News from Max the Mutt – Page 2

BONE MOTHER Screening: a Halloween Treat for MTM Students

On Tuesday, Oct 30, Montreal-based animator and director, Dale Hayward, a graduate of Max the Mutt’s animation program, visited us just in time for Halloween! Dale give our students a talk about his work as a stop-motion animator, and gave a special screening of his new award winning, stop-motion animated film, BONE MOTHER !!

BONE MOTHER Halloween — Bone Mother poster

Film synopsis: “A vain and arrogant youth dares to enter Baba Yaga‘s living house of bones. What emerges will forever fill our nights with terror.”.

Dale was in Toronto for the opening of Bone Mother, as well as for the opening of a gallery show of the props created for the film!

Dale and his wife and artistic partner Sylvie, met while working at Cuppa Coffee Studios in Toronto, and moved to Montreal where in 2011 they co-founded their company, See Creature.

Since then they have amassed years of experience both in commercial and independent animation and have done several projects for the NFB. They’ve produced stop-motion ads for Nike and other major brands, animated TV series, and also worked on features like Le Petit Prince. Dale showed See Creature’s demo reel, spoke about the creative potential of stop-motion, and spoke about the making of Bone Mother from script to screen. This included using 3D printing technology to create the props! Then we all watched Bone Mother, their award winning new film.

At the end of the showing, Dale answered questions, toured the college, and spoke with some eager students.

From See Creature, the film Bone Mother was born !

Co-directed by Dale Hayward and Sylvie Trouvé, and produced by the NFB Animation Studio.

Bone Mother is a must see !!

From all of us at Max the Mutt, we want to thank you Dale for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us!

We would also like to congratulate both Dale and Sylvie for their continued success and we can’t wait to see what they create next !!

For more on the behind the scenes, the story and the making-of Hayward’s and Trouvé’s film, visit NFB’s blog about the film and for an interview with the co-directors.

For more making-of photos check out the Bone Mother instagram account.

Artwork from Bone Mother will be exhibited at Toronto’s Liberty Arts Gallery, opening November 1 and on display a month, and Dale and Sylvie are giving a masterclass on the making of Bone Mother on Nov 4 at the 2018 edition of the TAAFI Conference in Toronto.

Once more, Max the Mutt’s Animal Drawing students visit the Royal Ontario Museum !

Tina Seemann, Co-director of Max the Mutt and Animation program Coordinator, took our Year 3 Concept Art and Illustration students to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for their Animal Drawing course and had this to say about their visit:

” Even though we added 2 new bird skeletons ( a falcon and a pheasant, beautifully articulated by Sachi Schott ) to our anatomical collection, I still value a ROM visit where we get to draw more skeletons, birds and various animals as well.

For our Illustration and Concept Art students, the ROM is an amazing resource! Mark Peck, the head of Ornithology is always kind enough to take students on a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of the museum’s collections. He shows us the collections of ‘bird skins’, taxidermy, eggs and all kinds of wonderful things!

The students were really happy to learn that they are welcome to return and draw from the collections should they require bird reference for a future project.

The ROM is a resource that any young artist can use when the internet isn’t enough. 3D models are always best! “

ERIK SEGRIFF’S SUMMER JOB AT 9 STORY/BROWN BAG STUDIOS!

Tina Seemann paid a visit to Erik Segriff at his summer job Animating and she wanted to share:

“I was happy to visit 9 Story Media & Brown Bag Films recently to visit MTM student, Erik Segriff, who had a summer job animating there.

Erik is an Classical & Computer Animation & Production student who recently completed his 2nd year at Max the Mutt.

In addition to animating classically, our 2nd year students begin their 2D software courses: in the fall term they learn FLASH and in the winter term they begin the first of 3 courses to learn TOON BOOM HARMONY software. At the end of their 3rd year, they complete a 30 second short film so that they might gain employment animating for TV series for broadcast.

Although TOON BOOM HARMONY is the most prevalently used software for television series, these days, FLASH ( used for series like “POWER PUFF GIRLS” back in the day-) is still being used in the industry as well. Learning how to use both will allow Erik to be versatile.

Erik came into the FLASH course having some previous experience which was an advantage.

He took to the content readily and amazed his instructor, Keith Fukumoto, with his final FLASH project which involved a walk and run cycle as well as lip sync. Keith has the students create themselves as their characters which is fun! Not only did Erik’s character do what was required of him- his character even danced! We all got a big kick out of it!

Keith said that Erik was among the best students he’d ever had in his FLASH course.

” He was very quick to understand the complicated concepts and when he had questions,he always made sure to ask. He was an inspiration to all his classmates and even to myself.

He hit all his deadlines and was a pleasure to work with! ” Keith said.

Christine Huot, the Recruitment & Resourcing Specialist at 9th Story echoed Keith’s experience with Erik. His demo reel caught Christine’s attention and he was invited to come in for an interview. Erik confessed that he was nervous when he came in for his interview and a FLASH test.

“He was prepared and he asked intelligent questions-” Christine said. ” He is very professional in how he conducts himself which is great. We’ve had more seasoned animators apply for jobs who didn’t work out half as well. From the start, Erik fit right in!”

Erik Segriff summer job animating — Erik animating for ‘DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBOURHOOD’

Erik is thrilled to be animating on 9 Story/Brown Bag’s pre-school series ‘DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBOURHOOD‘.

“He’s a nice character and I have grown to love him!” Erik said. ” I can’t believe that I am actually animating on a series! They give me a scene, I rough out the poses and then show it to the director. I like doing little ‘extras- things that would make kids laugh. I made a character dance around and the director approved it, so it stayed in the scene!”

Best of all: this isn’t a summer internship- Erik is drawing an animator’s salary!

Erik Segriff summer job with DANIEL TIGER — Erik with DANIEL TIGER

Christine knows that Erik will be returning to Max the Mutt to begin his 3rd year in the fall.

We value the fact that she knows how important it is for him to finish his education at MTM.

He begins his MAYA training in year 3 and in his final year he will be part of a 3D simulated production experience wherein he will be part of a production team along with his classmates.

Knowing how to animate classically in both 2D & 3D will expand his opportunities in the future.

Apart from knowing the software, having a professional attitude already puts Erik in good stead. Being a good team player is vital in any studio environment.

Christine said she’ll be sorry when the summer is over and Erik will have to return to his animation studies.

Christine said, “Erik knows he has a place here when he is finished!”

Congratulations Dhenzel Obeng, 2018 UbiSoft Toronto NXT Showcase Award & Internship Winner!

NXT Showcase Concept - by Dhenzel Obeng — NXT Showcase Concept – by Dhenzel Obeng

On Tuesday evening, May 15th, with excitement running high, UbiSoft Toronto held this year’s NXT Showcase awards presentation. The five finalists for each category were present along with faculty members from many Ontario university and college programs, some family, and UbiSoft employees. As usual, the atmosphere was warm, positive… and the food was great!

The pic below was taken before the announcements of winners. Dhenzel Obeng and close friend Zabi Hassan, also an MTM 2018 Concept Art grad, and a current concept artist at UbiSoft, joined Tina Seemann (she took the pic) and me in celebrating the fact that Dhenzel made it as a finalist, an honour in itself!

Maxine Schacker with Dhenzel Obeng and Zabi Hassan at Ubisoft Toronto NXT Showcase Awards 2018

This one was taken after the awards! HOORAY FOR DHENZEL !!!

Dhenzel has passion, drive, curiosity, and a generous spirit. He’s worked hard to develop the skills to create worlds and share his vision. We are all very, very happy for him!

Maxine Schacker

(Click on the link for info about 4 year program, unique in Canada)

Concept Art Diploma

Year End Open House at Max the Mutt! Graduate Work on View!

April 28 & 29 Open House, Featuring An Exhibition of Year One Student Art Work !

You are cordially invited to Max the Mutt’s April 28 & 29 Open House exhibition of year one student art work! Visit us and celebrate with us their impressive achievements!

Our Open House, featuring an exhibition of year one student art work, is a special annual event.

One of the major differences between Max the Mutt and programs at other colleges and universities is our deep commitment to teaching traditional, representational fine art skills. First year students in all programs are amazed at their artistic growth during this year.

Enjoy three studios devoted to exhibitions of year one art work from each of our three diploma programs!

This year, first year students will be available in each of the exhibition rooms to answer your questions and explain the curriculum.

Open Saturday, April 28th: 10 am to 4 pm

Special presentation at 11:30 am about our three diploma programs, summer workshops, and the summer certificate program.

Open Sunday, April 29th: 11 am to 3 pm

(featured art work by year one students 2018, and also from previous years)

Year 4 Animation Student Josh Hill’s Dreams Are Coming True: He’s Animating Classically On A Production!

“This is where I have to be!” Josh Hill announced after he toured our Queen St. W. premises back in 2014.

He found out about Max the Mutt through a local art supply store in his home town, Orangeville Ontario. After finishing a one-year college program, he was working retail and still drawing in his spare time. One of the employees at the store handed him a pamphlet and the rest, as they say– is history!

Josh began his first term at Max the Mutt in the fall of 2014. He acknowledges the importance of the foundation year, and said that although life drawing wasn’t new to him, he really learned how important it was to animation at MTM.

“Life drawing is crucial, when I pose a character, I’m thinking about line of action, silhouette, and most importantly, the story. All of the things we learned in life drawing.”

And what does Josh think about the animation program at MTM emphasis on traditional techniques?

“It’s great,” he said. “Pencil and paper, it’s just the best! Simple and direct. Max the Mutt’s curriculum includes more classical animation than any other program in Canada that we’re aware of!”

It was clear that Josh was in his element here, but Josh understood that to make it as an animator in today’s industry, he had to learn 2D software and take on the challenges of 3D animation. Josh values the fact that his 3D animation instructor, Adrian Hansen, presented the 3D process using 2D tricks and techniques. This has been a tremendous help: “He taught me how to approach 3D as if each frame was a drawing, which was so useful….”

The class was also taught to create thumbnail drawings quickly, “sometimes we would just do ‘thumbnails’ for the entire class time- or however long it took to get the ideas out.”

The computer lab where Josh and his classmates are currently working on their final year’s film project is a testament to the importance of the classical animation approach, no matter the medium of the final product. The bulletin boards are covered in concept art, location designs and character turnarounds, many of which Josh has drawn himself. The film’s hand-drawn storyboard is on another wall in the lab, allowing the group to revisit the progression of the film, and make sure everything flows smoothly story-wise.

The fourth year film features a young ghost character, named Sam. For this project, Josh will be integrating his 2D skills into the film, by animating Sam traditionally. To do so, Josh and his classmates will first be animating the 3D elements of the scenes, and then Josh, using Harmony, will draw Sam on top of the existing 3D animation. While integrating 2D elements into a 3D film will be challenging, Josh and his classmates feel the addition of 2D elements will give this project a unique flair.

Josh feels, “it’s more satisfying to put your all into a single shot and to make it awesome even if it’s only for 5 seconds rather than animating a minute of “okay” footage.”

In December, Josh responded to an ad looking for classical animators. The position turned out be a project for a major USA company, being produced here in Toronto. Now Josh is working both as a busy 4th year animation student and in his first professional job!

Josh hopes to one day work as a 2D feature animator. He certainly has what it takes to make it in the industry. Having watched Josh struggle, grow, and succeed, his instructors at Max the Mutt would no doubt agree that Josh’s dreams will one day come true.

Congratulations Zabi, Dhenzel, Adam and Josh!

Congratulations to year 4 students who are working for top companies part time before graduation!

Concept Art student – Zabi Hassan received a concept art paid internship at UbiSoft last summer, was asked to stay on in September while completing year 4 at MTM, and is currently part of a team developing a new game! He works 4 days a week at UbiSoft, and has one full day, Saturday and evening classes at MTM.

Concept Art student – Dhenzel Obenga was given a 3 day a week contract by Secret Location during the middle of first semester.

In December Concept Art student Adam Homonylo also began working for Secret Location as an intern 3 days a week.

Classical & Computer Animation & Production year 4 student Josh Hill has been hired to freelance for the month of January as a classical animator on a TV show that will be in its first season of 13 episodes! Yowza is overseeing this production that Josh is working 20 hours a week. Josh will be working on the same project as Canadian greats Roger Chiasson and Claude Chiasson !

Max the Mutt is very proud of all of you and wishes you all a very Happy Holiday!

Special thanks to UbiSoft, Secret Location and Yowza for caring about our students and working with them to accommodate their course work!

Jan 27/28 OPEN HOUSE at MTM: January 27th Info Session at 11:30 AM!

You are cordially invited to Max the Mutt’s

January 27/28 Open House !

Why do our graduates do so well? Why were we ranked first in North America for Digital Illustration & 3rd in the world by The Rookies, an international website supported by major companies worldwide? Why are our employment rates so high?

Visit us to find out about the unique learning environment at a college created 20 years ago by artists, animators and educators passionate about their arts, and motivated by the desire to pass on their skills.

Community, professionalism, and generosity of spirit are words that best describe the culture we believe in and do our best to encourage at the college.

On Saturday, January 27th at 11:30 am at the Info Session you can learn more about each of MTM’s three in depth 4 year diploma programs and the careers each prepares you for:

Our new 4 year Illustration & Storytelling for Sequential Arts Diploma Program (replacing the 3 year illustration program)! We’ll share with you the additional courses that now make this a more secure path for people who want to study for a career in comics and graphic novels. This program now gives you additional skills, including graphic design, for jobs that will sustain you while build build your comic book/graphic novel career!

Visitors tour the Year 4 Computer Animation studio during November's Open House — Visitors tour the Year 4 Computer Animation studio during November’s Open House

Learn about exciting changes in the Classical & Computer Animation & Production Diploma Program, the only program in Toronto that gives you strong classical skills, and entry level skills for both 2D computer (Harmony) and 3D (Maya) animation jobs! (ALL 2017 Canadian Animation graduates are employed in the industry)

Learn about the many career paths open to graduates of our Concept Art for Animation & Video Games Diploma Program and why we have year 4 students who have already been hired as Concept Artists, working part time now, with full time offers after graduation!

Following the Info Session, participate in a group tour of the college, where you can view student work from all 4 years and see classes in session.

At 1:30 pm – Come with your sketchbook and drawing pencils, and bring your lunch! Then following the short lunch break, take a free “Layout for Comics” Workshop with Kent Burles, Illustrator, Comic Book Artist, MTM Instructor and Illustration Coordinator.

Max the Mutt is open on Sunday, January 28th for pre-booked private tours. To arrange your private tour, please call or email to book a time!

Max the Mutt graduates can be found at top companies including Pixar, UbiSoft, Warner Bros Games, Guru Studio, Nelvana/Corus Entertainment, ToonBox Entertainment, National Film Board of Canada, Sony Pictures Imageworks and many more.

Visit us to see where they got their start and find out how our programs help our students make dreams come true!

Please note: We suggest a private tour for those of you who are sure which direction you want to go in! We encourage you to include family or a good friend, and we offer, if you request it, free consultation on your art work and portfolio advice

Please RSVP to admissions@maxthemutt.com or call 416-703-6877.

Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design offers three 4 year in depth diploma programs, Classical & Computer Animation & Production, Illustration & Storytelling for Sequential Arts, and Concept Artf or Video Games & Animation.

Max the Mutt Ranks 3rd Worldwide, First in North America, for Digital Illustration & Concept Art !

art by: Boris Radevski - current year 3 Concept Art student — art by: Boris Radevski – current year 3 Concept Art student

“The Rookies” has ranked Max the Mutt 3rd worldwide for Digital Illustration, and first in North America, for their 2017 School of the Year Official World Rankings.

art by: Dhenzel Obeng - current year 4 Concept Art student — art by: Dhenzel Obeng – current year 4 Concept Art student

The Rookies is an international website dedicated to emerging artists and supported by major companies worldwide. Every year students around the world submit work and compete for scholarships, internships and prizes, and, most important, to get their work critiqued by major international digital artists. Each fall schools are rated based on the work uploaded by their students.

Environment Design by: Boris Radevski - current year 3 Concept Art student — Environment Design by: Boris Radevski – current year 3 Concept Art student

As stated on The Rookies: “The Best Creative Media & Entertainment Schools in the World 2017 is based on the quality and performance of student work that is submitted to our judging panel between March 2017 – May 2017.” The judging panel is composed of respected professionals from top companies.

Last year was the first year Max the Mutt students entered, and we were delighted to discover that for 2016 we’d ranked 5th in the world.

Character Design by: Zabi Hassan - current year 4 Concept Art student — Character Design by: Zabi Hassan – current year 4 Concept Art student

This year we rank 3rd! We received the highest ranking of any program in North America. Work was submitted by students in years 2, 3 and 4. Our ranking is particularly exciting because Max the Mutt’s Concept Art Program is small, especially when compared to some of the university programs both in Canada and the USA that we’re competing with. We never have more than 15 students in a class, and frequently fewer. For such a small program to have so many students with excellent work that we have come out this high, is the end result of everyone’s caring and passion, a well-thought-out curriculum, dedicated students, small class size, and inspired instruction.

Environment Design by: Desiree Moffatt - 2017 Concept Art graduate — Environment Design by: Desiree Moffatt – 2017 Concept Art graduate

Hats off to all of you!

Just an additional note: special congratulations to Zabi Hassan, who having completed a summer internship at UbiSoft Toronto, is now working for UbiSoft. by special arrangement, as a Junior Concept Artist (joining 4 other former MTM students) while completing his fourth year at Max the Mutt. Congratulations, Zabi! Well done.

Max the Mutt offers the only in-depth Concept Art Program in Canada, and we are looking for applicants who have imagination, passion, work ethic, grit, and a desire to learn and develop as designers and digital artists. Because this program prepares you for both animation and games, in addition to working digitally, it requires a serious interest in developing traditional fine art skills, including painting in oils. If this description fits you, we encourage you to contact us now!

We offer private tours and consultations, and also host one Open House weekend each month (the first is Sept 30/Oct 1).

Join the Max the Mutt students and graduates who year after year produce exciting, imaginative and artistic digital illustration recognized worldwide.

admissions@maxthemutt.com 416-703-6877, toll free in North America 1-877-486-MUTT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

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Category: News from Max the Mutt