Post With The Most 29/09/2017

It's still very early days on Computer Animation Arts.  Briefs have been briefed and brain cells are firing again after the hazier, lazier days of the long hot Summer.  Our latest recruits are beginning to lose their expressions of bewilderment as new routines start to feel less overwhelming. Returning students are revving up.  While the next edition of the Post With The Most will be the usual cornucopia of ideas-in-the-offing, this month's PWTM has a retrospective feel as we catch up with some of our alumni and the Course Leader answers that question beloved of school teachers everywhere, "What did you do over the Summer holidays?".

Before all of that - an exciting announcement: after several years of preparation, reflection and improvement, Computer Animation Arts has been accredited by Creative Skillset, and if you don't know what that means or why this news is very good news indeed, let's hear from Skillset themselves:

"Creative Skillset accredits practice-based degree courses that most effectively provide students with the skills and knowledge required by employers in the Creative Industries. Courses that achieve accreditation are awarded the Creative Skillset Tick. The Tick is an invaluable signpost for potential students, apprentices and employers to indicate those programmes that provide the most up-to-date and relevant industry training and education. For potential learners, the Tick signposts courses that can prove they connect with industry and which teach professional skills that make sure you graduate work-ready. For employers, the Tick signposts them to work-ready graduates and apprentices from creative courses that have proven links with industry and teach professional skills. Graduates from Ticked courses have privileged access to Trainee Finder, a service that matches trainees with companies across the UK’s animation, film, games, high-end TV and VFX industries."

Let's not be backward about coming forwards on this - this is a big achievement, and behind the scenes, the course team have worked rather tirelessly to make this happen.  However, we owe our students and alumni a huge vote of thanks for their role in getting us this result.  Creative Skillset is a rigorously evidence-based application, and the industry panel overseeing our submission looked at the creative output of our students and alumni for reassurance.  They clearly liked what they saw!  Special thanks must go to 2017 graduates Charlie Serafini, Catriona Barber and Julien Van Wallendael, all of whom accompanied the staff team to the high-stakes industry panel scrutiny meeting in London.  Think Dragon's Den meets The Apprentice and you'll have some idea as to the nature of the event!  Suffice to say, Charlie, Cat and Julien were exceptionally articulate on the subject of the breadth and depth of their educational experience on Computer Animation Arts and dealt with an intimidating, high-pressurised encounter with impressive aplomb.  

Let's further celebrate the accomplishments of the creative community of Computer Animation Arts by taking a couple of minutes to enjoy this year's course showreel.

September can be a challenging month for recent graduates; for many, it will be the first September in years when they're not due to 'go back to school' and the inevitability of new beginnings isn't there.  It can feel too as if everyone else in the world has somewhere they need be and something to do.  It can be lonely - a fallow period during which it is easy for a freshly-hatched graduate to lose their nerve.

Let's seek to give comfort and reassurance by catching up with two of CAA's most recent graduates, Anthony 'Class of 2016' Faulkner and Jamie 'Class of 2017' Wathen, as they answer the question, 'What happened after you graduated?'

Anthony 'Class of 2016' Faulkner

Ant Faulkner / After graduation I went to London with my Art Of book and knocked on various studio doors, curious to see if my work and I were of a high enough standard to join the buzzing community. I was told I had missed the 'graduate run' and that if I were to be a CG Generalist I needed more evidence of varied skills. I then attended a business convention where I connected with business owners who needed graphic designers etc.  This event led me to become a freelance artist for Diagonal Designs in Sevenoaks. I worked there for 4 months, all the while applying for jobs in and outside of London. I did have one interview with The Marketing Store (through ND16) but we both knew the job just wasn't for me.  I also worked on some freelance projects through Artella as a rigger and animator. It wasn't until October, whilst attending the Story Design Conference in Rome with Chris Oatley, that I had an interview with Arx Anima, Vienna, Austria.  I secured a placement as a layout intern then quickly progressed to a Junior Layout Artist within 3 months of the company. I worked on the web series, Talking Tom and Friends Season 2.  I had such a fantastic time working there. The team is fantastic and due to it being a slightly smaller studio I had a lot of opportunities to work closely with directors and my seniors. I learned so much about my role and industry-etiquette ,but all good things must come to an end. 

After being on the team for 10 months the project was coming to an end and I needed to find more work. I started to apply as a Layout Artist and got two offers, one for a children's TV series in London and a Netflix animated series in France. However, a recruiter from Double Negative had seen my LinkedIn Profile and contacted me about a Layout job opening soon. After a very long 3 course interview process, here I am in Double Negative working on a feature film due to release early 2018!

My working day is from 9am - 6pm. I make myself some breakfast and tea in the office kitchen and after fuelling my brain I go to my desk and catch up on any emails and see what work I have been assigned for the day or week. As a Mid Layout Artist it is my responsibility to produce the final camera animation for the chosen shots and sequences. My role also includes blocking in rough animation, final compositions and making sure the assets are accurate for the pipeline. I work predominately from storyboards and transition that into the first stage of 3D in readiness for the next stage of the pipeline. I have an hour lunch break in which I either sit in the kitchen socialising with other artists or I play games in the main atrium with my colleagues. After lunch I submit any work I have completed to show the seniors in daily reviews and get regular feedback on my work. We also have a screening the first Friday of each month to bring different departments together and see what we have achieved so far, this is all accompanied by beer and pizza.

Anthony Faulkner / Skye face rig

CAA / Any advice for our newest recruits?

Listen to your tutor and listen to your instincts. This is the time to step out of your comfort zone and explore all aspects of the course. Take advantage of the time for experimentation and collaboration because there's a high chance after gaining your degree you still won't be certain on what path you want to take. Don't be shy and learn from everyone and everything around you.  The great thing about art or learning a new skill is that it will benefit you whatever path you take. Every piece of knowledge gained will have a positive impact on your development as an artist. Be open to finding work alongside the course, whether professional or voluntary (on Artella?). Any insight to the industry will help you develop. This is also the time to make connections; create a group page with your classmates and help each other throughout the course. Just remember this is the time to make mistakes and find out who you want to be - and don't forget to have fun!

Anthony Faulkner / Skye / 2016

CAA / Any advice for our current final year students?

Stay true to yourself.  If you need something and the project is calling for it, don't ignore it - even if people say you can't do it, make the time and do your work justice. Relish in the time you have to create something truly yours.  I have met many people and only a handful of them have created their own short and you could be one of them.  This is the year for you to really say something and be the artist you want to be. Having your own 'product' is not something that should be underestimated or overlooked, as it not only shows who you are but who you want to be and your ambition to connect artistically.  If you are worried about grades - don't be - producing something you love will get you the grade you want and deserve. Don’t be selfish and help each other out. Your classmates are your friends not your competition.  There’s a whole bigger world out there to compete with so get through your final year together and you never know you could all be collaborating on a big project one day. Don’t worry about the future after the course - put all of that stress energy into something that will help you now; your project needs all of you.  Take everything one step at a time. It's not just about animation after the course - there are a multitude of disciplines within the industry.  Truly think about what it is you love; telling stories, directing, animating, compositing... Whatever is you love to do - do it. Lastly, don't be scared to look or start outside of London.  There is whole bigger world out there and it's yours to explore!

Jamie 'Class of 2017' Wathen

Jamie Wathen / After I graduated I took some time for myself.  You deserve a break from work to unwind.  After attending the New Designers event I kept in touch with The Marketing Store who I'd met at the graduate show. Over the summer I was lucky to land a couple of small freelance projects that truly tested the skills and my time managment. I was finally contacted by TMS and, long story short, I'm now working in their London Studio. If I could give a little advice... Talk! I'm a very quiet person, but without the networking I did at New Designers I wouldn't be where I am.

Jamie Wathen  (centre) at New Designers 2017

My working day starts from 9:30 and ends 5:30 (though in the creative industry expect overtime!) I'm not allowed to talk to much about what I'm doing. I'm working mainly with Meta Data at the moment but this could change on a monthly basis. Coming straight from uni I'm very much a newbie and I'm very much at the bottom of a tall company ladder. 

CAA / Any advice for our first years?

For you newbies, I would suggest working hard in year 1. If you don't, you'll only make it harder on yourself in years 2 and 3 trust me. That sounds a little patronising but spending the first few months 'slightly tipsy' makes playing catch-up very stressful. Do not be tempted to ignore the more 'tedious' tasks you have to do with your work... as guess what you'll probably be doing in your first job!

Jamie Wathen / Trimia / 2017

CAA / Any advice for our third years?

You probably have some kind of direction you want to tailor your work towards? Tie in what you want to do when you leave and try and really showcase these parts of the project. It's harsh to think about but when you leave there will be thousands of artists fighting for jobs. I must have sent over 200 applications! Don't forget to make your work the best work you can and make it stand out, You have to try your hardest to be that little bit better than the next person...

Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / Red & Yellow in the Trumpet District

For a few select people, the Summer months were as busy as any other, as work on CAA's animated adaptation of Benjamin Britten's The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra continued.  It's going become increasingly difficult for me to convey my gratitude and admiration for the YPGTTO production team; I may soon run out of synonyms and superlatives, but suffice to say their hard work, imagination, and down-and-dirty, nuts-and-bolts commitment to getting this job done right cannot be overestimated.  We have just over thirty days to now complete this epic animated adventure before its premiere in Amiens, France.  Enjoy this tiny smattering of updates from the Kingdom Of Sound and know you're just seeing the tip of a very large iceberg...

Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / Pre-vis / Jordan Buckner

Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Bassoon District playblast #1 / Jack White



Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Bassoon District playblast #2 / Jack White

Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Violin District playblast #1 / Dee Crisbacher



Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Violin District playblast #2 / Dee Crisbacher



Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Viola District playblast  / Dee Crisbacher



Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Viola District playblast  / Dee Crisbacher

Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Percussion District playblast  / Emily Clarkson

Red & The Kingdom Of Sound / The Arena / Digital set by Simon Holland, Conductor model by Alan Postings

It was often the case, following another long, boring Summer holiday spent watching cartoons with the curtains drawn to keep the sun off the television, I'd struggle to come up with some enthralling response to my English teacher's 'What did you do over your Summer holidays' homework.   Had I written 'impersonated a long-dead dignitary and had my likeness hung in a museum', my teacher might have had cause to doubt the veracity of my account and asked to see me after class...  only on this occasion I'm not telling fibs!

You may recall from a previous edition of the PWTM, that I was asked to give my likeness to a portrait of the Mayor of Rochester, Sir Peter Buck - for whom no visual record exists - on account of my rather luxuriant facial furniture.  Artist Kevin Clarkson undertook this clever subterfuge, working up the portrait from meticulous historical research - oh and a couple of mug-shots from yours truly!

This is what Wikipedia has to tell us about the real Sir Buck: "In the 1590s, Eastgate House, a Grade I listed Elizabethan townhouse in Rochester, Kent, was built for Buck. He was Mayor of Rochester and Clerk of the Cheque at Chatham Dockyard.  Buck was knighted by James I in 1603. He also served as Secretary to Algernon Percy, Earl of Northumberland and Lord High Admiral.  Buck died in 1625 and was survived by his wife Frances, the only daughter of William Knight, and daughter Margaret. He was referred to as "The Worshipful Sir Peter".

The portrait of 'Sir Peter Buck', Eastgate House, Rochester

I was invited along to the grand re-opening of the restored Eastgate House back in July to see Kevin's portrait of 'Sir Peter Buck' hanging in-situ - and some of the double-takes from the other guests were priceless!  

'Sir Peter Buck' by Kevin Clarkson

My last words for this edition of the PWTM are straightforward enough, as I extend a big warm welcome to all our new first years, and hearty 'welcome back' to years two and three.  I'm personally very excited to see what you produce this year, and look forward to sharing your creativity and your imaginative triumphs in future editions of the Post With The Most.

And to any of our recent grads reading this who might be feeling a little lost... Sir Peter Buck says 'Keep going!'