It is safe to say that prior to the most recent Adventure Module for the ETC students in the midst of Boot Camp at ETC-Adelaide, Australia, they had never heard of the small Western Victoria town of Horsham. Situated just inside the border between the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria, Horsham is a quiet little town whose biggest claim to fame might be its location on the main railroad line between Adelaide and Melbourne where it serves as a gateway to the magnificent Grampian Mountain Range.
Getting to the Horsham was part of the adventure as the ETCers, together with ETC Executive producer, Don Marinelli, and ETC Finance Director Cari Marty, boarded the Overland train heading from Adelaide to Melbourne. The Overland is one of three transcontinental trains to be found in Australia, the other two being the renowned Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, and the Ghan traveling from Adelaide to Darwin in the Northern Territories.
The seven-hour train ride weaved through the hills of Adelaide before traversing the parched prairies of South Australia. It is said that South Australia is the “driest state of the driest continent” and that description was most in evident for the bulk of the journey.
Arriving in Horsham, the ETC contingent taxied over to the Comfort Inn to discover a wonderfully appointed and relaxing motel. It was then time to explore Horsham. Most of the students headed for Toy’s Chinese Restaurant and Mini-Golf where, despite what might be perceived as a distinctly mid-20th century experience, the ETCers discovered a remarkable Chinese-American entrepreneur and chef named Toy who was building a mini-version of the Great Wall of China surrounding his rock-themed mini-golf course. For many of the foreign students this was their first experience with mini-golf and it proved to be an appealing, engaging afternoon in the sun. A delicious dinner followed in the Comfort Inn Restaurant.
Indeed, the highpoint of this overnight Adventure Module was the visit the next day to the renowned Grampian Mountains of Western Victoria State. Named after a mountain range in Scotland, the Grampians feature some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found in the region. Great herds of kangaroos were spotted among the immense olive groves dotting the hillsides as we ascended the mountains. The Grampians featured walking trails where hardwoods shared the ground with palm trees, and where every turn featured a vista of untouched natural splendor.
The return train ride from Horsham to Adelaide was spent early on playing videogames or watching DVDs, but sleep soon overtook the ETC group as Adventure Modules can indeed be hard work both mentally and physically. Arriving back in Adelaide, the ETC team knew they had spent a very special two days getting to know an Australia few visitors experience.
After consultation with representatives from the Government of South Australia, the Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center is pleased to announce five (5) scholarships for Australian students wishing to pursue their MET studies at the ETC campus in Adelaide, Australia. Students opting for the March 2008 ETC Immersion Semester in Adelaide (a.k.a “ETC Boot Camp”) will receive a $10,000(US) tuition scholarship to be applied against tuition. This exciting opportunity opens the door to Australian students to attend the world renowned ETC in Adelaide. This scholarship can be renewed up to three times so long as the students choose to stay in Adelaide.
Gina Chuang has changed her gtalk handle to state
[Gina Chuang] works for the coolest company in Australia
Rising Sun Research (http://risingsunresearch.com/) who are close friends with the ETC in Australia (www.etc.cmu.edu.au) have recently been voted the coolest company in Australia to work for (http://www.anthillonline.com/page.php?id=21).
Gina Chuang is on her second Coop with Rising research and has accepted a full time position upon her imminent graduation from the MET program.
Rising Sun Research is a producer of world class software packages cineSync and cineSpace. Greg Wieder, Australian Industry Liaison states 'these packages are essential software for multi studio post production projects'.
Rising Sun Research and Rising Sun Pictures are two of the key partners the ETC is working in Australia with as we look forward to the start of our third year in Adelaide in March of 2008.
Molly Reynolds, award winning documentary director of Balanda http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/356914/The-Balanda-and-the-Bark-Canoes/o... has agreed to lead up the teaching of visual story for the fall of 2008 in the Australian campus of the Entertainment Technology Center. Molly will be co-teaching this course with Teresa Crea. Prior to working with us Molly was the Head of Investment for the South Australian Film Corporation. Molly is currently busy with a number of projects.
Teresa Crea, is a deviser of original performance works building on improvisational skills. Teresa’s company, Paralelo, has won many awards including the Sydney Myer award for contribution to the Australian performing arts. Teresa has agreed to lead up the teaching of improvisational acting for the fall of 2008 in the Australian campus of the Entertainment Technology Center. Teresa will be co-teaching this course with Molly Reynolds.
Teresa and Molly have expressed their delight at having the opportunity to once again play with the ETC.
ETC Australia is delighted to announce a new agreement with a key city accommodation provider. Finding suitable accommodation during peak student intakes can be challenging.
