Animation is a lucrative business

Still looking for a worthwhile activity for summer? Check out Trumpets Playshop 2003 as they are offering a number of interesting classes for children, teens and adults as well.

One Saturday morning, I had the privilege to talk to Roli Sabado who will teach Animation for Playshop. This is the first time animation is being offered as a summer class.

Roli’s impressive background spans almost 12 years of experience in the field of animation. He started as an "in-betweener" in Fil-Cartoons, the local subsidiary of Hannah-Barbera who owns the rights to cartoon favorites like Yogi Bear, Flintstones, Johnny Bravo, Dexter’s Laboratory and many more. As an "in-betweener," his main responsibility was to execute the sketches used for the actual cartoon show.

"If you’ve seen the first editions of Dexter’s Laboratory and Johnny Bravo, mga Filipino animators ang nag-execute ng mga sketches nun," he enthuses.

Roli’s work in Fil-Cartoons include Disney’s Hercules (the TV series aired on the Disney Channel), some scenes in Toonsylvania, a cartoon series by Dreamworks shown in the United States and some scenes in the Australian feature film Magic Pudding.

"Animation is a lucrative business. Before kasi, ang concept ng mga tao sa ganitong line of work eh walang kita. But I will be the first to contest that. An animator can earn up to a million a year if he’s really good. And more if he lands a job in one of the big animation studios abroad," shares Roli.

Playshop’s animation class aims to build the basic foundation of the art of animation in students through the journey of creative discovery, learning and fun. It will teach basic drawing skills and techniques and the use of construction drawing. Students will also be taught how to create their very own cartoon characters. The course also includes basic animation principles which includes in-betweening and clean up skills, acting and dynamic expressions and many more.

"I’m sure all those who are interested in animation will learn a lot in this workshop," Roli assures.

Trumpets Playshop also offers workshops for Children’s Musical Theater, Musical Theater for Teens and Adults. Acting for Teens and Adults, Street Dance, Praise and Worship, Modelling, Photography, TV Newscasting, Hosting, Stand-up Comedy and Tech-Shop and Individual and Group Voice Lessons. Classes run from April 1 to June 7 at Stageworx, 5th Level, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Festival Mall in Alabang and Steps Dance Studio in Makati City. For inquiries, call 636-2842 or e-mail [email protected].

Tennis camp

Meanwhile, if animation isn’t your cup of tea, why not try to learn a new sport like tennis?

Former RP Davis Cup holder and SEAG Coach Butch Bacani will be conducting a Summer Tennis Camp at XAYMACA Indoor Tennis Court in Timog, Quezon City from April 7 to May 24. The Tennis Camp is open to all beginners, intermediate and advance junior and adult players.

A USPTA Certified Tennis Professional, Butch Bacani has had an extensive experience in conducting tennis camps and junior tennis development projects in the past 20 years. He has coached the RP Davis Cup Team who beat Japan in 1988 – the first time in 24 years. He also led the UP Varsity Men’s Tennis Team to an unprecedented five consecutive UAAP championships from 1994-1998 before leaving for abroad. He has been coaching internationally ever since.

Training sessions will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Beginners and Intermediates. Advanced players are for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Butch Bacani Summer Tennis Camp is sponsored by Xaymaca Club, Dunlop-Slazenger Phils., Accel Sports and The New San Jose Builders. Call 426-0359 or 414-2302 for more information.

Finding financial freedom

The theme "delivering your dreams" aptly describes the newest trend towards finding financial freedom. MyWay Phils., a company which aims to uplift the quality of life of consumers through a revolutionary marketing concept that integrates the offering of world-class consumer products and promoting sales through the referral system, is now available to Filipinos.

MyWay Phils. was inaugurated early this year by its president Edgardo Lua and was warmly greeted by its numerous members.

For more information on MyWay Phils., call 365-5555 local 125.