Marc Russo
Bio
Marc Russo is a comic artist and animator based in the Triangle of North Carolina. He is an Associate Professor of Media Arts, Design, and Technology at North Carolina State University’s College of Design. Marc holds a BS and an MEd from Rutgers University and a Master’s of Art+Design with a specialization in Animation and Interactive Media from NC State.
Marc’s animated films have received widespread acclaim, having been featured in numerous local, national, and international film festivals. He is a two-time recipient of the Pixie Platinum Award and a CINDY award for his exceptional contributions to the field. His comics have been published independently. online, and in nationally distributed zines. One of his notable collaborations was with Triangle Wind Ensemble (TWE), wherein they jointly created the film “Sheltering Sky”. The film was first screened in 2019 during a Fantasia-style event by TWE and is now distributed to community wind bands and has been performed around the world.
As an animator, illustrator, and interaction designer, Marc has also contributed to educational games for several NSF and Gates Foundation grants. Moreover, he participated in an animation competition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon”, wherein he created an animated short for the track “On the Run”.
Marc’s scholarship interests lie in storytelling and the choices creators make to enhance the narrative. As a storyteller himself, he believes strongly with Christopher Vogler, that “… [stories] have tremendous power to heal … and make the world a better place.” Marc applies his research in storytelling and the cartoon form to his animations, comics, and interactive pieces.
Education
Bachelor of Science and Master of Education Rutgers University
Master of Art + Design NC State University
Area(s) of Expertise
Animation and New Media
Publications
- Creative Freedom in Animation Classes , Popular Culture Association Conference (2022)
- Creative Freedom while Learning Technology in Animation and Illustration Classes , ITLC Lilly Online Conference (2022)
- New Storytelling Possibilities of the Interactive Comic Grid , Popular Culture Association Conference (2022)
- Shared Cartoon Style in 3D Animation to Maximize Empathy , Society of Animation Studies Conference (2022)
- The Character Spectrums from Real to Iconic in 3d Animation to Maximize Empathy , 15th World Congress of Semiotics / IASS-AIS – Semiotics in the Lifeworld with the subject: Animation: Language and Technique (2022)
- 6 Word Novel Narrative Timeline , Visualizing Objects, Places, and Spaces: A Digital Project Handbook (2021)
- Balancing Character and Environmental Rendering Spectrums in 3d animation to maximize Empathy , Animation in the 21st Century. Rethinking images and technology: 27th International Conference of Film Studies (2021)
- Balancing Spectrums in 3d animation to Maximize the Pixar Peak , MODE (Motion Design Education) Summit (2021)
- Character and Environment Design Spectrums to Maximize Empathy in Animated Films , University Film and Video Association Conference (2021)
- Creative Freedom while Learning Animation Technology through the use of Platforms , NCSU 2021 Teaching and Learning Symposium (2021)