Expressions of Interest sought for animation classes with Pixar Studio’s Simon Allen

WAnimate, with the support of ScreenWest, is proposing to bring Simon Allen to Perth in September 2010 to present a series of animation classes.

WAnimate is seeking expressions of interest from members of the animation community who would like to benefit from this rare opportunity.

In the animation industry for over 19 years, Simon Allen has worked on16 feature films. Prior to coming to Pixar, Allen worked at AnimalLogic as an animator on Happy Feet. He began his career as an animator working at WETA on Peter Jackson’s feature film, The Frighteners in 1995. Allen has also worked as an animation supervisor on The Matrix: Revolutions and Constantine, and at LucasArts as an animator for three different games.

Allen joined Pixar Animation Studios in March 2006 as an animator for the Academy Award®-winning feature, Ratatouille. Allen went on to animate on two more Oscar® winners, WALL•E and UP and most recently completed working on Disney•Pixar’s 2010 critically acclaimed box office hit, Toy Story 3 where he animated Buzz Lightyear, Woody and many of the original cast from Toy Story. Allen has also animated Dug in Dugs Secret Mission as well as animating Mater and Lightning McQueen in Mater’s Tall Tales.

Class dates and details:

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 – Emerging Filmmaker/Animator Class

This will cover the time-tested principles of animation, fundamentalsof walk cycles, timing, methods for blocking shots, exaggerated humanmotion, tips and tricks for 3d animation, and compiling a demo reel.

Wednesday, 15 September 2010 – Master Animation Class

This will cover advanced topics, including lip-sync and facialanimation, hand gestures, effective use of timing, time management whenblocking a shot, using the principles of acting to bring a character tolife, and how to add polish and final touches to your animation.

Cost:

•     Tuesday, 14 September 2010 – Full-day class for emerging filmmakers/animators $40

•     Wednesday, 15 September 2010 – Full-day masterclass for animators with industry experience $60

•     Both days, 14 and 15 September 2010 – $90 (10% discount).Emerging filmmakers and animators with industry experience are welcometo register for both classes.

How to send in your Expression of Interest:

Send an e-mail to wanimate@gmail.com with the following details:

•     in the subject heading, please write “Simon Allen Animation Masterclass”

•     an expression of your interest in this event. (A simple “Yes, I am interested.” is fine.)

•     your full name, e-mail address, and a contact phone number.

Closing Date for EOIs: 5.00pm Tuesday 17 August 2010.

Please send any enquiries to wanimate@gmail.com

This event will only run if there is sufficient industry interest, sowe would appreciate your reply as soon as possible. Please note that anExpression of Interest is not a registration. We will be sending outadditional notices when registration is open.