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Alumni News Joe Vance ’87 Shares DreamWorks Insight s Head of Character Art at DreamWorks Animation, after lengthy stints at EA Sports and working on major animated projects for Disney, Joe Vance ’87 has a treasure trove of highlevel professional knowledge. In April, Vance shared his wisdom with several Jesuit art classes, Skyping in directly from DreamWorks for several hours over a two-day period. Having worked on fi lms such as the “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Kung Fu Panda” series at Dream- Works, plus many other movies at Disney, numerous TV shows, video games, and special projects, Vance has been intimately involved for more than two decades with every aspect of the creative process across numerous platforms. His enthusiasm shined through with the students. “It starts with a story,” Vance said. “And it’s about telling a compelling story, and about developing characters that have appeal.” Vance was excited to learn about the fl ourishing arts scene at Jesuit. Under 24 JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • FALL 2016 Vance Skyping with Jesuit AP Art students Vance’s drawings are throughout the 1987 yearbook, including on the cover A the direction of department head Kevin Ball ’03, Jesuit fi ne arts are robust and thriving. Ball teaches two AP art courses, and the array of outstanding student works displayed annually at Celebration of the Arts and the Juried Art Show has been impressing onlookers for years. Vance shared nuggets of insight about projects he’s worked on, the process of making animated fi lms, and character development. “I call it ‘passionate detachment,’” Vance said. “You have to care enough to fi ght for your ideas, but you have to know when to let it go, and when to stick with it.” Recently appointed to the Head of Character Art position, Vance now not only works on animated properties but live action franchises as well. Upcoming releases this year that Vance has spearheaded include “Trolls” – expected in theaters in early November – plus “Trollhunters” and “Voltron: Legendary Defender” on Netfl ix. Vance’s career path started modestly – out of college, he looked into making greeting cards. Now, his artistic inspiration is central to some of the world’s biggest major motion pictures. “Painting and drawing are the fundamentals.” Vance said. “Keep training that eye and sharpening that tool.” Vance (right) with DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeff rey Katzenberg


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