'While it is considered improper to laugh at one’s own jokes, it is ideal if you can laugh along with your own animation'
Q: What is your education and background?
A: I completed a foundation year at the Ontario College of Art and Design (1990), Diploma in Classical Animation from Sheridan College (1995), Computer Animation Training from the International Academy of Design and Technology (2001), and the Learner Centred Instruction Certificate, Okanagan College (2018).
Q: What is your area of interest?
A: Rigging, scripting tools and interfaces, modelling and building characters, creatures and props, and of course, animating.
Q: When did you know you had found your discipline?
A: From an early age I was drawing and creating flipbooks. I remember being at the mall in the '80s staring at computer animation of bouncing balls – very cool! At art school, the only discipline I really wanted to pursue was animation. Not only was I interested in animation, I discovered I could earn a living doing it.
Q: Why did you choose to work at Okanagan College?
A: After a number of years working in the animation industry, I realized I had a wealth of knowledge and experience that others might find useful and valuable. I decided it was time to try to pass along my knowledge to the new crop of artists and would-be animators.
Q: What do you like most about the work you do?
A: I like making things and making them move, bringing them to life, be it a helpful but fearful wrench and his other tool box friends, or a sad bird lamenting his loss of cuteness. Making things move is fun, making them act and come alive is challenging, but frequently amusing. While it is considered improper to laugh at one’s own jokes, it is ideal if you can laugh along with your own animation.
Q: Favourite teaching experience?
A: I love sitting and working alongside a keen student who wants to add something extra to a project or exercise. They have an idea of something they want to express or create, and I have the knowhow. I like showing what and seeing their vision realized.
Q: Who gave you the best advice you ever received?
A: Probably my brother. He said, “If you’re smart, you’ll draw every day.” He knew I liked to draw and probably knew that to become really good at something, anything, it requires constant, even daily practice. I might have gotten where I did without the advice, but it sure pushed me to work harder.
Q: What advice do you have for new students?
A: Animation is challenging and it takes a lot of work and patience. Whether you choose to study animation or engineering or aircraft maintenance, think about what you want, why you are doing what you have chosen to do. As you push forward, keep your eye on the goal. This will help you through the difficult times.
Q: Why do you think people should study Animation?
A: A college education is a practical education. You’ll be learning to use your mind, your skills and abilities in the real world, creating, fixing, building, helping, adding to the world. It is extremely rewarding being a contributing member of society. A college education helps one become just that.
Q: If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?
A: As an animator, we’re always jumping forward and backward in time, adding more movement, smoothing out an action, a gesture, adding a wink, modifying a frown, but that’s easily done in software. In the real world, I think I would try to focus less on myself and protecting my ego and focus more on following what I really want to do.
Q: Where are you the happiest?
A: Animating a character I’ve designed and rigged.
Animation
The Animation Diploma program focuses on drawing, design and the principles and techniques of traditional and digital character animation, using the latest technology in state-of-the-art facilities.
The two-year program focuses on drawing, design and the principles and techniques of traditional and digital character animation. There is an optional Co-op work term offered between year 1 and year 2 of the program.
Features include a state of the art classroom in the new Innovation Centre in downtown Kelowna, the latest technology in the field of digital animation, and comprehensive drawing classes taught by industry professionals to develop artistic skills, technical dexterity and creative thinking. Industry standard production scenarios and professional practices mimic the production pipeline. Core courses include 2D, digital 2D and 3D animation, life drawing, character design, storyboard and layout design. Animation history, communications and an introduction to business functions are also studied.
Successful graduates complete a professional quality, industry-focused demo reel showcasing their design and digital animation skills, preparing them for a career in British Columbia's (B.C.'s) booming entertainment industry.