SPRING 1998 I ASIFA Central's Sixth Annual Animator's Retreat by Melissa Bouwman

Ah Spring, the perfect time of the year to Central Reel. The reel received an gather together with fellow animators in a overwhelmingly positive response from all gorgeous state park in Illinois. This year audience members. A huge thanks went around 20 people jumped at the chance to out to absentee member Jim Schaub who be a part of this annual animator's so graciously took on the task of editing gathering, and a fantastic time was had by the reel together. After Friday's events had A all. concluded, our group split up to enjoy the lodge's many recreational activities Q The sixth annual ASIFA Central Animation including soaking in a hot tub, enjoying U Retreat took place April 3-6 r------, libation's at the bar, or going F this year, a little earlier than for an evening stroll. A other years, but fortunately "The crowning event R for the attendees, the of Friday evening Saturday morning started off T weather was lovely. was the premier with our key speaker, Kim R_ White, Technical Director at E Basically, the conference is screening of the new R a time for animators to Pixar. Kim discussed how she relax, watch some ASIFA Central Reel." was able to still find time and L animation, and share -Melissa Bouwman resources to still produce her

Y information, and that is '--- __.J own art, while maintaining a exactly what our intimate job in the commercial field. P little group did. She talked about her experiences at U Trillion (a post production house in Grand Friday evening the retreat kicked off with Rapids, Michigan), Sierra On-line B our traditional Welcome Party. Everyone (interactive game production facility in L was invited to partake in a lovely (though a Seattle, Washington), and at her current I bit jostled) sheet cake. Next came job at Pixar. Kim showed a variety of slides C introductions of retreat attendees so that and video clips that highlighted work she B everyone can meet and note the people had done commercially, as well as A T they might want to make sure to corner animations and sculptural pieces she had I before the weekend was over. completed over the past 5 years. Kim has ~ been able to maintain success in both her 0 The crowning event of Frid~{ evening was professional life and personal work. While r N the premier screening oflhe new ASIFA at Trillion and Sierra On-line she produced Retreat continued on page 6 0 F F WHO is WHO in ASIFA - USA A by Deanna Morse S R_ ASIFAlEast ASIFAlCentral a different animator or theme every month. I ASIFAIWashington Three of these screenings are regular F special events: the Animation Festival, the A There are six ASIFA Chapters in the Open Screening, and the Cel Auction. / United States of America - three on the C west coast, one in the midwest and two on Every April, a screening is devoted to the the east coast. This article will survey ASIFAlEast Animation Festival, a e the midwest and east coast chapters; in competition for ASIFAlEast members with n the next issue we will look at the three awards for best soundtrack, direction, t west coast USA chapters. design, concept and animation. This r festival is compiled into the ASIFAlEast a ASIFAlEast-USA reel. This innovative sampling of I commercial, student and independent B ASIFAlEast, based in New York City, holds animation travels to other ASIFA chapters regular monthly meetings which feature and cities. In addition, for the past two SPRING 1998 Who is Who continued on page 4 Letter from the Editor ASIFN~ Volunteers and by Jennifer Eldred Project Leaders Newsletter DesignerlEditor & I would like to by Frame please contact me via email at Vice President start off this [email protected] or at the official Jennifer Eldred quarters column ASIFNCentral email address [email protected] by saying thank• [email protected]. If you are interested in you to all of the submitting an article for the Summer President ASIFNCentral edition the deadline is July 15. Deanna Morse animators who [email protected] submitted works This summer Frame by Frame will have for the 1st ever ASIFNCentral correspondents in attendance at Webmaster & Site Designer Animator's- Reel. The reel was a huge SIGGRAPH '98 as the conference Byron Grush [email protected] success at this year's conference and celebrates 25 years of cutting edge retreat where it was screened for the 1st computer animation. We are proud to say Marketing Coordinator time on Friday April 3, 1998. The that the 1999 SIGGRAPH Art and Dave Daruzska response from viewers was enthusiastic! Design Show will be Chaired by fellow I hope the enthusiasm will continue as ASIFNCentral member Marla StoryBoard Contest ASIFNCentral volunteers look into Schweppe. Congratulations Marla! Mary Lou Haynes, [email protected] distribution options. If you would like to be involved with the distribution or If you have member news, award Conference Chair marketing of the ASIFNCentral Reel annoucements or a brief overview of a Mary Lou Haynes, [email protected] please contact the organization at current project, write us. We want to as ifa @asifa.org. acknowledge your talent! Conference Co - Chair Dave Daruzska As always Frame by Frame is looking Have a Great Spring! for correspondents. If you would like to .J~£1kd. Directory Coordinator: write an article for publication in Frame Randall Rockafellow

In this Issue Website: http:/www.asifa.org/animate • Retreat Highlights 1 • Who is Who in ASIFA-USA 1 E-mail: [email protected] • Letter from the Editor 2 • My WAC Trip...... 6 ASIFAICentral Conference: April 3-5, 1998 • Call for Judges.. 7 • Member Spotlight 9 To contribute or volunteer contact: Deanna Morse Coming in the Summer Edition . Phone #: 616.895.3101 E-mail: [email protected] ·Application Form and Official Rules for the 4th Annual Helen Victoria US mail: ASIFNCentral Haynes World Peace Storyboard and Animation Contest. c/o Deanna Morse School of Communications ·SIGGRAPH '98 - 25 Year Celebration Lake Superior Hall Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401 ·Distribution Information for the 1st ASIFAICentral Animator's Reel

ASIFfllCelltrai Mission Statement To joinASIFAICentral: The purpose of AS/FA/Central is to promote the art of animation Send a check (payable to locally and internationally and to promote communication among ASIFNCentral) to the address above. animators and between animators and devotees. - adopted 3/92

2 SPRING 1998 ASIFAlCentral Board and Members Meeting notes by Deanna Morse, President, ASIFA/Central

The annual board and members meeting was held on is in member dues. The retreat basically pays for itself, April 4th, during our annual retreat. Deanna Morse gave a but doesn't generate income. report of ASIFA activities from the previous year, which included the following: In the past twelve months, we deposited 1783.17 (mostly from membership renewals and new members), and we Production of the first ASIFA Central Members Reel: spent 1357.78. Our check for the international dues In a recent newsletter, we put out a call for works from ($348) has not cleared the bank yet, so basically we are members. Thanks to Jim Schaub for coordinating the breaking even. If we had to pay our mailing expenses for production of this reel which had its' World Premiere at the newsletter, we the retreat. Jim digitized the clips, designed and animated would probably have titles using Adobe After Effects, and edited the reel using to raise our dues. the Media 100. Randy Rockafellow helped on this project, "Our only income is too, by soliciting tapes from members for the reel. in member dues" Other issues: -Deanna Morse There was Regular Publication of Frame-By-Frame: discussion of Thanks to Jennifer Eldred who coordinated, edited and finances for the published our quarterly newsletter. Last year, two group, and of trying columns were picked up by the International Newsletter to get corporate and university sponsorship. There was ASIFANews. also discussion of ways to expand our membership base, and specific talk about future conferences. Members Update on the Web: Randy Rockafellow has been working with our webmaster Volunteers: Byron Grush to try to update our web site. Randy started Deanna asked for volunteers for the coming year. with the Members Directory, and has expanded and Jennifer Eldred volunteered to continue as newsletter updated it. Thanks, Randy! editor. Marla Schweppe volunteered to coordinate some of the publication and mailings through Rochester Award for our Web site: Institute of Technology. Randy Rockafellow volunteered to ASIFA Central has been named an outstanding continue with the Web site, and volunteered to do education-related site on the Web by The Education membership outreach. Mary Lou Haynes and David Index. Thanks to Byron Grush for his continued efforts Daruszka volunteered to be the 1999 retreat coordinators, with our site. www.asifa.org/animate and to continue their work with the Storyboard Competition. Storyboard Competition: Mary Lou Haynes worked to publicize the Helen Victoria Volunteer Opportunities: Haynes Storyboard contest, and has organized the We are all volunteers in an all volunteer organization. competition in a different manner for the future. There is a space for you. We always need writers for the newsletter, and people to coordinate special projects. Membership and Publications: Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering. Deanna Morse coordinated general correspondence, membership mailings and renewals for the group. Her Here are the Retreat Dates! booked at Starved Rock employer, Grand Valley State University again provided Lodge by Mary Lou Haynes and Dave Daruszka, support for ASIFAlCentral by subsidizing mailing costs for Conference Chair and Co-Chair. our organization. Deanna also talked about her involvement with ASIFA international as she was elected Mark your calendar for April 30 - May 2, 1999 and to the International board of ASIFA last summer. April 28 - April 30, 2000.

Treasurer's Report: ASIFAlCentral basically is flat - no significant profits, no The next ASIFA/Central Board Meeting is scheduled for losses. Our expenses are: international dues, paying the May 1,1999. If you would like to volunteer for a position service provider for our web site (about $17/month), and please contact AS/FA/Central at [email protected] printing the newsletter (about $75/issue). Our only income

SPRING 1998 3 Continued from Who is Who on page 1 years, special awards honored individuals who have mail contact: supported independent animated film: ASIFAIEast c/o Michael Sporn Animation In 1996, Louise Beaudet, and in 1997, Adrienne Mancia 632 Broadway, 4th Floor were recognized for their lifetime efforts to promote New York, NY USA 10012 animation. Newsletter Editor: Every June is the Open Screening. All members, Mark Siegel including students, are able to show any of their work 212-989-4369 including current projects, shorts, or works in progress for [email protected] feedback.

Every other year is the ASIFAIEast Cel Auction. At this ASIFAlWashington-USA event, member-donated cels and production drawings are auctioned, and the represented films are screened. Tom Krawczewicz is the primary force behind ASIFAIWashington, based in Washington, DC. Founded ASIFAIEast publishes a monthly newsletter, the Anymator, in 1982 by Larry Luria, Bonnie Willette, Jim Strong, which spotlights members' accomplishments and general Hank Zangara, Jay Dunn and Tom Krawczewicz, this industry news, lists jobs, grants and residencies, and chapter's activities have remained basically the same includes dates and deadlines for film and video festivals throughout the years. These include screenings of worldwide. The ASIFAIEast Web page includes samples the ASIFAIEast Festivals, SIGGRAPH showcases and of past issues, clips of members' films that can be collections of films from local members. They sponsor an downloaded, and links to members' web sites. annual local showcase of animated films and have hosted visiting guests including: June Foray, Bill ASIFAIEast is an all volunteer organization representing Plympton, Barry Purves, Faith Hubley, Don Bluth, Bordo all different kinds of animation with 27 members currently Dovnikovic and Michel Ocelot. on the executive board. Some of the founding members were: Shamus Culhane, Dick Rauh, Tissa ASIFAIWashington's newsletter is published David, and Howard Beckerman. Linda Simensky has approximately 10 times a year and contains local been president since 1991. She recently moved to Atlanta information, event information, ASIFA international news to become the Vice President of Original Animation at the and any national or international news of interest. Cartoon Network. For their 15th anniversary celebration this year, they Future plans for ASIFAIEast include: expanding the showed films that also celebrated milestone anniversaries visibility and screenings for the ASIFAIEast reel (last year, (such as 10, 25, 50, 60 years) which included: "The Old the number of film entries doubled) building the Mill", "Crac", "What's Opera Doc", "Lupo the Butcher", web page, continuing the newsletter, and creating a among many others. mentoring program for students on the East Coast. Future plans include a screening of the AS I FAiNorthwest Contact information: reel, a screening of the work of Corky Quackenbush. web: www.yrd.com/asifa ("Mad TV"), and one or two Warner Bros. retrospectives.

President: Linda Simensky Contact information: Vice President of Original Animation CARTOON NETWORK President: 1050 Techwood Drive NW Tom Krawczewicz Atlanta, GA 30318 9918 Woodburn Road Phone: 404-885-0821 Silver Spring, MD, 20901 USA fax: 404-885-2456 fax 301-864-0248 [email protected] phone 301-593-9178

Membership Secretary: David Levy tel. 212-846-5441 Who is Who continued on page 5

4 SPRING 1998 Continued from Who is Who on page 4 ASI FA/Central-USA years, the chapter coordinated the judging of animation at The writer has been a member since 1979 and the Chicago International Film Festival. president since 1991. When this writer became became president in 1991, the ASIFAICentral began as an association of professional center of AS I FAiCentral moved to Michigan. As an all• and independent animators in Chicago, and has grown to volunteer organization, the board members each have encompass a larger regional area. Members come from an area of responsibility. These include: Jennifer Eldred Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and as far away as (Vice President and Newsletter Editor), Byron Grush Canada, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. (Webmaster), Randy Rockafellow (Membership Directory), Marla Schweppe (Mailings and publication), Because of this wide geographical spread, ASIFAICentral Dave Daruszka (Conference Co-Chair), Mary Lou Haynes has evolved from its' original emphasis on meetings and (Storyboard Competition Organizer, Conference Chair), screenings to a more virtual organization. The newsletter, Jim Schaub (Midwest Animator's Reel Editor), and "Frame by Frame", provides the membership with Melissa Bouwman and Eric Oehrl (Correspondents). information as well as a forum for interaction. Because the Future plans include: expanding the annual retreat, publication is quarterly, it features in-depth articles rather building links to member information on the web page and than timely announcements. Recent issues included, an through the newsletter, overview of animation sites on the web, an interview with continuing to develop web presence, and coordinating former AS I FAiCentral member Jim Richardson (who distribution of the member's sample reel. recently moved to the Will Vinton studios), and an article on finding employment with the big animation studios. Contact information: asifa @asifa.org A major annual event is the spring conference/retreat which brings together members for a weekend of President screenings, presentations, anijams and conversation. Deanna Morse At the sixth retreat in April of 1998, the ASIFAIEast and School of Communications ASIFAINorthwest reels were screened, and guest 268 LSH animator (and former ASIFAICentral member) Kim White Grand Valley State University talked about her production work on "A Bug's Life" at Allendale, MI49401 USA PIXAR. The ASIFAI Central member's reel was premiered, which includes the anijam created at the 1997 tel 616-895-3101 retreat. fax 616-895-2700 email: [email protected] In addition, students attending the retreat presented website: www.asifa.org/animate storyboards in the Helen Victoria Haynes World Peace Storyboard competition. The winner receives Deanna Morse is an animator and Professor at Grand production support for the creation of an animated film Valley State University. She is currently President of about World Peace. Phil Simoncelli was the 1996 winner. ASIFA/Central and a member of the international board. Rita Waters-Dobias is the 1998 winner.

ASIFAICentral was the first chapter ASIFA to publish an Frame by Frame is a quarterly publication of ASIFA webpage. Webmaster Byron Grush has received AS/FA/Central. several awards for this site, which he updates from New Send articles, materials, artwork, comments and Mexico. The web site features articles from past newsletters, a members page and gallery, and general suggestions to: information about ASIFA. Frame by Frame Founding members of ASIFAICentral in 1975 included Wayne Boyer, Byron Grush, Millie Goldsholl, Robert Jennifer Eldred Edmonds and Art Pierson. For over a decade and a c/o AS/FA/Central half, Dave Daruszka served as president. During his tenure, ASIFAICentral co-sponsored many programs and brought in visiting animators including: Don Bluth, See back cover for AS/FA/Central mailing June Foray, Gordon Sheehan, and Shamus Culhane. For address.

SPRING 1998 5 Continued from Retreat on page 1

an animation of her own that had to do with being in knowing how others approached the subject of adaptive to the commercial environment...this piece was computer animation in their classes, especially screened in the viewing rooms at SIGGRAPH 96. In considering some of the technology limitations she was addition a sculpture Kim produced last year (featuring facing. All and All, she screened a number of impressive barbed wire, natural elements, and sugar spoons) while student works. working at Pixar is now a part of a touring art exhibition. Saturday Evening, the Storyboard contest winner was Kim also offered advice for members of the audience that announced. Rita Dobias of Grand Valley State University were currently looking for work. She spoke about the was awarded the prize which consisted of: $500, a importance of having a high quality reel that looks backpack, thermal blanket, T-shirt, sleeping mat, Wacom professional, and showcases only the work that you are graphic tablet, the "Painter" program, and a resumE most proud of. She advised animators who are looking for making program. Congratulations Rita! The evening was a job to always check the dub of their reel before they rounded out by a Show and Tell session where 'people send it out to ensure that the image and sound quality are were given the opportunity to screen their own work. At good ... sending out a bad dub can leave the wrong least 2 hours of marvelous animations produced by impression on potential employers. animators at the retreat were viewed, plus a number of student works were shown by Marla Schweppe of RIT, Saturday was an absolutely splendid day weather wise, and Deanna Morse of Grand Valley State University. so after the morning events a number of people went for a hike on the surrounding trails. Later that afternoon, we The Saturday late night bonfire was attended by only six reconvened to give our support to the people who were diehard ASIFA members. Rumors have it that the group presenting their storyboards for the annual Victoria drank smuggled wine, and sang showtunes until the wee Haynes World Peace Storyboard competition This year hours of the morning. That may explain the slow moving there were 3 applicants and everyone did a fine job group of people filtering in late to the showing of the presenting their ideas. The judges had their work cut out esteemed ASIFA East Reel on Sunday morning. After all for them. After the Storyboard presentations, Annette was said and done the Retreat was deemed as a great Barbier of Northwestern University in Illinois talked about success by all who attended ... and of course we hope to the animation courses at her school. She discussed the meet more ASIFA members at the Retreat next year! projects that she assigns for each course and showed a -Melissa Bouwman sample or two from each assignment. She was interested

My WAC Trip! by Greg Colton

As I prepared to go to the World off I went, hoping to gain some first meeting was with Klasky• Animation Celebration in . greater understanding of what I'd Csupo. The woman I spoke with, Pasadena this year, I had no idea have to do if I wanted to draw Lynda, was very cool. I'm always what to expect. Here I was, a cartoons for a living. nervous about meeting people relative nobody, about to attend who are actually in the field an opportunity expo with lots of When I arrived, I was there a day already, but I felt very comfortable other students and professionals before the ASIFA Expo was set in the Klasky suite. After looking trying to break their way into the up. I roamed about just to see at my stuff, we chatted a bit, and field of animation. Even though I what was going on. When I she basically said that "everyone didn't know what was to come of walked into the Civic Center, to eventually makes it" in the the event, I made tons of demo my surprise, Nickelodeon and animation biz. That boosted my tapes, resumes, and business Klasky-Csupo were already set confidence tenfold! cards to throw about. I also put up and looking at people's work. I together a little portfolio of ran back to the hotel to grab my I happily trotted over to the character designs and such. So portfolio and sketchbooks. My Nickelodeon Suite, and made an

My WAC Trip continued on page 8 6 SPRING 1998 Call for Judges: Animators, Artists, Sculptors, Art Directors, Technical Directors, Writers, Educators, Communicators, Linguists, Musicians, Dancers and Technicians!

CAN YOU BE CRITICAL? CAN YOU BE CONSTRUCTIVE? FUTURE JUDGES* CAN YOU COMMUNICATE? HAVE YOU WON Larry Bafia (animator & animation director - POI). Annette COMPETITIONS? HAVE YOU JUDGED Barbier (educator, judge, videographer, filmmaker• COMPETITIONS? Northwestern University), Mike Riley (educator, judge & The 4th Annual International Helen Victoria lftt. A~ mathematician), Dr. Gerry Slaughter Haynes WORLD PEACE Storyboard & (educator, linguist & musician). Animation Contest is looking for "A FEW \J~~ GOOD MEN (or WOMEN) ... " to sit on ~~ ~ Please visit the ASIFAICentral Member the 1999 judging panel. Directory at www.asifa.orglanimate for the judge's bios. If you answered 'YES!' to any of the above questions, we want you! You are MISSION STATEMENT encouraged to judge on a volunteer This contest was established with a non- basis. Judging takes about 2-6 hours, e. 1 ~ I ~ J 11 . . ~ _ . ~ renewable annuity from the late Helen depending on the volume of entries. This ~~H"o> ~ Victoria Haynes. Vickie was a bi-lingual private judging involves: educator, scholar and musician, steadfast in her physical, spiritual and financial contributions • viewing the entrants storyboards, to the local Chicago ecumenical community. As a • reviewing supporting materials, tribute and memorial, this Contest was established as a • discussing the storyboards and supporting means to continue and to expedite her charitable work within materials with other panel members, and the community, to expand her work outside the community, • scoring entries based on established criteria. to benefit students worldwide and to benefit the global community while promoting the art of animation. The judging panel is charged with selecting 2 winners from pre-qualified entries in separate categories. After the panel We expect students to think of solutions towards World has made it's selection, the 2 winners will be invited to Peace based on this mission statement. We expect judges to receive their prizes at the annual Awards Ceremony. encourage students to visualize their solutions by awarding Winners names will be announced at the Awards Ceremony the prizes to students whose solutions best complement this and prizes distributed for those winners present. Attendance mission statement. The ultimate focus of these efforts is to by the judges and the winners is optional at the Awards increase participation in a global endeavor towards Ceremony. achieving World Peace, without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion or country of origin. The 1999 Awards Ceremony is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 pm CST, Saturday, May 1, 1999. This event is held in The judging of submitted storyboard entries will take place in conjunction with the annual ASIFAICentral Conference & Chicago, Illinois USA in mid-March, 1999. The day, time and Midwest Animator's Retreat at Starved Rock Lodge.This place of judging will be announced in a future ASIFAICentral lovely resort is set amidst 2,600 acres of forests, canyons Frame by Frame newsletter and on the ASIFAICentral and waterfalls in beautiful Starved Rock State Park near website. Chicago, Illinois USA. Your pro bono judging efforts will be rewarded with one WINNER'S CIRCLE complimentary meal in Chicago, Illinois USA with other panel 1996 - Phil Simoncelli, 1998 - Rita Waters-Dobias. members. Checkout Frame by Frame, or the ASIFAICentral website at www.asifa.orglanimate. for Application and PREVIOUS JUDGES complete Rules, including the judging selection criteria. Phil Simoncelli (animator & tst Winner, International HVH World Peace To volunteer or for more Info, please email the 'Contest Storyboard & Animation Contest), Coordinator' at [email protected]. Dave Daruszka (writer, illustrator/animator & past president, ASIFAICentral), "Judging panel is subject to change. Deanna Morse (animator, educator & president, ASIFAICentral), This contest Is coordinated, administered, sponsored and Marlene Stewart founded by M.L. Haynes. (choreographer/dancer) and Mary Lou Haynes (musician, poet & Contest Founder). SPRING 1998 7 Continued from My WAC Trip on page 6 appointment with them. The man be a dream job! storyboarder, and should ask for who looked at my demo tape and At first I just walked around. I was some tests. I guess these sketchbook had me a bit eyeballing other people showing companies send you a test, and if confused. He told me that he their portfolios to the studio reps. you create a good test didn't see me working on Hey Man, did these people have some storyboard, they might hire you. I Arnold!, which he works on, but stuff to show! Many of these guys left the Columbia TriStar booth maybe could see me working on and gals were obviously pretty happy. I went wandering Catdog, since it's about a cat professionals. Even the student into the Technology expo just to connected to a dog and I made a work I was seeing was pretty take a break, and was looking at cartoon about a guy connected to amazing. Lots of REAL art. I some of the high tech doohickeys a zit. I couldn't believe I was pretty much just had cartoons and that I know nothing about it. But talking to a professional. Since doodles with me. I stopped first at one of them had some cool when does the content of my own Nelvana. I think their company is Japanese cartoons running on personal projects dictate what pretty cool, as they have a huge them, so I hovered around a bit. future projects I can do? I'm quite variety of styles and genres in And who comes walking next to confident that I could animate the their cartoon library. The woman me but Bob Camp! Sure, he Hey Arnold! characters given the that looked at my stuff didn't seem defected to Nickelodeon and chance. I left the Nickelodeon overly stimulated, but then again, helped create the bastardized Suite feeling a bit perplexed and she's looking at thousands of Ren and Stimpy, but I've always sort of annoyed. things at this show. She told me I admired his cartooning ability. I should have some life drawings. introduced myself like a little The next day, the real show Life drawings seemed to be a key fanboy and talked to him a bit. He began, and everyone was set up thing that these television took my demo tape, even! in the Civic Center: Columbia• animation people want to see. I TriStar, Fox Animation, Film have taken life drawing classes, After the first day was over, I had Roman, MGM, Nelvana, Pixar, and I do think that it's really pretty much talked to every studio Disney TV, Disney Feature, POI, helped my cartoon work, but I at the show. The second day I Dreamworks, Warner figure I should show what I do pretty much just wandered around Bros.,Sunbow, Capcom, and best. And in my opinion that's grabbing free goodies. There more! I think that there could have drawing cartoon characters, and were some great shows and a been a bit more variety in the not naked humans. Film Roman party too. As I left the World companies that were there. It was was really busy, but I went over Animation Celebration, I definitely really neat that there were plenty there next. Again, the guy got a grasp on what I'll need to of "big shot" companies there, but seemed kinda passive as he get into the animation biz. More I really would have liked to see flipped through my stuff. And life drawings, definitely. However, more of the "little guys". Many of again, he wanted some life I'll still use my character designs the people at this event were drawings. At that point, I went and my current animations as my students. I'm sure that there were over to Columbia- TriStar. These strongpoint, and base my more students than myself who guys were really hyped up and portfolios on those things. I'm may not want to jump into a big fun. I sat down with Tracy, who I sure it might cause some studios studio right away. I was glad think was a colorist, and showed to turn me down flat, but I want to Capcom was there, as I've been a her my stuff. The feedback from get hired based on what I think Capcom fan practically all my life, her was way better than the other I'm good at. Foolish pride or but I was really wishing there people I'd been talking to! She wishful thinking? I dunno ... I just were more video game said that it was nice to see a good want to draw all day. companies at the show. Animation variety of character designs and in video games is some of the sketches, as all she had been -Greg Colton best around, and at least for me, seeing all day was life drawings. animating for video games would She told me that I'd be a good

8 SPRING 1998 This Quarters Member Spotlight is on Barry Young Interview conducted by Randy Rockafellow

I enjoy conversations with people who speak Barry Young's background includes an passionately about what they do. My interview undergraduate degree in Graphic Design & with Barry Young was one of those enjoyable Advertising. For a period of time Barry taught shop talk sessions. Barry is the Animation graphic design and freelanced. Then in 1971 he Program Director at Columbia College in headed to Northwestern for his Fine Arts Masters Chicago. We spoke about his role in the degree in silk-screening and animation. Then he establishment of ASIFAICentral, Columbia did more freelance work and teaching before College's animation program, and how he got to moving to the Chicago area in the mid-70's. be where he is now. While in Chicago he freelanced and was hired on at Chicago'S Academy of Fine Arts to develop an Barry developed and has managed the animation animation program. In 1978-79 he took the job of program at Columbia for the past 20 years. A developing an animation program at Columbia program which started out with 1 room, 15 College. students and 3 drawing disks has now grown to 400+ students, 25+ staff, and a variety of The next thing that happened was the start of the animation tools. This ranks Columbia as one of ASIFAICentral organization. Barry said, "ASIFAI the largest animation programs in the world. One Central evolved from the love of animation a reason the program is so large is because of the group of people shared at the time. This group schools open admission policy. Applicants are not was composed of a handful of people including required to submit a portfolio and only require a Millie Goldsholl, and Dave Daruska. In 1981 high school diploma. Barry says, "it allows Barry was President of the organization. Then students to find out if they can do it." Referring to Barry's lifestyle changed. He got married and the dedication and the talent required to be an then watched as his animation program grew and animator. demanded more time leaving little to no time to remain active with ASIFAICentral. Columbia College students get an opportunity to experience a variety of animation skills. Today Barry is constantly handling inquires into Disciplines range from the more traditional such Columbia College's animation program, dealing as cel, clay, and sand to the computerized with budgets, teachers, students, and overseeing techniques of Digital Ink & Paint, and 3D the current expansion of the department. He is a computer animation. Currently Columbia College busy guy who thoroughly enjoys every minute of iscurrent expanding from 1000 sq. ft. to 6000 sq it and can't imagine doing anything else. ft and adding a fleet of new SGI computers running Alias and Softimage. To find out more about Columbia College's animation program: The one thing that the colleg doesn't offer is a graduate program. Barry said that plans for a Write to graduate program are underway but are at least Barry Young . two years away. During the summer the school Columbia College in Chicago does offer a program for high school students to 600 S. Michigan Avenue try animation. This helps students determine Chicago IL 60605 early on if they have the talent and desire to be Call 312-344-7367 an animator. Or email [email protected]

SPRING 1998 9 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998 NAME: ADDRESS'~ _

CITY: STATE: _ ZIP:

PHONE: FAX:

E-MAIL:

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP: PLEASE PRINT MY NAME AND ADDRESS IN:

_____ STUDENT ($12) __ --'--_ MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

_____ GENERAL ($20) ____ WEBSITE LISTINGS

_____ INTERNATIONAL ($40) (INCLUDES GENERAL)

____ CORPORATE ($300) Make checks payable to ASIF A/Central and send to: Deanna Morse ASIFAlCentral School of Communications Lake Superior Hall Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401 e-mail: [email protected] JOIN TODAY!

c/o Deanna Morse School of Communications Lake Superior Hall Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401 e-mail: [email protected]

SPRING 1998