DANCE BREAK!
I animate Dance-Breaks for Scholastic NYC.
These animations play in schools across the United States to help
teachers introduce new topics to early learners.
These animations play in schools across the United States to help
teachers introduce new topics to early learners.
Whenever I’m meeting new people and the conversation inevitably turns to “So what do you do?”
So often my response is that I animate a lot of silly little guys. My favourite people to animate silly little guys with are Shonelle, Jill and the amazing team at Scholastic NYC ♥️
So often my response is that I animate a lot of silly little guys. My favourite people to animate silly little guys with are Shonelle, Jill and the amazing team at Scholastic NYC ♥️
The Process
A successful project always starts with a brief. Before I begin any creative work, the scholastic team will write a script, outlining the characters, setting and dance moves required for each animation.
Then I begin with character design + backgrounds. This usually involves sketching lots of simple shapes, seeing what sticks and not getting bogged down in the details- yet.
Then I begin with character design + backgrounds. This usually involves sketching lots of simple shapes, seeing what sticks and not getting bogged down in the details- yet.
Sometimes characters come together really fast and sometimes we try out a few versions or styles before landing on something that we love.
Once designs and backgrounds are approved, rough animation comes next.
This is where we make sure the actions are clear and well paced for children to follow along in the classroom.
This is where we make sure the actions are clear and well paced for children to follow along in the classroom.
Once approved we move on to clean up- this process involves drawing clean lines and adding any necessary colour, shine and shading.
We then bring all the animation, music + voiceovers into one
2 minute instructive animation. Below is an example before the final sound-mixing is complete.
2 minute instructive animation. Below is an example before the final sound-mixing is complete.
I've helped create over 30 animated Dance Breaks with the Scholastic team.
A lot of folks work hard so these can happen. Below are some of the people who are involved in the process!
A lot of folks work hard so these can happen. Below are some of the people who are involved in the process!
Writer: Shonelle Cooper-Caplan.
Editor: Jill Feyer.
Character design & animation: Lisa Vertudaches
Editor: Jill Feyer.
Character design & animation: Lisa Vertudaches
Composer: Phil Brookes
Graphics: Emily Zhao
Designer: Marybeth Rivera
Voice Over Artists: Rosi Amador, Martin Untrobi, Ax Norman, Amber B’ath, Isabel Santos, Whitney Highfield
Special thanks to animators who have helped out over the years, including: Chris Edser, Amy Charlick, Bill Northcott
Special thanks to animators who have helped out over the years, including: Chris Edser, Amy Charlick, Bill Northcott
and Michelle O'Connell
The above set of critters were designed by myself and animated by my friend and collaborator Amy Charlick.
I absolutely love how Amy animated these bugs, they still remain my favourite characters out of the 30+ I've worked on so far.
I absolutely love how Amy animated these bugs, they still remain my favourite characters out of the 30+ I've worked on so far.
