David S. Donar
12 Maplewood Lane
Sutton West, Ontario LOE 1RO
(810) 252-8472
(416) 579-0686
http://donarfilms.wordpress.com/
EDUCATION
Bowling Green State University, Master of Fine Art with an emphasis in Digital Art. Bowling Green, Ohio, May 2004
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Character Animation Program. Valencia, California, May 1998
Eastern Michigan University, Bachelor of Fine Art 1993 with a major in painting and printmaking. Ypsilanti, Michigan, Aug.1993
TEACHING
Clemson University, Aug 2006-Present
Clemson, SC.
Assc. Professor of Digital Production Arts
Sheridan Institute, Aug 2004-2006
Oakville, ONT. Canada
Professor of Animation/Story
Coordinator and development lead of curriculum for BAA animation program.
Bowling Green State University, Aug 2002-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 Visual Narrative
This course develops a student’s graphic skills into a comprehensive cinematic language that will enable them to express individual concepts and ideas within a sequential narrative format. Students will gain a better understanding of these concepts through the discussion and dissection of literary, cinematic, and theatrical works. The structure of the course will include screenings, assigned readings, presentations by professionals in film making or related fields and various research and writing assignments. Students will be required to do extensive visual research and design to support their cinematic vision and overall artistic direction. The final project will reflect all levels of course work and screened within a theatrical venue.
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.
Committees and Boards
Clemson University
Digital Production Art, Board Member
Graduate and Undergraduate Curriculum Development Committee
Honors and Awards Committee
Sheridan Institute
Bachelors of Applied Arts and Animation Curriculum Development Committee
Coordinator of the story, layout, and painting stream of the animation program
Lectures and Workshops
August Upstate Writing Project’s Young Writers’ Tech Camp
2009 http://ywtc.upstatewritingproject.org/
Greenville, SC
The foundation of visual story telling
July/August University of Washington, College of Computer Science
Animation Research Lab
2008 Seattle, WA
Consultant and Mentor for Capstone 3D animation group project “Kings” for the school of Computer Science.
March 15th Toronto Short Film Project
2008 Toronto, Ontario
Storyboarding Workshop
Covering storyboard fundamentals in regards live action film production.
April, 20 North Carolina State University, College of Art and Design
2007 Raleigh, NC
Creative input and the independent mind
Keeping your artistic integrity while maintaining a full-time job in the industry.
June/July University of Washington, College of Computer Science
2006 Seattle, WA
Consultant and Mentor for Capstone 3D animation group project “the Sun and the Moon” 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 artist’s 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 Commercial
Animation and design for national commercial spots.
May 2002 Tech TV—Eye Drops Animation Series (San Francisco, CA.)
Produced, Directed and Animated, Token Life and La Morte E Bella.
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’s Cartoon Sushi Animation Series (New York, NY.)
Aug-1998 Produced, Directed and Animated, Open Mic Fright and Espresso Depresso.
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.
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
- Dec 21st 2010 12 Days of Christmas (2:00) 2D animation
CNN, Dec 21st 2010
- Nov 16 2010 How to Draw John Boehner (2:25) Live Action
CNN, Nov 16 2010
- Nov 1 2010 Why I Vote (1:45) Live Action
New York Times, Nov 1 2010
- Aug 2010 My Pal Geo (2:30) Animation
The Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ont Nov 2010
University of Toronto, School of Music, Oct 2010
Canada International Film Festival, Vancouver BC, April 2011, Award of Excellence, Canadian Film Competition
- May 2009 Appalachian Dreams (4:25) Animation (3D/LiveAction)
Nickelodeon Theatre, Columbia, SC. Nov 2010
Virginia Film Festival, Charlottesville, VA. Nov 2010
Dixieland Film Festival, Athens, GA. Oct 2010
Southern Appalachia Film Festival, TN. Oct 2010
CineSol Film Fest, TX. Aug 2010
Bumbershoot, Film/Music Arts Festival, Seattle, WA. Aug 2010
Southern Lens, ETV/PBS, South Carolina July 2010
Charleston International Film Festival, SC Apr 2010
Mexico Intl Film Festival (Best Animation), Huntington, WV. Apr 2010
Spoleto, Piccolo Spoleto Film Series, Charleston, SC. May 2010
Appalachian Film Festival (Best Micro Film) Apr 2010
Asheville Film Festival, NC Nov. 2009
Toronto Short Independent Film Festival, ON Oct 2009
Grand Rapids International Film Festival, MI Aug 2009
- Dec 2007 A New Tradition (4:35) Animation (2D Digital)
Buffalo Niagara Film Festival, Buffalo, NY. April 2008 - Nov 2006 The Lives of Lou (30min) Documentary (Live Action/Multimedia)
Asheville Film Festival, Asheville, NC. Nov. 2007
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
Animation World Television, Los Angeles, CA May 2008
Giggle Shorts, Toronto, Canada March 2005
Gish Film Theater, Bowling Green, OH Apr 2004 - Nov 2003 Pulcinello (4:40) 3D/ Maya/AfterEffects/Photoshop
Animation World Television, Los Angeles, CA May 2008
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
Animation World Television, Los Angeles, CA May 2008
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, “Eye Drops” May 20, 2002 - Nov 2000 Off The Wagon (1:20) 2D-Flash
http://www.webflicks.org (animation)
911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA Nov 2000 - Feb 2000 Fergy’s Fungis (7:20) 2D-Flash
http://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, “Eye Drops” 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 Producer’s 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
Animation World Television, Los Angeles, CA May 2008
Independent Film Channel, “Media Upload” 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 Producer’s 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, “Cartoon Sushi” 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
Animation World Television, Los Angeles, CA May 2008
Blinding Light Cinema, Vancouver B.C. Nov 1999
MTV, “Cartoon Sushi” 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 Mike’s Sick and Twisted Film Festival Nov 1996
911 Media Arts Center, Seattle, WA Aug. 1996
Awards, Grants, and Fellowships
Canada International Film Festival, Vancouver BC, April 2011, Award of Excellence, Canadian Film Competition
Golden Palm Best Animation, 2010 Mexico International Film Festival
Best Micro Film, 2010 Appalachian Film Festival
South Carolina Film Production Fund June 2009
A $100,000 grant to guide graduate students in animation and effects for “The Two Jakes” a live action/animation film short by West Hyler.
South Carolina Film Commission, Columbia, South Carolina
South Carolina Film Production Fund June 2008
A $100,000 grant to produce “Appalachian Dreams” a live action/animation film short based on traditional clog dance based in the southern Appalachian region.
South Carolina Film Commission, Columbia, South Carolina
Animation Block, 1st Place (Audience vote) June 2005
Animationblock.com
Giggle Shorts Best Animation 2002
National Film Board, Toronto, Ontario
CSUN (Cal State Northridge) 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 Mike’s 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 Mike’s Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation Vol 4. VHS/DVD
1997 Mellow Manor Productions, La Jolla, CA
PRINT
Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Edited by Charles Brooks. Pelican Publishing, Gretna, Louisana
INTERNET PUBLICATIONS
CNN, How to Draw John Boehner. Nov 2010
The New York Times, Why I Vote. Nov 2010
The Wall Street Journal, Spider Mouse? Marvel/Disney Mash-Ups for True Believers Sept 2nd 2009
The Daily Telegraph, United Kingdom, Sept 1st 2009 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk)
Marvel Disney mashups: how the merger will affect the characters you love
CBC Toronto, iDesk August 29, 2009 Broadcast on CBC Toronto News at 6 (http://www.cbc.ca/newsatsixtoronto/idesk)
Why stay up for the late-night comedians?
Examiner.com, August 3rd 2009 (http://www.examiner.com)
Clean energy industry spends $12.1 million on Washington lobbyists
The Detroit Free Press, June 22nd, 2008 (Freep.com)
“The Cup Gives You Wings” Cartoon
The Pakistani Spectator June, 2009 (http://www.pakspectator.com)
Views, news and opinions on Pakistani Politics.
Interview
Regular Contributor
PoliticalGraffiti.com
Launched March 22nd, 2008
Donkelphant.com
Independent political news blog,
Staff Political Cartoonist
Bob McCarty Writes
Conservative political news
New York Times Online
Planet Rulers
Photos, Biographies, Caricatures and Illustrations of Political Figure Heads.
http://www.planetrulers.com/caricatures.php
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
2008 Democratic Primary Cartoons, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
The Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library
Columbus, OH
REVIEWS
Animation World Network, http://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, http://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
Professional Organizations
Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, AAEC
College Arts Association, CAA
