The film team is excited to announce the first (and hopefully annual) deviantART Ani-Jam! This is the first official event for animators, so we hope there is a good turn out of people participating. This project is for serious animators! Reading and understanding this article is essential to participate. Please contact ^guruubii if you have any questions, BEFORE you begin animation. I realize this is lengthy and wordy, but it's worth it! Trust me


When you hear "jam" used in a creative environment, most people think of a music 'Jam Session'. Its a similar concept with Ani-Jam; The difference is, instead of Music its Animation. A group of artists come together and create one film, by piecing their animation sequences together. There is usually a set of guidelines to follow, and in some cases one person will animate a sequence, and then pass it along to the next animator and they will start their animation, where the other animator left off. That method can be a long process, so we devised a more time friendly method of doing our animation Jam.


I will provide the beginning and ending sequence for the final film; submitted work will be combined together in the middle. For the first Ani-Jam I want to keep the concept simple. (See film concept) The opening and ending sequences of animation will be animated by ^guruubii and will be the beginning and end of the final collaboration. All the submitted animation sequences will fit between these "bookend animations". This allows for a clear beginning and ending without the participating members having to concern with that in their sequence. The necessary resource package will be provided below in multiple formats. Please read on...


A Diplodocus is on the search for its favourite food - Ferns. His search leads him to a cave, maybe there's ferns in there... but what else is in there? The Ani Jam content will be his various thoughts of whatmay be in the cave, denying him his fern consumption. After each sequence he must come out of that dream and we must see him again (I will potentially have some additional filler animation for people who do not wish to animate him) then at the end of the submitted animation I will have an end cap animation of him with a surprise ending I will create based on inspiration on what the content of the Jam is. Very simple concept. if this is successful - later jams can be more complex.


To participate in the Ani-Jam, you as an animator would have to create a sequence of animation that can effectively portray a thought for the dinosaur, while also having a transition into, and out of the sequence. The Theme of the piece must include "ferns" in it, because this is the dinos main focus. This will allow the animations to seamlessly "hook up" to each other and also connect to the ending and opening sequence (if your sequence is placed first or last). This allows for maximum flexibility in the final assembly of this film. This also allows all the animators to work at the same time, without needing to see how one ends, and another begins. They will all end and begin the same. This format can be a big challenge to some, but can also be integrated into the creative process. The film will be made in this manner:
.Opening segment;submitted segment;submitted segment;submitted segment;Ending Segment.
Please read on...

When the animation samples are complete and submitted to me, all qualifying entries will get an invite to film (if they don't already have one), and will have the opportunity to have their sequence in the film and submitted to festivals!

If you are not an animator, but you want to participate, try and find someone to collab with!

Animations must be submitted to ^guruubii by E-Mail only at guruubii@deviantart.com. Include your DA username. Links to a download preferred.
Sequences must be in MOV or AVI format, preferably zipped and compressed to be sent, but keep them high quality.
Please set your animation to 24 FPS at 720x480 resolution
Name your file with your deviantART username. EG: guruubii.zip ; guruubii.mov
Deadline is May 1 2008 12 midnight PST
All animation methods accepted (3d, classical, flash, stop motion, abstract, etc.)
Animation must be no shorter than 10 seconds, and no longer than 1 minute.
You may include sound, but please make sure it only lasts the duration of your sequence, and provide the source of your music. No Copy written music is allowed even with permission. (if you need music made for yours, but need help please contact me to arrange something. Also ¢keiross will possibly be doing a soundtrack for it. Thank you ¢keiross )


FAQ #852: Where can I find music for my films?
FAQ #844: Can I submit a film with copyrighted music?


FPS - Frames per second
Sequence - A short segment of animation.