A group of graduate students at the University of Central Florida is gaining real-life experience through the construction of Epic Universe.Some even worked on the detailed concept art for Universal Orlando’s new theme park. “It’s interactive. It’s not necessarily linear,” said Peter Weishar, director of themed experience.That’s how Weishar described the storytelling associated with the themed experience track at the University of Central Florida.Two graduate programs focus on designing environments, such as theme parks.A lot of their attention right now is on Universal Orlando’s up-and-coming theme park, Epic Universe.They study the release of concept art and animated fly-throughs of each world, most recently Dark Universe.”This is many, many hundreds of hours of work not just to create it but the many iterations they had to do to come to this final render,” Weishar said.Through partnerships with the park’s top leaders, Weishar said his students get to put their artistic skills into action before they graduate.”Dozens of hands that are touching it. Dozens of incredibly talented people that are working on it,” Weishar said.Weishar said about 36 percent of students go on to work for Universal Creative. They also learn firsthand from the creative director for Dark Universe and one of the lead writers. Weishar said he’s honored to prepare these creative minds to be the industry’s next generation of leaders.”You’re really celebrating their success and their hard work that’s made them gain the goals they wanted to achieve when they started this program,” Weishar said.About 80 students are enrolled in UCF’s themed experience programs next semester.The master’s of science track is the first and only standalone degree of its kind at a public university.
A group of graduate students at the University of Central Florida is gaining real-life experience through the construction of Epic Universe.
Some even worked on the detailed concept art for Universal Orlando’s new theme park.
“It’s interactive. It’s not necessarily linear,” said Peter Weishar, director of themed experience.
That’s how Weishar described the storytelling associated with the themed experience track at the University of Central Florida.
Two graduate programs focus on designing environments, such as theme parks.
A lot of their attention right now is on Universal Orlando’s up-and-coming theme park, Epic Universe.
They study the release of concept art and animated fly-throughs of each world, most recently Dark Universe.
“This is many, many hundreds of hours of work not just to create it but the many iterations they had to do to come to this final render,” Weishar said.
Through partnerships with the park’s top leaders, Weishar said his students get to put their artistic skills into action before they graduate.
“Dozens of hands that are touching it. Dozens of incredibly talented people that are working on it,” Weishar said.
Weishar said about 36 percent of students go on to work for Universal Creative. They also learn firsthand from the creative director for Dark Universe and one of the lead writers.
Weishar said he’s honored to prepare these creative minds to be the industry’s next generation of leaders.
“You’re really celebrating their success and their hard work that’s made them gain the goals they wanted to achieve when they started this program,” Weishar said.
About 80 students are enrolled in UCF’s themed experience programs next semester.
The master’s of science track is the first and only standalone degree of its kind at a public university.
