Hands on workshop in progress at PennDesign, University of Pennsylvania

Joseph Gilland's dynamic visual effects workshops can be tailored to suit the needs of any studio, animation school, or conference setting. From one or two hour long lecture presentations, to full-on courses lasting from one day up to two months long.

• For special effects workshops at Colleges, Universities and private schools, the length of the workshop is ideally at least three days, and can be one week, two weeks, a month or even two months long. The Elemental Magic workshop adds a great deal of depth and knowledge to any program seeking to add substance to their special effects animation curriculum. Participants engage in a hands on, results based workshop, that delves deeply in to understanding the energy that drives special effects elements. In three day to one week long workshops, participants are asked to study a specific effects element, chosen by them. Through exploration, experimentation, research and interactive collaboration with Joseph, each participant creates a detailed break-down of how his or her chosen effects element works. Great emphasis is put on keeping this process of discovery as organic as possible, looking for the information in the natural world, rather than on a computer.The final step is creating an animation using whatever technique the participant chooses.

• At festivals and conferences, the Elemental Magic workshop is more often a dynamic and entertaining one or two hour presentation that brings all the elements of the longer workshops into sharp focus. Audiences quickly discover a dimension of visual effects animation that has been almost entirely forgotten in the rush to adapt the art of animation to our new digital tools. Just as CGI character animators need to understand acting, intention, and scores of other vital 'classical' animation techniques, Joseph brings to light the need for the same knowledge and skill set when animating visual effects. Pure energy, underlying physics, implied geometry, the importance of asymmetry and chaotic fractal design are presented and explained in a way that inspires and excites. The presentation can also be spread out over several days during a conference or festival, depending on time constraints, and the desired outcome of the organizers.

• Pricing for the Elemental Magic workshops is determined independently for each school, festival or conference, based on the needs and resources of the client. Contact Joseph for additional information.