BALTIC FILM TALENT LAB:
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
& VOICE ACTING
FOR ANIMATED FILM
We believe in a burst of creativity when the Baltics come together! The BALTIC FILM TALENT LAB is an educational and networking platform that aims at creating a better engagement between the different disciplines within film-making.
This intensive course invites young talent from the Baltic countries – voice actors and directors alike to learn, experiment and collaborate on developing authentic and unique characters for animated film. Under the guidance of two experts experienced both in practice and as educators, participants are invited to learn about and master diverse character design techniques and ways of collaborating to find and develop memorable character voices for animation film projects.
PARTICIPANTS:
Animated film directors:
Beāte Gredzena (Latvia)
Egert Kesa (Estonia)
Emilija Juzeliūnaitė (Lithuania)
Gintare Urbutyte (Lithuania)
Liene Eicēna (Latvia)
Lisa Scharf (Estonia)
Paula Mauer (Estonia)
Actors/voice artists:
Anton Eisak (Latvia)
Clotilde Rigaud (Lithuania)
Elvinas Juodkazis (Lithuania)
Kristina Tverdohleba (Latvia)
Lauma Balode (Latvia)
Una Eglīte (Latvia)
Tanel Ting (Estonia)
SUPPORT:
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY 8/09/2017
Latvian Academy of Art
CHARACTER DESIGN FOR ANIMATION
Edmunds Jansons
13:00 – 14:00
Introduction
14:30 – 18:00
Character design for animation
/FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ONLY/
SATURDAY 09/09/2017
Latvian Academy of Art
10:00 – 17:00
CREATING CHARACTER VOICES FOR ANIMATION I
Dian Perry
/FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ONLY/
SUNDAY 10/09/2017
Latvian Academy of Art
10:00 – 17:00
CREATING CHARACTER VOICES FOR ANIMATION II
Dian Perry
/FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ONLY/
18:00 – 19:30
Cafe Film Noir (Splendid Palace)
Edmunds Jansons
PIGTAIL & MR. SLEEPLESSNESS
CASE STUDY/Q&A moderated by Dian Perry
To continue the discussion on how the director and the actor/voice talent co-operate in character development for an animation film, director Edmunds Jansons invites everybody behind the scenes of his latest animation film Pigtail and Mr. Sleeplessness produced by Atom Art Studio that will have its premiere on September 9 during the KIDS WEEKEND of Riga IFF. The focus of the discussion will be on the development of the film’s characters from their design to “vivification” – giving them a voice together with the voice talent. Professionals who would like to extend their knowledge in the development of animation characters, ask questions and share their experience with colleagues form other Baltic countries as well as everybody who is interested to look behind the scenes of animation film production are welcome to the event. The Case Study consists of two parts: a presentation and an industry Q&A session moderated by Dian Perry, a voiceover coach from London.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the curator of this programme – Viktorija Kasperoviča: victoria@rigaiff.lv
EDMUNDS JANSONS
Character design for animation
Edmunds’ workshop will involve theoretical insight as well as individual practical work. Participants are to discover and learn to analyse diverse animation film characters based on their narrative function, design, sound, movement and other qualities. In a hands-on training participants will experiment with references to classical film imagery, shapes, design elements and the role of free expression in creating memorable characters with a strong personality.
Edmunds Jansons is an award winning animated film director and graphic designer. His films for the studio Atom Art have been screened all over the world, his films for children’s audience are loved dearly here in Latvia to sold-out theatres. A premiere of a new one is planned also within this year’s edition of the RIGA IFF!
DIAN PERRY
Creating Character Voices for Animation
Dian has designed an intensive 2-day workshop specifically for the BALTIC FILM TALENT LAB within the RIGA IFF 2017. It will bring directors and voice actors together to explore ways in which to bring characters to life. Some of the topics covered within the workshop include the main elements of a character voice, archetypes and why they are vital to character work, how to create a character voice from an image, where to get ideas for character voices, how to retain and recall a character voice, character improvisation, the importance of physicality in vocal performance, techniques to increase vocal versatility, creating character voices from impressions, working with animation scripts.
Dian Perry is an American voice artist and educator based in London. Working with voice for nearly 20 years in radio, television, video games, animated film and even on soft toys, she has learned more than a little about the craft as well as how to pass on her knowledge and experience. Dian loves to share her passion for voice artistry and has run character voice and animation workshops at A1 Vox Studios, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, CSVPA in Cambridge, CPA Studios, The Court Theatre Training Company and The VoiceOver Network. She holds a teaching certificate (PTLLS Level 4) and teaches Voice Acting for Animation at City Lit in London.