David Donar

109 Charissa St

Clemson, SC 29631

ddonar@clemson.edu

(810) 252-8472

fx.clemson.edu/~ddonar

  

 

EDUCATION

 

 

May 2004        Bowling Green State University, Master of Fine Art with an emphasis in Digital Art.  Bowling Green, Ohio.

           

May 1998        California Institute of the Arts, Character Animation Program. Valencia, California.

 

Aug.1993         Eastern Michigan University, Bachelor of Fine Art 1993 with a major in painting and printmaking. Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

 

TEACHING

 

Aug 2006-       Clemson University

Present            Clemson, SC.

Asst. Professor of Digital Production Arts

 

Aug 2004-       Sheridan Institute

Aug 2006        Oakville, ONT. Canada

Professor of Animation/Story 

                        Coordinator and development lead of curriculum for BAA animation program.

 

Aug 2002-       Bowling Green State University

Aug 2004        Bowling Green, OH.

Instructor of Record, Digital Animation and Art

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courses Taught

 

Clemson University

CPCS 860 Digital Film Production

                        is a collaborative effort that stresses teamwork within the studio environment. Students are designated specific job titles like Lead Animator, Modeler, Texture artist, Rigger, etc. These leads then delegate responsibilities throughout the entire team. This is a capstone project that spans a 12 month cycle.  Traditional narrative techniques are explored like character development and storyboarding.  Cinematic language of staging, design, lighting and mood are developed and refined into a story reel. Scene blocking and rough animation is carried out to final animation and performance.  The final stage of production focuses on lighting, texturing and audio. In the end, all the students develop an appreciation for the full cycle of digital production and the final result is a film that is exhibition worthy.

 

                        ARTC 821 Creative research for time based medium

                        This course is designed to allow digital artists to do creative research outside the computer.  Traditional mediums of literature, art, and music are explored and developed into a refined and complete research project that merge all three creative components into a time based piece.

 

CPCS 808 3D Computer Animation

                        Students are introduced to the "fundamentals" of animation including Timing, weight, squash/stretch, posing, shot design and character development are explored at the basic level.  Each assignment builds on the next and applied to a final miniature film of 30 seconds or less.

                       

                        CPCS 807 Intro to Maya

1st year students are introduced to the ins and outs of Maya 3D software. They learn in a real world platform taking reference from real life instead of exclusive computer application. Students visit professional studio and gallery settings and take notes, sketches and photographs of visual work.  From this research a refined approach to 3-dimensional modeling, texture and lighting is applied in the virtual computer graphics world.  From this point, time and animation concepts are explored and students become familiar with basic editing and timing concepts.

 

                        ARTC 321 Art with the Computer

                        This course is designed to introduce artist to the computer as a new medium. Along with the latest digital methodology they are introduced into time based medium. The computer is simply another device or tool to help the students express themselves into a new realm. Photoshop introduces the students into digital print medium and then Flash is incorporated to utilize the visual into time. One theme that is explored is the self-portrait where the artist deviates from the traditional figurative to a transition of form and color.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

Sheridan Institute

ANIM30261 Film Project Creative Research

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to establish a personal artistic vision that will direct their senior project in Year 4. Students develop advanced research methodologies to support their individual artistic voice.

 

ANIM 10034  Multiple Character Dynamics (Lecture Component)

Film studies and theoretical elements that reinforce the studio work done in the labs.  Concepts include exploring conflict in regards to multiple characters—Hero vs. Villain, External vs. Internal conflict, Programmatic Music.  Film Critiques: The Rope, Wallace and Gromit, Fast Runner

 

            ANIM 30161  Group Storyboard Project

Students are organized into teams and develop a story through the initial stages to a completed story reel.  Team building and leadership exercises are introduced as well as conflict/resolution.  Contracts and production expectations are explored and applied.

 

ANIM 24716  Fundamentals of Storyboarding (Lecture Component)

Film studies and theoretical elements that reinforce the studio work done in the labs.  Concepts include critical theory, three character dynamics, psychological traits, and dialog and screen writing.  Film Critiques: Crumb, Three Stooges, The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

 

ANIM 10034  Archetypical Character and Story (Lecture Component)

Film studies and theoretical elements that reinforce the studio work done in the labs.  Concepts include exploring the archetype vs. the stereotype, Classical archetypes and plot.  Film Critiques: Rivers and Tides, Bugs Bunny vs. Mickey Mouse, Benny Hill, the Man who Planted Trees

 

            ANIM 25726  Advanced Story Structure

Multiple conflict narrative is explored.  Students develop character driven narrative with conflicts that build up into a climactic and compelling resolution.  Audio and Foley effects are introduced to enhance and support the main visual theme.  A final story reel with full audio production is screened in a theatrical environment to their peers and mentors.

 

ANIM 24717  The Fundamentals of Storyboarding

Students discover the elements (archetypes, conflicts/climax, resolution etc.) that comprise a good story.  Story development is pursued through traditional and digital mediums.  The ultimate goal is to develop drawings into a fluid and comprehensive story reel.  The student will also be able to fully integrate the fundamentals of storyboarding, layout and painting to demonstrate complex storytelling and an emerging sense of personal expression.

 

 ANIM10172 Story and Sequential Narrative

This course is designed to introduce students to storyboard as it relates directly to narrative structure. Emphasis is also placed on the full storyboard cycle from initial sketch to final sequential panels.

 

  

 

 

Bowling Green State University

 

                        ARTC 311   3D Modeling with Maya

                        Teaching the principles of computer modeling utilizing the application Maya and Photoshop to create complete works of art with the emphasis on design, color, light, and textures. 

 

            ARTC 312   3D Animation with Maya

Teaching the principles of computer animation utilizing the application Maya and After Effects.  Important elements of timing, weight, and balance are incorporated into assignments.  Students gain the understanding of these principals through practice and screening of past and contemporary animators.  Students are then expected to complete a short comprehensive film.

 

            ART 495   2-Dimensional Animation

            Teaching the principles of traditional animation through digital and non-digital means.  Emphasis is put on story development and layout.  After a critique among peers, students then embark on producing a short film utilizing applications like Macromedia Flash, Adobe Photoshop and After Effects.

 

 

Lectures and Workshops

 

April, 20          North Carolina State University

2007                Raleigh, NC

Creative input and the independent mind 

How to keep your artistic integrity while keeping a full-time job in the industry.

 

Summer           University of Washington

2006                Seattle, WA

Consulting and Mentoring for Capstone 3D animation group project for the school of Computer Science.

 

Feb. 13-14,      College for Creative Studies

2002                Detroit, Michigan

Marketing and Self Promotion for Animators Workshop

                        Covering the ins and outs regarding the legal, creative, and process of promoting independent work through the channels of film festivals, television, video/DVD, and internet.

 

March 24-25,   College for Creative Studies

2001                Detroit, Michigan

Flash Workshop

                        Covering the basic fundamentals of Flash in regards to Animation, Design, and Drawing.

 

 

 

Sept. 24,          Art Institute of Seattle

1997                Seattle, Washington

Principles of animation and cartooning.

                        Students explore the core elements that make up the foundation of traditional cartooning and animation methods.

 

Nov. 13,          Virginia Tech University

1995                Blacksburg, Virginia

 Principles of animation and design for interactive gaming.

                        An artistÕs perspective of the challenges producing interactive games for children.

 

June 9,             Eastern Michigan University

1994                Ypsilanti, Michigan

 Summer Institute,

                        Foundations of caricature and satire.

                        Exploring the essence of successful caricaturing in the world of satire.

 

 

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

 

Feb 2007                     Nickelodeon/Radish Productions

                                    Character Design

                                    Concept pitch, Benny the Toon, for an animated children series.

 

Feb 2003                     Comcast Cable/Radish Productions

                                    National TV Ad spot

                                    Animation and design for high profile commercial spots.

 

May 2002                    Tech TV—Eye Drops (San Francisco, CA.)

Produced, Directed and Animated, Token Life and La Morte E Bella for TV series.

                                   

Jan.  2000-                   Mondo Media/BBC America (San Francisco, CA.)

April 2001                    Character Animator, Storyboard Artist for Thugs on Film

                                    www.mondomedia.com

 

August-                        Cartoon Network/A.K.A. Cartoons (Vancouver, B.C.)

Dec. 1999                    Storyboard Artist for TV series Ed, Edd, & Eddy

                                   

Sept-1997                    MTV -- Cartoon Sushi (New York, NY.)

Aug-1998                    Produced, Directed and Animated, Open Mic Fright and Espresso Depresso for TV series.

 

 

Nov-1995                    Headbone Interactive (Seattle, WA.)

Dec. 1997                    Animation & Character Design for various CD-ROM Interactive Games

                                     

Jan.-                             Disney Interactive (Los Angeles, CA.)

Oct 1994                     Animation & Character Design 

                                    Winnie the Pooh & The Lion King CD-ROM

 

Feb 1993-                    Media Station, Inc. (Ann Arbor, MI.)

Aug 1995                     Animation & Character Design for various CD-ROM Interactive Games

 

April 2001                    Disney TV   The Proud Family

Freelance Background Layout Artist for an episode of a weekly television series on ABC family.

                                   

Jan.  2000                    Bonk Pictures   El Gringo

Sundance Film Festival.

Freelance Storyboard Artist and Conceptual Designer

 

July 1999                     Klasky Csupo   Rocket Power

Freelance Storyboard Artist for an episode of a weekly television series on Nickelodeon.

 

                                     

 FILMOGRAPHY and SCREENINGS

 

Nov 2006                    The Lives of Lou (30min) Documentary (Live Action/Multimedia) 

Appalachian Film Festival, Huntington, WV. April 2007

 

Sept 2005                    Retrospective—National Film Board of Canada

                           NFB Centre, Toronto, Canada.

 

May  2004                   Nutz (4:00) 3D/ Maya/AfterEffects/Photoshop

Giggle Shorts, Toronto, Canada March 2005

Gish Film Theater, Bowling Green, OH Apr 2004

 

Nov  2003                   Pulcinello (4:40) 3D/ Maya/AfterEffects/Photoshop

                        Great Lakes International Film Fest, Erie, PA Sept 2006

Hollywood International Film Fest, Hollywood, CA Oct 2005

Seattle International Film Fest, Seattle, WA June 2004

Gish Film Theater, Bowling Green, OH Apr 2004

 

May  2002                   Bubba Ganoosh (2:40) 3D/ Maya/AfterEffects/Photoshop

                        911 Media Arts Center Seattle, WA May 2002

 

Nov. 2001                   Das Raven Meister (5:50) Live Action/Digital Video

                                    CineSlam Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI April 2002

                                   

Oct.  2001                   Token Life (5:40) 2D-AfterEffects/Photoshop

                                    CSUN Intl. Animation Festival  (1st place 2D animation)

                                    Museum of Television, Radio. Beverly Hills, CA. April 2002

                                    911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA Oct 2001

                                    Tech TV, ÒEye DropsÓ May 20, 2002

 

Nov 2000                    Off The Wagon (1:20) 2D-Flash

                                    www.webflicks.org (animation)

                                    911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA Nov 2000

 

Feb 2000                     FergyÕs Fungis (7:20) 2D-Flash

                                    www.webflicks.org (animation)

                                    911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA Feb 2000

           

May 1999                    La Morte E Bella (2:15) 3D-Softimage-SGI

                                    Tech TV, ÒEye DropsÓ April, 12, 2002

                                    Brooklyn Film Festival, NY 2000

Toledo Area Artist Exhibit, Toledo Museum of Art, May 2002

Palm Springs Intl Film Festival, CA 1999

                                    Interfilm Fest, Berlin, Germany 1999

Cal Arts ProducerÕs Show, Academy of T.V. Arts and Science, Hollywood, CA 1999

911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA May 1999

 

March 1999                 Snow Pea and Tofu (2:20) 2D-Macintosh

Independent Film Channel, ÒMedia UploadÓ  Jan. 2007

Hollywood Short Shorts Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, CA.  Aug. 2001

Anima Mundi Animation Festival, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brazil.  March 2000

Toledo Area Artist Exhibit, Toledo Museum of Art, May 2002

San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, ASIFA SF, March 2000

American Short Shorts Festival, Tokyo, Japan April 2000

                                    CSUN International Animation Festival  

                                    Museum of Television, Radio. Beverly Hills, CA. April 2000

Cal Arts ProducerÕs Show, Academy of T.V. Arts and Science, Hollywood, CA 1999

                                    911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA March 1999

 

 

 

 

March 1998                 Open Mic Fright (5:30) 2D-Macintosh

MTV, ÒCartoon SushiÓ April 1998

                                    911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA March 1998

                                    Seattle Poetry Festival, Seattle, WA June 1998                   

 

Dec 1997                     Espresso Depresso (4:00) 2D-Macintosh

                        Blinding Light Cinema, Vancouver B.C. Nov 1999

                                    MTV, ÒCartoon SushiÓ Nov 1997

                                    General Chaos Animation Film Festival Feb 1998

                                    911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA Dec 1997

 

May 1996                    Big, Fat, Dumb, Stupid, Baby (3:00) 2D-Film

                        Spike and MikeÕs Sick and Twisted Film Festival Nov 1996

                                    911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA Aug. 1996

           

 

 

 

 

Awards and Fellowships

 

Animation Block, 1st Place (Audience vote) June 2005

Animationblock.com

 

Giggle Shorts Best Animation 2002

National Film Board, Toronto, Ontario 

 

CSUN International Animation Festival  (1st place traditional animation)

Museum of Television, Radio. Beverly Hills, CA. April 2002

 

911 Media Arts – Artist in Residency program Seattle, Washington. June – August 2002

 

 

 

Publications

 

DVD/VHS

Indican Pictures DVD, A Light in the Darkness featuring Open Mic Night 

Los Angeles, California. 2006 Indicanpictures.com

 

Donar Animations Vol 1. DVD

2005 CDW publications, Oklahoma City, OK

Distributed by Amoeba Records, Hollywood, CA.

 

 

Spike and MikeÕs Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation Complete Works DVD

2002 Slingshot Entertainment, Burbank, CA

 

General Chaos Animation DVD Espresso Depresso

Manga Video, Chicago, IL 1999

 

Spike and MikeÕs Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation Vol 4. VHS/DVD

1997 Mellow Manor Productions, La Jolla, CA

 

 

BOOKS

Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2001,2004,2006,2007

Edited by Charles Brooks.  Pelican Publishing, Gretna, Louisana

 

 

 

Reviews

 

Animation World Network, www.awn.com  March 2001

http://mag.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=all&sort=date&article_no=1293&page=3

 

ASIFA-San Francisco Feb. 2000

http://www.awn.com/asifa-sf/2000/0300.html

 

Webflicks 911 Media Art Center, www.webflicks.org/animation Aug. 2001

 

New York Times, FILM REVIEW; Advanced Technique Wed to Teen-Age Ideas

Feb 6, 1996

 

 

Courses/Workshops taken

 

Richard Williams, Animation Master Class, Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Oct.1997