Registration for Workshops is Open!

Basic 3D Modeling: An Introduction to Blender

The Basic 3D Modeling workshop is intended for individuals with little or no experience using 3D modeling software. We will be using Blender, an open source software 3D content production suite compatible with all major operating systems. The program can be freely downloaded by participants for use on their own machines. This workshop will familiarize participants with the 3D production environment and interface, basic 3D manipulation and transformation of objects, surface and texture modification, lighting, and scene construction. Participants will have the opportunity to work individually or in groups to create a virtual scene of their choosing based on fictitious or real-world environments, objects, and characters. At the end of the workshop participants will have rendered still images of their scenes for exhibition. Completion of this workshop will give participants the necessary background to begin experimenting with 3D animation.

Instructor: Brett Caraway earned his Ph.D. in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011.  His research interests include digital media production, copyright law, peer-to-peer networking, and the economics of new media. Before coming to the University of Texas for graduate school, Brett worked in the local music scene as a studio and live sound engineer and as a recording and professional audio equipment service technician. He currently teaches an introductory digital media course in the Department of Radio-Television-Film at U.T.

Time: 9:30 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 18:00; lunch break from 13:00-14:30. Lunch is not provided.

Dates: October 19 and 20

Location: University of Porto Faculty of Fine Arts, room TBA

Cost: $40 US (approximately 30€)

To register: Click here and select “conferences.” Credit card or wire transfer is accepted. If paying by wire transfer, select “prepay” when checking out. You will be contacted with wire instructions.

Special instructions: Although the program may have computers available, this cannot be guaranteed. Please be prepared to bring a laptop.

 

Experimental Animation Workshop: Ghosts of Spaces

In this hands-on workshop, participants will create short animations using experimental techniques. The class is designed especially to enhance the practice of artists and filmmakers, but is open to all. Participants will learn a variety of hand-made techniques including cut paper, light-based, and hand-drawn animation. These techniques will be used to create animated realms. We will focus on the lives of spaces over time, and how the residue of the past affects the present. Participants will be encouraged to reinvent and playfully engage the medium to support their ideas. The individual animated works will be combined together into a single virtual realm, which will be screened at the final presentation.

Instructor: Jeanne Stern is an animator, puppet filmmaker and multimedia artist based in Austin TX.  Her work has screened internationally at venues including SXSW, the Smithsonian, PBS, the Werk-Raum Gallery (Berlin), Guggenheim Center for Documentary (at the National Archives), Moving Things Festival (Capetown, South Africa), and the Athens Video Art Festival. In 2009 she animated Ruth Fertig’s film, “Yizkor,” winner of the Student Academy Award Gold Prize for documentary and the Cine Golden Eagle Award. Her work has included stereoscopic filmmaking, with a 3D puppet film commissioned for Connecticut College’s Arts & Technology symposium, and a solo show of stereoscopic work at Texas State Art Gallery. She has taught experimental animation courses at the University of Portugal for the UT | Portugal summer institute, and at the Austin School of Film.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, she received her MFA in Film Production from UT Austin and her BA in Art and Computer Science from Connecticut College.

Time: 9:30 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 18:00; lunch break from 13:00-14:30. Lunch is not provided.

Dates: October 19 and 20

Location: University of Porto Faculty of Fine Arts, room TBA

Cost: $40 US (approximately 30€)

To register: Click here and select your desired conference. Credit card or wire transfer is accepted. If paying by wire transfer, select “prepay” when checking out. You will be contacted with wire instructions.

For questions about the workshops or registration, please contact kegustafson@gmail.com.