Radio-TV-Film 2009 Distinguished Alumnus

Alumnus Eric Dapkewicz ’93 will receive award at the TV-Film Society year-end banquet and awards ceremony, May 9, 7:00p, at Dave and Busters in the Block at Orange. Eric will offer a few remarks and be honored as the RTVF Distinguished Alumni.

Eric is an Orange County native. He received his B.A. in Communications / Radio-TV-Film in 1993 (before RTVF launched as a new department in Fall 2001). He went to work for Disney Feature Animation, starting as a production assistant in 1994 on "Pocohantas." He relocated to Florida in 1996 when he was promoted to assistant editor on "Mulan." He worked on other projects there, eventually being promoted to associate editor in 1999 on "Lilo & Stitch." In 2003, Disney closed its Florida studio and Eric moved back to southern California with his family, where he was scheduled to work on the Disney animated film, "Bolt." However, DreamWorks recruited him away from Disney in 2004 to be co-editor on the British animated comedy, "Flushed Away." In 2006, DreamWorks appointed him lead editor on its 3D animated film, "Monsters vs. Aliens," which was released this year to instant box office success. For this film, Eric developed special hardware and software to work with the editing program (Avid) that allowed the film to be created in 3D from the start, rather than creating a 2D version first and adding the 3D imaging later (as previous 3D films had been made). Because of the success and cost savings of this new approach, as well as the runaway success of "Monsters," Eric is now considered one of Hollywood's leading 3D editors. His current project is lead editor on the upcoming DreamWorks animated film, "Puss in Boots," a spin-off of that character from the "Shrek" films, scheduled for release in 2012. In addition to his distinguished professional career, Eric is also active in the independent film world, having written and directed some of his own projects, such as "The Last Piece Standing" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477754/). Eric is also a musician. He writes songs, performs, and records with his band, "Imaginarius." The band has sold songs internationally on iTunes and Amazon.com.

The following link offers the current issue of "Editors Guild Magazine" featuring Eric and his editing partner and their work on the current 3D movie hit, "Monsters vs. Aliens." Eric is on the cover as well as featured in the article. http://www.editorsguild.com/magazine.cfm?ArticleID=712

We congratulate alumnus Eric Dapkewicz on his selection as the RTVF 2009 Distinguished Alumnus for his outstanding career success in feature animation editing, now in 3D!