Jason Smith, a BYU Computer Science graduate from the Class of 2001, has been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter, as one of the industry’s “Brightest and Most Talented 35-and-Under Artisans.”  The article highlights 24 newcomers who have been “key in bringing the directors’ visions to life” in an attempt to predict the next generation of movers and shakers in the entertainment industry.  The Hollywood Reporter announced the 24 finalists in eight categories, who were chosen on August 6, 2007, after consultation with directors, producers, studio and network heads, and craft guild representatives.  Out of hundreds of nominees, Smith was one of three finalists in the Visual Effects category. 

A native of Idaho City, Idaho, Smith has had a long-running fascination with computer-aided graphics in feature films.  He describes 1993’s “Jurassic Park” as his inspiration, and has been interested in the field ever since.  When he arrived at BYU, Smith became interested in the computer science program.  Eventually, he joined the major and began working with Dr. Parris Egbert in the Computer Science Department as an undergraduate research assistant.  In 2001, he graduated with a BS in Computer Science.  A talented artist, he also received a minor in visual arts. 

Smith contemplated pursuing graduate work in computer science as a masters student, but instead decided to go straight out into the industry. He describes his big break as “getting in the door at [Industrial Light + Magic].”  There, his abilities and high-quality work quickly set him apart and he began to find himself working on some of the entertainment industry’s biggest blockbusters in the last few years. 

As the creature technology team lead for Industrial Light + Magic, Smith is known as a “Creature Supervisor” at ILM.  Although a relative newcomer to the entertainment industry, he already has an impressive resume.  Smith worked as the technical animator on “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” served as the technical director on “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” and was the creature supervisor on last summer’s blockbuster “Transformers.”  Currently, he is the creature supervisor on “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” a fantasy-adventure film produced by Paramount, which is scheduled to arrive in theaters in 2008. 

For Smith, a career milestone came during the production of 2007’s “Transformers.”  As quoted in The Hollywood Reporter, Smith talks about his experience working on the film.  "We wrote the dynamic rigging system,” he says. “It strengthened the pipeline and creature group in a totally different way. [The Transformers] had to turn from cars to robots, and Optimus Prime (for example) had 10,000 parts. We created a tool that allowed animators to select any part of the robot and animate it in a specific way. That allows us to do the complex transformations."  For Smith, working on “Transformers” was initially a daunting task; however, he learned that in the field of computer-aided graphics and animation, “there is always a way to make it happen.”

Smith is one of several computer science graduates who have distinguished themselves in the field of computer animation.  In recent years, computer science students have worked with BYU animation majors on several animated shorts.  These films, including “Lemmings,” “Petshop,” “Faux Paw,” Noggin,” “Turtles,” and the recently released “Las Pinatas” have won a combined six College Television Awards, commonly known as “Student Emmys,” from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.  BYU’s films have won five out of the 12 awards given out in the “Non-Traditional Animation” [referring to 3D animation] category over the past four years.  Two of these films, “Lemmings” and “Turtles,” have also won Student Academy Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

According to Computer Science professor Dr. Parris Egbert, every single computer science student who has worked on one of these BYU animated shorts has received a full-time position with one of the premier animation studios, including Pixar Animation Studios, Rhythm and Hues Studios, Industrial Light + Magic, EA Sports, and Avalanche Studios.  Their talents have contributed to films like “Ratatouille,” “Shrek the Third,” and “Cars.” 

As a result of the success computer science students involved in animation have enjoyed, the Computer Science Department is launching a new Animation Emphasis in Computer Science.  The emphasis will combine high-level programming and software engineering with instruction in visual arts and design.  In addition to computer science, students will take courses in Theater and Media Arts, Visual Arts, Industrial Design, Art History, and Manufacturing Engineering Technology.  This new course of study, available Fall 2008, will prepare more students like Jason Smith to enter the industry armed with the skills necessary to “craft the classics of tomorrow.” 

(The original article is available online at the Hollywood Reporter).