Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC’s Multimedia Program adds new degree thanks to LAIKA partnership

Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.

Portland Community College’s relationship with LAIKA Studios is in full motion.

PCC’s Multimedia Program announced a new associate degree in Animation and Motion Graphics that has just been approved by the state of Oregon and accreditors, which will be available to students beginning fall term of 2025.

Last year, a collaboration between PCC and LAIKA was announced that included a two-year $60,000 pledge from LAIKA to the PCC Foundation. This contribution supports PCC’s LAIKA scholarship and program funds that provide a stop motion lab, equipment and supplies like software and tools for puppet making fabrication. Another key component is the Oregon Film Office/LAIKA Summer Internship that is open to PCC students.

LAIKA funding also supports the curriculum and the new associate degree in Animation and Motion Graphics that will enhance educational opportunities for aspiring animators in Oregon. The degree provides students a comprehensive curriculum offering that blends traditional and digital animation techniques. Through co-created studios and industry-standard facilities, students gain hands-on experience and practical skills under the guidance of experienced professionals.

“We are so excited to be partnering with LAIKA and its innovative production studio,” said Erik Fauske, PCC multimedia instructor. “The scholarship donations and program funds will provide financial support to incoming students and equitable access to cutting edge industry tools.”

Shining Spotlight on Talent

In addition to financial support, LAIKA provides valuable insights and feedback to shape the program’s direction and curriculum. Through annual updates and advising sessions, the studio plays an integral role in guiding students towards industry success.

In April, the college and the studio hosted a portfolio review at the Cascade Campus to advise the students’ creations. Aspiring student filmmakers, animators, and digital storytellers — many dreaming of a future with LAIKA — are a segment of aspiring workers that the studio can recruit and hire from.

“LAIKA’s curriculum feedback, portfolio support and guidance on workflow will impact students to be job ready with relevant skills,” Fauske added. “At Multimedia, we provide an eclectic array of classes in many areas of production and we are so excited to enhance our animation, visual effects, and motion graphic curriculum.”

LAIKA assistant cameraperson and PCC alum Anna Terpening represented LAIKA to assist in inspiring the current crop of students. Just two years ago, Terpening was a multimedia student at PCC, balancing assignments and work. Her break came during a competitive three-month production internship with LAIKA where she obtained up close access to all the departments and met co-workers from all around the studio.  

“I was really blessed by folks that helped me and gave me opportunities to learn,” said Terpening. “They believed in me. And I worked really hard to learn about anything that I didn’t know, or had questions about, and tried to be as helpful as I could with my position.” 

That is where she caught the eye of Bryan Garver, a 20-year LAIKA veteran and fellow PCC graduate who worked as supervising gaffer on “Coraline.”

“He told me he noticed I was a good worker,” said Terpening. “Soon after the internship, I was hired as a central production assistant. I started talking with Bryan and other leads on the camera team because I’d realized that’s where I wanted to be. Then, a year later, I was working with them.”

She earned her associate degree in Multimedia in 2023, though the rapid rise in her career has made the timeline a bit of a blur.

“I was homeschooled in Banks, and I’ve always been drawn to creative work,” she said. “My uncle is a director of photography, so I’d seen the industry up close. It’s a demanding business, and I never thought I would pursue it as a career. Little by little, I kept coming back to the film industry, all the time praying until I felt peace – and now it’s such a joy. I can’t believe I get to do something I love so much.”

Terpening credits PCC for giving her the tools to succeed.

“I got hands-on experience with lighting, dollies, jibs—real-world skills,” she said. “I even picked up paid gigs while still in school, which helped build my resume and confidence.”

Her advice to aspiring creatives who want a way into the field: “It’s not glamorous, but being diligent in what you are doing, treating people well, and being an eager learner leaves a bigger impact.” 

A Midlife Pivot with Purpose

Nelly Pitts, this year’s recipient of the PCC Foundation LAIKA Animation and Motion Graphics Scholarship, knows something about career transformation. At 40, Pitts returned to college after nearly two decades in set design, event production and social media marketing for elite clients in New York and Los Angeles.

Then the pandemic hit, grinding their business to a halt and impacting their health.

“I tried to get a job-job, but I’m a creative—that’s never worked out,” said Pitts, who is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. “Coming back to school with life experience is empowering. Even with the world feeling scary, knowing what I want to do makes it feel easier.”

Pitts also works as a production coordinator with Echo Theater Company in Southeast Portland and continues performing under the moniker One Half Nelson. They are in their final term in the Multimedia Program and have already earned a one-year certificate.

“And the financial support really has helped,” Pitts said. “With a Pell Grant, a PCC Foundation scholarship, and other aid, I could just focus on studying—even through 18-credit terms.

“I get creatively bored—I need new experiences to learn,” they continued. “That’s what I’ve found here. The department makes it about learning and gives you the tools and the freedom to be creative.”

For more information, visit pcc.edu/programs/multimedia.