Homework for Monday and Wednesday:

FOR MONDAY, MARCH 24th:

A. Watch The Making Of: Little Witch Academia, and Little Witch Academia. On Monday, in the last 25 minutes of class, we will discuss this film as part of our talk on the collaborative process of animation, and the technique and thought that goes into great layouts.

• link to documentary:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5Bs9IfCp4
• link to the actual film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHsmzdNbT0
• Another copy of this documentary is available for you to watch on the server.
• Make sure you know the following!
• Studio name for production:  As the credits are in japanese, here is a list of some of the crew at this link: 
• Names for creators, directors, and lead animators.
• Names for the positions in the film that are most important for you.

B.  For those who did not have their book:  Verify with me that you have purchased a personal copy of Your Career in Animation, How to Survive and Thrive.  Points are taken off for not having it today.  More points will be lost by next class.  You will have a higher grade by emailing me proof of your copy of the book BEFORE sunday. This does not include any copy of the book that may be in the library.  From now on, you should bring that book, Directing the Story, and The Animator's Survival Kit to EVERY CLASS. An artist is only good as one's tools.

C.  Turn in these items to me:

1. Your final schedules and list of jobs for completing this film. They need to be THOROUGH! I need to know not only what you will do each week, but what goals you have for each class day.  I will hold you to these schedules and grade you on your ability to hit your own goals, checkpoints, milestones, and deadlines.
2. Your 50 Sketches for your film.  The 50 sketches are to be made from different elements of the film. Some must be done digitally (Photoshop, or Toon Boom will do), and the others must be done traditionally (in your sketchbook, on paper, etc.) Make a copy of your traditionally drawn sketches. While you work Monday, I will grade them all. I am looking for accuracy that lies beneath the surface of your sketches, like:
• Are your sketches on model?
• Is there a progression in drawing quality as you drew more of them?
• Are you drawing the characters with different poses, facial expressions, etc. in mind?  Are you trying to capture their personalities on the paper?
• Are you doing any backgrounds?
• Are you drawing any of the most important props?
• Are you sketching turnarounds, and important details of the characters?
• Are you acting with your drawings and trying to capture your characters "in the moment?"
• Are you drawing for accuracy, or are you drawing just to complete this assignment? I can tell which.
3. Email me at mshaw@mca.edu with a progress update for your group, and a personal evaluation of how you think things are going in your group so far. This is purely confidential, and I will not share these with anyone but you.
4. On Monday, have one person from your group, other than Creative Producer, meet with me about the status of the crew as a whole. They will turn in item 1 for you. I will meet with them no more than 5-10 minutes to field questions and the like.

Inform me about your current progress of line-art, and animation. I need to see some solid work from each crew, also for a grade.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 26th:

A.  Read the introduction, and pages 1-97 of Your Career in Animation.  

B. Do research, and bring to me a catalog of at least 10 places you are interested in applying to for potential internships.  Research who they are, and make a list. The division is the following:

1. 3 Big Ones outside of the city. (High-profile, "glass ceiling" places you have always wanted to intern for.)
2. 3 Local Ones Here.
3. (I said 5 in class, meant 4.) 4 Others that you are interested in applying to, from anywhere, that you can get something rewarding out of.
4. (Mandatory for DM 335 students and seniors, extra credit for everyone else)  Also bring in 4 additional potential jobs you would want to apply for.

You need to have with you, not only the job's name, but the job's duties, requirements, and what you need to do to apply. You need to know all of this.  As a word of advice, get yourself a folder or binder, and print out each of these to bring to class.

The goal of this is for you to start thinking about your future and career outside of this institution. Figure out what's best for you, and how you personally define success.