Faculty for Animation Major

Matthew Dismuke

Biography

Dismuke works in the game industry and taught an Advanced Seminar class.

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Christopher Dreisbach

Biography

Christopher Dreisbach is an award-winning filmmaker, musician, and fine artist with over a decade of professional experience.

American Film Institute Conservatory, Master of Fine Arts (specializing in Directing)
Hampshire College, Bachelor of Arts

Distinctions & Awards

Alfred P. Sloan Science & Film Award

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• Film: Housekeeping (1987), Directed by Bill Forsyth
• Music: Talk Talk – Laughing Stock (1991)
• Book: The Visiting Privilege by Joy Williams

Favorite Quote

“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.”

—Robert Bresson

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Felipe Lega

Biography

Felipe Lega is the Director of the Animation Program at Champlain College and holds an MFA in Fine Arts with a focus on 3D Animation and Special Effects from Lynn University, USA. Felipe has designed educational models for Champlain College and has taught several classes for the animation and video game programs. He is also currently advising the projection mapping project at the Emergent Media Center, which is being developed in collaboration with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

His teaching methodology is based on motivation, self-realization, and compassion. His work with students always involves mentorship, fostering the development of individuals with strong human and professional capacities. The success of his method is attributed to his faith and motivation in his students and in understanding them as individuals to support them in achieving their desired results.

He was an associate professor at UDEM – Universidad de Monterrey, where he developed and taught several classes in the master’s program in video games and the bachelor’s program in 3D animation and visual effects. He also participated in significant academic projects for this institution, such as the Experience 360 “Lamentos Encontrados” project developed in collaboration with Breda University in the Netherlands. Additionally, he served as an advisor for several award-winning thesis projects and short films.

Felipe was involved for approximately four years in the design, production, and creative direction of animated content for various projection mapping shows across Europe. Notable projects include: the HCA Hans Christian Andersen Festival show in Haderslev, Denmark; the Taastrup Library projection mapping show in Denmark; and the Christmas show at the Vilnius Cathedral in Lithuania, among others.

During his industry experience, Felipe has worked as a visual effects artist and 3D animator in different areas of TV post-production and production, including Hasbro toy commercials for Avengers, Spider-Man, and Transformers. He also created special effects for Latin American international series such as Kdabra, Sikis, and Mentes en Shock, and developed 3D animations for Nat Geo and Discovery Channel.

In 2014, he was awarded the YCE (Young Creative Entrepreneur) Award by the British Council in the Broadcasting category, representing his visual effects studio, Entertainment & Visual Arts, at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

Distinctions & Awards

Rising Star Award – Champlain College, YCE – Young Creative Entrepreneur Award, 2014 British Council.

Favorite Quote

“Imagination is Everything, It is the preview of life’s coming Attractions.” – Albert Einstein

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JoAnn Patel

Biography

JoAnn Patel has a MFA in Computer Arts from Florida Atlantic University and a BFA in Environmental Design from Parsons School of Design. Her exploration with computers as a creative tool began with digital music creation and expanded to the visual arts. Her digital art career started with web design, then moved on to 3D art, compositing and game art.

JoAnn was 3D Art Director at D2 Creative/D2 Team-Sim where she worked on training simulations for Raytheon and the US Military as well as marketing videos for pharmaceutical clients and continuing medical education projects for doctors. While freelancing in New York City, she worked on projects for the History Channel, A&E, HBO, Discovery, MSNBC, BMW and Hasbro Toys.

JoAnn has taught at Pratt Institute, New York Institute of Technology, Florida Atlantic University, Digital Media Arts College, Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami International University of Art and Design Online. JoAnn’s animated short films “Reflections”, “Idea Hunting”, and “Casandra The Chameleon” have been shown at international film festivals and on the Tampa Educational Channel. “Casandra The Chameleon” won the grand prize at the Homestead Animated Film Festival in 2003.

JoAnn’s current creative focus is on hard surface modeling and texturing, procedural modeling, game environments and the use of game engines for filmmaking and visual effects.

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

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Robin Perlah

Biography

Robin Perlah currently serves as Chair of the Creative Studio (home to Champlain’s creative art and design majors), Program Director for the graphic design (BFA) and interaction design (BS) majors, and is an Associate Professor in the Division of Communications and Creative Media at Champlain College.

In her time at Champlain, Perlah also served as the Academic Director for the Emergent Media Center, where she helped shape the creative vision for the campus-based interactive media studio. Additionally, Robin served as Assistant Dean for the CCM division, interim Program Director for creative media (BFA), and Program Director for the master’s programs in emergent media (MS and MFA). She has taught a wide range of courses in the areas of interaction design, photography, graphic design, and media theory, serving both undergraduate and graduate students. Currently, Robin teaches undergraduate courses in design history as well as photography, image-making, and visual design.

Perlah’s current art practice is based on a persistent interest in the photographic image, both still and moving, as it is transformed by digitality. Her work deals with the ambiguity of memory, the intersection between image capture (both analog and digital) and the methods of processing and presenting images, and how generative art and data mutations can reveal layers of complexity.

Before working at Champlain College, Robin was the co-chair of the Design & Creative Media program at the Center for Technology, Essex, and ran several community art programs to support young people through art-mentoring relationships and other activities. Prior to that, she had a long career as an art teacher and, professional photographer and photo editor, specializing in commercial, portrait, and event photography as well as fine-art printing.

Robin is a site evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), is part of the volunteer board for PechaKucha Night (PKN) Burlington, and recently rejoined the board of trustees for the Vermont Arts Council as board secretary after finishing her last term as Vice-Chair in 2019. Additionally, she serves as the co-director for the Technology & Design Institute at Governor’s Institutes of Vermont. Robin earned a master of fine arts in emergent media from Champlain College, a bachelor of science in art education from the University of Vermont, and studied commercial and fine art photography at the New England School of Photography.

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Nathan Walpole

Biography

Nate Walpole is an accomplished animator and Animation Professor at Champlain College, known for his extensive work on the Halo franchise. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Nate has established himself as a leading expert in the field of game animation, earning a reputation for his technical skill, gameplay movement ideation, and narrative vision.

Nate began his career studying classical (hand drawn) and computer animation at Sheridan College in his homeland, Canada. Early in Nate’s career, he entered game animation at Bungie, the renowned developer behind the Halo franchise. During his time at Bungie, Nate played a pivotal role in bringing the game’s characters and worlds to life, working on key titles like “Halo 3” and “Halo 2”. His work was widely praised for its gameplay and narrative attributes and its ability to capture the spirit and essence of the Halo universe.

Nate’s work on the Halo franchise continued when he joined 343 Industries. He worked on “Halo 4” and an unannounced title, helping to create unforgettable moments and experiences for players around the world.

Nate’s contributions to the Halo franchise have been widely recognized and celebrated. His work on the Halo series earned his work display in the Smithsonian. He has also been featured in numerous interviews and articles about game animation, sharing his insights and expertise with others in the field.

In addition to his work in the gaming industry, Nate is also a respected Animation Professor at Champlain College, where he teaches courses in game animation and technical illustration. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of animators “” committed to helping his students develop the skills they need to succeed in the industry.

Nate’s dedication to his craft is evident in everything he does, whether it’s creating breathtaking animations for the latest AAA game or inspiring and guiding his students at Champlain College. His talent and expertise have made him a highly sought-after animator and educator, and he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in game animation.

When he’s not working, Nate enjoys spending time with his kids and playing competitive video games and sport (hockey, Muay Thai, wrestling). He is also an avid bladesmith. Nate is studious on staying up to date on the latest developments in game animation and technology and illustrates comic book content when not animating.

Overall, Nate Walpole is a highly accomplished and respected video game animator and Animation Professor, with a wealth of experience and expertise in the field. His contributions to the Halo franchise have helped to shape the series into the cultural phenomenon it is today, and his dedication to educating the next generation of animators ensures that his mark will last for years to come.

SELECTED GAMEOGRAPHY
Elder Scrolls Online
Halo 4
Halo ODST
Halo 3
Halo 2
Monsters Inc
WCW Backstage Assault

Favorite Quote

“Animation is about creating the illusion of life. And you can’t create it if you don’t have one.”

—Brad Bird

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