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Work Based Learning: DMA Project

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Internship and Employment Opportunity

Animation Academy intern Scott Cheshire has been working with an online business, Smarks Entertainment Inc, to develop Flash based media for their online Pro-Wrestling cartoon. Smarks Room of Doom Flash Cartoon debuted on April 12, 2001.  

During the Animation Academy field trip to the Animation Business Marketplace in Hollywood, California, students had the opportunity to meet with industry professionals. Jim Kiggens, the Academy Director, met Al Issacs of Smarks and discovered that they were looking for a Flash animator and Jim recommended Scott. While relaxing poolside at the Animation Marketplace, Jim Kiggens introduced Scott to Al Issacs and an immediate merging of the talents occurred. 

Smarks goal is to eventually have a prime time animated TV show, and they felt that web based animation was a good step towards achieving that goal. Creating animations for the web provides Smarks an opportunity to make the transition between a still comic strip and animation. Smarks is also interested in providing their animations on VHS for promotional purposes.

About the Intern

In the words of Scott Cheshire:

My name is Scott Cheshire and I am just starting my career in animation. I plan to be an animation rock star, touring the world in a hedonistic, gypsy like circus of extravagant indulgence. If that doesn't work out I'll be happy to work out of my home, where I have a corner office with windows. Like most folks, I first became interested in cartoons when I was a small child. Now that I am a large child, my interest has grown into being involved with the creative process of animation.

My other interests range from music to computers to trivia. Also, I was born on the same day the Spork was patented.

At this time, I am animating the first SMARKS flash cartoon. My favorite character is the Maniac. You just have to respect a guy that wears barbed wire! I hope to capture these wonderful characters as accurately as possible. I really hope you enjoy the cartoon I put together. Many thanks,

------Scott Cheshire
 

About Smarks Entertainment Inc.

Smarks Entertainment, created by Ted Smith and Al Issacs, features the comic works developed and released by the duo in 2000. Mr. Smith, with a degree in graphic design, has worked in cartooning for many years and has been involved in a variety of wrestling comedic media. His work was seen by Al Issacs, broadcast journalist, comedian, and 20 yr+ wrestling fan, which led to spots on SCOOPSWRESTLING.COM and later his "Bottom Line" cartoon appearing in the monthly magazine, "The Wrestler." Mr. Issacs' SCOOPSWRESTLING.COM, in it's five year run, was one of the largest and most successful websites dedicated to wrestling. Mr. Issacs has been consulted for features by a host of well-known media houses, such as Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, and World News Tonight. Together Mr. Smith and Mr. Issacs formulated the basis for SMARKS and unleashed their comic strip in July of 2000.

PLEASE NOTE: Smarks Entertainment is no longer active and their website is no longer online.

Room of Doom

Room of Doom is a Flash cartoon about a wild wrestling match that turns out to be rather peaceful, at least it is at first. It ends in a furious fray of wrestle mania. A very amusing piece that conveys the artistic style of the artist. It has been well received with many viewers providing enthusiastic comments about the animation.

One of the challenges for Scott was to take the existing character design and artistic style from the cartoonist and translate that as closely as possible into Flash. How well did he do? Well why don't you decide for yourself:
 

All images and information relating to Smarks Entertainment Inc. used by permission.

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Last updated May 21, 2008