Animation Mentor held several events at the end of June, bringing together students, alumni and mentors from around the world to meet, many for the first time.

A van full of students from Salt Lake City, Utah, drove more than 10 hours to get to the Animation Mentor festivities that started off with a job fair for alumni followed by an Open House on June 27. In true Animation Mentor spirit, the students painted the van with Animation Mentor BBQ or Bust. They said they took turns driving and watched movies (animation, of course) while making the trek to the Bay Area.

Among the events was Animation Mentor’s first job fair in its Emeryville, Calif., headquarters. About 70 Animation Mentor alumni attended the job fair, which was open to graduates of the program. Studios participating included Blue Sky, Bungie, High Moon Studios, Industrial Light & Magic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and W!ldBrain.

During the job fair, demo reels were dropped off and connections were made with studio recruiters. And four students received job offers, getting fairy tale endings to their Animation Mentor journey.

“It was an excellent time to continue building relationships with recruiters and animators from studios,” said Alexiss Memmott, who was part of the Animation Mentor BBQ or Bust van. “I was able to chat with a studio at the job fair for a few minutes; they got to see my reel, and they called me a few days later with an offer!”

Alexiss, who took her final Animation Mentor class in June, has been hired to work on the feature film Ice Age 3 for Blue Sky Studios in White Plains, New York.

“I wouldn’t be in the situation I am in now without having come to the job fair,” Alexiss said.

On Saturday, about 200 students, family, alumni and mentors attended the third Animation Mentor barbecue held at Crissy Field in San Francisco, Calif. Over hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and cookies, students who’ve only seen each other online were finally able to see their classmates in person.

“It’s really incredible to see students, alumni and mentors from all over world together in one place,” said Bobby Beck, President and CEO of Animation Mentor, adding that students came from Paris, the United Kingdom, Canada and New York to attend the events. “I’m in awe of the support and how fantastic this community has become.”

Students at the barbecue said they were excited to see their fellow classmates in person, and that it revived them for the next term.

“It’s a great chance to meet the people you see online,” said Animation Mentor student Dan Kelton of Rancho Santa Margarita,Calif. “I find it energizing and motivating. It will help me in the next part of school.”

Eunice Park is the Communications Manager at Animation Mentor.