I came across a terrible site.....Anti-MTM! D:

[refractory]

I'm closing this thread....so, please don't post anymore.

[RyerOrdStar]

Are you joking?

[Alex Chow]

Honestly, I live extremely close to MTM but I know nothing about it either. I've heard good and bad things about MTM from different people though I've heard good and bad things about every single school anyways. Anti-OCADs (oh Jesus, there are quite a bit of these)... Anti- Sheridans... Anti-Senecas... You name it!

You shouldn't get so worked up about this blog. Schools cannot expect to please every single student. I would take this as a grain of salt and form your own opinions of the school as you experience it; just don't start blogging EXTREME hate messages and put Anti-MTM signs all over Toronto if the school doesn't fit your needs :) .

No need to ask for reassurance. Look at MTM as an excellent opportunity for learning and don't let anybody else, internet or otherwise, stop your energy and enthusiasm you seem to have; your own experiences will have the final say about the school.

[a la bapsi]

sad to see what happens when a kid gets a little too butthurt about being rejected from a school they apply to [or not being able to handle the first year of it, like the anti-mtm case.].
they create a hate site instead of spending their time and energy on something more constructive. :[

[Mirana]

I suspect you're young, so I'll be a little more helpful than I was first inclined to be. :P

Not everyone is going to love the same stuff you do. No school gets glowing reviews from everyone. No school is going to be a perfect fit for everyone. This dude is completely entitled to his opinion and his choices. If it doesn't fall in line with your feelings on the matter STOP READING IT. Form your own opinion.

That being said...why was he not expecting critique? What DID he expect? Gold stars?

[Elwell]

Anyone who's been around here for a while and is familiar with the MTM threads can probably figure out who that blog belongs to.

[Bee's Knees]

fFrst off congratulations

It's not my blog, I'm a small kid and have no clue about blogging but I'm not a fan of mtm. I have contacted the owner of said blog. While I give him credit for putting something out there, He comes off really hurt and raw about his short time at the school. I might meet with him in the near future but hes better off putting his frustration to better use. I spent a few years at mtm it went from good to bad depending on the week.

My guess is if you felt you where wronged or hurt in some way you'd brood over it a bit then move on. This guy is just venting like any other person would had. he's just happened to be blogging about it.

Now this my opinion don't let it bum you out. Maxine is running a business and she is fully behind what she teaches sometime a bit to much. While her passion and energy is something to look up to I could of have done less with weekly mandatory meeting that turned into how my generation is full of thugs and gang-banger but, as Maxine will tell you she old and is entitled to a rant. I'm sure a lot has changed since my time at the school and improvements have been made. Hope they changed their stance on 7 years of education in 3 years with not enough time. Cram it all in cram and cram. Try to take as much in as you can in from each teacher. Not every school is for everyone but nothing is stopping them from marketing it to every one.

Now by posting this here all that was done is more traffic to his blog. In other related new I've been waiting to see what Richard Pace has to say about his time spent at mtm I enjoyed his classes wish he had gotten more freedom. http://burningmonster.blogspot.com/

Good lucky, try to have some fun and just remember to eat well

[Bee's Knees]

fFrst off congratulations

It's not my blog, I'm a small kid and have no clue about blogging but I'm not a fan of mtm. I have contacted the owner of said blog. While I give him credit for putting something out there, He comes off really hurt and raw about his short time at the school. I might meet with him in the near future but hes better off putting his frustration to better use. I spent a few years at mtm it went from good to bad depending on the week.

My guess is if you felt you where wronged or hurt in some way you'd brood over it a bit then move on. This guy is just venting like any other person would had. he's just happened to be blogging about it.

Now this my opinion don't let it bum you out. Maxine is running a business and she is fully behind what she teaches sometime a bit to much. While her passion and energy is something to look up to I could of have done less with weekly mandatory meeting that turned into how my generation is full of thugs and gang-banger but, as Maxine will tell you she old and is entitled to a rant. I'm sure a lot has changed since my time at the school and improvements have been made. Hope they changed their stance on 7 years of education in 3 years with not enough time. Cram it all in cram and cram. Try to take as much in as you can in from each teacher. Not every school is for everyone but nothing is stopping them from marketing it to every one.

Now by posting this here all that was done is more traffic to his blog. In other related new I've been waiting to see what Richard Pace has to say about his time spent at mtm I enjoyed his classes wish he had gotten more freedom. http://burningmonster.blogspot.com/

Good lucky, try to have some fun and just remember to eat well

[teddybearbones]

Yeah. That kid has a vendetta against Maxine for having expectations of him (I mean seriously how *dare* she want him to improve</sarcasm>). He posted a bunchuv flyers outside the school under the cover of night and massive crowds of people during nuit blanche. I've had dealings with him over the internet in the past which went poorly on the part of both parties. One might surmise he expected MTM to be a pushover school where his work would be constantly praised as genius. Clearly he was mistaken.

The curriculum is difficult, the standards are high, as are expectations. The point is to get graduates into the industry. After a few sleep depraved nights when all you're running on is graphite and coffee it's hard to hear an instructor say to you exactly what you're thinking about your own work. But being able to take that criticism and use their advise to make your work better is an essential skill. Because your instructors are actually being nice to you. Your future bosses will systematically dissemble your work, probl'y worse than your instructors.

I'm not trying to scare you off, but understand that that's a reality of the industry you're stepping into. People will expect stuff of you, and they'll expect that stuff to be good.

[Maxine Schacker]

I'm surprised that Richard Pace got so many facts wrong! All the hiring for this year's sequential arts courses was done at the direction and suggestion of Ty Templeton and Dave Ross, both well known and respected comic book artists.

The two of them, in conjunction with Nina Bunjevac, artist and independent comic book artist, are directing the program.

Ty, Dave and Nina, and I met this week to discuss curriculum. This is a new program and definitely is still getting fine tuned. However, we have a stellar faculty, including Ty TEMPLETON, Dave ROSS, Ramon PEREZ and Kalman ANDRASOFSZKY. I called them up and offered them the jobs, but the final choices were not made by me .

I do not interfere in anything but the areas I know- life drawing, anatomy, and painting.


Richard Pace was instrumental in developing the comic book courses, and, indeed checked and approved the outline for Digital Media! He decided it should be offered year two first semester and this change, which was a mistake, along with some other changes, were put into effect last spring before he left the program.

It's interesting that the very change HE implemented, which was a mistake, he is now holding against the school!

However, it's a minor mistake that can easily be remedied. Ask how the Layout, Inking, Drawing Backgrounds Props and Structures, Cinematic Storytelling and Story Development, and Life Drawing courses are going.

I spoke to Megan Jessup today and , if you're reading this Richard, she is thrilled with the program. There are certainly several people who are not happy with everything. That will always be the case. Our intentions are always to provide the best education we are capable of providing. We are always fine tuning. We take input from students seriously and address issues.

In any school, people sometimes are hired to teach who do not work out as well as one hoped. Student complaints, in conjunction with other problems, made it best for Richard to leave this school. We just were not a good fit. I would never be writing this if my hand had not been forced to defend not only myself, but this school, its excellent faculty and our serious students.

Enough has been said. Overall, this has been an incredibly positive semester.

We are now in the process of returning Digital Media to third year, second semester - where it was in the first place!- so that students can use these programs to produce final work for portfolios.

The proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the tasting. The first graduates will show work in 2010. My guess is that it will be work worth viewing.



Much of what Richard has written on his blog is unfounded. His comments about the people teaching here are demonstrably untrue. Just check the faculty list. By the way, there are great teachers who are not necessarily known artists. Richard's favorite drawing teacher, who I also respect greatly, was Ann Ziegler, who was an abstract artist but a great life drawing teacher.

Bridgman, Hale and Nicolaides are examples of great teachers who were not famous artists. Some people are both great artists and great teachers (Ty, for example). Some are great artists but can't teach at all. Tina is a Class A character designer, has animation experience, and according to our students, is a passionate an excellent animation teacher. I'm sure some of them will get on-line to post their opinions. Richard's comments about her are unfounded and have no basis in fact.

Without teachers like Tina we wouldn't have the reputation in the industry that we have, and we wouldn't have a 90% employment rate.


I suggest that you visit Max the Mutt yourselves and speak to current students.

I hope we can put this to rest. To the students who were not happy here, I hope you have found a school that is a better fit for you. No school is right for everyone. To those of you who are complaining about the workload, i don't know a first class animation school that doesn't demand dedication and hard work. All art forms require this.

It's odd that this is happening the day after I read a post (unsolicited) from a year one student on the Max the Mutt thread, literally raving about the school. I guess you just can't please everyone!

[Maxine Schacker]

A person who will have to remain unnamed for reasons of privacy and school policy, has admitted by email that he is behind the blog mentioned above. He has already been banned from conceptart.org for postings not associated with Max the Mutt. We were not informed that he had challenges when he applied and was accepted to the school, and I believe it is because of his challenges that he sometimes acts inappropriately.

I have advised him that some of his acts are illegal ( misuse of a trademark, for example). His email response to me indicates that this obsession will continue unless we take legal action.

It is the irony of ironies that Richard Pace was one of the instructors who had problems with this person, and took part in at least one meeting we had with him. We were forced to suggest that he leave the program because he was interfering with the instructor's ability to teach, was argumentative, did not follow directions, and was given several opportunities to change his conduct. More than one instructor had problems having him in class. In this case, Richard was correct to suggest that he leave the program.

When I despair about the negative potential of the internet, I remind myself of all the positives. I've learned from this site and others. Despite the "hate" sites, we all know what a powerful force for good the internet can be.

[rpace]

I was hoping this thread would dry up since it's really a result of a nervous young student encountering an inappropriately disgruntled former MtM student. Well, since I've now been directly addressed and lied about, I really have no choice but to respond.

"I'm surprised that Richard Pace got so many facts wrong! All the hiring for this year's sequential arts courses was done at the direction and suggestion of Ty Templeton and Dave Ross, both well known and respected comic book artists."

I know this is absolutely false; you hired a number of people for positions within the comics curriculum without consulting Ty. You did tell people to talk to him after your hired them, but that's hardly consulting.

A major reason for my leaving the school was Maxine's distortions and dishonesty. As much as I'd like to set the record straight, I see little benefit in addressing more of the same in Maxine's message.

I do agree that potential students should talk to current and former MtM students before attending and that there are some very good teachers working at the school.

I do wish for the best for attending and future students and, I think, that should be the last I say on or about this.

~R

[Maxine Schacker]

Sorry, Richard this is not the case. The distortions on your blog left me no choice but to respond. Like you, I think this should be put to rest.

[Bee's Knees]

Funny, distortion tends to work both ways. On one hand MtM is a business its goal is to give a fair education and turn a profit, money is the great evil that makes the world go round. Now a bad business practice would be to say yes everything negative that was said is true. On the other hand saying we have made changes to our current program that will benefit future student sounds great doesn't it. But I find it hard to believe that Richard is the only one distorting.

In general it's the students that are used as lab rat that lose in this battle. Any time a program has a new "teacher" or professional who is teaching for the first time it's the students who do most of the teaching. Same goes for New program that are offered. I don't know if MtM had a pilot program in place before they offered the diploma. If not it may have been an oversight.


Refractory,

If it's possible see if you can sit in a class before hand. Maxine, Richard and the anti-blog a side in the end its what you want everyone will be leaning more to one side or the other. Your the only one you need to please. What will come from this, we can all hope a better stronger program will.

Ask for a schedule and class outline, speak with the teach if possible. I'd hang around during lunch time and speak with some student if you can or ambush them at a local coffee shop/bus stop. See if it's what you want. What your will to spend the money for. In the end its your buck and people want it so get the most out of it. Just don't feel like its your only option and don't be afraid to say what is it that I am paying for.

I do hope something is offered to those students who took part in a class/course with shortcomings. In other parts of the world students would riot over stuff like this but in Canada we just accept it. But then it would be hard to prove that an educational facility didn't deliver on their end. Seem like a one way street.

Maybe Maxine would be willing to keep us all updated on the status or changes that happen with this program?

Hopefully Richard could still offer some insight/advise to Maxine about what it need, that's if he is still willing.

[refractory]

Oops....sorry for causing such an....upset. i'm still going to attend the school (I'm ecstatic about starting next year!). And I've been asking a few students for their opinions, and they say the school is great. Thanks to everyone who commented here, I appreciate it :3 ~~ <3

[refractory]

Ack...weird smilie. Here's a better one: \^0^/

[IgnorantProfessor]

Thanks BeesKnees for your insight and input.

After reading this thread and other websites I must say it is rather unfortunate to read varied (lengthwise) responses both defending the school's actions and or informing what really occurred from an individual point of view whether one is professional (working in the field) or not, i.e. he said she said...

My experience with the school is a mixed bucket and have come to a pragmatic viewpoint on the whole matter.

I totally agree with Richard Pace to talk to students around the common room and acquire personal insight on two things-the course(s) on offer and how (in)effective the teacher is in terms of teaching etcetera. I also agree with BeeKnees to obtain a class outline and the ability to stake the 'truth' on such issues relating to the value of money and the value of the courses.

[IgnorantProfessor]

Cont...

Should you do venture and partake in the studies of this school be aware that its how you make of it and regretfully, its a hit or miss with regards to having a teacher that one, knows how to teach well, and two, knows his/her work. If you end up with a person who fills both elements deficiently you have a number of options: grin and bear it; keep going to classes but study up on your personal time; get help from fellow students; inform whoever who will listen to you and request changes; review your financial options; assess your personal objective in life and or; review your short and long term goals.

For the most part, I've heard consistent insight on certain teachers from students in my classes and also have heard that former teachers are sorely missed by present students...

For me personally, I stuck with all the above options...hehe but I would have like to be taught by former teachers.

[Dudge]

I came across this thread and felt I should weigh in. I'm one of the students that went through the illustration program at MTM last year.

Last year was disappointing. Half of us dropped out along the way or did not return this year. Those of us who came back did so due to the staff changes that occurred over the summer. Three instructors that rendered the program ineffective were let go. New more capable instructors were hired and new administrators placed in charge of the program, all of which has improved things a great deal. That more change is needed may be true, but that's to be expected this project is only in its second year.

As for the disgruntled former MTM student I know nothing about it. I never knew him and I've not been to his blog.