ScreenWest’s Digital Seminar with Jennifer Wilson is taking place on Tuesday, September 7, at the Art Gallery Theatrette.

This workshop will give an overview of ScreenWest’s new digital programs as well as time with Digital Media guru Jennifer Wilson from The Project Factory. It is also an opportunity to meet Aaron Kennedy, ScreenWest's new Digital Projects Manager.

Date: Tuesday, 7 September, 2010
Time: 9.30am – 12.00pm
Where: Art Gallery of Western Australia Theatrette, James St. Northbridge
Cost: Free

For more information on the event, visit the ScreenWest website

WAnimate, with the support of ScreenWest, is bringing Simon Allen to Perth in September 2010 to present a series of animation classes. These sessions are designed for emerging filmmakers and industry professionals who want to take their animation skills to the next level. They cover the principles of animation, and are not software-specific.


Animators are invited to seize this unique and exciting opportunity to learn how world-class animators create top quality animation.


Class dates and details:

9.30am to 4.30pm, Tuesday 14 September 2010 - Emerging Animator Class. Cost $40

This full-day session will cover the time-tested principles of animation, fundamentals of walk cycles, timing, methods for blocking shots, exaggerated human motion, tips and tricks for 3D animation, and compiling a demo reel.

9.30am to 4.30pm, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 - Master Animation Class. Cost $60

This full-day session will cover advanced topics, including lip-sync and facial animation, hand gestures, effective use of timing, time management when blocking a shot, using the principles of acting to bring a character to life, and how to add polish and final touches to your animation.

Both days, 14 and 15 September 2010. Cost $90 (10% discount)

Emerging filmmakers and animators with industry experience are welcome to register for both classes.

Location:

Art Gallery of Western Australia Theatrette, James Street Mall, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge.

Enter from James Street Mall into the Administration Building (not via the Main Art Gallery).

A map and instructions on how to get to the Art Gallery can be found at http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/plan_your_visit/getting_here.asp


UPDATE: Unfortunately due to high demand all the places have now been booked. If you would like to be added to the waiting list then email us at

SPAA is hosting an exciting new initiative from Cartoon Network, SNAPTOONS Australia, at this year's conference.

SNAPTOONS Australia is designed to provide a leg up to local Aussie talent and offers local producers the chance to pitch for a $15,000 grant towards development of a pilot episode.

Michael Carrington, Chief Content Officer EMEA, Cartoon Network, commented: “I am especially honoured to be invited to participate in the SNAPTOONS Australia initiative, connecting Cartoon Network with Australian producers to help create great content which will enrich the lives of our audiences.”

Read more at http://conference.spaa.org.au/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=216

THE 7 SECRETS OF STORYTELLING – a live one-hour webinar on the essential elements of bringing a story to life. Topics include:

* Finding stories
* The idea-to-screen process.
* Character & Story – joined at the hip.
* A-plots, B-plots & World domination plots.
* Creating plot twists and “uh-oh” moments.
* 3 Acts – How they build
* The Hero’s journey
* Behind-the-scenes anecdotes
* A live Question-&-Answer session.

For more information, visit http://finetooning.wordpress.com/coming-soon-the-secrets-of-storytelling/

Last Pixel is a fun and versatile architectural and technical animation company in located in beautiful sunny Perth, Western Australia.

Our 16 person studio is fully booked with interesting, diverse projects and we are looking for some new talent to join the team.

We're a professional and well-established company with a great international reputation. With several hundred completed projects under our belt we have developed a mature pipeline and strong work ethic that prides itself on being able to complete tight deadline productions to a very high standard while still valuing its team's work/life balance and keeping overtime work to a minimum.

If you're a skilled and talented 3D artist and like the idea of coming to Perth, working on good projects and actually getting to enjoy the great outdoors rather than always stuck in front of a monitor then we'd love to hear from you.

We are looking for

Mid Level 3D Artists:

3 + years Experience working on architectural or technical animations
3DSMax and Vray essential
Strong modelling and scene creation skills
Experience with large scenes
Good camera and scene animation skills
Strong Photoshop, After Effects or Nuke skills

Senior Level 3D Artists:

5 + years Experience working on architectural or technical animations
3DSMax and Vray essential.
Excellent modelling and scene creation skills.
Very experienced with building large scenes.
High technical competence.
Ability to oversee and complete entire projects.
Good client liaison skills.
Maxscript and rigging skills an advantage.
Strong Photoshop, After Effects or Nuke skills

Send CVs with links to your showreel to

WAM BAM is the exciting, intensive, and fun 48-hour speed animation competition run annually by WAnimate.

This year we saw four teams complete their short animated films in 48 hours for a slew of impressive prizes, including full production licenses for Adobe software, training DVDs from the Gnomon Workshop, and art books from Ballistic Publishing.

WAnimate would like to invite you to a free event to view this year's entries, hear about the competition, and network with notables of the Western Australian animation community. The WAnimate team will also be available to take questions about bringing Simon Allen from Pixar Animation Studios to Perth for a series of animation classes.

Some finger food will be provided, and drinks can be purchased at the bar.

When: 7pm to 9pm, Tuesday, 24 August 2010.

Where: Upstairs, The Flying Scotsman, 639 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley.

Cost: Free.

WAnimate would like to thank the supporters and sponsors of WAM BAM 2010, which include the West Coast Institute of Training, ScreenWest, Adobe, Murdoch University, Animation Works and Lastpixel.

Please send any queries about events to

Due to popular demand the venue for the X|Media|Lab Perth Briefing Session on Friday August 13, 2010 has been changed to the Central Institute of Technology Lecture Theatre in Northbridge.

X|Media|Lab directors Megan Elliott and Brendan Harkin will be in Perth to present the Briefing Session followed by a networking event. ScreenWest Digital Project Manager Aaron Kennedy will also be speaking at the Session along with Transmedia Producer Amanda Morrison and the Department of Culture and the Arts Senior Project Officer Arts Development Michelle Glaser who have both previously attended an X|Media|Lab.

This Briefing Session will inform you of what to expect when the inaugural X|Media|Lab Perth is held in April, 2011.

X|Media|Lab creates a unique meeting place to assist companies and artists to get their own digital creative ideas successfully to market through concept development, business matching and direct access to world-class networks of creative professionals. The X in X|Media|Lab stands for cross-platform, cross-disciplinary, and cross-cultural.

X|Media|Lab Perth Briefing session:

When: 3:00PM-4:30PM Friday August 13
Where: Central Institute of Technology Lecture Theatre, Francis St Northbridge
Cost: Free
RSVP: by Thursday August 12, 2010

The Briefing Session will be followed by a networking event at Caffissimo at the Art Gallery of WA (James St Mall, Perth Cultural Centre) until 6:00PM. Drinks and nibbles provided.

For a map of the Central Institute of Technology: http://www.central.wa.edu.au/campuses_facilities/perth/Pages/default.aspx

If you or your company has a Twitter account please use the hash tag #XMediaLab and follow ScreenWest’s Twitter account so you can re tweet our announcements. You can also connect with this event via the Facebook event.

X|Media|Lab Perth is possible thanks to international supporters the Department of Culture and the Arts, WA Museum, ScreenWest, Murdoch University, ABC TV, and Screen Australia. And thanks also to the Central Institute of Technology for the use of their Lecture Theatre.

WAnimate's free life drawing sessions are exclusive to members and take place on the third Wednesday of every month. Come along, bring a sketchbook and spend a couple of hours among other animators honing your drawing skills.

When: 6:30pm to 9.00pm, Wednesday, 18 August 2010

Where: WA School of Art and Design (the building with the pink crate). Rooms AD256 and AD257. Located at the Central Institute of Technology, Aberdeen Street, Northbridge. Map at http://www.central.wa.edu.au/campuses_facilities/perth/Pages/default.aspx

If you have trouble finding the venue on the night, please contact Tanya on 0410 624 561.

What to bring: Participants should bring their own drawing materials and art supplies. A model, chairs, and easels are available.

Entry cost: Free to WAnimate members, but you can join at the door, or click here to join WAnimate.

WAnimate would like to thank Animation Works for sponsoring these life drawing sessions.

Come and meet your fellow animation writers in an informal and supportive environment. Request constructive feedback on your current projects, learn about writing opportunities, brainstorm, or just catch up on the latest news.

When: 6:30pm to 8.00pm, Thursday, 12 August 2010

Where: Dome Leederville, 156 Oxford Street, Leederville. Look for the WAnimate sign.

Cost: Free.

WAnimate, with the support of ScreenWest, is proposing to bring Simon Allen to Perth in September 2010 to present a series of animation classes. We are seeking expressions of interest from members of the animation community who would like to benefit from this rare opportunity.

Simon Allen joined Pixar Animation Studios in March 2006 as an animator for the Academy Award®-winning feature, Ratatouille. Allen went on to animate on two more Oscar® winners, WALL•E and UP and most recently completed working on Disney•Pixar’s 2010 critically acclaimed box office hit, Toy Story 3 where he animated Buzz Lightyear, Woody and many of the original cast from Toy Story. Allen has also animated Dug in Dugs Secret Mission as well as animating Mater and Lightning McQueen in Mater's Tall Tales.

In the animation industry for over 19 years, Allen has worked on 16 feature films. Prior to coming to Pixar, Allen worked at Animal Logic as an animator on Happy Feet. He began his career as an animator working at WETA on Peter Jackson’s feature film, The Frighteners in 1995. Allen has also worked as an animation supervisor on The Matrix: Revolutions and Constantine, and at LucasArts as an animator for three different games.

Class dates and details:

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 - Emerging Filmmaker/Animator Class
This will cover the time-tested principles of animation, fundamentals of walk cycles, timing, methods for blocking shots, exaggerated human motion, tips and tricks for 3d animation, and compiling a demo reel.

Wednesday, 15 September 2010 - Master Animation Class
This will cover advanced topics, including lip-sync and facial animation, hand gestures, effective use of timing, time management when blocking a shot, using the principles of acting to bring a character to life, and how to add polish and final touches to your animation.

Cost:

• Tuesday, 14 September 2010 - Full-day class for emerging filmmakers/animators $40
• Wednesday, 15 September 2010 - Full-day masterclass for animators with industry experience $60
• Both days, 14 and 15 September 2010 - $90 (10% discount). Emerging filmmakers and animators with industry experience are welcome to register for both classes.

How to send in your Expression of Interest:

Send an e-mail to wanimate@gmail.com with the following details:

• in the subject heading, please write "Simon Allen Animation Masterclass"
• an expression of your interest in this event. (A simple "Yes, I am interested." is fine.)
• your full name, e-mail address, and a contact phone number.

Closing Date for EOIs: 5.00pm Tuesday 17 August 2010.

Enquiries: Please send any enquiries to wanimate@gmail.com

This event will only run if there is sufficient industry interest, so we would appreciate your reply as soon as possible. Please note that an Expression of Interest is not a registration. We will be sending out additional notices when registration is open.

Best regards,
Evangeline Than
Secretary
WAnimate, the Western Australian Animation Association