In any art form what matters is what you have absorbed during your education, what you understand deeply enough to give you the resources to use your past experiences to meet the new challenges you face. For hopeful animators this includes a deep understanding of animation basics. There never will be a better way to do this than studying classical animation first.

What I like about programs outside the academic system is their ability to be professional schools, to dedicate all the student’s time to hands on courses.  I’m old enough to remember when if you wanted to be a fine artist you went to art school, if you wanted to be a classical musician you went to music school, if you wanted to be a dancer you studied at one of the schools associated with a dance company. If you wanted to be an animator, once you had art skills you’d get hired and be trained on the job by an animation company.

With the advent of computer animation, there is simply so much for the student to absorb that I’m hard pressed to understand how a degree program can do it in less then six years. I’ve been watching as Tina, in consultation with some top retired animators and animation teachers, has redesigned Max the Mutt’s animation program to enable students to start animating sooner, concentrate more on character animation, and take those skills into 2D and 3D computer animation. Even with all of our curriculum directed towards the career the student is aiming for, we find ourselves short of time (which is why year 4 has become so essential).

The big news at Max the Mutt is that for the first time the year one students, in addition to their Visual Arts Literacy courses, are taking Intro to Animation and are having a great experience in that course. We are also working to introduce 3D animation earlier to those students who have committed to the Advanced Diploma. The plan is to offer them  3D workshops in years 2 and 3 so that they’ll  walk in to the Advanced Diploma program already familiar with Maya.

Our current year 1 students are the first students who will experience the new animation program in its entirety. However, Tina has been offering summer animation workshops, and this year students will also be able to submit work for review through Concept Share, so current year 2 students will also get additional training. Those going on to year 4 will take a 3D workshop during year 3 to give them  preparation.

Any art form takes practice, practice, practice. One needs first to understand the principles, but that’s a long way from being able to use those principles well.  Animating is no different than any other art. It takes passion, dedication and lots of hard work to develop as an artist.

It also takes passion and dedication to work to keep Max the Mutt, in the face of all obstacles, as good as it can be!

Hats off to all our hardworking students, staff and instructors. The dream lives on.

Princess and the Frog Opens Nationwide

Friday, December 11, 2009
By: Thomas J. Mclean

Having completed its limited, debut run, Disney’s long-awaited return to 2D animation, The Princess and the Frog, is about to run wide.

The studio’s return to its fairy-tales and princesses roots opens in more than 3,400 theaters this weekend amid solid reviews and high box office expectations.

The film has earned a 78 percent positive rating on RottenTomatoes.com and a score of 69 on Metacritic.

Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, The Princess and the Frog stars Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, with Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen and Keith David as Dr. Facilier. Also providing voices are Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard and John Goodman.

This article is reprinted from Animation Magazine. Max the Mutt had several graduates working on this film!

Classical animation has it’s own special feeling and will never be out of style.  The only threat to its existence is the need for animation artists who can DRAW.  Max the Mutt’s animation program is dedicated to drawing and classical character animation, and the use of those skills in classical, 2D and 3D computer animation.

Ryan Henson Creighton has  good things to say about Max the Mutt students.

“Hi Carla. I’ve contracted work to a few of your students - Kelly Conley and Andrei Skarine - and I’ve worked with T-K Labus on a few funding proposals.  I would take Andrei as a summer student in a chicken minute.  Check out the phenomenal work he did for our upcoming trivia game:”

Work done by Andrei Skarine - a second year Max the Mutt Concept Art student.

Click Here to view site

Click Here to view site

Link for the work done by Kelly Conley. Click Here to view site

Congratulations to Max the Mutt  Animation School graduate Brendan Beesley!  Brendan is following a successful time animating for Starz  (Toronto), with a new job animating for Sony Imageworks in LA! He’ll be joining another Max the Mutt graduate, Sacha Kapijimpanga, who has been animating for Sony for several years.  It’s always fun to hear about the success of former students. Please stay in touch!

Q: At what age did you develop an interest in art and animation

A: I remember drawing super heroes when I was 5 or 6. I was one of those kids that loved to draw the characters I watched on TV. Later on I found out about comics and it was the beginning of it all. I guess I was 12 or 13 when I began copying what the comic artists were doing. Mostly DC and Marvel. So it was always about comics. I do love animation as well, but it never crossed my mind the idea of working with that. It’s a huge inspiration though.

Q: Who were you influenced by in Brazil?  Other countries?

A: Now that’s an interesting question. Even though I lived most of my life in Brazil I don’t think I was influenced by any of the artists there. I know there are a lot of good artists not only back home, but all over the world. The thing is I was always very very focused, and all I wanted was to draw super heroes. And I still do. I think that’s why most of my art knowledge comes from that specific industry. I do like what guys like Fabio Moon and Gabril Bá, both Brazillians are doing with that guy from the My Chemical Romance band, the “Umbrella Academy” comic. There are so many good Brazilian artists working for DC and Marvel nowadays… Ivan Reis on Green Lantern, Rafael Albuquerque, Eddy Barrows…

Q: How did you discover Max the Mutt Animation School

A: I used to live in Toronto a few years back and I was always around the area where the school is. So one day I decided to see what the school was about and things happened.

Q: Which teachers influenced you the most at Max the Mutt

A: Ed Shawcross, Richard Pace, Ty Templeton and David Ross.

Q: Tell me about your latest Disney work for the Incredibles?

A: The company that’s publishing the book, Boom! Studios, together with Disney/Pixar, they approached me a few months ago. They asked me if I wanted to draw the series for them. I said yes and I’ve been doing it since then. It’s going to be four issues at first and probably more later on. I’ve been having fun so far.

Q: What advice would you give another young person interested in this field.

A: I can talk a little about comics, not so much about animation. My advice is the usual. Keep drawing everyday. Show your work to someone who knows better than you do. Be open to criticism. Put your work out there for people to see it. Use the web to promote your work. Go to comic conventions. Be patient, it takes a while to get things rolling.

Go to Max the Mutt

Megan Jessup
“I am currently a second year animation student at Max the Mutt, and I love it! I did three years of fine art before coming to this school and I found I learned more in my first semester at Max than I did in three years of “fine art”.
If you’re looking for a school that will give you a good solid understanding and training in the traditional skills of art Max the Mutt is a school to definitely look into.”

Dan Kitchen
“I am the studio technical director and post production supervisor at Providential Pictures. Max the Mutt is starting to take over here as well now as we just hired 3 Max grads, Tess, Magda and Tabitha and as well, Jordan Denenberg works here still. I will have to come by for a visit as I have had some other great experiences since I graduated almost 2 years ago now.”

Philip Ducharme - Big Soul Productions Inc.
We were very impressed with the quality of work and professionalism of the two Max the Mutt graduates that we recently interviewed and look forward to working with them on our animated series ‘By The Rapids’. We are also excited about the possibility of bringing on a couple of student interns for the summer.

Keith Fukumoto
“I graduated in 2006. I’ve been working for Fatkat Animation Studio for 1 year and 4 months in Miramichi, NB.
I animated for 1 year on a flash television show called Super Normal that is currently broadcasting across the UK.
I was promoted to 1 of 4 animation supervisors and was responsible for 4-6 animators and all of the scenes I received from them. That project ended and since September I’ve been an animator on a classically animated cartoon called Three Delivery which is completely hand drawn. It will be on YTV in a year or so. www.threedelivery.com”

Ryan Wall

Inbetweener and Clean-Up Artist, Calabash Animation (Chicago, Illinois)
“Not only does Max the Mutt Animation stress hard work and dedication to it’s students, it also puts a great deal of emphasis on professionalism and courtesy. Max the Mutt teaches students to be the best artists and the best people that they can be.”

Francisco Garcia
“When I first came to Canada back in June, 2003, I took a portfolio development course at Max the Mutt Animation School. My experience in that course and through the whole year of the animation program was amazing. I can truly say that Max the Mutt’s greatest asset is a real commitment to the students. The friendly environment, the quality of the teachers and the well-taught courses make you feel like part of a family, where people care what you do, and give you the key to your potential.”

Dale Hayward
“The skills that I have gained from this school will constantly stay with me, and working with such talented mentors has been a great gift. The first hand experience that I have received from Max the Mutt Animation is of the utmost value, as it has gone far beyond what any other school could offer me. I have not only gained valuable experience in the field of animation, but lessons in life.”

Tom Bradnam
“In the last 8 months I have worked on 7 different shows all ranging from different style of animation and jumping from flash to classical. The list includes “George of the Jungle”, “Stargirls”, “Apollo’s Pad”, “Exiles” and “Stardust”
I can honestly say that none of this would have happened if it weren’t for Max The Mutt. Everything that I learned has proven not only useful but critical to survive in this industry. I had a great time and met life long friends in my time there. So to every one that taught and inspired me in my three years at Max The Mutt I say. Thank You. Not only for the skills and tools that you taught me but also the level of professionalism and passion for the arts that I believe has been a major part of my success this year.”

Matt Rose - Associate Artist and Assistant Art Lead, Electronic Arts
“Max the Mutt has the best faculty and curriculum of any school I’ve seen. Breaking into the games industry has been my biggest goal for as long as I can remember, and it’s due to the solid fine arts training that I secured my position at Electronic Arts.”

Robert Rodas 
“My experience at Max the Mutt has provided me with a greater appreciation of what animation really is.  Not only did they teach me the skills that are necessary to succeed in the industry, but also how to thrive and be happy in it.”

Alain  is on the right, Nov. 2nd 2007.

Alain Heese-Boutin is an Alumnus of Max the Mutt Animation School, Toronto.

At Max the Mutt Animation School we are constantly in touch with our graduates who have embarked on great careers in the animation and

gaming industries. This sense of community is very important to us; it results in an ongoing dialogue between our past students and those

currently studying at the school.

Congratulations to Alain Heese-Boutin, He got the job at Keyframe Digital.

He will be joining Ron Nantel, who attended last year and Kevin Scarborough, who graduated last year.

Best of Luck!

Twenty-two year old Keith Fukumoto had already decided by the age of 12 that nothing was going to stop him becoming an animator. Today he is realizing his dream as a “Flash Animator” at Fatkat Animation Studio in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

Keith joined Fatkat early September 2006 right after graduating from Max the Mutt Animation School in downtown Toronto this past summer. He believes his drawing skills and background in classical animation training obtained at Max the Mutt was what landed him his dream job and he couldn’t be more thrilled. “Right now I am working on a flash animation tv show…animating everything - like special fx, character animation, camera movements. They allow us to be creative with all of it…it’s loads of fun,” he explains enthusiastically. “The job as a whole is a cool experience…one of the employees brings in their dog. The dog adds to the great atmosphere by bringing down stress levels. The people I get to work with every day have become close friends and when the team finishes an episode and we watch the end result…I can’t describe how rewarding that is,” he adds.

Keith had lived in hectic Toronto his whole life and felt he was ready for a change so when the opportunity at Fatkat in Miramichi became available he jumped at the chance to move to New Brunswick. So far his experiences have been great and he also finds it funny that dogs and cats seem to keep popping into his life. “Something that I find funny,” he says…”is that I graduated from Max the Mutt Animation School and now am working for Fatkat Animation Studios! Talk about kats and dogs!”

For Fatkat Animation Studio go to http://www.fatkatanimation.com/

At Max the Mutt Animation School we are constantly in touch with our graduates who have embarked on great careers in the animation and gaming industries. This sense of community is very important to us; it results in an ongoing dialogue between our past students and those currently studying at the school.

One such opportunity for current students to hear first hand invaluable industry experience was the visit of Matt Rose, a team leader for EA Games Vancouver (class of 2004). Matt spoke to students at length and was quick to point out how important skill sets and levels of professionalism taught at Max the Mutt have been to his career.

Another alumni who recently happened to drop by and visit with school director Maxine Schacker was Sean Ng Qui Sang (Class of 2001). Sean has worked for Lynn Johnston of “For Better or For Worse” fame assisting with the development of her website and is currently living in England where he animates with Flash.

It is a wonderful experience seeing our graduates lead fulfilling professional lives and we encourage them to come back to share that with us!

Photo from left to right: Maxine Schacker, Sean Nq Qui Sang, Matt Rose, Tina Seemann