MEET THE ARTISTS
written by Monica Elliott
written by Monica Elliott
From a Grammy Award-winning musician to the executive producer of "The Walking Dead," the Creative Media Industries Institute has an impressive crop of artists-in-residence.
From a Grammy Award-winning musician to the executive producer of "The Walking Dead," the Creative Media Industries Institute has an impressive crop of artists-in-residence.
From a Grammy Award-winning musician to the executive producer of "The Walking Dead," the Creative Media Industries Institute has an impressive crop of artists-in-residence.
DALLAS AUSTIN looked right at home leaning against the doorframe at the entrance to the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) third-floor offices. Dressed casually in jeans and a brown wide-brim hat, the Grammy Award-winning Georgia native listened intently as more than a dozen eager students pitched ideas at him.
Austin has produced songs for best-selling artists TLC, Gwen Stefani and Madonna and helped produce movies such as "Drumline" and "ATL." Now he's one of three new artists-in-residence at CMII whom students can learn from as they try to enter the entertainment business.
"If you don't have connections, you're standing way outside the arena," Austin told the students. "This new institute is putting you really close to everything."
DALLAS AUSTIN looked right at home leaning against the doorframe at the entrance to the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) third-floor offices. Dressed casually in jeans and a brown wide-brim hat, the Grammy Award-winning Georgia native listened intently as more than a dozen eager students pitched ideas at him.
Austin has produced songs for best-selling artists TLC, Gwen Stefani and Madonna and helped produce movies such as "Drumline" and "ATL." Now he's one of three new artists-in-residence at CMII whom students can learn from as they try to enter the entertainment business.
"If you don't have connections, you're standing way outside the arena," Austin told the students. "This new institute is putting you really close to everything."
DALLAS AUSTIN looked right at home leaning against the doorframe at the entrance to the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) third-floor offices. Dressed casually in jeans and a brown wide-brim hat, the Grammy Award-winning Georgia native listened intently as more than a dozen eager students pitched ideas at him.
Austin has produced songs for best-selling artists TLC, Gwen Stefani and Madonna and helped produce movies such as "Drumline" and "ATL." Now he's one of three new artists-in-residence at CMII whom students can learn from as they try to enter the entertainment business.
"If you don't have connections, you're standing way outside the arena," Austin told the students. "This new institute is putting you really close to everything."
FORMED IN 2014, CMII was designed to prepare students for careers that transcend traditional degree programs and connect them with Atlanta's booming film, music and video game industries. Last fall, the institute celebrated the opening of its new ultramodern facility, made possible by a $22.8 million gift from the Woodruff Foundation.
CMII Director David Cheshier says the institute aims to leverage Georgia State's interdisciplinary resources so graduates can continue to build Georgia and Atlanta into global capitals of digital media arts.
"We're providing advanced training with creative technology so our students are better prepared to begin creative careers," Cheshier said. "We're building a national model to train students in media and arts entrepreneurship, and we're committed to industry research collaboration."
FORMED IN 2014, CMII was designed to prepare students for careers that transcend traditional degree programs and connect them with Atlanta's booming film, music and video game industries. Last fall, the institute celebrated the opening of its new ultramodern facility, made possible by a $22.8 million gift from the Woodruff Foundation.
CMII Director David Cheshier says the institute aims to leverage Georgia State's interdisciplinary resources so graduates can continue to build Georgia and Atlanta into global capitals of digital media arts.
"We're providing advanced training with creative technology so our students are better prepared to begin creative careers," Cheshier said. "We're building a national model to train students in media and arts entrepreneurship, and we're committed to industry research collaboration."
FORMED IN 2014, CMII was designed to prepare students for careers that transcend traditional degree programs and connect them with Atlanta's booming film, music and video game industries. Last fall, the institute celebrated the opening of its new ultramodern facility, made possible by a $22.8 million gift from the Woodruff Foundation.
CMII Director David Cheshier says the institute aims to leverage Georgia State's interdisciplinary resources so graduates can continue to build Georgia and Atlanta into global capitals of digital media arts.
"We're providing advanced training with creative technology so our students are better prepared to begin creative careers," Cheshier said. "We're building a national model to train students in media and arts entrepreneurship, and we're committed to industry research collaboration."
IN 1996, KAY BECK led the introduction of Georgia State University's Digital Arts Entertainment Laboratory, or DAEL. Twenty-one years later, she's helping to establish DAEL's successor, CMII, by bringing in successful media industry professionals as artists-in-residence. She refers to the new institute as "DAEL 2.0."
"The word 'industries' is in the name," said Beck, "so we're more business oriented and commercially viable."
Now a professor emeritus and consultant at CMII, Beck was instrumental in bringing Austin into the fold along with television producers James Brooke and Tom Luse (B.S. '74, M.S. '81).
Beck has been friends with Austin and Brooke for many years, and Luse studied under her when she led DAEL.
LUSE CREDITS BECK and Georgia State for putting him on the path to becoming a successful film and television producer, most notably for AMC's hit series "The Walking Dead."
"Georgia State had a huge impact on my career," Luse said. "I learned some of my filmmaking techniques in class under Kay Beck and her professors. I want to give back to Georgia State because they gave so much to me."
When he works with students, Luse plans to draw on his vast experience in show business.
"My expertise is in film production," he said, "so I want to help students understand how you have to combine the creative and the practical to make a successful picture."
Luse is also interested in finding new ways to produce television and film projects.
"Given today's technology and the tools at our disposal, there are new paths we could explore to make the best professional quality films and television - and we're not yet adequately exploring them," he said.
AS A EXECUTIVE PRODUCER for Los Angeles-based All3Media America, Brooke heads the studio's Atlanta operations. His work in the area motivates him to help the students and the local media industry.
"I've been coming to Atlanta for the last four years on behalf of various production companies, and things have really taken off," he said. "We want to find ways to give back. One way is to keep hiring locals as much as possible and then help them with content creation."
Brooke started working with CMII a year ago and teaches a course on television production. He gives Beck sole credit for the collaboration.
According to Beck, Austin will also be speaking to classes and possibly putting together workshops.
"We're expanding the roles of music and technology in Atlanta," Austin said. "This is the beginning of how we figure out new ways to mesh them together."
For Beck, putting students together with successful industry professionals has always been crucial to her work with Georgia State students.
"Students often have great ideas, but they rarely know what to do next," she said. "Having people right here who work in the middle of the industry is perfect.
Top photo by Steven Thackston
Photo of Dallas Austin courtesy of Dallas Austin
Illustration by Daniel Krall
Photo of Tom Luse by Josh Meister
IN 1996, KAY BECK led the introduction of Georgia State University's Digital Arts Entertainment Laboratory, or DAEL. Twenty-one years later, she's helping to establish DAEL's successor, CMII, by bringing in successful media industry professionals as artists-in-residence. She refers to the new institute as "DAEL 2.0."
"The word 'industries' is in the name," said Beck, "so we're more business oriented and commercially viable."
Now a professor emeritus and consultant at CMII, Beck was instrumental in bringing Austin into the fold along with television producers James Brooke and Tom Luse (B.S. '74, M.S. '81).
Beck has been friends with Austin and Brooke for many years, and Luse studied under her when she led DAEL.
LUSE CREDITS BECK and Georgia State for putting him on the path to becoming a successful film and television producer, most notably for AMC's hit series "The Walking Dead."
"Georgia State had a huge impact on my career," Luse said. "I learned some of my filmmaking techniques in class under Kay Beck and her professors. I want to give back to Georgia State because they gave so much to me."
When he works with students, Luse plans to draw on his vast experience in show business.
"My expertise is in film production," he said, "so I want to help students understand how you have to combine the creative and the practical to make a successful picture."
Luse is also interested in finding new ways to produce television and film projects.
"Given today's technology and the tools at our disposal, there are new paths we could explore to make the best professional quality films and television - and we're not yet adequately exploring them," he said.
AS A EXECUTIVE PRODUCER for Los Angeles-based All3Media America, Brooke heads the studio's Atlanta operations. His work in the area motivates him to help the students and the local media industry.
"I've been coming to Atlanta for the last four years on behalf of various production companies, and things have really taken off," he said. "We want to find ways to give back. One way is to keep hiring locals as much as possible and then help them with content creation."
Brooke started working with CMII a year ago and teaches a course on television production. He gives Beck sole credit for the collaboration.
According to Beck, Austin will also be speaking to classes and possibly putting together workshops.
"We're expanding the roles of music and technology in Atlanta," Austin said. "This is the beginning of how we figure out new ways to mesh them together."
For Beck, putting students together with successful industry professionals has always been crucial to her work with Georgia State students.
"Students often have great ideas, but they rarely know what to do next," she said. "Having people right here who work in the middle of the industry is perfect."
Top photo by Steven Thackston
Photo of Dallas Austin courtesy of Dallas Austin
Illustration by Daniel Krall
Photo of Tom Luse by Josh Meister
IN 1996, KAY BECK led the introduction of Georgia State University's Digital Arts Entertainment Laboratory, or DAEL. Twenty-one years later, she's helping to establish DAEL's successor, CMII, by bringing in successful media industry professionals as artists-in-residence. She refers to the new institute as "DAEL 2.0."
"The word 'industries' is in the name," said Beck, "so we're more business oriented and commercially viable."
Now a professor emeritus and consultant at CMII, Beck was instrumental in bringing Austin into the fold along with television producers James Brooke and Tom Luse (B.S. '74, M.S. '81).
Beck has been friends with Austin and Brooke for many years, and Luse studied under her when she led DAEL.
Luse credits Beck and Georgia State for putting him on the path to becoming a successful film and television producer, most notably for AMC's hit series "The Walking Dead."
"Georgia State had a huge impact on my career," Luse said. "I learned some of my filmmaking techniques in class under Kay Beck and her professors. I want to give back to Georgia State because they gave so much to me."
When he works with students, Luse plans to draw on his vast experience in show business.
"My expertise is in film production," he said, "so I want to help students understand how you have to combine the creative and the practical to make a successful picture."
Luse is also interested in finding new ways to produce television and film projects.
"Given today's technology and the tools at our disposal, there are new paths we could explore to make the best professional quality films and television - and we're not yet adequately exploring them," he said.
AS A EXECUTIVE PRODUCER for Los Angeles-based All3Media America, Brooke heads the studio's Atlanta operations. His work in the area motivates him to help the students and the local media industry.
"I've been coming to Atlanta for the last four years on behalf of various production companies, and things have really taken off," he said. "We want to find ways to give back. One way is to keep hiring locals as much as possible and then help them with content creation."
Brooke started working with CMII a year ago and teaches a course on television production. He gives Beck sole credit for the collaboration.
According to Beck, Austin will also be speaking to classes and possibly putting together workshops.
"We're expanding the roles of music and technology in Atlanta," Austin said. "This is the beginning of how we figure out new ways to mesh them together."
For Beck, putting students together with successful industry professionals has always been crucial to her work with Georgia State students.
"Students often have great ideas, but they rarely know what to do next," she said. "Having people right here who work in the middle of the industry is perfect."
Top photo by Steven Thackston
Photo of Dallas Austin courtesy of Dallas Austin
Illustration by Daniel Krall
Photo of Tom Luse by Josh Meister
IN 1996, KAY BECK led the introduction of Georgia State University's Digital Arts Entertainment Laboratory, or DAEL. Twenty-one years later, she's helping to establish DAEL's successor, CMII, by bringing in successful media industry professionals as artists-in-residence. She refers to the new institute as "DAEL 2.0."
"The word 'industries' is in the name," said Beck, "so we're more business oriented and commercially viable."
Now a professor emeritus and consultant at CMII, Beck was instrumental in bringing Austin into the fold along with television producers James Brooke and Tom Luse (B.S. '74, M.S. '81).
Beck has been friends with Austin and Brooke for many years, and Luse studied under her when she led DAEL.
Luse credits Beck and Georgia State for putting him on the path to becoming a successful film and television producer, most notably for AMC's hit series "The Walking Dead."
"Georgia State had a huge impact on my career," Luse said. "I learned some of my filmmaking techniques in class under Kay Beck and her professors. I want to give back to Georgia State because they gave so much to me."
When he works with students, Luse plans to draw on his vast experience in show business.
"My expertise is in film production," he said, "so I want to help students understand how you have to combine the creative and the practical to make a successful picture."
Luse is also interested in finding new ways to produce television and film projects.
"Given today's technology and the tools at our disposal, there are new paths we could explore to make the best professional quality films and television - and we're not yet adequately exploring them," he said.
AS A EXECUTIVE PRODUCER for Los Angeles-based All3Media America, Brooke heads the studio's Atlanta operations. His work in the area motivates him to help the students and the local media industry.
"I've been coming to Atlanta for the last four years on behalf of various production companies, and things have really taken off," he said. "We want to find ways to give back. One way is to keep hiring locals as much as possible and then help them with content creation."
Brooke started working with CMII a year ago and teaches a course on television production. He gives Beck sole credit for the collaboration.
According to Beck, Austin will also be speaking to classes and possibly putting together workshops.
"We're expanding the roles of music and technology in Atlanta," Austin said. "This is the beginning of how we figure out new ways to mesh them together."
For Beck, putting students together with successful industry professionals has always been crucial to her work with Georgia State students.
"Students often have great ideas, but they rarely know what to do next," she said. "Having people right here who work in the middle of the industry is perfect."
Top photo by Steven Thackston
Photo of Dallas Austin courtesy of Dallas Austin
Illustration by Daniel Krall
Photo of Tom Luse by Josh Meister