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

Today we received this email from Yowza, a top Toronto animation company currently working on a major animated feature:

”  Hi there!

I hired one more graduate of yours.  I just want
to say, your students are the best.  Eager, professional, and
humble and well trained.

Thanks so much!

Sonya Carrey,  Department Head, Yowza Animation, Toronto

We are proud of all our graduates and the reputation they continue to build for graduates of our programs.

I often post on AWN, and the last time I posted I gave the link to the video of the first year show on You Tube.  I want to share with you a reply to that post from Larry Lauria, a very experienced and respected animator and instructor. Check out his blog!

”

Wonderful!

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

Anna Castore, Year 1, US student, Classical & Computer Animation Basics

” I learned more at Max the Mutt in one week than I learned in four years at my last school! “

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.”