(Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University)
Euphoria all the way
A brilliantly special day
Excitement and anticipation hung heavy in the air. The place seemed pretty busy as bright bouquets, beautiful big boxes and kits were being ferried through the festooned corridor which was flanked by youngsters in white T-Shirts with a message "I love Animation". As guests were trooping in, a vehicle screeched to a halt as a posse of security personnel in safari suits hurried through the corridor and into the hall with metal detectors and security paraphernalia, while the dog squad sniffed the venue safe. It was all happening. The host on the dais was on his phone awaiting some important information. Then came the much anticipated announcement as the crowd rose to attention.
Mr. Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Honourable Minister for IT & Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh and Chief Guest for the day had arrived. Impeccably dressed in shining white with a Navy Blue Nehru jacket, the Chief Guest marched into the hall with his security personnel as he was greeted to a thunderous applause. He lit the lamp in the presence of Creative Multimedia® CEO Mr. Raja Sekhar to initiate the celebrations.
Commencing his address with a heartfelt thanks to the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour, students, alumni, staff and parents Mr. Raja Sekhar, CEO of Creative Multimedia® said: "It has been our tradition to celebrate excellence in digital media education every year since our inception in 1998. Over time, our Anniversary celebrations have come to be associated with not just brilliant entertainment but compelling enrichment and loads of inspiration too. From statesmen to industry veterans and academicians, several eminent personalities have graced our celebrations, added their inimitable charm to the proceedings and inspired our students. It is no wonder then that Creative Multimedia®’s Anniversary celebrations are a landmark event that the industry awaits anxiously every year. Being the industry leader, we have always been envied and emulated."
He offered his gratitude to the honourable minister for his personal initiative in introducing a new IT Policy focused on development of the digital media industry in AP. Commending Mr. Lakshmaiah, Minister for IT & Communications, Govt. of AP for his stellar role in facilitating "GAME City", he said that the initiative was designed to attract significant investments from large Animation and VFX studios and will help generate better employment opportunities for career aspirants.
The Chief Guest Mr. Ponnala Laksmaiah was then invited to address the gathering. Connecting instantly with the young crowd, he recalled his school and college days, saying that he graduated from high school in 1963 and became a qualified Engineer precisely 45 years back. A gifted soul, he proved to be an extremely good conservationist, full of wit and spontaneity. Effortlessly shifting from English to Telugu and Hindi, he spoke with child-like enthusiasm, regaling the crowd with his trademark wit.
"Our mission is to create an environment of viable economic activity that will promote employment opportunities and I am happy to learn that Creative Multimedia® has made Hyderabad and our whole country proud with its world-class training and achievements. Your academy has trained 16,000 students so far and holds the record for the highest placements with a consistent performance every year. As a politician committed to the prosperity of lives, I wish to see more people like Raja Sekhar promote skill development and employment in our state. I must congratulate him for building this formidable institution that has been dedicated to creating a bright future for the youngsters for the past 15 years."
Wrapping up, he thanked Raja Sekhar for inviting him to the celebrations. Incredible for his age, such was his liveliness and vigor that he prompted the question: Sir, what's the secret of your energy?, to which he had a ready reply: "I am young at heart. Spreading happiness and making people laugh ensures that the environment around me is always charged up, so I stay energetic and in high spirits always." A huge applause reverberated in the hall as the minister was escorted down the dais. It was certainly the most gripping speech, and it was also a welcome lesson on how to be a great public speaker.
Mr. Konda Vijay Kumar, Director of "Gundejaari Gallanthayyindey" a blockbuster Telugu film was invited as a Guest of Honour and he shared his industry experiences for the benefit of students. In response to a query from the audience, he shared valuable information and insights on the pre-production process of film making.
Mr. Praveen Kilaru from Rhythm and Hues, was another Guest of Honour and was invited to speak. He congratulated Creative Multimedia® on completing 15 years of excellence and thanked Mr. Raja Sekhar for his generous contribution to the industry. He screened the showreel of R+H and a scene from the Oscar winning Film "Life of Pi" which featured VFX done by R+H. Demonstrating the making of the scene which had the Tiger and the protagonist on a boat, he revealed that the scene was shot in a large water tank and the effects were added to the scene later in the studio. He showed the difference between the real Tiger and the CG Tiger in split shots. Stating that a regular VFX-enabled film of this kind would have about 60% real Tiger and 40% CG Tiger, he said that "Life of Pi" had 80% CG Tiger and only 20% real Tiger which was an achievement not just for his studio but for Indian VFX as well. He went on to share that the film’s director Ang Lee was so overwhelmed by the CG work done in India that he perosnally congratulated the entire team. He particularly congratulated the animator who created the CG Tiger saying "the shot in which the Tiger makes contact with the protagonist was so very convincing that people forgot it was a CG Tiger and were actually caught up with the emotion of the scene." Mr. Kilaru ended his presentation by thanking Mr. Raja Sekhar.
A proud parent, in gratitude to Creative Multimedia®, praised the academy by reciting a Hindi poem with the leit motif: "In the world of Animation training, there can be none better than Creative Multimedia®."
The prestigious Pixellence Awards instituted by Creative Multimedia® to recognize and honour outstanding talent in Animation, VFX, Graphics and Web were presented to the winners by the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour in the presence of Mr. Raja Sekhar B.
In between there was song, dance and rib-tickling skits which added energy to the celebrations. Students and staff of Creative Multimedia® scorched the stage with some electrifying performances as the hall reverberated with high pitch hoots and whistles: the natural response of a crowd, true to its age.
As a token of appreciation, Mr. Raja Sekhar presented mementoes to the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour amidst thundering applause from the students who thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the day.
CMCFA regular organizes various events aimed at honing the artistic skills of students enrolled for the Degree program. Recently, CMCFA organized 'Life: The Golden Season', a charity event and Pixellence Awards, an Animation and VFX talent show.
CMCFA organized 'Life: The Golden Season', a socially-relevant charity show by Animation students pursuing the revolutionary 4-Year BFA (Animation) Degree Program conducted by Creative Multimedia® College of Fine Arts in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU). The students decided to make their education meaningful by embracing a good cause.
These young, talented and inspired minds decided to make a humble beginning by touching the lives of deprived elders who are neglected by a hardhearted society, and deserve comfort and care in their most needy years.
So, they put their learning to canvas and sketched a medley of thought-provoking portraits reflecting the moods and emotions of people in their twilight years. This is their tribute to our unrelated grandparents who are languishing in old-age homes.
The show was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Purandeswari, Hon'ble Union Minster of State for Human Resource Development while Dr. Padmavathi, Vice-Chancellor, JNAFAU and Mr. S. K. Rahman, Registrar, JNAFAU were the Guests of Honour.
The show was immensely successful as the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and other visitors were profusely appreciative of the initiative. They congratulated CMCFA and its students for volunteering for this noble cause.
CMCFA celebrated the 2012 edition of its annual Pixellence Awards festival on Thursday, the 26th of January 2012. The purpose of the event is to encourage, recognize and honour outstanding Animation talent at CMCFA.
The 2012 edition witnessed a string of entertaining programs including a very special performance by the President of CMCFA,
Mr. Raja Sekhar B.
Mr. Raja Sekhar B, presented plaques of honour to all the award-winners in various categories of Animation. Post the awards ceremony, Mr. Raja Sekhar thanked all the students, parents, volunteers, staff and guests for gracing the event and making it a grand success.
