News from Max the Mutt – Page 4

Just out! Children’s book illustrated by Max the Mutt’s Tina Seemann!

Max the Mutt is proud to announce the release of a delightful new book for children, written by one of MTM’s three co-founders David Schacker, and illustrated by Max the Mutt’s Tina Seemann, Director of MTM’s Animation Diploma Program — with colour by 2016 MTM graduate Laura Faber.

“ At last is a story celebrating that unsung hero of family life, the bathtub! Neglected no longer, this noble fixture finally gets its due, magically coming to life as the central character in this tale set in the topsy-turvy world of the Forest Green.”

The delightful illustrations by MTM’s Tina Seemann, coloured in a dreamlike watercolour-effect palette by 2016 graduate Laura Faber, and the gentle humour of the Gilbertian rhyming verse by David Schacker, make this a charmingly unique offering for young (including very young) and adult readers.

Congratulations to everyone, and special thanks to book designer Jelena Reljic!

Available at Barnes & Noble U.S.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-life-and-times-of-sir-reginald-tubb-david-schacker/1126235446?ean=9781545081822

Available on Amazon:In the U.S.

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Times-Sir-Reginald-Tubb/dp/1545081824/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492256131&sr=1-1&keywords=sir+reginald+tubb

In Canada: will be available soon on amazon.ca

And Amazon in Europe.

Max the Mutt’s Illustration for Sequential Arts Diploma program includes comics, graphic novels, and children’s book illustration in the curriculum.

In fact, all diploma programs at Max the Mutt include in depth drawing courses, design and composition, colour theory, as well as cartooning and character design.

For information about workshops email us at workshops@maxthemutt.com.

The first weekend in June will feature an Open House with new art work throughout the school, and exhibitions by 2017 graduates from all 3 diploma programs!

Free workshops will include 2 cartooning workshops with Tina Seemann, including a special one for children 6 to 9 years of age, and a talk about her process in creating the illustrations for “The Life and Times of Sir Reginald Tubb.”

Max the Mutt Grad Lorraine Alvarez & Family Visit from Capetown!

Max the Mutt graduate Lorraine Alvarez, at that time from Zimbabwe, was an early international student. This is a small college and we all get to know each other very well. One of the joys for the professionals who teach and run the college is remaining in contact with graduates:Tina Seemann,who hosted the family’s visit, reports that it was exciting to see Lorraine again and to meet her husband, South African animator Darryn Posen, accompanied by their 8 mos old daughter, Arianna.

Lorraine has lived and worked in animation in Capetown,South Africa for some time. This is where, while they were working at the same animation company, she met animator Darryn Posen. The family is now touring North America to promote his newest undertaking, a website that offers professional critiques to aspiring animators, “Animation Critique.“

They both addressed Max the Mutt animation students. Lorraine spoke about her animation career since she graduated more than 10 years ago, a career which has taken her to many places, and about the fact that Africa is in her blood and where she discovered she needed to live. She also spoke about the changes in her career. She finds her interest lies more and more in concept art. Happily the depth of training Max the Mutt gives our graduates provides the skill base to make transitions.

Darryn spoke about”Animation Critique.” This is a site where students may send in their animation tests and have their work critiqued by top industry professionals. It was conceived as a supplement to college studies.

As a Max the Mutt graduate, Lorraine also enjoyed visiting one of our Illustration courses, Traditional Colour Illustration for Comics & Covers, taught by Jock MacRae. Our students still draw, but they also use computers, something that wasn’t being done when Lorraine was a student. Seeing the students working away, now years later, on their laptops was quite a difference from her time at Max the Mutt!

Lorraine Alvarez visiting MtM illustration class

Tina Seemann hosted the Posen family during their visit and writes: ” It was so nice to see her again and have her and her family see our new premises. Both Lorraine and Darryn were very impressed by the quality of student work displayed in our halls.

I do so hope that our animation students will keep their animation muscles supple over the summer!

Want a professional critique ?

Contact Darryn at:

》www.animationcritique.com《 “

Angela Matinong Character Design Process On “The Rookies !”

Skilled Character Designers Are in Demand Worldwide!

Angela’s article shares step by step process information….

Tekkonkinkreet Characters Designed by Jing Matinong

Jing Matinong’s article on Character Design process is currently featured on www.therookies.co, an international website devoted to emerging design talent worldwide. This truly is an honour for a student about to graduate this spring!

“The Rookies,” is dedicated to emerging artists worldwide. In addition to allowing students from all over the world to upload their work for critical review by professionals, they offer awards and internships, and articles sharing process information.

Founder Alwyn Hunt, while in Toronto on a visit from Australia, addressed Max the Mutt students and looked at their work. He was so impressed by Jing’s work that he asked her to create an article on her design process for The Rookies website. Jing’s creativity, imagination and hard work are prime ingredients of her success, but she definitely would tell you that her ability to express her vision has been helped by the depth of the curriculum offered by Max the Mutt’s 4 year Concept Art Diploma Program, the individual instruction our students receive, and the depth of knowledge their instructors, all working professionals, share with them.

Congratulations Jing! Max the Mutt is proud of you!

See more of Angela “Jing” Matinong’s work....

View more student portfolios…

For more information, or to book a tour, contact us now through this website, or email us at admissions@maxthemutt.com, or call us at 416-703-6877, 1-877-486-MUTT toll free in North America. We are still accepting applications for September 2017.

OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATION SESSION March 11 & 12, 2017

THE OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

10:30am Doors Open

11:00am Presentation on the Diploma Programs and the College’s philosophy: What makes Max the Mutt Unique?

12:00pm-12:30pm Tours with Program Coordinators

2:00pm FREE WORKSHOP: An Introduction to Cartooning with Tina Seemann
NOTE: Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils if you are planning to take part in the workshop.

Afternoons are available for Individual Tours and Questions. Doors close at 4:00pm.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12
10:30am to 3:00pm

If you know which Program interests you, this is the perfect day for a Tour & Information Session. If you want someone to look at your work, give you feedback and suggestions, we are happy to include this as a part of your visit testtest.

NOTE: Please ask for a booked tour when you RSVP: we will then contact you to confirm the time.

RSVP by emailing: admissions@maxthemutt.com
or call 416 703 6877

Become A Compositing Artist for Harmony!

The animation industry is actively looking for compositing artists, people with animation education, who have worked with Toon-Boom Harmony and know how to composite.

If you’ve completed a diploma or degree in animation, have worked with Harmony software, and are looking for your niche in the industry, successful completion of industry pro Sonya Hassan- Carey‘s Certificate Workshop in Compositing for Harmony will bring you to the level of someone with at least 6 months compositing work experience !

What will your job be as a compositing artist?

You’ll be responsible for constructing the final image of the film or series by combining layers of FX, animation and background elements into final composite shots, fulfilling each shot’s requirements.

As a compositing artist, you’ll need artistic sensibilities in the areas of 2D/3D animation compositing, rotoscoping, warping and particles, morphing blue/green screen keying and colour correction. All of this will be covered in our new professional development certificate workshop!.

Who is your instructor?

Sonya Hassan-Carey, currently Head of Operations for Portfolio Entertainment in Toronto (www.portfolioentertainment.com), is an animation professional with 25 years of industry experience, including compositing, producing, VFX, recruiting talent, and training studio employees for Toon Boom Harmony productions.

Her credits include Ren and Stimpy series, Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, Winnie the Pooh, The Ballad of Nessie, The Proud Family Movie. She’s also worked with live action plates, maya elements, and was a Roto Artist for Saw 111 using Digital Fusion and After FX.

Will you need other qualifications to be employable as a compositing artist?

If you choose to stay in a 2D Harmony environment, this course will do the trick. If you choose to go into a VFX or 3d studio, you’ll need to add some understanding of Nuke, Maya and Fusion.

About the certificate workshop: class size is limited to 10 to allow for individual instruction and mentoring.

This workshop will meet 8 Sundays, beginning February 26, 10 AM to 1 PM, one hour lunch break, and an afternoon class from 2 PM to 5 PM.

Pre-requisites:

completion of an animation diploma or degree program, or equivalent work experience in animation
knowledge of Toon Boom Harmony software .

Dates: 8 full days, Sundays 10 to 5 PM (one hour lunch break), starting February 26th, 2016. (closed Easter Sunday April 16, 2017)

Tuition: $1050.00 plus HST

To apply for this workshop please email info@maxthemutt.com. To meet Ministry of Education guidelines, we will need evidence of your animation diploma or certificate. Knowledge of the basic Harmony program is a pre-requisite. If you have no animation clip, or transcript showing you’ve completed Intro Harmony, you can apply and Ms Carey will contact you to discuss your ability to successfully participate in the workshop Once accepted, we’ll email your invoice and payment instructions.

Reminder: a maximum of 10 students, so apply early!

A Special Winter “Learn To Draw,” Will Meet Sundays Starting January 8th

This workshop is being made available as a special for students planning to apply for 2017 enrolment in arts based diploma, certificate or degree programs. Other workshops and the Certificate Program, open to everyone, will be offered in July/August. Thank you!

Hannah Probyn

Take this opportunity to build your portfolio!

Eight FULL days of instruction on Sundays.

Principles of Drawing: How to express 3-dimensional form. Emphasis on proportion, 3-dimensional solidity, construction and weight.
Life Drawing: An introduction to drawing from the life model
Perspective and freehand drawing: Develop skills in the mechanics of linear perspective.
Critique: Receive feedback, advice, and guidance on everything you do.

To sign up click here: https://mtmcollege.ca/art-workshops-toronto/

The Royal Winter Fair, Annual Drawing Event for MtM Students & Faculty 2016

Every year Max the Mutt takes a trip to the Royal Winter Fair. The fair is filled with excellent exhibits and animal shows, offering an opportunity for our students to practice their animal drawing, and gain more experience with on location studies that include people as well as animals.

Here are some thoughts from one of Max the Mutt’s Drawing Instructors, Ed Shawcross, about this year’s visit:

..… the event was quite successful with most students seeking feedback and exhibiting excitement as they worked throughout the copious arenas finding of diverse subject matter to draw. It was also great to see some recent grads who joined us, continuing the tradition started at MtM, and now attend to draw for themselves.

Ian Culley, a former instructor, was a special surprise guest. I was delighted to have him assist us as an added member of the teaching team.

Tina Seemann, Director of Animation, offering animal drawing advice at the Royal Winter Fair — Tina Seemann, who heads the Animation Program and also instructs Animal Drawing, offering drawing advice at the Royal Winter Fair.

Tina made a good suggestion for next year: perhaps we should extend an offer to all our grads to join us on the day we visit the Royal Winter Fair! They could benefit from the reduced entry fee and enjoy the camaraderie of drawing on location with mentors and peers.

Kent Burles, MtM Illustration Coordinator, looking over MtM student's sketches at Royal Winter Fair — Kent Burles, Illustration Coordinator, looking over MtM students’ sketches at Royal Winter Fair

A quick note of thanks to everyone for all efforts- both physical and artistic – as we worked with the students on location at the Royal Winter Fair. A big hurrah goes to Noelle for organizing the tickets and scheduling the event; it went as smoothly as silk

Saturday, Dec 3 and Sunday December 4: OPEN HOUSE at Max the Mutt!

You’re invited to visit Max the Mutt, attend an information session, tour the college and take a free workshop!

Open House: Saturday and Sunday, December 3rd and 4th, 2016

Max the Mutt is looking for passionate people who want to develop first-class skills. Are you one of them? Find out at our two-day Open House! Our graduates have gone on to careers at top companies including Corus/Nelvana, Guru Studio, Entertainment, Toon Box, National Film Board of Canada, Sony Pictures Imageworks, UbiSoft, Warner Bros. Games, and Pixar. Come see where they got their start!

The Saturday 11 am presentation includes information about our diploma programs and the careers they lead to, a discussion of what makes us unique and the qualities needed to succeed in entertainment arts industries. If you aren’t quite sure what direction you want to go in, don’t miss this event!

You are welcome to attend one or all of our free workshops.

Private tours can be booked for Saturday afternoon, or Sunday (ideal if you know what direction you want to go in).

Schedule

Saturday, December 3rd

10:30am Doors Open

11:00am Presentation on the Diploma Programs and the college philosophy: What makes Max the Mutt unique?

12:00-12:30pm Tours with Program Coordinators

2 pm Free Workshop: An Introduction to Animal Drawing with Tina Seemann

Afternoon available for individual tours and questions. Doors close at 4:00pm.

Sunday, December 4th

10:30am Doors Open

11:00am Free Workshop: Intro to Cartooning with Tina Seemann

1:30pm Free Workshop: Comic Book Layout with Kent Burles

Afternoon available for individual tours and questions. Doors close at 3:00pm.

Note: Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils if you are taking part in a workshop.

RSVP by emailing admissions@maxthemutt.com
or call 416 703 6877.

MtM Has A Foal (baby horse) Skeleton!

It started as a pile of bones, carefully cleaned and sorted. Now,our foal is finally part of our skeletal menagerie for Animal Drawing!
It’s been a few years since an intrepid SA group accompanied Tina Seemann to Orangeville to Stuart Johnston’s horse farm to dig this animal out of the ground.

And (drum roll please!) finally, here he is!
MtM student Kris Manser-Hart was the architect and he did an amazing job- building an armature worthy of the ROM!
In these photos year 3 Concept Art students are seen drawing the recently completed skeleton.
The foal (* it was only 6 months old when it was put down, due to illness) is perfect for the school setting, where it seems VERY LARGE !

Animal Drawing class with the new foal skeleton.