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Matte Painting for Visual Effects, A Post Diploma Certificate Intensive

Matte Painting for Visual Effects, designed by James Raiz, a new post-diploma Certificate Intensive!

James Raiz is a Senior Digital Matte Painter and Concept Artist at Pixomondo.

Current projects include Furious 7 (feature film), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Netflix) and Fantastic 4 ( Feature Film).

“A matte painting is a painted representation of a landscape, set, or distant location that allows filmmakers to create the illusion of an environment that is nonexistent in real life or would otherwise be too expensive or impossible to build or visit. Historically, matte painters and film technicians have used various techniques to combine a matte-painted image with live-action footage. At its best, depending on the skill levels of the artists and technicians, the effect is “seamless” and creates environments that would otherwise be impossible to film. In the scenes the painting part is static and movements are integrated on it.” ( Wikipedia)

Canada is a major centre for Visual Effects, and demand for matte painters is high.

Requirements for consideration for this program for Canadians and International applicants include:

completion of a relevant diploma or degree or equivalent work experience,
strong concept art and photoshop skills,
and basic 3D experience (preferably Maya).

What will you learn in this certificate program?

How to create a realistic matte painting from scratch.
How to work in a visual effects production pipeline.
Time management skills.

At the end of this course, you will have a DEMO REEL with 3 to 4 competed Matte Paintings.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

This spring/summer, the program will run as an intensive, running for 6 weeks, with 3 classes per week – 1 weeknight, and two three hour classes on Saturday. Class size is limited to 12.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Matte Painting Basics 1

Replacing Greenscreen plate with new background matching perspective of plate
Replace elements in a scene with new elements
Set Extension

Week 2: Matte Painting Basics 2

4.Relighting Elements
5.Basic Matte Painting Creation 1: Blocking in Elements
6.Basic Matte Painting Creation 2: Integration of Elements

Week 3: Intermediate Matte Painting 1

Matte Painting Assignment 1: Concepting a Matte Painting for Production
MPA1: Creating a Sky
MPA1: Blocking in Photographic Elements

Week 4: Intermediate Matte Painting 1

MPA1: Integration of Elements
MPA1: Effects, MP Finishing & File Prep for Projection
Simple Maya Projection, Geometry preparation for Nuke

Week 5: Intermediate Matte Painting 2 – working with 3D

MPA2: Preparing 3D for Production
MPA2: Concepting around 3D, Create Sky
MPA2: Block in Photographic Elements

Week 6: Intermediate Matte Painting 2 – working with 3D

MPA2: Integration of Elements
MPA2: 3D Preparation & Nuke Projection
Matte Painting Demo Reel

Class size is limited to 12.

Tuition: $1620 (+HST) (54 hours of instruction at $30 ) A tuition reduction is offered to graduates of MTM’s Concept Art Diploma Program see it here.

To apply for this program please email us now at admissions@maxthemutt.com.

Why Max the Mutt?

Every year we speak with people who attended other schools and didn’t come out with the skills they needed for employment.

There is a difference between attending a school that has small class size and provides access to individual assistance, and a large school where classes sometimes have 25 to 30 people in a class.

It isn’t easy- YOU have to be fully present and willing to do the hard work ! You need to buy in to our emphasis on professionalism and train yourself to organize your work, meet deadlines, deal professionally with problems, including asking for help when you need it. You need the desire and the grit to stick with it and keep faith in your ability to grow and develop.

People will hire you and keep you on if you have both the skills and the professionalism required by these industries! Max the Mutt is respected by employers, but simply attending Max the Mutt, or any other school- no matter how “famous”- will not make a career for you! That’s your job- with our help.

Our goal is to help you set your imagination free by giving you the artistic and computer savvy that will build your confidence and your portfolio, and marrying that to professionalism: polite behaviour, meeting deadlines, getting to places on time, taking criticism well, following directions. This is a winning recipe for success!

This is why we believe Max the Mutt is your best choice!

Your education:Why Max the Mutt?

We care about every student and give personal attention to every student.
MTM is a school that is entirely devoted to professional training: all courses are relevant to your professional goals.
We emphasize traditional representational fine art skills that are generally not taught in today’s art schools, because we want you to have a foundation that will give you flexibility during your working life,
MTM is staffed by working professionals with a commitment to passing on the skills they value and use daily.
We stress professional commitment and attitude, and treat the school environment as the workplace. We want you to have an easy transition from being a student to entering the work world.
We ensure small class size, enabling the development of professional relationships between faculty and students,
and enabling mentoring and support for all our students.

First year drapery Study by Aurino Neto, the result of basic education in traditional art skills!

First year students learn the processes artists use to create representational art. This drawing is the culmination of a unit on drapery, utilizing all the skills learned from September on, to create the illusion of reality.

That’s what education is supposed to give you!

Tina Seemann, above with students at the Royal Winter Fair, an annual field trip that enables students to draw animals and people interacting, and use what they’ve learned both in figure and animal drawing classes. This reinforces applying the education you’ve received to get real results drawing on site.

We offer the the only in depth education for comics & graphic novels in Canada!

Kent Burles with potential applicant for the ISA program

Who should consider applying?

If you want to make your living either in animation, concept art (character, location and prop design) for animation and/or video games, or illustration with a focus on comic books and graphic novels, and you understand and accept the commitment it takes to become an artist, if you truly want an education, this college is for you!

If you have passion about developing your skills, curiosity, the ability and desire to get out of your “comfort zone,” and the grit to stay the course when the going gets rough, this school will be a good fit for you. This is what real education demands.

Because we provide an in depth and well thought out series of courses in year one designed to give you an understanding of traditional, representational visual language, we are able to accept students who have passion and drive, and have made efforts to draw, but are in need of instruction and practice in traditional drawing and painting, skills training which can currently be difficult to find.

Whenever possible we do application interviews in person that generally last 50 minutes to an hour. We try to assess whether or not if we work hard and you work hard, you’ll succeed. We don’t expect you to already have fully developed skills in subjects we teach in year one. That wouldn’t make any sense, but your efforts to work on your own and your resourcefulness in finding ways to learn (books, YouTube videos) are cetainly an indication that you have the interest, passion and self-motivation required.

Showing the 2014 Industry Event Video

We encourage you to visit Max the Mutt and attend an Open House and Information Session, or contact us to arrange a private tour and info session! This is a welcoming, inclusive environment for focused, serious students.

Contact admissions now to get more information, admissions@maxthemutt.com, or call us at 416=703-6877.

Check out websites of some of our graduates:

Brian Zuleta www.artofzuleta.com

Damjan Lazic newtiful.blogspot.ca

Vanessa Noller vanessanoller.weebly.com

Florence Young floyoung.ca

Denis Bejtic: denisbejtic.weebly.com

Matthew Chan: Www.matthew-chan.weebly.com

Laura Massingham: http://lauramassingham.weebly.com/

Josh Schaefer: joshschaeferanimation.weebly.com/

Daniel Lee Poy: http//danielleepoy.weebly.com/

Jan Veldman: janveldman.weebly.com

Misha Zuzuk: www.zuzuk.weebly.com

Rib Hickey http://www.robhickeyart.com

Andrew Kwan /http://andrewkwanartist.weebly.com

Becca Taunton-Renwick /http://beccatr.tumblr.com

Crystal Mateus /http://neivamateus.weebly.com

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More Former Max the Mutt Students Join Faculty!

We’re happy to announce that Matt Mozgiel, a former Max the Mutt student, now an animation designer for Portfolio Entertainment in Toronto, and Concept Art graduate Chris Brown, a designer for Nelvana, will both be instructing Concept Art students in September! Other former students and graduates teaching at Max the Mutt include UbiSoft animator Rob Rodas, comic book artist Meaghan Carter, Guru animator Keith Fukomoto, and concept artist/illustrator Rachel Kahn what year did bob marley die.

Matt was featured by Canadian Animation:

You can also check his portfolio here:

is his website!
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Dave Ross’ New Figure Drawing Book!

Dave ‘s new book is fresh off the press! Published by Random House, it teaches how to draw the figure without reference.

Dave writes: “I recently completed work on an instructional book titled FREEHAND FIGURE DRAWING FOR ILLUSTRATORS, due for general release on July 28, 2015. Watson-Guptill Publications, an imprint of Random House, is publishing the how-to book on drawing the human figure from memory. Visit www.randomhouse.com for more details.FREEHAND FIGURE DRAWING FOR ILLUSTRATORS is for anyone who ever dreamed of picking up a pencil and drawing spontaneously from the imagination.

My own experiences in learning the craft of freehand drawing as a student, and then much later in teaching it, convinced me to be proactive. FREEHAND FIGURE DRAWING FOR ILLUSTRATORS introduces you to a methodology that is designed to solve many drawing problems before they arise.”

From Dave’s website:

“I can’t resist the challenge of rendering strange new worlds and fantastic situations on a daily basis — filling stark white panels with scenes rich in depth and intensity!”

Dave’s projects for Marvel and DC Comics include:
• Spiderman • Daredevil • Avengers Westcoast • Batgirl • Catwoman • Punisher • Captain America • Excalibur • Birds of Prey • Aliens • Alpha Flight • Star Trek • Star Wars: Dark Times.

As a Guest Artist, he has participated at numerous national and international comic conventions and book signings including the following:

• New York • San Diego • Chicago • Pittsburgh • Detroit • Ottawa • Toronto • Montreal • Hong Kong • Singapore • Malaysia • Indonesia • Thailand • PR China

He is currently illustrating a special Ironman Series for Marvel, a Star Wars project for Dark Horse Comics/George Lucas; teaching figure drawing and sequential arts at Max the Mutt, and producing commissions for international collectors/clients.

If you live in or close to Toronto, the book launch for “Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators,” will be held at the Toronto Reference Library, on Yonge Street just north of Bloor, August 14th at 7 PM!

Dave’s website: http://www.daverossart.com/about.html

Max the Mutt Industry Event and Year End Open House!

Esteemed Toronto college holds annual ‘Industry Event’ (animation, gaming and publishing) – with a special remembrance for Canadian animation instructor Jim Macaulay – on May 27, and celebrates its 2015 graduates and students with an exhibit and weekend open house,

May 29 to May 31

“I think there is some tremendous work in the show tonight! I came last year and was equally impressed, and I actually hired one of your graduates, who is working with me on a feature film project.” – Clive Smith, founder Nelvana.

Toronto, ON, May 18, 2015 – Toronto’s Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art and Design (at 2944 Danforth Avenue) holds well-attended annual ‘Industry Event’ on Wednesday, May 27 (2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and year-end open house exhibition (free weekend workshops with top industry pros) from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2015 (detailed schedule below).

Max the Mutt’s industry only event, much anticipated by the animation, gaming and publishing world in Canada (represented by top companies such as Corus Entertainment, Toon Box, Arc Entertainment, UbiSoft and Nelvana), gives the opportunity to students and graduates from each diploma program to display their work, and for industry pros to scout for new recruits. On view throughout the college; children’s books by illustration graduates, animation reels and slide shows from animation and concept art graduates, prop and character design, comic book pages, figurative and portrait painting and more. Note: Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments follow in the evening.

This year Jim Macaulay passed away at the age of 91. Macaulay was a revered animation instructor at Sheridan College (1974-1988) in Toronto and Max the Mutt’s mentor. During the industry event, a special remembrance – complete with champagne toast and a video of Jim in his workshop – of his life will be held at 6:30 p.m. to honour his contribution to the school and Canadian animation. All the models he built and animal skeletons he assembled and mounted for the school will be on display.

Industry testimonials: https://mtmcollege.ca/why-mtm/industry-employer-testimonials/

VIDEO (Industry Event 2014): https://youtu.be/dEuiGW7uSHw

FACEBOOK EVENT (Industry): https://www.facebook.com/events/889301787804296

FACEBOOK EVENT (Open House): https://www.facebook.com/events/370282393174786

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE:

Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31; open to the public, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The main reception is on the second floor. Year one, two and three student and graduate exhibition, curriculum information, school tours and two free one-hour workshops (Saturday and Sunday).

Saturday, May 30:

10:00 a.m. – Information Session; school philosophy, the curriculum for the three diploma programs, workshops and development programs. Followed by a school tour.

11:00 a.m. – Free workshop; ‘Introduction to Cartooning’ with Toronto-based cartoonist and illustrator Megan Kearney. Learn the basics of cartooning including exaggeration, appeal and structure. Kearney manages Comic Book Embassy (co-work studio in Chinatown), and hosts High Tea at the Embassy (monthly mixer for women in creative fields). Her most recent works include Valor, and a graphic novel adaptation of Beauty and The Beast.

1:00 p.m. – Free workshop; ‘Introduction to Freehand Figure Drawing’ with comic book artist, author and instructor Dave Ross. An outline of the methodology (straight from the mind to the page) behind freehand figure drawing. Dave Ross has mainly published in the USA; working on the series Rai at Valiant and such Marvel titles as Avengers West Coast and Marvel Knights: Daredevil and Inhumans. At DC Comic, he worked on JLA and Birds of Prey. He has a book coming out soon titled ‘Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators’.

Sunday, May 31:

10:00 a.m. – School tours all day.

11:00 a.m. – Free workshop; ‘The Loomis head’ with head of Max the Mutt’s Illustration for Sequential Arts diploma program Kent Burles. Andrew Loomis, the famed American illustrator, developed this system of drawing the head from life, reference or imagination.

1:00 p.m. – Free workshop; ‘Introduction to Cinematic Layout for Comics’ with head of Illustration for Sequential Arts Diploma program Kent Burles.

MORE INFO: https://mtm-college.com.

/director Maxine Schacker states, “Our first year-end events at 2944 Danforth Avenue are almost here! We’re happy to hear from so many companies that they will attend our Industry Event and look forward to welcoming everyone to our weekend Open House, where this year, we’re providing two free workshops on both Saturday and Sunday! We invite everyone to see the amazing work all our students have created…a school filled with art!”

2015 graduate images enclosed: Concept art students, left, Marion Manzo (lava rock monster) and right, Alessandro Constantini (dragon cove).

ABOUT:

Founded in 1996 in Toronto, Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art and Design provides in-depth training via workshops and three programs of study; Classical and Computer Animation and Production diploma, Concept Art for Animation and Video Games diploma (only of its kind in Canada) and Illustration for Sequential Arts: Comic Books and Graphic Novels diploma (only of its kind in Canada). Max the Mutt prepares students for careers in animation, concept design, advertising, art direction, comic books and graphic novels.

For media information, interviews, media tours and images please contact:

Laurie Lockhart

GET THE MESSAGE Publicity

Tel: 416-988-2530 / Email: publicity@getthemessagepr.ca / gtmessage@sympatico.ca

Facebook.com/GETTHEMESSAGEpublicity / Twitter.com/getthemessagepr

getthemessagepr.ca

For general information please contact:

MaxtheMutt.com

Tel: 416-703-6877 / Toll Free: 1-877-486-6888 / Email: info@maxthemutt.com

Facebook.com/maxthemutt

Twitter.com/maxthemutt

Youtube.com/maxthemuttanimation

Animation has lost Jim Macaulay, Our Mentor, 1924-2015

Jim Macaulay was the most revered Animation instructor in the original Sheridan Animation program. Under his guidance people like Charlie Bonifaccio and Scott Caple, both of whom did great animation work for Disney, Chuck Gammage (one of Canada’s top classical animators) and many, many others got their starts and developed their skills. He was also Tina Seemann’s teacher, mentor and friend. Below is Tina’s homage to his life and work. At our 2015 Industry Event, Max the Mutt will have a special presentation in Honour of Jim’s legacy. This event will take place on May 27th at 6:30 PM and will give those who want to speak about him the opportunity to say a few words. We will also share a video of Jim in his workshop, and display all the wonderful models he created for the school.

“On Saturday of the Easter weekend, Jim Macaulay passed away, aged 91. His family told me that he passed away peacefully in his nursing home.

I had always referred to Jim as our school’s “personal “Gepetto,” and how lucky we were to have him! He believed in what we were doing from the beginning and it was his ingenuity that allowed us to get our animation program started.

In 1997, I worked with him in his workshop to create the portable light tables that enabled us to teach animation in a one room school house .

Even though we didn’t have a rotating disc, each came equipped with a small light and a handy ‘beach-chair’ type angle adjustment feature. It was important that that these tables be portable because we couldn’t have permanent work stations. Jim created a beautiful prototype in miniature to start with- itself a work of art, complete with a metal peg bar! The light tables fit onto the drawing horses that we were already using to teach life drawing, a very necessary skill for animators.

Jim believed in what we were trying to accomplish and was their to help whenever we had a question or a need,

It was Jim who assembled our animal skeletons for us, two dogs and a cat, as well as various wooden models for teaching both animal and human anatomy. It was Jim who repaired a donated human skull so that we could use it to teach students how to draw heads, and built the stand to hold it and a second skull in place.

He built beautifully designed and crafted wooden boxes to house everything he made for us – which has helped to protect the treasures inside over the years, even through our recent move.

Apart from this, I had his permission to share many of the wonderful handouts he had created, images from his sketchbooks showing how he handled anatomy, figure drawing as well as simple things students had trouble with; shoes, hats, hands & feet. Add to this the sizeable number of inbetweening exercises which he created to help students improve their drawing skills.

Just recently, I distributed a handout he had written in his beautiful script on ” Seeing and drawing well”. He mentioned how important it is to take one’s time to accurately copy images well, to deconstruct the original in order to appreciate the effective choices that had been made. Such valuable advice!

Jim was the best of what good teachers strive to be, a generous and kind individual who was patient and encouraging to us all. It’s a testament to him that he touched so many lives in a positive and caring way.

May the same be said of all of us!

We’ll miss you, Jim.”

Tina Seemann and Jim at his 75th birthday party.

Jim Macaulay with Tina, Maxine and dog skeleton he assembled for Max the Mutt

Jim with Maxine and the portable light table he designed and created for us!

http://www.animationnation.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=001096 This thread from Animation nation features discussion among animators who studied with Jim, and those who regret missing his instruction!

Max the Mutt 2014 #Animation Diploma Graduates Are On Their Way!

Max the Mutt Animation Diploma 2014 graduates are on their way. See why this is the school for people who have passion, grit and want a career! All 2014 graduates found work in the animation industry within six months of graduation. Max the Mutt’s Animation Diploma Program includes classical, 2D and 3D animation, acting, drawing for animation…and much, much more. That’s why our 2014 graduates have jobs. That’s why companies approach us and ask to visit before our “Industry Event.” Our goal is is employment in the industry for every graduate. Every student at Max the Mutt College ofAnimation, Art & Design counts. Every student gets personal attention.

Creature design by Jan Veldman, 2014 graduate

Denis Bejtic: denisbejtic.weebly.com

Matthew Chan: Www.matthew-chan.weebly.com

Daniel Lee Poy: danielleepoy.weebly.com

Laura Massingham: lauramassingham.weebly.com

Josh Schaefer: joshschaeferanimation.weebly.com

Jan Veldman: janveldman.weebly.com

Misha Zuzuk: www.zuzuk.weebly.com

Top companies want students with a broad based general education. This should include traditional fine art skills, as well as classical and computer animation. You’ll need the demo reel and the skills to get in the door, but you’ll also need to impress the recruiter as someone who is a good team player, can take direction, and has a professional attitude.

Max the Mutt grades on professionalism as well as course content.

https://mtmcollege.ca/animation/ Click to learn more and see our show reels!

Call us now to book a tour and get more information about this unique College!

Accepting applications now for September 2014.

416-703-6877 admissions@maxthemutt.com

#SequentialArtsGraduates Will Publish Before They Graduate!

News Flash:

All graduating Illustration for Sequential Arts students at Max the Mutt will now have their their first professionally published credits by the time they graduate!

Max the Mutt is the only college in Canada offering an in depth program focused on Sequential Arts for Comic Books and Graphic Novels. Now, with the latest addition to this program, all graduating students will enter the industry with their first professionally published work available, kickstarting their careers in a way that no other program we know of offers.

As part of the third year Digital Media for Artists class, not only will students now learn how to use computer technology to produce line work, colours and digital painting illustrations, they will also learn how to use computer technology to layout and design publications for print and web. They will design and self-publish their own print and digital books, and that work will be made available worldwide through print on demand and digital download markets such as Kindle, through Amazon.com.

Self publishing is a vital and important step in the start of any new artist’s career, and something that many people strive for years after graduation. No other art school we know of offers the ability to graduate with professional quality, published work in hand.

Sequential Arts – 2013 – Year3 – Digital Media

For information or to book a tour contact us now at admissions@maxthemutt.com, or call us at 416-703-6877, 1-866-486-MUTT toll free in North America!

We are accepting applications for Sept 2015!

Max the Mutt’s First Open House At 2944 Danforth Ave: A Great Success!

Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design offers three in depth diploma programs, #Classical&ComputerAnimation&Production, #IllustrationFor SequentialArts:ComicBooks&GraphicNovels, and #ConceptArtForVideoGames&Animation. We are also expanding our general interest workshops offerings, professional development and skills building courses testtest.

We moved to 2944 Danforth Avenue over the winter break, and held our first Open House on February 7th. It was a great day! An appearance on #CP24Breakfast on Thursday, February 5 had really spread the word!

Our Open House started with a 10AM Information Session about the college, our philosophy and our programs. The turnout was wonderful, and included our MPP Arthur Potts, who announced to me and the audience that The Pilot Tavern in Yorkville ( he is one of the owners) is inviting us to hold a fundraising event this spring, an auction of student and faculty art work, to raise money for the school.

Following the Info session, Tina Seemann, Carla Drmay, Roksolana Tchotchieva, and Kent Burles each led a group on a tour of the school, including visiting some classes that were in session.

At noon, following coffee, tea and doughnuts, a Panel Discussion, featuring Industry professionals began.

The panel: moderator, freelance Concept Artist, MTM year 3 & 4 coordinator, Jonathan Standing, Concept Artist Ben Reynolds (Uken Games), animation veteran Tim Deacon ( Director and co-owner, Smashing Animation), Adam Ghering (Legend 3D Director), Jeff Lyons (9 Story Entertainment Layout Artist), Greg Beettam (Ilustration and Comic Book veteran).

Feedback on this event was so good that we plan to present similar events as part of future Open House days.

At 2 PM, following a lunch break, Tina Seemann offered a free cartooning workshop to another full house: more photos soon!

For more information about Max the Mutt please check our website, , or call us at 416-703-6877 (toll free 1-877- 486 MUTT), or email us at admissions@maxthemutt.com. We offer personal tours and information sessions!