Its been a few weeks since in-depth has started, and I am finally starting to get settled into the routine of practicing my chosen skill, meeting and emailing with my mentor, and doing all other things associated with the in-depth project.
So far I have only met with my mentor once, but I have already learned a lot about my mentor. My mentor, Simon Piniel, is the owner of a business called spin animation. He has animated for many years and has a vast experience of learning his own animations skills. Simon jump started his interest in animation at an Animation Film course with Rolf Bächler at ZhdK, Zürich in 1996. This was a 2-3 month period where he created his first animated movie, “Tony” and learned about animation theories and did some animation exercises. This process was very rewarding for Simon, and is what made him fall in love with the concept of animation. Another place Simon gained his animation experience was work at Tallinn Film, Estonia in 1997. Here he animated a few scenes from a short movie called “Night of the Carrots”. This experience was mostly about learning the studio processes and also gaining a more international view on animation. One of Simon’s favorite place where he gained his experience was at a student exchange at ECIAD, in Vancouver in 1998/1999. Here he was finally among real other animation students and he really learned a lot doing this. This experience was something Simon really enjoyed. One more place Simon got his large experience in animation was at another job at a Position as Storyboard Artist at AKA Cartoons Inc in Vancouver from 2004 to 2007. Here, he gained a lot of experience in cartoon animation. This experience was intimating for Simon, but he learned a lot from his talented co-workers. These were just a few foundations where Simon gained his animation experience, as every thing he learned and every time he practiced animation, made him become a better animator.
I have already learned a lot from Simon Piniel. He has taught me about some basic principles of animation, and has also helped me decide which route of animation I want to go down. I chose to do digital 2D animation, and he taught me that we animate in 2’s, so basically at 12 or 24 frames per seconds. He also taught me about storyboards of animation, and how to make someone look like they are doing some motion fast. This was all in just the first meeting, so I cant wait to learn even more.
Behind the scenes of our meeting, I have learned some facilitation strategies. I realize when I think back to our meeting, how Simon facilitated, rather than taught Brian and I at our meeting (Brian and I have the same mentor). Instead of teaching Brian and I, Simon directed conversation and gave us tips and pointers. Perhaps I could facilitate meeting like that as well if I ever mentor someone.
Overall, in-depth has been a great experience so far and I cant wait to continue.