Three School of Visual Arts students create award-winning short animated films

Three Virginia Tech students working with Ben Hannam, assistant professor of art, in a School of Visual Arts interactive design class won awards at the 2008 West Virginia Flash Animation Festival.

Glenn Sorrentino, then a fourth-year visual communication design major from Norfolk, Va., was named the runner up in the dramatic short category. His animation, Falling Awake , was selected for originality, artistic merit, dramatic presentation, and professionalism. Jesse Johnson, then a third-year a studio art major from Atkins, Va., received an honorable mention in the comedy short category for his animation, Little Jeff . Helen Li, then a second-year visual communication design major from Falls Church, Va., received an honorable mention in the comedy short category for her animation, Sk8tr Luv .

Students at universities and colleges in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland, and Pennsylvania participated in this regional competition hosted by West Liberty State College.

Hannam, of Blacksburg, said, “This project is the first major project these students had ever done in Flash. To place in a competition of this nature on your first attempt creating a Flash animation is an accomplishment. We’re proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing what they do next.”