 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
March 28, 1997
By CINDY BARTH Copy Editor
Mark Simon is a real-life example of someone who creates the one picture that is easily worth a thousand words- or, as he like to point out in his book Storyboards: Motion In Art, one picture can be worth more than $1,000 to a TV or film producer.
Simon, 32, is a storyboard artist, or "translator" - an artist who takes a film or TV script and visually represents the ideas on paper.
Storyboard artists can save producers "lots of money," Simon says, "because details can be worked out on the boards, or even reworked if necessary, before one minute or $1 is spent on production."
That skill has kept Simon busy over the years, working on projects like NBC's now-cancelled science fiction action show seaQuest DSV, which filmed in Central Florida for three seasons, MTM's The Cape, New World's Second Noah and Universal's upcoming comedy feature film McHale's Navy starring Tom Arnold.
But film and TV are only a small part of what Simon and his wife, Jeanne Pappas Simon, do via their Orlando-based company, Animatics & Storyboards, inc.
The couple are currently negotiating to sell a children's animated show concept they have been working on for a number of years, called The Wubbies.
In addition, they are expanding their business into new areas, including what Mark Simon calls corporate storyboarding - using storyboards and animation in the boardroom to make presentation - and even Web site animation.
The potential for growth "is endless," Mark Simon says, "because most business people don't have any idea of the possibilities of what can be done through storyboards and animation."
That, he says, is something he hopes to change very soon.
And, she adds, it happened thanks to "one of those California things - earthquakes."
The Simons moved to Orlando in 1989, because things were beginning to boom here, even though we moved with no guaranteed jobs."
The couple found work as freelancers for Nickelodeon. It was also at Nickelodeon that Jeanne Simon, 36, went on to work as a producer, line producer and unit manager on such hits as Clarissa Explains It All and Weinerville, building a reputation as one of the most respected producers in children's television today, according to Mitchel Kriegman, the creative producer for Clarissa Explains It All.
"Both Jeanne and Mark have great creative eyes," Kriegman says. "They're the best, absolutely, and their work is in demand."
Glenn Wilder, second unit director for McHale's Navy, says in working with storyboard artists, Mark Simon's name always comes up.
"He's very good at what he does and has a good reputation in the industry," Wilder says. "People know they're going to get something done well with Mark & Jeanne."
As demand for their services continued to grow, the Simons established Animatics & Storyboards in 1996. Client services include production illustration and conceptual design, character design, storyboards, pre-visualization, production design and children's illustrations.
Mark Simon says along the way he realized how easy it would be to incorporate animatics into work for corporate clients.
"When we were hired to do this presentation with Disney Business Productions for Yamaha, I came up with the idea of doing something different involving animatics," Mark Simon says.
We did the usual (presentation) stuff with them at first, then I asked the Yamaha reps if they would like to see what it would be like to actually go through the annual water vehicle rollout show they were working on first person. They were absolutely floored and said they had never seen anything like it before."
Even more important for Simon and Disney: "They bought into the Disney proposal right there on the spot."
Mark Simon says he expects the corporate work to grow considerably in the next few years as businesses become aware of the "new and entertaining things they can do with what used to be cookie cutter-type presentations."
"He wasn't going to be happy with it unless he added some kind of delusional character. That's what the Gorks are- delusional ducks who try to hit the Winkles with pies."
- Jeanne Pappas Simon, Vice President, Animatics & Storyboards, inc.
"It's going to be very good for our business," Mark Simon says. "We just have to let people know we can do that kind of work."
But even with their business growing in a number of areas, the Simons have a hard time hiding their excitement about The Winkles.
The brainchild of Jeanne Simon, The Winkles actually began
as an idea for a Dr. Suess-style book using interesting rhyme schemes
with the character's names.
When she shared the idea with someone at Nickelodeon, "This person
said this should be an animated short," she says.
So the Simons fleshed out the Winkles, creatures who resemble poodles
and live on a happy planet called Merth.
"I, of course, wanted to design a happy world where the characters
would work out their daily problems," Jeanne Simon says. "Mark,
for anyone who knows him of course, wanted some characters in it
who would wreak havoc on everything - thus, the Gorks."
"He wasn't going to be happy with it unless he added some kind of
delusional character,: Jeanne Simon adds. "That's what the Gorks
are - delusional ducks who try to hit the Wubbies with pies."
The Simons took The Winkles concept to the National Association
of Television Program Executives conference in January, hoping to
stir up interest in the project.
In fact, they apparently created quite a stir, and now the Simons
hope to sell the idea as a 13-episode, 30-minute animated children's
show.
"There is a great market out there right now for quality children's
programming," Jeanne Simon says. "So, the timing for us is just
right."
Regardless of the outcome for The Winkles, the Simons say
they are fortunate they get to work doing something they love.
"I can't imagine having a better job," Mark Simon adds. "I get to
draw, still be a big kid and work in film and TV. Does it get much
better than this? I don't think so."
Animatics & Storyboards, Inc.
407-370-BORD (2673)
marksimon (at) storyboards-east.com