I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Max the Mutt graduate Winrik Haentjens, now employed at Imax. After graduation from our fourth-year Advanced Diploma Program in 3D Computer Animation & Production, we recommended him to Bullseye Productions in Toronto. Winrik accepted an internship at Bullseye, and his work and attitude resulted in a job offer.MS: What’s the best thing about having attended Max the Mutt?WH: One of the best things about Max the Mutt is they keep letting former students know of new jobs. Coming to Max the Mutt, the most valuable experiences were life drawing, still life, learning to draw in 3D space, and the fourth-year 3D program. The teachers are industry professionals, so they’re up-to-date on industry happenings. Plus, the tuition was affordable compared to other colleges, especially considering that Max the Mutt is a private school with such small classes.MS: In what specific ways did the Max the Mutt curriculum help you?WH: In Life Drawing, you get the impulse of the figure. Seeing things in 3D space helps you to develop your visual comprehension and apply it to your drawings and 3D work. The painting courses helped me with texturing. The 2D animation training taught me the fundamentals of animation and how to apply it to 3D. I don’t think I could have gotten where I am today without the education and training I received from Max the Mutt.MS: What happened after you graduated?WH: Employment. I started freelance work right after graduating. First I had an internship at Bullseye Productions and ended up getting hired. They put me on multiple projects and I got experience in everything from modelling to animating. Then I got a job storyboarding for Left of Centre, and recently I started a job at IMAX. I’m happy that I have the skills to get work in different areas.