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Lucasfilm Animation Singapore (LAS) Training Department
Success Story #01
DISCLAIMER
I am sharing the following experience from my subjective point of view. In reality, it required team-effort to make this training department a success, so i want to thank the following people from the bottom of my heart for their contribution.
Special Thanks to
Chris Kubsch (for being such supportive and encouraging leader)
Shawn Kellly (for helping to make the course extra great & special)
Mark Marcin (for being a great teamplayer and instructor)
Peishan Chan (for adding a beautiful spirit to the department)
June Han (for your endless support and encouragement)
Shawn Kellly (for helping to make the course extra great & special)
Mark Marcin (for being a great teamplayer and instructor)
Peishan Chan (for adding a beautiful spirit to the department)
June Han (for your endless support and encouragement)
I have been brought on board at the very beginning
When Lucasfilm decided in 2005 to open up their first Asian production house in Singapore, I have been brought on board at the very beginning (employee #5 as a matter of fact), to help strategizing and setting up the training department for Lucasfilm.
While today the Lucasfilm/ILM training department delivers training needs depending on productions, it was of different nature at LAS at first. My job was to design a training program that would ramp-up the new hires first in animation, then in the areas of lighting and VFX to produce the CG “Clone Wars” TV Series in-house. Due to my four years of living and teaching in Singapore prior, I also helped bringing some of the strongest local talents into this training programme.
The LAS trainees were prepared to produce the first season of the Star Wars CG TV Series "Clone Wars" in-house.
Before the ramp-up program was executed under my supervision, I understudied the training program and VFX production pipeline at ILM in San Rafael, CA (Kerner Building/Skywalker Ranch and The Rock) which enabled me to understand the requirements and to decide on the approach I was taking for the training.
I have created the timeline and milestones for the trainnig in close collaboration with the ILM Training Department, LAS Human Resources, Technical Director and Animaton supervisor. Even though it was a CG TV Series I have added drawing essentials, such as gesture drawing and life drawing to the mix, which I still believe to this day help building a strong foundation for any aspiring animation artist.
The close collaboration with ILM in San Rafael enabled us to bring in some of the heavy weights
...such as Star Wars Animation Director ‘Rob Coleman’ and Animation Mentor co-founder ‘Shawn Kelly’ to Singapore as part of the program to execute training components and/or workshops.
Animation Director "Robert Coleman" visiting LAS for a workshop with the animation trainees.
While my job was really to design the program and oversee the smooth operation of the training, I am particularly proud managing the set-up of our art-room in which we executed life drawing, acting classes and a like, and in which I also taught some of the training components myself. I enjoyed mentoring the trainees and helped them with career path decisions within the company and made myself available when a trainee felt the need to discuss their job scopes and/or creative ambitions.
It was also part of my role to reach out to local Universities and schools to collaborate on common goals such as talent development overall, industry attachments, research development, workshops, and internship programs.
Lucasfilm Animation Singapore (LAS) eventually produced the 'Clone Wars' TV Series with the trainees of the initially established ramp-up training program. The company still operates successfully today focusing more on VFX work under the ILM label and is operating in the Sandcrawler building now which is located in the Fusionopolis area of Singapore.
LAS - A Brief History Of The Early Beginnings In Images
The Signature Building
We started our Journey in 2005 with seven people cramped into a tiny office at "Regus" in Suntec, Singapore. Only a few months later construction started on the 5th floor of the "Signature" building in Changi Business Park, Singapore.
LAS Studio Underway
The entire floor was still under construction. This floor will have to eventually house roughly 200+ artists. [Me here on the right looking at the progress.]
Temporary Classroom
Until our 'final' desitination is ready, we had a tiny outfit in the 9th floor so we could commence with the training. "George Lucas" himself visted this site to survey the initial progress of the studio setup.
Temporary Office
Also our offices were still temporarily during that time on the 9th floor. Here with my amazing assistant "Peishan".
Classroom In The Making
This is going to be the actual training area. As you can see, we literraly built it from stretch.
Animation Classes
This is what the finished classroom looked like. Here with "Shawn Kelly" giving an animation lecture to our first batch of animators.
Our First Batch Of Animators
Even the desks were custom made and we had a state-of-the-art teaching system where the lecturer could access every computer individually to throw it onto the beamer for discussion. It really enhanced the collaborative learning experience.
Lucasfilm Activities at Eastcoast
Lucasfilm/ILM did a great job on organising activies to bring the team closer together. Here the managment team, "Chris Kubsch" the initial General Manager (GM) of LAS on the right.
Lucasfilm Activities at Eastcoast
Team bonding activity.
Lucasfilm Activities at Eastcoast
Managers and artists alike participated in the football game the HR department has prepared for us.
Lucasfilm Activities
TD Orientation Day
GM "Chris Kubsch", giving the orientation speech for the first batch of TD's (Technical Directors).
TD's Mingle With Animators
The first batch of TD's mingling wtih the first batch of animators.
Group Shot At New Studio Entrance
A group shot with some of the TD's and animators at the new entrance of LAS where a Yoda statue greeted every vistor.
Zoo Sketching
As part of our training program, I brought the trainees to the amazing Singapore Zoo where they had the chance to draw from life observations.
Zoo Sketching
Temporary Art Area
Once we moved into our offices downstairs, we had a temporary art-area for drawing and painting classes.
Our Art-Room
Later on the training department had its own art-room where we would execute drawing and scultping classes.
Our Art-Room
The easel-setup and donkeys were designed by us, the Training Department.
Our Art-Room
Rob Coleman Visiting
Animation Director "Rob Coleman" visiting the studio, giving a masterclass on animating for "Star Wars".
My New Office
At that time my new office was ready, which was located right next to the training area.
Metting Notes
Even though I was managing the department, I couldn't help but keep doodling and drawing throughout writing meeting notes.
Still a Kid Inside
The fact that I come from a traditional animation background should be quite clear here. I was grateful for the office and the amount of space I had on my desk.
My Toys
Just my toys alone occupied quite a bit of space.
Team Discussions
A snapshot made by HR during one of our tech disucssions with the Supervising TD "Matthew Bouchard" and IT specialist "Snowy".
Dave Fillony Visiting
"Dave Fillony", the director of the "Clone Wars" TV Series (thrid from the left, front row) and Animation Supervisor "Phillip Stamp" (second from the right, first row) in the studio.
The Core Team in 2006
The core team and heart of the studio at that time.
AWN coverage LAS opening on November 9th, 2005
What people say
Animator, Blue Sky Studios, USA
JASON HO
Oliver and I had worked together since the first days of the formation of Lucasfilm Animation Singapore. He was the in charge of Artistic Development of the artists that were hired for the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” project. His effervescent character, extraordinary artistic talent, complemented with his humility and passion for the art, played an invaluable and critical role in the shaping of the company’s culture. His guidance and mentorship really helped raise the bar for the artists that worked on the project.
The show went on to become on of the most popular cartoon television series in recent times. It aired for 7 seasons, earning several prestigious awards and nominations through those years.
The artists who had left the company since had moved to other major studios in the industry holding leadership roles. It is a testament to Oliver’s abilities and character that so many people had been positively influenced by him.
The show went on to become on of the most popular cartoon television series in recent times. It aired for 7 seasons, earning several prestigious awards and nominations through those years.
The artists who had left the company since had moved to other major studios in the industry holding leadership roles. It is a testament to Oliver’s abilities and character that so many people had been positively influenced by him.
Lead Animator, ILM, Singapore
EDDIE ZHOU
I was part of the training Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, where Oliver was in charge of the artistic development and where he prepared the course material and working with his US counterparts to prepare the team for animation production on the CG TV series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”.
Oliver always remained fun and approachable and the artist in him was still undeniably inspiring with infectious energy. His personable character was apparent through his interactions with people within in the company, and its easy to see that that is one of his forte and why he is perfect f or the role.
Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about my experiences working with Oliver. A genuine and fun-loving person, a passionate and talented artist, and a wonderful mentor.
Oliver always remained fun and approachable and the artist in him was still undeniably inspiring with infectious energy. His personable character was apparent through his interactions with people within in the company, and its easy to see that that is one of his forte and why he is perfect f or the role.
Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about my experiences working with Oliver. A genuine and fun-loving person, a passionate and talented artist, and a wonderful mentor.
Production Designer, Paramount Pictures, USA
SUE MONDT
Oliver is teacher and a professional. He provides support and knowledge in so many aspects of animation. He is a delight to work with - I hope to work with him again. He would be an asset to any team that brought him on and would be excellent in the role of an animation supervisor or animation director.
Senior Animator, ILM, Vancouver
RONALD SAW
Oliver was the training manager at Lucasfilm Singapore and he oversaw my development as an animator in the early days and has always offered great guidance throughout his time there. Oliver lead by example in inspiring those around him to become better artists with his exceptional artistic talents and great interpersonal management abilities. I would be more than happy to work with him again in future and i can fully endorse him for any related role in the industry.
