XtremeMedia, a new and exciting digital media event, will take place in the Department of Electronics at the University of Kent, 21 – 23 June 2005.Free of charge and open to the public, the event will include the EUROPRIX Top Talent Awards 2004 Road Show, a showcase for the most exciting innovations and developments in European multimedia (from games to interactive TV, broadband and beyond); numerous exhibitions featuring examples of the most outstanding work from the University’s Multimedia Technology and Design students; and workshops for schools and schoolchildren covering 3D Animation, Image Editing and Special Effects. There will also be talks from invited professionals who will give advice and describe their experiences in multimedia.Among the event exhibitions, visitors will have the opportunity to see the University’s Canterbury Blitz project, a vivid digital animation re-creating the city during World War II; the University’s entries for the International Moving Image & Music Awards; a photographs and posters gallery from the digital photography course; and a showreel presenting the best digital films and animations made by students on the Multimedia Technology and Design Course. The latter will take place in the Department of Electronics lecture theatre and will include digital video, special effects and 3D animation.The event will also present visitors with the chance to see some of the best interactive media and web based applications developed in the last 12 months on the University’s multimedia programme.Les Walczowski, the Course Director and one of the organisers of XtremeMedia said: ‘I am delighted that this year we are able to showcase the outstanding work of our students over a period of three days. This event will provide a unique insight into digital media and an exciting day out for everyone.’Professor Michael Fairhurst, Head of the Department of Electronics said: ‘It is an honour for us to be invited to host the Europrix Road Show this year, but this just demonstrates the growing reputation of the Department in the area of multimedia design and technology. I am sure that visitors will be impressed by the variety, quality and creativity in the work on show.’Among the many visitors and industry professionals expected to attend or drop in on the event will be Liz Valentine, a graduate from the Multimedia Technology and Design course and a winner of the EUROPRIX Top Talent Award 2004 for her thesis Manhandling Joysticks & Pushing Buttons – Gender and Computer Games.Now a software engineer and developer, Liz said: ‘Multimedia is an exciting fusion of creativity, individuality, and technical ability which enables the development of “experiences”. These may range from surreal fantastical explorations to factual and analytical displays, but in all cases, they communicate messages to the user, and can initiate emotions and ideas. The open showcasing of the wide variety of work is a marvellous occasion; allowing the ideas and efforts of the creators to be appreciated while stimulating and inspiring the audience.’XtremeMedia is free and will be open 10am – 4pm, 21 – 23 June. Everyone is welcome.
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