statement of intent

Statement Of Intent – Theo Akpofure


I am currently preparing for the final stages of my Foundation Degree in Animation at Newcastle College, now nearing the end of the second year I have decided that I would like to take my skill set further and push my self to a higher level by acquiring a place on a degree course which will not only encourage me to gain a better understanding of my animating style and versatility but will prepare me for a job in industry.

Animation is a growing passion of mine and I believe that this course has allowed me to express and develop my skills in a way which I never thought possible, taking part in a numerous selection of projects which include; 2D, Stop motion, 3D, Traditional and rotoscoped animation. I have become confident and fluent with a broad range of production techniques that I have acquired over the years.

During my second year of study I am working on a animated short called, The Adventures of Munblunko, a story about a young African boy living in an African compound with his large family, he always gets up to many mischievous deeds, which do not go un noticed as there is always the foreboding presence of an ancient demon called the Tikoloshe which take’s naughty children and wrong doers away, this was my first and final idea that I chose quite confidently as it catered to my rather adaptive skill set and also past experiences between me and my friend Zuki after a trip to the mother land in 2012.

The animation entails a few different animation techniques; Pin puppeting in after effects, Real rotoscoped video footage in flash cs5.5 and paper cut out animation, but most of the images created were made in Adobe flash cs5.5 so my drawing style is kept the same.

While studying Animation, I have enjoyed being able to get on with projects and finding new artists, animation techniques and modes of practice.

You can't have influence's without having influence, the chance to research into artists has been very helpful inspiring, Julian Opie's simplified portrait drawing gave me the idea to use pebble eye's and using mouth and eye brow gestures, control facial expressions, emotions etc.
I greatly admire Monty python's animating technique, how he uses paper cut out to make simple yet quirky animations while consuming a lot less time, which would be a good thing .......

By taking on a third year of study I wish to delve further into the interesting world of animation, produce more flash animated animation shorts and refine my work flow and style to a level in which not only friend's and followers online notice me, but employers and companies who believe that my style best fit's they're 1may also offer free lance or possible job opportunities
What do you want from a third year of study......build more skills, develop professional approach, industry experience, commercial and personal project work.