Name: Rodrigo Barasorda
Country: Puerto Rico
Company: Atlantic University College
Position: Coordinador del Programa de Animación Digital y Videojuegos
Conference title:
After graduating from Syracuse University from the Computer Graphics and Animation Program in 2000, Prof. Rodrigo Barasorda returned to Puerto Rico with the goal of establishing a local visual effects and animation studio to promote that industry locally. In the summer of 2000, he co-founded PR3D, a visual effects and 3D animation studio which worked on the development of local Disney-style animations like Angels in the Amazon alongside local film production studio Muvi Films, local animator Paco López and Disney animator/producer Raul García.
In 2001, he began teaching graphic design and web design courses at Atlantic University College and offered the school’s first 3D design course in 2003. Since then, and for the past twelve years, he has worked as both full-time faculty member at Atlantic College and as a freelance artist for several local advertisement agencies, architectural firms and web-based companies, animating and producing 3D architectural visualizations, animated TV commercials and effects and several local company websites.
In 2008, he became the Program Coordinator for the first Digital Animation and Video Game Art and Design Bachelor Degree programs offered in Puerto Rico. Since then, he has been a key player in establishing several industry contacts in both fields, helping local government agencies such as PRIDCO to promote local animation and video game design skills to such international companies as Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers, Vodka Capital, Microsoft, Digital Domain, Gearbox, Ubisoft and EA Games, amongst others.
In the summer of 2010, he was nominated for three Suncoast Chapter EMMYs in the categories of Best Commercial, Arts and Animation and Technical Achievement. He also founded and currently promotes the Video Game and Animation Week in Atlantic University College which hosts local and international speakers and industry professionals and has aided in the development of video game prototypes as part of an academic alliance with the University of Southern California and an academic partnership with Epic Games, makers of the Unreal Engine.
In 2013, he helped co-found and became Vice President of the first Academic Chapter in Puerto Rico. His goal is to help local talent develop into full-fledged, independent professionals that can create their own business endeavors and create a presence in the international video game and animation community.
