Boston-based White Snake Projects started a partnership with Becker College years ago to fulfill a desire to make a multimedia opera. Mengliu Lu ’22, MFA ’23, helped White Snake with a production performed in September called “Cosmic Cowboy,” billed as a “sci-fi opera exploring the mysteries of space, time, and love.” That relationship continues with the Becker School of Design & Technology at Clark. Lu used her knowledge of 3D modeling, texturing, and rigging to create animated costumes for the performers. In the past, Becker students have used technology to motion-capture the performers in real time during the opera, creating a digital version of the live show.
“This was a great opportunity after taking Professor Cove’s organic modeling course,” Lu says. “I want to be a 3D artist in the game industry.”
Lu’s résumé also includes an internship with WPI-based MassDigi, an experience she shared over the summer with Ethan Nappi ’22 and Lucas Oliveira-Chace ’23. Over the course of 12 weeks, they partnered with other game-design students to develop game prototypes from the ground up. They ended the summer with original and unique game concepts that included dancing grandpas, cat cafés, and superpowered babies, all available for download from Apple and Google app stores.
“Being there every day and working hard gives you a better perspective of what’s expected in the industry, and, even better, what you can do in it,” Oliveira-Chace says.
