For Immediate Release contact: Carol O’Sullivan

April 30, 2009 412-681-5449

Pittsburgh Filmmakers Announces New

Summer Animation Workshops

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Pittsburgh Filmmakers is announcing a new program of 17 summer animation workshops for the experienced media artist and dabbler alike. Aspiring animators looking for access to the newest digital systems to create their work can sign up for one or more of these workshops. They are open to the public and will be held at Filmmakers headquarters (477 Melwood Ave). The workshops require no long-term commitment – 8 to 20 classroom hours per session – and are scheduled throughout the summer, starting May 16. Discounts are available to members of Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Though they are not available for college credit, they do count for Act 48 education hours. Through a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Pittsburgh Filmmakers has updated its digital labs with new animation equipment and software.

Video for the Web: Creative Uses of Video in Flash

In this weekend workshop, learn about the creative uses of video for the web using Flash, Final Cut and QuickTime. Learn to make an online video portfolio, or place video items into animations to make 2-D animations come to life.
8 hrs: 5/16, 5/17

Sampling Cutout Animation ...Appropriation and You

Explore the ethics of using found images, the transformative power of context, and the art of “art hunting” in this workshop. Learn innovative applications of 2D animation.

8 hrs: 5/30, 5/31

Toon Boom Interface

In this weekend workshop, learn the ins and outs of Toon Boom Animate, a full-featured digital animation program. Learn to use the built-in drawing tools and editing tools for manipulation.

8 hours: 5/30, 5/31

Introduction to Blender

Learn core concepts and techniques in creating digital art for 3D objects, textures, and animation. Blender is a popular and powerful open-source software application used for 3D animation in movies and videogames.

16 hours: 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

Surreal Set Design & Stop Motion

Design, build and animate surreal, nightmarishly funny stories. The workshop includes an overview of surrealist animation, hands-on set building, puppet and character design. First weekend meets at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts; the second meets at Filmmakers.

20 hours: 6/6, 6/7, 6/13, 6/14, 6/20

Toon Boom Ink & Paint

In this two-day workshop, learn how to import original artwork into Toon Boom Animate, then digitally clean up drawings; apply colors and textures to multiple frames.

8 hours: 6/13, 6/14

The Artist as Animator/ The History of Animation

This workshop covers a history of animation and the artistic techniques involved in its evolution. There will be two days of discussion, and two lab (production) days.

12 hours: 6/15, 6/16, 6/17, 6/18

Discussions in Animation and Aesthetics

This weekend workshop will analyze animation in many forms -- from the history of its use in the early days of cinema to the modern use in advertising.

8 hours: 6/20, 6/21

Animation for Teachers

This workshop introduces educators to the joys of using animation in the classroom. Discussions will include curricula that fit a variety of classrooms.

12 hours: 6/22, 6/23, 6/24, 6/25

Matchmoving

Learn how to combine animation and live footage. Matchmoving is the art and science of making animated elements appear to be part of the scene. Learn to shoot and matchmove both green-screen and full-frame footage and then composite the results.

8 hours: 6/27, 6/28

Destabilization and the Moving Image…Flip Book Workshop

Discover how color relationships and patterns work in the moving image. In this flip-book making workshop important figures in Op-Art history are covered.

8 hours: 6/27, 6/28

Character Animation in After Effects

Create compelling animation using the powerful tools in this versatile animation and visual effects software. This includes creating character study drawings; planning for animation; drawing in Photoshop or Illustrator, dividing character elements into layers; working out the detailed animation, key-frame and effects.

20 hours: 7/11, 7/12, 7/18, 7/19, 7/25

Rotoscoping and the Augmented Image

Rotoscoping is a powerful animation technique where animators trace over live-action film movement, frame by frame. In this workshop you can explore various methods in rotoscoping using Flash and Photoshop to augment existing footage, or add an edge to a music video.

8 hours: 7/11, 7/12

Flash Interactive Animation

This is art you can play with! Using Flash with Photoshop and other multi-media software you’ll explore animation that reacts to mouse movements. These animations may create an ambient atmosphere, manipulate color and shapes or offer aural feedback.

12 hours: 7/27, 7/30, 8/3, 8/6

Making a 2D cartoon: Hanna Barbera Style

This workshop jumps right into making a simple 2D cartoon using some of the conventions found in Hanna-Barbera cartoons. The animation will be created with Flash, but original artwork can be scanned in or created in Photoshop as well. Voice, sound effects and/or music will be added.
12 hours: 7/6, 7/9, 7/13, 7/16

Lip Synch & More with Toon Boom

Over 8 hours, sample some of the advanced tools in Toon Boom Animate. Learn to use the built in lip-synching tools of Animate, then create your own. Sync your animation to audio recorded previously or your own audio recorded during the workshop. The various special effects available will be demonstrated. We will also explore the morphing tool in the timeline and talk about various techniques to improve your results.

8 hours: 8/1, 8/2

3D Character Animation

Explore the exciting techniques of 3D computer animation with the software package Cinema 4D XL from Maxon. Participants in this workshop will learn the techniques of designing characters with 3D computer animation in mind. This involves modeling –building the 3D character inside the computer. Using the inverse kinematic technique, a skeleton is built to allow for animation and positioning. Previous animation experience is not necessary but will help significantly.

16 hours: 8/1, 8/2, 8/8, 8/9

For more information about the workshops, level of difficulty, lab access, Act 48 education hours, the instructors, fees and registration procedures, or for information about becoming a member of PF/PCA, call the director of Artist Services, Jasdeep Khaira at 412-681-5449 ext. 246.

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