“Blair Witch” Producer Gregg Hale to Address DAVE School Graduation September 2011

Sept. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- ORLANDO, FL – Before walking across the stage to receive their diplomas, The DAVE School’s newest graduates will hear words of encouragement and advice from Gregg Hale, Haxan Films Producer of the indie horror sensation, The Blair Witch Project. Hale has teamed up with The DAVE School “Block 4” students to produce the VFX for a music video of a song by rock band Clutch called Space Grass as their final student project.

The DAVE School is providing over 150 visual effect shots for the 6-minute video. “That’s as many as a feature film. This is a fantastic opportunity,” said Jason Pichon, one of two DAVE School Block 4 instructors. “Gregg has been great to work with. He gave the best lecture I’ve heard at The DAVE School so far. This project has some really great potential.”

Hale, who is working directly with the students, is equally excited about the collaboration. “Access to a full crew of animators is an amazing resource. The DAVE School has been turning out some incredible final projects and I’m lucky to be able to tap into that. It’s great to work with students and see their enthusiasm for their craft.”

Dan Smith, also a DAVE School Block 4 instructor, is looking forward to Hale’s graduation speech. “Gregg has already given us incredible insight into the film process. Working with the most successful independent filmmaker of all time has been a once-in-a-lifetime, extremely valuable lesson for us and our students.”
Hale, a graduate of Valencia College and the University of Central Florida, both in Orlando, is also one of the Executive Creative Directors at Campfire, one of the ad industry’s leaders in interactive and online advertising.  His most recent long-form film projects were Altered, a sci-fi/horror film which was purchased and released by Rogue Pictures, and Seventh Moon, a supernatural thriller starring Amy Smart, released on Blu-ray and DVD by Lionsgate. The Blair Witch Project, which garnered Gregg the Nova Award as outstanding new producer from the Producer’s Guild of America in 1999, grossed more than $140 million domestically in 1999 thanks to a variety of Haxan’s landmark viral marketing campaigns. The film grossed $250 million worldwide.
Located on the back lot of Universal Studios, Florida, in Sound Stage 25, The DAVE School's 35,000 square foot facility includes three labs, a shooting stage with a 65'x 25' green screen, and a state of the art motion capture system. Offering comprehensive training in 3D modelling and animation, motion graphics creation, and stereoscopic 3D visual effects production, The DAVE School is producing a new breed of 3D and visual effects artists. Recent graduates’ work can be seen in blockbuster movies, including Thor, The Green Lantern and Captain America. Their reputation for producing top talent is why 85% of DAVE School graduates are immediately placed into the 3D/VFX industry for companies including Stereo D, Pixomondo, Digital Domain, and Rhythm & Hues.

For more information about, or for media to attend, The DAVE School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at 7:30pm, please visit www.daveschool.com.

Contact: Admissions
The Digital Animation and Visual Effects School
2500 Universal Studios Plaza
Sound Stage 25
Orlando, FL 32819
407.224.3283