The best animation advice comes from the pros! Read on for important tips from Blue Sky Animator Dave Vasquez.
The Story of Animation Mentor: How 3 Studio Animators Changed the Animation Industry
read more
Animation Articles
Top 10 Animation Blogs of 2019: Tips, Tricks, & Interviews
We are beyond excited to introduce a brand new workshop this fall taught by Jay Jackson! Jay’s workshop, 2D Animation for Beginners, will teach traditional animation with modern tools and is perfect for all of you animation nerds out there! Read on to learn more about Jay and our awesome workshop.
Animation Tutorial with Lead Reel FX Animator
Animation homages aren’t a problem if you use them infrequently, but it’s important to keep your work fresh and creative. Read on to learn the top 5 clichés to look out for!
Best Animated Movies of the Decade: From ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ to ‘Into the Spider-Verse’
We chatted with Creatures alumna Natalia Falowksa about her work on The Lion King and her time at two large VFX studios. Read on to hear about her school experience, career advice, and favorite Guardians of the Galaxy character.
New Workshop: Introduction to 3D Character Modeling
Did you know that together Shawn Kelly and Carlos Baena have worked on over 40 blockbusters?! If you’re curious about a career in animation, or simply wondering what to put on your demo reel, look no further. Shawn & Carlos cover animation career advice from all angles in this entertaining webinar. Check it out!
6 Key Things You Need to Succeed as an Animator
I love my job. I get to see students—who have a massive desire and passion to tackle their...
Q&A with OpenPixel Studios Co-Founder Kathryn Taccone
All animators have different tastes and directions we’d like to take our animation careers. Some of us may prefer wild cartoony action, others may prefer subtle realism. But even if you don’t imagine yourself specializing in cartoony animation, studying it will add important tools to your foundation and make you a better overall animator. Cartoony animation isn’t just for cartoony animators—and here’s why!
Top 3 Reasons You Need Creature Animation on Your Demo Reel
Lead Animator at Industrial Light & Magic, Shawn Kelly shares why you need more creature animation in YOUR demo reel, regardless of the studios you are applying to. Read along and then go polish your demo reel!
Some Tips for Animating Dialogue
Mentor and Animator Jay Jackson has worked on some of our favorites! From The Little Mermaid to...
Video: How to Create Walk Cycles for Video Games
Creating a convincing walk cycle for games can be tough but when you also need to have a walk move...
Why Your Animation Needs Contrast, Part 1: Posing
What's contrast? Well, on your TV, your digital camera, or in Photoshop, it's the amount of...
New Workshop Alert: Intermediate Storyboarding
Because of the overwhelming popularity of Storyboarding Fundamentals since it’s launch in 2015,...
What is Visual Development in Animation?
Nolen Lee—freelance artist, Punching Pandas creator, and new mentor—shares what a Visual...
Are you ergonomically correct?
As an animator, or animation student, you likely spend a LOT of your time at a desk of some...
5 Key Steps for Effective Blocking
What are some effective blocking methods? This is a question that students ask a lot! According to...
The Best (and Worst) Ways to Take Feedback On Your Animation
Sometimes putting work out there can be intimidating, but it is the best and fastest way to...
3 New Animation Mentor Workshops!
We’re SO excited to announce that we’ll have not one, not two, but THREE new workshops starting...
5 Things NOT to Do on Your Demo Reel
At Animation Mentor, we devote a whole class to teaching students about demo reels! Here are five things NOT to do when building your own demo reel.
10 of the Best Animal and Creature Animation Posts
You probably know by now that animal and creature animation are 100% essential for your demo reel...
Pro Animation Tip: Don’t Forget About the Shoulders!
When you think of showing emotion in animation, what's the first thing that pops into your head....
A Guide to Demo Reel Reviews at Animation Conventions
Heading to an animation convention? First, read up on what to bring, how to get your reel reviewed, and more from some of our mentors and reel reviewers!
ANIMATION TIPS & TRICKS
DEMO REEL ADVICE
