Fall — 2008

Alex Bone

Computer Animation/AET

“The best thing about SMC is the teachers, especially at the AET [Academy of Entertainment & Technology] campus. They’re incredibly knowledgeable, but also laid-back, which I love.”

“I had Eric Gerds for a Final Cut Pro class, and he is just an awesome teacher. He explained everything clearly and thoroughly,” says Alex Bone, now in his fourth SMC semester. “This was an intensive four-hour class, and to keep a classroom dynamic for four hours requires real talent and ingenuity. I think it was one of the best classes I’ve ever had.”

Alex says that “the AET faculty have all worked in the Industry, so they’re a great source for connections, referrals, and internships. They’re just a gold mine! I want to get into the gaming industry in a big way. But working for a special effects outfit would also be a lot of fun.” Alex plans on getting his AA at SMC and then continuing on. “I’m going to transfer over to the LA Art Institute in Santa Monica and get my Master’s in Science in Game Design.” For Alex, going back to school was absolutely critical. “I was making really good money at a Comp USA store in Hawaii, but they went out of business. So this is a very big career change for me. But,” he adds with a laugh, “I guess you sort of have to expect this sort of thing in America.”

Alex states, “I’m pretty much doing this whole thing at SMC with night classes, because I need my free time during the day. And they’ve been uniformly good ones.” And he offers this advice to all: “The biggest problem I’ve had was in getting my Financial Aid straight. So you need to go straight over to Counseling and lay out what you want to do in concrete terms. If you just come to SMC to flutter around, chances are you’ll be miserable.”

Back