Source - Education Management Corporation

THE ART INSTITUTES
“I take the approach that the student-teacher relationship is just for three
years. My hope is to remain colleagues and friends for much longer. I see
the classroom as a two-way exchange. Everything that I give as a teacher
comes back to me tenfold. Listening to and learning from my students
prevents me from becoming comfortable or obsolete. In the process, we
all become more interesting people.” JERRY BRICE ■ “Jerry isn't afraid to
bring attention to some aspect of your work that needs to be improved.
At the same time, he treats you like he would any colleague or professional.
He inspires with his example and his feedback. DIANA ARECHIGA”
Keeping it real: Jerry Brice stands with one foot in
the fast-moving, anything-is-possible entertainment
industry, and the other firmly planted in reality. He
offers students a bridge and road map for crossing
between these sometimes divergent worlds. “You
can’t declare yourself an artist without someone
dismissing such goals as foolish dreams. My job is
to help students see that dreams can be broken into
smaller, more attainable goals. Otherwise, they
remain something invisible and out of reach.”
With two decades’ worth of TV & film animation
and music video credits to his name, Jerry points
to the quiet example and mentoring he found from
the father of a childhood friend. “All it takes is one
person’s example, and a young person will figure
out where and how to direct their passion. I try
to be that person.” He’s even gone so far as to
invite students to Hollywood events as part of the
acclimation process. “I think students learn from
observing what you do more than from what
you say.”
Bridging art and technology: Jerry believes the current
generation of young artists will surely accomplish
more than he ever imagined possible. But to realize
the potential, they must first acquire a balance
between specialization and broad exposure to
traditional disciplines; a perfect marriage of technical
and creative training.
Students must gain an aesthetic foundation (light,
form, color and function), along with a refined sense
of story structure and development. They must also
show an ability to execute and implement ideas with
flair and technical efficiency.
Demand for these hybrid talents continues to
grow in TV & film animation, industrial design,
and gaming. Exciting opportunities await animation
artists, special effects artists, broadcast graphics
designers, and video post-production artists.
Responding to creative demands: The Art Institute
of California – San Diego has grown rapidly in
recent years on the strength of its faculty and a
forward-minded approach to arts education.
Students from these closely aligned fields join
with industry mentors and like-minded peers to
create a vibrant learning environment. Streaming
light, open and inviting spaces, and current technology
tools and facilities all combine to encourage
teacher and student exploration and mastery.
FINDING YOUR WAY – MAKING YOUR MARK • 2005 • P9