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 II

Ease [their] Pain

For those who haven't seen the movie, let me set it up for you. After Ray builds the field, he waits and waits, is about to give up when, ta-da, Shoeless Joe Jackson shows up.  The next day, Joe shows up with some of his old team mates so Ray and Annie enjoy a few days watching them play.  Suddenly, the voice returns: "Ease his pain." "Whose pain?!"  shouts Ray.  Whose pain is my question.


When I started out on this adventure, I knew two things.  Where I was and where I wanted to be.  My biggest questions were how do I get there and who  will this benefit?  Young (or not-so-young) wanna be animators? Traditional animators? Professionals who've left California/NY? Women? Like Ray, I may think I know the answer to that question but each day I learn about another level of pain that animators, audiences and other artists feel.  I can't ease all their pain alone, but I can bring together an amazing team (family) and together we can build something fantastic!


Why ease their pain?  Because the system, in my opinion is broken.  Jobs are being shipped overseas, artists, unlike many other professionals, feel threatened, intimidated, and used. I feel it is time that they be given the respect they deserve.  They are professionals.  They deserve to work in an environment where they are respected, where their ideas have worth and they have careers rather than jobs.  


Studio Kinate is making difference for artists, animators and audiences and more is yet to come. Young people are working and learning from professionals and veterans. Writers have developed original content.  Musicians are composing songs that will set our animated stories apart.  


To "ease their pain," we have to be different.  Our characters have to be grounded in strong stories. And, of course, our Animation needs to be Unlimited!

Q & A with Rusty Mills

Join us for a fun evening with animator, director and producer, Rusty Mills. This will be taking place at the National Convention Center in Lansdowne, Virginia from 7-9 pm.  Email us for directions at: contact@studiokinate.com or call 703.587.3676.


Children are welcome!

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!

Rusty Mills to Teach Mid Atlantic Toon Boom Workshop in November!

I want to take a moment to share this exciting news with you, my faithful friends, family and fans.  I am thrilled to announce that Rusty Mills will be teaching our first Toon Boom workshop, scheduled for November 1-5.  We are offering some additional options and discounts to help make it available to as many of you as I can, including reducing the price, providing shorter workshop options (you can now attend Day 1 only, or Day 1 and 2).  For those who are students, educators or government employees, we have additional discounts, and finally, if three or more of you sign up, I will offer another (unadvertised) discount.  If you are interested in a group rate, email me at: char@studiokinate.com.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010-10-8/RustyTeachesToonBoom/prweb4627904.htm
Rusty regularly teaches these and other animation workshops on the West Coast, so this is an unprecedented opportunity.  If you are able to provide a scholarship for a struggling animator, please contact me via email.


Continue to dream with me!  
Best
Char