Animation Faculty Development Events
De Anza College, Cupertino, CA
Friday, February 24 – Sunday, February 26
During the initial weekend, the following events have been opened to all community college,
university and secondary school faculty and staff free of charge. After Tuesday, February 21,
please register on-line at www.deanza.edu/animation/training. Note that the Friday, 2/24 event
with Anthony and Julia Lucas is also open to ASIFA members and the general public.
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An Evening with Oscar Nominee Anthony Lucas
Friday, February 24, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
De Anza College - Advanced Technology Center Theatre, Room #120
In Person: Anthony Lucas, Director, Plasto-Scene, Melbourne, Australia
& Julia Lucas, Producer, "The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello"
Inspired by the works of Jules Verne and Edgar Allen Poe, Australian animator Anthony Lucas
has created a gothic horror mystery with exceptionally strong design. Set in an airborne world of
iron dirigibles and steam powered computers, "The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of
Jasper Morello" tells the story of a disgraced aerial navigator who flees his Plague-ridden home
on a desperate voyage to redeem himself. Lucas combines classic shadow puppets with 3D
digital models rendered as silhouettes to forge one of the most innovative animation techniques
seen in recent years.
Winner of numerous animation festival awards, including the Annecy Grand Prix, and nominated
for both the BAFTA (British Academy Award) and the Oscar, Anthony Lucas will screen his
early films, explain his novel compositing of 2D silhouette cut-outs with 3D models, display
production materials, show a behind-the-scenes production documentary and discuss the
evolution of his style.
Industry Panel: An Insider Look at Animation Careers
Saturday, February 25, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
De Anza College - Learning Center West, Room #26
Marion Gothier, Senior Animator, Electronic Arts (Maxis), Redwood City
& Carl Willet, Director and President, Carl's Fine Films, San Francisco
Unlike most animation job fairs, this panel discussion surveys the workplace from the standpoint
of the employer, the entrepreneur and the teacher. Both panelists are veteran animators whose
films have been selected for international animation festival and who have also taught at the
college level. Marion Gothier currently animates on "The Sims 2" at Electronic Arts after
working for an assortment of game companies and Carl Willet has directed many national
television campaigns for Colossal Pictures, Wild Brain and his own company.
Among the issues of interest to teachers that will be discussed:
- What foundation skills (fine art, computer science, storytelling, etc.) are most valuable in
today’s animation workplace? Are American schools meeting those needs?
- Which sectors of the industry show the greatest potential for expansion and which job skills are
in most demand? How should that affect curriculum?
- What careers are particularly vulnerable to future outsourcing?
- What technology should a school invest in with an eye toward the future?
- How important is software experience and what over-the-counter software will best prepare
students for the high-end proprietary software often used in studios?
- What strategies should females adopt to succeed in historically male occupations?
- How can students improve their job seeking methodology and their subsequent on-the-job
behavior for success?
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Master Class: Designing Effects Animation
Saturday, February 25, 2:00 AM – 5:00 PM
De Anza College - Learning Center West, Room #26
Scott Singer, Effects Animation Supervisor, PDI/Dreamworks, Redwood City
At every studio specialized Effects Animators handle the crucial non-character animated
elements in the environments (e.g. rain, snow, fire, smoke, explosions, fabric, hair, fluids,
vapors, etc.). Already a Senior Effects Animator at PDI/Dreamworks on “Antz”, Scott Singer
was appointed Effects Supervisor for “Madagascar”, which embodied a major style shift for the
studio. For the earlier features he had created a wide range of effects, including the impressive
water and dust in “Antz” and supple clothing in “Shrek”. For the effects animation tour de force
"Madagascar", PDI moved to a more cartoon style, incorporating stretch and squash, as well as
deviations from laws of gravity. Singer will examine closely the execution of complex effects
animation and contrast the techniques of realistic to more stylized effects. This will include
technical breakthroughs to allow those furry animals to interact believably with ocean, beach
sand and swaying tropical foliage. In addition, “Madagascar” included more crowd scenes with
“digital extras” than any other PDI/Dreamworks film.
Master Class: Character Modeling for Films and Games
Sunday, February 26, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
De Anza College - Learning Center West, Room #26
Konrad Dunton, Graphics Technical Director, Electronic Arts, Redwood City
On Character Day I, we offer the first two sessions in a series of master classes on human,
animal and creature anatomy; character design; and model construction and rigging.
Konrad Dunton has had extensive production experience in both the motion picture and
interactive game industries. Following his background as a sculptor, he became a Modeling
Supervisor at Pacific Data Images (now PDI/Dreamworks). There he helped create the modeling
pipeline for “Antz” and subsequent features, as well as supervise character modeling, rigging and
texturing for the CAFE group (Commercials And Film Effects). Moving to Electronic Arts, he
now works primarily with animated environments, building levels for games and solving a
myriad of production problems. This class concentrates on his passion for character work,
including tips on building models that can be rigged to deform well. He will discuss the use of
maquettes or scannable sculptures, and the special considerations of modeling principal
individual characters versus generic models for multi-character groups.
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Master Class: Character Anatomy for Animators
Sunday, February 26, 2:00 AM – 5:00 PM
De Anza College - Learning Center West, Room #26
Dr. Elizabeth Rega, Associate Professor of Anatomy at College of Osteopathic Medicine of the
Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona
Characters that are not properly designed and built will be difficult to move satisfactorily in films
or games. Dr. Rega has been a consulting expert for Disney Feature Animation, Dreamworks and
Sony Pictures on numerous films and taught animators about human anatomy for "Pocahontas",
"Mulan”, “Tarzan", "Brother Bear", "John Henry", and "Hollow Man." Her work for the studios
goes beyond basic human anatomy to the minute details of differences in facial construction,
skeletal linkage and anatomic proportions between characters of different ages, genders, and
races. This has proved invaluable to the studios she advises.
In this workshop, Dr. Rega will address:
- comparative animal/human anatomy and bio-mechanics
- the application of anatomy to computer wire frames and character design
- anatomical variation with respect to age, gender and populational variation
- modification of anatomy according to film style and level of realism
PRACTICAL INFO
DIRECTIONS to DE ANZA: De Anza College is located at 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard in
Cupertino, immediately adjacent to the freeway at the junction of Route 280 and Route 85. Exit
85 at Stevens Creek Blvd., turn left back over the freeway, then turn right into the campus at the
second signal (Mary Avenue). You will have just passed the Flint Center on your right and the
Oaks shopping mall on your left.
For the Learning Center West (Library annex), turn right on the campus perimeter road. After
you circle the parking ramp, turn right at a stop sign. The A. Robert De Hart Learning Center
will be on your left and the Distance Learning Room (LCW 26) is in its basement. You may
park in the ramp or a student lot for a $1 fee.
For the Advanced Technology Center (ATC), turn left to continue on the campus perimeter road.
Student and Community Services is the first large building on your right. The ATC is right
behind it. Park in any adjacent student lot for a $1 fee.
A campus map is posted on the registration web site @ www.deanza.edu/animation/training.
AIR TRAVEL: De Anza College is closest to San Jose International Airport
LODGING: A special $99.00 Friday or Saturday night rate for all faculty and staff participating
in De Anza College’s professional development sessions has been arranged with the Cupertino
Inn. This rate includes a free upgrade to a suite, full breakfast buffet and complimentary limo
transportation to and from the San Jose airport.
Cupertino Inn
10889 North De Anza Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-7700 or 800-222-4828
Refer to Aaron Duchinsky, Reservations Manager