MASON TO ANIMATION

Hi everybody and welcome to Courtney Mason Illustration!

Illustration

My goal is to translate written and verbal ideas into visual imagery that is colorful, compelling, and clearly communicate the objectives of the client. I pride myself on my versatility and am confident in my abilities to tackle any challenge both effectively and efficiently. I am open to creative opportunities in a variety of markets such as but not limited to Graphic Design, Advertising, Editorial, Book Publishing, and especially Post Production for Entertainment.

Animation

My "dream job" is to someday have a career within the animation industry. The holy trio or trifecta of skills will be in character design, storyboarding, and character animation. I have experience in experimental animation, stop motion, claymation, 2D and 3D animation using Autodesk Maya, Photoshop, and Final Cut Pro. In 2011, I received a grant from the Women's Education and Leadership Fund to conduct a study of animation through research and practical application. I learned the fundamentals and foundations of 3D animation through the Ianimate Advanced Character Animation Program and I am continuing my education through Animation Mentor School for Character Animation online starting this upcoming fall 2012.

Innovation

I am very much a team player, but also a self starter and driven towards success. Since I was a child, I was an entrepreneur, a quality I believe I enherited from my father. This sense of leadership and drive has always helped me optimize every opportunity and has given me confidence in the value of my ideas. While I am very dedicated to clients needs before my own needs, I always feel like I have something to learn and something to give.



Wednesday, March 9, 2011

I DID IT!

You heard it here! I DID IT!...betcha wondering what I did that's so awesome?

Well, after a very long application process (involving finding a mentor, collecting a mentor narrative, mentor vitae, my transcripts, my resume, and writing my own narrative and project proposal) and a few weeks of anticipation, I finally heard back from the Dorothy Goodwin Summer Scholars Program sponsored by the Women's Education and Leadership Fund here at the University of Hartford.

They had double the amount of applicants, and I was thrilled to find out that I was one of the few selected for this scholarship program.   I literally jumped up and down for about 5 minutes straight.  It was pretty epic to say the least.  Funny, before I submitted this application,  I was debating actually finishing it, and doubted myself.  Than I had a dream that I got it...and so, in a way...it was destiny :)        

Now you ask...what does this magical scholarship program entail?  Well, it means for 10 weeks in the summer of 2011, I will be working with my mentor Dennis Nolan (watercolor god/wizard at animation and illustration)  on a project that investigates the translation of 2D drawings into 3D animated short films. 

http://www.hartford.edu/daily/Articles.asp?MainID=10373&Category=1


check out the link about to find out more!

Spring break is also approaching.  Dennis and Bill (my teachers)  are traveling to Cali with the MFA program to tour Lucas films and Dreamworks studios...jealous.  As for my spring break, I will be going to Arizona to visit my best friend at ASU, and hopefully taking off the edge of what was one of the busiest months of the year. 

At the moment, I am working on a Cole Phillips inspired fade away illustration.  It's ok...not one of my favorites yet.  It needs some serious work. I also have thumbnails due tommorrow.  Guess I am not sleeping.