ECCP and UC tie up to hone 3D sculptors

In a workshop organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) in partnership with University of Cebu (UC) Animation Department titled 3D Sculpting Using Z Brush, students and professionals came together for four Saturdays last May 27 until June 17 at UC’s Animation Lab.

“There’s a big demand for the digital creative industry, but the challenge is that we lack teachers,” says Kenneth Garcia, 3D Animation Specialist, teacher and the resource person for the workshop who’s been working in the animation industry since 2006. Z Brush is a popular, all-in-one 3D sculpting software.

“Z Brush is a very powerful tool…in fashion, jewelry, furniture, film, gaming…it’s very good for conceptualization,” explains Garcia.

The workshop included a tour of a film academy, FMA (Film & Media Arts International Academy) situated inside the old Sacred Heart School building where the workshop students saw the different aspects in making an animated film: from conceptualizing, to illustrating, to editing, to integration with live models.

Cebu’s creative digital market is set to expand. Although hampered by challenges such as the lagging speed of the country’s internet, expensive equipment, few teachers, and even fewer investors still, there are schools like University of Cebu who are pushing for measures to develop industry-ready digital artists, animators and designers.

“With the onset of the ASEAN Integration, there is a clear need to improve the competency of Cebu’s future creative workforce. We want to bridge the gap between academe and industry,” says Patricia Mendoza, the head of UC Animation Department.

According to The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the creative industry feed in more than 6 percent of the countries’ GDP.

ECCP organizes trainings that promote innovation and upgrading of its member companies as well as the local creative industry in its objective remaining cutting-edge and competitive in the global market.