Shaffer Creative: Conversations with Creatives

Bazin. Truffault. Godard. Varda.  What do they all have in common? They were part of the French New Wave. What are they doing on this podcast? Plenty. All creatives can learn from the the audacity of their convictions that created a movement that changed cinematic history. The French New Wave was a revolutionary force that should never have happened. When the movement started, it was unwanted, it was resisted, it was criticized, it was in French, it had every reason to fail on the world stage. Yet it changed the cinema, and it’s impact is still being felt today.  My guest in this episode has written one of the most lively, insightful and readable books on the French New Wave, titled A History of the French New Wave. He’s the Wheatly Professor of the Arts at the Univerity of Georgia, teaching film history and theory. His name is Professor Richard Neupert.  FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio  INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/  FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/  TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreati

 I've always admired people who do one thing in life and they do that one thing well. It's even more admirable when they still have that same spark of passion in their twilight years. Maritime painter John Stobart is just such a man. In this episode John talks about the development of his career from that first painting sale he made as a student at the Royal Academy. John gives us a window into the meticulous research process he goes through in the creation of his historic maritime port scenes. He also talks about his Worldscape video series he produced for PBS. One of John most admirable achievements is the established The Stobart Foundation, which is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to help support emerging artists who paint from life. You can find more information about the Stobart Foundation, and apply for a grant, at stobartfoundation.org. SUPPORT US AT PATREON PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

My guest is John Stobart. John studied painting at the Royal Academy of Art in London, and has enjoyed a long and successful career painting pictures of ships, focusing period harbor scenes during the age of sail. He is meticulous with the historical accuracy and detail of his work, and his final paintings are stunning. John also created two seasons of Instructional painting shows for PBS called Worldscape. These shows are available on DVD and they are great inspiration for outdoor painting.  As a young animator early in my career, I was terrified of paint. But John's work and his Worldscape series encouraged me to "get out and paint," as he said. And I did.  In this episode, John talks about what he's doing now, and tells us a wonderful story about his schooling at the Royal Academy, and the circumstances of his first sale as a painter.  John is 89 years old and he's still going strong. SUPPORT US AT PATREON PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

From the Sheridan Animation program to Supervising Animator on The Lion King. Michael Surrey's fascinating journey continues in part 2 of our conversation.  BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

He was Supervising Animator for Timon on The Lion King, Clopin on Huntchback, and Ray on Princess and the Frog. In the first part of my conversation Mike talks about his development as an animator, his years at Sheridan, and his first contact with Disney Animation.  This is part 1 of my conversation with Mike Surrey. BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Henry Hensche believed he was part of the painters of the future who took the lessons of the Impressionists to the next level, and John Ebersberger has spent his career trying to carry Hensche's vision forward with his own art.  This is part 3 of my conversation with oil painter John Ebersberger. SHOW NOTES John Ebersberger’s Website The Egeli Legacy website FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

The second great artistic influence in John's life, was a man who not only shared Charles Hawthorne's perspective on color, he took it to a new level. Get ready for a fascinating look at color and an artistic lineage in the grand history of American Art. This is the second part of my conversation with oil painter John Ebersberger. SHOW NOTES John Ebersberger’s Website The Egeli Legacy website FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

 One of the things that fascinates me about artists is how they got to where they are a creative professionals. What were the formative influences that shaped them as artists, and What were the major challenges they faced, and what drove them to overcome them? Annapolis painter John Ebersberger is no exception. After graduating from a prestigious art school, John discovered that his school had not taught him how to draw or paint, and under to tutelage of Cedric Egeli he applied himself to become the brilliant painter he is today.  This is the first part of my conversation with John.  SHOW NOTES John Ebersberger’s Website The Egeli Legacy website FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

In this episode, Mike shares with me a sneak peak at a personal animated project that he wants to make into a feature film. The beauty of this project is not just in it's artistry, but also in it's leveraging of today's technology to achieve it's old school animation look.  This is the third part of my conversation with Mike. SHOW NOTES Michael Greenholt's website Instagram: mikegreenholt Ringling College of Art and Design FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Michael Greenholt has been working in animation for some time and has lately become a sought-after Animation Supervisor among the bigger studios. His career path is fascinating, and in this episode Mike shares some very helpful words of wisdom from someone who has worked his way through the ranks in LA. This is the second part of my conversation with Mike. SHOW NOTES Michael Greenholt's website Instagram: mikegreenholt Ringling College of Art and Design FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

We gather our family around microphones in Grandma's kitchen to introduce our children, talk about where we are creatively as a family, and what we plan to pursue in the new year.    BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Here are ten things animators need to know about working on a production from an Animation Director with almost 30 years of experience in production.  BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

The Promise: Birth of the Messiah is an animated musical that presents Luke's account of the nativity story. It was written and directed by Todd, while I (Melissa) had a hand in the production as a motion-capture performer. Todd tells us how this film was conceived, it's unique challenges, it's handling of Hebrew poetry as music, and favorite moments. And as a bonus, Todd talks about his current production Prodigal the Musical and shares a clip of one of his favorite songs from the show. BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Sam Cabanac is a young animator of great skill, and it’s been my joy to work with Sam and watch his exponential growth. In this second part of my conversation with Sam we talk about how he uses social media to network, how he met his hero Glen Keane, and how young animators need to be humble learners when they are welcomed onto an animation team and use every opportunity to grow in their craft. Sam is an ideal demonstration of the skills graduates of art and animation programs leave school with, and the character and disposition they need to cultivate when they enter the work force. One day we may very well see Sam Cabanac become the Glen Keane of his generation. I won’t be surprised. This is part 2 of my conversation with Sam Cabanac. BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Sam Cabanac is a young animator who I've had the pleasure to watch blossom into a senior level animator within a remarkably short period of time. In this edition of Conversations of Creatives, Sam shares with us his artistic development in childhood, his influences, his first job, and his thoughts about "talent." This is part 1 of a 2 part podcast with Sam. Sam came out of school with the highest degree of animation skill I've seen among graduates of any animation program, and one of my goals in this conversation was to uncover what teaching strategies were being used in the animation program at the superb  Cégep du Vieux Montréal .  This is part 1 of my conversation with Sam. BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Todd interviews Melissa about how the launch of her new photography business and it's origin in a mom blog. shaffercreative.studio   BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Guillaume Blackburn is a character animator with a storied-analytical approach, fueled by a bull dog spirit. I worked with him for the past year on a 2D animated project for a major studio. His growth as an animator has skyrocketed in the past few years, and I wanted to find out what drives this young, single-minded animator.   BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Character Animator Alain Seguin and I discuss the concept of talent and it's relation to hard work and artistic growth. We attempt to provide students and entry level animators with advice on getting ahead in a competitive industry. This is the second part of my conversation with Alain.   BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Montreal character animation veteran Alain Seguin has an ease and proficiency as a character animator that other animator's envy. In this conversation Alain shares about his artistic influences, schooling, first job, and other thoughts on the animation life.    BECOME A PATREON FOR THIS PODCAST PATREON: www.patreon.com/shaffercreative FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/ TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreativ

Chris Wieme is an incredibly capable and efficient animator, and he has carved out a lifelong career in 2D animation in central and western Canada. In this episode Chris talks about some of the key lessons he's learned as an animator. For anyone embarking on a career in animation Chris' wisdom will take you far.  FOLLOW SHAFFER CREATIVE WEBSITE: www.shaffercreative.studio  INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/shaffercreative/  FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ShafferCreative6/  TWITTER: twitter.com/shaffercreati