Just finished our second storyboard assignment (more advanced camera moves). Last time we did simple shots using "Ned's Newt" characters and no background. For this one, we were given 2-view rotations of 6 complex characters and a detailed room background (I got permission to do an open clifftop for this shot, because it looks more dynamic). We were told not to do any sort of narration, but I find it really difficult to plan camera moves for no reason. So without really trying a story emerged. Sort of a "Zombies vs. the Minotaur" thing. I spent 3 days on these, and I still think it looks too unfinished. Oh well, you do as much as you can in the time you've got, then you just have to let it go and move on to the next assignment.

Branch-out.

2 Days and 6 Hours and I can't even tell the difference!

Just finished the second part of our Photoshop assignment. On multiple layers, added shadows, reflections, and highlights. Projects like this are never really "finished". You just know it's time to stop because you don't have any more time to work on it. For my first Photoshop paint, I'm pretty happy with the result. Onto storyboarding...good thing I don't need to sleep!

A selection of sketchbook life drawings done at Seneca. Joe Park, our life drawing instructor, requested 5 pages of 'cafe style' drawings every other week, with selections from our Xtra life classes due in the inbetween weeks. Joe also recommended that we do the Xtra life classes every night of the week, but I'm finding that to be pretty difficult to do! With the rising time demands by my other courses, I can only spend about 6 hours per week doing life drawing on my own. I hope that's enough!

First Assignment from our Digital Graphic Tools class. Cleaning a bad scan/ Painting flat colours in layers. The bkg came from Nelvana's "Bob and Margaret". (Photoshop CS2)

Weeks ONE and TWO

Well my first two weeks of animation school were stressful to say the least. On my first day I couldn't remember what time orientation was, so I got to school at 8:30 AM!! I just drew in my sketchbook and waited in the room for it to begin (turned out to be 9:30 AM). It was okay because I needed the time to calm down. After an introduction to the faculty, program overview, and handouts, we set off on the tour. The classical animation program is headed by Jim Zubkavich, a professional comic book artist and one hell of a funny guy! Best campus tour ever! When we got to our room, the door was locked, so while Jim went to get the key, I hovered by the door. You see, the cubicles are first-come-first-served and you're stuck with your choice for almost TWO YEARS! Our room was unique, unlike the other rooms we have "half" cubicles. This means they can also teach in our room because we don't have the high walls all around us. But I wanted the high shelves and some privacy to keep from being distracted. I staked out the corner wall because only the cubicles on the wall had high shelves and dividers. So the second the door opened I made a bee-line for my spot. I made wrong turn navigating the maze of desks and I thought I missed my chance! Luckily by the time I backtracked and made it to the corner it was still unclaimed!
VICTORY WAS MINE!!
I swear I got the sweetest spot in the entire room! I'll take pics on the break because now it's fully loaded with posters, junk and my Darth Maul piggy bank that actually fights and talks! Too awesome.

My teachers were all pretty great. Our Digital techniques teacher is like a professional comedian/actor so he likes to spice up or photoshop classes with funny voices. I've never met a teacher who pipes in '80's rock from his laptop into the room speakers during his first class to ease the tension!?!
Most of my teachers are sheridan animation alumni and professional artists. Joe Park, our life drawing teacher is a seriously cool dude. He's 26 and pretty laid back so far. I've never seen anyone who loved life drawing as much as him. Most do it as a means to an end. Like me, right now. I do it because I need to, not because I really enjoy it. Our storyboarding teacher John Flagg is a total pro. I am going to learn a TON of things in that class. Animation is starting off kinda slow for me. A bouncing ball cycle was our week 2 assignment. I was hoping to get into seriously brain smashing assignments, but I'm assured that before I know it the assignments will be kicking my ass! I'm trying to just enjoy the "easier" assignments. Kinda the calm before the storm. Character design is also starting off slow. Our first assignment is a research project into the evolution of character design for the major North American studios. I'm not 100% sold on the benefit, but I'll try to make the best of it. History of Animation is pretty standard. An interesting fact is that it's taught by Brian Lemay. He used to BE the face of Sheridan's Classical Animation program before they changed over to a degree program. A little known fact is that the dude is completely in love with the entire animated genre of film. He's like a living repository on the history of animation. Plus his anecdotes about his work on Ewoks and Care Bears at Nelvana are pretty good!

From the student side, the first two weeks were very COSTLY! I bought an animation disk for 425, there was a 200 dollar model fee, paper, pencils, electric sharpener, post-it notes and I bought an overhead desk light because the classroom light isn't bright enough in the corner.

The students are all pretty friendly and we're in that "getting to know you" phase. Should be a good year from the looks of it. The whole AAC is pretty friendly. You can go up to some guy in third year and talk about their work or classes and everyone is pretty great about it.

Assignments were pretty light in the first two weeks:
- Flat paint a provided bkg in Photoshop
- Bouncing ball cycle
- Storyboard assignment (compose shots on a list using a model sheet from Ned's Newt)
- History of Animation research assignment (Due at the end of the semester)
- Character design research assignment (Due in 3 weeks)

One thing the troubles me is that for Layout and Life Drawing, they b0th want us to work in our sketchbooks. That might be tough to work into my schedule. I'm also working part-time (about 10 hours) and going to school. We'll see.

That's how the first two weeks went. I'll post up my school work assignments as I complete them and get them back.

Lata,
The Branch.

PS. For those of you registered to drawingboard.org, you can see my summer animation work that I did while working on my portfolio. These were assignments that I did to help me to improve my drawing skills. Here's the link: http://www.drawingboard.org/viewtopic.php?t=34095&start=30&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
(You have to be registered to see the gifs)

Here We Go!!

Welcome everyone to the blog!!

In light of the recent wave in animation blogging all over the world, I thought it would be a good idea to document my journey into this art form. For those just tuning in, I am a first year classical animation student at Seneca College here in Toronto. Seneca College's ANIMATION ARTS CENTRE is one of the best animation schools in the country. The school's international reputation, bolstered by the Academy Award for Ryan, is growing tremendously.

This blog will document my progress through this tremendous program. It will contain pencil test animations (gifs), digital painting and image manipulation work, sketchbook pages, storyboards, character designs and anything else that I have time to put in. I'm also going to be writing about the physical process of doing full-time studies in such an intensive program. I received acceptance to the January 2006 semester and I just finished my second week of classes.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming already in progress...

The Branch.