Expert contributors

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TIM ARGALL

Animation Director
Tim was among a handful of animators who pioneered the South African animation industry in the early 90’s. As there were no local schools at that time, he learned the craft from books, observation and heaps of practice. He began his journey in 3D with the first release of Maya in 1998 doing character animation and visual-effects for film, then founded his own studio, Bugbox in 2003. Bugbox focuses on character animation and has produced animated brand characters and commercials for giants the likes of Kelloggs, Nestle, Lego and Coca-Cola.   Tim believes we never stop learning this multifaceted craft. In 2000 he did a course with the late Richard Williams (director of Who Framed Roger Rabbit and author of the acclaimed Animator's Survival Kit) and in 2010 he studied online through Animation Mentor. Later he completed the ‘SEDIBA Spark’ screenwriting course and enrolled for Honours in Digital Arts at WITS in 2017. Tim is passionate about heart-felt storytelling and intrigued by animation’s capacity to infuse a character with a soul. He was Animation Director on Triggerfish’s Seal Team (2021) and Herderboy (2023 - part Disney’s anthology Kizazi Moto - Generation fire!)

Others Experts

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DIANNE MAKINGS

Producer

Dianne joined the animation industry after an 11-year career in advertising, PR and events. Not only does she perform the mammoth role of CTIAF’s festival director, but she also has produced a series of high profile projects. Her latest project; Aau’s Song was an original story produced for Lucasfilm LTD released on Disney +. This 15 min fully CG film was developed and produced entirely in South Africa. She has managed creative teams and processes for a variety of digital content including 2d, 3d, stop motion and VR. She is passionate about African animation and believes that the continent is more than ready for the global stage.

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KAYA KUHN

Producer

With 10+ years of experience in production, Kaya Kuhn is a versatile producer, specializing in post-production and animation. She started her career in the South African film industry in live action post-production where she notably post-produced six seasons of reality television series ‘The Voice’. In 2017, she took the leap into producing animation at renowned studio ‘Triggerfish’. Since then, she line produced critically acclaimed short films ‘Zog’ (BBC1) and ‘The Snail and The Whale’ (BBC1), co-produced animated feature film ‘Seal Team’ (Netflix), was involved with pre-production for animated series ‘Mama K’s Team 4’ (Netflix) and ‘Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes’ (Disney+), and most recently was the senior producer on the groundbreaking anthology ‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire’ (Disney+) which is set to release in 2023. She was the consultant producer for animated short ‘Aau’s Song’ which forms part of anthology ‘Star Wars: Visions Volume 2’ (LucasFilms) and has recently been involved in producing live action feature films for local broadcaster, Kyknet. She is also involved with Triggerfish Academy and Foundation in running training and mentorship programs for aspiring African producers, and has been involved in various festival workshops and panels speaking on the role of production and the need for diversification in the industry. Currently, she runs a production services company ‘Those Production Girls’ which offers high end production support through innovation and inclusion.

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CLEA MALLINSON

Video Editor, Writer & Director

She has over 15 years of video editing experience and in the dramatic MIDPOINT of her career thus far, she shifted from editing real people to hamsters being chased by giant doughnuts. Clea has worked at Triggerfish Animation and Sunrise Productions on shorts, series and features films including Supa Team 4, Netflix’s first ever African animated series. From doing an MA in screenwriting in Ireland, to taking animation writing classes delivered from Nigeria, Clea is excited to continue her creative journey as a writer/director. Her projects focussing on self-expression, connection and the environment have received numerous funding grants and she has pitched twice at Animation Du Monde, receiving a residency at Ciclic Animation. When she’s not glued to her screen you'll find her in nature, crocheting Totoro's, or (finally) playing D&D.

Making an Animated Short Film: Gale of the Cape

Developed by Jeani Varty and Daniela Del Castello

All footage from Gale of the Cape, work in progress footage or production images used courtesy of Jeani Varty.

Gale of the Cape was created by:

Jeani Varty – Director, Visual Development Artist, Animator
Daniela Del Castello – Co-Director, Visual Development Artist, Animator
Lola Aikins – Visual Development Artist, Animator
Tshegofatso “Toreshi” Pitseng – Visual Development Artist, Animator
Claudia Caprin – Visual Development Artist, Animator
Keiara Reddy – Animator, Visual Development Artist, Game Concept Design
David Waugh – Composer, Music
Pete O’Donoghue – Sound design

Additional Credits:

Every effort has been made to credit the creators of reference material. Please contact us if you
have any questions at
academy@triggerfish.com 

Module 2: The Research Phase

02:20

Photo by Airam Datoon

02:21

Photos by @red_lips_n_hips, https://www.instagram.com/red_lips_n_hips/?hl=en

02:22

Photo by RODNAE Productions  

02:23

Photo by Airam Datoon

02:24

Photo by Juan Cordero

02:40 – 02:49

Kick-Heart (2013) (Anime), Masaaki Yuasa

06:29 – 06:34

Warm Welcome, Co-Directors: X.K. Balashov, Anya Butler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7syEKLy9r0 

09:40 – 09:5

Illustrations by Charlie Herve – https://www.artstation.com/charlie_h

Module 3: Creating the Storyboard

02:28 – 02:37
Gravity (2013), Alfonso Cuarón
The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Jonathan Demme

Shutter Island (2010), Martin Scorsese

02:49 – 03:04
Bruce Willis as John McLain. Die Hard (1988), John McTiernan

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys for Life (2020), Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah

Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Martin Brest
Gerard Butler as King Leonidas in 300 (2006), Zack Snyder

 

04:00 – 04:01

Amy West “Indy Jamma Jones” – People Are Awesome
People Are Awesome Presents: Indy Jamma Jones | Roller Skating

07:46 – 07:53

Rollerblade, Freeskate in Capetown 80mm Episode 1

Freeskate in Capetown 80mm Episode 1

07:58 – 08:04

Kick-Heart (2013) (Anime), Masaaki Yuasa

08:20 – 08:26

Warm Welcome, Co-Directors: X.K. Balashov, Anya Butler 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7syEKLy9r0

Module 4: Art Block and Pushing Through

07:25 – 07:28

Video by RODNAEProductions

Module 5: Lunch Break Character Design Method

02:10

Photo by Chi-Chi Ari Love

02:20

Photo by Amber Robinson

02:22

“The Roller Skaters of Venice Beach” – Unknown Photographer

02:24

Roberta Haze – @purplehaze75 on Instagram

02:40

Photo by Amber Robinson

02:42

Photo by Juan Cordero

02:43

Photo by Airam Datoon

02:45

Photo by RODNAE Productions  

02:48:

Photo by upnorthtreasureventures (Ebay)

03:19

Image by Izabella A.J.

Image by Mathilde Loubes

03:22

Un Diable dans la Poche (2019), Antoine Bonnet and Mathilde Loubes

Module 6: Environment Design and Layout

01:25 – 02:05

Illustrations by Charlie Herve – https://www.artstation.com/charlie_h

03:02 – 03:25

Google Street View

03:31 – 04:15

Footage courtesy of SA Webcams

04:20 – 04:30

Francesca Smith, @frankvinyl_skates on Instagram

06:55

Photo by StevenMorrow

Module 7: The Animation Process

04:41 – 04:50

Amy West “Indy Jamma Jones” – People Are Awesome
People Are Awesome Presents: Indy Jamma Jones | Roller Skating

09:36 – 09:39

Hercules (1997), Ron Clements and John Musker