DAVE School Grads Worked on 2021 Oscar-Nominated Films, Including Best Picture Nominee
Hollywood’s biggest night is just a month away, and DAVE School talent will be represented during the 2021 Academy Awards.
DAVE School proudly announces that eight of its graduates have been credited on three Oscar-nominated films at the 93rd Academy Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The April 25th ceremony awards the highest honors in filmmaking and three of this year’s nominated movies have DAVE School alumni in the credits, including in the Best Picture category, the most prestigious honor of the event.
Graduates Kyle Merola, Zach Hamelton, Jasper Baltzersen, Allesandro Mameli and Tyler Usie were credited on “Mulan” and Josh Devenyi worked on “The Midnight Sky.” Both films are nominated for Best Visual Effects. Richard Aponte and Chad Herrada helped create “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which is competing for Best Picture.
The Orlando-based DAVE School offers state-of-the-art training in game production and visual effects.
“We are overjoyed to learn of our graduate nominations on these outstanding films” said Gina Rhodes, executive director of the DAVE School. “The amount of DAVE School grads who worked on Oscar-nominated movies is a testament to the leadership of our faculty and unwavering commitment to providing every student with the knowledge and skills they need to
thrive in the industry.”
The Academy Awards ceremony honors the best films released between January 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. The awards were delayed two months later than originally planned because of the impact COVID-19 had on the film industry. The pandemic stopped film production and caused cinemas to close nationwide, due to restrictions on public gatherings.
The awards ceremony will be televised live on ABC from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. April 25 from Los Angeles. Traditionally held in the Dolby Theatre, the ceremony will be split this year between the Dolby and Union Station so attendees can socially distance.
For more information on the 93rd Annual Academy Awards, visit oscars.org and to learn more about the DAVE School, please go to daveschool.com.
About DAVE School
The DAVE School was founded on June 8, 2000 by two Industry executives looking to create #CareerReady artists with a practical animation school. Today, The DAVE School offers specialized training in Visual Effects and Game Production with extensive practice under industry level supervision.
Located on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida®, The DAVE School has an 18,000 square foot facility that includes learning and interactive labs, a dedicated Virtual and Real-Time production stage, a Vicon motion capture system, 3D printing and VR/AR labs and secure student access 7 days a week.
The DAVE School is an academic unit of NUC University (NUC), which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) www.msche.org. NUC’s NUC University – IBC Technical Division (NUC-IBC), Florida Technical College (FTC), and The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School) are included in this accreditation. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).