Miami Dade College’s Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) celebrated its first class of graduates this year – 14 talented animators who have bright futures ahead. Upon graduation, 12 of the students already had jobs and the others were weighing multiple offers – an impressive feat for a growing program.
“We designed the program to train students to enter the workforce,” says Mauricio Ferrazza, chairman of MAGIC and a former animator for Univision. “The unique partnerships we’ve created have allowed us to create a pipeline of highly skilled animators uniquely trained for today’s workforce.”
Since program launch in 2015, MAGIC has attracted big names in animation, from Fox Animation to Pixar, exposing students to top talent in the industry. With a growing reputation as South Florida’s premier animation and gaming educational facility, MAGIC now has scholarships funded by Univision, Baptist Health South Florida, Discovery Channel and Alienware. The program also co-hosts the MIA ANIMATION Conference and Festival each fall, which brings together world-renowned speakers, technology influencers and top animators in the industry.
This spring, MAGIC graduates had the opportunity to work alongside professionals at Nickelodeon and Fox Animation to produce and premiere three animated short films. The films will air on Nickelodeon worldwide.
Learn more about the MDC Office of Alumni Relations at www.mdc.edu/alumni