Hagerstown's High Rock Studios acquires 3D animation firm

High Rock Studios, based in downtown Hagerstown, has acquired Baltimore-based Pylot Studios, a firm specializing in three-dimensional renderings and animation, the company has announced.

"High Rock always strives to be at the forefront of technology," said Rich Daughtridge, founder and president of High Rock. "By acquiring Pylot Studios and their team of talented, award-winning 3D designers, we are creating new possibilities and providing broader services for our customers and their future growth."

The acquisition adds the expertise of former Pylot Studios owners Yavuz Goncu and Len Sullivan into the mix as High Rock advances its advertising and marketing solutions with the integration of 3D technologies, the company said in a July 31 news release.

Goncu will serve as creative director of 3D technology and partner in the foundation of the new 3D division, which also will include Sullivan as a partner and senior account executive.

"High Rock and Pylot have successfully partnered on many high profile projects in the past," Goncu said in the release. "Ultimately, we decided that our combined services allow us to quickly and efficiently respond to the increasing demand for new technology in marketing."

As a result of some recent hiring and the acquisition of Pylot, High Rock is planning to expand its Hagerstown headquarters and add some staffers to its recently relocated Baltimore office, company officials said.

Daughtridge said the firm recently added Greg Mills as chief operating officer of High Rock Holdings and Melody Belotte as account executive to increase response to client needs.

"We're excited for the opportunity to grow our team and expand our menu of services to include 3D technologies, in addition to strategic marketing, creative services, web and mobile development, and video production," he said.

Daughtridge said he plans to hire up to four additional employees by the end of 2014, likely to be two new jobs in Hagerstown and two in the Baltimore location.

Both locations will be full-service, but back office operations will continue to be headquartered in Hagerstown, Daughtridge said.

With the additions, the company's workforce stands at about 25 people, he said.

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Animator: Required Education For a Career in Animation

Learn about the education and preparation needed to become an animator. Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about degree programs, job duties and career outlook to find out if this is the career for you.

Essential Information

Most employers require prospective animators to have a bachelor's degree in animation or a related field, as well as a professional portfolio, though some animators hold only a certificate or an associate's degree. Students typically take courses in drawing, 3D programming, computer graphics, video effects and graphic design. Programs may also provide training on sound and video editing, as well as kinematics.

Required Education	Bachelor's degree
Projected Job Growth	6% between 2012 and 2022 (for all multimedia artists and animators)*
Median Salary (2013)	$64,470 annually (for all multimedia artists and animators)*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Portfolios

Through their coursework, students may begin to build a professional portfolio of their work. They may also take specialized courses, such as design studios, to help them improve their skills in animation. Some of these courses may also cover portfolio presentation and self-marketing to help students find jobs after they graduate.

Job Opportunities

Upon graduation, students may look for employment with motion picture and video production companies, as well as advertising and public relations firms. Animators may also find work with software publishers and computer system design firms. With additional training, these professionals may also become:

• Sketch artists
• Graphic designers
• Painters
• Cartoonists
• Illustrators
• Computer game developers
• Computer game programmers
• Visual artists
• Web designers
• Multimedia designers 

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