Aerodata: “Animator Pro”, “3D Studio”

SPEAKER     

Phil, Atkinson, et. al’s 21 Hour Seminar “Using Forensic Animation in Pre-trial Preparation”

MIVA: “Missteaks We’ve Made in Business”

EDUCATION           

BSE  Electrical Engineering - The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

“Advanced 3D Studio MAX” - Ted Boardman

“Advanced AutoCAD” - Henry Ford Community  College

“Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” -University of Michigan, Dearborn

“C Programming” and “C++ Programming” - Lawrence Tech

“Starting a High-Tech Company I, II, III”; “A Celebration of Failure”; “Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship” – University of Michigan, School of Business Administration

“Management by Objectives”, “Project Management”, “Management 18” - IEEE home study

“Single Camera”, “Studio Operations” ,“Video Editing” - United Cable Television

“Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” –California State University (at Cranbrook,  MI)

  “Open Water”, “Navigation and Limited Visibility” - PADI SCUBA certification

  “UnderwaterPhotography” - Sunset House, Grand Cayman Island

MEMBERSHIPS

 MIVA,IEEE, SMPTE, ITVA, DPA, MAUG, AAUG, DAN

^{Former class attendee Allen Renfroe said:} "One day of this class is worth the tuition.  It was a relaxed atmosphere which made the class flexible. You know, we got the kind of specialized knowledge that is hard to find. Thank's a lot. Allen Renfroe

Former class attendee Eric Dean said: "The training I received over the past few days was tremendously helpful in getting started in this profession.  The hospitality was much appreciated too!"  Eric Dean

Former class attendee Mark Evans said: "I was very pleased with the training.  A great primer for those interested in the field of forensic animation."  Mark Evans

^{More from David:}
Please Note David has a new email address which is: Y@wyeknotinc.com 

<sup>These are aimed at students are already skilled in use of Max and other graphics programs - in varying degrees, but are new or relatively new to the profession of forensic animation.

FA 601 deals primarily with legal aspects of Forensic Animation, and FA 602 is more nuts and bolts. (see class outline below)</sup>  

<sup>The text  is compilation of materials I've written and found during ten years of research. We watch video tapes of actual Forensic Animations. We do some "role" playing to practice working with lawyers, experts, as well as handling  depositions & cross examination.
Some of the exercises involve doing some field work - measurements, and photographing an "accident" scene.

Presently, class is 3 days, 8-10 hours a day. We work until we are brain dead, then pick up the next morning.  It's pretty intense - there's a lot to cover, so a lot of things we can't get into in any depth. I try to give the students at least some information on most of the items, along with some hints on where they can learn more, as they need to.

Class size is small - ideally 6-8 students, from a wide variety of backgrounds. Many are very skilled animators, some students also have
forensic backgrounds  - so class is not just me talking, but a lot of information comes from students as well.

We use Max as a teaching tool, and have Max specific tips and tricks. However, most of the materials & skills are not restricted to Max. One student was a skilled Maya user with no interest in Max. I predict she will be a very successful forensic animator.

The students are highly motivated which makes "teaching" very rewarding.

I'm also considering the possibility for a more advanced course , either going into some of the topics in greater depth or covering new topics. I'd would welcome ideas on what could be covered.

 Thanks much for your help in advance,</sup>

General Course Description

Topics covered will include legal vocabulary, rules of evidence , working with lawyers and experts, practical tips and hints. This course will start with basics and move rapidly through the essential information of forensic animation in the US legal system.  

Class will include video samples from actual cases, and include discussion of issues involved with cases. There will be some demonstrations using 3D Studio Max. However 601 will not focus on the production aspects of Forensic Animation. Class notes will be provided including are commended reading list and resource list. Role playing exercises will be used to practice important interactions between the Forensic Animator, Attorneys and Experts. 

Students with prior forensic animation experience will be encouraged to discuss experiences, and show their work.

Here is an email we received from Brent Austin.
We thought that Dave's response may also be of interest to the general population:

 -----Original Message-----
From: Brent Austin
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 6:03 PM
To: y@wyeknotinc.com
Subject: question

  I am a current student of criminology who is also interested in computer animation, primarily 3DS Max. I would like to know what kind of demand your company experiences for this service. As you can see, I live in IL, near St. Louis and I am thinking of possibly pursuing a career in Forensic CGI. I welcome & appreciate any advice.

Brent

            Thanks for your email. Always happy to chat about one Forensic Animation.
            The demand for forensic animations has been slowly increasing for past 16 + years.  Despite all the media hype, the legal community, in general is slow to change its ways.
            But they are changing.  

            Your choice of 3DS is (in my not so humble opinion) a pretty good choice. I've been using it rev 1.0 (before Max).  For forensic work it's important to be able to bring data in to
            a program from all manner of other programs, and Max handles this pretty well. 

Other rambling advice:

            Be able to do basic geometry and algebra. I'd say this is generally at basic high school level. If the thought converting MPH to inches/frame gives you the willies - you may want
            to reconsider FA as a life style.

            In Max we do things by the numbers, creating geometry & keyframes with numeric entry, as opposed to just dragging a mouse around.  If the firing pin is 3.73 mm in diameter, and
            the truck moved 7.8 feet in 3.7 seconds, that's what it needs to be in your final product.  

            Simple programming skills can be very helpful to create or modify scripts/expressions.  

            You should be familiar with principals of Newtonian physics for accident and especially for vehicular.  

             Despite what some folks say, nobody really thinks logiy. But it is a useful tool. Sometimes logic is taught as introductory course in philosophy, or as computer design. Along
            with that would be the other forensics: rhetoric. Being able to spot a logic fallacy very important.

             Like post hoc. As startling as this may be:

                         breakfast does not cause lunch.

             Since most of the analysis in any case is (theoretiy) done by experts - as a forensic animator you shouldn't be ed upon to compute stopping distances from skid marks.  But
            you will need to be able to communicate with the experts. And they generally don't speak animation, but something else altogether (techno-babble).  

            Lawyers don't speak animation either, so it pays to know some of their language - ipse dixit. 

            All things computer seem to be useful from time to time.  

            Graphiy, besides Max, I use Photoshop and CorelDraw as essential tools.

            Word and Excel get a workout at our place for lots of forensic animation stuff.  

            For the other side of your brain - FA is also about telling the story and convincing your audience of the veracity of that story. 

            There are probably a lot of other things that could be helpful. Unfortunately, my crystal ball is vague on what will be.  Seems like every new case reminds me how ignorant I am...
            about something or another.  Fortunately ignorance is, if not curable, treatable.    

            You may be interested in taking FA 601/602:

           http://virtualpartners.com/Dave_Forensic_Animation.html  

Hope this helped some. If you have any other questions, feel free to email or  (734) 498 - 3042 

All the best, 

Dave Wright, Pres

Wyeknot, inc