ANIMATION SCRIPT EXAMPLES

We didnt have a chance to get into detail on this at yesterday's lecture, but in case you are wondering what is expected in the script part of next week's milestone, take a look at these examples.

POLAR BEAR DELIVERY

Here is a script, by 4th Year student Bora Moon (graduated 2009), for what turned out to be a very successful Senior Project  film. Notice that there is NO dialogue at all in this project, but the script is still a very clear description of her film: 

http://www-acad.sheridanc.on.ca/~degazio/BAA4thYear/Examples%20of%20Student%20Work/7-3R&Dpackage/PolarBearScript.html

PIG OF A PROBLEM

And here is the script for a complete episode from a production TV Show, WETA-Nelvana's "Jane and the Dragon" (2004). This, like all TV animation, is far more dialogue oriented than the previous example:

http://www-acad.sheridanc.on.ca/~degazio/BAA4thYear/PDFs/12_Pig_of_a_Problem.pdf

Visit from Disney!

On Monday we had a surprise visit from Disney - animator Eric Goldberg, director Lauren MacMullen, and recruiter Dawn Rivera-Ernst. They very generously spent the afternoon talking to third and fourth year students and reviewing their artwork. 

Lauren MacMullen, our own Kaj Pindal, and Eric Goldberg. 

Pete Emslie did a wonderful caricature of Eric Goldberg and presented it to him after the evening lecture. 

Eric, Dawn and Lauren answering questions after  their lecture. 

Photobombing Porfyrios!

Professional Storyboarding

This week's Lecture and Workshop

We're really pleased to have Scott Caple back (The Wild, The Incredibles, Inspector Gadget, Tarzan, Fantasia 2000, Poltergeist, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Raiders of the Lost Ark)  to lend us some of his expertise in story, layout and animation in general.

Scott will give a talk called Professional Storyboarding  (Wednesday 11 am, S235) and will follow it up in the workshop (3 pm,  A150) with a further look at practical storyboarding using Photoshop, and a chance to present your own storyboard work-in-progress.

Special Event - Tom Sito lecture on history of Computer Graphics.

This just in from Associate Dean Angela Stukator  -

Hello all,
Just to let you know that Tom Sito will be giving a guest lecture on Thursday, September 19th in SCAET 235. He'll be talking about his new book – Moving Innovation – A history of Computer Animation. Tom is an animator so he brings a fresh, industry-focused approach to the book. The book will also be on sale after the talk (from 6- 8 pm) at a reduced price.


Book Description
Computer graphics (or CG) has changed the way we experience the art of moving images. Computer graphics is the difference between Steamboat Willie and Buzz Lightyear, between ping pong and PONG. It began in 1963 when an MIT graduate student named Ivan Sutherland created the first true computer animation program. Instead of presenting a series of numbers, Sutherland's Sketchpad program drew lines that created recognizable images. Sutherland noted: "Since motion can be put into Sketchpad drawings, it might be exciting to try making cartoons." This book, the first full-length history of CG, shows us how Sutherland's seemingly offhand idea grew into a multibillion dollar industry. 

In Moving Innovation, Tom Sito -- himself an animator and industry insider for more than thirty years -- describes the evolution of CG. The history of traditional cinema technology is a fairly straight path from Lumière to MGM. Writing the history of CG, Sito maps simultaneous accomplishments in multiple locales -- academia, the military-industrial complex, movie special effects, video games, experimental film, corporate research, and commercial animation. His story features a memorable cast of characters -- math nerds, avant-garde artists, cold warriors, hippies, video game enthusiasts, and studio executives: disparate types united by a common vision. Computer animation did not begin just with Pixar; Sito shows us how fifty years of work by this motley crew made movies like Toy Story and Avatar possible. 

Voice Actors for your characters!

I have recieved two emails from actors who are interested in doing character voices for your animations. Both have done voices for our fourth Year students in the past with fabulous results.

I realize it's a little early for this, but especially if your film has important dialog or voice-over, I encourage you contact Nicole or Patrick now.



1) Nicole Bauman <nicole.suzanne.bauman@gmail.com>
soundcloud.com/nicolebauman


 .... I'm still building my animation portfolio so if any of your students were holding casting
sessions for their upcoming work, I'd love to lend my voice to their work!

My demo's are available to hear at soundcloud.com/nicolebauman if any of
them are interested, and they're welcome to contact me personally.

Thanks for your help,
Nicole
416-578-4677

2) Patrick Sweeney <patsvoice@me.com> 

http://www.patsvoice.com

Just wanted to reconnect and see if your students are interested in any VO help this year, my are available for anyone in need of any animation/character voices. I have also recruited another animation VO talent whom you may know, Lori Scarfarotti. She has worked with Mark Simon's students in the past few years. So with Lori and I, we hopefully can be versatile enough to cover the spectrum of needs that your students may have this year.

Just as a summary for the students benefit, the voiceover services are available to anyone that needs a voice for their film project Pro bono. Giving back and having fun is our motivation for doing this and we look forward to it!  I record from my professional home recording studio and can easily have the students direct Lori or I via phonepatch. If they need an Animated/Character voice, a Narrator, an Announcer anything at all..... we can provide it for them.

If anyone is interested in using my services the following process can be followed:

1. Contact me by email or phone to discuss their project.  Cell 416 520-8786,  email pat@patsvoice.com. 

2. Tell me as much about their vision/project as possible, their expectations of us, any character details/pictures etc..... If the student requires a female voice actor, Lori Scarfarotti is available and very versatile.

3. After discussing the project we can set up a time to record a raw audio file in mp3, wav or aiff etc... 

4. On the set appointed recording date, the student can direct me over the phone or via Skype. During the session I can provide the student with as many takes as they wish throughout the recording process. My goal is to make sure their characters come to life and to ensure their expectations are met to produce a successful film.

5. Once the recording session is complete I will then send the student the raw file via FTP for them to edit within 24-48 hours depending upon my schedule.

If the students wish to learn more about me or to listen to my demos they can visit my website at the following link:  http://www.patsvoice.com

Thanks again for the opportunity and I look forward to helping any students/professors at Sheridan College in the coming year.

Patrick Sweeney

----------------------------------------

Phone     416.520.8786

E-Mail     pat@patsvoice.com

Website  www.patsvoice.com

Website  www.themedicalvoice.com

Link to Medical Narration Demo:

http://PatrickSweeney.voicezam.com/?m=49

Workshop Notes from "Alternative Forms for Short Films"

In case you weren't able to attend, here are some comments and examples from last week's workshop, Alternative Forms for Short Films, given by myself and Trevor Davies.


The purpose of the workshop was to provide ideas and suggestions for your Senior Animation Project that were different from a typical short, humorous story.

The workshop was divided into two parts, mine and Trevor's,  each with it's own approach to the question. These turned out to be complementary to one another, as I presented examples that dealt with the format or structure of the project and Trevor dealt with alternative media and techniques.


Alterative Format or  Structure

A) Parody TV Ad:
EVERY TECH COMMERCIAL 
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6905817/every-tech-commercial

B) Title sequence 
JEEVES AND WOOSTER TITLE SEQUENCE (Granada TV, 1990)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9qTnHPmVZ8

C) Kinetic Typography
ANATOMY OF A COMPUTER VIRUS - 
http://typophile.com/node/83050

D) Abstract Experimental - 
CIVILISATION 
http://motionographer.com/theater/marco-brambilla-civilization/
OSCILLATE
https://vimeo.com/65475425


E) Interview a Friend
CREATURE COMFORTS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ecpYfWFmLA
(Pets at the Vets)

Student Pricing for ToonBoom Storyboard Pro

The subject of pricing for Toonboom's Storyboard Pro software came up in this week's Workshop and several students complained of the software's high price - $800 for just Storyboard Pro.

So the following message (courtesy of Mark Mayerson) is well-timed, as it offers the software for a truly bargain price to students - $159, and not only that, but it includes the complete Toonboom software suite.

While the software license will only be valid while you're in school, apparently there will be an upgrade path to the full commercial license offered at discounted price. Best to double-check with Toonboom at the email below to find out details before you commit though.


================================

Please find attached a small PDF that can be shared with students regarding the purchase of the Productivity Pack Pro Student Version (PPPSV)

Once a student registers with Toon Boom (using their school provided email address), they will be given access to a special page where the can purchase the PPPSV for $159.  The 2013 PPPSV includes:

• Harmony 10

• Storyboard Pro 4

• Pencil Check Pro

The "Productivity Pack Pro (1year) Renewable" is renewable (at no cost) annually until a student graduates (up to 4 years). 

Students will receive an email two (2) weeks prior to their renewal date, to their institutional email address, with instructions on how to register for a no charge license extension. 

Graduates also have an option to upgrade the PPPSV to a full commercial version at a discounted price.  Contact academic@toonboom.com for details.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best, Mark

================================

Opportunity to Speak to High School Art Students

I just received this message from Sayaka Yamanouchi, a Sheridan Animation graduate who now teaches Art in high school.

She is looking for an art student, preferably an animator, to speak to her Grade 10 art class about the life of an art student such as yourself.

To quote from her email:

"it can go this way:
5 minutes introduction of the artist
15-20 minutes their portfolio and on going project
10 minutes requirement to get in art college
20 minutes short art activity
5 minutes question and answer"

Other details about the class: 

" a) It will be Grade 10 students 25 in the classroom

  b) It is located the corner of Dixie and Dundas. The website is http://www.alrisalaacademy.com/ 
 c) The artist will talk about their own art and the experience at Sheridan College. Also, would like to hear that how hard work artist contributes to create. "


An important detail to note is that this is a Muslim high school. Therefore your art cannot show the human figure, alcohol related subjects, and a few other things.

If you're interested in this and want to know more, contact Sayaka Yamanouchi at:

sayaka yamanouchi <tokyopiglet@hotmail.com>

I believe there is a small financial honorarium available as well.

Sheridan UT Music Collaboration, 2012-13

Here's a link to a Vimeo album containing all of last year's projects in the Sheridan-UTMusic collaboration. It consists entirely of 4th Year films with the exception of the 3rd Year Group Film, "Fists of Finance"

Last year was apparently a good one for artistic collaboration, as we had 42 student films scored, of which several have since been chosen for festival competition such as the Ottawa Animation Festival.

The password to the album is "Sheridan"

The embedded player below also allows you to play selections from the album, but seems to be a bit buggy. If you have trouble it with it, try this direct link to the album on Vimeo:


https://vimeo.com/album/2344677

By the way, ignore the "by Bruno Degazio" beneath every video. That's just Vimeo's way of saying that these files are streaming form my account.

The Art of Short Films - book foreword by Kaj Pindal

A new book is available describing production and pre-production for short animated films, including lots of art work and examples.

The foreword is by our very own Kaj Pindal, and several films described in the book are by recent graduates of our program.

I've asked for it be made available in the Sheridan library and bookstore, but it might be awhile before we have copies here. In the meantime you can buy it as an ebook at the link below.

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Art-Short-Films-ebook/dp/B00B7IP7MU

for those of you planning a 3D project: CG 101 pdf

Mark Mayerson just passed this on and thought it would be of interest to anyone in 4th Year planning a 3D film.

It describes working in a Computer Graphics / Visual Effects environment from an industrial point of view.  Lots of valuable experience embodied here. Take a few moments to look it over if you are planning a 3D film for your Senior Animation Project.

Here is Mark's note. and a link to the pdf:

This was written by Jeffrey Dates, a cgi professional, and I got it from

an email list that I'm on.  It is especially relevant for 3rd and 4th year

students who will be working on cgi films, but should be read by anyone

interested in cgi.

Regards,

Mark

CG_101.pdf

MENTOR GROUPS (updated Sept.16 2013)

(updated Sept. 3, 2013)

Group A – Bruno Degazio (Wed. 1-3)
Deng,Daphne
Lee,Ryounggyo
Maturana,Michelle Marcella
Motrich,Nicholas Edward
Pasko,Natalia
Phaphonsomkham,Ashly
Tabares,Mark Oliver Dela Pena
Variya,Dhrumit
Yan,Lisa
Yu, Jenna


Group B – Trevor Davies ( Thurs. 12-2 )
Allen,Melissa
Chen,Ying-Hsuan
Cho,Hannah
Fonseca,Gian Patrick
Lee Yan Ting,Cheryl
Liu,Ketong
Shao,Xiaotang
Sugrim,Melissa
Zhang,Yuanli


Group C – Chris Walsh (Fri. 2-4)
Lau,Cherry Chiu Ching
Liu,Helen Hailun
Pan,Chuchen
Petursson,Drew
Quast,Elena
Raja, Faisal
Richards,Charlton John
Spilka,Alicia Amber, Claire
Travale,Rosemary
Yeo,Miranda Dawn


Group D – Blair Kitchen (Thurs.12-2)
Cao,Jiani
Capulong,Edlyn
Fu,Jia Joy
Habibollah-Kiani, Sina
Hardie,Joshua John
Harris,Meagan Katherine
Lepper,Colin Marc
Peat,Julia Lee
Somerville,Janet
Veneracion,Jordan




Group E – Blair Kitchen (Thurs.2-4)
Aslostovar,Sanaz
Bang,Hoon Tae
Chan,Allison Ka Ho
Chan,Stanley Ka Chun
Chang,Kar Mun
Cheung,Vivian Chi Wai
Lyn,Melissa Stephanie
Neal,Daniel Thomas
Nguyen,Lili


Group F – Stephen Barnes (Thurs. 4-6)
Coyne, Rachel Maya
Dixon,Tegann April
Esposo,Eden
Estee,Elizabeth Akimi
Estrada,Aaron
Fong,Kai Tik 
Garland, Branden William Michael
Liang,Jean
Liu,Ailin
St Cyr,Mattieau Scott



Group G – Mark Komza (Fri. 12-2)
Cai,Jianhao
Greiling,Andrew Michael
Hand,Rachel Marie
Hazimeh,Amanda-lee
Hughes,Sarah Anne
Ibarra,Jan Dayna
Janega,Winona Mcalister
Kim,Yoo Jin
Nasr, Sophie
Paynter,Dominique



Group H – Maury Whyte (Fri. 1-3)
Laurence,Ariane
Leung,John
Li,Yue
Li,Yue Xin
MacDonald,Lea
Maynard,Stacy Kirsten
Melnik,Larissa
Myers,Nneka Damali
Tang, Anita

Group I – Jason Thompson (Thur. 2-4)
Novo,Tyler Darocha
Ouyang,Yiwen
Pinheiro, Marc Anthony
Ponda,Rohan
Quesnel,Miranda Kathleen
Schut,David Richard
Scott,Matthew Aaron
Shereck,Jordan Alexandra
Silva,Neilizza


Group J – Michel Hannan (Tues. 4-6 - note:may change to Thursday)
Melnyk,Timothy Theodore
Truong,Richy
Uzdarwin,Kayleigh
Wu,Jie Wen
Xiao,He
Ye,Xiaosu
Yoo, Sunghwan
Zaw,Kaung Myat
Zeng,Shi Yun
Zhang,Hao
???, Sean
Arminda Bailey (Exchange student)


Group K – Mark Palowich (Thurs. 12-2)
Bruni,Vincent Josef
Good,Maureine Lauren Perez
Henderson,Alexander Jeffery
Hulshof,Celina Marie
Jones,Katie Alison
Kim,Diane
Lau,Leanne Christina
Zima Depaicis,Dakota Zenaida
Zygocki,Catherine


Group L – Nancy Beiman (Fri 10-12)
Gosselin,Leah Danielle
Guo,Yacheng
Hurtado,Maria
Lee,Angela Yun
Mohammed,Leanne
Ng,Dawn Hue Yue
Oluoch-Olunya,Naddya Adhiambo
Rajbhandari,Roman
Tse,Isabella