Digital Animation 6423

1 Digital Animation 6423 TABLE OF CONTENTS Benefits 1 Faculty 2 Frequently Asked Questions 4 Field Placement 5 Field Placement FAQs 6 Industry Connections 8 BENEFITS What makes out program special? Digital Animation is a lively and rising industry that suggests many opportunities for graduates. Graduates of the digital animation program find work animating and creating visual effects for feature films, television shows and interactive games, and get employed within 14 months. Our Digital Animation program is a unique project-based learning experience that is well recognized within the animation and visual effects industry. Our curriculum offers an ideal balance of creative and technical skills, as well as an eight-week field placement for qualifying students. Digital Animation faculty consists of leading industry professionals, who collectively offer over 1,000 hours of instruction. Our small class sizes allow students to gain greater access to the instructors for one-on-one help. The hands-on training we provide will give you the edge you need to launch your career. Campus Features: A 16,500-square-foot television studio Professional broadcast video, audio and post production facilities Digital imaging labs with the latest software A library and digital resource centre Career Benefits: Industry-recognized training Creation of a professional portfolio of work Dedicated faculty Industry field placement

2 Students of the Digital Animation program have exclusive access to a personal workstation during the in-class portion of their program. FACULTY Philip Krueger, Program Coordinator Philip brings over a decade of experience in creating assets for the digital media content industry from his Toronto-based studio. Philip is the program coordinator, and currently teaches in both the Digital Animation and Game Art and Design programs at Centennial College's Story Arts Centre. His passion for excellence and his professional experience has led to teaching a wide variety of subjects at Centennial College, Fanshawe College, York University and IADT. He received his Bachelor of Fine Art (Hon.) from NSCAD University and a Master of Design from York University. He is inspired by working in a creative industry that continues to push the boundaries of animation, game, film and electronic media. You can reach him at pkrueger@centennialcollege.ca Read his blog. Tony Cleave Creative Director, 4Stroke, Soho, Soho VFx Broadcast Design Project: Design Concepts Dalibor Dejanovic Senior Character Animator and Digital Artist at C.O.R.E. Digital, Red Rover, Nelvana and Elliott Animation. Bev Ransom Medical Illustrator, painter Life Drawing for Animation, Character Design. Bohdan Ruzycky Bohdan Ruzycky is an award-winning 3D artist and Graphic Designer. He graduated with honours in Graphic Design from York University/Sheridan College in 2003. A graduate certificate from Sheridan College in Computer Animation followed soon after.

3 The past decade has seen Bohdan work as a freelance graphic designer and 3D artist for various local and international studios and clients. In recent years he has worked as a 3D artist for Toronto-based biomedical animation studios DHC Marketing and Invivo Communications. His successes as a 3D artist have brought him multiple awards and the opportunity to travel and meet with clients in Japan as well as live and work in Singapore. John Lee John has worked as a 3D animator and motion graphic designer has been involved in all aspects of producing computer-generated animations from early concept designs to final outputs. His experiences range from creating medical animations for patient-educational software to supervising the whole production process for the animation shorts and the visual effects shots for a number of independent short films. He holds BAH at Queen's University and received the Top Honour at International Academy of Design and Technology for 3D Computer Animation and Post Production program. John loves every aspect of 3D animation and digital painting, making him an avid follower of MAYA and Painter. He can't get enough of this wonderful world of animation. Laurence Cymet Laurence has over eight years experience creating visual effects for film and television. He worked as the Visual FX Supervisor at Optix Digital Pictures, which he joined in 2005 after working in the film industry including the Fantastic Four movie as sequence supervisor. Previous to working in film, he worked in children's television in compositing, lighting and pipe-line design for several studios in Toronto. Laurence has a degree in Art History from University of Toronto and diplomas from Sheridan College in Fine Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects. Amy Tepperman Amy Tepperman has been teaching in the digital animation program since 2007 and is currently a working animator in Toronto. Since graduating from The International Academy of Design in 2003, she has worked at various animation studios on a number of film and television projects. Recent credits include Nickelodeon Jr.'s The Backyardigans Jetex Disney's Get Ed, Aardman Animations' Planet Sketch and The Chop Sockey Chooks, Amberwood

4 Productions Rollbots, and Total Drama Action, the sequel to the hit tween series Total Drama Island. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Do our graduates find jobs right away? Digital Animation students are job-ready upon graduation, because our streamlined production-style environment allows them to build a strong foundation of general skills during the first term, and then specialize in one or more areas of interest during the second term. Our 14-month program provides students with all the skills they need to get their first job in the animation industry. Are the instructors industry professionals? Every member of our faculty, which can number up to 25 people, has many years of professional industry experience in animation or their area of expertise. Most of our instructors are currently working full-time in the animation industry. Many of our instructors are graduates of Centennial s Digital Animation program who return to the college to make a contribution to the program that helped launch their careers. Our students benefit from having direct contact with the industry through their instructors. How many students are in each class? Our students receive a very individualized educational experience designed to help them succeed. We keep class sizes small. Do students have their own workstations? What about lab access? Our students each have a dedicated, personal workstation to use throughout their study period. Our Digital Animation labs are not used by any other programs at the college, and student workstations are protected by secure logins. Animation students are issued security access cards, and have access to labs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except when the college is closed for official holidays. Are there field placement opportunities after graduation? YES. See Field Placement FAQ on page 6 below.

5 Do students get help compiling a Demo Reel of their work? Instructors work 1-on-1 with students throughout the last part of the second term to help them build a strong portfolio. Students present their Demo Reels at a formal critique with a panel of instructors. This practice job interview allows students to hone their presentation skills and provides them with invaluable feedback and advice from established animation industry professionals. Is 1-on-1 instructional assistance available? Throughout their study period, all of our students receive several hours per week of personal instruction, tailored to their own individual interests and needs. Personal attention is one of the key components of our program. FIELD PLACEMENT Your Field Placement is a three-way partnership 1. As a Digital Animation student and a potential candidate for placement work, you are expected to send your reel/demo tape to the company of your choice to show your work. This is part of the professional experience, and is standard protocol for those seeking internships and/or jobs. 2. The school provides you with a list of names of potential placement opportunities and will help you decide which company is right for you. 3. You are expected to be proactive and seek out companies yourself and relay your information to the coordinator, who will assist you in obtaining a placement. See the Field Placement Frequently Asked Questions on page 6 below. Please note: In order to graduate, you need to complete a placement as part of your course load. You will receive academic credit for this. You cannot partake in a placement if it is not FOR CREDIT as part of your academic load. Demo tape requirements and information In order to obtain the Field Placement of your choice, you will need to produce an excellent Demo Reel to showcase your skills and specific areas of interest. The Demo Reel should contain a short excerpt of your Final Presentation that shows your creativity and technical abilities, along with good quality stills

6 indicating work flow and process, a section of your storyboard, some drawings, and a clear resume. Please be sure to digitally add your name, contact information, and Centennial College to your Demo Reel. If you are using a group project, indicate your role in the creative process. Registration/fees Students are responsible for registering for ANIM 222 and paying course fees before commencing Field Placement. Any additional fees you incur during Field Placement (ie. travel, parking, et cetera) are your responsibility. Pre-requisites A Demo Reel Successful completion of all semester 1, 2 and 3 courses in the Digital Animation program's model route Cumulative average of 60 per cent or higher Good attendance record Must have met all project deadlines (except for official extensions) Please note that in order to graduate and obtain your diploma, you will need to complete all required courses including English, GNEDs and Integrated Media. FIELD PLACEMENT FAQS What is Field Placement? It's a course that allows you to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired in Digital Animation in a professional setting. Your Field Placement runs in your final semester, once you have completed semester 3 and produced a Demo Reel to showcase your talent and specific areas of interest. This is an educational experience and in order for you to graduate, you will need to complete a Field Placement as part of your course load. You will receive academic credit for this. What are the benefits of taking Field Placement? Field Placement is an opportunity to demonstrate your creative abilities and strengths, and "get a foot in the door". One of the keys to succeeding in this industry is networking, and on placement you will have the opportunity to impress and meet future colleagues and employers

7 What credits or courses do I need in order to be eligible for Field Placement? You need to have successfully completed all of semester 1, 2 and 3 courses as indicated in the program's model route You need a cumulative average of 60 per cent or higher You need to produce a Demo Reel You must have a good attendance record You must have met all project deadlines Please note that in order to graduate and obtain your diploma, you will need to complete all required courses including English, GNEDs and Integrated Media. How do I register for Field Placement? Field Placement is a tuitioned course similar to your previous semester courses. Your Field Placement occurs in the summer and tuition for the semester will not be included on your fall fees statement. You will receive a separate fee statement in March/April for your Field Placement semester. Please observe your fees deadline. When web-registration opens for summer semester, be sure to visit mycentennial and build your timetable as you would for other semesters. If you do not register for Field Placement, you will not be allowed to report to your agency. Why do I pay for Field Placement? Your Field Placement hours are part of your program and contribute to the mandatory hours required to complete your program, as approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Payment for your entire program is distributed over the number of semesters you attend. Mandatory non-tuition fees are also included in your fees for Field Placement semester. These fees are reviewed and approved each new academic year by several committees and your Student Association. During your Field Placement you are still considered a student of Centennial College with all associated privileges and responsibilities. You will have access to the campus computer labs, college libraries and your Workers' Compensation is covered by the college Will I be paid while on Field Placement? Field Placement is your final semester term, during which you apply your skills, without pay, in a professional environment.

8 Will the program find me a Field Placement? The school provides you with a list of names of potential Field Placement opportunities and will help you decide which company is right for you. If not, how will I get a Field Placement? As a Digital Animation student and a potential candidate for Field Placement work, you are expected to send your Demo Reel to the company of your choice for them to see your work. This is part of the professional experience, and is standard protocol for those seeking internships and or jobs. You are expected to be proactive and seek out companies yourself and relay your information to the coordinator, who will assist you in obtaining a Field Placement. INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS Qualified students have the opportunity for an Industry Field Placement at the end of the program. Industry Field Placements are unpaid internships, typically lasting eight weeks, and provide valuable on-the-job training and industry contacts. A list of Toronto studios accepting interns will be provided to all graduates. Graduates seeking Industry Field Placement opportunities must make direct contact with animation studios. Students graduating with exceptionally high standing will also be eligible for a personalized Letter of Recommendation from the program coordinator. To qualify for a Letter of Recommendation, the following criteria must be met: Demo Reel must be completed and submitted by the last day of class. Must have completed all projects on time except for official extensions and obtained a minimum of 75 per cent average. Must qualify for a Digital Animation Diploma. Successful graduates have worked on the following films, TV shows and video games, among others: Angela Anaconda Babe Backyardigans Batman Begins Blade and Blade 2 Chronicles of Narnia Fantastic 4 Fight Club Final Fantasy Full Auto (Xbox 360) Happily N'Ever After Harry Potter

9 Lord of the Rings Monster by Mistake Monster Federation (PC) Over the Hedge Panic Room Pariah (PS2) Pryzm: Legend of the Dark Unicorn (PS2) Reboot Robots Shark Tale Strike Fighters: Project 1 (PC) Stuart Little The Matrix The Wild The Warriors (PS2) V for Vendetta Wings over Vietnam (PC) and more!