In this DVD, director Aristomenis (Meni) Tsirbas begins a special series that chronicles the process of creating a short film from scratch. This first volume reveals the crucial initial steps for getting a short film off the ground. From early character studies to the creation of all the rough storyboards, Meni candidly explains his creative process throughout in a way seldom captured on video. Since most films never get past the early stages of development, Meni shows how to push through and complete this essential step, and in doing so give the project its best chance at reaching the finish line. This is a rare opportunity to see how an acclaimed short filmmaker gets his movies done. Instructor for this title: Aristomenis (Meni) Tsirbas

• Character exploration
• Designing first pass vehicles and landscapes
• Creating all the rough storyboards
• Tips at fast illustration
• Techniques to streamline the storyboard process
• How to solve and/or get past unresolved story beats

1. Rough Concept Design
2. The Setup
3. The Chase
4. Staying With the Characters
5. The Climax
6. The Resolution

• Product Code: ATS03
• ISBN: 1-59762-795-X
• UPC: 805366017699
• Duration: 141 minutes
• Formats: DVD-ROM, Digital Download, Online Subscription

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Aristomenis (Meni) Tsirbas

Director, VFX Supervisor, Digital Artist

Aristomenis (Meni) Tsirbas has been directing for film and TV for over ten years and has fifteen years experience as a visual effects supervisor and digital artist. His professional career started in 1996, working as a digital artist on James Cameron's Titanic and national advertising spots for Nike, 7UP and Coca-Cola. As a visual effects supervisor Meni worked on Miramax's A Wrinkle in Time, Disney's My Favorite Martian and Paramount's Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Between 2000 and 2003 Tsirbas wrote and directed a string of highly successful animated short films including SIGGRAPH's Ray Tracey in Full Tilt, Microsoft's Mech Warrior: Vengeance, Terra, and the acclaimed The Freak. In 2004 Tsirbas worked on two back-to-back music videos, including Tears For Fears' Closest Thing To Heaven, before setting off to direct his first feature film, Battle for Terra.