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: "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!

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

Studio Kinate's Website Goes LIVE!

Okay, now for a little me time.  If has been awhile, check out the new digs at Studio Kinate!  Thanks to the hard work of Linda and Lisa, we have a fantastic looking website.  WE ARE ALIVE!!!!


www.studiokinate.com

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 

The Vision vs. the "I" Words!

This has been one of those weeks, I've been on the mountaintop and I've had a meltdown (not unlike the wicked witch of the West). I had to be reminded to breathe (amazing how we forget to do that when we are stressed!) and I've seen the possibilities of where Studio Kinate is going. Times like this make it hard to see through all the yuck, however, when I look back on my life, I can see times almost as bad and know that we got through them and we will be victorious now too.

Part of all this is remembering back when I decided to leave George Mason to build this business.  I went to workshops and they told us that the hard times will come and it is our passion that will be the thing that gets us to the other side.  Everyday I have to avoid the "negative talk," the words that eat away at the vision.  Those words that say, it is Impractical, Impossible, Irresponsible, for a woman, in her 50's to build an animation studio in VIRGINIA!  Can I just say, BS!!!!

If you want something bad enough, YOU and no one else have to make it happen.  I believe in the artists who sacrifice everyday.  There are those who have come along side of me, who can see the vision and are sacrificing as much as I am.  Then I've seen others who have drifted away because their passions have them going in other directions, and that's okay.

I need those artists, animators, illustrators, storytellers who can help build this dream.  There are those who will build and pull their weight while others will pull down the the dream because of their lack of vision.  I used to wish I could be an animator but I'm not.  I am a dreamer and I want to help those with the talent to bring stories to life. After all, that is what it means to animate!

Let your imagination be unlimited! 

2D Animation, Something Old and Something New

Blue and red pencils, animation disks, paper, pens, hours of drawing.  I look though books with pictures of the old "masters" and watch the extras of "Backstage Disney" I wonder, is there still room for the old?  I sure hope so. I believe there is room enough in this world of entertainment for various forms of filmmaking.  Live action is necessary for many stories, CGI is great, for some stories, but 2D or hand drawn has to hold a place in the hearts and minds of audience around the globe, don't you think?  Well, I do.  As a matter of fact, I am banking on it.  I mean it, my husband and I have put EVERYTHING into this belief, this dream.  And what I love is that everyday I meet (either virtually or in person) young artists who have the same belief or dream.  

So, as Studio Kinate moves forward, we will be looking for the stories to produce and the talent to bring those stories to life.  After all, isn't that what animation is all about?