Geneva Library Foundation program explores movie magic

If movies are an escape, then special effects and animation are the vehicle by which we travel. Without effects and animation, or those who create them, many of the movies we know and love would not exist.

Join the Geneva Library Foundation and guest Tony Venezia to learn about special effects, animation, and what it takes to make a career in Hollywood. The program will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, in the lower-level meeting room at the Geneva Public Library, 127 James St.

Venezia's journey in film began in 1969 when he created his first independent film, an animated piece called "Klei" as a high school student in Villa Park While only 3½ minutes in length, "Klei" won several awards and encouraged to study film in college, during which time he produced several more award winning animated films. After college, Venezia decided to chase his dreams to Hollywood or, more specifically, to UCLA, where he was accepted into its Animation Workshop.

Venezia's award-winning ways continued in California, including one film that was honored as a national finalist for the Student Academy Awards. His talent did not go unnoticed and, in 1981, he formally began his career in special effects with Mid Ocean Pictures, working on effects for major TV commercials and show opens. Venezia continued working on his own films, completing another three films in the 1980s using a new technique known as slitscan.

Eventually, Venezia founded his own special effects company, Electric Filmworks, which created film effects, graphics, theatrical movie opens, and trailer elements for major film studios, television and cable networks. After several years of success in Hollywood, Venezia returned home, spending four years creating on-air graphics for the "Oprah Winfrey Show." He currently runs the animation program at College of DuPage.

In his presentation, Venezia will discuss his professional journey in film and animation, including examples of his work and the techniques he used in creating his films. He will share his story about choosing to pursue animation and special effects for a career and what it takes to make it in Hollywood. The presentation will close with a discussion of the current state of special effects including some of the elements used in making recent blockbuster films like "Inception" and "Gravity."

This is a free event. Reservations are not required, but suggested. You can register at www.genevalibraryfoundation.org.

The Geneva Library Foundation was established in 2005 as a charitable organization to provide support for current and future library materials, services and facilities. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. With a goal of raising $1 million by 2016 and $2 million by 2021, the foundation is committed to providing a substantial, permanent, and stable source of funds to support the Geneva Public Library.