The Edge of Imagination Station is great for single or multi-day workshops, team building or family day activities, and is a great way to learn and have fun!

Have you ever wanted to bring your art to life? Johnny Villarreal and The Edge of Imagination Station are here to help! With more than ten years’ experience teaching in the community, Johnny has shown users of all ages, abilities, and skill levels how to create animated sequences and short stories. His workshops cover the basics of stop motion animation and topics such as developing a storyboard, character design, shot selection, audio recording, and post production.

All of Johnny’s stop motion animation workshops incorporate some mix of chalk, paper, clay, and found objects.

Available programs include:

  • A drop-in activity where participants learn the basics of stop motion animation and create their own animated sequences
  • A guided storytelling workshop where participants learn how to organize and narrate a short story
  • Stop Motion (PLUS) Workshops where participants will learn about stop motion and incorporate additional processes and materials such as watercolor, cardboard sculpture, or special effects/post production
  • Promotional Video Production where teens in your community work together to create a promotional video for your organization
  • Creative Content Development Workshop where you work with Johnny to plan and develop original creative content for your organization
Workshop at Art Outside

Workshop at Art Outside

Length:  Workshops can be modified to fit a single 2 or 3 hour session or multiple 2 hour sessions. The amount of time scheduled will determine what content we can cover.

Recommended group size:  Workshops can be for small and large groups.

Recommended ages:   Students as young as 5 can successfully interact with the software.  Students ages 7 and up can develop stories that require writing and reading.  Older students and adults can develop technical skills and engage in more complex projects.

Important:  Time allowed and age range is considered in the formatting of the program so mixing of age groups is discouraged in cases other than family day activities.

Number of programs:  This is very flexible and depends on the situation.  Multiple groups can be served in a day and/or over multiple visits.

Location:  All programs and workshops are held virtually.

Tech needs:  To use The Edge of Imagination Station’s software you need a PC computer and a camera. Although you can use the camera in your laptop, an external webcam is recommended for the best possible experience.

A guided workshop typically includes:

  • Introduction of the principles of stop motion animation and how to use the software
  • Brainstorming session, examples, and demos
  • Research – The Station can be used in any subject to tell a story or explain facts/processes
  • Literacy skills – Story/Storyboard writing and reading for narration
  • Math skills – conversion of timed scenes into frames per second
  • Creating sets, props, and characters
  • Audio/video production

Rates

Performance fee:

  • Includes everything listed above plus the compiling, editing, and sharing of the work.
  • Pricing starts at $600 for a 3 hour workshop. Discounts available for multi-day workshops.
  • Weekly rates are available upon request.

Save up to 50% with artist grants

Organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma can learn more about the Regional Touring Program which is available annually here, https://www.maaa.org/grants/regional-touring-program/

Grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts could cover up to 50% of The Edge of Imagination Station’s total fee!

“Arts Respond Performance Support Grants” provide support to nonprofit organizations in Texas interested in booking Johnny and other artists from the TCA Touring Artist Roster. Here are a few facts you need to know:

  • Applications are funded on a sliding scale (typically 30-50%) of contracted fees.  Support is based on TCA’s available funds.
  • Maximum award is 50% of the total fee, including all expenses.
  • The greatest awards typically go to groups in rural and/or socio-economically disadvantaged areas.  Special programs are available for groups in the Rio Grande Valley, Midland/Odessa & El Paso areas.

Application deadlines:

  • February 1 (for activities occurring March 15 -June 14)
  • May 1  (for activities occurring June 15 -August 31)
  • August 1 (for activities occurring Sept 1 -December 14) 
  • November 1 (for activities occurring Dec 15-March 14)

How to apply for a grant:

If your organization doesn’t have one already, you’ll need to get a user ID for the TCA website and online grant applications at http://www.arts.texas.gov/grants/sign-up/. You will need to provide your organization’s federal tax ID #, proof of non-profit status and a few other pieces of information.

Once you have your user ID and password, sign in and get started here.

PLEASE NOTE: If you’re wanting to hire a performer, YOU are the PRESENTER.  The person presenting the program is called the ARTIST (that’s Johnny/The Edge of Imagination Station). This confuses nearly everyone when they first look into arts grants!