On January 11, 2011, the Stan Winston Family, in conjunction with the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, will launch the Stan Winston School of Character Arts to continue the legacy of the late visual effects leader and four-time Academy Award winner through specialized education taught by some of the top names in the field.
A creature-effects visionary, Winston created many of the silver screen's most memorable monsters and characters for some of the biggest blockbusters of the last two decades, including "Predator," "Jurassic Park," "Terminator," "Iron Man," and "Avatar."
To honor his memory by inspiring the next generation of visual effects artists, film industry leaders such as John Rosengrant, Shannon Shea, and Richard Landon - all protégés of Winston themselves - will share the secrets behind their masterpieces with students in both DVD and digital distribution formats.
For example, one of the launch courses, "Hybrid Characters: The Practical/Digital Approach to Creature Creation with John Rosengrant," taps the effects wizard's expertise in weaving together time-tested techniques with advancements in digital effects.