Animation!

One of the most well-known, creative, visual and colorful forms of writing is the art of animation.  Today, Brad Lambert, an animator, film maker and professor at High Point University, visited the camp to discuss some of his works such as creating online shows for Pancake Mountain, short films, documentaries, and even works for hire for TV shows, movies and trailers. Writing, in general, is an important part in entertainment.  It starts out with an idea and research from books, internet searches and newspapers.  After writing drafts, scripts and storyboards of what the story is going to be and look like, programs are then used to assist in finishing the final sketches of the characters and setting, have actors do the voices, edit the timing and finally put it all together.  That is the secret behind our favorite shows, movies, commercials and coming soon trailers.  During a young age, Brad wanted to make comics since he enjoyed drawing.  As he grew, he used his skills in art, as while as in writing and history, and applied them into animation.  During his visit, he presented a short film he made about rhinos, in which they are in a musical band and were singing why “Rhinos Rock.”  He also presented his draft on his latest project about a man who became an outcast due to his beard.  Stories don’t only have to be on paper.  The main purpose of writing is to bring stories to life, so the audience can truly see.  Most our movies and shows were inspired by books, comic and historical events like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter, The Amazing Spiderman, The Hunger Games, Maze Runner, Freedom Writers, Forest Gump and Titanic.

According to Brad, “when writing for videos, try to think visually.  Try to show it, not tell it.”  Most of our students have already added pictures to help visual their stories.  Others are doing comics, power points and even creating their own illustrations to provide a clear image of they want the readers to see.  The students have really connected with the writing world, learning grammar and spelling corrections along the way.  I believe they are starting to understand there is more than writing sentences on a page.  Without writing, the world would not have history, children’s books, bestselling authors, blockbuster movies, vivid and emotional description of “TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood”.  I would not even be doing the blog right now.  The camp is excellent way to get young minds interested in this art.