Animation and illustration lecturer takes pay cut to teach SJSU students
Jill Abell
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
Borenstein flies from Los Angeles to SJSU every Friday to bring his energy, intellect and passion to students in the animation and illustration program, said John Loomis, director of the school of art and design.
"There was a fight for me between three schools - San Jose and two other schools down south," Borenstein said. "I wanted this one, San Jose is the best. At the other schools I was given the opportunity to run the whole department, and here I was given the opportunity to be the spoke in the wheel. I wanted to be the spoke because San Jose's (SJSU) animation and illustration department is the best."
According to the Shrunken Head Man Web site, recent graduates of the animation and illustration program have been hired by Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar Animation Studios, Industrial Light and Magic, Warner Bros. Feature Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts, and Curious Pictures.
Borenstein said he took a $150,000 pay cut to teach at SJSU.
"I had my limo rides and people asking for my autograph, and all that kind of stuff and I was like, 'All right,'" he said. "To have an opportunity to pay back at such a young age, I'd be a fool not to take that. It never would have happened without Alice Carter."
Courtney Granner, professor of animation and illustration, said he and fellow professor Alice Carter persuaded him to come teach at SJSU.
"We (Granner and Carter) brought him to campus for a presentation and to meet our incredible students, plus witness firsthand how the program works from the inside out," Granner said.
Carter said students flock to Borenstein's class because he offers world class education at an affordable price.
According to the Internet Movie Database Web site, Borenstein has played key roles in "Quest for Camelot," "Space Jam," "The Swan Princess," "Bebe's Kids," "FernGully: The Last Rainforest," "Rover Dangerfield," "BraveStarr: The Legend," and "Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night."
"There was a fight for me between three schools - San Jose and two other schools down south," Borenstein said. "I wanted this one, San Jose is the best. At the other schools I was given the opportunity to run the whole department, and here I was given the opportunity to be the spoke in the wheel. I wanted to be the spoke because San Jose's (SJSU) animation and illustration department is the best."
According to the Shrunken Head Man Web site, recent graduates of the animation and illustration program have been hired by Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar Animation Studios, Industrial Light and Magic, Warner Bros. Feature Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts, and Curious Pictures.
Borenstein said he took a $150,000 pay cut to teach at SJSU.
"I had my limo rides and people asking for my autograph, and all that kind of stuff and I was like, 'All right,'" he said. "To have an opportunity to pay back at such a young age, I'd be a fool not to take that. It never would have happened without Alice Carter."
Courtney Granner, professor of animation and illustration, said he and fellow professor Alice Carter persuaded him to come teach at SJSU.
"We (Granner and Carter) brought him to campus for a presentation and to meet our incredible students, plus witness firsthand how the program works from the inside out," Granner said.
Carter said students flock to Borenstein's class because he offers world class education at an affordable price.
According to the Internet Movie Database Web site, Borenstein has played key roles in "Quest for Camelot," "Space Jam," "The Swan Princess," "Bebe's Kids," "FernGully: The Last Rainforest," "Rover Dangerfield," "BraveStarr: The Legend," and "Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night."
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