Call for Applications: Visual Storyboarding for Animation with Frank Gladstone
Skwigly
28 July – 22 August 2014
Lupus Films, London
An intensive 4 week training programme for up to 15 storyboard artists, focused on the story-telling and directing skills needed to run board-led, animation series.
Background
“Frank’s course helped me to approach opportunities with a newfound confidence in my skills.” Jamie Iles, Storyboard artist
This training programme was piloted in 2013 with support from Creative Skillset. All 15 participants who undertook the course found it beneficial to the development of their practice, and all went on to find work with animation studios, with ten in regular employment, and three employed by Lupus Films to work on their current production Toot the Tiny Tugboat.
“The course was such a wonderful experience, and all the paid work I’ve undertaken since I attribute to it.” Jenny Clements, Storyboard artist
Structure
The programme will take place at Lupus Films’ offices in Islington, London, from 28 July – 22 August 2014, with all hardware and software provided. Participants will be training Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm, with an hour for lunch.
The first two weeks of the course will increase and sharpen your story-telling boarding skills by in-depth analysis of both narrative and cinematic structure. The sessions will include illustrated presentations as well as intense practical workshops and critiques. You will also be instructed in the use of Toon Boom Storyboard Pro software.
The second two weeks culminate with each participant completing sequence animatics from real animated TV series in development or production including Lupus Films’ pre-school series The Hive. Plus you will be given the opportunity to participate in a dialogue record at leading post-production house, Envy, and to spend time with an experienced editor compiling a showreel of your work.
During the last week there will be a screening event attended by industry professionals looking for storyboard artists, which may lead to a professional work placement following your completion of the course.
There will also be the opportunity to purchase Toon Boom’s Storyboard Pro and Wacom Cintiqs (thanks to Jigsaw24) at special purchase prices exclusive to course participants.
Frank Gladstone
During his career, Frank Gladstone has been a professional Animator, Producer, Director, Writer and Teacher. He began managing the Emmy award-winning studio, Persistence of Vision, producing commercials and educational films, then went on to work for the feature animation divisions at Disney, Warner Bros and DreamWorks, amongst others. He is currently President of animation consulting firm, Gladstone Film.
His feature film credits include for DreamWorks Animation – THE ROAD TO ELDORADO, SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON, SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS, AND SHARK TALE, and for Walt Disney Animation Studios – RESCUERS DOWN UNDER, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, THE LION KING, and POCAHONTAS.
Alongside his studio credentials, Frank has spoken about animation and has lectured and taught various animation and cinematography courses for organisations including Industrial Light & Magic/Lucasfilm, Disney Animation, Aardman Animation, Stanford University, CalArts, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, among many others. Additionally, Frank often consults on motion picture scripts, including work as an Executive Producer for Canada’s Image Entertainment, and as Director for Exodus Film Group. His current feature, The Hero Of Color City will be released by Magnolia Pictures in October 2014.
Fees
Course fees are £1,600 inclusive of VAT. Fees must be paid in advance of the start of the course to guarantee your place.
Successful applicants from outside of London will be able to apply for travel and accommodation bursaries.
How to apply
Please send via email to abigail@lupusfilms.com with the subject heading ‘Visual Storyboarding Course’:
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the course (1 side of A4 as a word doc or PDF)
- CV (maximum 2 sides of A4 as a word doc or PDF)
- Storyboard sample (2-3 A4 pages as a PDF)
Deadline: Wednesday 9 July, 10am
Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application by Tuesday 15 July.
Please note: Candidates will ideally have a minimum of 2 years experience in the animation industry but recent graduates will also be considered.
We’ve invested in skills with the support of the Skills Investment Fund managed by Creative Skillset on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport www.creativeskillset.org/SIF