New semester system

Hello to our many friends, colleagues and associates of the Academy. I want to bring you up to date on the new semester system we're going to try out in 2010 when the next semester is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2010.

Since we began in 1998, we've been numbering our semesters according to the year of our operation and the semester that was being conducted in that year. For example, 2009 and has been our 12th year, and the semester we're currently in is the 6th semester of the year. Thus, the semester is numbered 12.6. Althought it's numbered this way, it's also out 64th semester. The one starting in January will be our 65th consecutive one.

So instead of numbering them by the year, I thought we'd try something different and number them in chronological order. So in Jnauary, instead of semester 13.1, we'll be naming it Semester 65.

Also, in addition to the new numbering system, we're also going to change our enrollment policies. Up until now, we take in new students every other month when the new semesters begin. In 2010, we'll be accepting new students at the beginning of each month, overlapping the semesters. So in February, when Semester 65a begins, we'll take on new students and arrange for their particular semester to wrap up at the end of March. We're going to try this out and see how it works. You won't have to wait two months to get into our program if you miss the start of a semester, we'll be able to get you in sooner and get you up and running in advance.

So when you see the new semester numbers appear on our site, as they appear now, you'll know what's up.

Thanks everyone, and hope to see you soon at The Animation Academy in Burbank, the only place of its kind on earth.

Keep Creating!

Strong Artists

That's what we're known for throughout the industry and the world. The Animation Academy has an extraordinary legacy in developing fundamental skills that are necessary for achieving a successful career in animation no matter what your medium. Whether it's 2D or 3D, what you learn with us will enhance your talent and inevitabley improve your art. If you work in animation, if you work in a related creative field, if you're attending another school or just getting started, you'll benefit greatly from the strength of our program and the emphasis we place on developing a solid fundamental foundation, especially in the many areas of pre-production design and intellectual property development.

We're planning some changes in 2010 that will help move things along better for current and prospective students, including monthly enrollment as opposed to bi-monthly, and we plan on taking our program online and welcoming the many artists all over the world who would like to participate in the Academy's educational experience but who aren't able to make it to Burbank.

So stay in touch, I'll be updating you with news as things develop.

Keep creating! It's the key to your success.

Charles Zembillas
President and Founder
The Animation Academy
Burbank, California
USA

Chance Raspberry's YouTube Channel

On September 9, 2009, Chance Raspberry announced the premiere of his latest endeavor, his own channel on YouTube which currently features a promotional video with much of his personal and professional work.

Chance has been a major part of the Academy for nearly 10 years, taking classes with us at first, then enrolling in the animation program at California State University in Northridge while continuing his education with us. He received his Bachelors Degree from Cal State, and moved up to an instructor position at our school helping out with the Teen Program. Chance got his break when he was picked up as a staff artist on The Simpsons TV series and has become a fixture on the production crew for several years now.

To visit his YouTube Channel, follow this link: http://youtube.com/ChanceRaspberry

For updates on videos and other news and projects that are happening with Chance, visit his blog at this link: http://ChanceRaspberry.blogspot.com

Chance ranks among the most successful students we've ever had at The Animation Academy, and it's very exciting and satisfying to see him expanding his Internet exposure. His outstanding talent is matched by the excellence of his character. Congrats to you Chance, and good luck. Keep Creating!

Amy Paulson's Disneyland

She started with us three years ago and since then, Amy Paulson has become a fixture at the Academy. Lucky for us, as we couldn't have dreamed of having a more charming and talented lady as part of our team. Amy is in charge of the students enrolled in our Team Program and functions as an instructor with us in that capacity.

On her own time she creates beautiful works of art, many of them with Disney as the subject. In this scene she's recently finished, Amy's created an undersea Disneyland in which all of the Disney characters she's featured are designed as if they were in the animated movie "The Little Mermaid". Amy drew the characters from memory and illustrated the composition in Photoshop. Click on the picture for a better view.

You're welcome to visit Amy's blog by following the link: http://www.amypaulson.com/

Dustin Perkins goes BG

Finally getting a chance to feature some recent student work, and I'm happy to showcase Dustin Perkins.

Dustin's been with us for a good while and has proven to be as talented as he is dedicated. He's gone through our comprehensive program as primarily a character oriented artist, and has just finished a semester in Background Design and Perspective. Here's a couple of samples of his artwork from the class.

The first is a study in 2 point perspective of a basement, including his concept thumbnail sketches.

This is a study of a bedroom in 3 point perspective with the subject beneath the sheets.

Clicking on the images will give you a better view.

Fell free to visit Dustin's blog to experience more of his exceptional art and unique creative vision.

http://www.dustinperkins.com/ashcan/

Academy Update

Howdy folks, checking in with recent news and updates. But first, allow me to share with you a demonstration I did a few years ago which I recently discovered. It's the eagle head above. It was done in Photoshop after scanning in a rough sketch. The lesson was in the effectiveness of graphic simplicity. In this case, black and white, plus three other colors contained within shapes. Look at what can be done with a simple approach. Shapes of color in the tradition of the animation cell, harnessing the beauty of that approach. I forgot about this work at the time, otherwise I would've included the image in my book 'Controlling Illusion'. As such, I'll settle for sharing with you now.

In news, congratulations to James Lavelle Brown, who has recently been named the Director of the Educational Program! James is an outstanding artist specializing in character design. He's been with the school for over 10 years, almost since the very beginning in 1998. He and his wife are organizing, managing and building our curriculum now, freeing me in class so I can work the floor and spend more time with individual students and groups of students. James has been at it for about a month and so far he's doing a terrific job. The Academy has gotten even better since he's taken over this aspect of operations.

Regarding the many requests we receive from prospective students outside the US, if you're an international student looking to come to the Academy, a tourist visa is all you need. You'll get plenty out of 3 months with us. You'll have to make arrangements for your stay in the LA/Burbank area, but if you can swing the expense of your lodging, living, and transportation, you'll get more than your money's worth from the modest fee associated with the art education in the subjects we offer.

Good things continue to happen with the Academy and with our students and friends. Thanks to the many wonderful people we have associated with our program and The Animation Academy experience.

Keep Creating! It's the key to your artistic future!

Alexis Arciniaga keeps creating

We frequently hear from students who've taken classes with us in the past. They let us know how they're doing and how much their experience at the Academy has meant to them. Such is the case with Alexis Arciniaga.

Alexis dropped us a line recounting how much she learned in the short time she was with us when she was enrolled in the Teen Program, and she included a few samples of recent work. Here's an example of the powerful art she's creating. Clicking on the image will give you a better view.

Alexis is destined for great things with her art. She creates with confidence and makes a statement. Her work is dynamic and rooted on a fundamental foundation, which gives her a strong footing to do anything she wants to creatively.

Thanks for getting in touch Alexis! You're doing exciting things. We're happy to have been a positive part of your educational experience.

Academy update

Hello everyone! Hope this finds you well. Things have been very busy and as such, this long overdo entry to the Academy's blog.

Our new semester will begin tomorrow, July 7, 2009. Our 62nd consecutive semester since we we started in January, 1998. Semester 12.4 will have very healthy enrollment and will distinguish itself by the number of students in attendance from other colleges, universities and art schools in the area. We'll have students from California State University Northridge, Cal Arts, Art Center College of Design, College of the Canyons, and USC to name a few.

With virtually no advertising other than our simple website, this blog and word of mouth, The Animation Academy's reputation precedes itself as our years of service in art education to the community as well as the success of our students has paid off many times over for us as students continue to turn to the Academy for specialized training in the fundamentals of art through an animation oriented venue.

On the last Tuesday of each month we open our doors and welcome guests through an outstanding industry forum we host, AnimationNation.com. Recently, we invited Don Hahn, one of the Disney Studios most experienced and prominent producers as a special guest in honor of the publication of his latest book, a two volume 800 page compilation of the animation notes of the late Walt Stanchfield. Entitled "Drawn To Life", Mr. Hahn gave a video presentation of some of what went into this book. The presentation was very well attended and was a terrific and informative evening of education. This link will take you to the forums for pictures and an account of what we all enjoyed on May 26, 2009:

http://www.animationnation.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=013758#000000

I'll make it a point of getting back on a regular schedule with the Academy's blog as we have alot of new artwork to share. In the meantime, thanks for checking in and as always, Keep Creating!

Carl Aspuria's beginnings

Hello everyone. I've fallen behind a bit in updating the Academy's blog. All the positive things going on are keeping us very busy, and now I've got a chance to catch up.

Let's start by featuring some communication from Carl Aspuria. Carl's been a stand out student and a fixture at the school in the recent past and although he's taking a break for the time being, he's reflected in his blog about how his experiences at The Animation Academy has affected his art. Follow the link below and read his comments about his humble beginnings with us:

http://kidfrodo.com/humble-beginnings_20090331

Follow the rest of Carl's blog to see where he's currently at artistically:

http://kidfrodo.com/

Thanks Carl, for the good word and for continuing the Academy's legacy through your outstanding creative efforts!

Congratulations, Emily Brundige!

Yet another Academy student breaking into CalArts! This time it's for a Masters Degree in Experimental Animation!

Happy to share the news that Emily Brundige, a student with us last year, has been accepted at CalArts for that purpose, and is on her way to great things.

You can follow Emily's blog through this link: http://tomboycomics.blogspot.com/

Very excited for you, Emily! Everyone at the Academy wishes you well. Confident you'll do an outstanding job. Good luck!