We asked Animation Mentor Grad, Pixar Animator, and current mentor Jane Cassidy to share the...
6 Common Mistakes of Beginning Animators
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Animation Tips and Tricks Articles
Best in Animation 2017: Animation Mentor Staff Picks
2017 has been...eventful to say the least. And that’s why we’re more grateful than ever for the...
Top 10 Animation Blog Posts of 2017
To help you get a head start on 2018, we’ve compiled our top animation posts of the past year!...
What Separates the Good Animator from the Bad Animator?
What separates a good animator from a bad one? While the answer might be somewhat subjective,...
5 Myths of the Animation Industry
The animation industry is the business of creating myth and magic. As such, it’s not surprising...
How to Maximize Your Productivity When Animating
Animation is a time-consuming art form—there’s just no way around it. Something that many people...
How to Create Your Game Animation Demo Reel
So you want to apply to a game studio but you’re wondering, "What exactly do I need to put on my...
Choosing the Best Poses for Your Acting Shot
When you’re creating a performance for a character, how do you decide how many poses to use? The...
Twinning and Why You Should (Usually) Avoid It
With twinning—as with everything in the animation world—there’s always room to break the rules....
What's the best workflow for animating a shot?
The short answer is: Whatever helps you get the shot done. The longer answer is: It varies from...
How to Create Believable Weight in Animation
In animation, we want to believe that the character moved, not that someone moved the character....
Don't Be Scared to Critique More Experienced Animators
We get it! It can be tough giving feedback to animators who are more advanced than you. You worry...
I’ll never be as good an animator as so-and-so…
Sooner or later—usually sooner—someone is going to come along and blow you out of the water. But...
Is Your Demo Reel Ready for a Major Studio?
Shawn Kelly, AM Co-founder and ILM Lead Animator, took a break from working on Avengers 3 to talk demo reel do’s and don’ts, creature animation, and what studios are looking for in your reel!
How to Approach an Acting Test
Coming up with a great idea for an acting test is difficult. What are some things that can help...
Game vs. Film Animation with Riot’s Senior Character Animator Alex Lehmann
Ever wonder what it’s like to work at Pixar? Of course your do! That’s why we chatted with Nate Wall, mentor and animator for The Good Dinosaur, Inside Out, and Finding Dory!
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.
Secondary Action: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation
Good secondary action energizes your shots and marks the difference between being a competent animator and an entertaining visual storyteller. Learn how you can use this principle to become a better animator from pro Kevin Koch.
ANIMATION TIPS & TRICKS
DEMO REEL ADVICE
