TEACHING THE TEACHER TO TEACH THE TEACHER…

August 15 2008, the day I first stepped on the banks of the Arabian Sea, I never knew that when I would be coming back, I would be enriched with knowledge and memories galore. No, I am not talking about the technical skills only...To internalize all the moments of technical knowledge imparted, ideas shared, concepts cleared, production exposure, and current market trends the three days were not enough. There were so many things to learn. During those three days, the IIT campus was buzzing with talent- both existing and upcoming.

Each and every session was very helpful for the students who are preparing themselves for the Industry. Few sessions like Comic Art, Production
management, 2D Principles of Animation, Acting For Animation and Animation Art
Appreciation there were no such technical discussions (in other words, ‘Software oriented’) but still they are very much technical. Because an Animator should not only have expertise in Tools or software but they also have to know the other important factors which make any film successful.

In this context I can quote Manu Ittina: Animation is a 4 dimensional art form, the 4 dimensions being - design, visuals, emotion and art.

The platform may be 2D or 3D, the basic foundation like idea generation; research work, principles of animation etc. are the secrets of perfection. It is mentioned that story telling is an urge of communication and perhaps Animation is the best way. We must remember the words of Prakash Moorthy. According to whom, through Animation we can express the subjective emotion not objective reality.

So what would be the points to remember?? Students have to study the Method acting, Figure drawing, color concept, human characteristic etc. It is not just the suggestion or comment or a mere observation from the industry experts, the entries chosen as the nominations for TVCA Film Screening Session clearly differentiated the PERFECT from the GOOD or the MEDIOCRE.

Note: This piece will remain incomplete unless I mention the enthusiasm or the interest of our students who went to the platform to share the experience of Sand Animation. It is doubtless a good symptom.

- Arundhati Halder

"CHANGED"

Our train was scheduled at 2255 hours on the 13th of August 08 and I really did not understand why I started getting calls on my cell phone from 8 pm that night. When I set foot in Howrah Station at around 10 in the night, I was nearly mobbed (I’m not exaggerating on this) by our students and their parents. One look at the parents’ faces and I knew they were anxious. One look at the students’ faces and I knew why they had reached the station as early as 8pm! They were excited.

This was the first-of-its-kind trip that students of Arena Animation Park Street were undertaking – the trip to Anifest 2008. This was one of our steps towards exposing our students to the realities in the world of animation…realities they were still unaware of.

Anifest 2008 turned out to be much more than just an eye-opener. It turned out to be a teacher, a thought-provoker, a constant nagging voice inside our hearts telling us to raise the bar of our expectations from ourselves.. The festival ‘by the animators, for the animators’, introduced us to a new perspective – a whole new way of looking at animation.

I had always known that animation is not just about anything and everything that moves. Mr. Prakash Moorthy, added much more to that by his statement - "Animation is the art of movements that are drawn; not drawings that move." From this point onwards, our way of following the sessions of the fest definitely changed course. I won’t try to put three days of Anifest 08 at a single bit of space (they say half knowledge is dangerous.) Rather, I’ll just put up one-liners by people whom we animation lovers look up to… people who’ve been there and done that… the esteemed speakers at Anifest 08.

· It is not enough to tell a story. It is IMPORTANT to tell the story with artistic visualization.
· Even when you sit to write a story for animation, you need to know animation inside out.
· One just can’t go to the computer and start designing when one is not clear about it in the mind. It’s like going somewhere and not knowing the way!
· It’s important to learn to see things differently. To see differently – learn to see what others ignore.
· Software is like pen and paper. Anything you write doesn’t automatically become good. To be able to communicate well, you must have something to say in the first place.
· To reach the specific shot that you want from a general aspect of something , you need a unique idea. There might be a single story and there may well be a thousand ways of telling it. That’s the fundamental difference between story and story-telling.
· Take care about the APPEAL of the shot. It is very important to hit the emotional core of the shot.
· Analyze your strength and work with it. Don’t try to do everything at the same time.
· Whatever is your software or technology (2D/ 3D/ Motion Capture/Motion Control etc) used for your animation, PRE-PRODUCTION and PRE-PLANNING is very important to maintain the correct FEEL of every shot taken.
· The best way to design an original character is to go a little CRAZY while visualizing it!
· Patience till one “HITS THE RHYTHM” is the key to any good animation.
· Love what you are doing – love the process – but never fall in love with your creation… it arrests your improvement.
· Have FUN – it shows in your work!

If I’d have to make an attempt to put my experience of the festival in one line I’d say that – it all begins with the idea, which is very personal and if you are really passionate about it, the ways to execute your idea are endless.

OR

If you know your “why”, you will find the “how”.

- Atreyee Kar