Double Guest Speaker Day - March 12th

This is going to be a great event!
A morning session with Carlo Arrellano and an afternoon session with Ryan Benjamin
Lunch will be served in-between. Hope you can join us!
(click image to view larger)

Adobe-Ai Student Design competition

Prizes! Fame!

Deadline April 22nd
(click images to view larger)

nCloth workshop on Saturday March 5 1-5pm

click to view larger

Paid internship: 3D Modeling

The employer is ready to begin interviewing right away. Please come see me if you are interested and for more details.

Jason

volunteers needed for IndieFest 7

***Indie Fest Volunteers Needed***
http://www.sandiegoindiefest.com/
Many fun bands & films March 12-13th
 
people interested in donating 4 hours of their amazing talents, will get in return a free IndieFest7 ticket.
 
We need anyone with experience setting up stage or sound equipment, as well as sound techs or various degrees of expertise, stage managers, event staff with various set up experience, and handymen types who can helps us with hanging things, we can use food volunteers from the culinary program, runners, security, nurses, etc.
 
In sum, any help is welcome and much appreciated.
To Apply:
E-mail or call Maria Burbano with your Full Name, phone and e-mail and what you are  interested in helping with. mariajoseburbano@yahoo.com 619-549-2095
 
LASKA GROUP is a vastly emerging independent marketing and public relations firm driven to make a difference in the entertainment, local arts and non-profit sectors. By using a creative, outside of-the box and innovative approach, Laska Group is dedicated to each client, artist and event it serves. With a growing list of clientele, and connections to some of the best in the industry, a passion for music, art, love for food and heart for helping others is what drives the success behind our vision.

http://www.laskaprconsulting.com/

Motion Builder workshop on Saturday Feb 19

click to view larger

 

Annie Awards!

Your own Floyd Bishop, Lesley Padien, and Deb Miller graced Royce Hall at the UCLA campus for the annual Annie Awards, sponsored by ASIFA. They sure look good in formal wear! Take a look at the photos below.

here's what Floyd says:
"The Annies were a good time. The film that dominated was "How To Train Your Dragon", which was great, because it is a solid film. Other highlights included Eric Goldberg (who was sitting behind me) getting an Annie and thanking Disney for thinking he 'still had some worth'. Also view Brad Bird's long distance acceptance speech."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQX0DF6A19I
(he starts at 4:30 in. Hilarious!)

Dzu's digital painting workshop

Tuesday Feb 8th 1-5pm room 161.
check it out if you're available!
(click image to view larger)

"The Illusionist" Now Playing at the Landmark Hillcrest

thanks to Lex Millena and Aileen Acayan for tipping me off on the screening of this beautifully animated 2D film, a 2010 Academy Award nominee for best animated film. -Jason

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/SanDiego/SanDiego_frameset.htm

Matrix of available labs

Use the image below as a starting point for finding an open lab. Sometimes open labs may be booked for special events. Remember that you can quietly enter any classroom with a class in session. Just quietly find a seat and work on your stuff. No printing or scanning. Be polite! Work hard!  -Jason

(click image to view larger)

workshops this quarter

I've highlighted the ones most suitable for MAA but you are welcome to attend pretty much any of them. They're free, no rsvp required. Do it!  -Jason

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Learning Lab schedule - Winter 2011

room 172 has all your tutoring needs. Take a look at the schedule below (click to make larger). You don't need an appointment. It's free. Go there if you need help with your classes.

MAA Quarterly Department Social - with Guest Speaker

Friday January 21st

6pm

rooms 145-6-7

Pizza, soft drinks, raffles

Guest Speaker: Jay Hathaway, Senior Animator at Blizzard

Join us!

-Jason

Winter 2011 begins

Welcome back to our returning MAA students and welcome to our new MAA Students!

We have done a bunch of upgrades over the break. Details to come later! Harry will be hosting an open painting workshop in room 258 every Wednesday from 5-10pm. Bring your own materials and just show up! Wattana will be hosting open drawing and tutoring sessions in room 286 every Wednesday from 1-5pm.

There is still time to add classes or change your schedule. Contact me for assistance.

See you next week!
Jason

Tour of Sony SCEA

Monday, December 13^th @ 12:30pm.  RSVP to Jason today! (Thursday)

Arrive at 12:30. The tour starts @ 1 but there will be a simple form everyone needs to fill out before hand. The tour should last about 1 hr, but could go longer. We will gather in the parking lot in the front until a majority of us are there. Of course feel free to carpool if you'd like.  You must be over 18 to participate.

SCEA Address:
10030 Barnes Canyon Dr .
San Diego, CA 92121

The building is not marked but it has a glass front for a reference.

Please make sure you bring your driver's license or ID so that security can look at it when checking you in.

Directions:

Take 805 North

Exit Sorrento Valley Rd

Turn to the right, but move into the Left Ln and turn

Left on Scranton Rd.

Scranton Becomes Barnes Canyon Rd.

The building will be on the Left hand side

(if you hit LUSK Blvd, you have gone too far)

"Tangled" Event flyer

It is on! 

I MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN A LUXURY MOTOR COACH WHICH HOLDS 45-50 PEOPLE.

PLEASE EMAIL ME (jkatsoff -at- aii-dot-edu) RIGHT AWAY IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SPOT ON THE BUS!

You may bring one friend or family member.
(click image to view larger) 

Disney's "Tangled" free screening and artist Q&A

I would like to invite students, faculty and alumni from all southern California Art Institutes to this special event. A flyer is being created and approved by Disney WDAS right now but I wanted to get the word out to you. I’m very excited to make this event an enjoyable success for all attendees!

Sunday December 5th 3:00 – 6:30pm

UltraStar GardenWalk Cinema in Anaheim

3:15 greeting in UltraStar’s upstairs LuxeLounge with free popcorn and soft drinks

4:15 showing of Disney’s “Tangled”

Q&A with Corey Bolwyn immediately after the film. Corey is a Winter 2008 grad from AiCA-SD. He worked on the film as a Character TD in Cloth and Hair.

Meet & Greet/Reception in the LuxeLounge following the Q&A

Tickets are free

Popcorn and soft drinks are free

Parking is free

Here is Corey and the Crew from Tangled (click to view larger) 

Watch this: ILM documentary on the Encore channel

http://www.starz.com/titles/ILMIndustrialLightMagicCreatingTheImpossible

It's on many times over the next couple weeks, also available On Demand. Would make for great watching after a big Thanksgiving dinner!

"ILM - Industrial Light & Magic: Creating The Impossible"



Starring: George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard , Robin Williams, John Lasseter, Samuel L Jackson


Directed By: Leslie Iwerks
Genre: Documentary


Synopsis: The story of Industrial Light & Magic - the special effects company started to create Star Wars - is told via clips (Iron Man, Star Trek, Jurassic Park) and interviews (George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, more).

-Jason

PAUL! Comedy film with a CGI alien

http://www.creativecrash.com/news/film/c/paul-3d-film-trailer--2
or
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092026/

From Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, the guys who made Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. It's a comedy with a 3D alient named Paul.

Seth Rogen is the voice of Paul, Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig (SNL), Jason Bateman and Sigourney Weaver are in it.

The alien's facial animation and lipsynch look great!

Release date in March 2011.

-Jason

MEGAMIND in 3D! Let's go to the Movies on Sunday November 14th, 4:45 screening

Who's in? I'm buying!   {official site}

Just like the SDAFF Animation Festival, I'll be hanging around outside the UltraStar Cinema Hazard Center box office 30 minutes before the show with about 50 tickets, first come, first served!  --Jason

Stop Motion student film wins Academy Award!

Three students at the Art Institute in Kansas City have won an Academy Award! Read the article and then decide to outshine them! Form a production team, perhaps register for next quarter's elective in Stop Motion Animation, talk to Lesley Padien and Eric Van Hamersveld for advice.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/technology/personaltech/21basics.html?ex=1303185600&en=98fb81f70e4adc92&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=TE-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M172-ROS-1010-HDR&WT.mc_ev=click

good luck!

Jason

Free Workshops!

Hi everyone,

I should've posted these a long time ago. These workshops are free and cover topics which are outside our normal curriculum.You don't need to RSVP, just show up on time because they are first come-first serve.

Enjoy!   --Jason

(click on image to see larger)

Do you want a scholarship?

The Art Institutes schools and EDMC are now offering "The Education Foundation" scholarship.

Please visit me for an application. There is a very good chance that if you submit an application you will earn a scholarship.  It's an easy 1-page application plus an essay. If you spend two hours on it and you end up winning $500 you've just earned $250/hour! You can't beat that. Some past winners have won a lot more than $500....

there are also many other scholarship resources listed on our Library's webpage. http://aii.campusguides.com/aicasd-scholarships

I encourage all of you to spend a few hours applying to scholarships.

The SD Foundation is a completely local source.

http://www.sdfoundation.org/GrantsScholarships/Scholarships/ForStudents/AvailableScholarships.aspx

Jason

ASIFA STUDENT ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL

http://www.animationeducatorsforum.org/SAF.html

the deadline has passed to enter your film but you can still attend the Festival on Saturday November 6th.

California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840

"Gam3rs" is a one man show about a guy who is working a tech support job who has to juggle real life while simultaneously leading a raid in game.

10th Avenue theater

10th & Broadway 

The last showings are this week, October 22nd, 23rd, 24th - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

info: http://www.gam3rsthewebsite.com/

tickets: http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-diego-ca/gam3rs-1.html

(sent by MAA student Lex Millena)

Spike & Mike Festival of Animation begins October 16th

(click title for their website)

Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla

(858) 459-8707 or SPIKE@SPIKEANDMIKE.COM 

weekend showings October 16th through November 28th

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Learning Lab - Tutoring Schedule

If you need a tutor, first take a look at the image below. Then go to the Learning Lab! It is re-designed and staffed by Lissa Corona. You can go there for other resources besides tutors as well. Take advantage of this and other resources to make yourself even more successful!   --Jason

(click image to view larger)

SDAFF Animation Festival is ON!

Wednesday night, October 27th.

Meet at 6:30pm at the UltraStar Hazard Center.

(click the title of this posting to see the Program)

Sam Chen's and Wattana Khommarath's classes are going. Show up by 6:30 and look for me...I will have tickets on a first come, first served basis!

Jason

Open Labs in the Fall Quarter!

Students!

Here is a list of all the open labs for the entire week. Use it to your advantage! (click to view larger)

SDAFF Animation Screening

Our own Sam Chen curates the Animation Program in the SD Asian Film Festival every year. It is held at the UltraStar Cinema here in Hazard Center. Sam has compiled about 80 minutes of the world's best animation. 

There are two screenings: Sunday October 24th at 2:25pm and Wednesday October 27th at 7pm. I am working on putting together a field trip. Come see me or email me if you want to attend.

-Jason

CTN Animation Expo: 3-day pass winners!

Thanks to everyone who attended our department social yesterday. Great turnout! Thanks also to Tara who represented CTN and gave away 10 3-day passes. Congrats to the winners:

• Brian Luc
• Dale Escalante
• Jared Spuhler
• Mike Mickels
• Marlon Richardson
• Chenoa Campbell
• Pakie Seung
• Elizabeth Pichardo
• Nicole Galinata
• Phaedra Hill

If any of you winners don't want to go or can't go please see me. I maybe can trade you some goods for your ticket and I'll give that ticket to someone else who wants to go.

Tara Steinke from CTN Expo is coming!

Tara will be hosting our MAA Department Quarterly Social on the first Tuesday of the quarter, October 5th from 12-1pm in rooms 145-6-7.

She will be giving us the latest info on this year's Expo. Last year's kickoff event was a huge success and she wants more Ai students and faculty to attend. (She may be raffling off some prizes...)

We'll also have food, drinks, and other prizes.

http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/

November 19-21 in Burbank

Jason

"Waking Sleeping Beauty" 9/25 and 9/26 at Ken Cinema

Thanks to Trisha Allex for alerting me to this:



Check it out! It's screening the weekend after finals end! This documentary is about Disney Animation Studios from around 1980 to 1992...   --Jason

By the mid-1980s, the fabled animation studios of Walt Disney had fallen on hard times. The artists were polarized between newcomers hungry to innovate and old timers not yet ready to relinquish control. These conditions produced a series of box-office flops and pessimistic forecasts: maybe the best days of animation were over. Maybe the public didn't care. Only a miracle or a magic spell could produce a happy ending. Waking Sleeping Beauty is no fairy tale. It's the true story of how Disney regained its magic with a staggering output of hits - "Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast ," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," and more - over a 10-year period.

contest - "17 Swedish Designers"

what does 17 mean to you?

Competition
Are you a thriving artist with design ambitions? Join our 17 Swedish Designers Art Competition for a chance to see your artwork on t-shirts all over town!
As the exhibition 17 Swedish designers comes to visit San Diego, October 9-30, the Consulate of Sweden arranges a design competition for students at local and regional art schools and others with interest in design, art and fashion. The winning artwork will be printed on 100 t-shirts and displayed on Planet Rooth Studios in Hillcrest. The winner will be announced at the opening ceremony on October 9th.

Theme
The theme for the competition is 17. The beauty with the number 17 is not only that it corresponds to the number of participating designers in the exhibition. There are endless ways of interpreting the theme. 17 is not at all a random number. In fact, according to several studies, the number 17 is the least random number between 1-20, meaning that if people are asked to pick a number between one and twenty, 17 will be the most commonly chosen number. The number 17 also represents an age when many things happen in the lives of most adolescents. Both ABBA and Kings of Leon sing about it. In the periodistic table, group 17 is the Halogens. And did you know that the Swedish word for 17 is considered a mild swear word?

What does 17 mean to you?

Guidelines
The competition is open to all participants.
Submissions are accepted September 5-20, 2010.
All contestants must hand in their artwork through e-mail to competition@17swedishdesigners-sandiego.com
EPS format
The file should not exceed 15mb (final piece must be in high resolution)
The artwork should be accompanied by a short explanatory statement (max 150 words)

The Winner
The winner of the 17 Swedish Designers Art Competition will receive a $200 stipend. The winning artwork will be printed on 100 t-shirts and distributed among the 17 Swedish Designers exhibition guests. One t-shirt, accompanied by its explanatory statement and the name of the winner will be on display at Planet Rooth Studios October 9-30, 2010.
The jury will consider the following criteria:
Quality of composition and design.
Clarity of the theme and explanation.
Creativity and originality.
Overall impression; the effect of the project as a whole.

Click here to see the competition rules.

Red Giant Software - check out how they work. Very awesome!

Grady passed along this link for everyone's enjoyment.
http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/videos/redgianttv-video.php?id=55

Jason

Dzu's Digital Painting Workshops

Part 1: Figure
Friday August 27 1-5pm room 265

Part 2: Head
Friday September 10 1-5pm room 265

(click image for larger)

Grady's drawing workshop, Thursday Aug 26th 12-3pm

Come get personalized instruction and additional help with Grady!
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Max Bartoli - Writer/Director: "Atlantis Down" speaking on campus Thursday Aug 19 12-1pm

Max Bartoli - Writer/Director of the upcoming film "Atlantis Down" will be speaking on campus on Thursday Aug 19 12-1pm in rooms 145-146-147
Please join us to learn about Max's role in creating this film. Perhaps he will show us some clips, pre-visualization elements, or production stories!   

(click for larger image)

Mini Biography

Born in Italy, and having earned a degree in Media Law, Max Bartoli has spent several years traveling and working in England and the US, where he resides. He is the author of two books published in 1989 and 1991 that won him the title of "Youngest European Fiction Writer in 1989.

In 1997 he co-wrote "Metropolis", with Francesco Licata, a TV program, which was part of the Benefit TV gala "Trenta Ore per la Vita" broadcast nationwide in Italy by Italia 1 a Mediaset's station.

Since 1998 Max has worked as a director and Executive Producer for various advertising agencies in Italy and England, directing and producing sports videos, corporate and institutional videos, as well as TV commercials.

In 2004 for MaXaM Productions, Max wrote, produced and directed two documentaries: "Postcards From The Past" and "Time Travelers". From 2002 to 2004, he worked as a director and executive producer for one of Italy's largest advertising companies, Rotella and Partners. For them he has directed several videos and two documentaries: one on the "Coliseum" (which won Italy's "Media Star Award") and one entitled: "Tunisia the jewel of the Mediterranean Sea".

In 2006 Mr. Bartoli produced and directed his first short film, "Ignotus", which has won 25 awards at International Film Festivals in 18 months. Among them are: "Best International Short Film" at the New York Int'l Film Festival, "Best Foreign Language Short" at the San Fernando Valley Int.'l Film Fest in Hollywood, two "Silver Pelican Awards" at the Taormina Film Festival, the Capri-Hollywood Award at the Capri Hollywood International Film Festival and the prestigious "Cisterna d'Argento" for his outstanding achievement in the arts. The "Cisterna d'Argento" is awarded annually for outstanding achievement in the arts, peace, economics, and science and has been previously given to Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev and former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Bartoli's film "Ignotus" is the only short film to have been watched and also praised by Pope Benedectus XVI, the former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and the Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

"Ignotus" was also the only official Italian short film during the 2007 European Short Film Festival held in Washington D.C. at the Goethe-Institute. Bartoli's short has also been screened at the last "Festa dell'Unità" of Pesaro (Italy) as one of the short films that better represented the image of Italy worldwide during 2007 and 2008.

In 2009 Mr. Bartoli co-wrote, produced and directed the sci-fi feature "Atlantis Down", starring Michael Rooker and X-Files star Dean Haglund. Mr. Bartoli also directed, produced and edited the 8-episode TV series entitled: "Atlantis Rising: the making of Atlantis Down" which has been aired by Cox 11 in Virginia since February 2010.

Open Labs SU10 - full schedule

Hey everyone,
if you are looking for a lab which doesn't have a class running, take a look at the image below. (Click for larger)

tutoring and workshops

Everyone,

Tutoring is available in the Learning Lab. Check the schedule (click below) to see when it is staffed by the tutors in the topic you need. No appointment is necessary, the services are free.

Workshops are being held throughout the quarter as well! Check the schedule (click below) to see what's offered and when. The topics are interesting and are either outside of our curriculum or they provide extra help in the topics students need most.

how was SIGGraph? Upcoming conferences

Who went?
   I had a great experience there! I saw Dreamworks present on how they created their visual style for "How to Train your Dragon". It was great! They showed the evolution of the characters and the environments. They also discussed their approach to stereo 3D.
   I also went to see Jim Miller, who is head of Pixar and used to be the head of ILM. He shared some great stories of movies he had worked on for the past 20 years.
   I saw Digital Domain do a presentation on their work for Tron: Legacy. They showed an 8-minute trailer and discussed some of their costume design and environment designs. They also talked about how they shot the film for stereo 3D.
   I didn't spend much time at the Expo itself. I went to an 'Education Summit' put on by Autodesk. They reminded us that they offer free downloads of their products and they also showed some downloadable project files and tutorials. Come see me if you want to take a look at them.
  Next year's convention is in Vancouver! To stay local, take a look at the CTN-X show coming up November 19-21 in Burbank. http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/
  For you motion graphics and multimedia artists (as well as 3D, VFX types) consider road-tripping to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Motion Conference.  It's October 16-19. http://motion.motion.tv/
   Both conferences offer registration discounts to students.

Jason

electives for FA10?

MAA Students!
I'm working on the schedule for next quarter. What electives do you want to take? Post comments here or send requests to me: jkatsoff [at] aii {dot} edu

two upcoming workshops

Dzu Nguyen and Dr. Wei Xu are both hosting drawing workshops wihch are coming up soon! Click on each flyer to see more information

WIA Club

This quarter, the WIA will be meeting on Tuesdays in room 174. Their first meeting is on 7/20/10 immediately after Stephen Silver's presentation.

The President is Nicolette Celiceo and the VP is Roberta Tam. The email address for the WIA club is aisdwia@gmail.com

Join the club! It is a large and active group with many advantages of membership.

-Jason

STEPHEN SILVER IS COMING!

Tuesday July 20th 9am - noon: room 146-147
Stephen Silver (http://www.silvertoons.com) has worked as Character Designer and Supervisor for Disney Television Animation, Sony Feature Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, designing characters such as "Kim Possible", "Danny Phantom" and Kevin Smith's "Clerks" the animated series, to name a few. Silver is the author and artist of five self-published books on the art of sketching, caricature and life drawing. In addition to working freelance full time, he also teaches an online character design course at www.schoolism.com, a character design course at CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) in Valencia, California, and a quick gesture figure class at the Los Angeles Academy of Figuritive Arts. In 2000 he received the Golden Nosey award from the National Caricaturist Network for caricaturist of the year. In 2007 he was awarded the National Cartoonists Society's television animation award for the designs on Disney's Kim Possible. Silver names three treasures to success in life that give him what it takes to keep on drawing: passion, desire and determination.

Creative Heads weekly job posting

sign up for their weekly job postings, even if you're not ready to find work yet. It will be good for you to know who is hiring and what they are looking for in their candidates. Grady pointed out that among many of the good opportunities on their recent list Pixar Canada is hiring as is LucasFilm in Singapore.

Jason

Attend Siggraph for free!

https://www.xpressreg.net/register/sigg070/start.asp?p1=Ai2010 . Your special PRIORITY CODE will automatically appear with your registration, giving you a FREE exhibits only pass.

Go to Siggraph! It's great fun and you'll be amazed at all you see and the people you meet.

-Jason

we need tutors

Please see me this week (July 12 -16) if you are interested. Minimum 3.0 GPA, strong skills in one or more of the following areas:
    Software: Maya, After Effects, Apple Shake, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro
    Traditional skills: figure drawing, perspective drawing, color & design, writing, algebra

If you are selected, you will work one or more 2-hour shifts in the library's Learning Lab.

-Jason

internship available

I am looking for an illustrator of children's books. It is for an old friend's company in La Jolla. Chek out www.starfall.com . The last intern who worked there is now at Cartoon Network. You need to be able to create original illustrations which are sweet and kid-friendly. You should be strong in Photoshop and Flash. You will be exposed to many pieces of software and other tools which are not Adobe and Autodesk products but your strong ability to solve problems and figure stuff out on your own will help you immensely. You don't need to be registered for the internship class but I still might be able to get you into the class if needed. Do not contact Starfall directly. Contact me if you are interested!

Jason

Stash Video compilations

Those of you familiar with this monthly (and expensive) DVD compilation of the world's best animation and VFX will be pretty psyched to know that it has gone online-only.

The good news is that Ai has full access! You can view all content by visiting their website at http://www.stashmedia.tv/ from any computer here on our campus. The login is IP-based. You don't need a password.

If you're looking for inspiration, reference, or just pure eye-candy check it out! Locate the link for "ip-based login" on their main page.

Enjoy!
-Jason

MAYA 2011 FREE DOWNLOAD! 13-MONTH ACCESS

http://students.autodesk.com/
You have to register but it's free and easy!
Though we are upgrading to version 2010 over the summer break, your files from both versions will open and can be used in either version.

enjoy!
-Jason

CTN Animation Expo

check out the site and consider being a volunteer! The conference was very worthwhile last year. It's November 19-21 in Burbank.

Jason

more workshops this Saturday

yes, these are free! Don't you wish you could split yourself in three parts and attend all of them?

Figure Drawing Fundamentals hosted by Dzu Nguyen. 8:30 - 12:30 in the life drawing room 286.

Floyd Bishop's RealFlow is happening in room 275 from 8am - noon.

Beldon Wolson's Illustrator Crash Course in next door in room 274 from 9am - 1pm.

Scroll further down in this blog to see the complete workshop schedule for the entire quarter.

Workshops this weekend

Professional workshop on Environment Design this Saturday May 15th from 1-5pm in room 310.
It's hosted by Hethe Srodawa, Concept Artist at Rockstar Games. It costs $20. Sorry it's not free.

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Learning Lab Hours

The Learning Lab in the back of the Library has tutors available to help you succeed! check out the schedule of tutors. The services are free and you don't need to RSVP, just show up when the tutors are scheduled.
(click image to view larger)

Saturday Digital Painting Workshop

This Saturday, May 1st. 8:30am - 12:30pm in room 275
Improving your digital painting hosted by Dzu Nguyen 

(click on image to view larger)

Rhythm & Hues Summer Apprenticeships Available

those of you near graduation should strongly consider these. We have two grads working there right now. Maybe you could be next!

Rhythm & Hues Studios is announcing Apprenticeship Programs as follows:


Animation Apprentice Program:
Deadline for submission - postmarked by May 21, 2010
June 14, 2010 to July 9, 2010
In addition to this Apprentice Program, there may be a second Animation Apprentice Program - TBD

http://www.rhythm.com/inside-rh/opportunities/jobs/animation-apprentice-program

Lighting Apprentice Program:
Deadline for submission - postmarked by June 14th, 2010
July 12, 2010 to July 30, 2010
http://www.rhythm.com/inside-rh/opportunities/jobs/lighting-apprentice-program


Compositing Apprentice Program:
Deadline for submission - postmarked by June 30 , 2010
August 2 , 2010 to August 20, 2010
see website for detailed information and application
http://www.rhythm.com/inside-rh/opportunities/jobs/compositing-apprentice-program

The R&H Apprentice Programs are designed to give participants the opportunity to gain valuable experience and a chance to work with a talented group of dedicated professionals in a collaborative, energetic environment. This program is designed to identify candidates who may be suitable for entry-level positions in our studio. Ideal participants will be recently graduated artists and technical people with superior skills and potential.

While some participants may be extended as long-term freelance artists after evaluation, employment is not guaranteed.

The current Apprentice Programs will be three to four weeks in duration training and simulated production, and will end with an evaluation. Participants will work with our best artists and supervisors to learn how we create images through a combination of formal classroom instruction and informal collaboration.

Submission requirements for all programs are as follows

• Cover letter and resume
• Resume including 3D software experience & indication of level of Unix experience
• Demo reel (DVD or Websites only)* - Demonstration of attention to visual details
• Shot breakdown sheet
• Completed Apprentice Program Application Form.

Workshops: spring 2010

please attend these free workshops which are hosted by our generous instructors, to give you more value to your classes and your educational experience here. No RSVP is required, just be certain to show up before the workshop starts. Enjoy! If there are other topics for which you would like to suggest future workshops, please tell me! --Jason

(click image to view larger)

 

Silkscreening Event!

On Friday of week 5 (May 7th) from 12-1pm  we are going to do some silkscreening! We will have a table set up on the grassy knoll at the back of the parking with all silkscreening supplies. You bring a t-shirt or other garment and we will help you adorn your gear with the "SCREAMING TIKI, MAAAICASD!"

We will have chips and sodas.  Come on out on the grass and join us!

-Jason

MAA Quarterly Social, Guest speaker & Pizza

Friday April 30th 12-1pm
rooms 310-311 (south building)
Alumnus Enrique Torres (Dec 2005) will talk about his career in VFX, living & working in the LA area, and finding work as a contract/freelance artist.

Enrique was a talented student and now he is a talented professional. He is an easygoing guy and wants to give you students the word, straight from the mean streets of Culver City. (they're not that mean)

Check out his website http://enriquetorres.net
Check out his IMDB film & movie credits

Join us! See you there!
-Jason

Sean Falcon's next two workshops

Sean is getting quite a following! He has new workshops this Saturday the 20th and Tuesday the 23rd. Click on the images for more details. Open to all students.

Professional Workshops Weeks 5 & 6

Below are 2 workshops being sponsored by GAD and VGP this quarter. These workshops are outside of our normal workshop series and will be hosted by Industry Professionals. Each workshop costs $20 per attendee which can be paid at the accounting window on the second floor across from lab 265. The workshops are open to the public and grads, but I expect current students will be the main audience. Both workshops are on Saturday 1-5 room 310 South Building (week 5 and week 6).

Feb 13th Tyler Wanlass: Environmental Artist, Highmoon Studios.
Tyler will be covering 3D modeling and texture production skills expected in new hires. Tyler will be covering intermediate to advanced techniques. I expect this is a must attend workshop for any students wishing to be environmental or texture artists.

Feb. 20th Hethe Srodawa, Concept Artist, Rockstar Studios.
Hethe will be covering digital painting techniques and production skills expected of game concept artists. Hethe has hosted workshops here on campus before and they have been very informative. Students wishing to be concept artists or wish to improve their digital painting skills should attend.

Students can see Christian Bradley for more info. If we have a good showing we can continue to offer these types of workshops in the future.

Week 5: Pre-Registration

We want everyone to be ready to register during week 6. During week 5, Student Advising in room 178 wants to help you to choose your classes and advise you with your selection. Go there, get some nachos, and get a raffle ticket when they help you.

***Special Offer: Do It Yourself!
Step 1: get a copy of the MAA matrix.
Step 2: Cross off the classes you have already completed.
Step 3: highlight or circle the classes you want to register for in Spring 2010.
Step 4: Receive a raffle ticket
Step 5: Grab some nachos
Step 6: Fly! Run away! Eat your nachos! Be the master of your own schedule!

tutoring schedule

You don't need an appointment, it is free to all students, no sign up, no rsvp, JUST SHOW UP at the Learning Lab in the library! View the schedule below to see when tutors in specific topics are available.
(click image to view larger)

SIGGraph Animation Festival Screening

Please attend! this is a free screening of last year's winners in the Animation Festival shown at the 2009 Conference in New Orleans. It is an international compilation of the best animation you have seen!

(click image to view larger)

Workshops!

Check out the great workshops this quarter! Painting, all kinds of VFX, drawing, and other great stuff! All are free. Definitely attend! (click image for larger view)

open labs - Winter 2010

This grid shows when the labs are open. (click for larger image)
Take advantage of open labs throughout the week, especially Saturday!

Green Screen & Keying workshop

Join Compositing Supervisor and MAA Instructor Sean Falcon from 6-10pm on Tuesday February 2nd in Mac lab room 167. He will discuss and demonstrate the use of green screen and keying techniques.

No need to RSVP.
Workshop is FREE.
Open to all majors.
Seating on first-come, first-serve basis.



-Jason

Guest Speaker: Mike Disa

Friday Feb 26th 12-1pm, rooms TBD.
Check out Mike's bio by clicking the headline above. He has worked on over a dozen movies as an animator and storyboarder. He is now a director of an upcoming film. Please come to meet Mike and hear about his experiences in animated feature films.

MAA Quarterly Social Event

Tuesday January 26th
12-1pm
rooms 146-147
pizza & soft drinks

See you there!

Volunteer at Siggraph LA 2010 !!!

Very exciting news!
The chairperson of the Student Volunteers at SIGGraph has asked me to submit a list to him of students who I recommend to be volunteers. A few years ago when the conference was in LA we sent some student volunteers who had an AMAZING experience.

Read up on what the conference and being a volunteer has to offer. Complete the application and follow the instructions in the "how to apply" heading on the left-hand side.

Applications must be submitted and completed via the Online Application Form by 15 February 2010, 22:00 UTC/GMT.

Email me once your application is complete and I will add you to my list of recommended students.

Jason

Events Sponsored by the Student Affairs Department

Events Sponsored by the Student Affairs Department
Winter Quarter 2010

The starred events (*) are a part of the leadership development series. Raffle tickets will be given at the leadership development series for the Final Field trip during Winter Quarter break. Classrooms subject to change for events.

Week 1: Welcome BBQ,
Thursday January 14th 11:30am-1:00pm.
Free food, music and entertainment!

Week 2: Ai movie night & popcorn
Tuesday, Jan 19 5:00-7:00pm, rooms 146/147

*Week 3: Speed Networking: Making Friends in a Flash!
Thurs, Jan 28, 4:30pm-6:15pm, Palette

Week 5: Student Appreciation Day- bagels & coffee
A Pick Me Up for Midterm Success,
Wed, Feb 10th, 7:45am-9:00am

*Week 6: Career Development Luncheon
free lunch & drinks for all participants!
Tues, Feb 16, 12-pm, room 146

Week 7: Ambassador Sponsored Talent Show,
Wed, Feb 24 12:00-1:00pm, patio

*Week 8: What’s Your Color?
Learn about yourself and how to communicate with friends, classmates, teachers, family,
Tues, March 2, 12-1pm, room 146

Week 9: Honorary Leadership Breakfast,
Thurs, March 11 7:30am-9:00am, Palette (for all presidents, mentors & ambassadors as well as all students that participated in all 3 of the leadership development series events).

Winter Quarter break: Final field trip for 11 raffle prize winners from the leadership development series

Contest! "Dam Short Film Festival"

Students,

Please see me to submit your work! Two students won awards at this festival last year. Let's win even more this year!

-Jason

student and grads - win prizes! - survey

Academic resources for students

TUTORING
Here is the schedule of tutoring happening in the Learning Lab. You don't need an appointment or an RSVP. On the grid locate the topic in which you need tutoring. Show up at the time when that topic is offered.

OPEN LABS
Here is the chart of the computer labs and when there are no classes being held in them. Feel free to use them to the fullest to get your projects done!

Guest speaker: Tara Steink - Creative Talent Network

Don't forget that Tara Steink from the Creative Talent Network (CTN) is coming to Ai THIS THURSDAY from 12:00-1:00 in room 164 to give us the details about the massive CTN ANIMATION EXPO in Burbank Nov. 20-22. You can attend for 1 or 2 or all 3 days.

If getting a job in this industry is important to you, you had better make it to this event!

-Eric Van Hamersveld

CONTEST: Mascot Design Competition

http://sdsciencefestival.com/mascot-competition.html
Deadline is December 15th
Top prize is $1000 !!!

Jason

Volunteer at the CTN Animation Expo

http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/registration/volunteer/volunteer_info.htm

The CTN*Animation Expo
Nov 20-22, 2009
The Marriott Hotel and Convention Center
“The Toon Town Capital of the World”
Burbank, Calif 91505 USA
www.ctnanimationexpo.com
Phone 800 604 2238 (USA toll free)
info@ctnanimationexpo.com


As a volunteer of the CTN Animation Expo, you will become an integral part in building the animation community at this one of kind event that, once a year, brings together the many creative elements of the animation art form whether digital or drawn. Our mission is to mutually benefit the animation artist, games, education, film and video communities and the individuals in those communities by providing a collaborative arena to promote the betterment and future growth both locally and internationally---and have some FUN doing it.

Volunteers Needed:

• Booth Buddies

• The VIP Green Room Attendants

• Registration Desk

• Demonstration Area

• Door Monitors

• Talent Buddies

• Information Booth

• Gallery and Display Areas

• Portfolio Review Room

• Panels and Speaker Rooms

• Media Room

Volunteers gain priveledged access to go behind the scenes and work as an integral part of the crew at this amazing event. This experience gives you the opportunity to meet and learn directly from industry professionals, artists, and teachers while assisting expo attendees and supporting programs and events throughout the weekend. As a Volunteer, you have admission to all programs, receptions, and many special events, including résumé and portfolio reviews, and presentations to the best talent in the animation business from yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I encourage you to apply! Become a part of the fastest growing expo specifically focused on the animation community held in the #1 market, Burbank California. I hope you'll join us for a whole new Student Volunteer experience!

Free Pizza and "Titan Maximum"

Tuesday Oct 20
lunch 12-1pm in room 164!
Lesley Padien will bring some sculpts and describe her work on the show "Titan Maximum"

Be there!

-Jason

FREE Saturday life drawing workshops!

This weekend (October 17th) Wei Xu will begin a 12 hour FREE life drawing workshop. The workshops will be 4 hours over 3 weeks. Workshops will be in Saturday, room 286, 1pm-5pm. Wei Xu has been teaching in our VGP program for some time now and is an excellent artist.

This is your chance to take advantage of FREE life drawing and get your drawing skills up to par. If you are a beginner this is a great chance to get better, if you are an old pro at drawing you can advantage of the free hours.

The session this weekend will focus on facial features and gestures.

This workshop will be held over 4 days: Oct 17th, 24th, 31st.

Workshops are open to students and faculty.

SDAFF: "Animation: The Illusion of Life"

Greetings Ai students & faculty members. This is Sam Chen, Animation Programmer for the San Diego Asian Film Festival, and Ai animation instructor. It's that time of the year again. 2009 is our 10th year anniversary, and once again, we have a stellar lineup of amazing animated short films from all over the world in a 90-minute program we call Animation: The Illusion Of Life. Once again, Ai has been invited as one of the co-presenter for this exciting program. Here are the dates & time:

http://sdaff.bside.com/2009/films/animationtheillusionoflife_sdaff2009

2:30 PM Sat, Oct 17
7:15 PM Wed, Oct 21
7:00 PM Tue, Oct 27 (Ai Night. Contact Jason Katsoff for tickets)

Notice the 3rd screening (Tues Oct 27 7:00pm) is Ai Night, where I'll be hosting one of my classes as a field trip. It would be great if we could fill up the theater with tons of Ai students & staffers. But if you cannot attend the 3rd screening, we encourage you to attend one of the other screenings with your friends and family.

This year, our lineup features winning films from the Student Academy Awards, Siggraph, Annecy, Ottawa Animation, and many more prestigeous festivals world-wide. We're sure you'll be entertained and inspired by the eclectic selection of amazing animation we've put together for you.

For tickets to the Tuesday Oct 27 7pm screening, please contact Jason Katsoff. For other screenings, please visit the link provided above. We look forward to Ai's continuing support of our film festival and our popular Animation Program.

Thank you all! See you at the festival!

Cheers,Sam Chen
SDAFF Animation Programmer & Ai Animation Instructor
www.SDAFF.org

The 10th San Diego Asian Film Festival
Oct 15-29, 2009
Mission Valley Hazard Center

Article on stereo 3D

http://insite.artinstitutes.edu/3d-films-are-back-will-they-soon-be-gone-again.aspx

Posted using ShareThis

Domo Arigato.

A very cool animation from Google Japan showing how Google Maps' Street View function works.

Rhonda FOREVER

An amazing new tool for 3-D drawing!



Ooh! And they're selecting people to test it! Sign up and enter for a shot at greatness.

CTN Animation Expo!

One of our brilliant MAA students suggests you find the time and money to attend.

Be there or be square!

Apparently if you book 2 nights at the event hotel, you can get a free 3-day pass to the expo. But only the 1st 100 people are eligible, so book now!

Disney now owns Marvel

Spider Mouse? Aquaduck? Disney acquires Marvel for $4 Billion in stock and cash! Read the news.

Jason