Spring — 2005

Denise Davis

Academy of Entertainment & Technology

“I love the Academy and I’m so glad that I found it. I’m a shipwreck survivor from those for-profit schools where they’re not into education: They’re into sales!”

There was a time when storytelling only required a good voice and an audience. But with the advent of film and TV, storytelling requires an actual phalanx of technical tools and skills. This is a fact that Denise Davis can attest to. “The History of Special Effects, Final Cut Pro, Storytelling, Houdini, and Maya—these are just a few of the film ‘languages’ you need to speak if you aspire to be involved in filmmaking,” she says. “And it’s amazing to me that all of this is offered through the Academy. I’m doing very well, even though the sheer speed of what’s being presented is sometimes overwhelming. But the teachers here—like Will Cunningham… oh, so many!—they’re just extraordinary people. And through them, I’m already getting involved with the networking organizations because—in this field—it’s all about connections. And these folks have long histories in their film or TV production careers.”

A somewhat ‘older than usual’ student, Denise reports that her arrival at SMC has required certain adjustments. “I’ve never actually found myself out of the habit of learning,” she says. “But I found that SMC gives me a chance—through a class here, a class there—to get back into being a student and once again hitting my stride. Now I’m feeling very focused, because the classes I’ve taken have really pointed out to me the career I now want for myself: special effects. And the AET has given me the chance to do this,” she adds. “Basically, I’m looking forward to waking up in the morning and being excited about what I’ll be doing that day. And even when I leave the Academy, it feels like I still carry it with me.” SMC’s Academy of Entertainment & Technology: For Denise, it’s a ‘moveable feast.’

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