Pet Palooza Production & Partnership: Digital Effects and Animation Technology Students assist Burke County Animal Services

WPCC students are in the newly renovated production studio filming in Moore Hall on Western Piedmont’s campus.

Students in the Digital Effects and Animation Technology (DEAT) program at Western Piedmont Community College recently completed a video project that assisted Burke County Animal Services. Seven DEAT students worked together to provide educational training and promotional videos to be viewed by the public for the inaugural “Pet Palooza” event held by the Burke County Animal Services on November 19th and 20th.

The videos provided important information on responsible pet ownership. The students also participated in creating a social media promotional spot used by the county to promote the weekend event.

The students in DEA 230 Implementation Project I, an advanced Digital Effects and Animation Technology course, captured video from the Burke County Animal Services location and filmed staff in newly renovated production studio located on the top floor of Moore Hall building at WPCC. Students were exposed to procedures of writing scripts, proper video/photo capture, sound recording for scripted material and working with clientele on a professional shoot.

Student Sam Millner performed much of the post-production editing for the training event videos and enjoyed this experience.

“I had an absolute wonderful time working with the friendly folks at Burke County Animal Services. Being able to film some of the dogs and cats available for adoption and play around with them was such a blast,” student Millner said. “It gave us some great footage to work and experience with. Seeing all the love and care that the workers put into each animal that comes through there brightened my heart. I am so thankful to help make a record of that love to show to the community.”

WPCC students at the Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting on November 15th to present their promotional and educational videos.

The students and their instructor, Julie Church, were all recognized at the Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting held on November 15. She said that it “was an amazing opportunity for the students to use their skills for such an important project. To be able to make an impact and showcase their work is a true honor.” Jonathan Crumpler, the program coordinator for Digital Effects and Animation Technology spoke at the BOC meeting and addressed all meeting attendees. He stated, “This type of work is what provides students in our program real experience and also serves the community.”

Students involved with the project include: Chelsea Caceres, Rebecca Carson, Madison Ellington, Colby Franklin, Samuel Millner, Vivian Moya, Adbigail Reyes-Calderon.

“This was an opportunity I’ll never forget. To spend time with the sweet puppies, kittens, and all the rest was so much fun,” student Madison Ellington said. “Getting to capture these sweet animals and their emotions was something valuable that I was glad to be a part of.” 

To learn more about WPCC’s Digital Effects and Animation Technology program visit wpcc.edu/digital-effects-animation-technology.