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
