Take your body mechanics and facial animation to the next level with Chadd Ferron as he shares tips on animating Surprise!
The 6 Basic Emotions: Animating Surprise with DreamWorks Animator Chadd Ferron
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The 6 Basic Emotions: Animating Disgust with Jay Davis
Ever smelled boiled brussel sprouts? Yep, they’re disgusting. Learn how to animate that face you just made with facial animation tips from Jay Davis!
The 6 Basic Emotions: Animating Anger with Pixar’s Anthony Wong
Does facial animation have you bristling with rage? Channel that anger and perfect your acting shots with tips from Pixar animator Anthony Wong!
The 6 Basic Emotions: Animating Fear with Keith Sintay
Take your facial animation to the next level with Keith Sintay as he shares tips and tricks on animating Fear, one of the 6 Basic Emotions!
The 6 Basic Emotions: Animating Happiness with Kevin Koch
Professional animator Kevin Koch shares his tips and tricks for animating “Happiness.” It’s not as straightforward an emotion as it may seem!
The 6 Basic Emotions: Animating Sadness with Tim Ingersoll
DreamWorks animator Tim Ingersoll shares the key to successfully and believably animating “Sadness.” Pro tip: It begins in the eyes.
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!
5 Reasons Why 3D Animators Should Know Autodesk Maya
Why do Animation Mentor students use Autodesk Maya? Is this animation software really that important? Can I learn it on my own?
For answers to these and other important questions, read 5 Reasons Why 3D Animators Should Know Autodesk Maya.
Carlos Baena’s Journey: Simplicity in Animation
Hey kids and kids at heart! Ever wonder what happened to your favorite Saturday morning cartoons? Anne Choi takes a nostalgic look back at the evolution of classic cartoon favorites.
Do You Need Natural Talent To Be A Good Animator?
We asked former student, current mentor, and Blue Sky Studios animator Dan Segarra, “Do you need...
5 Key Steps for Effective Blocking
What are some effective blocking methods? This is a question that students ask a lot! According to...
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....
Pro Animation Trick: Forget About the Legs!
Basically, the idea is this—if you nail the timing and posing of the body (hips, torso, etc), then...
What is a Reversal in Animation?
Reversals aren’t all that complicated, but lots of new animators haven’t heard of them! Here,...
Why All Animators Need to Master the Moving Hold
A "moving hold” is basically just a way to have your character hold a key pose for a long time...
6 Common Mistakes of Beginning Animators
We asked Animation Mentor Grad, Pixar Animator, and current mentor Jane Cassidy to share the...
Appeal: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation
The difference between appealing and unappealing animation isn’t limited to subject; what matters is how you present ideas, concepts, and emotional highs/lows to the audience. Learn about Appeal from Disney Toon Studios animator Ethan Hurd!
Solid Drawing: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation
Think you don’t need drawing skills as a 3D animator? Think again! Jay Jackson explains how drawing skills are essential for every animation style and shares some insider tips.
Exaggeration: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation
EXAGGERATION! Learn more from pro Dana Boadway-Masson about how you can use this principle to become a better animator in a BIG and BOLD way.
Timing: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation
Timing is everything, especially when it comes to animation! Conceptually it seems simple, but getting right is a big challenge—and, if you ask DreamWorks and Disney veteran Dave Burgess, it’s also the most fun! Learn more about how you can use the principle of timing to improve your work and become a better animator.
Arc: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation
We’re covering the 12 Basic Principles of Animation one principle at a time. Now we’re on principle 7, which is Arc! Find out why you need to know about it, what it looks like, and how to use it to improve your own animation.
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