Get up to scratch on professional animation software

(MENAFN- Gulf Times)
Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive the great Walt Disney once said pointing out that it is this facility that makes it “the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation”.
As the world of animation undergoes a continuous flurry of changes in its handling of technology and treatment it’s imperative to learn the contemporary tools of the trade from the finest. The Doha Film Institute (DFI) in collaboration with the Qatar Animation Center which is under the Ministry of Culture and Sports is presenting the holistic Toon Boom Certified Training Course to the upcoming animators of Qatar.
The DFI says “This course takes you through the core concepts of Harmony and Storyboard Pro in order for you to understand their basic uses. You will also be introduced to the two main animation techniques Harmony is used for: traditional paperless animation and cut-out animation.”
All over the world Toon Boom software helps artists tell their stories in any style of animation and efficiently publish them from the big screen to mobile the DFI points out. “From 2D to 3D and from cut-out to claymation some of the most memorable productions ever made were developed using Toon Boom software. The gaming and live action industry has also begun developing projects using Toon Boom. From the smallest shop to the largest studio with Toon Boom software if you can imagine it we can help you make it” the DFI says in a note on the intermediate course that beings on May 14.
When it comes to digital production Toon Boom Harmony is the gold standard by which all 2D animation software is judged. As for Storyboard Pro thousands of studios and individuals worldwide are using this industry standard tool for storyboarding creation.
Once the candidates are selected for the course a detailed course breakdown will be shared with them. Also personal copies of the software programs are provided to course participants. “A certification exam will be taken and official certification provided. It is mandatory to complete all three sessions of the course through the year in order to get the certification at the end of the course” the DFI says.
The criteria for selection mandate that the candidate must possess general drawing animation and storyboarding skills must be capable of using a pen tablet and is a citizen of Qatar. For submission send your portfolio or CV copy of Passport or ID and any previous film or creative works (illustrations animation online portfolio website etc.) in Word or PDF format to
Candidates will be selected by the workshop mentor and shortlisted candidates not selected for the lab will be placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations. The deadline for submission is May 1 so you may want to hurry on this one.
Those chosen are required to participate in all 12 days of each session. The first session is from May 14 to 26; second would be in Mid-2016; and the third would be at the end of 2016. Each session takes place from Saturday through Thursday and the total training per session would be 49 hours (over 12 days). The timings would be weekdays from 4pm to 8:30pm and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.
For the past 20 years Toon Boom Animation the industry’s premier storyboarding and animation software has been changing the animation world one production at a time.
The course will be helmed by Stacey Eberschlag who has graduated with honours from Sheridan College in Classical Animation and has worked for close to 20 years in the animation industry in a variety of positions. Eberschlag joined Toon Boom Animation in 2010; prior to this he held the position of Director at Amberwood Entertainment for eight years. He has directed numerous programmes including Zeroman and Hoze Houndz and worked on many critically acclaimed programmes including Choose Your Own Adventure The Ron White Animated Show The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and the Emmy Award-winning Tutenstein. Eberschlag also worked as a senior animator for Mercury Filmworks and his animation work was featured in Jimmy Two-Shoes Mischief City and Kick Buttowski a Walt Disney series.