January 10,
1995
Mr. Gary
Schwartz
Intuitive Learning Systems
Dear Gary:
This letter
is written to express to you how much we at AnimAction Studios
appreciate your fabulous contribution to our personal growth
curriculum in our Animation Training Program for Youth. This
program is designed to motivate and train artistically talented
18-20 year old young men and women for careers in the field
of Animation Production. Artists from diverse backgrounds are
recruited to participate in this intensive and comprehensive
program.
Crucial to
their effectiveness as team members is the need for each artists
to communicate effectively; to relate genuinely; and to express
themselves assertively. By incorporating your use of Spolin
games in the initial stages of team building, we were able to
see almost immediately a change in the artists. They seemed
to have fun and really laugh. Appearing less fearful, many became
more willing to take risks. In this atmosphere they opened up
to first themselves and the to one another. The transformation
in two short weeks was phenomenal.
As you continued
to work with them their progress soared. Their articulation
improved, along with their posture. Friendly exchanges between
each other increased as they got to know and trust one another.
Sure, in time this would have happened. Improvisation accelerated
their acquisition of these crucial skills however.
The artists
expressed it best. "When does Gary get here, I need
to loosen up." "At first I resisted the games, I thought
they were silly until I saw how much fun everyone else was having.
" "I found myself acting in a way I never thought
I would, so free and fearless." "After a demanding
day of classes and deadlines it was helpful just to be!"
"I never laughed so much, in my life..."
Gary, in
addition to being an exceptional actor, teacher, and communicator,
we value your enthusiasm for life, and your willingness to share
it with others. Thank you for sharing you enormous gifts with
us here at AnimAction Studios.
Sincerely
Bruce
Royer,
Executive Director