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RamSinghKumaresh Module 1 - A Review |
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RamSinghKumaresh : The Animation MasterClass (Module 1) |
It was on a sleepy Saturday morning this IPL season that RamSinghKumaresh™, the animation master-class, opened to bat their debut innings. The first of a three-module-master-class was held at Whistling Woods before an eager audience of eighty five (85) participants from across the country.There may be many animation enthusiasts or professionals who 'think' that they know enough about animation and are filled with the necessary passion within. But the first module of masterclass by Ram Singh Kumaresh (a six hour privilege of hearing from the three genius) was sufficient enough to witness the fundamentals that are so important but are still overlooked. A session that saw the magician of pencil - Vaibhav Kumaresh, ninja of anatomy - Vivek Ram and wisest of all - Ranjit Singh deliver a spell-bounding performance of hands on art that will remain in my memories forever. The first module of the three planned sessions covered the basics of animation (good to see Vaibhav choosing the beloved Lightbox over Flash for demonstration), anatomy study (I can bet Vivek Ram has surely bisected a human body before) and the art of storytelling (yes Ranjit Singh, whose Top Ramen TVCs were aired when we used diapers). |
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StoryTelling : Ranjit Singh |
The six (6) hour module began with a session on story telling. Animation veteran Ranjit Singh took the participants through essential concepts of understanding films and their genre. Singh highlighted how a film-maker can create an intended impact in a target audience by channeling different genres to evoke a range of emotions. Singh went on to demonstrate through examples and exercises, basic tools and techniques of building a story around an interesting plot. I did leave his session with a sound piece of his advice – the need to stay inspired in order to remain creative. Singh mentioned that one could pick up simple and effective habits like frequently watching a variety of good cinema, reading a plethora of books and graphic novels, or simply observing and taking in one’s environment. These ensure that your creative juices don’t run dry. Food for thought? |
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Fundamentals of Movement : Vaibhav Kumaresh |
| The next two hours was all about scribbles and doodles coming to life. Vaibhav Kumaresh demonstrated some fundamental principles of animation for the aspiring animator. In true master-class style, Kumaresh sketched a few doodles and demonstrated a basic walk cycle. We must admit that it was very hard to decide whether Kumaresh or his animation was more charming! A live speed sketching session with Kumaresh and the participants seemed to create much enthusiasm. Participants were absolutely riveted by Kumaresh’s command on his craft and his vivacious histrionics. [P.S: Simpu fans were later found loitering starry eyed in the canteen mouthing “Khade ho zao, pankazz”!] |
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Anatomy for Visual Development : Vivek Ram |
The last leg of the master class was a session in anatomy for visual development by Vivek Ram. In typical art school style, Ram demonstrated basics of facial anatomy through a live sketching exercise and followed it up by applying those rules of anatomy to z-brush sculpts. Marrying aesthetics to near perfect anatomy has traditionally been a highlight of Ram’s work. Ram demonstrated through two super quick live head sculpts, how one may enhance the quality of both their realistic and stylized models by making them anatomically accurate. |
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The best part was that the masterclass was planned to be interactive, which gave the opportunity to every student to clear their doubts by putting up questions anytime within the sessions. They were loaded with heaps of assignments that they need to complete and bring along in the next session.
Ram, Singh and Kumaresh have constantly expressed in public forums on how Indian students of animation use their courses to get adept in their software, but what their courses don’t offer them is an aesthetic eye. This often compromises the quality of their films/ show-reels. Sadly enough, although a substantial chunk of the world’s animated and CG work gets produced in India, Indian students still lose out key jobs in large international studios to their western counterparts because of the low quality of their films and show reels. The need for Indian students, like their western counterparts therefore, is to get exposed and mentored by professionals among other things, through forums like master classes that focus on aesthetics and art and the general quality of their output, and not just technique. The trend of master classes is a western concept which is now emerging in India. While it hasn’t caught on entirely, many institutes have been inviting professionals like Ram, Singh, Kumaresh and their like, for guest lectures. These have helped these students to get a well rounded exposure of how the software can be practically applied in a work place to create digital illustrations, visual FX or animated content.
That said, we’re guessing that after much futile expression in forums, and traveling the length and breadth of the country to tutor students, Ram, Singh and Kumaresh decided to be-the-change. RamSinghKumaresh™, the animation master-class, is now tailored to coach the Indian animation student and the young professional. It certainly seemed through Saturday’s session that the agenda for this master-class was to have every student of animation develop an aesthetic eye and think like a film maker.
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Ram, Singh and Kumaresh couldn’t stress enough on how simple sketching and understanding of anatomy could enhance multifold the quality of one’s artwork. The live sketching and animation sessions were very well received and the crowd seemed to look forward to more of these classes. Module-1of the RamSinghKumaresh™ master class was a warm up, while Modules 2 and 3 promise to delve into greater detail in each of the subjects covered. RamSinghKumaresh™ is presently scheduling master classes in Mumbai, but if you want them to visit your city, you can surely leave them a shout at their website.
Oh, and we did catch an enthusiastic bunch of participants for a quick feedback. Rohan Rege, a student of animation at a premier institute says “The seminar on the 24th of April was a delight for students and professionals in the field of animation to learn about how Vivek Ram, Ranjit Singh and Vaibhav Kumaresh do what they do. Their teaching was fruitful and very logical. They spoke about essentials of animation that are often overlooked. All in all it was a fruitful experience and there was a lot to gain from it.” 3 established artists and a master class is a perfectly wonderful combo. |
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Contributed by,
Sai Rekha Ram, Kshiraj, Priyam
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