Creating an Effective Story and How to Pitch It

A workshop that provides detailed information on how to succinctly create and effectively pitch a story for any type of film or TV production, live action or animation.

The presentation covers an eight-step journey articulating many of the essential turning points that need to appear in any story. Learn how these beats shape the story and provide the audience with a structure they can engage with, sit back, relax and enjoy the journey they have created.

Learn how to pitch a story in only a few short minutes while still capturing the essence of the journey without attempting to tell the whole storyline beat by beat and overwhelming the person being pitched to with too much detail thus confusing them and ultimately failing to succeed. Discover the three essential ingredients for a successful pitch.

If this workshop can be conducted over a period of multiple days, it can be tailor-made for the audiences’ needs, and include working 'live' on a specific story, providing a practical application for the applied techniques that will have been outlined earlier in the presentation.

So You Wanna Be A Producer

Max Howard’s animation career has spanned over thirty years, serving as a studio executive and/or producer on some of the industry’s most iconic and successful films. This, coupled with producing and consulting on independently produced animated feature films, has given Max a unique perspective. He says, ‘no matter the size of the budget, one can always use more.’

The successful producer understands the secret, it’s how you use the time and money that will lead to success – there’s never enough of either …. or so we think - ‘if only’ is the call. Whereas the secret is celebrating what you do have, and then allocating those resources in the most efficient way, making sure every penny spent gets on the screen. Producing is a balance between the creative vision and the resources available – ‘that’s time and money.’

The workshop explores all aspects of becoming a successful producer, from organization to managing a creative community; from development to distributing the finished film. ‘So you wanna be a producer’ or if you just want to understand how an animated film is made, this workshop is definitely for you.

Producing Independent Animated Films

Max Howard discusses the opportunities and challenges of producing ‘independent’ animated feature films. Every facet of the feature animation industry is tackled, from story development and physical production to marketing and distribution. Starting with an overview of the marketplace right through to the opportunity to enter a film for Academy Award consideration for Best Animated Feature Film. Max’s experience in working on over 12 feature films, plus 7 short films, provides an unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities of bringing an animated film to fruition.

Acting for Animation

A program studying great acting, utilizing performance examples from both animation and live action. At the heart of any animated film is the requirement that the animators understand and utilize the tools an actor will bring to a role. It is not the technical aspects of animation that create a great performance but a fundamental understanding of the characters motivation. Unlock these skills and an animated character will be richer and more believable. Max’s career began as a child actor in the British theatre, subsequently working as a director and producer. He has worked with some of the world’s greatest actors, directors and writers. It is this backdrop that allows him to offer this unique program on Acting for Animation.

Character Design

Designing a lovable and memorable character takes more than just artistic ability. What makes a character special? That is the question this workshop will pose and then answer. What is the process from the writer’s words on the page, to the design required to bring a character to life that will engage the audience and inspire the animators to create great animation and the actors to provide superb voice acting. How do all the pieces come together to create that special character audiences will love for generations to come.

This program is designed to broaden the appeal and originality of character design, to establish a unique set of criteria that, used correctly, will enhance a designer’s outlook and originality. You will be taken through the entire development process, giving you the tools necessary to bring your new characters to life and charm your audiences.