Pinnacle College's Video Game Sound Design Program is Setting the Standard for New Educational Curricula in Game Audio

Pinnacle College recognized that a specialized educational curriculum was needed for Game Audio. While many schools have wrapped some level of theory into their programs to touch on video game sound design, it is clear from the point of view of the industry that Video Game Sound Design is a distinct discipline, requiring a specific set of skills, experiences, and educational background. End Quote

Sound Careers for Creative Minds

Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease) November 16, 2010 - Feedback from the students regarding the Video Game Sound Design Program at Pinnacle College has been tremendous and positive. A student who goes by the nickname of "Rads" said, "We are on the cutting edge, we have all the latest software and a great classroom setup. We just got even more software that hasn't even been out a month." Said Sal Younis, president, Pinnacle College. "We are committed to offering students the most relevant, engaging, and comprehensive education that will prepare them for successful careers in the high demand, interactive entertainment industry." And that is exactly what the Video Game Sound Design Program is doing. Eitan Teomi, Director of the Video Game Sound Design Program at Pinnacle College added, "Similar to film and television, game audio is a vital aspect of the entertainment experience. Imaginary, non-linear, and freeing, game audio production is adaptive to the dynamic nature of the game. For the creative gamer, a career in game audio is a playground of possibility."

Several professional associations are currently supporting efforts to develop a standardized educational curriculum for video game sound design. Pinnacle College developed its program and curriculum with the input of noted industry leaders and luminaries who comprise the Program Advisory Committee. On an individual basis, the members of the Pinnacle College Program Advisory Committee are active in the industry's premier gaming companies. Pinnacle College's Video Game Sound Design Program is a real world model from which educational curriculum standards can be derived. It is in fact the first accredited program for Video Game Sound Design.

Pinnacle College's Program Advisory Committee is comprised of:

Lennie Moore: Composer; Educator; Program Advisory Committee Chairman
Don Veca: Senior Audio Director, Electronic Arts
Victor Rodriguez: Music Director, THQ; Board of Directors, G.A.N.G.
Tommy Tallarico: Video Games Live; Founder, CEO and Chairman, G.A.N.G.
Paul Lipson: COO, Pyramind; President, G.A.N.G.
Ken Felton: Sound Design Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment America
Alexander Brandon: Audio Director, Heatwave Interactive; Board of Directors, G.A.N.G.

The Program Advisory Committee has been instrumental in guiding and growing the curriculum to introduce intermediate and advanced production concepts since video game sound design is unlike traditional audio engineering programs where basic concepts are much more linear. Students intending to start a career in video game sound design need exposure to some advanced production concepts. Pinnacle College has overcome this challenge with the introduction of a custom engineered Video Game Sound Design Studio (VG-SDS). Pinnacle College's VG-SDS is on the bleeding edge of game audio design. Eitan Teomi, who oversaw the installation of the studio said, "Any serious endeavor to teach the concepts of video game sound design will necessarily require that students have access to the equivalent of what we have built for them with our new Video Game Sound Design Studio." Pinnacle College's VG-SDS reflects the fact that software and technology for video game sound design is rapidly evolving, requires immense audio libraries and console presets, in-game and cinematic post production capability, requires a composite setup of PC and MAC operating systems that can simultaneously communicate with each other, and requires of the student - "a different environmental awareness." The complex setup is distinctively different from the workstations and studio boards found in a typical audio engineering environment. Typical audio engineering studios fall into one of two categories, post production and live recording. The extra level of complexity found in Video Game Sound Design Studios to handle massive mixing sessions and multiple missions of in-game and cinematic post production, require that all of the systems and components operate in a complete fusion. For the students enrolled in the Video Game Sound Design Program at Pinnacle College, the future is now. Studio C at the Alhambra Campus is a state-of-the-art "fused" Video Game Sound Design Studio.

About Pinnacle College:
Pinnacle College, formerly Sound Master Recording Engineer School, is a premier vocational school offering accredited certification in Audio Recording and accredited Occupational Associate Degree in Video Game Sound Design. Established in 1972, Pinnacle College has two California campuses: one in greater Los Angeles offering both programs and one in Sacramento focused on audio recording. Pinnacle College is accredited through Accrediting Council for Continuing Education (ACCET), a nationally recognized agency.

For more information, please visit: www.pinnaclecollege.edu or call 1.877.206.6206.

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