We reported earlier in the spring that  Elizabeth Romo Marcos, who spent 4 years at Max the Mutt, earning the Advanced Diploma in 2009, is back home in Mexico and is working as an assistant animator on a classically animated feature film now in production. The studio is White Knight Creative. We have now confirmed that  Andreas Anler, ‘08 international graduate,  (Sweden) has also  been hired as an assistant animator by White Knight Creative, has received his work permit and moved to Mexico. They both will have the amazing experience of working along side, and being mentored by, ex-Disney classical animators!

Lubomir Arsov attended  Max the Mutt directly after high school and holds diplomas from both the 3 year Classical & Computer Animation Basics Diploma Program, and the  Advanced 3D Computer Animation & Production  Program, which he completed in  2006.  Since then he’s been steadily employed as  a character designer by  CORE Digital, House Of Cool Studios,  and , currently,  Starz Animation. Lubomir also freelances as a character designer. His designs are part of many current animated series!  His newest freelance work is visual development artist for a potential feature project.

It’s been a pleasure to watch Lubomir evolve not only into a first rate character designer, but a first rate, genuine and generous human being.

Lubomir recently published Deviations: Lubomir Arsov- Explorations 2006-2009. Some pages are shown below.

Deviations' cover image

a page from Deviations

a page from Deviations

The book  was inspired by encouraging words from friends and colleagues, and a desire to share his private process with a wider audience.

Max the Mutt Animation School  congratulates Lubomir Arsov on the publication of his book and  wishes him every success in his future endeavors.

Max the Mutt has recently been in contact with Chris Leung of Powie Studios. He and his business/ creative partner Jesse (Sondang), both former  Max the Mutt students, have opened their own studio, Powie Studios, a multimedia entertainment company currently focused on children’s entertainment.

Chris and Jesse introduced their new comic book series, The Misadventures of Mal & Lot, at the Wizard World Toronto Comic Con 2010. They plan to continue creating fun and exciting stories suitable for audiences of all ages.

Chris told us that they first decided to do  their own comic  because they were so often disappointed in their search for fun and exciting material.

“The Misadventures of Mal & Lot”, owes much to the books, comics, movies, and cartoons they had enjoyed during their childhood,  specifically the works of the Lucas Film, Disney, and Bluth studios with a dash of manga and bande dessinee thrown into the mix. The story itself was inspired by tales of action and adventure in the vein of authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Jules Verne,  and Mark Twain. Chris  told us,  “… Max the Mutt Animation School’s strong efforts in developing our good all around drawing skills  has given us the fortitude to make our dreams of self publishing a reality.”

Max the Mutt Animation School would like to congratulate both Chris and Jesse for the successful self-publication of their comic, and wish them every success in their future projects. You can find more information about future projects at the Powie Studio website, www.powiestudios.com.

Here are the cover and some pages from “The Misadventures of Mal & Lot.”

Quite a few Max the Mutt graduates have worked at, or are currently working at Cuppa Coffee. This studio seems to be steadily growing, and has really expanded to include much more than Stop Motion Animation. They now work in Flash and 3D as well. Here’s the latest  pres release:

CUPPA COFFEE PREXIE LAUNCHES NEW SAUCER SOUND
Press Release from Cuppa Coffee

Cuppa Coffee Studios President and Executive Producer Adam Shaheen has
announced the launch of a new personal venture, Saucer Sound. “My desire
to have sound in-house at Cuppa was one born of wanting the best control
and quality,” he explains. “We have always done our post-audio out of
house, and it now makes sense to build a quality facility to not only
serve our own needs but also to be a new alternative for the TV and film
community here in Toronto.”

The new facility includes a high quality 5:1 Mix Studio as well as a
Second Studio with a Multi-Voice booth and control room. There are also
edit suites, a foley stage and integrated Layback and Machine Room
Facilities all capable of handling SD and HD workflows. The studio
offers full audio staffing and production as well as sound design and
music creative for short form, long form and Advertising, but can also
be booked on a per room basis.

Shaheen engaged a Swiss acoustic design team to “ensure we had the best
of the best sound-wise” and a local Toronto Contractor, Manco Design &
Build, to complete the architectural interiors. “We spent a lot of time
designing not only the perfect rooms acoustically but also creating a
space in which clients can feel comfortable and at home,” Shaheen said.
“I look forward to working with many of our clients, not just on
picture, but also now on sound.”

http://www.cuppacoffee.com

The mandate of a career college is to prepare  students for careers. I value general, liberal arts education but feel that to teach the skill base necessary for careers in animation, sequential arts and concept art, as well as liberal arts subjects, we would need a longer program. We would also be weakened by the inability to have the best instructors available teaching: in a degree program in Canada, the instructor must have a higher degree than the one the students are trying to acquire. We would therefore lose some of our best and most qualified instructors, most of whom are outstanding working professionals. They know what the industries are looking for and how the industries are growing and changing.  we constantly benefit from our ability to respond quickly to their input and make adjustments to the curriculum without having to go through lengthy procedures.

As a career college,  we also have the freedom to create a serious, focused community environment that prepares individuals for the realities of  the workplace. Skills are only part of this. Professionalism and the ability to be a team player are equally important. Our students are expected to take direction, meet deadlines, get to class on time, be inclusive, and treat everyone with respect.  Any behavior that would not be acceptable at work, is not acceptable at Max the Mutt.  These are not just words for us. We have a commitment to protect every student’s right to an optimum learning environment, and every instructor’s right to teach respectful, serious students. The intensity of the course of study in all our diploma programs, means that we aren’t the right school for everyone. Quite honestly, not every student is interested in having to work as long and hard as these programs demand. We need students  who are excited by learning, are self motivated,and appreciate high standards. For these individuals, there’s palpable excitement as skills grow.

Our graduates tell us  they had no difficulty making the transition to the work world, and employers tell us that they consistently find our graduates great to work with.

We are in the midst of redesigning our website, and have also been incredibly busy with Industry Night and graduation,  so please excuse our being behind in updating information on the website!

Both evenings were positive events  and  graduates have many job opportunities. Megan Leonard was tested the next day for a job animating for 9 Story…and starts work Tuesday! Congratulations, Megan.

Former Max the Mutt students and graduates  Tess Tolmatchev, Matt DiLallo,  Matt Mozgiel and Kelley Conley attended as representatives of their companies!  It was great to see them again.

Maxine Schacker and Tina Seemann with former graduates Tess Tolmatchev, Matt DiLallo, Matt Mozgiel and Kelley Conley

We’ll let you know as other graduates start working. Of our 14 animation graduates, 4 are international students returning to their own countries and 5 are returning to Max the Mutt in September to do the Advanced Diploma in 3D Computer Animation and Production.  Of the 4 remaining graduates, one is a competitive rider and is considering taking a year to be with her horses. That leaves 3, and we think the chances are very good that they’ll be employed very soon. Animation jobs in Toronto, after a hiatus, have opened up.

The Illustration graduates are entering a different kind of field. They will be freelancing, speaking with editors and art directors, going to comic book conventions to show their work. Art editors from several Toronto publishing houses were very impressed with the work they saw and plan to contact graduates. One graduate is already working with Ty Templeton. We’ll try to keep on top of their employment success and report it.

Thanks to Justin Gabrie from Marvel who took the time to fly up from New York City, address students in the afternoon, and attend Industry Night. We really appreciate your joining us, Justin, to celebrate the first graduating class in Illustration for Sequential Arts.

Dave Ross and Justin Gabrie (MARVEL)@ Industry Night

Justin Gabrie (MARVEL) and Dave Ross having fun posing with Te'Shawn Dwyer, a Max the Mutt student

Have a nice weekend everyone! Photos will come soon….

Written by Free Audio Books - Free audiobooks on December 10, 2009 – 9:28 pm -

Teachers trying to get students interested in molecular biology or space now have a new tool — video games.

As more children grow up playing video games, educators are partnering with game developers and scientists to create new interactive experiences for the classroom.

A trio of new games were developed to make subjects like world culture, molecular biology and space exploration more accessible and fun for young minds.  Reuters

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