The timeless lessons of a "One Room" School House

When I was young I attended a "one-room" school.  For those who are unfamiliar, imagine students from K-12 having one teacher.  I know some of you think this would be total chaos but the success of that type of school can be attributed in part to older students acting as teaching assistants, helping younger students with assignments.  They also watched over younger students during recess, which was a time of play and more learning for everyone.  This memory was triggered while I read Innovate the Pixar Way by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson, specifically the chapter "Ready Set, Go!" Now I see there are timeless lessons in that old school experience.  Everything was about family, just like my vision for Studio Kinate.  I can see the benefit of a multi tiered model where we mentor, support and develop together.  It is important not to copy but to innovate.

Next year is going to be the first of many busy years for Studio Kinate. We will begin production on animations for the Office of Naval Research under the leadership of Rusty Mills.  We will be prioritizing our production schedule, developing our stories, meeting clients, seeking investors, attending conferences/workshops/seminars, etc.  WHEW!  In the midst of that beehive of activity, and no matter how big Studio Kinate becomes, I will remember to observe the lessons of the one-room school—no one is left out ,and we’ll make work and learning FUN!

Studio Kinate Hires Sr. VP of Animation

I've delayed making this announcement, because I am a perfectionist and I wanted all the right words, pictures, etc.  However, the only thing that  perfection does is preventing me from sharing my excitement announcing Studio Kinate's VP of Animation.

RUSTY MILLS is joining Studio Kinate as the Senior Vice President of Animation.  In the long term, Rusty "General," will oversee all the creative projects at the studio.  Beginning in January, Rusty will be the director and producer of the animated production for the Office of Naval Research, C-DEW training.  Rusty recently taught our first Toon Boom workshop and will also be utilized teaching workshops for the studio. 

As I've said in my last post, I needed to "go the distance" and that means I have to make commitments and go for the best and with Rusty Mills, I am taking those first steps.  I want the best leadership available so that we can make the biggest impact on the industry.  I want those yet-to-be animators to be challenged to create the best stories and I truly believe these two people will help me make that happen.


Look out world, here comes Studio Kinate!


Until next time, believe in your dreams and let your IMAGINATION be UNLIMITED!


Char

Studio Kinate: "Field of Dreams" Part III

Go the Distance!

2009 Studio Kinate Concept Art

When considering your dream, you will set short-term goals that will help you achieve your vision, which is the focus of this, my "Field of Dreams" blog.  In part I, I shared about building Studio Kinate.  It was about building a studio,  one that will be different.  Part II it was "ease [their] pain" about the artists/animators.  After all, without them what IS the point? This brings me to the final stage, going the distance, and this truly is the hardest part of the journey.  Allow me to take you back to the movie.


Near the end of the film much had been revealed to Ray but uncertainty still hung over his head.  He was on the verge of losing his farm, the bank was ready to foreclose.  The choices before him seemed to be keep the field and be evicted or sell the farm.  He looks at the field of players, his family and the sales contract.  How will HE decide?


I know only too well the emotions and the strain that Ray must have experienced.  I've pushed our finances (with the support of my husband) to the utter edge. However, I know this is the thing I am supposed to to.  I have seen the future and it is bright and wonderful.  I have talked to those industry professionals who tell me the vision is good and the approach is right.  Despite how it may look, I choose to "Go the Distance."  Studio Kinate IS the first woman owned animation studio!  This studio IS about developing strong CHARACTERS and STORY!  This studio IS about the ANIMATORS and ARTISTS!  This studio IS making history! And I WILL move forward and not look back.


And so, I pass this on to you.  You cannot copy what someone else has done to achieve your dream; however, you CAN learn from them.  You will have successes AND failures.  Study the failures of others and learn from yours.  Set your goals and work to achieve them.  Attend critiques and workshops. If you want to be a writer, write and read.  If you want to be an artist, take classes from the best teachers (even if you have to travel!).  If you want to be an animator, study the masters and (in the words of Larry Lauria) DRAW, DRAW, DRAW!   

Well, ladies and gentleman, next week I will be making a very important announcement.  I am VERY excited about the new year so during the coming holiday season I am going to be reflecting on this past year and what lies ahead for Studio Kinate.  So until next time, keep your vision alive and let your IMAGINATION be UNLIMITED!

Studio Kinate: "Field of Dreams" Part I

Part I: "If you build it, they will come."
I love the movie, Field of Dreams and when I was watching it the other night I started thinking about the three "tasks" that Ray had to complete in light of my dream to build Studio Kinate.
"If you build it [they] will come"; "ease [their] pain"; and "go the distance."


When I started this journey, I was spurred into action by the young animators I had come to know at my job as manager of the Mason Media Lab.  They had talent and ability but getting jobs after college was difficult at best.  Part of the problem was that their educators didn't prepare them.  Many institutes do not understand how to prepare artists for the field.  They can prepare doctors, lawyers, scientists and engineers, but these same institutes have NO idea how to prepare animators to work in the industry.  (I'll table that soapbox for now). I loved working with these artists and they enjoyed working for me.  When they commented that they wished they could work for me fulltime, I thought about my dreams.  I had wished I could be an animator but that dream was beyond my reach (artistic instincts, yes, able to draw, NO).  But what about an employer? Then I started researching and I realized that I had put my dream in a box called "animator." What about building a studio?


Build a studio, okay, how crazy is that!  I'd need millions of dollars, right? Then I started thinking, how much would it really take?  Money I didn't have, but I'm a farm girl so I was willing to work for it.  I would find those with  money who would love to be part of an animation studio.  Others have squandered many millions!  But this studio has to be unique.


Studio Kinate is unique; so is the woman in charge.  If I built it, what would it look like? What would make it different from those studios already in existence?  HELLO!  Wo-Man!  LOL  First major difference!  Okay, I know that's obvious, but as a woman I look at business differently.  I am a nurturer; relationships are VERY important to me.  So my studio has to be about the ones who create the stories, the worlds, the characters.  After all, without that talent, what's the point.  I also know how to get by on less but that does NOT mean I sacrifice quality.  Producing Pete's Odyssey proved that we could do more with less.  It also proved that if you set high expectations, people will rise to meet them.  Those young people in NJ did the work of professional animators because we expected of them and with Larry Lauria at the helm, they did amazing work.


Second, location: VIRGINIA?  REALLY crazy, right? WRONG! I thought it would be difficult to ask people to move to this area until I learned that there are a number of veteran animators as well as young talent already here and more who have lost jobs in NY/CA either because of closing, downsizing or outsourcing who would love to move here.  Virginia has a lot to offer, including a technology corridor.  It is great for families.  Close to the Nation's Capitol, rich in history.  (BTW--I'm from Washington State, which I LOVE but Virginia is my new home).


Technology!  Yep, we have our own technology corridor and thanks to tech advances there is a whole new realm available to Studio Kinate, both in production and HOW we produce.  Paperless drawing, painting, sketching, editing, recording, you name it...and while I still love to watch artists use paper, paints, pencils, etc., (those will always have a place in our productions) there are now tools that allow us to digitize the art.  Videoconferencing is also a valuable tool, enabling animators to telecommute.  Face time is extremely important and will be required, but they won't always have to be in the office to produce OR mentor.


Community/Family.  THIS is a BIG one and very important to me.  When I gave up my paying job to build Studio Kinate, like Ray in Field of Dreams, my family and I sacrificed a great deal. But this isn't about me, it is about them.  In the movie, it was about Ray's father.  "If you build it, he will come."  He did, and they are.  Over the last couple of months, I have been amazed at the people I've gotten to know.  I am learning that these artist's are very close.  They watch out for each other.  They love family and community.  Many teach, they love the idea of mentoring.  I know there are "showboats" out there, but I've met the most genuine people, professionals who are becoming fast friends.


And so, I have built it and they are coming.  My "brain trust" is taking shape and very soon, we will make some amazing announcements.  As always, I cherish your thoughts, advice and prayers.  Studio Kinate isn't about me, never will be, it is about the stories and the storytellers, both known and yet to be. My advice to you, be willing to modify your dream, take a leap of faith and as always, let your imagination be unlimited!

The Difference of 24 Hours

Yesterday, we launched Studio Kinate's website and now there has been this tremendous shift in our universe (I will be making another announcement this weekend, so stay tuned).  I woke up no longer the woman trying to build a business to being president of a studio.  With that comes a new set of responsibilities and challenges but some things didn't change, I'm still me.  I am still Louis' Oma, Tonya's mom and Bill's wife.  I just happen to be a president.


Tis short but sweet.  
The universe is infinite and my imagination is unlimited!
Char

What is the Meaning of Success for You?

The other night I watched the 2009 movie, Fame.  I'm not going to get into the shortcoming of this film I really want to talk about success.  There is a dialog near the end of the movie that inspired me. Here it is:

There are some things success is not; it's not fame, it's not money or power. Success is waking up in the morning so excited about what you have to do that you literally fly out the door.  It's getting to work with people you love. Success is connecting with the world and making people feel.  It's finding a way to bind together people who have nothing in common but a dream.  It's falling asleep at night knowing you did the best job you could.  Success is joy and freedom and friendship .. and success is love.

I needed to be reminded about what is MY meaning of success and it comes down to the fact that I LOVE animators.  I love their passion and their ability to create worlds from imagination.  I love that they can take still images and make them move with such graceful flow, that it boggles my mind.  I love the unlimited possibilities that are just around the corner for Studio Kinate and our family of artists.  And despite what may seem like setbacks to me, are perfect timing for what will be. I love the success that comes each day even when it is hard for me to see it. 


Studio Kinate is our success story.  


Until next time, believe that YOUR imagination is unlimited and you will fly!
Char 

Vote for Pete's Odyssey at Animatron!

Pete's Odyssey was an amazing production and she is now available to view online through the Babelgum Film Festival.  We have a chance to win $20,000!  Voting is through October 10th and right now we are in second place for the most views and votes!  So pass the word and help push and keep us on the top!


Here is the link: http://www.babelgum.com/6001175/petes-odyssey.html

Keep your imagination open to unlimited possibilities!

Char