OUR TEAM!
Director & Animator
Renders to his strummed guitar
Besotted Dog Dad
Creative Producer & Educator
Office Tea Lady --"Earl Grey? Lemon Balm?"
Hedgerow enthusiast!
Monocle Cat!
Constant Office Companion!
Totoro look-alike!
OUR METHOD
Animation Atelier:
(Atelier, def. An artist’s studio or workshop)
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Delivers the coursework of a professional college animation major
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Is constructed to meet the needs of student artists 13 – 18
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Teaches animation principles you can use with any software
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Provides individualized instructor feedback and practice so students achieve their goals
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Believes in Growth not Grades! Each artist has a unique learning curve and style
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Provides instructors who are accomplished professional animators AND experienced teachers
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Utilizes Blender, the free animation software also used by professional film and video game studios
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Creates a community of student artists developing their craft & offers free open Lab-time with peers & instructors in Open Atelier!
Conor MacFinn
Hi! I’m Conor MacFinn - a professional animator and filmmaker. I’ve done a lot of different kinds of animation: films that have been nominated and won awards in LA, NYC and internationally; some cools apps distributed through Apple that were invited to show at the world’s largest computer animation conference; I even created a dog for an AR app in a New York City museum! I’ve also taught and mentored college animation students and professionals.
I created Animation Atelier – a college-level animation course for teens - because, when I was homeschooling high school, I spent a lot of time studying art & film with professional artists. But I missed having a group of friends to share my work and interests with. Remembering that, I decided to combine my artistic and teaching know-how to bring teens the opportunity to learn and develop their animation and sequential art skills in a community of other teens, with the support of pros like me, who are also committed mentors.
In Animation Atelier, students progress and collaborate through college level sequences of 3D Computer Animation; 2D Animation; or Storyboarding and Storytelling, which is used in film, animation, graphic novels, and comics.
Whether you want to enter animation / film / sequential media professionally or just enjoy using your new skills to express yourself with this unique art, Animation Atelier’s community is for you!
If you’ve got questions, contact us through our website or email at info@animationatelier.com
Thanks! We look forward to seeing you in class!
Clare Kohavi
I’m Clare Kohavi, and I’m really pleased to be part of the team at Animation Atelier!
I’ve been a Creative Producer in animation for ten years, working on a variety of projects from commercials to award winning films and storybook games. It’s been exciting and I’ve really broadened my knowledge base about this amazing art form!
I’ve also worked as a theater producer, an actor, a dancer and choreographer, a writer, and a teacher - and as a learning specialist and educational consultant.
At Animation Atelier, I’ll be bringing all those experiences to work with me mentoring both our instructors and our students. I help our instructors create our unique internet curricula so that our classes are exciting, substantive, warm and personal. When requested by students, I bring the same detailed and supportive eye to their work that I use to give feedback to professional animators. I can help guide you in choosing the class that best matches your interest and current skill level. And along with our instructors, I can help you choose the post-high school program that’s right for you, if you want to pursue a professional career in the field. I’m also available to talk with students or parents to answer any questions you have.
Whether you’re considering a professional career in animation or sequential media, or just love the art and want to get better at it, I know you’ll have a wonderful experience as an Animation Atelier student!
I always enjoy communicating with our students and families. So, feel free to reach out to me – and I’ll see you in class!
April
Ahoy! I’m April, The Pirate Queen!
Prior to my assuming the captaincy of Animation Atelier, my life was eventful and not always agreeable. I was forced to live by piracy until the granddaughter of a lonely widow realized that I was meant for better things and chose me as a companion. There I was suitably adored – but, alas, my life was indolent! So, although I left my elderly mistress with regret, I have enthusiastically embraced my new position.
My present circumstances are most salubrious and give full range to my talents. In addition to inspiring animators, producers, students, and film composers, I bully the dog, patrol the garden, and keep the humans on their toes with unpredictable demands for food, cheek rubs and an ever-changing assortment of boxes. Admittedly, I am frustrated by their refusal to allow me to lie on their keyboards and erase their day’s work, but I remain confident that with determination and skill I will someday achieve this goal.
As I oversee all aspects of our school, I look forward to making your acquaintance in that inevitable moment when I surprise your instructor by leaping onto his desk and walking across the screen.
I know you’ll love Animation Atelier as much as I do – and I look forward to seeing you in class!