animationmentor.com 1400 65th street, suite 250...

Table of Contents

Welcome to Animation Mentor ......................................................................................................................................................1Why Animation Mentor? ............................................................................................................................................................................2Our Founders ................................................................................................................................................................................................................3Our Mentors ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4-5The Animation Mentor Approach ..............................................................................................................................................6How to Begin with Animation Mentor ......................................................................................................................... 7-9

The Admissions Process ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Student Assessment ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Enrollment ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Notice Concerning Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned at Our Institution ....................................................................................... 7

Transfer of Articulation Agreements................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Record Retention ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Attention California Residents ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Student FInancial Assistance .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Student’s Right to Cancel ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Withdrawal from the Program ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Dismissal Policy .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Animation Mentor Policies and Procedures ..............................................................................................10-12Administrative Offices..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Holiday Schedule .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Attendance ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Attendance Probation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Vacation Policy ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Leave of Absence Policy .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Student Progress Monitoring Policy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Grades .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Minimum GPA .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Academic Probation ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Student Complaint Procedures ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

A Message From The School Director .............................................................................................................................................................................................................12

Animation Mentor Offerings ...............................................................................................................................................13-18Character Animation Program ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14-16

Basic Foundations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14

Psychology of Body Mechanics ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................14

Advanced Body Mechanics ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................15

Introduction to Acting..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15

Advanced Acting ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16

Polishing & Portfolio ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16

Master Class - Animals and Creatures .............................................................................................................................................................................................................17

Introduction To Animals And Creatures.................................................................................................................................................................................................17

Advanced Creature Production ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................17

Workshops .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18

Maya Workshop: Animation Basics ............................................................................................................................................................................................................18

Lighting Your Shot ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18

Schedule and Tuition ...................................................................................................................................................................................192012 - 2013 Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19

Tuition Schedule ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19

Requirements...........................................................................................................................................................................................................20Operating System ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Browser.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Flash Player ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Internet Connection ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Processor Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Monitor Requirements ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Software Requirements ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Quicktime Pro (Required) ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Language Requirements ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

WebCam (Required).......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Headphones and Microphones ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

The Illusion of Life ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

The Animator’s Survival Kit ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Sketchbook ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

WELCOME TO ANIMATION MENTORHave you ever caught yourself staring at the big screen or playing a video game and thinking, “Wow, I want to do that! I want to be a part of that magic!”

YOU CANYou will feel that magic every day as you embark on a career in animation. Now we do need to tell you that an animation career is not an easy path. But we also need to tell you that it can be one of the most rewarding — and certainly one of the most fun — careers you could possibly choose. It takes a special drive and dedication to become a professional animator, and requires you to be prepared for a lifelong quest for knowledge and refinement as you strive to grow as an artist.

PRACTICE, PERSEVERANCE, AND PERSONALITYWe believe the keys to a successful animation career can be found in “The Three Ps”: Practice, Perseverance, and Personality. Notice that we cannot give you any of the Three Ps — you must bring these to the table on your own in order to become the best animator you can be. While we will provide you with unparalleled animation training and support, it will be up to you to take that and cultivate it into something that is uniquely yours.

ONE SIMPLE QUESTIONWe took our knowledge and expertise as professional character animators and built Animation Mentor with one question in mind: “If we were to start over again, how would we want to learn?” The end result is a groundbreaking system that combines real-world apprenticeships with cutting-edge Internet technology. At Animation Mentor, we will focus your talents and hone your mastery of these time-tested animation principles — and prepare you for your dream job as a television, games, or feature-film animator.

Join us with a desire and dedication to learn … and we will do our best to live up to our own extreme expectation of providing “the most personal and fulfilling learning experience on the planet.”

See you on campus,Bobby Beck, Shawn Kelly, and Carlos Baena

Cofounders, Animation Mentor

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WHY ANIMATION MENTOR?Time and again, art school graduates have come to us with the same frustrations when trying to break into the business. And time and again, we find the same obstacles — their demo reels. More often than not, their demo reels are a scattered mess of half-learned disciplines and software knowledge. We have spent years watching reel after reel in which applicants show themselves to be competent generalists, but woefully under-trained in the true art of animation. It was time for us to finally do something about it … it was time to start Animation Mentor.

NO WALLSHere, we have broken all boundaries and barriers to educational access. No longer are you required to turn your schedule upside down to be personally mentored by a professional animator. Animation Mentor brings top professional animators who are currently working or have worked at nearly every major feature animation studio right into your home.

Regardless if you live in Madrid, Calcutta, Albuquerque — or anywhere in between — you suddenly have the same opportunity to learn animation as those living next door to the hottest animators in the industry. Armed with a computer, a high-speed Internet connection, and a willingness to learn — you will have access to the best possible animation education with a click of the mouse.

YOUR PASSION, YOUR DESTINYSince day one, the driving principle of Animation Mentor has been to create a system that teaches the art and craft of animation the way we wished we could have learned it. We have created a curriculum that is 100 percent dedicated to animation … an art for which we truly have a passion.

Animation Mentor will shatter the image of you as the generalist or computer artist … instead, you will become what you are destined to be: An Animator.

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Bobby Beck

Bobby has worked for Pixar Animation Studios, Tippett Studio, and Walt Disney Feature Animation. His animation credits include: Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and The Incredibles.

Shawn Kelly

Shawn works as a senior animator at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). He has worked on all three Star Wars prequels and created animation for the Transformers franchise.

Carlos Baena

Carlos animated for the Cars franchise and Toy Story 3 while at Pixar Animation Studios, and is currently working on new initiatives for the school.

Our Founders

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Brian Mendenhall Tippett Studio• 9 years experience as a character animator and lead

animator in feature films

Erik Morgansen Industrial Light & Magic• 17 years experience in character animation, senior

animator & lead animator in feature films & other projects

Alison Sanders Freelance Animator• 5 years experience in animation for feature films

Jean-Denis Haas Industrial Light & Magic• 8 years experience in animation for feature films

Our Mentors

Anthony Wong Pixar Animation Studios• 8 years experience in animation for feature films

Alan Rogers Id Software• 12 years experience animating in feature films, games

and other projects

Andrew Park WETA• 5 years experience in animating in feature films

Ethan Hurd Sony Pictures Imageworks• 14 years experience in animation for feature films

Elliot Roberts Double Fine Studios• 8 years experience in animation for feature films

Jason Martinsen Freelance Animator• 10 years experience in animation for feature films

Greg Kyle Laika• 16 years experience in animation for feature films and

games

Jason Taylor Little Zoo Studios• 9 years experience in animation for feature films

Jamy Wheless Light Stream Animation Studios• 10 years experience in animation for feature films

Chris Chua Pixar Animation Studios• 11 years experience as an animator for feature films

Dana Boadway Masson Killer Jelly Bean Studios• 11 years experience as an animator and in visual effects

for feature films

Aaron Hartline Pixar Animation Studios• 14 years experience as an animator for feature films

Drew Adams DreamWorks Animation Studios• 11 years experience in animation for feature films

Boola Robello Warner Bros.• 14 Years experience in animation and visual effects in

feature films.

Chad Stewart Freelance Animator• 19 years in animation and animation supervision for

feature films

Don Kim Nelvana Studios • 16 years experience as a character animator, supervision

and direction in feature films and other projects

Bryan Engram Reel FX Studios• 8 years experience in animation and animation

supervision for feature films

Jay Jackson Freelance Animator• 19 years experience in animation and animation

supervision for feature films and TV

Chris Mullins Tippett Studios• 15 years experience as an animator for feature films and

other projects

Dave Vallone Reel FX Studios• 10 years experience as an animator for feature films

Dimos Vrysellas March Entertainment• 14 years experience in animation and animation

supervision for TV and feature films

David Tart Freelance Animator• 16 years experience animating and directing feature films

and other projects

Jon Collins Blizzard Entertainment• 9 years experience in animation for feature films

Joe Antonuccio Blue Sky Studios• 11 years experience in feature films and consulting

Arslan Elver Prime Focus• 6 years experience in animation in feature films

Kevin Jackson Rhythm and Hues• 7 years experience in animating and supervising in

feature films

Guido Muzzarelli Freelance• 9 years experience in animating in feature films

Kenny Roy Arconyx Animation Studios• 7 years experience in animation for feature films and TV

Keith Sintay Sony• 17 years experience as an animator and in visual effects

for feature films

Chris Street Rhythm and Hues• 4 years experience as a character animator in feature

films.

Kevin Andrus DreamWorks Animation Studios• 6 years experience as a character animator in feature

films.

Keith Osborn Freelance Animator• 11 years experience in animation in feature film and other

projects

John Nguyen Disney Animation Studios• 8 years experience animating, lead animating in feature

films

Jay Davis Freelance Animator• 17 years experience in animation for feature films

Greg Whittaker DreamWorks Animation Studios• 17 years experience in animation for feature films

Brian Ward Freelance Animator• 7 years experience as a character animator in feature films

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Our Mentors

Martin Hopkins DreamWorks Animation Studios• 17 years experience as an animator for feature films

Marlon Nowe Disney Animation Studios• 7 years experience in animation and animation


Mike Gasaway Freelance Animator• 11 years experience in animation, directing, and visual

effects in TV production

Michelle Meeker Freelance Animator • 17 years experience in animation for feature films,

storyboarding and other projects

Mike Stern DreamWorks Animation Studio• 5 years experience in animation for feature films

Nick Bruno Blue Sky Studios • 6 years experience in animation for feature films

Nicole Herr Freelance Animator• 8 years experience in animation and animation


Ray Chase Reel FX Studios• 11 years experience in animation, visual effects for TV,

gaming and feature films

Sandy Christensen Backbone Entertainment• 16 years experience in animation for feature films and

games

Scott Lemmer DreamWorks Animation Studio• 10 years experience in animation and visual effect for

feature films and TV

Matt Garward LucasArts• 6 years experience in character animation in feature films

and games

Richard Fournier Blue Sky Studios• 7 years experience as a character animator

Scott Carroll Blue Sky Studios• 9 years experience in animation for feature films.

Ryan Bradley Tippet Studios• 11 years experience in animation in feature films

Ray Ross Blue Sky Studios• 13 years experience animating and as a lead animator in

games, TV, and feature films

Nate Wall DreamWorks Animation Studios• 4 years experience animating in feature films

Matt Strangio Pixar Animation Studios• 6 years experience animating in feature films

Pat Danaher Sony• 6 years experience in animation and visual effects for

feature films

Paul Mendoza Pixar Animation Studios• 14 years experience in animation for feature films

Peter Kelly Industrial Light & Magic• 10 years experience in animation and visual effects for

feature films

Paul Allen Terminal Reality• 15 years experience in animation for games and feature

films

Pete Paquette Irrational Games• 12 years experience in character animation and

storyboarding for feature films

Rich McCain Reel FX• 13 years experience animating in feature films, games

and other projects

Royce Wesley Pixar Animation Studios• 10 years experience as an animator and animation

supervisor

Peer Lemmers DreamWorks Animation Studios• 4 years experience in animation in feature films

Mathew Rees Aardman Animations• 5 years experience in animating games, short films, and

commercials

Victor Navone Pixar Animation Studios• 12 years experience in animation and visual effects for

feature films

Steve Cunningham DreamWorks Animation Studios• 17 years experience in animation for feature films

T. Dan Hofstedt Disney Animation Studios• 27 years experience in animation, visual effect, animation

supervision for Feature Films

Shaun Freeman Freelance Animator• 8 years experience in animation for feature films, games

and TV

Steve Cady Freelance Animator• 11 years experience in animation for feature films

Sean McComber Sucker Punch Productions• 6 years experience in animation and supervision in

feature films

Wayne Gilbert VanArts• 34 years experience in animation, directing and

animation supervision for feature films and other projects

Mark Oftedal Freelance Animator• 20 years experience in animation for feature film and TV

Lindsay Andrus Pixar Animation Studios• 6 years experience as a character animator in feature

films.

Leigh Rens Freelance Animator• 12 years experience as an animator and in visual effects

for feature films

Kevin O’Hara Pixar Animation Studios• 21 years experience in animation, visual effects in various

projects and feature films

Kevin Koch Sony• 14 years experience in animation and animation

supervision for feature films and documentaries

Robyne Powell DreamWorks Animation Studios• 6 years experience in animation in feature films

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THE ANIMATION MENTOR APPROACH Character Animation is an art and craft that can be mastered by practicing, making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, asking for feedback, and practicing some more. We teach our students the skills necessary to become great animators. But that is only the start … our students must then take those skills and add their own creativity in order to become out-of-this-world animators.

WHO BENEFITS FROM ANIMATION MENTOR?We are here to help students pursue their dreams and begin the journey of becoming a professional animator. And we will ensure that students are not alone at any point along the journey. In fact, Student Services will work with students and family members to guide them through the application process and beyond. Students then learn from professional animators who share industry knowledge and expert advise. Students also benefit from cutting-edge technology and an online peer-to-peer experience that unites them with others in the global Animation Mentor community.

WHAT ANIMATION TOOLS DOES ANIMATION MENTOR SUPPORT?Because we want to prepare our students to become professional animators in the industry, we support Autodesk® Maya® 3D animation software. Note: Our goal is to create strong character animators who understand the principles of animation and who can then use any tool of their choice in the future. That said, adjusting the mindset to that of being an animator is so much more important than knowing any one tool. At Animation Mentor, we have made it our goal to provide our students with animation knowledge that will last a lifetime.

WHERE CAN AN ANIMATION MENTOR EDUCATION LEAD?Animation Mentor prepares students to be character animators — and may lead to animation positions in feature films, videogames, television, or advertising. However, the school cannot guarantee that students will obtain such a position or any particular job title or occupation just by taking our curriculum.

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ADMISSIONS PROCESS AND POLICIESNote: The Admissions Process and Policies apply to both the Character Animation Program and Animals & Creatures: Master Class.

THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS• Students must complete an admissions application — including short answers and an essay response — online at www.

animationmentor.com.

• Students must also complete the Wonderlic Test as required by the California State Bureau for Private Post Secondary and Vocational Education.

Important Notes: • To be considered for acceptance into Animation Mentor, students must complete the admissions application, be at least

18 years of age, have graduated from high school in the United States or its foreign equivalent or have obtained a GED, understand conversational English, and pass the Wonderlic Test. Students must also meet all minimum equipment and supply requirements. See complete admissions requirements.

• For prospective students, we recommend that you assemble all of your information — including education and work history — prior to beginning the application. Please allocate one hour to complete the application.

ENROLLMENT• Once accepted for enrollment, students must complete an Enrollment Agreement and pay a one-time non-refundable

$75.00 Registration Fee for the Character Animation Program and a one-time non-refundable $75.00 Registration Fee for the Animals & Creatures: Master Class.

Important Notes: • Class space is limited.

• Students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis based when their completed Enrollment Agreement and tuition are submitted.

Notice Concerning Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned at Animation Mentor

• The transferability of credits you earn at Animation Mentor is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer.

• Acceptance of the diploma you earn in any Animation Mentor offering is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer.

• If the diploma that you earn at this institution is not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Animation Mentor to determine if your credits or diploma will transfer.

Record Retention• This institution maintains current records for a period of not less than five years at its principle place of business within

the state of California.

Attention California ResidentsThe California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009 requires under section 76215 of CPPEA that Animation Mentor must collect $2.50 (USD) for every $1,000.00 of tuition for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) if a student is:

(1) A California resident and prepays all or part of the tuition by cash, guaranteed student loans, or personal loans, and (2) The total charges are not paid by any third-party payer such as an employer, government program, or other payer unless the student has a separate agreement to repay the third party.

The State of California created the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic losses suffered by California residents who were students attending certain schools regulated by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

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You may be eligible for STRF if you are a California resident, prepaid tuition, paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

• The school closed before the course of instruction was completed.

• The school’s failure to pay refunds or charges on behalf of a student to a third party for license fees or any other purpose, or to provide equipment or materials for which a charge was collected within 180 days before the closure of the school.

• The school’s failure to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federally guaranteed student loan program as required by law or to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the school prior to closure in excess of tuition and other cost.

• There was a decline in the quality of the course of instruction within 30 days before the school closed or, if the decline began earlier than 30 days prior to closure, the period of decline determined by the Bureau.

• An inability to collect on a judgment against the institution for a violation of the Act.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if either of the following applies:

• You are not a California resident.

• Your total charges are paid by a third party, such as an employer, government program or other payer, and you have no separate agreement to repay the third party.

Note: Animation Mentor will absorb the STRF fee.

STUDENT FINANCING OPTIONSAnimation Mentor offers the following:

Character Animation Program, Student Financing Options• Career Training Smart Option Student Loan – Sallie Mae• Mountain America Credit Union (U.S. Only)• Unemployed Students (California Only) — Please call (510) 450-7232 for details• Brazil Loans — FUNDAPLUB• UK Student Loans• Portugal Student Loans• Singapore Student Loans• Dominican Republic Loans — FUNDAPEC• Jalisco, Mexico Resident Grants• Skills Training Grant Reimbursement Program — The Animation Guild• Mexico Loans — FINEM

Animals & Creatures: Master Class, Student Financing Options• Career Training Smart Option Student Loan – Sallie Mae• Mountain America Credit Union (U.S. Only)• Brazil Loans — FUNDAPLUB• UK Student Loans• Skills Training Grant Reimbursement Program — The Animation Guild• Mexico Loans — FINEM

Please contact our student loan advisor, Amiko Foster at 510-450-7232, with questions or to schedule a pre-loan counseling session. Or email questions to [email protected].

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STUDENT’S RIGHT TO CANCEL• A student has the right to cancel his or her agreement for a program of instruction, without any penalty or obligations,

through attendance at the first class session, or the fifth (5th) day (calendar days) after enrollment, whichever is later. After the end of the cancellation period, students also have the right to stop school at any time.

• Cancellation may occur when the student provides a written notice of cancellation at the following address: 1400 65th Street, Suite 250, Emeryville, CA 94608 or by emailing [email protected].

• The written notice of cancellation, if sent by mail, is effective when deposited in the mail properly addressed with proper postage.

• The written notice of cancellation need not take any particular form and, however expressed, it is effective if it shows that the student no longer wishes to be bound by the Enrollment Agreement.

• If the Enrollment Agreement is cancelled the school will refund the student any money he or she paid, less a registration or administration fee not to exceed $250.00, and less any deduction for equipment not returned in good condition, within 45 days after the notice of cancellation is received.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAMNote: Withdrawal Policy may differ per Animation Mentor offering.

Students may withdraw from Animation Mentor at any time after the cancellation period (described above). A registration or administration fee not to exceed $250.00 will be subtracted from the refund. The refund is to be paid within 45 days of with-drawal.

For the purpose of determining a refund under this section, a student shall be deemed to have withdrawn from a program of instruction when any of the following occurs:

The student notifies the institution of the student’s withdrawal or as of the date of the student’s withdrawal, whichever is later.

• The institution terminates the student’s enrollment for failure to maintain satisfactory progress; failure to abide by the rules and regulations of the institution; absences in excess of maximum set forth by the institution; and/or failure to meet financial obligations to Animation Mentor.

• The student has failed to attend class more than two (2) class sessions.

• Failure to return from a leave of absence.

For the purpose of determining the amount of the refund, the date of the student’s withdrawal shall be deemed the last date of recorded attendance. For the purpose of determining when the refund must be paid, the student shall be deemed to have withdrawn at the end of the weekly session. New students who enroll during Winter 2013 or later, will not be entitled to a refund after the completion of 60% (Wednesday of week 7) of any individual class.

DISMISSAL POLICYThe institution may terminate a student’s enrollment for failure to maintain satisfactory progress; failure to abide by the rules and regulations of the institution; accruing absences in excess of maximum set forth by the institution; and/or failure to meet financial obligations to the school.

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ANIMATION MENTOR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

Animation Mentor is headquartered at 1400 65th Street, Suite 250 in Emeryville, California. Normal business hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm Pacific Time.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

While the online aspect of the school is available to students 24 hours a day, the Animation Mentor administrative offices observe and are closed on the following days:

• Martin Luther King Day - January 16, 2012

• President’s Day - February 20, 2012

• Spring Holiday - April 6, 2012

• Memorial Day - May 28, 2012

• Independence Day - July 4, 2012

• Labor Day - September 3, 2012

• Thanksgiving Day - November 22, 2012

• Friday after Thanksgiving - November 23, 2012

• Day Before Christmas & Christmas Day -December 24 & 25, 2012

• New Year’s Eve Holiday - December 31, 2012

If one of the above holidays falls on a Saturday, the school will observe the holiday on Friday. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the school will observe the holiday on the following Monday.

ATTENDANCE• Students will be able to access the lectures on their own time at their convenience. • Each session lecture is viewable an unlimited amount of times up to four weeks after its initial debut. • Students are expected to view the lecture, complete the assignment, and upload it by the allotted due date.

Important Notes: • Each weekly assignment is due no later than 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday of every week. • New weekly sessions begin on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. • Mentor feedback is typically given by the Wednesday of the following week. The live question and answer (Q&A)

sessions will usually be set no less than one week in advance by the student’s mentor. Attendance in the live Q&A will give students the personal touch of meeting their mentor and fellow students “face-to-face.” The live Q&A will take place once per class session.

ATTENDANCE PROBATION• Regardless of the Animation Mentor offering, all students are required to access and view all of the class session lectures. • Lectures must be viewed in order and a student must have viewed the previous lecture in order to have access to the

next lecture. • Failure to view two (2) class session lectures may result in a student being placed on Attendance Probation.

VACATION POLICY• Students should contact Student Care — with as much notice as possible — if they are planning a vacation during a

term.• Note: Missing more than two (2) class sessions may result in Attendance Probation.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY• Regardless of the Animation Mentor offering, all students may request a leave of absence for an extraordinary reason or

circumstance.• Request must be made by completing a Leave of Absence Request Form and have the approval of the Student Care

Manager.

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Important Notes:• A leave of absence may not exceed two (2) terms.

• Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to take more than one (1) leave of absence.

• If a student requests the leave of absence after a class has commenced but not yet completed, the student should submit a Leave of Absence Request Form through Student Care. The student will be scheduled to retake the class after his or her return. If the student does not return following the leave of absence period he or she will be dropped from the program.

STUDENT PROGRESS MONITORING POLICY• Animation Mentor notifies individual students of their academic progress through the provision of grades at the

conclusion of each class which is a week in length.

GRADES• Students are expected to upload their weekly class session assignments no later than 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday

for grading.• Failure to submit an assignment on time will result in one (1) full letter grade off up to one (1) week; thereafter the

student will receive a failing grade for that session. A student’s final grade for each class will be a composite of all of the class session assignment grades for that class.

Note: Policy extends to all Animation Mentor offerings.

Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)• To graduate, a student must complete each class requirement with a grade average of “C” or better. • Students who fail to achieve a “C” in a class will be required to retake that class to raise their GPA. • If a student does not raise their GPA in his or her retake, he or she may be terminated.


ACADEMIC PROBATION• If a student fails to submit work on any class session’s assignment on time, the assignment is considered late. • If the student submits the assignment up to one (1) week late, they will receive a letter grade drop. • Assignments will not be accepted after the one-week window and the student will receive a failing grade for that session

after that point. • A student’s final grade for each class will be a composite of all of the class session assignment grades for that class. • A student will be placed on probation for missing two (2) assignments. Termination will occur after three (3) assignments

are missed.


STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURESA student may lodge a complaint directly with Animation Mentor by communicating orally or in writing to any teacher (men-tor), administrator, or counselor. The recipient of the complaint shall transmit it as soon as possible to the School Director to resolve complaints. If the student orally delivers the complaint and the complaint is not resolved either within a reasonable period or before the student again complains about the same matter, Animation Mentor shall advise the student that a com-plaint must be submitted in writing and shall provide the student with this written summary of Animation Mentor’s complaint procedures.

If the student complains in writing, Animation Mentor shall, within 10 days of receiving the complaint, provide the student with a written response, including a summary of Animation Mentor’s investigation and deposition of the student’s complaint. If the complaint or relief requested by the student is rejected, the response will include the reasons for the rejection. The stu-dent’s participation in the complaint procedure and the deposition of the student’s complaint shall not limit or waive any of the student’s rights or remedies. Any document signed by the student that purports to limit or waive the student’s rights and remedies is void.


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A MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Animation Mentor’s approval to operate in the State of California is based on provisions of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009. Animation Mentor under section 94802(a) of CPPEA, will by operation of law, be approved. The Act is administered by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, under the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Institutional approval must be reapproved every three years and is subject to continuing review. Approved are the following programs: Diploma in Advanced Studies in Character Animation and Animals & Creatures: Master Class Certificate of Completion.

California statute requires that students who successfully complete programs of study be awarded appropriate degrees, diplomas, or certificates verifying the fact.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the school’s website, www.animationmentor.com, and to discuss personal educational and occupational plans with the school’s personnel prior to enrolling or Terms and Conditions agreements.

Animation Mentor currently does not have available sponsored programs, government or otherwise, to provide grants or to pay for portions of tuition and fees.

Animation Mentor has never filed for bankruptcy protection, operated as a debtor in possession, or had a petition of bankruptcy filed against it under Federal law.

Additional Rules of Operation and Student Conduct Policy All students are required to conduct themselves in accordance with Animation Mentor’s additional rules of operation and student conduct policy set forth in the Site Usage Agreement that is contained in Animation Mentor’s Terms and Conditions Agreement.

Students seeking to resolve complaints should contact their mentor. Requests for further action should be made in writing and emailed to the School Director. Unresolved complaints may be directed to the BPPE. Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to:

Bureau for Private Postsecondary EducationP.O. Box 980818W. Sacramento, California 95798-0818(916) 431-6959www.bppe.ca.gov

All information in the contents of this School Catalog is current and correct, and is certified as true by:

Becky JohnsonSchool Director

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http://animationmentor.com

ANIMATION MENTOR OFFERINGS

P R O G R A M D E S C R I P T I O N S

CHARACTER ANIMATION PROGRAMThis 18-month program is comprised of six 12-week classes. Our Character Animation Program focuses on the art and craft of animation … and develops students’ character animation workflows and skills in a real-world studio environment — and helps them assemble their demo reels. Upon graduation, students receive a Diploma in Advanced Studies in Character Animation. Note: Advanced Placement is available, where students may be placed into Class 2, 3, or 4 — and complete the program in as little as nine months.

ANIMALS AND CREATURES: MASTER CLASS Our advanced program is made up of two 12-week classes. The curriculum is designed for animators who want to focus on fantasy creatures, quadrupeds, and flying creatures in a realistic animation style. Upon completion, students receive an Animals & Creatures: Master Class Certificate of Completion.

W O R K S H O P D E S C R I P T I O N S

MAYA WORKSHOP: ANIMATION BASICSThe six-week workshop is designed specifically for beginning animators with no previous experience. The workshop includes class instruction taught by mentors and lab work conducted by Animation Mentor alumni. At the conclusion of the workshop, students will have the foundational knowledge of Maya 2012 to continue their journey of bringing performances to life as character animators.

LIGHTING YOUR SHOTOur six-week workshop speaks directly to animators interested in a deeper understanding of the impact lighting brings to the animated performance with mood and story in mind. This workshop will teach students how to work more effectively in the CG production pipeline and add a new level of depth to their personal projects. Most importantly, it will help students as animators to think like filmmakers.

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PROGRAM: Character Animation

CLASS 01: BASIC FOUNDATIONS ........................................................ 12 WEEK CLASS

Description: In this class, beginning students will discover the fundamental principles of animation while the more advanced students will find a deeper understanding of the foundation upon which our art form is built. More importantly, students will learn how to exploit these fundamental principles to create convincing character motion. Students also will be pushed to not only recognize the more common animation mistakes involving timing, weight issues, and body mechanics, but will learn how to avoid and conquer them. Animation students must plant deep roots in the basics if they hope to grow into the artists they aspire to become, and this class will guide them through that process.

Objective: The objective of this class is to give our students a firm foundation on which to base their art. Students will complete this class with a strong knowledge of the basics in addition to an invaluable appreciation for observational techniques and the art of planning. Additionally, any professional animator will tell you that the principles taught in this class are used every day in their work. You will never animate a shot that ignores the basic principles of animation, but to best prepare our students for top-level animation work they must first dig as deeply as possible into these time-tested concepts.

Assignments: The assignments in this class will initially revolve around very basic characters, but will take students into more complex characters that build off of each other. This allows the student to take the knowledge they have gained and continue to apply it to new, more complex characters.

Time Breakdown By Hours:Teaching Material (Lectures, Mentor Q&As, eCritiques, etc.): 27 HOURS

Special Events (Guest Lectures and Q&As, Movie Q&As, Meetups, Tours, etc.): 12 HOURS

Support (Office Hours, Technical Q&As, Alumni Tutoring, etc.): 30 HOURS

Resources (Special Video Training, Character and Tools Training, etc.): 10 HOURS

TOTAL CLOCK HOURS: 82 HOURS

ESTIMATED HOMEWORK: 120 HOURS

CLASS 02: PSYCHOLOGY OF BODY MECHANICS ............................... 12 WEEK CLASS

Prerequisite: Basic Foundations must be passed with at least a “C” average for the student to advance to Psychology of Body Mechanics.

Description: Body mechanics is the place where most animators “go wrong.” If an animation does not have convincing mechanics, it does not look right even to the average untrained eye. For this reason, we spend two quarters on this important concept as once body mechanics is mastered, students have the confidence they need to tackle almost any situation their character gets into.

Objective: The objective of this class is to teach our students the ability to overcome the single most common mistake in animation: body mechanics. When the mechanics are off, they stick out like a sore thumb. Students will focus on these important concepts using a simple character. This allows students to move forward confidently instead of getting overwhelmed.

Assignments: Students will focus on a variety of physical exercises with a simple character. This will allow our students to grasp the most common mistakes, how to avoid them, and how to approach situations with more complex characters for the next term. It is important to note that the assignments in this class can be used for the final demo reel. See Class 6: Polishing & Portfolio for more information.







Course Overview 14


CLASS 03: ADVANCED BODY MECHANICS ......................................... 12 WEEK CLASS

Prerequisite: Psychology of Body Mechanics must be passed with at least a “C” average for the student to advance to Advanced Body Mechanics.

Description: Students will learn how to best apply the principles learned in Class 1 and 2 to the type of character most commonly found in animation work: the bipedal/human character. Students will dive deeper into the advanced concepts of motion and body mechanics and learn how to combine the many principles into a single, powerful tool set that they can use to create more believable motion in their characters.

Objective: In this class, students’ appreciation of the principles of animation will be augmented by a fuller understanding of not only the more advanced concepts, but practical methods of connecting those concepts together to fully exploit their potential. In Advanced Body Mechanics, students will discover advanced ways to implement these ideas to a more complex character and begin examining the innovative way professionals view and use these principles. This new level of understanding will add a layer of polish to their work that will set their animation apart from the vast majority of demo reels submitted to studios.

Assignments: This class revolves around the bipedal/human character. Students will have a variety of examples to pick from when creating their assignments. We will also build on new exciting ideas and approaches that will help set students’ work apart.







CLASS 04: INTRODUCTION TO ACTING .............................................. 12 WEEK CLASS

Prerequisite: Advanced Body Mechanics must be passed with at least a “C” average for the student to advance to Introduction to Acting.

Description: This is the beginning of what students are waiting for. All of the principles they have studied will be fully implemented in this class. Students will begin exploring the ideas and concepts that will add life and originality to their character animation. Adding emotion, non-cliché acting choices, and carefully timed and planned gestures to their shots will lift students’ work to a new level.

Objective: As an animator, this is our job: We’re given a blank piece of paper or default mesh, built out of ones and zeroes and bits and bytes—no heart, no soul, and no mind. We are charged with bringing that “blank canvas” to life. Our job is to inject feeling, thought process, and emotion into a character that exists nowhere but in our minds. Our job is to truly become the heart, the soul, and the mind of our character. In this class, students will carefully implement all of the principles they have learned in the previous classes, but will begin to truly bring these characters to life!

Assignments: Now that the students have a solid understanding of human body mechanics, they will begin to explore the basics of acting, gestures, timing, emotion and thought processes. The assignments will cover all of the elements that go into the creation of a moving and memorable acting perform.







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CLASS 05: ADVANCED ACTING ........................................................... 12 WEEK CLASS

Prerequisite: Introduction to Acting must be passed with at least a “C” average for the student to advance to Advanced Acting.

Description: As with any other animation idea, acting has many levels of understanding and many layers of meaning to an animator’s work. Here students will jump feet-first into advanced acting techniques, exploring the similarities and differences between acting for animators and real-world acting, as well as examining the common mistakes and the inherent challenges of translating a meaningful and powerful performance into the animated world.

Objective: We’ll be enriching the acting concepts students have learned so far and diving even deeper into the practical methods they can use to tap their true potential in their work. It’s in this class where students begin to find themselves immersed in the challenges professionals face in the production environment as they learn about creating shots that cut together correctly, staging their acting in a memorable way that best supports the overall story or character arc, and designing emotional beats that will resonate with the audience!

Assignments: The assignments will revolve around guiding students out of the “animated” mindset and further into how to breathe life into their character and add a completely new dimension of believability to the overall performance. Even though the character is a reflection of ourselves, students will begin to understand how to animate from “the inside out.”







CLASS 06: POLISHING AND PORTFOLIO ............................................ 12 WEEK CLASS

Prerequisite: Advanced Acting must be passed with at least a “C” average for the student to advance to Polishing & Portfolio.

Description: Polishing is often noted as adding the final 10% to a shot. While the average eye can generally not “see” these things, professional and studio-trained eyes are looking for these things in applicants’ work. We expect students to take their work to the highest levels, and are confident that when our students push for this level in their work, they have the ability to gain the skills and quality that any studio will be looking for in games, commercials, VFX or feature animation.

Objective: Mentors will help students chose the best shots they have done to date at Animation Mentor. They will then go back through those selected animations and add “the final 10%” to help take them to the level in which professional studios expect to see. Students will complete this class with a resume, cover letter, and demo reel with their mentor’s stamp of approval that will enable them go out into the professional world and confidently look for work. Upon graduation, students will move on to our exclusive alumni community where they will have ongoing career services support and access to the ever growing professional Animation Mentor community.

Assignments: This class focuses largely around polishing. Polishing is the ability to take something that already has a solid foundation and add the sparkle and detail that professional studios are looking for. In addition, students learn to prepare for job interviews and write a cover letter that will catch studio attention.







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PROGRAM: Animals and Creatures: Master Class

CLASS 01: INTRO TO ANIMALS AND CREATURES .............................. 12 WEEK CLASS

Prerequisite: All applicants must submit a demo reel showcasing their animation work which will be reviewed by Animation Mentor. The expected skill level requires a solid understanding of the principles of animation, posing and body mechanics.

Description: Get ready to be blown away! Imagine getting some of the biggest visual effects animation studios together and asking them what skills they are seeking and what their dream demo reel would look like. The Master Class has been designed by top industry studios to give students a solid understanding of the language, skills and industry knowledge that goes into creating professional-level creature animation work. Grounded in a realistic style of animation, this first class focuses on demystifying the complex world of animating quadrupedal (four-legged) animals and fantasy creatures.

Objective: This class sets the foundations for students to learn essential workflow techniques and gain important professional knowledge. The power of the class lies in diving deep into realistic, predatory movements, learning how to break down live-action animal reference, and applying it to fantasy creatures. Students also take a detailed look at when and where to exaggerate, while staying true to the realistic nature of the material.

Assignments: Class assignments focus on learning how to animate four-legged characters, giving a sense of believability and weight to their locomotion while applying these concepts to more complex movements. Students learn how to study real life reference material and apply this to their work. The assignments in this class are designed to pave the way for the more complex animation students explore in Advanced Creature Production. Students working in Maya are provided with our industry-level “cat” and “ogre” characters.







CLASS 02: ADVANCED CREATURE PRODUCTION.............................. 12 WEEK CLASS

Prerequisite: Introduction to Animal and Creature Animation must be completed with at least a “C” average.

Description: Envision gathering some of the world’s top creature animation talent together to teach you how to bring every detail of your animals and creatures to life. That’s the focus of this second Master Class. If you want a demo reel that shows the world’s top visual effects (VFX) studios that you can create dramatic shots, such as a dragon wreaking havoc, an ogre interacting with a live-action actor, or dynamic, believable interactions between multiple fantasy creatures, this is the class for you!

Objective: This class sets out to give students the knowledge and understanding of the visual effects industry’s production standards for animators by bringing them right into your home! Students learn the VFX pipeline and workflow fundamentals so they understand how to work with their characters inside live-action settings, just like the pros! Techniques for understanding dynamic fight sequences, flying creatures and production-level polish are covered in-depth.

Assignments: Students work with background plates (live-action video footage) that have been match-moved (brought into the computer and matched to 3D environments pre-created for you!). Students create believable character performances using these match-moved background plates as their stage. The high point of this class is when students bring all their skills together to create a dynamic, multi-character interaction sequence! Students working in Maya are provided with an additional industry level character: the dragon.







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WORKSHOPS

MAYA WORKSHOP: ANIMATION BASICS ..................................... 6 WEEK WORKSHOP

Description: Maya workshop is designed for beginning animators and will introduce Maya software directing student learning on the specific tools used in character animation. After completing the workshop, students will have the foundational knowledge of Maya to continue your journey of bringing performances to life as a character animator!

Objective: The objective of this workshop is to give students an overview of Maya tools and an introduction to basic animation principles used by character animators.

Assignments: The assignments in this workshop will revolve around very basic Maya tasks and animation assignments applying material covered in lectures. Assignments are designed to work iteratively and will build off of each other as new material is introduced. Assignments are not required or graded.

Time Breakdown By Hours:Teaching Material (Video Material, Mentor Q&As, etc.): 19.5 HOURS

Special Events (Guest Q&As, Tours, etc.): 3 HOURS


TOTAL CLOCK HOURS: 32.5 HOURS


LIGHTING YOUR SHOT ................................................................... 6 WEEK WORKSHOP

Description: An aesthetic and technical introduction to Lighting and Compositing using Maya and Mental Ray. Topics will include how to work effectively in the CG production pipeline, and adding a new levels of depth to projects through the application of lighting, different lighting techniques, how to effectively use shadows, lighting interior spaces vs exterior spaces, and more advanced topics like global illumination. This combination of aesthetic and technical concepts helps to show the critical role lighting plays in bringing stories to life.

Objective: The objective of this workshop is to introduce our students to the concepts of lighting an animated shot. Beginning with the basics of lighting within Maya and then moving onto more advanced topics, students will get a broad overview of the lighting and compositing process, and how that process relates to animation and filmmaking. This approach allows students to move forward iteratively and be exposed to techniques they can apply to their own work.

Assignments: The assignments in this workshop are non-graded and optional. They use a tiered approach, allowing students to begin with the basics and layer on additional concepts, with added difficulty.

Time Breakdown By Hours:Teaching Material (Lectures, Mentor Q&As, Live Demos etc.): 12 HOURS

Special Events (Guest Q&As, Tours, etc.): 3 HOURS




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APPENDIX A2012 – 2013 Schedule

Fall Term 2012September 24 to December 14, 2012Workshops:

Note: One start date available.

November 5

Application Due: August 17, 2012Tuition Due: September 7, 2012Break: December 17 to December 30, 2012

Spring Term 2013March 25 to June 14, 2013Workshops

Note: Two start dates available.

March 25 May 6

Application Due: February 15, 2013Tuition Due: March 15, 2013Break: June 17 to June 23, 2013

Winter Term 2013January 2 to March 22, 2013Workshops:


January 2 February 11

Application Due: November 9, 2012Tuition Due: December 7, 2012Break: None

Summer Term 2013June 24 to September 13, 2013Workshops:


June 24 August 5

Application Due: May 17, 2013Tuition Due: June 7, 2013Break: September 16 to September 22, 2013

APPENDIX BTuition Schedule

Pro grams Workshops

Character Animation ProgramEighteen Months

• A one-time $75.00 is required.

• Program is comprised of six 12-week classes at $3,125.00 per class.

Maya Workshop: Animation BasicsSix Weeks

• Tuition: $499

Animals & Creatures: Master ClassSix Months

• A one-time $75.00 is required.

• Program is comprised of two 12-week classes at $1,599.00 per class.

Lighting Your ShotSix Weeks

• Tuition: $499

Important Notes:• Payment of Tuition and Fees. Upon request, a student may be allowed to participate in the Tuition Payment Plan. A

student who chooses the Tuition Payment Plan will be allowed to divide the tuition into six payments. Each payment will be due two weeks after the application due date. A Payment Processing fee of $100 per payment will be charged after the first payment.

• Special Promotional Pricing. Animation Mentor may, at its discretion, offer promotional pricing for its programs and workshops. Please see www.animationmentor.com for special offers.

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APPENDIX C

System Requirements Students must provide their own computers with the following:

Operating SystemPC: Windows XP and Windows 7Macintosh: OS X 10.6 or higher

Browser PC: Firefox and ChromeMacintosh: Firefox, Chrome, and Safari

Flash PlayerFlash Player 11 is necessary to run www.animationmentor.com on the above browsers.

Internet ConnectionHigh-speed broadband connection of at least 512 kbps download speed and 256 kbps upload speed is required: DSL, Cable, T1, etc. Actual speeds to Animation Mentor must be above 40 kbps up and down.

Processor RequirementsPlease note that www.animationmentor.com and the Animation Mentor tools run best on a 2 GHz PC (or higher) or a G5 Mac or better, with at least 2 GB of RAM.

Monitor RequirementsA single monitor with a resolution of 1280 x 1024 or higher is required. A second monitor of similar size, while not required, is highly recommended.

Software RequirementsAll Animation Mentor students are eligible for the student pricing of Autodesk® Maya®. Detailed instructions for purchasing Autodesk Maya will be sent to all new students during orientation. Students may use any 3D software they choose. However, students are responsible for supplying software, 3D characters, props, etc. themselves. We offer training, characters, props, etc. in Autodesk Maya only.

QuickTime Pro (Required)Please note that www.animationmentor.com uses QuickTime video codecs and technology. QuickTime Pro will allow students the ability to assemble multiple clips into a single movie file and view the video content on our pages. Note: QuickTime X is not supported.

Language RequirementsOur Classes are currently offered to English speaking students only. We currently do not offer English as a Second Language instruction.

Other MaterialsStudents will be responsible for supplying their own equipment and materials.

Webcam (Required)A webcam is a valuable resource for any animator. It allows students to take still frame images of their sketchbook drawings, film reference of themselves to study, as well as use it to interact with their mentor and fellow classmates during the live Q&A sessions. A webcam will greatly enhance the learning experience at Animation Mentor. We will have hardware and software recommendations in orientation.

Headphones and MicrophonesThe live Q&A tool requires headphones and a USB headset mounted microphone.

The Illusion of LifeBy Frank Thomas and Ollie JohnstonThe Illusion of Life is known as the “Animator’s Bible” and is an invaluable resource for any animator. Each student is responsible for obtaining his or her own copy.

The Animator’s Survival KitBy Richard WilliamsThis book is a must have for any animator’s library. Each student is responsible for obtaining his or her own copy.

SketchbookWe encourage our students to open their minds to the power that observation plays in animation. Students do not have to be the “greatest” artists, but we encourage our students to draw on a regular basis.

Recommended ReadingWe also provide a list of other “recommended reading” materials in the student area of our website.

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