We reported earlier in the spring that  Elizabeth Romo Marcos, who spent 4 years at Max the Mutt, earning the Advanced Diploma in 2009, is back home in Mexico and is working as an assistant animator on a classically animated feature film now in production. The studio is White Knight Creative. We have now confirmed that  Andreas Anler, ’08 international graduate,  (Sweden) has also  been hired as an assistant animator by White Knight Creative, has received his work permit and moved to Mexico. They both will have the amazing experience of working along side, and being mentored by, ex-Disney classical animators!

Lubomir Arsov attended  Max the Mutt directly after high school and holds diplomas from both the 3 year Classical & Computer Animation Basics Diploma Program, and the  Advanced 3D Computer Animation & Production  Program, which he completed in  2006.  Since then he’s been steadily employed as  a character designer by  CORE Digital, House Of Cool Studios,  and , currently,  Starz Animation. Lubomir also freelances as a character designer. His designs are part of many current animated series!  His newest freelance work is visual development artist for a potential feature project.

It’s been a pleasure to watch Lubomir evolve not only into a first rate character designer, but a first rate, genuine and generous human being.

Lubomir recently published Deviations: Lubomir Arsov- Explorations 2006-2009. Some pages are shown below.

Deviations' cover image

a page from Deviations

a page from Deviations

The book  was inspired by encouraging words from friends and colleagues, and a desire to share his private process with a wider audience.

Max the Mutt Animation School  congratulates Lubomir Arsov on the publication of his book and  wishes him every success in his future endeavors.

Max the Mutt has recently been in contact with Chris Leung of Powie Studios. He and his business/ creative partner Jesse (Sondang), both former  Max the Mutt students, have opened their own studio, Powie Studios, a multimedia entertainment company currently focused on children’s entertainment.

Chris and Jesse introduced their new comic book series, The Misadventures of Mal & Lot, at the Wizard World Toronto Comic Con 2010. They plan to continue creating fun and exciting stories suitable for audiences of all ages.

Chris told us that they first decided to do  their own comic  because they were so often disappointed in their search for fun and exciting material.

“The Misadventures of Mal & Lot”, owes much to the books, comics, movies, and cartoons they had enjoyed during their childhood,  specifically the works of the Lucas Film, Disney, and Bluth studios with a dash of manga and bande dessinee thrown into the mix. The story itself was inspired by tales of action and adventure in the vein of authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Jules Verne,  and Mark Twain. Chris  told us,  “… Max the Mutt Animation School’s strong efforts in developing our good all around drawing skills  has given us the fortitude to make our dreams of self publishing a reality.”

Max the Mutt Animation School would like to congratulate both Chris and Jesse for the successful self-publication of their comic, and wish them every success in their future projects. You can find more information about future projects at the Powie Studio website, www.powiestudios.com.

Here are the cover and some pages from “The Misadventures of Mal & Lot.”

Quite a few Max the Mutt graduates have worked at, or are currently working at Cuppa Coffee. This studio seems to be steadily growing, and has really expanded to include much more than Stop Motion Animation. They now work in Flash and 3D as well. Here’s the latest  pres release:

CUPPA COFFEE PREXIE LAUNCHES NEW SAUCER SOUND
Press Release from Cuppa Coffee

Cuppa Coffee Studios President and Executive Producer Adam Shaheen has
announced the launch of a new personal venture, Saucer Sound. “My desire
to have sound in-house at Cuppa was one born of wanting the best control
and quality,” he explains. “We have always done our post-audio out of
house, and it now makes sense to build a quality facility to not only
serve our own needs but also to be a new alternative for the TV and film
community here in Toronto.”

The new facility includes a high quality 5:1 Mix Studio as well as a
Second Studio with a Multi-Voice booth and control room. There are also
edit suites, a foley stage and integrated Layback and Machine Room
Facilities all capable of handling SD and HD workflows. The studio
offers full audio staffing and production as well as sound design and
music creative for short form, long form and Advertising, but can also
be booked on a per room basis.

Shaheen engaged a Swiss acoustic design team to “ensure we had the best
of the best sound-wise” and a local Toronto Contractor, Manco Design &
Build, to complete the architectural interiors. “We spent a lot of time
designing not only the perfect rooms acoustically but also creating a
space in which clients can feel comfortable and at home,” Shaheen said.
“I look forward to working with many of our clients, not just on
picture, but also now on sound.”

http://www.cuppacoffee.com