The Digital Economy in Canada

There is an interesting series currently running in the Toronto Star. Because we are working in a cultural digital industry, it would do you well to read and think about the economic basis for employment.

Here.

You May Be Interested In This

Needless to say, I'll be at our meeting. If you're going, please let me know.

Notes for Milestone 2

The idea here is to get your ideas onto paper or whatever as soon as possible. The faster you can get something visual down and TIMED the better. Don't go for pretty drawings. Boards -eps in this case- are supposed to be disposable. For years, Nelvana did their's on Post-it notes to facilitate removing, shuffling and tossing out panels/sequences.

That said, they must be readable. An educated client -not your mom-should be able to see what's going on without your narration.

This is your first visual slash at your story. Use it to plan. Plan location reuse. plan money shots. Plan where you're going to spend the most of your attention. This is an important milestone. (Not that they all aren't.)

I can't give you my opinion if you've got nothing to show. It wastes your time and tuition.
Next week-Week 4- we're going to have individual meetings 20 minutes each.I'll be asking you to bring your portfolio so I can see where you're at. Sign up sheet will be at our meeting this Thursday.

Dead Tech

For all you destroyed city fans, this book has some great reference.

CASO

I mentioned this last week. Watch this space for info on Ontario computer animation studios. They received government funding to promote their studios.

There's a listing here.

Presentation/Pitching Practice

From Presentation Zen

Kyuzo Mifune's seven rules of judo practice.
These seven rules are written for those who practice the martial art of Judo, yet you can use your imagination to see how these simple rules are invaluable guides that you can apply to your own life and work outside the dojo. You can certainly see the applications to [pitching]. For example, a sure way to lose credibility in front of most audiences is to make light of your competition (in the case of business) by saying disparaging things about them. True humility is a sign of strength, over confidence or arrogance is a sign of weakness. Take some time to think about these seven rules as they relate to your own life and work.

1. Do not make light of an opponent.
2. Do not lose self-confidence.
3. Maintain a good posture.
4. Develop speed.
5. Project power in all directions.
6. Develop self-control.
7. Never stop training.
   
   

There are no quick fixes or secret techniques
Whether we are talking about business, or presentation, or of life in general, there are no panaceas to the challenges we face. There is no substitute for study and steady practice and a commitment to continuous improvement. For this point, too, Judo has a lesson for all of us. "Do not place hope in finding a secret technique," said Kyuzo Mifune. "Polish the mind through ceaseless training; that is the key to effective techniques."

Meeting Times and Office Hours

Our new room is G302. Thursdays 1 to 3.

My office hours are: on Thursdays, I'm in at 9 to 10, 11 to 12, 3-4.

Please arrange a time to meet to talk

Kung Fu Panda Character Development

5D: Dreamworks Animation - CG Character Creation – Emergent Design Paradigms

THis is long but it's got some goood stuff on how to work in the big animation machine that is/was Dreamworks.

Milestone 1

Here's where you can put your comments/questions about Milestone 1.

The big take away is to start early and boil down the story quickly.

Pitch with visuals of what you are looking for. Bring reference. Remember to build portfolio pieces as you go.

Play to your strengths. If you're not that strong an animator, don't plan lots of complex acting.

If you are planning to work as an animator, try to get some lip sync in. Not many of the films on Industry Day have lip sync. You'll stand out.

Watch those crowd scenes. They're a killer.

j.

Learn After Effects

Here's a good demo on workflow for puppets and After Effects.

Cloud Kid

Here's a company's whose work is worth checking out.

Look at this as a sample of how to display your concepts and develop on your own IP (intellectual property.) Easier said than done, but inspiration's here.

They're lookin' for Flash animators, but they are in Boston.

Jobs in the Air

Word is that 9 Story is lookin' for "flash folks, designers, strong drawing skills."

Profile=Résumé

Look to create a professional and personal profile.

Globe & Mail, Section L, August 31, 2010.

New Year, New Start, Same Title

"No mentor can guarantee a job. It would be like asking a personal trainer to lift the weights for you." The Globe & Mail yesterday.