High school students have the chance to step into a galaxy far, far away this June at The Art Institute of California-Orange County Summer Studio Workshop celebrating the 30th anniversary of Lucasfilms' Star Wars.

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The four-day, hands-on design, media arts and culinary workshop is an opportunity for high school students to try out a career in the applied arts as a part of a production team, working side-by-side with industry professionals, recreating the elements from the original Star Wars movie. Open to high school seniors and juniors, Summer Studio Workshop 2007 is June 26-29.

Highlights include:

-- Working with authentic footage and elements of the original Star Wars movie.

-- Special guest speakers: Academy Award-Winning Visual Effects Artists Phil Tippett and Ken Ralston, who worked on Star Wars.

-- Authentic re-creations of Star Wars characters including: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Stormtroopers, R2D2 and C3PO.

-- Field trips to industry companies in selected specializations.

-- Hollywood-style world premiere and wrap party and other social activities.

"This annual workshop is The Art Institute's take on the traditional college visit," said Melinda Lester, Dean of Academic Affairs at the school. "High school students from around the nation will have the remarkable opportunity to get a taste of what a creative education entails.

"The workshop has been wildly successful since its inception in 2001," said Lester. "It is a life-changing, eye-opening week for most of these kids and many attendees later make the decision to study applied arts in college."

Participants can choose from one of the following specialized workshops:

-- Advertising students will create a Star Wars 30th anniversary publicity campaign.

-- Culinary Arts students will prepare Star Wars-themed foods throughout the week, as well as Star Wars-themed catering for the premiere party.

-- Game Art & Design students will create a design for a Star Wars video game, using characters and themes from the original film.

-- Graphic Design students will design a mini-magazine and print elements based on the movie's original text and art.

-- Industrial Design students will create original Star Wars character sculptures.

-- Interactive Media Design students will create a Star Wars Website and parody video of the movie's famous "cantina scene."

-- Interior Design students will design a mock Star Wars set, as well as design and dress an auditorium for the movie premiere.

-- Media Arts & Animation students will develop a short comic sequence and animated segment based on the movie.

Any high school graduate in 2007, 2008 or 2009 from the U.S. or Canada, who is at least 16 years old is eligible to attend. Tuition is $675 and includes all classes, supervised housing at a local hotel, supplies, meals, field trips, social activities and daily transportation to and from The Art Institute and all activities. To register or for more information on the 2007 Star Wars Summer Studio, call 1-888-549-3055 or visit

The Art Institute of California-Orange County

The Art Institute of California-Orange County is a design, media and culinary arts school providing bachelor's and associate's degrees in Advertising, Culinary Arts, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interactive Media Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation and Visual & Game Programming. Located in the heart of Orange County's South Coast Metro region, The Art Institute is ideally situated in close proximity to Orange County's thriving business community, cultural attractions, shopping, entertainment and its famous beaches. The school is one of The Art Institutes, , with 35 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.

Star Wars (TM), (R) & (C) is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm. Copyright (C) 1977. All Rights Reserved. The Art Institute of California- Orange County has sublicensed the language and imagery herein through an affiliation with Scott Essman and Visionary Cinema.