Here’s how the Internet helps artists make a living...

An interesting short article by science fiction author Cory Doctorow explaining the many alternative ways that artists today can use the internet to make a living from their art.

The creative class is not screwed:  Here’s how the Internet helps artists make a living - Salon.com

Two events focusing on Acting & Performance in animation

To assist you with the coming Action Analysis and Performance Milestone, this week we have two events focusing on Acting & Performance in animation.  

Wednesday 11 am S235 - Stephen Barnes, Inspired Acting: A Study of Great Moments From Great Actors

First up is the Wednesday lecture, where Sheridan's Stephen Barnes will offer his insights into acting as applied to animation. Stephen does this in a way that might be new to you - carefully studying the subtle cues used by actors in live-action film and television. Steve's talk is essential viewing. It's also very entertaining, as Steve peppers the talk with many fascinating and unusual film clips.

Wednesday 2 pm, A361 (4th Year Studio, Video Area) - Using Video Reference for Animation

This is followed at 2 pm by an introduction to the Video Reference system that we have set up in the 4th Year studio. Stephen Barnes is again in charge, showing us the basic usage of video reference for animation. It would be great to have someone perform a character action scene from their film for the purpose of demonstration. Any volunteers?

Future Crisis: A Brief History of Graphics

Here's a very good short documentary about the evolution of computer graphics as used in video games, from Pac Man to Crysis and beyond. The sections on sprites and polygons (80s and 90s style graphics) discusses the role of traditional artists and animators. 

In five sections: 

Pixel Pioneers: A Brief History of Graphics, Part One

Sprite Supreme: A Brief History of Graphics, Part Two

Polygon Realm: A Brief History of Graphics, Part Three

Voodoo Bloom: A Brief History of Graphics, Part Four

Future Crisis: A Brief History of Graphics, Part Five

Interstellar and the continuing influence of Kubrick's "2001"

If you're interested in the evolution of the science fiction film genre here's a very interesting article on the inescapable influence on Christopher Nolan's Interstellar of Kubrick's 1968 classic,  2001, A Space Odyssey. 

Kubrick’s indestructible influence: “Interstellar” joins the long tradition of borrowing from “2001″ - Salon.com

Voice-over Actor & Singer available

I just received this email from a young lady named Michele Kaye who is interested in gaining some experience doing animation voice work. She is also a singer. You can reach her at: 

michelemkaye@gmail.com

"My name is Michele, I am a vocalist and actor and I am interested in getting into animation voice-over... I am new to voice-over and so am looking for experience, not pay.

I've done some animation voice-over workshops, and have a small amount of experience doing commercial voice-over. I am a professional vocalist with 10 years of experience, and an professional actor with about 5 years experience. I do not have a demo yet."

Latest news about Guru Animation Studio - Netflix orders a "Justin Time" spinoff series.

Some great news for our friends at Guru - Netflix has ordered 13 more 1/2 hours episodes of Justin Time, Guru's popular pre-school series, for worldwide distribution.  Netflix already streams the first two seasons of Justin Time.

All the more reason to be at tomorrow's Guru event at 5:30 pm in J102.

For more information:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-orders-justin-time-spinoff-747776

Next Week's Trip to University of Toronto Faculty of Music

Here are the directions and other instructions relating to next week's trip to the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, Film Composition Class. Please read carefully  the directions and instructions relating to Stage 1.

Note that there will be no lecture or workshop on Wednesday because of this trip.

DATE: Wednesday, November 12m, 11 am - 3 pm

PLACE:  Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, 80 Queen’s Park Crescent  (behind the Royal Ontario Museum)

The easiest way to get there is by TTC. Take the University subway line to the MUSEUM Subway stop. The Faculty of Music is behind (i.e. southwest of) the Museum.  
Don't confuse the Faculty of Music with the Royal Conservatory of Music! (The Royal Conservatory is on Bloor St., while the Faculty of Music is on Queen's Park.)  

There is a Go Train from Oakville to Union Station every 1/2 hr between appr. 8 am and 10:26 AM. The 9:56 am or earlier train will get you there with enough time to find your destination. 

DIRECTIONS 

BY PUBLIC TRANSIT- take Go Train from Oakville station to Union Station- take University Subway line north to Museum Station ( 5 stops)- exit from station to west side of University Ave (Queen’s Park Crescent).- the EJB will be straight ahead, adjacent to the R.O.M. and behind the formerPlanetarium building.- once inside the main lobby of the EJB, take the elevator or stairs to Walter Hall in the lower basement level.

BY CAR- QEW to Gardiner Expressway- Gardiner Expressway to Spadina exit- Spadina Ave. north to Harbord St.- turn right (east) on Harbord St.- paid street parking is available on Devonshire Place and in paid lots in the vicinity.

SHERIDAN / UT MUSIC COLLABORATION

2014-15  IMPORTANT DATES:

STAGE 1) Composer Demos and Meet & Greet - November 12, 11-3 pm 
University of Toronto, Faculty of Music (Edward Johnson Building), Walter Hall

This is the opportunity for Sheridan student animators to meet with the UT student composers. Each UT composer will present an example of their recent music that gives a sense of musical style. Sheridan animators will then have a chance to meet them individually and present their project in the form of their Leica Reel. Sheridan students, please bring the following to this session: • pen & notepad (for noting names and contact info) • your Leica reel on memory stick, tablet, etc. • your laptop if you prefer • headphonesNote that you must commit to a working partnership within one week! You will stay in contact with each other via email.

STAGE 2) Music Spotting Session - January 2015 (precise date & time TBA) Sheridan College, 4th Year Studio

This is the time for Sheridan animators to sit down with their UT composer and carefully discuss all the musical requirements for the film. Sheridan students, bring your updated Leica reel with temp music carefully laid in. Be prepared to discuss the following:• where in the project  music is required• general mood and expression• special sync points that the music should 'hit'• character driven musical themes if appropriate• extra music for titles and/or end credits• desired musical style• desired instrumentation• possible changes to length/timing of your project

STAGE 3) Demo track delivery deadline (via internet) - week 7,  2015

UT composers will deliver a demo recording of the musical score to their Sheridan animator by this date.
An ftp site is available to facilitate exchanging large files. Speak to Technologist Mario Positano - Mario Positano <mario.positano@sheridanc.on.ca> - about how to access the ftp site. Commercial/free services like DropBox.com also work well.

STAGE 4) Track Delivery Deadline (via internet) - week 13, 2015

UT composers will deliver finished music recordings by this date.

Week 9 - Layout Artist Terry Lenko

This week's lecture and workshop are both provided by renowned layout artist Terry Lenko.

Terry's work includes the layout for TV series and theatrical films such as Sidekick (2010-11), Curious George (2006), and Ann of Green Gables (2000). He has also been a production designer for  Backyardigans (2006) and worked for studios such as Nelvana and Yowsa.

Terry has taken some time away form his busy schedule at Nelvana to talk to us about the topic of Professional Design for Layout (Wednesday, 11 am, S235). He'll also be on hand to assist you with your own layout design in the workshop (A150 at 2 pm.) The layout lecture and workshop are very timely because of the upcoming Animatic deadline (Milestone 6, Week 10) which is mainly about layouts and character poses (for 2D projects.)

Note that I will also be giving some important information about next week's trip to the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, so be sure to arrive on time!

The Music of "How to Train Your Dragon 2"

Here's a good honest interview with John Powell, composer of How to Train Your Dragon and How to Train Your Dragon 2. 

He makes several points that should be of interest to you in working with a composer, especially the importance of establishing a musical theme for each character. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YkLOxMilnA

(thanks to James Caswell for providing this link)