In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, diversity and inclusion are the pillars of innovation and Dancing Atoms understands the paramount importance of empowering women. Keeping this in mind, Dancing Atoms has announced a creative partnership with Epic Games for the Women Creators Program-UEFN (WCP-UEFN).
The WCP partners include Epic Games as the Sponsor, Dancing Atoms as the Creative Partner, AWS as the Program Partner, Green Rain as the Training Partner, and WIGI as an Outreach partner.
“I completed the Unreal Fellowship for Virtual Production – Fellowship 3 in 2020, and it absolutely changed the way I approached things. I got to try out many iterations, explore and experiment. This journey ultimately inspired the creation of the Women Creators Program in 2020 in partnership with Epic Games. For the past three years as a writer, creator, creative director, and CEO of Dancing Atoms I have been a firm believer in building a strong community. As the creative partner of WCP-UEFN, we, at Dancing Atoms, are committed to fostering innovation and creativity among women creators in the gaming industry. This year’s Women Creators Program is set to empower and train talented women from India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. I urge everyone to join this program and become an integral part of the vibrant creative community of women creators,” said Saraswathi Balgam. Balgam is a visual storyteller, writer, director, and producer with several award-winning shorts and documentaries to her credit.
“Amazon Web Services (AWS) is proud to collaborate with Epic Games to showcase the work of talented women, and remove barriers to learning the technical skills that will help increase gender equity and diversity in the gaming and media industries,” said AWS North American games segment director Dan Carpenter. “By sponsoring and supporting the Women Creators program through technical resources, including virtual machines, and expertise from AWS Solutions Architects, AWS aims to help encourage more women creators to pursue technology careers and bring their voices to future entertainment experiences.”
“I am thrilled to be partnering on this groundbreaking program aimed to empower women in the games design industry across regions. We are unlocking untapped potential, driving innovation and creating a more vibrant and equitable gaming landscape by creating access and opportunities for technical skill-building. Together, we are committed to breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and forging a path toward normalising a more inclusive future,” said Women in Games International (WIGI) CEO Joanie Kraut.
Building on the resounding success of the past two editions, WCP-UEFN is an immersive five-week virtual training and mentorship program that revolves around the art of world-building. Our aim is to inspire female creators to craft their first interactive experiences for Fortnite, one of the most globally renowned gaming platforms.
The participants will embark on a journey to sharpen their world-building skills, employing the cutting-edge UEFN and Unreal Engine 5 technologies, thus enabling them to showcase their creativity on a global stage. The program equips these aspiring creators with the latest tools and techniques, assisting them in shaping their unique creative vision and harnessing their full potential.
WCP UEFN is set to run from 25 September to 27 October. By the end of this immersive experience, participants would have been enabled to create impressive 30-second to three-minute short clips or films using Unreal Engine.
WCP UEFN is calling applications for women professionals (3D artists, game designers, game developers, programmers or Fortnight creative creators) from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan (Indian Subcontinent), SEA (Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines), MEA (Middle East, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan), and Africa, to apply for the UEFN WCP Program before 11 September 2023.
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For a deeper understanding of the incredible achievements from past editions, applicants can explore the films showcased during WCP I and WCP II. These films beautifully represent the extraordinary talent and creativity that women creators bring to the gaming industry.
WCP-UEFN believes that through this program, it is shaping a future where diversity and innovation are intrinsically linked in the world of gaming.
Here’s what people in teams have to say about the program:
Priyanka Ajit: “My journey for the past two years with WCP 1 & 2 as a key manager and a project lead this year has been nothing short of a spellbinding experience. We embarked on a mission to handpick exceptional women creators from India and Southeast Asia, and the magic they have created for film using Unreal Engine has been truly awe-inspiring.”
Saud Ali Shaikh: “This is a unique opportunity for women to learn the nuances of creativity and merge the unreal, virtual world, with their imagination,” .
Ajay Wankhede: “In the era of gaming and virtual reality the WCP-UEFN is an amazing platform for women to interact with, and learn from, the best.”
Neha Patil: “Working on this program and seeing its outreach is overwhelming because it is opening doors of global interactivity in a dynamic field of creativity.”
Meenu Shekhawat: “The great mentors and engaging Unreal lessons, the supportive batchmates made WCP-2 truly unforgettable for me. Really excited to see this opportunity being extended beyond India to Southeast Asia, Pakistan, Africa, and the Middle East for Batch 3!”
Indu Ramchandani: “As a project lead at Dancing Atoms, I can see with eager anticipation, the emergence of a new batch of astute, dynamic, and highly motivated women gamers and creators.”
Poornima: “This is such a great experience. Please apply and learn and build a strong community.’
Thoughts shared by participants of WCP 1 & 2
Abhirama Tejas, WCP 2: “Cultivating a creative community fuels personal growth and strengthens collaboration. With Unreal Engine, I’ve grown confident in shaping the future of storytelling.”
Ananya Srivastava, WCP 1: “Harnessing Unreal Engine honed my skills and opened doors to networking and mentorship. I’m on a journey from UE developer to technical director, aiming to expand into CG and filmmaking. As an individual involved in the Women’s Creator Program by Unreal Engine, you can expect tailored support, resources, and connections that empower you to excel in game development while addressing specific challenges and opportunities related to your gender and background. Let’s continue providing industry insights and training to aspiring professionals through programs like WCP.”
Aysha Ali, WCP 2: “Participating in the Epic Games’ Women Creator Program fellowship was a transformative experience for me. I had the incredible opportunity to create a two-minute film using Unreal Engine, highlighting the challenges women face in various aspects of life. This journey not only allowed me to address important issues but also introduced me to a remarkable community of creative, highly accomplished and supportive women. As I take my next steps into the world of virtual production, I am filled with excitement and gratitude. It’s clear that this fellowship has been the catalyst for my entry into this exciting field, and I am truly thankful for the skills, connections, and opportunities it has provided.”
Bhumika Thakuria, WCP 2: “Metahuman creation and Unreal Engine animation transformed my role, boosted our company’s promotion, and connected me with top talents and clients for exciting projects.”
Charuvi Agrawal, WCP 1: “Being a mentor in an all-women’s creator program was a truly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. It was a symbiotic relationship where I learned and grew alongside the creators I was mentoring. Together, we rise and shine, proving that empowerment and collaboration go hand in hand.”
Ellen Xie, WCP 2: “The Women Creator Program has significantly enhanced my proficiency in Unreal Engine, enabling me to optimise our animation pipeline for greater efficiency. Additionally, it has facilitated invaluable networking opportunities throughout the Asia Pacific region. I must emphasise that the animation network has proven exceptionally supportive and instrumental in our endeavours.”
Gautami Vegiraju, WCP 1: “WCP1 transformed me into a versatile VP consultant and ICVFX specialist, collaborating with renowned institutions and volumes.”
Gayatri Rao, WCP 1: “WCP 1 was a fantastic platform for exploring 2D and 3D real-time environments, along with the amazing Metahumans. It marked my first experience working in 3D and a Game Engine. All these diverse streams converged in a three-minute film titled Ugam ~ Birth of River Kaveri. This film served as a teaser exploration of a more extensive narrative set to develop in the upcoming months, known as Ugam se Sangam (temporary title). Ugam se Sangam is a mixed media confluence, bringing together various streams of technology, art forms, and mystical stories.”
Hina Saiyada, WCP 1: “Transitioning from film to game design, Unreal Engine provided invaluable insights. Being a creative mentor was impactful, and my commitment to empowering women in the workforce continues, thanks to Unreal Engine’s endless creative possibilities.”
Marta Ampudia, WCP 1: “I had the honour to be a mentor for the first women creators program fellowship in Unreal Engine by Epic Games. Coming from doing the first-ever fellowship myself, I knew it was going to be an unmissable experience. What I didn’t anticipate was how being a mentor would shape my connection with the women in the women’s creator program. It’s not only a learning process but, also, a net that will help and shape your creative career for the future to come.”
Meenu, WCP 2: “Honing my storytelling and collaboration skills through the program, I embarked on a transformative journey. Leaving my animator job, I pursued a larger creative role, advocating for Unreal learning and inspiring others to explore Unreal Engine.”
Mursal Alemi, WCP 2: “Exploring Metahuman and Unreal platforms was incredible. I learned numerous skills, and the support from mentors and fellow participants was invaluable. I’m passionate about recommending this program, especially to empower girls in Afghanistan in game development and animations. WCP is a very useful program for the development of women, which makes their creativity flourish and find better opportunities to act.”
Neha Hooda, WCP 1: “WCP is an empowering program that fosters a unique community spirit, enabling women creators to push boundaries, upskill, and forge real friendships while gaining actionable learnings. It’s by far the best program for elevating your career.”
Nida Arshia, WCP 1: “Women Creators Program, led by Shruti Verma and Saraswathi ‘Vani’ Balgam, offers more than just a venue for women filmmakers to produce and execute their projects. It gives women creators the freedom to fully control the writing, producing, directing, and production of their short films. The program offers a huge base of resources that aid the creator’s technical and creative challenges. All of this is done with the goal of introducing women in this industry in more technical roles and building their network and community.”
Poornima Meegammana, WCP 2: “Gaining a spectrum of skills, I transitioned from a lecturer to an animation supervisor and an Unreal Authorized Instructor, contributing to education. Unreal Engine opened doors to new opportunities, and I inspired my students to harness its power.”
Pratima, WCP 1: “From hesitancy to triumph, WCP 1 revolutionised my filmmaking journey, and now I’m part of an unstoppable ride in Shorts India Program 2023. Epic Games WCP 1 was a challenging yet rewarding experience. I had to learn a new software, which is not really a software, but a game engine. This was about revolutionising how films are made and completely changed the way I looked at pre-production and production. Initially, I was hesitant but then I quickly saw the advantages and created my film, “+ve” entirely in Unreal Engine, including the animation, in just six weeks. To my surprise, the film was widely recognised and won 32 international awards. For new participants, be prepared to travel with your film, as I wasn’t. I hadn’t anticipated any of this success. I also served as a creative mentor in WCP 2, and it was fascinating to see the program evolve with its second chapter. It was a privilege to see so many good films come to life and many women creators go through the same journey with all its ups and downs. Currently, I am creating my first VR experience, Unvisible, with the support of the Epic team. https://www.linkedin.com/in/pratimapal/
Pragti Wadhwa, WCP 1: “Thanks to Epic Games, the Women Creators Program, and Asifa India for empowering women with the incredible opportunity to explore and learn Unreal Engine. It’s a journey of limitless possibilities – An empowering experience in the Unreal world.”
Shilpa Mehta, WCP 1: “I am a graphic designer and a mentor working in the field for 18 years. I wanted to expand my learning curve in terms of venturing into the 3D field and the gaming industry. But I couldn’t find a suitable opportunity for a long time. Then Asifa India introduced me to the Women Creator’s Program and it brought a series of positive changes into my life.
Without prerequisite knowledge in 3D and not having worked on the Unreal engine before, it was very overwhelming and challenging. But with Asifa India and Mentor’s support, I remained determined and what a wonderful experience it was! My overall learning experience was quite awesome and very inspiring. All the mentors were very helpful and supportive as they guided me along each step of the way. It was a complete hands-on experience.
The training included: How to create Pitch Deck, Animation and DCC workflows, World Building and Terrain Tools, Lighting and Post Processing, Material Editor, Sequence, Live link, and Blueprints. Working on Virtual Machine has made my life much easier and faster. Harnessing Unreal Engine to save time on high-end sets, I’ve actively contributed to projects and assisted Arena alumni. Now, I’m committed to expanding my skills in AR and VR and sharing my knowledge.”
Smithaa Pande, WCP 2: “The sky has no limit and working hard with the right opportunity at the right time brings success and knowledge ” This is exactly what I am talking about in the Women Creators Program by Epic Games and Asifa India. It’s a golden opportunity one can have to brush up on one’s skills and upgrade to the latest technology. It is a unique platform where one can expect the best mentors, the best resources and the best outcome. Personally, it was an eye-opening program and I enjoyed every bit and process of it. Unreal Engine enriched my skills and allowed me to expand my role as a freelance CG artist and trainer. I’m passionate about informing and encouraging others to explore this incredible tool. Discipline, discussions, managing the production pipeline and at the same time handling technical challenges and maintaining the creative part is the best combination one can learn within a short span of time. Moreover, the love, warmth and moral support of mentors and participants give the experience of a lifetime. Go get it, it’s a golden opportunity!!”
Sri Keerthi, WCP 2: “Unreal Engine transformed my knowledge and unleashed my creative side. Now, I’m excited to create the worlds of my dreams as an indie game designer, with a bright future ahead.”
Zubaida Nila, WCP 2: “Being part of the unreal engine, the WCP community has given me several opportunities in the universe of the gaming industry, other regional unreal challenges training, training for higher educational institutions, and is constantly giving me the opportunity to share as I learn in the virtual production field. I am more than grateful to have been a part of this stellar group and I will continue to support it for the greater recognition it holds.”