Short-films, video games or immersive simulations are produced at MAGIC as a capstone project during the second academic year. All students are granted the opportunity to pitch an idea for aproject, selection is done in two phases: The first selection panel is composed by MAGIC staff, faculty, MDC administrators and members from the community actively engaged in the arts, film,animation or video game production. Selection is based on having an original idea, strong and defined characters, production feasibility and the potential to elevate MDC MAGIC and our community through its message.
On the second phase, selected students pitch their story to executives and professionals from animation studios currently partnering with MAGIC. The selection is then made based on their commercial prospects, ability to engage an audience and a story line which allows further development. During the 2016/17 academic year, “Levitate” and “Dine & Dash” were mentored by Nickelodeon, and “New World Order” by Fox Animation.
Projects/2017
LEVITATE, created by Sofia Raffo
This is the story of a special girl on a journey to find her inner self, a tale that help kids learn to overcome their fears. Piper, and her spirit animal Pandi, are excited to start summer at Camp Pharawei! That is, until Piper’s anxiety gets in the way of making new friends. With Pandi’s help, Piper meditates to rise above her fears. In the process, Piper learns how special she really is. Produced by Ashley Saludes and Original Soundtrack by Jose Luis Hernandez & Andrew Gonzales. VIACOM Project Mentors: Miriam Luciow and Gigi Gomez.
NEW WORLD ORDER, created by Jonathan Fernandez
New World Order is a story about… let’s be honest: it’s about a collection of idiots. Eyessac is the secret leader of the infamous Illuminati. They work from the shadows to control you, the mindless masses. To continue his reign of idiocy, he must perform a dark ritual and summon aid from the underworld. Unfortunately for Eyessac, things never go quite as he plans. Produced by Jason A. Rivera Original Soundtrack by Andrew Gonzales. Industry Mentor: Drew Tolman
DINE & DASH, created by Laquisha Campos
Agent K, star of the Culinary Investigative Authority, is hot on the heels of America’s most notorious dine-and-dashers: Grandma Grits and her gluttonous grandkids! Will our heroic, iron-eyebrowed Agent stop the gang from eating more restaurants out of business? Find out in Dine & Dash: Tip Not Included! Produced by William Tang Original Soundtrack by Andrew Gonzales. VIACOM Project Mentors: Miriam Luciow and Gigi Gomez.
Projects/2018
MEMENTO MOIRA, created by Tara Remmen
Memento Moira is about a girl who moves into a new town. While settling into her new house, she learns something strange about it that causes ghosts to become restless and unruly. She now must help them and learn what is the cause of the ghost’s grief while hiding the fact that she can communicate with them. Produced by Shaina Dorval, Alaina Dorval, Veronica Gonzalez, and Marilyn Hernandez. Original Soundtrack by Luis Hernandez. Project Mentor: Kimberly Dennison.
ENDLESS CYCLE, created by Katelyn Goldstein
Endless Cycle is a character driven series focusing on the themes of business, healthcare and immigration throughout multiple US American communities and the families they encompass. Endless Cycle focuses on the relationship between old school Dida , her tech-savvy granddaughter, Alex and a communal bicycle. The character plays the role of offering glimpses into different lives and bringing the community together. Produced by Vanessa Sanchez, Matthew Chong, Julia Martinez, and Katelyn Goldstein. Original Soundtrack by Luis Hernandez. UNIVISION Project Mentors: Selymar Colon, Ricardo Weibezahn and Mauricio Rodriguez Pons.
MORPHO, created by Antonio Cardenas
The story is about the bond between a shape-shifting alien stranded on Earth and a 7-year-old stargazer called Dodi. It is also about childhood adventures, discovery, and the special secret you could only share with your best friend. Friendship is universal. Produced by Emilio Galindo. Original Soundtrack by Ari Blik. VIACOM Project Mentors: Miriam Luciow and Gigi Gomez.
VOID, created by Richard J Field
Void is an Agatha Christie style procedural murder mystery game. It is set in space, aboard a ship crewed by a mix of humans and aliens. As the player, you will investigate the death of a
crewmember by finding clues and running down leads. The choices you make will determine the outcome of the story. Available for PC & Android. Original Soundtrack by Jamal Tumbull. Project Mentor: Leah Hoyer
Class of 2017
Sebastian Aragon, Cristopher Antonio Argueta, Fernando Antonio Ayuso, Laquisha B. Campos, Daneris Marie Delgado, Ivan Delgado, Jonathan P Fernandez, Hanzel Levi Lepe, Kristen Molina, Kevin Quinones, Sofia E Raffo, Jason A Rivera, Ashley Marie Saludes, Ieon Mellasor Skepple, William Tang
Class of 2018
Albelo,Adam; Caban,Emily Michelle; Chong,Matthew Adam; Daly,Daniel; Echeverri,Miguel Angel; Goldstein,Katelyn Pearl; Herrera,Andrew J; Lugo,Alexandra Maria; Martinez,Julia Marie; Nagaraj Bharathi,Shwetha Bharati Sujjalur; ;Nodarse,Jacob; Phillips,Brigitte; Reich,Angel Rafael; Remiggi,Gianfranco N; Rodriguez,Luis Angel; Sanchez,Jordania Tamar; Sanchez,Vanessa; Silva,Jessica Denise; Solis,Bryan Eduardo; Utile,Florance; Vazquez,Angellise D; Acquaviva,Athenais; Augustin,Britnie Adine; Barker,Angelina; Cubillos,Andres E; De Marchena,Heather Marie; Dorval,Alaina Kasey; Dorval,Shaina; Gaspard,Lyla A; Gonzalez,Veronica Maria; Hernandez,Marilyn Eliza; Hernandez,Pierre; Korge,Kevin; Laureano,Jason Matthew; Medina,Carlos A; Menache,Juan Manuel; Nieves Hernandez,Claudia; Organvidez,Anna; Remmen,Tara L; St.Cyr,Stephan Picasso; Tyler,Charles L; Acosta,Austin; Artigas,Alexander; Bethel,Michael Kyle; Cabrera,Gabriel A; Carchi,Jean P; Castellano,Carlos M; Deluzuriaga,Alexander; Fernandez,Joshua Kyle; Field,Richard J; Jimenez,Daniel Alexander; Lopez,Emil; Millares,Ray M; Monteverde,Matthew G; Puebla,Jose Manuel; Rabassa,Daniel Anthony; Sosa,Steven; Suarez,Nicholas Ryan; Tang,William; Villarreal,Alexander; Wells,Melissa Elizabeth; Acevedo,Christopher Alexander; Bologna,Nicholas; Cardenas,Antonio Mario; Castro,Kaiser Jamil; Galindo,Emilio Enrique; Gonzalez,Michael Leonardo; Iglesias,Vanessa; Lenz,Nicole; Linares,Luis M; Oquendo,Jean Michael; Sanchez,Jorge Luis; Santos Lima,Eduardo Cesar; Velasquez,Jhordan A.
MAGIC Faculty & Staff
Mauricio Ferraza – Department Chair, Philip Ferretti – Academic Lab Manager, Ariana Fernandez – Instructional Assistant, Rame Rampson – Adjunct Faculty, Erwin Santa Cruz – Adjunct Faculty, Silvia Sayas – Adjunct Faculty, Juan Carlos Valdez – Adjunct Faculty, Kolos Schumy – Adjunct Faculty, Hung-Chum Kao – Adjunct Faculty, Joerg Meyer – Adjunct Faculty, Vanessa Velasquez – Adjunct Faculty, Alex Roque – Adjunct Faculty, Mark Simpson – Adjunct Faculty, Ruben Balmaceda – Adjunct Faculty, Gabrielle Pin – Office Specialist, Alexis Centeno – Academic Tutor, Leonel Perez – Academic Tutor, Ieon Skepple – Academic Tutor, Christian Guevara – Audio Engineer.
Special Thanks
Dr. Eduardo Padron, Dr. Joaquin Martinez, Cristina Mateo, Manuel Perez, MDC Foundation, Frank Azor, Claudina Lopez, Juan ‘JC’ Acosta, Miriam Luciow, Gigi Gomez, Tatiana Rodriquez, Karen Lafargue, Niccolo Totaro, Leah Hoyer, Drew Tolman, Kimberly Dennison, Joni Fernandez, Selymar Colon, Dr. Jeffrey Hodgson, Dr Susan Epstein, Daniel Andai, David Schroeder and the New World School of the Arts.