Don't let the Ambassador hit you on the way out!

I'm sorry for the title, I really am.

Salut, mon amis, I am back again with a slew of art and a little news. About a week ago, my roommate and loving sibling ordered Chinese food and gave me his fortune cookie. I'm always disappointed with fortune cookies today, as may of them are not fortunes and more life advice. Only this cookie had a very applicable message inside....

Literally the day after I got this message, our animation course director Tina Seemann approached me  asking if I would like to act as a student ambassador for the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, informing students of upcoming contests and events, as well as earning industry opportunities myself.

Life can be so awesome sometimes!

Anyway, without further adieu, my Jack in the Box animation assignment from last week, and a slew of new works:

 

That's all for now, Peace!

A Hop, Skip, and a JumpRope

   "Work to your strengths. If you don't know what your strengths are, think of tasks that irritate you when other people cant do it." Rob Corbett.


Good evening everyone, unfortunately this weeks supply of art work has been postponed as my camera has decided to run out of batteries. So for the time being, I'll leave you with my first completed assignment for second semester:

JumpRope

 As far as my expectations for second semester, so far they have been pretty much accurate. A large workload with some classes I very much enjoy while others I stay in for the check mark. Recently I have had my eyes opened to ultimately the best part of being a student at Max the Mutt, something that I wish had been explained to  me when I first started the program....

The school is what you want it to be.

This past weekend I finally was able to get in contact with my next door neighbors. Their names are Dan and Kim, both of whom attended and graduated Max the Mutts' Concept Art program. They were more then willing to give their input on the school as well as tips to keep ahead of the load. The most important of this advice? To repeat a previous post, have a specific career goal in mind and focus your efforts majorly upon it. This apply's to every class, every assignment, every lesson, and its up to you how you use them to get yourself closer towards your goal.

  Myself as an example, I want to animate. I want to make characters not only move, but live, breathe, and perform. I want to see my name on a feature credit reel, after having annoyed the entire audience with my perfect mimicry of the persona(s) I had worked on.

  So what do I do to make the school cater towards my goals? Prioritize Animation, Cartooning and life drawing class before all others, and save work in more traditional drawing classes until after. Its not that I don't find them useful, but in a world dominated by 3D animation, its tough to believe Ill ever have to draw a perfect portrait at the office.

PS: The fine gentleman I have been quoting has a blog that details a lot of what we discuss in class. If you want a look into the theatrical mind of Rob Corbett, click here .

Have a good one!

2 for 2

Hello again, here is this weeks work from a variety of classes, enjoy!

Drawing Day and Night

"Somewhere in the middle of play and work, great art takes place." Rob Corbett

  Wow. It happened again. One blink and a whole week has vanished. The first week back to school has come and gone as abruptly as I should expect, and with it lots of new work to share.

The cartoon characters above were drawn from stills of Disney Pixars 'Day and Night'. An awesome short with a really novel concept.

Enjoy!

Year 2 Semester 1 [Part 2]

Year 2 Semester 1

With semester 2 just around the corner, here are my semester 1 works that I'm proud of. More tomorrow!

All Righty Then

"Your hand needs to get used to listening to your brain..." Bruno Tacchino

My final animation for first semester, George Jetson doing a quick impersonation of Ace Ventura. Was, as usual, lots of fun to do.

https://vimeo.com/55894501

  I also have it posted on my new youtube account, so by all means check it out and subscribe if your so inclined.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM5xXYQYg74

   So school is finished for first semester and I am pleased to say I passed. My personal, positive opinion on the school has remained relatively unchanged, apart from strengthening the point that the school is what you make it. No one is going to push you to greatness, apart from yourself.

    Case in point, first half of first semester we had a teacher for our Anatomy class who's name I won't disclose. The first class was OK; we were placed in front of a skeleton and told to play around with drawing different areas. However we were starting to worry when play time continued for then next few weeks, especially when our life drawing instructor was asking us to point to our Trocanter (the top end of the femur), and was met with blank stares.

    We could have done nothing. Animation students one year ahead, we were amazed to hear, kept him around all semester, enjoyed their playtime and passed the class. Did they learn anything? I could have cared less really, all I cared for was my own education that I was paying for and wasn't getting. If this was all it took to be an Anatomy teacher, then where do I sign?

    We all agreed, and after notifying staff, by the end of the first half of the semester the Anatomy dud was gone from the building. His replacement was the much more professional and helpful mind of Steve Millard, and I now know the name of every sore muscle in my body.

    So really its all in what you make it. For those curious about attending, the school is not overly obsessed with the initial skill of its students. All who are interested can apply and will most likely be accepted, but to succeed, leave all ego at the door, and bring your organisational skills and sense of humor (you need to laugh at your mistakes, A LOT) and you will knock it out of the park.

Peace out!