2DAN-400

Leslie Bishko’s work is centered on the dynamics of expression through movement in the medium of animation, influenced by abstract experimental animation and contemporary modern dance. Exploration of these themes led her to integrate 3D computer animation with Laban Movement Analysis (LMA), which are the focus of her research and teaching. Recent work includes chapter contributions on LMA and interactive animation for the book Nonverbal Communication in Virtual Worlds: Understanding and Designing Expressive Characters.

• Application of LMA as a complete movement language for animation and virtual environments
• Movement styles in animation, aesthetics of animated movement
• Movement visualization, LMA pedagogy, visualization of LMA theory
• Puppeteering and social interaction of realtime interactive avatars in virtual environments

Instructional themes: 

• Animation form/aesthetics
• 3D character animation: biomechanics, expression, posture, gesture, acting, dramatic scene dynamics
• Animated and cinematic storytelling, cinematography and editing
• LMA and the animation process

Lorelei Pepi is an internationally award-winning independent animation filmmaker living in Vancouver, BC, and just recently landed to join the Animation Dept here at Emily Carr. Her work engages with issues of political and historical representation, the sexual body and the LGBT identity. Using animation‘s various forms, her materials and treatments range from the highly experimental to the character-driven narrative. She’s currently applying to festivals with her recently finished film “Happy & Gay.” Her film “Grace” received “Grand Prize” at the Ottawa Student Animation Festival, and the “High Risk Award” at Fantoche Animation Festival, among others. Her creative practice has received funding, fellowships and residencies from such organizations as LEF Moving Image, Harvard University Film Study, the MacDowell Colony, and others.