Movie fans have had a long wait for James Cameron’s sci-fi epic Avatar, the blockbuster director’s first movie since 1997’s Titanic. Utilizing cutting-edge computer animation, motion-capture, and 3D effects, the film has been widely hailed as one that expands the possibilities of computer-generated imagery and digital audio in film.

Helping produce Avatar’s technical marvels were seven Full Sail graduates, including Devin Fairbairn (Tracking Supervisor), Malcolm Thomas Gustave (Creatures Technical Director), Joe Harkins (Character Supervisor), Ronnie Menahem (Shots Pipeline Technical Director), Juan Peralta (Sound Re-Recording Mixer), Jason Stellwag (Digital Artist), and Jeff Unay (Facial Lead).

These artists worked on a range of Avatar’s elements, from the creatures that inhabit the alien world of Pandora, to the multi-channel audio mixes for the battles between the Marines and the Na’vi. Speaking with the grads about their experience on the film, they explained how they drew upon the skills developed during their Full Sail education to translate Cameron’s vision to the screen.

“Full Sail introduced me to 3D modeling with Maya, and I'm not sure how far I would have gotten without immersing myself [in it],” says Jeff Unay. “Before I was halfway through the [Computer Animation] program, I knew I wanted to make a career out of it.”

Ronnie Menahem also credits his time in the Computer Animation program in contributing to Avatar - highlighting the course curriculum that he used in his role as Shots Pipeline Technical Director. “The course which helped me the most has to be Lighting,” he says. “It was the final project where I really put some of the theory to practice - now I use my lighting skills to integrate elements I've created into a shot.”

Released on Dec. 12, 2009, Avatar has closed out the first decade of the 2000’s by spearheading the technological future of the movie industry. Full Sail’s Film department is proud of the achievements of these graduates who helped make that possible, all while pursuing the dream that first sparked their passion for the film industry.

“I absolutely love my job and feel fortunate every day,” Unay says. “I don't take any of it for granted. I mean, I get to create monsters every day. How cool is that?”