FYI Segment Show Green “TOP TALK- Special Effects”
Tape Date: Friday February 26th 2010
Segment Name: “ Special Effects”
Focus: Reviewing the new Special Effects Program at Sheridan.
Guests:
Ann Callaghan (Coordinator of the Program)
Theo Mills (Special Effects Artist)
Andrew Cook (Special Effects Artist)
Model (TBA)
Position/Title: The coordinator of the special effects program followed by a demo by two special effects artists.
Production Notes:
Taped Elements – Set up bio – Bio includes background information on the program, explaining what the program is about, how it is new to the school and unique it is to the country.
44 seconds in length
Props on Set
- Star Wars Puppet
- The Thing Mask
- Werewolf Hand
- Animatronics head
Producer/Co-coordinator Notes
Ann Callaghan
Arrival Time: 1:00pm
Transportation Issues: Guest is arriving to D102 on her own
Theo Mills/Andrew Cook
Arrival Time: 1pm
Transportation Issues: Guest is arriving to D102 on their own
Key Points:
- Bio
- Interview with Ann
- Setting up Nareeman
- Demo throughout the show face cast/slit throat
Pre-Interview Questions/Answers:
Background on Guest:
How high of a demand was there for a special effects and makeup program?
The program was not listed last year on either the OCAS server or our own page for quite some time so we were delighted to have 27 students accept offers for the program with virtually no marketing.
What are the differences between this program and the cosmetics program?
The cosmetic program has a two-pronged focus - practical and creative learning (the Cosmetic Techniques) and the business or entrepreneurial side (the Management). The creative focuses on all practical applications up to an introductory course in Out of Kits Special Effects. The grad program takes this all the way to Advanced Prosthetics, Animatronics and Props with essentially no focus on the beauty side of the industry. Quite a different career path for those who really want to be involved in the SPF/X applications.
What are some of the things that students learn in this program?
Casting and Moulding, Prosthetics, Prop Making, Puppetry, Product
Knowledge as it relates to safety and product usage, Animatronics,
Crisis Management, (the course titles are actually quite explanatory - do you want me to list more?)
What feedback have you gotten from this program?
Limited on a formal basis from the students so far as this is our first iteration. Anecdotal feedback has been positive and the students themselves are fantastic - all engaged and committed to their learning.
What kinds of career opportunities are there for students after they complete this program?
There is quite a good list in the program home page that we can use if that works for you.
What is your role in this program?
I am the program coordinator - so I do the usual program admin kinds of things. I provide curriculum support, academic advice etc. I was the coordinator of the Cosmetic Techniques and Management program for 15 years and it was our vision for quite a while to launch this program as an educational off shoot of that program. Quite a long development process!
What is your background in this field?
See above - I am NOT an FX artist. I am involved in the academics and curriculum etc. We have a fabulous team whose expertise is in the hands on area of the courses they teach.
Where do you see this program heading?
Our goal is to finish this first year and of course do a review - what worked and what needs to be addressed etc (as all programs do) to ensure that we are best meeting the needs of the students and the industry. We would like to launch international field placements in the next two years where the students can get an opportunity to find work anywhere where they see their talent fit and their initiative take them.
