Running Around

So call me crazy, but I LOVE to run. Running has been a passion of mine for quite a while and it is something that, despite my busy and hectic schedule, I try to keep up with most days of the week. Before coming to Chapman, I was really worried about the lack of hills and trails and off road running as that is what I was used to back home. I thought that I would be forced to run the streets of Orange and be bothered by stoplights and other such nuisances. After running with the Cross Country team here at Chapman starting my freshman year, I was stoked to find that there are many places nearby to enjoy awesome trails and beautiful scenery all while getting some good mileage in. Just up the street (about a 5-10 minute drive) is Irvine Park and Peter’s Canyon Park, both great places frequented by runners, bikers, hikers, and horseback riders. There is varying terrain including flatland as well as some gnarly hills. A place I have more recently discovered that has become a favorite is the Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna. It is about a 20-25 minute drive from campus, but definitely worth it. There are miles and miles of trails that go up hills and down through valleys, there is even a trail that takes you from the trailhead all the way down to the beach (about 4.5 miles). The views are amazing (see the picture!) and it makes for an awesome Saturday morning. So if you love running like I do, get excited for the awesome places you will have to explore!

- Anthony

Successful Spring Involvement Fair!

This past week we had our Spring Involvement Fair where clubs and organizations set up tables to talk to students in hopes of gaining members. As I walked around, I was floored by the variety of clubs Chapman had to offer. We have Chess Club, The Chameleon Club, Anyone Can Cook Club, and just about everything else under the sun. I guess that goes to show how passionate our students are about being active in the Chapman community and sharing that with all who are interested. Chapman is full of student leaders trying to make a difference in the world, and this student fair was only a small taste of what they are capable of.

- Sally

3D Animation

For those of you that have read my posts before, you know that I've had many struggles in my Digital Art major, especially in the CGI aspect. CGI stands for Computer Generated Imagery, which is the kind of animation you see in Pixar films as opposed to traditional Disney movies.

Something really cool for us in Digital Arts, is that we have a new professor! Leigh Rens, who has worked on Pirates of the Caribbean among other films, is now teaching Intermediate Character Animation. He set us up with an absolutely amazing character rig. A rig is a 3D model that has been made to move with joints and controls.

Creating a rig is super hard for me because I'm more artistic than technical. Professor Rens gave us a character rig that is entirely customizable - you can change EVERYTHING about this person, whether it be height, weight, skin tone, hair, or even male or female. You can also pull and control it into any direction. It is called the Morpheous Rig, and it is an Autodesk Maya character.

This rig is super useful for anyone interested in CGI because it can become a huge variety of characters.

In the picture are some examples for the possibilities this one character can become!

- Holly

Student Involvement Fair

The Student Involvement Fair was today in the Chapman Attallah Piazza! Chapman allows all the on campus organizations to set up booths to advertise their club between 11-1:30. Students can explore the many student organizations and involvement opportunities at Chapman through this fair. Representatives of campus clubs & departments have tables for you to visit to ask questions or get more information.

- Tyler

Spring Mayhem

Spring semester has been really busy for me so far. My schedule is jam packed with events all day, every day. I’m taking four classes, working about twelve hours a week in admissions, participating in a few clubs on campus, as well as running track six days a week. Through all this chaos, I’ve realized how much I really appreciate everything this school offers, from professors’ office hours, to the delicious coffee at Einstein’s; I know that there are always resources available to help make my hectic schedule easier. I’m really looking forward to everything this semester has to offer, including the student involvement fair, sorority date party, and numerous track meets to come.

- Rose

My Final College Semester

Two weeks into my spring and final semester of college and it honestly still feels like just yesterday I was on my way to freshman orientation week. With this last semester I begin to remember the past, enjoy the present and look to the future. I remember all of my favorite Chappy memories from the Angels game during orientation week to indoor skydiving with my DG sorority sisters to watching the fireworks with my cheer team at my last Homecoming game. Chapman has taught me how to live life to the fullest; it has encouraged me to try new things, remain involved and to share my passion. It is also preparing me for my future. My courses in public relations and advertising have assisted in me landing an amazing internship this semester with Dick Clark Productions. I knowthat when I leave Chapman I will leave with more than just knowledge and work experience, I will leave with lasting friendships. The people I have met here have truly shaped my college experience. They haveinspired, motivated and supported me and I know that they willcontinue to do so even after I leave.

- Stephanie

Sundance and Spring Semester

This semester is off to a crazy but exciting start! I had an amazing Interterm going to the Sundance Film Festival with Chapman. It is a small class of about twenty students and we got to see films, meet industry people, and go to lots of exclusive events. It was the best time of my entire life. I learned so much!! Even though it was sad to leave that experience, I am loving my classes this semester so far, especially "Creative Producing and Development." It's a class for my major, Creative Producing, and I have learned so much in just three weeks! I am realizing how much I learned on my Sundance trip that I am applying to what I learn here at Chapman.

This semester is also the start of my executive position in my sorority as a vice president and it has been such an amazing experience so far. I am the Panhellenic Affairs VP, so I get to hang out with girls from every chapter on a regular basis - I absolutely love it! I have also already been to Disneyland this semester, of course, my favorite place on earth. I went for a few hours the other day with some friends just to take a quick study break! I love being at Chapman. This is my fourth semester, and I am already feeling like the time is flying by too quickly; I never want to leave! I can't wait for all of the excitement this semester is going to bring!

- Sarah

Starting a New Internship!

This Friday I have my first day at my new internship. The company I am working for now is 4Fini Inc., but you may recognize them more for what they do – they produce the Vans Warped Tour.

I’m super stoked to start, and the experience I am going to get really is unique. I will be working directly with the bands, their managers, venues, and promotion companies to help promote and market a handful of the bands on the Warped ticket.

What’s even cooler is that this opportunity came about as a result of a class project. I’m in the second semester of my Screenwriting Thesis class, and when I started my script last fall, I decided I wanted to write about the Warped Tour. So in an effort to make my script as real as possible, I set up interviews with some people who work and have worked closely with the tour. The result was a “love-at-first-sight” type of feeling with the 4Fini Inc. office and the people who worked there. I inquired about job opportunities and internship options, and now, 5 months later, I am about to start my first day. I can’t wait. It’s not film (my major is screenwriting) but it’s something I’m passionate about and I can’t wait to get started.

Moral of the story, whenever you think that the things you are doing in class don’t matter in real life, just remember my awesome internship spending a summer at the Warped Tour.

- Robert Barsanti ‘12

Here we go again!

Well, it's the start of a brand new semester. Classes have begun, work is in motion, but most importantly, the weather is beautiful! I think it's one of the best things about going to school in Southern California. We all joke about the 363 days of sunshine we get here, but lately it has not been a joke. Most schools get to experience multiple seasons. Here at Chapman, we have Summer all year round, and with the addition of the new residence hall pool it's just the way we like it! Come down for a visit and experience what we get to experience all year long.

- Garrett