- November 3 and 4, 2023 from 9am to 4pm at the Mitteldeutsches Multimediazentrum Halle (Saale)
- subsequent online working phase / 3 weeks and weekly online coaching
- Closing session: December 1, 2023 at the Mitteldeutsches Multimediazentrum Halle (Saale) (presentation of results, feedback round)
DIGITAL 2D LAYOUT & SCENE PREPARATION - WORKSHOP
DATES
The training is part of the qualification series “Animation masterclass” of the International Academy of Media & Arts (IAMA) in the area of animation. After many years of experience in the implementation of the European animation masterclass, the IAMA offers in it training
courses, which can be taken in parallel to the participants’ regular work, for the areas of storyboarding, modeling, rigging/skinning/texturing, background and camera layout, animation, and compositing. Experts in the field ensure high-quality training and coach the participants during the project. Further workshops for the areas animation, backgrounds, and compositing etc. will be advertised separately.
Going through the areas of storyboarding, modeling and rigging, we train layouters in a compact further education course with the help of our 3D artist Michael Rossmann. In the area of animation, the camera layout plays a decisive role in the design and staging of sequences and shots. It allows filmmakers to control perspective, focus and composition to create a dynamic visual representation. The layout also includes the blocking process (at least slight posing of 3D characters) and scene preparation.
The workshop consists of a two-day in-person introductory course at the Mitteldeutsches Multimediazentrum Halle (Saale), followed by an online working phase on the basis of the graphic novel “Wormworld Saga” by Daniel Lieske.
Participants will receive training in Autodesk Maya and Adobe Photoshop. Users of other programs are also welcome.
TARGET GROUP
The further training is aimed at animation filmmakers with first experiences, in particular animators, but also character and set designers, and/or experienced people from technical fields, from the computer games field, who have completed their vocational education or studies, are on the job, want to embark on next projects or want to work in industrial productions for TV, cinema and/or streamers, and wish to attain a specialized qualification and further education.
The course can be taken part-time in parallel to your work and is planned to have two days of in-person sessions with introduction to the topic, handing out of materials, and task discussion, followed by a three-week work phase with support by the instructor (online) and independent work. It will be offered in hybrid form, meaning that the introductory, theoretical, and practical parts will be offered both as in-person sessions and online via webinar. Parts of the course will also be held in English as required.
REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites for the layout/scene preparation course:
- Technical understanding of 3D animation and camera setups. In particular camera settings, image compositions, perspective, focal length and, if applicable, also focus. Basic and advanced knowledge of Autodesk Maya is beneficial. Basic knowledge of Photoshop and After Effects is desired.
- A creative eye for good compositions, aesthetics, and visual design.
- An understanding of narratives: The understanding of narrative structures and the way in which the camera layout can help tell the story is important. The workshop is very good for an introduction into the field of 2D and 3D animation.
Production experience is not necessary, the workshop is for an introduction into 2D & 3D animation.
→ The courses are aimed at junior artists, generalists or newcomers who want to obtain further training or are looking for a place to start.
PROGRAM
During the workshops, participants are given practical tasks, which they have to complete by implementing what they have learned from week to week. The experts are available to assist them online.
- Introduction to the topic: Technical and artistic requirements for creating a 2D camera background in multiple layers of a storyboard, including posing the 3D characters.
- Participants receive the screenplay in English, character designs and model sheets, set designs, and a first rough storyboard, the models and rigs
→ Maya training licenses are provided for the period of training. At the end of the program, participants will present (in person) their work results to the other participants and the experts, and receive an evaluation
EXPERTS
COURSE LEADER
MICHAEL ROSSMANN
3D artist and aayouter
Michael Rossmann has been a professional 3D artist and layouter since 2011 and thanks to his expertise enables the execution of projects both in Germany and abroad in companies such as Mideu Films GmbH, Motionworks GmbH, Scopas Media AG, and Denver MP GmbH. His skills include 3D modeling, rendering and animation, leading teams, and developing pipeline solutions.
Projects: Richard the Stork And the Mystery of the Great Jewel (2023), Conni and the Cat (2020), Latte and the Magic Waterstone (2019), Marnie’s World (2018), Kikaninchen (2009 – today, TV series)
CONSULTING PRODUCER
ROMY ROOLF
Romy Roolf has dedicated herself to the world of animated filmmaking since 1995.
Before founding MotionWorks in Halle together with Tony Loeser in 1998, she worked for the CineVox Group in production and international sales (including “The Neverending Story: The Animated Adventures,” “The Magic Forest,” animated feature film, “Lorenz im Land der Lügner,” hybrid feature film)
Prior to that, she gained experience at Lightview Entertainment Los Angeles, Aspect Telefilm Hamburg, and as Managing Director of Video Vision GmbH Berlin.
At MotionWorks (since October 2021 Mideufilms), Romy Roolf spent many years in the management of the company with a focus on financing, production, exploitation and
packaging of international co-productions. She was responsible for the feature films “Mullewapp I & II” (GER/I/F), the series “The Travels of the Young Marco Polo I & II” (GER/CDN/LUX/IRE), “I got a Rocket” (GER/USA/AUS), “Emmy Award,” and most recently the hybrid feature film Coppelia (NL/GER/BE), “Best Feature Award, Cambridge Film Festival” and “Honorable Award, International Dance Film Festival San Francisco.”
Romy Roolf completed her commercial business training and part-time business administration training for managers at ÖKONOM, Wirtschaftsberatungs- und Studiengesellschaft mbH, Berlin
Since March 2022, Romy Roolf has been working as a freelance producer/consulting producer.
PARTICIPATION FEE
The participation fee is €400.00 plus 7% VAT (€428.00 gross) for participants from the MDM* region (Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Saxony).
For participants from outside the MDM* region (German-speaking area), the participation fee is €749.00 plus 7% VAT (€801.43 gross).
Travel and accommodations costs for the in-person events in Halle (Saale) are not included. Food, technical equipment, software licenses will be provided. We will be happy to recommend hotels to you. *MDM = Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung funding institution
Members of the IAMA and the Produzentenallianz get a discount of 15%. Please let us know in the registration process.
There’s the possibility of getting financial support:
REGISTRATION:
Interested parties should send us the completed registration form as well as
1. Motivational letter (max. 2 pages)
2. CV
3. Work references if possible (download link in mail)
The information is used to assign the participants into homogeneous working groups.
REGISTRATION: by October 23, 2023 via FORM.
Address: International Academy of Media and Arts e.V. | Christiane Blobel | 06108 Halle (Saale) |
Phone: +49 (0)345 77784458
Fax: +49 (0)345 97601368
E-mail: info@iama-halle.de
This workshop is part of the further training series of the International Academy of Media and Arts e. V. and completes the four-page section on film music, VFX, and post-production supervision. Point of contact: Christiane Blobel
Sponsors:
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