Education Leaders Program / Michael Patterson
Michael Patterson
Los Angeles, California
School affiliations
Websites
"Adobe is leading the fight against the second digital divide, the divide that causes poor kids to take orders from the computers while the rich kids learn how to master them."
Mike Patterson teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in the Division of Animation & Digital Arts, focusing on hybrid animation/live action/3D projects. His students work extensively in Adobe® Premiere®, After Effects®, Photoshop®, and Illustrator® software. The Adobe tools are key in the creation of hybrid animation/live action/3D projects. Patterson's classes focus on artistic invention and style from a directorial point of view.
His visual music class creates a collaborative environment pooling the talents of animators, interactive media, production, and music scoring students. In this class, he encourages projected works, installations, stereo imaging, and live performances. He and his wife, Candace Reckinger, created and co-teach a class in which students produce individually designed digital art and animation projects using hybrid techniques. Work by their students has been featured in film festivals and gallery exhibits in Los Angeles.
An animator and director of music videos, commercials, and short films, he began his career in 1985 by animating the MTV hit "Take On Me" for a-ha. He and Reckinger directed a string of MTV hits that include Suzanne Vega's "Luka," Sting's "Be Still My Beating Heart," and Paula Abdul's "Opposites Attract," which won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video. In fall of 2006, his short "Commuter" was added into the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection, along with seven music video clips. As a director at Rhythm and Hues Studios for 10 years, he worked extensively with 2D animation, 3D animation, and visual effects. He's directed award-winning spots for numerous clients, receiving Clio Awards for Intel and Reebok. A DGA veteran since 1993, he continues to direct and design commercials.
His current work combines digital illustration, live photography, and visual effects. Collaborative visual music projects in development include cross platform audio/visual installations and performances.
