Learn the skills and secrets to writing great animation.  Inspire the rest of the creative team to be brilliant – and grateful to see your name on script after script!

Animation is collaboration by conveyor belt, and it starts with your script. 

Award-winning writer/executive producer DAVID STEVEN COHEN (Courage the Cowardly Dog, Arthur, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Steven Spielberg’s Balto) will show you techniques for crafting indelible characters, solid stories and great scripts that are more than blueprints – scripts that inspire the director, storyboard artist, editor and musical director. Cohen will demonstrate how you can maximize a show's basic concept (while avoiding common mistakes) and create a script that moves visually, rhythmically, emotionally, and comedically - one that communicates vividly without collapsing under the weight of words. Underscoring it all is flexible thinking and the collaborative process: the agony and ecstasy of sharing creative vision. Focus will be on writing character-driven animated comedy for television, with some forays into features.

DAVID STEVEN COHEN was the head writer on all four seasons of Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog and has written for many other series, including Arthur, Viva Piñata and ALF Tales, of which he was co-creator and executive producer. As executive producer of Nickelodeon's The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, David was nominated for two Emmys and won a Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Children's Script. He co-wrote the animated feature Balto and has also written many songs for animation, collaborating recently with Jody Gray on the song-score for Clifford's Really Big Movie. David's live-action work includes Phil of the Future, Living Single, Strangers with Candy, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, ALF and Pee-wee's Playhouse. First introduced to opera by a certain Oscar-winning rabbit, David wrote the libretto for the opera Lilith, which premiered at Lincoln Center in 2001.

Title: Pitching Animation with Max Howard and Mark Simon

Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011
Time: 9:30 EST/ 6:30 PST

Length: 2-3 hours
Cost: $95
Early Bird Rate: $60 (until March 3rd)
Where: Web slide show with audio. 
No travel required - Phone in, Skype in or Login

Bonuses: Sample animation treatment, workbook & more
Register online at http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/seminar-max-pitch2011.html  (or if you need a shorter link:http://www.HitMakerSeminar.com) 

 

In this Hit Maker Seminar, Max & Mark will reveal:

How to pitch animationWhere to pitch your animationWhat you need for your pitchHow to land great pitch meetingsThe biggest pitch mistakes to avoidThe #1 element you MUST have for your pitch8 Steps to creating a story that will sellHow the animated film Igor was soldDiscover your USP - Unique Selling PointThe questions you must be prepared to answerHow project titles matterWhat you need to do before your pitchHow Mark pitched 35 times in one day

Bonuses:

Sample animation treatmentWorth more than the price of the webinarSample animation 1-sheetWorkbookSample Submission Release Form

4 ways you'll benefit from this webinar:

You'll prepare the right materials for your pitchYou'll be more confident in your pitchYou'll discover the the Hollywood insider secrets to pitching like a proYou'll avoid project-killing mistakes 

 
Spring OPEN HOUSE  at LAAFA
March 12th – 2pm to 6pm
Spring Quarter begins April 4th
 
 
Please join us on Saturday for our quarterly Open House Event. 
It will be an afternoon of enjoyment! 
 
Overview of our part-time Sessions and full-time B.F.A. Certificate Programs
Complimentary portfolio tips and reviews
Open Studios for Observation
Drawing/painting techniques demonstration with one of our faculty members 
View displayed instructor and student artwork 
Summer Teen Program Information
Refreshments, ice cream bar, and complimentary valet parking

RSVP is Appreciated  

Anima, the International Animation Film Festival of Brussels will take place at the Flagey Centre from 4th to 13th March 2011 and will be celebrating its 30th edition. In fact, the first ever Anima took place in February 1982. Over one hundred films in the official competition (shorts and features, commercials and music videos), retrospectives, exhibitions, film master classes, workshops for the kids, the Futuranima professional days, round table discussions, numerous guests and cine-concerts, make Brussels THE international appointment with animation for the beginning of the year. If you add events like "the Animated Night", the Cartoon d'Or and the Cosplay, Anima has established itself as a must for the thirty thousand spectators that flock to the Flagey Centre. And a special date to mark with a cross this year: we'll be celebrating thirty years of surprises, fun and discoveries.

Anima 2011 Competition

Short-film: short animated films made after June 30, 2009 regardless of its geographic origin, except of Belgium.Student film: short animated films made after June 30, 2009 regardless of its geographic origin, except of Belgium.Music videos and Commercials : short animated films made after June 30, 2009 regardless of its geographic origin.Feature-film previews: animated feature films made after June 30, 2009, regardless of its geographic origin.Feature-film for children previews: animated feature films made after June 30, 2009, regardless of its geographic origin.Belgian shorts: Belgian animated films completed after June 30, 2009.

Amongst these categories, some shorts will constitute an international competition and some others a national competition, with money prizes from 1.000 up to 2.500 Euros.

The Festival looks after the round trips of selected films and awards anumber of cash and other prizes to the winners.

Deadlines

Entry forms: October 15, 2010 (no entry fees)
Arrival of prints: February 11, 2011

How to Design Your Portfolio

Saturday March 03, 2012 11am PST

with Sergio PaezCost: $5Length: 60 minutes

 

Are you confused about what to put in your portfolio? We will cover the basics, and hopefully give you tips to create a winning submission to the major studios.

 

This is by far the most important workshop to helping you raise yoru game when it comes to what and how you set up your portfolio.

 

System RequirementsLatest version of Adobe FlashComputer speakers or headsetSafari 2, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3.0 or higherBroadband connection recommendedRefund policy24 hour cancellation policy. You can request a full refund up to 24 hours before the start of the class. No refunds will be granted for less than 24 hours. Sorry no refunds for missed classes. You have an opportunity to view our session recordings with your paid registration.Email your refund request to us hereAbout The Instructor

Sergio Paez is a San Francisco artist specializing in storyboards, animation, and visual development for TV, feature film, and games. His animation credits in the United States and Europe include projects for Pixar, Lucasfilm, Sony, and Sega.

Sergio’s work was featured in “The Art of Clone Wars” published by Chronicle Books, “The Art of Darkwatch” published by Design Studio Press, and the Totoro Forest Project Art Exhibition. Sergio recently finished up work on season 3 of the Clone Wars Animated Series for Lucas Animation

VIP Members Get 10% Off All ClassesAs a VIP member you get full access to what StoryboardArt.org has to offer. See all areas of our forum discussions along with a 10% discount to our store, and classes. You can access our full podcasts, and see member only video posts in our archive page. You also get an invitation to our annual StoryboardArt.org networking party.

 

Join nowfor only $50/ year. Check out all the benefits you get as a VIP member:

The Game Developers Conference® (GDC) is the world’s largest professionals-only game industry event. Presented every spring in San Francisco, it is the essential forum for learning, inspiration, and networking for the creators of computer, console, handheld, mobile, and online games.

The GDC attracts over 17,000 attendees, and is the primary forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision-makers and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas and shape the future of the industry. The GDC is produced by the Think Services Game Group, a division of United Business Media.

This market defining conference features over 400 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions on a comprehensive selection of game development topics taught by leading industry experts. In addition, the GDC expo showcases all of the most relevant game development tools, platforms and services helping to drive the industry forward. The conference also features the twelfth annual Independent Games Festival, where new, unpublished games compete for the attention of the publishing community, and the tenth annual Game Developers Choice Awards, the premier accolades for peer-recognition in the digital games industry.

THE TORONTO ANIMATED IMAGE SOCIETY PRESENTS:
ELEMENTAL MAGIC WORKSHOP – An Organic Approach to Special Effects Animation with Joseph Gilland


ELEMENTAL MAGIC WORKSHOP
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 10 AM - 5 PM
NFB MEDIATHEQUE, 150 JOHN STREET
$15, $10 TAIS/NFB members
Pre-registration suggested in order to secure your spot
See online payment option at www.tais.ca/elementalmagic.html or contact the office directly at tais@bellnet.ca


In this inspirational, full-day workshop with master special effects animator and Disney veteran, Joseph Gilland, and based on his ground-breaking book, Elemental Magic: The Classical Art of Hand-Drawn Special Effects Animation, the author brings a fresh perspective to understanding the underlying energy behind elemental special effects such as fire, water, smoke, explosions and magic.

Drawing on a life-long mission to capture the essential energy of the elements, Joseph urges his workshop participants to explore the natural world around them and inside them, to tap into the true nature of the elements and thus bring fresh, dynamic energy to the visual effects that they create. Traditional and digital artists, technical directors and computer programmers alike will discover fresh new ways to approach visual effects animation.

About Joseph Gilland:
In his long and storied animation career, Joseph has utilized his traditional and digital animation talents at such studios as Walt Disney Feature Animation, Don Bluth Animation, and the National Film Board of Canada. At Walt Disney Feature Animation, Joseph served as Supervisor of Visual Effects for the Disney classics Lilo & Stitch and Brother Bear. Joseph also served as Head of Florida Special Effects Unit for the features Kingdom of the Sun and Tarzan, and was Special Effects Animator on such notable titles as Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, James and the Giant Peach, Hercules and Mulan. His broad experience also includes animating video games, several short film projects at the National Film Board of Canada, and directing dozens of television commercials as an independent director. From 2003 to 2005, Joseph headed up the world renowned animation program at the Vancouver Film School.

Joseph is currently writing a follow up volume to Elemental Magic: The Classical Art of Hand-Drawn Special Effects Animation (Focal Press, 2009) so expect some sneak peeks of his new book at this workshop.

Presented in partnership with the NFB Mediatheque and with funding support from The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.

For more info, visit www.tais.ca

KidScreen Summit is renowned as the kids entertainment industry’s most important annual event. In 2010, the conference welcomed almost 1,500 attendees from 43 countries, with a record-setting 63% of delegates hailing from outside of the US. Top decision- and deal-makers in the kids business attend KidScreen Summit to engage in critical dialogue on issues that affect the industry and take advantage of some of the year’s best networking opportunities; recognize and understand current market needs, opportunities and challenges; learn more about key innovators and their visions; and share ideas that will drive their businesses forward.

2010 Statistics

Nearly 1,500 delegatesMore than 800 companies representedAttendees from 43 countries150 riveting speakers350+ kids content buyers & investors

Who Attends?

TV Programming, Acquisitions and Development ExecutivesProducers and CreatorsDistributorsRetailersLicensors & LicenseesMarketersDigital Media Content Creators and Distributors

Why Attend?

Build your business by networking with nearly 1,500 international leaders in all sectors.Engage in critical dialogue on issues that affect the industry.Recognize and understand current market needs, opportunities and challenges.Rejuvenate your creativity.Get face time with primary kids industry leaders.Discover new talent and build relationships with potential partners.

Join us for two weeks of new, exclusive classes in an interactive, online event. Each two hour class focuses on a different element of the VFX and games industry and allows individuals to discuss the content with the instructors. One ticket gives you access to all 12 classes, with more to be announced!

Each class is offered online in a private forum, allowing you to participate in discussion with the instructor and other students. Each instructor will check the forums daily and do their best to answer students' questions. All instructional videos are high-definition and can be accessed any time during the event, as often as you like.

Each high-def lecture is 2+ hours long and available 24-hours a day, so you can watch them whenever you'd like, as often as you'd likeOne ticket gives you access to all 12+ classes, a total of over 30 hours of lecture!This is a phenomenal value and opportunity to learn from many of the industry’s masters, gain insights into their techniques, experiences, thought processes and workflow. Buy a ticket and get a massive dose of inspiration, motivation and education while sharing the experience with your peers from around

the world.

Sign up for our mailing list to be informed of updates about Master Classes 2011.

Staging Mastery

Saturday February 04, 2012 11am PST

with Sergio PaezCost: $5Length: 60 minutes

 

 

Do your scenes end up flat and repetitive? It could be your staging. Learn how to take a dull and boring scene and make it fresh and exciting with your character staging. This talk will push you to take your current work and show you how to create professional and exciting visual storytelling

 

This workshop will help you raise your game in how to put together your boards to make them easily readable and exciting!

 

change the way you create storyboards, and make you a TV Paint disciple.

System RequirementsLatest version of Adobe FlashComputer speakers or headsetSafari 2, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3.0 or higherBroadband connection recommendedRefund policy24 hour cancellation policy. You can request a full refund up to 24 hours before the start of the class. No refunds will be granted for less than 24 hours. Sorry no refunds for missed classes. You have an opportunity to view our session recordings with your paid registration.Email your refund request to us hereAbout The Instructor

Sergio Paez is a San Francisco artist specializing in storyboards, animation, and visual development for TV, feature film, and games. His animation credits in the United States and Europe include projects for Pixar, Lucasfilm, Sony, and Sega.

Sergio’s work was featured in “The Art of Clone Wars” published by Chronicle Books, “The Art of Darkwatch” published by Design Studio Press, and the Totoro Forest Project Art Exhibition. Sergio recently finished up work on season 3 of the Clone Wars Animated Series for Lucas Animation

VIP Members Get 10% Off All ClassesAs a VIP member you get full access to what StoryboardArt.org has to offer. See all areas of our forum discussions along with a 10% discount to our store, and classes. You can access our full podcasts, and see member only video posts in our archive page. You also get an invitation to our annual StoryboardArt.org networking party.

 

Join nowfor only $50/ year. Check out all the benefits you get as a VIP member: