By 1993, it became obvious to Tim that video production was swiftly becoming computerized, and he wanted to acquire computer hardware and software that would allow his students to add titles and credits to the videos they produced. Tim begged the Superintendent of Schools for funds to purchase an Amiga Video Toaster, an early product in standalone video production hardware/software. With the Superintendent's help, Tim was able to secure $3,000 from Drug Free Schools money that the State had not spent. Tim proposed that his students would use The Video Toaster to create anti-drug commericals. This project supported the mission of Drug Free Schools and allowed Tim and his students to learn this new technology. Interest in The Video Toaster quickly expanded into new areas. Students discovered that the system contained LightWave 3D, and shortly thereafter students began creating 3D animations. From these two events, events snowballed. Students were so enthralled by this new technology that they would arrange with Tim to come to school on Saturdays to play with this machine. The South Burlington School Board got wind that kids were coming voluntarily to school Saturday, and they wanted to know why. They invited Tim's students to give a School Board presentation on their work. Following the meeting, a parent offered to get involved and wanted to help. Thanks to this benefactor, two Amiga computers and software were donated to the school, and the first rendition of the Imaging Lab emerged.
Tim Comolli Explains How The Imaging Lab Began By the end of this year, the Imaging Lab was gaining notoriety. Tim began to seek other sources for funding. He approached Vermont's Regional Educational Television Network (RETN), Resolution Video and others. Mike Curture (CEO of Resolution Video) noted that Tim's students were doing things that his professional staff did not know how to do. Bruce LaDue, the principal at this time, helped Tim secure grant deals with IBM and others to get support. Ten machines were purchased, and the first Electronic Arts course was offered - one of the first in the country. By this point, Tim was very involved with obtaining more equipment to support his classroom, but it was his students who realized that they could earn the money they needed to keep the lab "state-of-the-art." Students decided to create demonstration tapes of their products and send them to a number of software manufacturers. A representative, Steve Wright, from Wavefront (now Alias) expressed interest, paid a visit to the school, and was so impressed he offered to give Tim's students a free copy of their software program (a value of $365,00 per year) if the school could supply the computer, a Silicon Graphics SGI workstation costing $30,000.
Tim Comolli Credits His Students For Making the Lab Possible Tim applied to Microsoft Corporation through a NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) grant, and was awarded $30,000! After this, students began to create fantastic animations, and the company got more involved. Tim believes that after Microsoft "adopted" The Imaging Lab (see story), they became "credible." Since the early 1990s, The Imaging Lab has been able to raise $1.5 million - $2 million. An Animated Tour Tim's students have created an animated tour of The Imaging Lab. Double click the image below and walk through the lab as it looks today.
(Double Click Image Above to Tour SBHS Imaging Lab) |
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