Academy of Art University Grad Showcases Animation

San Francisco, California, May 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a 92% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive 8.9/10 rating on IMBD , Avengers: Infinity War is shattering records left and right. According to Disney, the action-packed animated hit brought in an estimated $640.9 million dollars at the worldwide box office during opening weekend—battling its way to the top of the charts as the biggest worldwide opening weekend movie in history.

Academy of Art University is proud to announce that its own Jan Philip Cramer, head of animation at Digital Domain , served as the animation supervisor for the blockbuster hit, Avengers: Infinity War.

“I cannot believe they trust me to come up with ideas for something that so many people care for. These are moments you dream of,” Cramer told the Academy.

Since earning his BFA from the School of Animation and Visual Effects at the Academy in 2004, Cramer has contributed to an impressive list of cinematic credits, including Avatar, X-Men: Days of Future Past , Deadpool , Independence Day: Resurgence , and the critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Homecoming .

For Cramer, a career in VFX and animation was not only the perfect calling, but also the fulfillment of a childhood dream—to bring new worlds to life on the big screen. With hard work too comes recognition: in 2011, he received Academy of Art University's Emerging Artist Alumni Award, and in 2017, he became a member of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences .

Cramer credits a lot of his success to his mentors at Academy of Art University who helped him shape his career path. As successful professionals working at top-tier animation and visual effects studios, his instructors offered invaluable advice, guidance, and insight into the industry.

“I’m very happy I studied there because it gave me a well-rounded perspective on art, not just visual effects. The experience grew me as an artist,” he said.

Fortunately for Cramer, his animation career is only getting started. Along with millions of excited fans, the Academy looks forward to his future projects, such as Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel , come to life.

Stories like Cramer’s are one in a million at the Academy, and it is proud to play a similar role in the professional lives of many graduates like his.

In 2017, more than 50 Academy alumni were recognized for their leading roles in the creation and production of films that received Golden Globe nominations, while the Oscars recognized 20 nominated films across 16 award categories in which Academy alum were involved. 

The majority of former Academy students who worked on nominated films studied in the Schools of Animation & Visual Effects and Motion Pictures & Television.

These skilled alumni grew their careers and shined in their roles as Lead Graphic Designer, Lighting Technical, Supervising Animator, VFX Producer, 3D artist, FX Artist, Compositor, Modeler, Lighter, Character Shader, and Generalist, among others.

The Academy offers courses and degree programs in nearly every aspect of the performing arts, including Acting ;  Animation & Visual Effects ;  Motion Pictures & Television ; and  Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media .

About Academy of Art University Academy of Art University is the largest accredited private art and design university in the nation. Founded in 1929, the Academy offers accredited degree programs in more than 30 areas of study, as well as continuing art education, pre-college art experience programs, professional development, certificates, and teacher grants. Our urban San Francisco campus inspires students with its unique blend of architecture, cultural diversity, and technology. Our hands-on industry-based curriculum is taught by art and design experts who maintain careers on the leading edge of industry trends. Academy students graduate with strong foundations in art and design, the skills needed to succeed in the professional world, and an entrepreneurial spirit that sticks with them for life. For more information, visit academyart.edu or call 800.544.2787 (U.S. only) or 415.274.2200.

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Kaila DeRienzo Academy Of Art University 4156186424 KDeRienzo@academyart.edu