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ACTING FOR ANIMATORS I:

Content

Animators perceive and apply acting theory in a different way than do stage actors. Ed Hooks, author of "Acting for Animators (revised 2nd edition, 2003), pioneered acting workshops that are specifically designed for the needs of the animator. The workshop consists of a lecture, simple improvisations and acting analysis/deconstruction of clips from films. Ed Hooks will not try to make stage actors out of animators. He will teach them acting theory in a fun, painless and empowering way. The primary focus of "Acting for Animators" is to explore the connections between thinking, emotion and physical action as it relates to performance animation. Here is the list of specific topics that will be covered:

  • Seven essential acting concepts
  • Improvisation
  • Psychological gesture
  • Clips from movies
  • Introduction to adrenaline moment theory
  • Character Analysis
  • Heroes and villains
  • Intro to the work of Paul Ekman
  • Comedy vs. tragedy
  • Some specific acting considerations animators need to know

About the teacher, Ed Hooks

Ed Hooks is the author of "Acting for Animators" (Heinemann, revised 2nd edition 2003). He has been a theatre professional for three decades and teaches acting to both animators and actors. He has taught at many companies, including Disney Feature Animation in Orlando and Sydney, DreamWorks/PDI, Lucas Learning, Animal Logic, Rising Sun Pictures, Microsoft Fasa Studio, Will Vinton Studios, Valve, Midway Games, Big Idea, BioWare, Tippett Studio, Wild Brain, OddWorld Inhabitants, Mondo Media, Electronic Arts (LA), Scanline Productions and Crystal Dynamics. He was a featured speaker at Animex (2001-2005) at the University of Teesside in England, at FMX (1999-2006) in Stuttgart and SAND (2003-2005) in Swansea, South Wales. He also taught in several universities in Australia, England and United States. Ed's newest book is "Acting in Animation: A Look at 12 Films".

Prerequisites

2D or 3D animation knowledge & production experience.

Schedule & duration

Acting for Animators I took place on January 19th, 2009 from 9am to 5pm

Location

At the NAD Centre.

Literature

Note pad and reference Website.

Diploma

The course leads to a NAD Centre attendance attestation.

Tuition Fees

$195/pers. (lunch included)

ACTING FOR ANIMATORS II

Content

This second workshop consists of a lecture, intermediate improvisations and multiple acting analysis/deconstruction of clips from films and animated features. Ed Hooks will not try to make stage actors out of animators. He will teach them acting theory in a fun, painless and empowering way. The primary focus of "Acting for Animators" is to explore the connections between thinking, emotion and physical action as it relates to performance animation. Here is the list of specific topics that will be covered:

First part

  • Review of acting principles
  • Discussion of "super objective"
  • Analysis of a feature 3D animated movie
  • Analysis of a comedy movie
  • Analysis of a dramatic movie
Second part
  • Improvisation:
  • Enter room for three different reasons
  • Answer door for three different reasons
  • United Nations Interpreter
  • Non-verbal intention
  • Metamorphic Circle
  • A study in physical comedy
  • An examination of editing (final scene)
  • Final analysis

About the teacher, Ed Hooks

Ed Hooks is the author of "Acting for Animators" (Heinemann, revised 2nd edition 2003). He has been a theatre professional for three decades and teaches acting to both animators and actors. He has taught at many companies, including Disney Feature Animation in Orlando and Sydney, DreamWorks/PDI, Lucas Learning, Animal Logic, Rising Sun Pictures, Microsoft Fasa Studio, Will Vinton Studios, Valve, Midway Games, Big Idea, BioWare, Tippett Studio, Wild Brain, OddWorld Inhabitants, Mondo Media, Electronic Arts (LA), Scanline Productions and Crystal Dynamics. He was a featured speaker at Animex (2001-2005) at the University of Teesside in England, at FMX (1999-2006) in Stuttgart and SAND (2003-2005) in Swansea, South Wales. He also taught in several universities in Australia, England and United States. Ed's newest book is "Acting in Animation: A Look at 12 Films".

Prerequisites

Having completed Acting for Animators I.

Schedule & duration

Acting for Animators II took place in January 20th from 9am to 5pm.

Location

At the NAD Centre.

Literature

Note pad and reference Website.

Diploma

The course leads to a NAD Centre attendance attestation.

Tuition Fees

$195/pers. (lunch included)
$125/pers. (lunch included) for participants that combine course I and II

CONFERENCES REVIEW: ACTING FOR ANIMATORS I & II

Over a hundred professional animators from the game, film and television industries assisted to the conferences Acting for Animators I & II taking place at the NAD Centre on January 19 and 20, 2009. Both events were a huge success; the participants loved the entertaining as well as the practical and playful aspects of Ed Hooks' training. Ed has been a professional actor for over 30 years and now teaches interpretation to both actors and animators.

Below are the comments of a few of the participants:

  • "Ed Hooks is brilliant."
  • "Excellent! Essential to mastering animation."
  • "Invite Ed Hooks again next year!"
  • "We still want more!"
  • "Clone Ed and keep him here."
  • "Ed Hooks is a nice man and teaches an entertaining class."
  • "Those days are often an opportunity to meet up again with old colleagues or fellow classmates, it's always a pleasure to see each other again! Very motivating!"
  • "Great training! Every single question about the reactions of someone either watching a movie or playing a game was dealt with; the human reactions versus emotion; empathy, humour. etc. [...], even the challenge between cinema and games to make the player participate; the transmission of experiences, creating the story and, ultimately, the embodiment which is acting."

Ed Hooks also gave us some comments regarding his experience during those 2 days at the NAD Centre:
"Thank you again for hosting the recent Acting for Animators workshops at NAD. I had a wonderful time, made some new friends and was inspired by the degree of excitement and intelligence among the animators in the classes. There is a deep reservoir of artistic talent in Montreal, and I fully expect to see an increasing amount of pioneering animation coming from your city.

I measure the success of a particular workshop by the spirit of the participants. Did they engage and challenge me? Did they inspire me to reach higher and deeper? Did they stimulate me with their insights? Did they make me laugh with appreciation? On all these accounts, the NAD classes were a roaring success. I am still buzzing with the energy and will for a long time be digesting the new things I have learned.

Thank you. I could not ask for better hosts or a more professional welcome. I am looking forward to the next time!"

Animated hugs -

Ed Hooks
Acting for Animators

And now some pictures of the event :