Bridget McCarty's Miniature Success

When she was with us as a teenager Bridget McCarty created very charming characters and backgrounds through her art. Here's an example of her work when she was with us from a previous write up on the Academy's blog on September 15, 2007.

Now as an adult she's established herself as one of the leading figures in the world of miniatures. In fact, Bridget has the distinction of a Warner Bros license to create miniature art for the "Wizard of Oz" franchise. Take a look at what she does. Clicking on the images will give you a better view.

It's amazing to see how our students evolve creatively over time. They may start out in one area and show a special skill, style or interest in something special and grow into a leading talent in a field that you wouldn't necessarily expect. Such is the case with Bridget. To see more of her work follow this link to Bridget McCarty's blog. You can also visit her website here.

Ed Irizarry's BG Design work

A return student to the Academy, Ed Irizarry was previous with us years ago and wound up working at Walt Disney's Consumer Products division as a staff artist. Now he's back to take his formidable character designs skills to another level by studying Background Design. It's very beneficial for character centric artists to learn to create environments.

These are samples of Ed's first pass in the class. Exercises in composition and one point perspective. These were drawn freehand. No straight edges were used in Ed's sketches.

At the Academy attention on fundamentals are a key factor in building a solid artistic foundation that makes a big difference when producing work from the imagination. Your images become more convincing and before you know it you're creating new worlds.

Ed's gone beyond this already and is doing exceptional work but it's good to take a look at where he's starting. You can see more of the artwork of Ed Irizarry here.

Final Tally - The Animation Academy - Mission Small Business 2012

The final tally for Mission Small Business voting in the community of Burbank...

The Animation Academy came in at 420 votes !!!

We shot from 5th place to 3rd place in Burbank California on the last day of voting !!!

The Animation Academy comes in at the bronze medal for Burbank, a media center for the world and the international capital of the animation industry !!!

There were 85 local businesses registered! We're on the medal stand with the bronze !!! 

THANK YOU TO OUR FAMILY OF SUPPORTERS !!! You're as good as gold !!!

This is a far greater result than I would have imagined at the beginning of the campaign !

Grateful, appreciative and proud !

We're one of only two businesses in America with the word 'Animation' in our name that qualified and we came ahead by 150 votes !

It's up to the Chase Bank and the Mission Small Business review board from here on out. For what this was it was hugely successful and great fun !

Thank you to everyone who supported the effort !!! You really came through !!!

Here's to you !!! 

Hearts of champions !!!

KEEP CREATING !!!

Charles Zembillas

The Animation Academy

Burbank California

USA