Fast Ramp-up to Learn Toon Boom Professional products

Michael Robertson

Company
toon53productions cc

Occupation
Animator / Advertiser

Location
Gauteng, South Africa


Biography

Michael Robertson was birthed into the world in the December of 1985, in Benoni South Africa (and before anyone asks no I’m not personal friends with Charles Theron). He is currently running toon53productions cc an animation and advertising company. His aims for the future are to further the animation industry in South Africa and produce world-class animated content.

I tell people there is a slight learning curve because it took me a week to get used to the software. A week in my books is a long time but I have no patience for things but if you think about it a week to learn an Emmy award winning program is in actual fact a very short time period. Think of it this way. How long were the other software courses you’ve been on? If they were longer than a week then Toon Boom Animate Pro will be easy for you.

How long have you been in this profession? 

Animation court my interest back in 2001 when I realized that I could make my scribbles move, my first commissioned animation was in 2003 when I created animated “count-down clocks” for a company in Sandton. Advertising has been a source of income since 1999 starting off with posters for local stores in my neighborhood (wow how things have changed).

What are your most important accomplishments?

• Opening toon53productions cc
• Getting animated content broadcast on DSTV within fifteen months of opening my company.
• Having The Cavalier’s music video reach the TOP10 chart show on MK (music channel)
• And having it climb from 7th place to 1st in the first month of broadcasting.  The music video is a huge hit in South Africa.
• Having Nickelodeon International interested in toon53productions work.
• Being the Lead Trainer and Animation Director on the first 2D animation learnership in South Africa funded by SABC and run by Portal to Learning.
• Opening toon53productions online store which is doing very well (go to www.toon53.com and click on the “SHOP” button)

What kind of projects do you create storyboards for?

I create storyboards for any projects with a narrative or motion in them. It helps speed up whatever project you’re working on. Once the storyboard is done then you can jump right in with the execution.

Do you create your animations using Toon Boom professional products only?

No, I also use After Effects and Photoshop.

Why did you choose to combine these products?

Some projects like Little Jimmy and Emo Luv (which can both be found on www.toon53.com) are done completely in Toon Boom but other bigger projects like The Cavalier’s (www.thcavalier.co.za) new music video Lonely King of Hearts were done with Toon Boom and After Effects to finished off some of the effects for broadcast purposes.

Please describe your workflow

What is your pre-production process?

Pre-production starts with getting a deposit out of the client. Once that’s done then The process seems to flow a lot better knowing that there is money in the bank ?. Once that’s done then it’s pretty much the same process as everyone else.

What kind of animation do you create?

Any animation that client wants I guess (got to pay the bills), as long as it’s 2D. I’m a huge fan of the 2D.

What animation technique are you mostly using?

Paperless and cut-out. I used to be traditional until Wacom tablets and software like Flash, After Effects and Toon Boom Animate Pro came along.

What are your top five favorite features Toon Boom Animate Pro?

1. Texture brushes
2. Lip Sync
3. Templates
4. Colour Pots
5. Effects Library

What are your top five favorite features Toon Boom Storyboard/Storyboard Pro?

1. The tool set
2. Camera
3. Unlimited Sound Tracks feature
4. The speed at which a board can be produced
5. You don’t have to know how to draw to create a board.

What Toon Boom Professional Products’ features allow you to distinguish your animation productions, including at the storyboarding and animatic stages?

It has to be the fact that you can edit your brushes to do and look like however you’d like them to.

Did you experience any productivity gains in using Toon Boom Professional Products?

Definitely, productivity almost doubled! The fact that libraries are used is a huge help. Animate a character running and that’s the last time you’ll ever have to do it. Colour Pots are also a huge help when it comes to productivity.

Are you more efficient today compared to your production toolset used previously?

Yeah, with the use of the template library for animation and colour pretty much every part of the production process has improved.

Is it possible to get the same results with other digital animation software?

Not the same results but similar. The difference is that it wouldn’t be able to be done in such a short period of time with other software.

How do you feel about Toon Boom Professional Products?

Toon Boom focuses on the animators’ needs. It helps animators in every way possible. While other products help get the job done Toon Boom feels like it has been created by animators for animators and it shows.

How was your leaning curve?

It depends how patient you are, I tell people there is a slight learning curve because it took me a week to get used to the software. A week in my books is a long time but I have no patience for things but if you think about it a week to learn an Emmy award winning program is in actual fact a very short time period. Think of it this way. How long were the other software courses you’ve been on? If they were longer than a week then Toon Boom will be easy for you.

Equipment used

Hands, eyes, a bit of intelligence, and a Wacom tablet.