Monday, November 30, 2015

Inspired Acting: A Study of Great Moments From Great Actors; Industry Day Primer

This week we have two events focusing on Acting & Performance in animation courtesy of Stephen Barnes. In addition, Tony Tarantini will give us a primer on the basic logistics of Industry Day. Not to be missed.


Wednesday 11 am J102
First up in the Wednesday lecture  is the Industry Day primer from I.D. director Tony Tarantini, who'll explain how it works, and answer many of the questions you probably have on your mind.






This is followed by Sheridan's Stephen Barnes who offers 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, titled Inspired Acting: A Study of Great Moments From Great Actors, is essential viewing. It's also very entertaining, as Steve  peppers the talk with many fascinating and unusual film clips.







Wednesday 3 pm, A361
This is followed at 3 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?





Monday, November 23, 2015

Virtuoso Guitar Player-Composer from the Royal Conservatory Available for Animation Score

Raffi Altounian is a classical guitar player and teacher at the Royal Conservatory. He's also interested in writing music for animated film.

Raffi is a virtuoso guitarist and performs regularly with his group, consisting of guitar (of course), violin, clarinet, bass and percussion.  They perform Raffi's arrangements of a wide variety of music, ranging from Ravel to Oscar Peterson to Radiohead. You can hear them play on his Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/rtor7

If music like this seems right for your film, give Raffi a shout. His email and telephone number are below.

raffi.altounian@rcmusic.ca
416-528-5349

This Week's Lecture - Nelvana Layout Artist Terry Lenko

This week's lecture and workshop both come courtesy of 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 has 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, J102). He'll also be on hand to assist you with your own layout design in the workshop (A151 at 2 pm.) The layout lecture and workshop are very timely because of the Animatic deadline (Milestone 6, Week 10) which is mainly about layouts and character poses (for 2D projects.)




Tuesday, November 17, 2015

REMINDER: Visit to the University of Toronto Faculty of Music

Tomorrow is the day of our visit to the University of Toronto Faculty of Music to meet up with the students of the Film Composition Class.

Note that due to this trip there will be no lecture or workshop.

EVENT: Sheridan - University of Toronto Meet & Greet. 

DATE: Wednesday, November 18, 11 am - 4 pm

PLACE:  Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, 80 Queen’s Park Crescent  (behind the Royal Ontario Museum) - Walter Hall,  located in lower basement level



Quick Q& A: 


QUESTION: If the music provided to me doesn't work, do I still have to use it in my film? 

ANSWER: No. As film-maker and director, such decisions are ultimately your responsibility. If the music doesn't work out you can revert to your temp music or find other licensable music to use.
However, you are still obligated to provide your student partner with a finished copy of your film using their music, for their own personal use in a demo reel.


QUESTION: What should I bring to U of T? 

ANSWER: The most important thing to bring is an up-to-date copy of your Leica Reel. Stick to easily playable formats such as Quicktime and avi. Or bring a copy on your cellphone, tablet or laptop. This is important because the 2nd part of the Meet & Greet involves you attempting to enlist the involvement of your selected musicians by showing them your film.

It would also be good to bring a notepad or tablet to take notes regarding the various musicians as they play their music.


QUESTION: Can I partner with several student composers and choose the best music? 

ANSWER:
Due to the big imbalance in our numbers (55-60 animators, 15-20 composers) it is not possible to partner with more than one composer.


QUESTION: How Do I Get There? 

ANSWER:  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 former Planetarium building.
- once inside the main lobby of the EJB, take the elevator or stairs to Walter Hall in the lower basement level.

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. 



QUESTION: What Happens after the Meet & Greet? 
ANSWER: The first and most important thing is for you to secure a commitment from your chosen composer. Stay in touch via email, SMS, Facebook or whatever and make sure both you and they understand the nature of the commitment, which will follow this timeline next semester:  

Week 4,    2016 - Music Spotting Session, Sheridan College, 4th Year Studio
Week 7,    2016 - Demo Music Delivery deadline (via internet) 
Week 13,  2016 - Final Music Delivery deadline (via internet) 


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Next Week's University of Toronto Trip

Here are 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 (below).

Note that there will be no lecture or workshop on Wednesday November 18 because of this trip.

DATE: Wednesday, November 18, 11 am - 4 pm

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

The easiest way to get to the University 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 former Planetarium 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
2015-16  IMPORTANT DATES:

STAGE 1) Composer Demos and Meet & Greet - November 18, 11-4 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. 

NOTE: If you do not attend this session you will not be able to work with one of the student composers. 

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 
  • headphones
Note that you must commit to a working partnership within one week! Thereafter it is your responsibility to stay in contact with each other via email, SMS, telephone, etc. 



STAGE 2) Music Spotting Session - January 2016 (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) - Winter week 7,  2016

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@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) - Winter week 13, 2016

UT composers will deliver finished music recordings by this date.


Monday, November 9, 2015

This Wednesday is "Guru Day" at Sheridan Animation

This week's Lecture and Workshop are both given to presentations from Toronto's Guru Studio, producers of Justin Time, Paw Patrol, Ever After High and other animated children's TV programs. 

A highlight of the lecture (11 AM, J102) is sure to be Sheridan grad Brandon Scott's (BAA, 2007) presentation of current design projects. Brandon is the creator of Justin TimeEmmy award nominated and winner of the Canadian Screen Award for best preschool series.

There is also a master-class style workshop (A151, 2 PM) where Guru's Andrew Strimaitis will offer feedback on your ToonBoom and Maya animation/design projects. 

Please note that students from 3rd Year and the Computer Animation program have been invited to attend these events, seating permitting. 

Here's the program: 
Lecture, 11 AM, J102, - 4th Year, 3rd Year, Computer Animation students invited. 
Frank Falcone, President/Creative Director: Intro/Studio Overview
Rachel Marcus, Development Executive: IP Development at Guru
Brandon Scott, Art Director: Creating Justin Time, current design projects
Yurie Rocha, CG Supervisor: Upcoming 3D projects at Guru

Workshop, 2-4 PM, A151 - 4th Year, Computer Animation Invited
Andrew Strimaitis, Masterclass in ToonBom Harmony and Maya. 




Tuesday, November 3, 2015

LEICA REEL SCREENING 

I'm sure few of you need to be reminded that tomorrow morning at 10 AM is the Fall Leica Reel screening. The screening will be in J102 and lasts just short of three hours.  Note the earlier than normal start time. 

This is your first opportunity to get a reaction from a large audience for your film, which is important feedback to help you refine your story. Be there. 

I'll also have some important announcements about next week's guests from Guru Animation and about our coming trip to the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. 


MILESTONE 5 

There is a Milestone deadline this week which consists of a Performance Test & Action Analysis for students creating 2D projects. For those of you with 3D or Stop Motion projects, the Milestone consists of a full design package. 


WORKSHOP

There will be no workshop tomorrow due to the length of the screening. 

The Workshop series reboots next week with Andrew Strimaitis from Guru who will offer his help for your ToonBoom and Maya modelling and animation