. Over time, the initiative grew into a coordinated system offering specialized pathways in creative media, animation, gaming and digital content creation.

Empowering students and communities

At UH West Oʻahu, now the flagship for ACM, students can now pursue degrees in creative media, game design, communications and more. UH ����ԴDz�’s School of Cinematic Arts focuses on narrative filmmaking, animation and Indigenous storytelling. The community colleges and UH Hilo offer strong foundations in production, media theory and animation.

“What made this possible was the advent of affordable digital technology,” Lee said. “Thanks to early support from donors and UH alumni, including Roy and Hilda Takayama and Jay Shidler, we gave students a ‘Digital Toolbelt’—Macs with editing software, cameras and sound equipment. It let them tell stories that were true to themselves and shareable with the world through online platforms.”

Creating an industry pathway

From the start, Lee emphasized that ACM wasn’t just about making films. “It was about preparing a workforce that could thrive in the future digital economy, in storytelling, animation, games, immersive media and beyond,” he said. Today ACM graduates from every UH campus are driving �鶹��ýʻs growing creative economy.

Many of those early students have gone on to make significant contributions to film and television, including Daniel Ledoux Miller, co-director and co-writer of Moana 2; Bryson Kainoa Chun, a writer for Moana 2 and Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., who, along with fellow UH alumnus Alika Tengan, was named to the inaugural Indigenous List recognizing top Native screenwriters.

ACM graduates work for Pixar, Disney, HBO, NBC and Netflix, but most have stayed in �鶹��ý to build production companies or lead communications teams in sectors far beyond entertainment.

“Every business now wants an in-house videographer and social media content,” Lee said. “While graduates from UH �Ѳ��ԴDz�’s ACM like Christopher Makoto Yogi and Alika Tengan debuted their features at the Sundance Film Festival, students coming out of UH West Oʻahu are making TikTok capstones and going on to run campaigns for companies like BMW/Mini and even Honolulu City Hall.”

A hub for the future

The $37-million ACM Student Production Center at UH West Oʻahu opened in 2022 and has already become a hub for content creation, film and student collaboration. Adjacent to the facility is the proposed site of a state-of-the-art motion picture and television studio, currently under development.

The project, spearheaded by the Island Film Group team in partnership with UH, will include modern sound stages, production facilities, and a town square with live-work, retail, dining and lodging. The studio is envisioned as a transformative center for the West Oʻahu region and the state’s growing media industry.

“This is the natural next step in ACM’s evolution,” Lee said. “Combined with the UHWO Student Production Center, this complex will help elevate ACM to a global level. One of the project requirements is integration with ACM, which means our local students will have real opportunities—paid internships, mentorship and jobs with living wages.”

Driving innovation across the UH

Even as he steps back, Lee is helping guide ACM’s evolution through new initiatives. Most recently, he has been actively involved with the Aloha AI Institute, a proposed UH initiative that, like ACM System, aims to unite all 10 �鶹��ýcampuses. The project will equip students with the tools and opportunities to explore AI’s role in creative fields, particularly in integrating Indigenous knowledge and cultural narratives.

Lee also helped create a new computational creative media degree at UH ����ԴDz� ICS, launched in fall 2024, which prepares students to use AI tools in video games, animation and digital content. His push into esports led to �鶹��ý’s largest tournament in 2024, the �鶹��ý Esports Invitational, hosted at UH West Oʻahu. The event brought together six UH campuses, out-of-state universities such as Michigan State, and local high schools, showcasing how ACM initiatives are preparing students for future careers while supporting economic diversification.

A lasting impact

ACM’s transformation into a nationally recognized, culturally grounded media school stands as part of Lee’s enduring legacy—one that elevates �鶹��ý’s stories and storytellers on the global stage.

“Everybody hopes they leave someplace better than how they found it,” Lee said. “Now we have hundreds of ACM graduates. Many of them are earning a living doing what they love, right here in �鶹��ý, telling their stories to the broadest possible audience. That was always the goal.”

Reflections on Chris Lee

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award was established by Tadashi and Elizabeth Kunimoto to honor the founders of Chikara Products, Inc., specializing in �鶹��ý foods such as Aloha Tofu, Maui Natto and Chikara Konnyaku. This award is given in alternate years: on even years to a faculty member, and on odd years to a student, who makes a significant contribution to career and technical education in the .

�鶹��ý Community College student has been named the recipient of the 2025 Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award.

Krueger’s dedication to research, community service and leadership set her apart. She recently participated in the Summer 2024 BIOMADE Kalo Research Internship, where she explored the fermentation process of kalo and its implications for nutrition and food security. Her commitment to sustainability extends beyond the lab—she actively supports local food distribution efforts and conservation projects on �鶹��ý Island.

“Cathryn’s achievements exemplify the spirit of this award,” said Chancellor Susan Kazama. “She is always so positive, and it shows in her passion for sustainable agriculture, commitment to community service, and drive to make a difference through hands-on learning. She truly represents the values honored by the Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award.”

In addition to her agricultural and environmental work, Krueger has used social media to enhance outreach for the �鶹��ý CC Agriculture Program and contributed to landscaping efforts for the �鶹��ý CC Model Home Project. She also finds cultural connection through Kūkūʻena, a hula hālau that brings together UH Hilo and �鶹��ý CC students and staff.

“I’m incredibly proud of Cathryn and all that she’s accomplished,” said Assistant Professor Lew Nakamura. “She’s not only an exceptional student but also a leader who uplifts those around her. This recognition is well deserved.”

Other nominees

Three other outstanding students were nominated for this year’s award:

Sean Belisle from Honolulu Community College has shown remarkable leadership and initiative in the Computing, Security & Networking Technology program, serving as president of the HATS club, leading national cybersecurity competitions, and inspiring his peers through hands-on projects and mentorship.

Lucas Stevens of Kapiʻolani Community College is a standout New Media Arts student whose leadership, creativity and innovation—particularly in directing a practicum short film and exploring AI in game development—have made a strong impact on career and technical education at his campus.

Janie-Maria Kikila of Leeward Community College is a driven and entrepreneurial student who returned to college to pursue a Business Management degree, founding a campus marketing club and leading impactful initiatives to boost student engagement and success.

Students from University of �鶹��ý campuses scored huge wins at the . new media arts students won 19 out of 24 awards, and students won 3 awards. From , an alumnus who also studied at won 3 awards including 2023 Best Of Show – College, and a lecturer was named American Advertising Federation – �鶹��ý 2023 Ad Person of the Year. The Pele awards recognize excellence in advertising and design in the State of �鶹��ý for the past calendar year. Awardees were honored at the Pele Awards Show, which was held on May 6 at the Elks Lodge Honolulu in Waikīkī.

Kapiʻolani CC winners

Pele Gold

• Tre Zamora
  Project: Piko Website
  Medium: Online/Interactive Website (Desktop or Mobile)

• Tre Zamora
  Project: ISLE Mobile App
  Medium: Online/Interactive App (Mobile or Web-Based)

• Cassandra Neri (Judges Award Winner)
  Project: Jaipur Tourism
  Medium: Point of Purchase

• Leighna-Ann Lariosa
  Project: Book Cover Designs
  Medium: Sales & Marketing Collateral Material, Publication Design Cover

Pele Silver

• Cassandra Neri
  Project: Happy Worms
  Medium: Product or Service Sales Promotion Packaging

• Tre Zamora
  Project: Forge Web Design
  Medium: Online/Interactive Website (Desktop or Mobile)

• Tre Zamora
  Project: Forge Logo
  Medium: Logo Design

• Tre Zamora
  Project: Piko Logo
  Medium: Logo Design

Pele Bronze

• Kimi Li
  Project: Sango
  Medium: Stationery Package – Single or Multiple pieces

• Leighna-Ann Larioza
  Project: Typography Book
  Medium: Editorial Spread or Feature

• Sua Lee
  Project: Typography
  Medium: Cover/Editorial Spread or Feature – Series

• Tre Zamora
  Project: Hana Social Media Campaign
  Medium: Online/Interactive Single Execution

• Kimi Li
  Project: Sango
  Medium: Stationery Package

• Leighna-Ann Lariosa
  Project: Typography Book
  Medium: Editorial Spread or Feature

• Sua Lee
  Project: Typography
  Medium: Cover/Editorial Spread or Feature

• Tre Zamora
  Project: Forge Branding & Identity Design
  Medium: Integrated Brand Identity Campaign

• Jennifer Zuniga
  Project: Mexico City Logo
  Medium: Logo Design

• Cassandra Neri
  Project: Happy Worms Illustration
  Medium: Illustration

• Michael Harrell
  Project: Cohort
  Medium: Cinematography

• Tre Zamora
  Project: Piko Video Reel
  Medium: Cinematography

• Sua Lee
  Project: BLT Sandwich
  Medium: Animation or Special Effects

UH ����ԴDz� winners

Pele Gold

• “,” (all 4 student videos), 1001 Stories – Jonathan Walk
  Medium: cinematography campaign

• “Finding Our Kuleana,” (Beau), 1001 Stories – Johnathan Walk
  Medium: cinematography single

• “Finding Our Kuleana,” Johnny Helm
  Medium: music campaign

Pele Bronze

• “Finding Our Kuleana” (Kahea)
  Medium: Corporate Social Responsibility – Film, Video, Sound

• Divine Grace Cabico
  Online/Interactive – Website (Desktop or Mobile) for “Finding Our Kuleana”
  Integrated Brand Identity Campaign

UH West Oʻahu winners

Pele Gold

• Dexter Corpuz
  Slappy Cakes Maui – Rebranding
  Medium: Branded Content & Entertainment Campaign

• Dexter Corpuz (UH Maui College)
  Cosmic Brewery Company
  Medium: Elements of Advertising Logo Design

Pele Silver

• Dexter Corpuz
  Tesla – Take Charge of the Future
  Medium: Branded Content & Entertainment Campaign

American Advertising Federation – �鶹��ý 2023 Ad Person of the Year

• Brian Watanabe

.

In addition to Pele College awards, scholarships were awarded for excellence in design.

American Advertising Federation Shining Star Scholarships

• 1st Place – Hezekiah Kapuaala, UH ����ԴDz�
• 2nd Place – Tre Zamora, Kapiʻolani CC
• 3rd Place – Nanea Ah You, UH ����ԴDz�

Eleven17 College Pele Program

• ​1st Place – Dexter Corpuz, UH West Oʻahu
• 2nd Place – Tre Zamora, Kapiʻolani CC

Cutting edge skills in new media fields, including video game and esports design, digital film production, and new media theatre and dance performance, are the focus of a new certificate for undergraduate students.

(ICS) Professor Jason Leigh was one of seven faculty members who developed the . He teaches two elective courses offered in the program on data visualization and video game design and development. Leigh said the certificate will empower students with computer-savvy skills to prepare them for careers in the media industry, which was worth about $235 billion in 2020, including $166 billion in video games.

So, if you have the passion, we’ll give you the skills.
—Leigh

“The game industry itself is growing at a rate of 13% per year and computer-related jobs are at about 11% per year, and that’s a rate that’s double on average of all jobs in the United States,” Leigh said. “Because there is such a huge demand for people with these kinds of skills right now, what we hope this certificate will do is fast track students to employers in these digital industries.”

Leigh added, “The program is not an easy program. And, of course, it’s not an easy program because media companies aren’t going to pay you a lot of money if you don’t have the passion and the skills. So, if you have the passion, we’ll give you the skills.”

Impact across departments

The CCM certificate program was established through a collaboration between ICS, (ACM), (ECE) and the . To earn the certificate, students must complete 18 credits from in all four departments with a 2.5 minimum grade point average. All UH ����ԴDz� undergraduate students are invited to enroll in the program.

Leigh said the certificate was created not from a set of “talks” but a set of “dos.” Individual courses were initially launched after faculty and students were interested in developing these new media skills. Leigh said the success of those courses resulted in a larger program.

The other members involved were ICS Associate Professor Guylaine Poisson, ACM Founding Director Chris Lee, ACM Chair and Professor Christine Acham and Assistant Professor Brittany Biggs, ECE Assistant Professor Darren Carlson, and Theatre and Dance Chair and Professor Markus Wessendorf and Associate Professor Kara Jhalak Miller.

“In addition to enhancing our ACM students’ animation and filmmaking skills, I believe those who participate in the CCM certificate program will develop stronger communication and organizational skills, and they’ll learn how to work effectively in a team setting,” Biggs said. “They will also be exposed to concepts from these complementary fields, so they’ll have that bigger picture understanding of what’s required in these innovative creative productions.”

“Interactive multimedia systems like video games, mobile apps, vehicle displays and digital health tools increasingly pair software with advanced sensors, actuators and other hardware systems—providing exciting and lucrative opportunities for engineers from a variety of disciplines,” Carlson said. “For example, many modern video games are developed by multidisciplinary teams of programmers, electrical and computer engineers, mechanical engineers, and a wide range of artists and designers working in tandem to produce immersive digital experiences that feature richly detailed storylines and engaging gameplay.”

Miller said that the certificate program will deepen theatre and dance students’ tool kit, expand their imagination and respond to the role of digital technology as a catalyst for change locally and globally.

“It provides our students with the interdisciplinary training necessary to enter into job markets relating to digital film, screendance, theatre and dance virtual performance, and movement media art installation. Theatre and dance students who pursue this certificate will have a competitive edge in the performing arts workforce,” Miller said. “One of the key puzzle pieces that the Department of Theatre and Dance contributes includes sharing experts in the performing arts field that create choreographies that form the foundation of movements that are then digitized into movement media art.”

Learn from world-class resources

Leigh is also the director of the (LAVA), which features numerous ultra-high-resolution stereoscopic 3D and 2D touch-enabled display walls, and the world’s highest resolution hybrid reality visualization system, created by Leigh.

“The virtual reality class, the video game design class and the data visualization class all use LAVA for their work,” Leigh said. “At LAVA, we have the best virtual reality systems in the world, the highest-end computer graphics cards to develop video games with, so it’s all there. But we’re also expanding. We’re creating a sister-lab at UH West Oʻahu called CreateX and this will be housed in the new building.”

Related UH News stories:

• New state-of-the-art Academy for Creative Media facility ready for students, February 7, 2021
• Cutting edge LAVA gets $5M AI upgrade, July 1, 2020

How to apply

Undergraduate students intending to complete the certificate are advised to to be assigned an advisor and added to the program mailing lists for special events, guest speakers and employment opportunities. Registering will also help organizers adapt class sizes to meet demand. After completing the program, students must file a verification of minor or certificate form with their respective college prior to graduation.

For a list of courses and more details, .

This program is an example of UH ����ԴDz�’s goals of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

—By Marc Arakaki

Two New Media Arts (NMA) students have won national advertising awards. In July, Raleigh Harris and Liana Michelle Young both won silver awards or “Addys” from the American Advertising Awards.

Earlier this year, Harris and Young won �鶹��ý State Advertising Awards, or Pele Awards in a regional competition. Harris won the , and Young won a Pele Gold for her

Their �鶹��ý wins took them to a national competition at the American Advertising Awards, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. Their silver Addys represent “outstanding and worthy of recognition.” This competition on the national stage attracts nearly 35,000 entries every year and is considered the largest and most representative competition in the entire advertising industry.

Adam Moura, NMA’s program coordinator, said, “We are thrilled to be awarded regionally at the Pele’s, and we are even happier that our students are again receiving well-deserved recognition at the national level for the accomplishments they have achieved in our two-year program.”

Harris and Young will be recognized in the 2021 Pele Show as national winners.

Four University of �鶹��ý media students showcased their works in front of a national audience.

Films by UH ����ԴDz� (ACM) spring 2020 graduates Gavin Arucan and Suky Zhao, and Kapiʻolani Community College (NMA) students Hannah Woodward and Raleigh Harris, were selected for the , hosted by the Animation Educator’s Forum.

“ACM is very proud of the films created by Gavin and Suky,” said Christine Acham, ACM ����ԴDz� chair. “As seniors, they were an important part of the 2020 animation cohort. The acceptance of their films into this competitive showcase is symbolic of the bright future that lies ahead for these graduates.”

“I’m proud to say that Kapiʻolani‘s New Media Arts program is a part of this international showcase,” said Adam Moura, Kapiʻolani CC’s NMA coordinator and assistant professor. “It shines a light on the dedication and talent of our students.”

Midnight Showing

Arucan’s film Midnight Showing is a horror/comedy short about an exhausted movie theater usher who is tormented by a phantom haunting his workplace. Arucan called it one of the most ambitious projects at ACM ����ԴDz� due to its 10-minute duration and use of mixed media such as stop motion animation. He said stress levels were high, but the crew of approximately 20 people was able to complete the film on time.

“With a lot of film festivals being postponed or done virtually due to the pandemic, I’m glad that this showcase got put together to feature student work,” Arucan said. “I was afraid our film wouldn’t be getting the same attention it might get in any other year.”

Since graduating, Arucan has been working on perfecting his capstone films. He is also beginning freelance animation director jobs and sharpening his skills to pursue a story art job in the TV animation industry.

Poked

Zhao’s film Poked is about a “clumsy, quirky aloe plant” in a flower shop that wants to be sold to find a forever home. However, when it meets a cactus plant in the shop, it learns “that dreams are best achieved when done with a companion.”

“Being able to see my work alongside the works of such talented animators from both our animation department and other schools in the 2020 Animation Virtual Showcase is nerve-wracking,” Zhao said. “But I’m grateful to Professor Brittany Biggs for giving me and all my crew members/animators this opportunity.”

Zhao said there were some challenges during the production process but credits her production manager and other animators who persevered and got the job done. Since graduating, Zhao has worked on animating sequences for two documentaries and background art for another animated film.

Frog Birthday

Woodward, a Kapiʻolani CC New Media Arts major with a concentration in animation, loves creating whimsical and fantasy worlds. Frog Birthday started from a vision of what a birthday party for a frog would look like. It was inspired by concepts and illustrations from Alice in Wonderland. Woodward said all of the different moving parts and animations keep the film interesting and unpredictable.

“Collecting all of the textures and assets took a bit of time,” Woodward said. “Trying to find the right image and then editing it to fit the scene was a large part of this project. Each scene file has about 100 layers of images and textures to get everything to look just right.”

Up in Smoke

Based on the style of a 1920s black and white cartoon, Up in Smoke is an anti-vaping PSA that mimics old commercials promoting smoking as a healthy behavior. Harris said the implication was that the claims that vaping is healthy and safe may be false in the future. The film features two classic cartoon characters selling a vintage-style vaping device in a tongue-in-cheek manner. In addition to being selected for the Class of 2020 Animation Virtual Showcase, Up in Smoke was nominated for an ADDY award presented by the American Advertising Federation.

“I was pretty surprised, I wasn’t expecting it to go as far as it had but I’m glad that people are enjoying it,” Harris said. “The hardest part was learning how old cartoons were styled and trying to match their animation to make the film look as authentic to the 1920s look as possible.”

—By Marc Arakaki

Kapiʻolani and Honolulu Community College students recently won 11 Pele awards, including Best of Show for Kapiʻolani CC student Raleigh Harris‘ design in the category of Animation/Special Effects. Harris took home the Pele Gold along with a $1,000 prize. This is the third consecutive year that Kapiʻolani CC students have won the prestigious and coveted Best of Show award.

Other winners in this year’s competition include Kapiʻolani CC students Liana Young (Gold) for Publication Design, Cheryl Soong (Gold) for Integrated Branded Identity Campaign, Christi Gonzalez (Silver) for Integrated Branded Identity Campaign, Tomy Takemura (Silver) for Logo Design, Ariana Enomoto (Gold) for Logo Design, Adrian Remoh Mangahis (Gold) for Illustration Campaign and Hannah Woodward (Gold) for her work in Animation/Special Effects. Honolulu CC’s Jordan Dowkin’s earned awards (Silver) for Collateral Material-Stationery Package design and two (Silver) for Logo Design.

“We’re thrilled about the recognition our students have received by industry professionals locally and regionally,” said Adam Moura, Kapiʻolani CC’s new media arts coordinator. “Students come to [New Media Arts] to build a professional portfolio, and for them to be awarded at this level with scholarships and representation at the national awards is really inspiring. We are indebted not only to the phenomenal Art Department here on campus, but also the institutional support provided by [Academy of Creative Media System] and Kapiʻolani.”

The Pele 2020 winners can be viewed here: and full animation sequences may be viewed here: .

The Pele Awards is one of 15 national district competitions for the American Advertising Awards, the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 40,000 entries every year from across the U.S. The mission of the American Advertising Awards competition is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising and design.

What do Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Ice Age, Corpse Bride and covers of the New Yorker magazine have in common? Four acclaimed artists, with top-tier animation and illustration credits such as the aforementioned, will share their knowledge with animation students at .

The students will meet with the animators on February 7, 2020. Later that night, at a free public event at 7 p.m., the award-winning artists will discuss their art, work and collaborations at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre in “Casting Call: Populating Feature Animated Movies.”

Andrea Blasich

has worked in the animation industry for 30 years. Some of the animations he has worked on include How to Train your Dragon, Shark Tale, Ice Age, Brave and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He has worked on the video games BioShock 2 and The Witness and the animated short The Dam Keeper.

Two of his sculptures were selected as finalists for the National Sculpture Society Awards.

Peter de Sève

was the sole character designer for the film Ice Age including the iconic Scrat. A few of the many other films he has worked on include Finding Nemo, Robots, The Little Prince and The Grinch.

His many distinctions include the Hamilton King Award from the Society of Illustrators, and a Daytime Emmy Award for best character design in a television show. In 2016 he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators prestigious Hall of Fame. He is, perhaps, best recognized for his many New Yorker covers.

Carter Goodrich

has designed characters for numerous feature animations including Prince of Egypt, Monsters Inc., Sinbad, Finding Nemo, Brave, Open Season, Hotel Transylvania, Coco and Despicable Me.

He has won Annie Awards for his designs for Ratatouille and The Croods. He has two Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Awards and 21 New Yorker covers. He has written and illustrated seven award winning children’s books.

Carlos Grangel

designed characters for DreamWorks from 1993 including Prince of Egypt, Spirit, Sinbad, Madagascar, Flushed Away, Kung-Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. He was handpicked by Tim Burton to not only design all the characters for Corpse Bride, but also logo, title, prop and costume design.

He won the Annie Award for character design for Spirit. His work has been exhibited at museums around the world including The Museum of Modern Art in New York and The World Expo Shanghai 2010.

For more information, contact Kapiʻolani CC Professor Sharon Sussman at (808) 734-9382. The New Arts Lectures 2020 event is supported by the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Wallis Foundation and Kapiʻolani CC.

The designer and illustrator for hits such as The Matrix, Pirates of the Caribbean and Beauty and the Beast will share original pitch board drawings in a public lecture at on Monday, November 18, 7–9 p.m in Kopiko 202A.

Darek Gogol, who has worked on the visual development of more than 40 Hollywood movies, will discuss how illustrations ignite the creative process and will show how concept ideas are shaped into camera ready form.

“So many times, directors have said to me, ‘Show me a world that’s never been seen before,’” Gogol said. “Digital tools have opened up new frontiers for concept artists, but the challenge remains the same: to conjure up a world that is visually astonishing.”

Kapiʻolani animation students will benefit from Gogol’s visit

While he is in �鶹��ý, Gogol will also work with animation students at Kapiʻolani CC. He last visited and worked with Sharon Sussman‘s students in 2013. Filmmaker Edgy Lee produced a video about that visit for Pacific Network TV.

Sussman said she first met Gogol in 1996 when he was working at DreamWorks Animation as a production designer for The Prince of Egypt.

“He was one of the most innovative artists in the studio,” said Sussman. “Since that time I have watched him excel at so many different studios, with so many different directors, and on so many different types of movies. And this isn’t only working in different situations, this is drawing all types of environments and characters, creating stories about all kinds of different topics taking place in different places and in different centuries.”

The public talk is a co-presentation of the New Arts Lecture Series and Kapiʻolani Community College with special support from the Wallis Foundation.

Gogol’s filmography includes Pirates of the Caribbean 1-4, The Matrix, Minority Report, Stargate, Armageddon, Enchanted, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Prince of Egypt, I am Legend, Dreamgirls, Windtalkers, Broken Arrow and the Academy Award-winning Memoirs of a Geisha. He is currently developing a new musical for Universal Studios.

(Video credit: PurePacific.tv)