Student filmmaker's animation movie 'The Wreckoning' debuts at Zimmer Hall Nov. 23
First-year University of Cincinnati student Daniel Ruff, a games and animation major, will premiere a full length, animated film “2054: The Wreckoning,” at UC’s Zimmer Hall on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m.
The film is a tribute to his high school alma mater — Walnut Hills High School — and is a fictional account of a high school student who grapples with societal wrongdoings and punishment.
“The movie has some Walnut Hills jokes in it, but it’s a movie that anyone can enjoy,” says Ruff, who graduated from Walnut Hills in spring 2024.
UC student Daniel Ruff. Photo provided by Ruff.
Ruff is among the first cohort of students to major in games and animation at UC. The degree program was introduced into UC’s School of Fine Arts, in collaboration with the College of Arts & Sciences, in fall 2024, and is housed in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. Students in this major delve into the intricacies of game design, 3D animation, virtual reality and interactive storytelling, ensuring a comprehensive education that aligns with industry demands.
Catching the animation bug
Ruff had a jump start in the field. He started his foray into gaming while in elementary school, he says, after a media teacher introduced the class to a gaming program called “Scratch.” He says he enjoyed “playing around” with game design, but later — as a freshman at Walnut Hills in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns — he turned to learning animation, using the program “Blender” to consume his free time. He soon started a YouTube channel to share his creations.
He premiered an initial release of “The Wreckoning” upon graduating from Walnut Hills, but in only a semester at UC was able to hone certain skills and make adaptations, which he says was the reason he enrolled in the program: “To test me and to push me to my limits.”
This commitment to a hands-on, industry-aligned experience sets the stage for students to flourish across the landscape of digital entertainment.
Mike Gasaway, assistant professor of practice UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
Games and animation degree program
The new degree program does just that, says Mike Gasaway, assistant professor of practice and Emmy Award® winning director of the animated series “Back at the Barnyard.”
UC’s unique, studio-run environment, Gasaway says, ensures that students not only acquire in-depth knowledge of animation but also gain practical experience in collaborative teamwork, mirroring the dynamics of professional game and animation studios.
“This commitment to a hands-on, industry-aligned experience sets the stage for students to flourish across the landscape of digital entertainment and Daniel, even being new to the program, is setting a high bar for other students to aim for,” he said.
Ruff says his next project is to make a fan movie about the popular video game “Minecraft,” and he has already recruited voice actors to participate.
For now, he’s anticipating the re-release of “The Wreckoning.” The event is free and open to the public.
“Everyone was amazed at Walnut, and I just wanted to share that with UC,” he says.
Featured image at top provided by DAAP student intern An Le.
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