🌟 Open to the Institute
This Week:
🎬 Film Commons: Preparing for a Career in Animation with Dave Thomas
Join us for a Film Commons workshop with Dave Thomas, a five-time Emmy and Annie Award-winning producer and director with over two decades of experience in feature films, commercials, and episodic animation.
📅 Thursday, March 6
⏰ 4:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Bijou Theater
This session will explore the challenges and opportunities for new artists entering the animation industry, including:
- Transitioning from Fine Art to Commercial Art – Adapting your skills to studio pipelines
- Working in Various Studio Styles – Understanding creative flexibility and industry expectations
- The Power of Professional Relationships – How networking and collaboration shape your career
- Industry Realities & Job Interviews – What to expect and how to prepare for career opportunities
We look forward to seeing you there!
What is Film Commons?
Film Commons is a workshop and speaker series designed to provide CalArts students with industry insights, practical skills, and career-building opportunities in film and moving image. Each session features professionals, alumni, and industry experts, covering topics such as:
🎬 Distribution & Festival Programming
🎞 Post-Production & Film Careers
💼 Freelancing & Legal Essentials
🎭 Creative Leadership & Writing for TV/Film
📩 Questions? Email Paul Kyle, Film Commons Coordinator at pkyle@calarts.edu
Film Commons Spring 2025 Schedule (Subject to Change)
📅 February 2025
🕔 February 6 | 5:00 PM– Independent Film Distribution Part 1 – Justin Hogan🕓 February 13 | 4:00 PM– Independent Film Distribution Part 2 – Justin Hogan🕓 February 20 | 4:00 PM– Independent Film Distribution Part 3 – Justin Hogan🕓 February 27 | 4:00 PM– Girls Will Be Girls Screening / International Indie Filmmaking – Shuchi Talati
📅 March 2025
- 🕓 March 6 | 4:00 PM – Preparing for a Career in Animation – Dave Thomas
- 🕓 March 13 | 4:00 PM – Episodic Writers Room – Megan Neuringer
- 🕓 March 20 | 4:00 PM – Post-Production Pathways – Panel
- 🕓 March 27 | 4:00 PM – Creative Leadership in Film & TV – Panel
📅 April 2025
- 🕓 April 10 | 4:00 PM – TBD
- 🕓 April 17 | 4:00 PM – Bijoufest Student Sign-Up – Bijoufest Coordinator / FV Staff
- 🕓 April 24 | 4:00 PM – The Business of Creativity: Legal Foundations for Live Action & Animation Artists – California Lawyers for the Arts