Skidegate-raised Christopher Auchter has won a prestigious prize in the Electronic Arts Great Canadian Art Competition. Mr. Auchter won $3,000 cash for his short computer-animated film, "Jumping Jack Crash," placing first in the animation category.
"It's pretty exciting," said Mr. Auchter, who has just graduated from a program at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. The animation he does is "computer generated" he said, like the stuff you see in the movie "Shrek" or "The Incredibles."
The awards gala took place at Vancouver's Waterfront Hotel last weekend. The competition's sponsor, Electronic Arts Canada, is one of the world's largest development studios for interactive entertainment and makers of popular videogames like "NHL 2005," "FIFA Soccer 2005" and "Need for Speed Underground 2." The company paid airfares and accommodation for the 25 finalists from around the country, and has offered them jobs. Mr. Auchter said that he was also offered a job, but is unsure about accepting it since he is already working for the National Film Board.