UK Happenings

Video Game Producer Offers Career Insights

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2012) — Heather Chandler, executive producer for the independent video game development studio Media Sunshine, will speak on “Mapping Your Future in the Video Game Industry” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in Room 102 of the White Hall Classroom Building. The talk is sponsored by the Media Arts and Studies program in the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications.

“The video game market has undergone explosive growth worldwide in the past decade and continues to evolve," said Dr. Zixue Tai, a faculty member in Media Arts and Studies. "There is a growing need for innovative talent among college graduates. Our curriculum, which focuses on audio, video and creative production — plus our latest emphasis on mobile and social media — creates unique advantages for our students to seek involvement in the video game revolution.”

Chandler has worked in the video game industry for 15 years, including production work on "Sacred 2: Fallen Angel," "Two Worlds," "Monster Madness: Grave Danger," "Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield," and eight games in the "Ghost Recon" series.

Chandler founded Media Sunshine in 2005. Her clients have included Villain, Play Eternal, Psyonix Studios, cdv Software, Her Interactive, SDI Media, SouthPeak Games, Artificial Studios and Batallion 52.

Chandler is the author of "The Game Production Handbook" and "The Game Localization Handbook" and co-author of "Fundamentals of Game Development." She is a frequent guest speaker at colleges and universities, and has also lectured at GDC, Future Play, and the Montreal Game Summit. She graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University and received a master's degee from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

The UK School of Journalism and Telecommunications offers courses on multimedia production, including video game development and mobile applications development, as part of its Media Arts and Studies program.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu