NEW AnimationMentor.com Version 2.5!!!

We released a redesign of the Animation Mentor web site on October 1st, 2008. The redesigned site has tons of videos and testimonials about our character animation school, including on how the online animation school works and a mentor testimonial trailer.

But while our web site contains information related to the animation program, it also seeks to serve the animation community with a free resources section full of information. Check out the newsletter, animation podcasts, links to Bobby Beck and Carlos Baena’s blog, and free animation webinars.

Happy Animating! Let us know what you think of the redesigned web site.

Animation Mentor Staff



Sign Up Now and Save!!!

We’re really proud to present our new curriculum for Winter '09. Based on feedback from our mentors, alumni and industry professionals, the new curriculum introduces a new emphasis on body mechanics – one area where animators really need a solid foundation to make their characters come to life.

With the new Advanced Polishing and Portfolio class, every graduate will end up with a professional demo reel that can be shown to industry insiders and recruiters. The class also teaches students the dos and don'ts of looking for the first industry job.

If you've ever thought about Animation Mentor, Winter '09 might be the best time to start. If you apply now and are accepted, you can get the new curriculum at the old curriculum pricing.

If you pay the $500 deposit by October 31, 2008, you can save $1,075 off the 18-month program. Winter '09 term begins January 5, 2009. Now is the time to start your new year developing your passion for animation!

If you have questions, please call us at 1-877-326-4628 or email admissions@animationmentor.com.



Winner of the Bring Spike Home Contest
By Animation Mentor Staff

We’re happy to announce the winner of our Bring Spike Home Contest!

The prize, a one-term scholarship to AnimationMentor.com, has been awarded to Chad Swanson of Cornville, Arizona. He graduated from Full Sail University where he received a BA in computer animation. Chad began class at Animation Mentor in fall quarter.

“It’s so awesome that I got picked! I'm happy I could provide something entertaining enough for you guys!” Chad said about his winning entry.

In Chad’s story, Spike falls out of an ARC (Animation Relic Crew) plane with the jungle map flying out of hands. He then crashes down trees, tumbles down a waterfall and embarks on more adventures before discovering the relic. To view the full story, click here.

After Chad found out that he had won the contest, he said he did the “happy dance.”

“I thought about how stupid I must look right now, caught my breath, and did the happy dance again for even longer! I'm sure I looked much cooler the second time though!”

Chad said he learned about Animation Mentor when he first started looking for online animation schools on the internet.  He had read about the school in 3D World Magazine a few years ago. Then Chad met Dave Burgess, a mentor at Animation Mentor and animator at DreamWorks, and thought “it would be so cool to be taught by him. “

“You guys have mentors from DreamWorks and other studios… that’s enough for me!” he said.

Chad said he is looking forward to Animation Mentor’s peer buddy program and being able to polish and refine his demo reel.

A big thanks goes out to all of you who sent us your fun and innovative entries. Keep checking out our newsletter for new contests and events.

Adventures of Spike
By Chad Swanson


Click image to enlarge

As the ARC (Animation Relic Crew) set out over the jungle to look for the fabled animation relic Spike grew impatient. With just his adventuring hat and whip he grabbed his map and strapped on a parachute. Without really letting the crew know what he was doing he jumped from the cargo door of the plane. On Spike’s descent the map went flying out of his hand when he went to pull his rip cord. Crashing down into some trees Spike closed his eyes and started grabbing for branches. He had a tight grip on what he thought to be a branch. Spike was relieved and opened his eyes. Much to his surprise he wasn’t holding onto a branch at all, but a giant snake! Scared Spike let go and went pummeling downward. Landing in a river with rushing rapids he was quickly swept away in the current! After being carried a few yards, Spike realized the river was about to drop off into a waterfall! Spike starts to panic and must think fast, he grabs for his whip and goes tumbling over the waterfall. On his way down Spike sees that behind the waterfall is a cave. He quickly slung his whip outward and latched onto a vine. Swinging into the cave and out of harms way Spike became awfully proud of himself. However, he doesn’t get to enjoy the feeling long. The ground underneath him is weak and quickly gives way dropping Spike into a dark pit! With nothing for Spike to latch his whip onto to pull himself out, he sees his only other option is to venture down a pitch black tunnel. After a short period of thought, Spike decides it would be safer to stay put and wait for his friends to come find him.

After a week went by, Spike started to lose hope and all he could focus on was how hungry he was. Then that morning he noticed a sparkle of light from down the tunnel. Curiosity got the best of Spike, “Maybe it’s food?” he thought. Spike started to venture down the dark tunnel and came to a room covered in moss and mushrooms. In the middle of the room was a pedestal; on it was a rather large pencil in a beam of light that shone down from the cave ceiling. Could this be it?! The fabled animation relic he had heard so much about? Spike quickly grabbed the pencil and drew a hamburger on a nearby rock. When Spike was done drawing “POOF” it turned into a hamburger! Spike’s eyes grew large and he swallowed the burger in one bite. As Spike started to think of what tasty morsel to draw next something started to change. What had appeared to Spike as mushrooms where actually heads of little creatures that started popping out of the ground! Were these the Poags (Principles of animation guardians) the other animated characters had told Spike about? The ones that were sent out to guard the relic and enforce the principles of animation now that Frank and Ollie are gone? The Poags then started to approach Spike. What would they do to him? Did they want to take Spike’s new shiny pencil away? Scared Spike swings the pencil at them trying to fend them off. In doing so he draws a line in mid air! Thinking quickly Spike adds more to the line turning it into a door with the letters CEO on it! Spike then opens the door, walks through it and slams it behind him. Spike has made a portal right back to the school in to Bobby Beck’s office! Bobby shocked at the noise and seeing Spike exclaims, “Spike, buddy, your back! Where have you been!?”, as well as asking the question “Hey, what is with this pencil you brought back with you?” Spike in a sigh of relief to be home replies, “Num Num, wwrelic!”

So is all safe now that Spike is back home? What about the next time Bobby tries to leave his office? Will the door take him back to the cave or let the Poags into take over the school?

TO BE CONTINUED........
(Til’ perhaps the next story competition?)


ADAPT 2008

Animation Mentor cofounders Shawn Kelly and Carlos Baena attended the annual ADAPT Conference in Montreal on Sept. 22-26, where they gave a presentation called “Eyes and Blinks: The Keys to an Emotional Performance.” Click here to read the blog post on eye animation and blinks.

The cofounders of Animation Mentor also participated in a panel discussion where several 3D masters in the field, including Steven Stahlberg, Marc Chu, and Nick Parkinson, discussed the animation industry at large.

“What stood out to me in the industry talk was how much interest and excitement is out there for the industry we work in. I heard from and met so many passionate people who love CG and love animation and are just looking for some way to crack into the industry or get their foot through that door,” Shawn said. “We ended up talking a lot about specializing and focusing on a particular discipline in order to maximize your chances of a job at a larger studio, but also how being a generalist is very valuable as a freelance artist and a great way to help pinpoint whatever discipline you end up loving the most.”

Shawn said there were some good changes at this year’s conference.

“The venue had changed [classes took place in actual cinema theaters with stadium seating and big screens], and there seemed to be more overall excitement about the classes, as well as a wider variety of classes for people to attend,” Shawn said. “A lot of big studios were represented, and I can't even imagine what it must have been like to attend nonstop classes for the week. I was only able to be at our talks and Michal Makarewicz's amazing "Making of Wall-E" talk, which I loved!”

Along with the awesome classes and talks at ADAPT, the Animation Mentor students in attendance also gathered for a dinner which Shawn, Carlos, and Clay Kaytis of Animation Podcast fame.

 

 



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